CORRESP 1 filename1.htm

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010

 

 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Via Edgar and Federal Express

Division of Corporation Finance

 

Attention: H. Roger Schwall, Assistant Director

 

100 F Street, N.E.

 

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

 

 

 

Re:

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

 

 

Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

 

Filed March 8, 2010

 

 

Form 10-K/A for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

 

Filed April 30, 2010

 

 

Forms 1O-Q for Fiscal Quarters Ended March 31, 2010 and

 

 

June 30, 2010

 

 

Filed May 6, 2010 and August 9, 2010

 

 

File No. 0-33999

Dear Mr. Schwall:

          On behalf of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”), I am pleased to submit this response to the comments of the Staff on the above-referenced filing, as set forth in your letter dated October 22, 2010. We have not yet filed an amendment to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (“Amended 10-K Report”) or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 (“Amended 10-Q Report”) (collectively the “Amended Reports”) in response to the Staff’s comments, but intend to do so as determined appropriate through the course of our discussions with the Division of Corporation Finance.

          A marked copy of certain portions of the proposed Amended Reports are included herewith to illustrate revisions the Company proposes to make in response to your letter. Revisions proposed in response to your October 22, 2010 letter are reflected as red underlined text. In addition to such responses, we have also included our previous revisions proposed in response to your initial letter dated July 30, 2010. Please note that our previous revisions proposed in response to the July 30, 2010 comment letter are reflected as black underlined text.

          The supplemental information set forth herein has been supplied by the Company for use in connection with the Staff’s review of the responses described below, and all such responses have been reviewed and approved by the Company. For convenience, each of the Staff’s consecutively numbered comments is set forth herein, followed by the Company’s response in bold.


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 2

Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

Reserves, page 3

 

 

 

 

1.

Comment: We note your response to comment 3 in our letter dated July 30, 2010 and your proposed revisions to your disclosure regarding the methodology for calculating your reserves. Your proposed disclosure does not include a discussion of the specific technologies used to establish the appropriate level of certainty for reserves estimates from material properties included in the total reserves disclosed. Please revise to include disclosure regarding specific technologies used as required by Item 1202(a)(6) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Item 1. Business in Part I of the Amended 10-K Report to include additional disclosure regarding the specific technologies used to establish the appropriate level of certainty for reserves estimates from material properties included in the total reserves disclosed. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

 

 

2.

Comment: We note your response to comment 5 in our letter dated July 30, 2010 and the proposed revisions to your disclosure. Please revise to be more specific in addressing our comments and disclose the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quantify the amount of proved undeveloped reserves converted to proved developed reserves in the past year and disclose material changes in proved undeveloped reserves that occurred during the year. Your revised disclosure should discuss the changes that correspond to the line item reserve changes found in ASC 932-235-50-5; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specifically identify investments and progress made during the year to convert proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves, including, but not limited to, capital expenditures. We note you accrued $22.7 million of capital expenditures for drilling activities which directly contributed to the increase in proved developed reserves but it is unclear if this is your total investment to convert proved undeveloped reserves to proved reserves.

 

 

 

 

 

Further, we note you do not have any material amounts of proved undeveloped reserves that have remained undeveloped for five years or more. Please confirm you have no proved undeveloped reserves scheduled to be developed beyond five years.



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 3

 

 

 

Response: We completed our initial reservoir engineering calculations in the first fiscal quarter of 2008 and recently completed our most current reservoir engineering calculation as of December 31, 2009. Our independent reservoir engineering firm did not calculate proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2008, because we had not participated in a sufficient number wells to substantiate our proved undeveloped reserves at that time. As such, we cannot quantify the amount of proved undeveloped reserves converted to proved developed reserves during 2009. Because we did not have an estimate of our proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2008, our entire capital expenditures for drilling activities in 2009 contributed to the creation of proved developed reserves. No other expenditures materially contributed to creation of proved developed reserves in 2009.

 

 

 

We hereby confirm that we have no proved undeveloped reserves scheduled to be developed beyond five years.

 

 

 

Except as described above, we propose revising Item 1. Business in Part I of the Amended 10-K Report to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Developed and Undeveloped Acreage, page 19

 

 

3.

Comment: We note your response to comment 7 in our letter dated July 30, 2010 and proposed draft disclosure. You disclose that leases covering 24,176 net acres are scheduled to expire during the 2010 calendar year. We note that this comprises 21% of your total net acres disclosed as of December 31, 2009. Please explain how you concluded that the impending expiration of this undeveloped acreage is not material.

 

 

 

Response: The Company believes that its 24,176 net acres in Sheridan County, Montana, scheduled to expire during the 2010 calendar year do not represent a material percentage of its total investment into its overall acreage position. The Company deployed approximately $51 million into its total net acres from inception through December 31, 2009. The Sheridan County, Montana acreage represents less than 5% of that total investment. In addition, none of the acreage was included when calculating the Company’s reserves at December 31, 2008 or December 31, 2009. As such, we do not consider the expiration of this undeveloped acreage to be material.

 

 

 

We propose revising Item 2. Properties - Developed and Undeveloped Acreage in Part I of the Amended 10-K Report to explain why the expiration of undeveloped acreage is not material.



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 4

 

 

 

The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Productive Oil Wells, page 20

 

 

4.

Comment: We note your revised tables in response to comment 9 in our letter dated July 30, 2010. The number of wells in the revised disclosure does not agree to the number of wells by state in your original disclosure. Please correct the disclosure or tell us the reason for the discrepancy.

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising the table in Item 2. Properties - Developed and Undeveloped Acreage in Part I of the Amended 10-K Report to include additional line items to allow readers to more easily reconcile the well number references. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Statement of Operations, page F-4

 

 

5.

Comment: We note the line item, “Share Based Compensation” on the face of the statements of operations. The staff believes the costs of all non-cash based compensation should be included within the same line items as cash compensation paid. In this regard, please remove the “Share Based Compensation” line item and reclassify the amounts into the appropriate line item. You may refer to Staff Accounting Bulletin 14:F for further guidance.

 

 

 

Response: We have removed the Share Based Compensation line item on the Statement of Operations in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009 and have reclassified the amounts in the General and Administrative Expense line item. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Note 5. Oil and Gas Properties, page F-15

 

 

6.

Comment: We note your response to comment 14 in our letter dated July 30, 2010 and the proposed revisions to your disclosure. Pursuant to Rule 4-10(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X, please provide a more detailed status of the significant properties or projects involved with your unevaluated properties, along with more specific information regarding the anticipated timing of the inclusion of the costs in the amortization computation. Also, we note the captions on your tabular presentation include acquisition and drilling costs. Please revise your drilling costs description to exploration or development to comply with the guidance.



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 5

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Note 5 to the Company’s financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2009 to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Form 10-K/ A for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

 

Executive Compensation, page 5

 

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis, page 6

 

 

7.

Comment: We note your response to comment 18 in our letter dated July 30, 2010. Please include such information in your amended filing and in any future filings if you employ multiple peer groups, explaining the reasons why you have chosen different composite companies.

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis - 2009 Equity Incentive Plan in Part III of the Amended 10-K Report to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

2009 Cash Bonuses, page 6

 

 

8.

Comment: In response to comment 19 in our letter dated July 30, 2010, you propose to revise your disclosure to state that the bonus amounts were determined by the Compensation Committee on a post hoc basis based on the Committee’s assessment of the contributions of Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson during 2009. Please also explain how the Committee ultimately translated these qualitative factors into the cash bonus amounts, and apply the comment to your discussion of the equity awards under “2009 Equity Incentive Plan.”

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis in Part III of the Amended 10-K Report to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Change-in-Control and Similar Provisions, page 8



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 6

 

 

9.

Comment: We note your response to comment 20 in our letter dated July 30, 2010. Please add to your disclosure what you told us in your response. While we do not necessarily agree with your characterization of these change-of-control provisions as “standard,” we note that the Committee utilized contract terms that it deemed to be standard based on the internal discussions and feedback you described.

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Item 11. Executive Compensation – Change-in-Control and Similar Provisions in Part III of the Amended 10-K Report to include the information requested. Please note that we removed the reference to “standard” provisions to avoid any ambiguity in our proposed disclosure. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, 14

 

 

10.

Comment: We note your response to comment 21 in our letter dated July 30, 2010. Please add to your disclosure all of what you told us in your response, including that the Audit Committee historically has relied upon data from state and federal lease auctions to support the appropriateness of prices paid to any related party in connection with any leasehold acquisition.

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence in Part III of the Amended 10-K Report to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

11.

Comment: We note your response to comment 22 in our letter dated July 30, 2010. Please identify the leased acreage which SFE acquired on your behalf and clarify how SFE was compensated for its services.

 

 

 

Response: The Company’s continuous lease program with SFE covers specific agreed upon sections of townships and ranges in Burke, Divide, and Mountrail Counties of North Dakota where SFE previously leased acreage on the Company’s behalf and is authorized to continue to acquire additional acreage within the proximity of the originally-acquired leases. This program differs from other arrangements where the Company may purchase specific leases in one-time, single closing transactions. SFE is compensated for the leases through a cash payment per acre and retains an over-riding royalty interest equal to the difference between 20% and the royalty payable to each individual lessor. Because each lessor separately negotiates its own desired royalty, SFE’s over-riding royalty interest varies from lease to lease.



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 7

 

 

 

We propose revising Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence in Part III of the Amended 10-K Report to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-K Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

12.

Comment: We note your response to comment 23 in our letter dated July 30, 2010. Please provide a more detailed analysis as to how each one of the agreements does not fall within the category of agreements required to be disclosed under Item 601 (b)(10)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-K. The purchase of oil and gas leases does not appear to meet the “current assets” exception to this item, and as such it appears that any contract to which directors, officers, promoters, voting trustees, security holders named in the registration statement or report, or underwriters are parties should be filed, unless immaterial in amount or significance. In this regard, for instance, we note your disclosure that Carter Stewart, one of your directors, owns a 25% interest in Gallatin Resources, LLC. Please also identify “MOP” by its full name.

 

 

 

Response: Item 601(b)(10)(ii) of Regulation S-K provides that “[i]f the contract is such as ordinarily accompanies the kind of business conducted by the registrant and its subsidiaries, it will be deemed to have been made in the ordinary course of business and need not be filed unless it falls within one or more of the following categories, in which case it shall be filed except where immaterial in amount or significance.” The first category is provided in Item 601(b)(10)(ii)(A) and includes “[a]ny contract to which directors, officers, promoters, voting trustees, security holders named in the registration statement or report, or underwriters are parties….”

 

 

 

As stated in Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009, we are a growth-oriented independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas properties. Accordingly we believe our agreements with Gallatin Resources, LLC, Montana Oil Properties, Inc. and South Fork Exploration, LLC regarding the purchase of oil and gas leases are of the type that ordinarily accompanies the type of business we conduct, in accordance with Item 601(b)(10)(ii). We further advise the staff that none of our agreements with Gallatin Resources, LLC, Montana Oil Properties, Inc. and South Fork Exploration, LLC are within the category set forth in Item 601(b)(10)(ii)(A).

 

 

 

With respect to our agreements with Gallatin Resources, LLC, Mr. Stewart is not a party to those agreements. With respect to our agreements with Montana Oil Properties, Inc., neither Steven Reger nor Tom Ryan is a Northern Oil director, officer, promoter, voting trustee,



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 8

 

 

 

security holder named in the Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009, or underwriter, nor is either a party to those agreements. With respect to our agreements with South Fork Exploration, LLC, J.R. Reger is not a Northern Oil director, officer, promoter, voting trustee, security holder named in the Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009, or underwriter, nor is he a party to those agreements. Furthermore, none of our directors, officers, promoters, voting trustees, security holders named in the Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009, or underwriters, each as applicable, are parties to any of our agreements with Gallatin Resources, LLC, Montana Oil Properties, Inc., and South Fork Exploration, LLC. Accordingly, we respectfully submit that those agreements are not required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

Form 10-Q for Fiscal Quarter Ended June 30, 2010

 

 

Condensed Balance Sheets, page 2

 

 

13.

Comment: We note your unevaluated cost within Oil and Natural Gas Properties of $86,422,227 at June 30, 2010 does not reconcile to the unevaluated costs in Note 4 of $86,939,327. Please amend your financial statements or footnotes to reflect the correct balance or clarify why these amounts are different.

 

 

 

Response: We have revised the Company’s financial statements to reflect the correct unevaluated cost of $86,939,327 set forth on the Balance Sheets in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010. The marked version of the Amended 10-Q Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Note 5 - Oil and Gas Properties, page 13

 

 

14.

Comment: We note your North Dakota acquisitions in the second quarter of 2010. Please revise to provide more detail on the specific amounts paid for these acquisitions and how they relate to the $36 million increase in oil and gas properties in the second quarter of 2010.

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Note 5 to the Company’s financial statements for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-Q Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Note 14 - Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management, page 20



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 9

 

 

15.

Comment: We note the June 30, 2010 estimated fair value of your oil contracts and their balance sheet location. We note there is no “non-current assets” caption on your condensed balance sheets at June 30, 2010, and your current derivative liability balance is zero. Please provide more detail on the factors behind the differences in the fair values and carrying values for each of these oil contracts at June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

Response: FASB ASC 815-20-25 requires the fair value disclosure of derivative instruments be presented on a gross basis, even when those instruments are subject to a master netting arrangement and qualify for net presentations on the statement of financial position in accordance with Topic 210-20. The Company has a master netting agreement on each of the individual oil contracts and therefore the current asset and liability are netted on the statement of financial position and the non-current asset and liability are netted on the statement of financial position.

 

 

 

We propose revising Note 14 to the Company’s financial statements for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-Q Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.

 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Results of Operations for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008

 

 

16.

Comment: We note your disclosure regarding your increases in revenues, net income and operating expenses. Given the significant changes you have experienced in the six months ended June 30, 2010, please expand your disclosure to more fully explain and quantify the factors behind material changes in your results of operations. We refer you to Item 303(B) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

 

Response: We propose revising Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part I of the Amended 10-Q Report to include the information requested. The marked version of the Amended 10-Q Report included herewith reflects our proposed revisions.



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 10

 

 

17.

Comment: We note your disclosure and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Earnings Without the Effect of Certain Items on pages 26 and 27 of your filing. As these amounts meet the definition of non-GAAP financial measures, please expand your disclosure to provide the additional information required by Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K. Specifically, management should demonstrate the usefulness and significance of these measures to an investor and how management uses the measures in the context in which it is presented, considering the items that are excluded. Please also review your disclosure and presentation to ensure it is consistent with the guidance provided in the staffs Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations for Non-GAAP Financial Measures as updated January 15, 2010. You may refer more specifically to Questions 102.03, 102.04 and 102.05

 

 

 

Response: We believe the use of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors to gain an overall understanding of our current financial performance. Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP results included herein provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and unrealized commodity gains and losses that our management believes are not indicative of our core operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management for budgeting and forecasting as well as subsequently measuring the Company’s performance, and we believe that we are providing investors with financial measures that most closely align to our internal measurement processes. We consider these non-GAAP measures to be useful in evaluating our core operating results as they more closely reflect our essential revenue generating activities and direct operating expenses (resulting in cash expenditures) needed to perform these revenue generating activities. Our management also believe, based on feedback provided by the investment community, that the non-GAAP financial measures are necessary to allow the investment community to construct its valuation models to better compare our results with our competitors and market sector.

 

 

 

The non-GAAP financial information is presented using consistent methodology from quarter-to-quarter. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that these measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP financial measures.



U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

November 1, 2010
Page 11

          We hope the foregoing, together with the marked copies of the proposed Amended Reports, along with our pervious responses addresses any concerns you might have regarding the subject matter set forth above. We intend to file the Amended Reports and related exhibits upon confirmation that our proposed revisions are acceptable to the Staff.

          We acknowledge that:

 

 

 

 

the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing;

 

 

 

 

Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and

 

 

 

 

the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

          If we can facilitate the Staff’s review of this letter, or if the Staff has any questions on any of the information set forth herein, please telephone me at 952-476-9800. My fax number is 952-476-9801.

 

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

 

 

 

/s/ James R. Sankovitz

 

 

James R. Sankovitz

 

Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary



PROPOSED DRAFT

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-K/A
(AMENDMENT NO. 2)

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

 

Or

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File No. - 001-33999

 

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Nevada

95-3848122

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

315 Manitoba Avenue – Suite 200, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

952-476-9800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

NYSE Amex Equities Market

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

 

None

(Title of Class)


          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act
Yes o No x

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Yes x No o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.                                                                                                                                                                       Yes o No o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not 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

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Large Accelerated Filer             o

Accelerated Filer                                x

 

Non-Accelerated Filer               o

Smaller Reporting Company              o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                                                                                                                                                                         Yes o No x

          State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

          The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (based on the closing sale price as reported by the NYSE Amex Equities Market) was approximately $192,730,733.

          Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

          As of March 1, 2010, the registrant had 43,911,044 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          No documents are incorporated herein by reference.


NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

Part I

 

Item 1.

Business

2

Item 2.

Properties

9

 

 

 

 

Part II

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

14

 

 

 

 

Part III

23

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

23

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

33

 

 

 

 

Part IV

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

34

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

Index to Financial Statements

F-1

1


EXPLANATORY NOTE

           Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. is filing this Amendment No. 2 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 8, 2010, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Amendment No. 1 to that Annual Report are collectively referred to as the “Original Filings”. This Amendment No. 2 is being filed to enhance certain disclosures set forth in the Original Filings.

           Except where specifically indicated, this Amendment No. 2 to Form 10-K does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the Original Filings or modify or update those disclosures affected by subsequent events. Consequently, all other information is unchanged and reflects the disclosures made at the time of the filing of the Original Filings. Except as expressly set forth in this Form 10-K/A, the Original Filings have not been amended, updated or otherwise modified.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Overview

          Our company took its present form on March 20, 2007, when Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (“Northern”), a Nevada corporation engaged in our company’s current business, merged with and into our subsidiary, with Northern remaining as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). Northern then merged into us, and we were the surviving corporation. We then changed our name to Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. As a result of the Merger, Northern was deemed to be the acquiring company for financial reporting purposes and the transaction has been accounted for as a reverse merger. The financial statements presented in our company’s December 31, 2006, Form 10-KSB report were the historical financial statements of Kentex Petroleum, Inc., the predecessor company. Additional material terms of the Merger are detailed in our company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 19, 2006. Following the Merger, our main business focus has been directed to oil and gas exploration and development. Unless specifically stated otherwise, our primary operations are now those formerly operated by Northern as well as other business activities since March 2007.

          On March 17, 2008 our company received an approval letter to begin trading on the American Stock Exchange (the “AMEX”). Our common stock commenced trading on the AMEX on March 26, 2008 under the symbol “NOG.” Our common stock commenced trading on the floor of the NYSE on the NYSE Amex Equities Market platform upon completion of NYSE Euronext’s acquisition of the American Stock Exchange.

Business

          We are a growth-oriented independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas properties, and have focused our activities primarily on projects based in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States, specifically the Bakken and Three Forks/Sanish formations within the Williston Basin. We believe that we are able to create value via strategic acreage acquisitions and convert that value or portion thereof into production by utilizing experienced industry partners specializing in the specific areas of interest. We have targeted specific prospects and began drilling for oil in the Williston Basin region in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007. As of March 1, 2010, we owned working interests in 188 successful discoveries, consisting of 185 targeting the Bakken/Three Forks formation and three targeting a Red River structure.

          As an exploration company, our business strategy is to identify and exploit repeatable and scalable resource plays that can be quickly developed and at low costs. We also intend to take advantage of our expertise in aggressive land acquisition to pursue exploration and development projects as a non-operating working interest partner, participating in drilling activities primarily on a heads-up basis proportionate to our working interest. Our business does not depend upon any intellectual property, licenses or other proprietary property unique to our company, but instead revolves around our ability to acquire mineral rights and participate in drilling activities by virtue of our ownership of such rights and through the relationships we have developed with our operating partners. We believe our competitive advantage lies in our ability to acquire property, specifically in the Williston Basin, in a nimble and efficient fashion.

          We are focused on maintaining a low overhead structure. We believe we are in a position to most efficiently exploit and identify high production oil and gas properties due to our unique non-operator model through which we are able to diversify our risk and participate in the evolution of technology by the collective expertise of those operators with which we partner. We intend to continue to carefully pursue the acquisition of properties that fit our profile.

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Reserves

          We completed our initial reservoir engineering calculations in the first fiscal quarter of 2008 and recently completed our most current reservoir engineering calculation as of December 31, 2009. Our independent reservoir engineering firm did not calculate proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2008, because we had not participated in a sufficient number wells to substantiate our proved undeveloped reserves at that time. As such, we cannot quantify the amount of proved undeveloped reserves converted to proved developed reserves during 2009.

           We completed our initial calculation of proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2009, which had the effect of increasing our total proved reserves. We substantially increased our proved reserves from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009, primarily as a result of increased drilling activity involving our acreage. We accrued approximately $22,655,438 of capital expenditures for drilling activities during the year ended December 31, 2009, which directly contributed to the increase in our proved developed reserves. Because we did not have an estimate of our proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2008, our entire capital expenditures for drilling activities in 2009 contributed to the creation of proved developed reserves. No other expenditures materially contributed to creation of proved developed reserves in 2009. We expect that our proved undeveloped reserves will continue to be converted to proved developed producing reserves as additional wells are drilled including our acreage. We do not have any material amounts of proved undeveloped reserves that have remained undeveloped for five years or more.

          At year-end, we had completed drilling on approximately 10% of our Bakken prospective acreage inventory assuming 640-acre spacing units. The value of our reserves is calculated by determining the present value of estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of our proved reserves, net of estimated lease operating expenses, production taxes and future development costs. All of our proved reserves are located in North Dakota and Montana.

           Preparation of our reserve report is outlined in our Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 internal control procedures. Our procedures require that our reserve report be prepared by a third-party registered independent engineering firm at the end of every year based on information we provide to such engineer. We accumulate historical production data for our wells, calculate historical lease operating expenses and differentials, update working interests and net revenue interests, obtain updated authorizations for expenditure (AFEs) from our operations department and obtain geological and geophysical information from operators. This data is forwarded to our third-party engineering firm for review and calculation. Our Chief Financial Officer provides a final review of our reserve report and the assumptions relied upon in such report.

           We have utilized Ryder Scott Company, LP (“Ryder Scott”), an independent reservoir engineering firm, as our third-party engineering firm beginning with the preparation of our December 31, 2008 reserve report. The selection of Ryder Scott was approved by our Audit Committee. Ryder Scott is one of the largest reservoir-evaluation consulting firms and evaluates oil and gas properties and independently certifies petroleum reserves quantities for various clients throughout the United States and internationally. Ryder Scott has substantial experience calculating the reserves of various other companies with operations targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations and, as such, we believe Ryder Scott has sufficient experience to appropriately determine our reserves. Ryder Scott utilizes proprietary technology, systems and data to calculate our reserves commensurate with this experience.

          Ryder Scott prepares a reportThe tables below summarize our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2009 based upon reports prepared by Ryder Scott.-The reports of our estimated proved reserves in their entirety are based on the information we provide to them. Ryder Scott is a Colorado Registered Engineering Firm (F-1580). Our primary contact at Ryder Scott is Richard J. Marshall P.E., Vice President. Mr. Marshall is a State of Colorado Licensed Professional Engineer (License #23260). The tables below summarize our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2009 based upon reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company, LP (“Ryder Scott”), an independent reservoir engineering firm. Ryder Scott is one of the largest reservoir-evaluation consulting firms and evaluates oil and gas properties and independently certifies petroleum reserves quantities for various clients throughout the United States and internationally..

           In accordance with applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), estimates of our net proved reserves and future net revenues are made using average prices at the beginning of each month in the 12-month period prior to the date of such reserve estimates and are held constant throughout the life of the properties (except to the extent a contract specifically provides for escalation).

           The reserves set forth in the Ryder Scott report for the properties are estimated by performance methods or analogy. In general, reserves attributable to producing wells and/or reservoirs are estimated by performance methods such as decline curve analysis which utilizes extrapolations of historical production data. Reserves attributable to non-producing and undeveloped reserves included in our report are estimated by analogy. The estimates of the reserves, future production, and income attributable to properties are prepared using the economic software package Aries for Windows, a copyrighted program of Landmark Graphics.

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           To estimate economically recoverable oil and gas reserves and related future net cash flows, we consider many factors and assumptions including, but not limited to, the use of reservoir parameters derived from geological, geophysical and engineering data which cannot be measured directly, economic criteria based on current costs and SEC pricing requirements, and forecasts of future of production rates. Under the SEC regulations 210.4-10(a)(22)(v) and (26), proved reserves must be demonstrated to be economically producible based on existing economic conditions including the prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined as of the effective date of the report. With respect to the property interests owned, production and well tests from examined wells, normal direct costs of operating the wells or leases, other costs such as transportation and/or processing fees, production taxes, recompletion and development costs, product prices based on the SEC regulations, geological maps, well logs, core analyses, and pressure measurements.

           The reserve data set forth in the Ryder Scott report represents only estimates. , and should not be construed as being exact quantities. They may or may not be actually recovered, and if recovered, the revenues therefrom and the actual costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Moreover, estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of future operations.

           Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating oil and natural gas reserves and their estimated values, including many factors beyond our control. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geologic interpretation and judgment. As a result, estimates of different engineers, including those used by us, may vary. In addition, estimates of reserves are subject to revision based upon actual production, results of future development and exploration activities, prevailing oil and natural gas prices, operating costs and other factors. The revisions may be material. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered and are highly dependent upon the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they are based. Our estimated net proved reserves, included in our SEC filings, have not been filed with or included in reports to any other federal agency. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Estimates of oil and natural gas reserves that we make may be inaccurate and our actual revenues may be lower than our financial projections.”

          Ryder Scott prepared two separate reserve reports valuing our proved reserves at December 31, 2009. The reports value only our proved reserves and do not value our probable reserves or our possible reserves. Both tables account for straight-line pricing of crude oil and natural gas at constant prices over the expected life of our wells. Our “SEC Pricing Proved Reserves” were calculated using oil and gas price parameters established by current SEC guidelines and Financial Accounting Standard Board guidance. Our “Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves” were calculated using higher assumed values for crude oil and natural gas selected at our discretion to better reflect our current expectations because the SEC pricing parameters are significantly lower than current market prices and our average realized price per barrel at December 31, 2009. The Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves table provided below is intended to illustrate reserve sensitivities to the commodity prices. These sensitivity prices were selected because they are consistent with the prior SEC methodology utilizing year-end pricing. The “Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves” should not be confused with “SEC Pricing Proved Reserves” as outlined below and does not comply with SEC pricing assumptions, but does comply with all other definitions.

SEC Pricing Proved Reserves(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude Oil
(barrels)

 

Natural Gas
(cubic feet)

 

Total
(barrels of oil
equivalent)
(2)

 

Pre-Tax
PV10% Value
(3)

 

PDP Properties(4)

 

 

1,647,031

 

 

513,112

 

 

1,732,550

 

$

37,784,555

 

PDNP Properties(5)

 

 

600,687

 

 

214,125

 

 

636,375

 

$

12,795,237

 

PUD Properties(6)

 

 

3,567,861

 

 

1,033,686

 

 

3,740,141

 

$

37,232,700

 

Total Proved Properties:

 

 

5,815,579

 

 

1,760,923

 

 

6,109,066

 

$

87,812,492

 

4



Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude Oil
(barrels)

 

Natural Gas
(cubic feet)

 

Total
(barrels of oil
equivalent)(2)

 

Pre-Tax
PV10% Value(3)

 

PDP Properties(4)

 

 

1,730,728

 

 

529,657

 

 

1,819,004

 

$

54,303,781

 

PDNP Properties(5)

 

 

630,542

 

 

224,383

 

 

667,939

 

$

19,378,670

 

PUD Properties(6)

 

 

7,447,783

 

 

3,508,210

 

 

8,032,485

 

$

93,901,002

 

Total Proved Properties:

 

 

9,809,053

 

 

4,262,250

 

 

10,519,428

 

$

167,583,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The SEC Pricing Proved Reserves table above values oil and gas reserve quantities and related discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2009 assuming a constant realized price of $53.00 per barrel of crude oil and a constant realized price of $3.93 per 1,000 cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas.

The Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves table above values oil and gas reserve quantities and related discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2009 assuming a constant realized price of $71.82 per barrel of crude oil and a constant realized price of $5.07 per 1,000 cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas, which prices are consistent with prior SEC pricing methodology.

 

 

 

 

The Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves table is intended to illustrate reserve sensitivities to the commodity prices. These sensitivity prices were selected because they are consistent with the prior SEC methodology utilizing year-end pricing. The “Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves” should not be confused with “SEC Pricing Proved Reserves” as outlined above and does not comply with SEC pricing assumptions, but does comply with all other definitions.

 

 

 

 

The values presented in both tables above were calculated by Ryder Scott.

 

 

 

(2)

Barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”) are computed based on a conversion ratio of one BOE for each barrel of crude oil and one BOE for every 6,000 cubic feet (i.e., 6 Mcf) of natural gas.

 

 

 

(3)

Pre-tax PV10% may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC and is derived from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which is the most directly comparable standardized financial measure. Pre-tax PV10% is computed on the same basis as the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows but without deducting future income taxes. We believe Pre-tax PV10% is a useful measure for investors for evaluating the relative monetary significance of our oil and natural gas properties. We further believe investors may utilize our Pre-tax PV10% as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies because many factors that are unique to each individual company impact the amount of future income taxes to be paid. Our management uses this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil and gas properties and acquisitions. However, Pre-tax PV10% is not a substitute for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. Our Pre-tax PV10% and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of our oil and natural gas reserves.

 

 

 

(4)

“PDP” consists of our proved developed producing reserves.

 

 

 

(5)

“PDNP” consists of our proved developed nonproducing reserves, awaiting completion.

 

 

 

(6)

“PUD” consists of our proved undeveloped reserves present valued net of development cost.

          Our December 31, 2009 reserve report includes an assessment of proven undeveloped locations, which includes approximately 93% of our undeveloped acreage. Our current North Dakota and Montana acreage position will allow us to drill approximately 162 net wells based on 640-acre spacing units with production from a single prospect. With 320-acre spacing units we have the ability to drill a total of approximately 578 net wells, including 255 net wells targeting the Bakken formation, 255 net wells targeting the Three Forks formation and 68 net wells targeting the Red River formation.

          The tables above assume prices and costs discounted using an annual discount rate of 10% without future escalation, without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and amortization, or federal income taxes. The “Pre-tax PV10%” values of our proved reserves presented in the foregoing tables may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC.

 

 

 

5


 

 

 

The following table reconciles the Pre-tax PV10% value of our SEC Pricing Proved Reserves to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.

 

 

 

SEC Pricing Proved Reserves

Standardized Measure Reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax Present Value of estimated future net revenues (Pre-tax PV10%)

 

 

$87,812,492

 

Future income taxes, discounted at 10%

 

 

(20,005,931

)

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

 

 

$67,806,561

 

The following table reconciles the Pre-tax PV10% value of our Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.

Sensitivity Case Proved Reserves
Standardized Measure Reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax Present Value of estimated future net revenues (Pre-tax PV10%)

 

 

$167,583,453

 

Future income taxes, discounted at 10%

 

 

(50,995,503

)

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

 

 

$116,587,950

 

          Uncertainties are inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many risk factors beyond our control. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating subsurface accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. As a result, estimates of proved reserves may vary depending upon the engineer valuing the reserves. Further, our actual realized price for our crude oil and natural gas is not likely to average the pricing parameters used to calculate our proved reserves. As such, the oil and natural gas quantities and the value of those commodities ultimately recovered from our properties will vary from reserve estimates.

          Additional discussion of our proved reserves is set forth under the heading “Supplemental Oil and Gas Information” to our financial statements included later in this report.

Recent Developments

          During 2009, we continued to focus our operations on acquiring leaseholds and drilling exploratory and developmental wells in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States, specifically the Williston Basin. We acquired an aggregate of 20,316 additional net mineral acres during 2009, primarily in Mountrail and Dunn Counties of North Dakota but also in Burke, Divide, McKenzie, Williams and other counties of North Dakota. As of December 31, 2009, we had participated in the completion of 179176 gross wells with a 100% success rate in the Bakken and Three Forks formations. As of December 31, 2009, our principal assets included approximately 104,000 net acres located in the Williston Basin region of the northern United States and approximately 10,000 net acres located in Yates County, New York, as more fully described under the heading “Properties – Leasehold Properties” in Item 2 of this report.

          During 2009, we continued to acquire interests in oil, gas and mineral leases with the intention of increasing our acreage positions in desired prospects. A complete discussion of our significant acquisitions during the past fiscal year is included under the heading “Properties – Recent Acreage Acquisitions” in Item 2 of this report.

Production Methods

          We primarily engage in oil and gas exploration and production by participating on a “heads-up” basis alongside third-party interests in wells drilled and completed in spacing units that include our acreage. We typically depend on drilling partners to propose, permit and initiate the drilling of wells. Prior to commencing drilling, our partners are required to provide all owners of oil, gas and mineral interests within the designated spacing unit the opportunity to participate in the drilling costs and revenues of the well to the extent of their pro-rata share of such interest within the spacing unit. In 2009, we participated in the drilling of all new wells that included any of our acreage. We will assess each drilling opportunity on a case-by-case basis going forward and participate in wells that we expect to meet our return thresholds based upon our estimates of ultimate recoverable oil and gas, expertise of the operator and completed well cost from each project, as well as other factors. At the present time we expect to participate pursuant to our working interest in substantially all, if not all, of the wells proposed to us.

          We do not manage our commodities marketing activities internally, but our operating partners generally market and sell oil and natural gas produced from wells in which we have an interest. Our operating partners coordinate the transportation of our oil production from our wells to appropriate pipelines pursuant to arrangements that such partners negotiate and maintain with various parties purchasing the production. We understand that our partners generally sell our production to a variety of purchasers at prevailing market prices under separately negotiated short-term contracts. The price at which production is sold generally is tied to the spot market for crude oil. Williston Basin Light Sweet Crude from the Bakken source rock is generally 41-42 API oil and is

6


readily accepted into the pipeline infrastructure. The weighted average differential reported to us by our producers during the second half of 2009 was $8.57 per barrel below New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) pricing. This differential represents the imbedded transportation costs in moving the oil from wellhead to refinery.

Competition

          The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with numerous other oil and gas exploration and production companies. Some of these companies have substantially greater resources than we have. Not only do they explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also many carry on midstream and refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. The operations of other companies may be able to pay more for exploratory prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties. They may also have more resources to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit.

          Our larger or integrated competitors may have the resources to be better able to absorb the burden of existing, and any changes to federal, state, and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to discover reserves and acquire additional properties in the future will be dependent upon our ability and resources to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. In addition, we may be at a disadvantage in producing oil and natural gas properties and bidding for exploratory prospects, because we have fewer financial and human resources than other companies in our industry. Should a larger and better financed company decide to directly compete with us, and be successful in its efforts, our business could be adversely affected.

Marketing and Customers

          The market for oil and natural gas that we will produce depends on factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and imports of oil and natural gas, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, demand for oil and natural gas, the marketing of competitive fuels and the effects of state and federal regulation. The oil and gas industry also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel requirements of industrial, commercial and individual consumers.

          Our oil production is expected to be sold at prices tied to the spot oil markets. Our natural gas production is expected to be sold under short-term contracts and priced based on first of the month index prices or on daily spot market prices. We rely on our operating partners to market and sell our production. Our operating partners involve a variety of exploration and production companies, from large publicly-traded companies to small, privately-owned companies. We do not believe the loss of any single operator would have a material adverse effect on our company as a whole.

Principal Agreements Affecting Our Ordinary Business

          We do not own any physical real estate, but, instead, our acreage is comprised of leasehold interests subject to the terms and provisions of lease agreements that provide our company the right to drill and maintain wells in specific geographic areas. All lease arrangements that comprise our acreage positions are established using industry-standard terms that have been established and used in the oil and gas industry for many years. Some of our leases may be acquired from other parties that obtained the original leasehold interest prior to our acquisition of the leasehold interest.

          In general, our lease agreements stipulate five year terms. Bonuses and royalty rates are negotiated on a case-by-case basis consistent with industry standard pricing. Once a well is drilled and production established, the well is considered “held by production,” meaning the lease continues as long as oil is being produced. Other locations within the drilling unit created for a well may also be drilled at any time with no time limit as long as the lease is held by production. Given the current pace of drilling in the Bakken play at this time, we do not believe lease expiration issues will materially affect our North Dakota position.

Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters

          Our operations are subject to various rules, regulations and limitations impacting the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry as whole.

Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Production

          Our oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations, when developed, are subject to extensive rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state, tribal and local authorities and agencies. For example, North Dakota and Montana require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations and impose other requirements relating to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Such states may also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters,

7


including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells, and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells. Failure to comply with any such rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and gas industry will most likely increase our cost of doing business and may affect our profitability. Although we believe we are currently in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, because such rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with such laws. Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental Matters

          Our operations and properties are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment, and relating to safety and health. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation generally is toward stricter standards, and this trend will likely continue. These laws and regulations may:

 

 

 

 

§

require the acquisition of a permit or other authorization before construction or drilling commences and for certain other activities;

 

 

§

limit or prohibit construction, drilling and other activities on certain lands lying within wilderness and other protected areas; and

 

 

§

impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from its operations.

          The permits required for our operations may be subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce their regulations, and violations are subject to fines or injunctions, or both. In the opinion of management, we are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations, and have no material commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements. Nevertheless, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on our company, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general.

          The Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and comparable state statutes impose strict, joint and several liability on owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes govern the disposal of “solid waste” and “hazardous waste” and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” state laws affecting our operations may impose clean-up liability relating to petroleum and petroleum related products. In addition, although RCRA classifies certain oil field wastes as “non-hazardous,” such exploration and production wastes could be reclassified as hazardous wastes thereby making such wastes subject to more stringent handling and disposal requirements.

          The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) seeks to ensure that activities do not jeopardize endangered or threatened animal, fish and plant species, nor destroy or modify the critical habitat of such species. Under ESA, exploration and production operations, as well as actions by federal agencies, may not significantly impair or jeopardize the species or its habitat. ESA provides for criminal penalties for willful violations of the Act. Other statutes that provide protection to animal and plant species and that may apply to our operations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Although we believe that our operations will be in substantial compliance with such statutes, any change in these statutes or any reclassification of a species as endangered could subject our company to significant expenses to modify our operations or could force our company to discontinue certain operations altogether.

Climate Change

          Significant studies and research have been devoted to climate change and global warming, and climate change has developed into a major political issue in the United States and globally. Certain research suggests that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and pose a threat to the environment. Recent scientific research and political debate has focused in part on carbon dioxide and methane incidental to oil and natural gas exploration and production. Many states and the federal government have enacted legislation directed at controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and future legislation and regulation could impose additional restrictions or requirements in connection with our drilling and production activities and favor use of alternative energy sources, which

8


could increase operating costs and demand for oil products. As such, our business could be materially adversely affected by domestic and international legislation targeted at controlling climate change.

Employees

          We currently have eight full time employees. Our Chief Executive Officer—Michael Reger—and our Chief Financial Officer—Ryan Gilbertson—are responsible for all material policy-making decisions. They are assisted in the implementation of our company’s business by our Vice President of Operations and our General Counsel. All employees have entered into written employment agreements. As drilling production activities continue to increase, we may hire additional technical or administrative personnel as appropriate. We do not expect a significant change in the number of full time employees over the next 12 months, assuming our currently-projected drilling plan. We are using and will continue to use the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, particularly in the area of land services and reservoir engineering. We believe that this use of third-party service providers enhances our ability to contain general and administrative expenses.

Office Locations

          Our executive offices are located at 315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391. Our office space consists of 3,044 square feet leased pursuant to a five-year office lease agreement that commenced in February 2008. We believe our current office space is sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

Financial Information about Segments and Geographic Areas

          We have not segregated our operations into geographic areas given the fact that all of our production activities occur within the Williston Basin.

Available Information – Reports to Security Holders

          Our website address is www.northernoil.com. We make available on this Website under “Investor Relations,” free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K (formerly Form 10-KSB), quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (formerly Form 10-QSB), current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those materials with, or furnish those materials to, the SEC. These filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, 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. Electronic filings with the SEC are also available on the SEC internet website at www.sec.gov.

          We have also posted to our website our Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating Committee Charter and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, in addition to all pertinent company contact information.

Item 2. Properties

Leasehold Properties

          As of December 31, 2009, our principal assets included approximately 104,000 net acres located in the Williston Basin region of the northern United States and approximately 10,000 net acres located in Yates County, New York, more fully described as follows:

 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 30,400 net acres located in Mountrail County North Dakota, within and surrounding to the north south and west of the Parshall Field currently being developed by EOG Resources, Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. (“Slawson”) and others to target the Bakken Shale;

 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 26,800 net acres located in Dunn County, North Dakota, in which we are targeting the Bakken Shale and Three Forks/Sanish formations;

 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 10,000 net acres located in Burke and Divide Counties of North Dakota, targeting the Bakken Shale and Three Forks/Sanish formations near significant drilling activities by Continental Resources;

 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 8,900 net acres located in McKenzie, Williams and Mercer Counties North Dakota, in which we are targeting the Bakken Shale;

9



 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 22,400 net acres located in Sheridan County, Montana, representing a stacked pay prospect over which we have significant proprietary 3-D seismic data;

 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 5,500 net acres located in Roosevelt and Richland Counties Montana, in which we are targeting the Bakken Shale; and

 

 

 

 

§

Approximately 10,000 net acres located in the “Finger Lakes” region of Yates County, New York, in which we are targeting natural gas production from the Trenton/Black River, Marcellus and Queenstown-Medina formations.

          We believe the Bakken formation represents one of the most oil rich, rapidly developing and exciting plays in the Continental United States. The North Dakota Geological Survey currently estimates the reserves of the Bakken formation to be approximately 300 billion barrels of oil in place. We commenced drilling on the Bakken properties in late 2007 and increased drilling activities quarter-over-quarter throughout 2008 and 2009.

Recent Acreage Acquisitions

          In 2009, we acquired leasehold interests covering an aggregate of 20,316 net mineral acres in our key prospect areas. The discussion that follows summarizes these acquisitions.

          On May 22, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Slawson pursuant to which we acquired certain North Dakota Bakken assets from Windsor Bakken LLC as part of a syndicate led by Slawson. In the transaction we acquired leases covering 3,323 net mineral acres.

          On November 3, 2009, we acquired 24 high working interest sections comprising approximately 11,274 net acres located in western McKenzie and Williams Counties of North Dakota. We acquired a 50% participation interest in these properties with Slawson and will participate in drilling on a heads-up basis. These properties are proximal to several recent high-rate producing wells. We expect to begin drilling these properties in early 2011.

          On November 13, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Slawson pursuant to which we acquired a 20% participation interest in Slawson’s Big Sky Project in Richland County, Montana. The project area encompasses 11,586 net acres of leases.

          On November 17, 2009, we entered into an Exploration and Development Agreement with Area of Mutual Interest with Slawson pursuant to which we acquired a 30% participation interest in Slawson’s Anvil Project in Williams County, North Dakota and Roosevelt County, Montana. The project area encompasses 12,500 net acres of leases.

          In addition to acquiring acreage through large block acquisitions, we have organically acquired approximately 5,289 net mineral acres in our key prospect areas.

Developed and Undeveloped Acreage

          The following table summarizes our estimated gross and net developed and undeveloped acreage by county at December 31, 2009. Net acreage represents our percentage ownership of gross acreage. The following table does not include acreage in which our interest is limited to royalty and overriding royalty interests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Developed Acreage

 

Undeveloped Acreage

 

Total Acreage

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

North Dakota

 

 

44,076

 

 

7,433

 

 

396,685

 

 

68,084

 

 

440,761

 

 

75,516

 

Montana

 

 

1,046

 

 

479

 

 

32,514

 

 

27,459

 

 

33,560

 

 

27,938

 

New York

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,000

 

 

10,000

 

Total:

 

 

45,122

 

 

7,912

 

 

439,199

 

 

105,542

 

 

484,321

 

 

113,454

 

          As of December 31, 2009, approximately 7,912 net acres have been developed and approximately 105,542 net acres are undeveloped. As of December 31, 2009, leases covering approximately 24,176 net acres in Sheridan County, Montana, are scheduled to expire during the 2010 calendar year. None of the leases expiring during the 2010 calendar year comprise a majority ownership of any single drilling unit.  WeThe Company believes that the 24,176 net acres in Sheridan County, Montana scheduled to expire during the 2010 calendar year do not represent a material percentage of our total dollar investment into our overall acreage position. Since inception the Company has deployed approximately $51 million into its total net acres through December 31, 2009. The Sheridan County, Montana acreage represents less than 5% of the Company’s total investment on acreage acquisitions from inception through

10


December 31, 2009. In addition, none of the acreage was included when calculating the Company’s reserves at December 31, 2008 or December 31, 2009. As such, we do not consider the expiration of this undeveloped acreage to be material.

Production History

          The following table presents information about our produced oil and gas volumes during each fiscal quarter in 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2009. The table below does not provide any information for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 because we did not commence drilling activities until the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007 and did not receive payment or recognize revenue from crude oil or natural gas sales in 2007. As of December 31, 2009, we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 179 gross wells, all of which are located within the Williston Basin. As of December 31, 2008, we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 36 gross wells. All data presented below is derived from accrued revenue and production volumes for the relevant period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (Bbl)

 

 

274,328

 

 

50,880

 

Natural Gas (Mcf)

 

 

47,305

 

 

3,969

 

Barrel of Oil Equivalent (BOE)

 

 

282,212

 

 

51,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Prices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

60.45

 

$

75.63

 

Effect of oil hedges on average price (per Bbl)

 

$

(3.60

)

$

15.31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil net of hedging (per Bbl)

 

$

56.85

 

$

90.94

 

Natural Gas (per Mcf)

 

$

3.81

 

$

8.19

 

Effect of natural gas hedges on average price (per Mcf)

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)

 

$

3.81

 

$

8.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Production Costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

2.67

 

$

1.37

 

Natural Gas (per Mcf)

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barrel of Oil Equivalent (BOE)

 

$

2.63

 

$

1.38

 

Depletion of oil and natural gas properties

          Our depletion expense is driven by many factors including certain exploration costs involved in the development of producing reserves, production levels and estimates of proved reserve quantities and future developmental costs. The following table presents our depletion expenses during 2008 and 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008
(adjusted)

 

 

Depletion of oil and natural gas properties

 

$

4,250,983

 

$

677,915

*


 

 

 

 

 

*

See Note 2 to the financial statements accompanying this report.

Productive Oil Wells

11


Drilling and Other Exploratory and Development Activities

          The following table summarizestables summarize gross and net productive and non productive oil wells by state at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. A net well represents our percentage ownership of a gross well. No wells have been permitted or drilled on any of our Yates County, New York acreage. The following table doestables do not include wells in which our interest is limited to royalty and overriding royalty interests. The following tabletables also doesdo not include wells which were awaiting completion, in the process of completion or awaiting flowback subsequent to fracture stimulation. We have not participated in any wells solely targeting natural gas reserves. All wells drilled to-date in North Dakota are classified as development wells, meaning we have not drilled any exploratory wells in North Dakota. As of December 31, 2009, we have had 100% success rate in our North Dakota Bakken and Three Forks wells. All productive exploratory and developmental wells set forth below in North Dakota and Montana for the year ending December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, are included in our 179 gross productive oil wells as of December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

North Dakota

 

 

170

 

 

8.17

 

 

34

 

 

1.54

 

 

1

 

 

0.06

 

Montana

 

 

9

 

 

1.02

 

 

2

 

 

0.50

 

 

1

 

 

0.10

 

Total

 

 

179

 

 

9.19

 

 

36

 

 

2.04

 

 

2

 

 

0.16

 

12



North Dakota

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Development Wells:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Oil

 

 

139

 

 

6.63

 

 

29

 

 

1.38

 

 

2

 

 

0.09

 

Non-productive

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Development Wells

 

 

139

 

 

6.63

 

 

29

 

 

1.38

 

 

2

 

 

0.09

 

Montana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Exploratory Wells:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Oil

 

 

1

 

 

0.23

 

 

2

 

 

0.5

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Non-productive

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

1

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Exploratory Wells:

 

 

1

 

 

0.23

 

 

2

 

 

0.5

 

 

1

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development Wells:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Oil

 

 

5

 

 

0.23

 

 

1

 

 

0.07

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Non-productive

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Development Wells:

 

 

5

 

 

0.23

 

 

1

 

 

0.07

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Productive Development and Exploratory Wells:

 

 

6

 

 

0.46

 

 

3

 

 

0.12

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           As of December 31, 2009, we had 13 Bakken or Three Forks wells drilling in the Williston Basin, representing an aggregate of 0.52 net wells. We also had 15 Bakken or Three Forks wells in the Williston Basin awaiting completion, in the process of completion or awaiting flowback subsequent to fracture stimulation, representing an aggregate of 1.03 net wells.

Dry Holes

          As of December 31, 2009, we have participated in the completion of 179176 gross wells with a 100% success rate in the Bakken and Three Forks formations. In the second quarter of 2007, we participated in the Teigen Trust #9-13 with a 6.25% working interest, a well identified, proposed and drilled by Kodiak Oil and Gas, Inc. The well was intended to target the Red River formation, but produced a dry hole. This is the only dry hole in our company’s history.

Research and Development

          We do not anticipate performing any significant product research and development under our plan of operation.

13


Reserves

          We completed our most recent reservoir engineering calculation as of December 31, 2009. Tables summarizing the results of our most recent reserve report are included under the heading “Business – Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. A complete discussion of our proved reserves is set forth in “Supplemental Oil and Gas Information” to our financial statements included later in this report.

Delivery Commitments

          We do not currently have any delivery commitments for product obtained from our wells.

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

          The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” in Item 6 and the Financial Statements and Accompanying Notes appearing elsewhere in this report. A discussion of our past financial results before March 20, 2007 is not pertinent to the business plan of our company on a going forward basis, due to the change in our business which occurred upon consummation of the merger on March 20, 2007.

Overview and Outlook

          We are an oil and gas exploration and production company. Our properties are located in Montana, North Dakota and New York. Our corporate strategy is to build shareholder value through the development and acquisition of oil and gas assets that exhibit economically producible hydrocarbons.

          As of March 1, 2010, we controlled the rights to mineral leases covering approximately 119,720121,800 net acres of land. Our goal is to continue to explore for and develop hydrocarbons within the mineral leases we control as well as continue to expand our acreage position should opportunities present themselves. In order to accomplish our objectives we will need to achieve the following;

 

 

 

 

Continue to develop our substantial inventory of high quality core Bakken acreage with results consistent with those to-date;

 

 

 

 

Retain and attract talented personnel;

 

 

 

 

Continue to be a low-cost producer of hydrocarbons; and

 

 

 

 

Continue to manage our financial obligations to access the appropriate capital needed to develop our position of primarily undrilled acreage.

          The following table sets forth selected operating data for the periods indicated. Production volumes and average sales prices are derived from accrued accounting data for the relevant period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year EndEnded December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008
(adjusted)*

 

2007

 

 

Net Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (Bbl)

 

 

274,328

 

 

50,880

 

 

 

Natural Gas (Mcf)

 

 

47,305

 

 

3,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil Sales

 

 

$14,977,556

 

 

$3,510,596

 

 

 

Natural Gas

 

 

194,268

 

 

32,397

 

 

 

Gain (Loss) on Settled Derivatives

 

 

(624,541

)

 

778,885

 

 

 

Mark-to-Market onof Derivative Instruments

 

 

(363,414

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other RevenuesRevenue

 

 

37,630

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenues

 

 

$14,221,499

 

 

$4,321,879

 

 

 

14


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year EndEnded December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008
(adjusted)*

 

2007

 

Average Sales Prices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

 

$60.45

 

 

$75.63

 

 

 

Effect of Oil Hedges on Average Price (per Bbl)

 

 

$(3.60

)

 

$15.31

 

 

 

Oil Net of Hedging (per Bbl)

 

 

$56.85

 

 

$90.94

 

 

 

Natural Gas (per Mcf)

 

 

$3.81

 

 

$8.19

 

 

 

Effect of Natural Gas Hedges on Average Price (per Mcf)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)

 

 

$3.81

 

 

$8.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production Expenses

 

 

$754,976

 

 

$70,954

 

 

 

Production Taxes

 

 

$1,300,373

 

 

$203,182

 

 

 

General and Administrative Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Including Share Based Compensation)

 

 

$3,686,330

 

 

$2,091,289

 

 

$4,509,743

 

Depletion of Oil and Gas Properties*

 

 

$4,250,983

 

 

$677,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* See Note 2 to the financial statements accompanying this report.

Results of Operations for the periods ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009.

          During 2008 and 2009 we significantly increased our drilling activities, generated income and achieved net earnings for both the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years. To-date, we have developed approximately seven percent of our total drillable acreage inventory (assuming one well per 640-acre spacing unit) and we expect to continue to add substantial volumes of production on a quarter-over-quarter basis going forward into the foreseeable future.

          As of December 31, 2009, we had established production from 179 gross (9.19 net) wells in which we hold working interests, 36 gross (2.04 net) wells of which had established production as of December 31, 2008. Our production at December 31, 2009 approximated 1,508 barrels of oil per day, compared to approximately 460 barrels of oil per day as of December 31, 2008. Our production increased to 1,986 barrels of oil per day as of March 1, 2010.

          We drilled with a 100% success rate in 2008 and 2009 with 176 Bakken or Three Forks wells completed or completing. We also had three successful Red River discoveries at December 31, 2009. As of March 1, 2010, we expect to participate in the drilling of approximately 200 gross (15 net) wells in 2010.

          Our revenues, costs and net income increased in 2009 compared to 2008 as we continued our development plans and significantly increased our production. Revenues for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 were $14,221,499, compared to $4,321,879 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 primarily due to increases in production.

          Adjusted total cash and non-cash expenses (including production expenses, production taxes, general and administrative expenses, director fees, depletion expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses) for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 were $10,092,538 and for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 were $3,111,430. Of this amount in 2009, approximately $1,233,507 consisted of non-cash expense related to the issuance of restricted stock and an additional $4,250,983 consisted of non-cash depletion expenses. Depletion expenses for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 were $677,915.

          We had net income of $2,798,952 (representing approximately $0.08 per basic share) for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to adjusted net income of $2,424,340 (representing approximately $0.08 per basic share) for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008.

15


Results of Operations for the periods ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008.

          Our first successful well commenced drilling in the fourth quarter of 2007, and we did not realize revenue from that well until the first quarter of 2008. During 2008 we significantly increased our drilling activities compared to 2007, generated income and achieved net earnings in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 and for the 2008 fiscal year as a whole. Our production at December 31, 2008 approximated 460 barrels of oil per day. This compares to approximately 100 barrels of oil per day as of December 31, 2007.

          Revenues for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 were $4,321,879, compared to no revenues for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007. Our expenses in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 consisted principally of general and administrative costs. Our costs increased moderately as we proceeded with our development plans in 2008. Total expenses for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 were $3,111,430 and for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007 were $4,513,189. We had net income of $2,424,340 (representing approximately $0.08 per basic share) for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008, compared to a net loss of $4,305,293 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007.

Operation Plan

          We expect to drill approximately 15 net wells in 2010 with drilling capital expenditures approximating $67.5 million. The 2010 wells are expected to target both the Bakken and Three Forks formations. Drilling capital expenditures are expected to increase in 2010 compared to previously published guidance due to the continued success of longer laterals and additional fractional stimulation stages. We currently expect to drill wells during 2010 at an average completed cost of $4.5 million per well. Based on evolving conditions in the field, we expect to deploy approximately $10 million towards further strategic acreage acquisitions during 2010. We expect to fund all 2010 commitments using cash-on-hand, cash flow and our currently undrawn credit facility.

          Our future financial results will depend primarily on: (i) the ability to continue to source and screen potential projects; (ii) the ability to discover commercial quantities of oil and gas; (iii) the market price for oil and gas; and (iv) the ability to fully implement our exploration and development program, which is dependent on the availability of capital resources. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in any of these respects, that the prices of oil and gas prevailing at the time of production will be at a level allowing for profitable production, or that we will be able to obtain additional funding if necessary.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

          Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to meet potential cash requirements. We have historically met our capital requirements through the issuance of common stock and by short term borrowings. In the future, we anticipate we will be able to provide the necessary liquidity by the revenues generated from the sales of our oil and gas reserves in our existing properties, however, if we do not generate sufficient sales revenues we will continue to finance our operations through equity and/or debt financings.

          The following table summarizes total current assets, total current liabilities and working capital at December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

$

42,017,813

 

Current Liabilities

 

$

8,910,256

 

Working Capital

 

$

33,107,557

 

CIT Capital USA, Inc. Credit Facility

          On February 27, 2009, we completed the closing of a revolving credit facility with CIT that provides up to a maximum principal amount of $25 million of working capital for exploration and production operations (the “Credit Facility”). The borrowing base of funds available under the Credit Facility will be redetermined semi-annually based upon the net present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue from our interests in proved reserves estimated to be produced from our oil and gas properties. $16 million of financing is currently available under the Credit Facility. An additional $9 million of financing could become available upon subsequent borrowing base redeterminations based on the deployment of funds from the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility terminates on February 27, 2012. As of December 31, 2009, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.

          We have the option to designate the reference rate of interest for each specific borrowing under the Credit Facility as amounts are advanced. Borrowings based upon the London interbank offering rate (LIBOR) will be outstanding for a period of one, three or six months (as designated by us) and bear interest at a rate equal to 5.50% over the one-month, three-month or six-month LIBOR rate to be no less than 2.50%. Any borrowings not designated as being based upon LIBOR will have no specified term and generally will bear interest at a rate equal to 4.50% over the greater of (a) the current three-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0% or (b) the current prime rate

16


as published by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. We have the option to designate either pricing mechanism. Payments are due under the Credit Facility in arrears, in the case of a loan based on LIBOR on the last day of the specified loan period and in the case of all other loans on the last day of each March, June, September and December. All outstanding principal is due and payable upon termination of the Credit Facility.

          The applicable interest rate increases under the Credit Facility and the lenders may accelerate payments under the Credit Facility, or call all obligations due under certain circumstances, upon an event of default. The Credit Facility references various events constituting a default on the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, failure to pay interest on any loan under the Credit Facility, any material violation of any representation or warranty under the Credit Agreement in connection with the Credit Facility, failure to observe or perform certain covenants, conditions or agreements under the Credit Facility, a change in control of our company, default under any other material indebtedness we might have, bankruptcy and similar proceedings and failure to pay disbursements from lines of credit issued under the Credit Facility.

          The Credit Facility requires that we enter into a swap agreement with Macquarie Bank Limited (“Macquarie”) to hedge production over the 36-month term of the Credit Facility. We have strategically entered into constant priced swap arrangements with Macquarie since inception of the Credit Facility to hedge our expected production. A full discussion of our current swap arrangements is set forth in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk – Commodity Price Risk” in Item 7A of this report.

          All of our obligations under the Credit Facility and the swap agreements with Macquarie are secured by a first priority security interest in any and all of our assets pursuant to the terms of a Guaranty and Collateral Agreement and perfected by a mortgage, notice of pledge and security and similar documents.

Follow-On Equity Offerings

          On June 30, 2009, we completed a follow-on equity offering pursuant to which we sold 2.25 million shares of common stock to various institutional investors for $6.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $13.5 million. Net proceeds to our company following deduction of agency fees and expenses were approximately $12.7 million and were used to repay outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility, primarily including borrowings incurred in connection with our acquisition of North Dakota Bakken assets from Windsor Bakken LLC. C.K. Cooper & Company acted as lead placement agent for the offering.

          On November 4, 2009, we completed an additional follow-on equity offering pursuant to which we sold 6.5 million shares of common stock to various institutional investors for $9.12 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $59.3 million. Net proceeds to our company following deduction of agency fees and expenses were approximately $56.3 and were used to repay outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility, pursue acquisition opportunities and for other working capital purposes. Canaccord Adams Inc. acted as lead placement agent for the offering. FIG Partners, LLC acted as co-placement agent for the offering.

Satisfaction of Our Cash Obligations for the Next 12 Months

          With the addition of equity capital during 2009 and our Credit Facility, we believe we have sufficient capital to meet our drilling commitments and expected general and administrative expenses for the next twelve months at a minimum. Nonetheless, any strategic acquisition of assets may require us to access the capital markets at some point in 2010. We may also choose to access the equity capital markets rather than our Credit Facility or other debt instruments to fund accelerated or continued drilling at the discretion of management and depending on prevailing market conditions. We will evaluate any potential opportunities for acquisitions as they arise. Given our non-leveraged asset base and anticipated growing cash flows, we believe we are in a position to take advantage of any appropriately priced sales that may occur. However, there can be no assurance that any additional capital will be available to us on favorable terms or at all.

          Over the next 24 months it is possible that our existing capital, the Credit Facility and anticipated funds from operations may not be sufficient to sustain continued acreage acquisition. Consequently, we may seek additional capital in the future to fund growth and expansion through additional equity or debt financing or credit facilities. No assurance can be made that such financing would be available, and if available it may take either the form of debt or equity. In either case, the financing could have a negative impact on our financial condition and our stockholders.

          Though we achieved profitability in 2008 and remained profitable throughout 2009, our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of operations, particularly companies in the oil and gas exploration industry. Such risks include, but are not limited to, an evolving and unpredictable business model and the management of growth. To address these risks we must, among other things, implement and successfully execute our business and marketing strategy, continue to develop and upgrade technology and products, respond to competitive developments, and attract,

17


retain and motivate qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing such risks, and the failure to do so can have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Effects of Inflation and Pricing

          The oil and gas industry is very cyclical and the demand for goods and services of oil field companies, suppliers and others associated with the industry put extreme pressure on the economic stability and pricing structure within the industry. Typically, as prices for oil and natural gas increase, so do all associated costs. Conversely, in a period of declining prices, associated cost declines are likely to lag and may not adjust downward in proportion. Material changes in prices also impact our current revenue stream, estimates of future reserves, borrowing base calculations of bank loans, impairment assessments of oil and gas properties, and values of properties in purchase and sale transactions. Material changes in prices can impact the value of oil and gas companies and their ability to raise capital, borrow money and retain personnel. While we do not currently expect business costs to materially increase, higher prices for oil and natural gas could result in increases in the costs of materials, services and personnel.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

          As of December 31, 2009, we did not have any material long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or purchase obligations requiring future payments other than our office lease that expires on January 31, 2013, and outstanding promissory notes issued to our executive officers. The following table illustrates our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than
1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than
5 years

 

Office Lease(1)

 

 

$  462,474

 

 

$  148,151

 

 

$  314,323

 

 

$  —

 

 

 

Note Payable to Michael L. Reger(2)

 

 

$  250,000

 

 

$  —

 

 

$ 250,000

 

 

$—

 

 

 

Note Payable to Ryan R. Gilbertson(2)

 

 

$ 250,000

 

 

$  —

 

 

$ 250,000

 

 

$—

 

 

 

Automobile Leases(3)

 

 

$61,116

 

 

$41,372

 

 

$19,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1,023,590

 

 

$189,523

 

 

$834,067

 

 

$—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Our office lease commenced on February 1, 2008 and continues for a period of five years.

 

 

(2)

In February 2009, our Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of $250,000 principal amount non-negotiable, unsecured subordinated promissory notes to both Michael Reger – our Chief Executive Officer – and Ryan Gilbertson – our Chief Financial Officer – in lieu of paying cash bonuses earned in 2008. The notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum and are subordinate to any secured debt of our company. Our Credit Facility now limits our ability to make interest and principal payments on the notes. All unpaid principal and interest on the notes are due and payable in full in a single lump sum on March 8, 2013.

 

 

 

(3)

In July 2007, we entered into automobile leases for vehicles utilized by two of our employees, which expire in July, 2010. In September 2008 we entered into automobile leases for vehicles utilized by two additional employees, which expire in September, 2011.

Product Research and Development

          We do not anticipate performing any significant product research and development given our current plan of operation.

Expected Purchase or Sale of Any Significant Equipment

          We do not anticipate the purchase or sale of any plant or significant equipment as such items are not required by us at this time or anticipated to be needed in the next twelve months.

Critical Accounting Policies

          Note 2 to the Financial Statements and Accompanying Notes appearing elsewhere in this report describe various accounting policies critical to an understanding of our financial condition.The establishment and consistent application of accounting policies is a

18


vital component of accurately and fairly presenting our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), as well as ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing financial reporting. While there are rarely alternative methods or rules from which to select in establishing accounting and financial reporting policies, proper application often involves significant judgment regarding a given set of facts and circumstances and a complex series of decisions.

           Use of Estimates

           The preparation of financial statements under U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves, future development costs, estimates relating to certain oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of derivative instruments, fair value of certain investments, and deferred income taxes are the most critical to our financial statements.

           Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

           The determination of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense as well as impairments that are recognized on our oil and natural gas properties are highly dependent on the estimates of the proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. Our estimate of proved reserves is based on the quantities of oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in the future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, engineering and geological interpretation, and judgment. For example, we must estimate the amount and timing of future operating costs, production taxes and development costs, all of which may in fact vary considerably from actual results. In addition, as the prices of oil and natural gas and cost levels change from year to year, the economics of producing our reserves may change and therefore the estimate of proved reserves may also change. Any significant variance in these assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantity and value of our reserves.

           The information regarding present value of the future net cash flows attributable to our proved oil and natural gas reserves are estimates only and should not be construed as the current market value of the estimated oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. Thus, such information includes revisions of certain reserve estimates attributable to our properties included in the prior year’s estimates. These revisions reflect additional information from subsequent activities, production history of the properties involved and any adjustments in the projected economic life of such properties resulting from changes in oil and natural gas prices. Any future downward revisions could adversely affect our financial condition, our borrowing ability, our future prospects and the value of our common stock.

           The estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves used in the preparation of our financial statements were prepared by Ryder Scott Company, our registered independent petroleum consultants, and were prepared in accordance with the rules promulgated by the SEC.

           Oil and Natural Gas Property

           The method of accounting we use to account for our oil and natural gas investments determines what costs are capitalized and how these costs are ultimately matched with revenues and expensed.

           We utilize the full cost method of accounting to account for our oil and natural gas investments instead of the successful efforts method because we believe it more accurately reflects the underlying economics of our programs to explore and develop oil and natural gas reserves. The full cost method embraces the concept that dry holes and other expenditures that fail to add reserves are intrinsic to the oil and natural gas exploration business. Thus, under the full cost method, all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. These capitalized amounts include the costs of unproved properties, internal costs directly related to acquisitions, development and exploration activities, asset retirement costs, geological and geophysical costs and capitalized interest. Although some of these costs will ultimately result in no additional reserves, they are part of a program from which we expect the benefits of successful wells to more than offset the costs of any unsuccessful ones. The full cost method differs from the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas investments. The primary difference between these two methods is the treatment of exploratory dry hole costs. These costs are generally expensed under the successful efforts method when it is determined that measurable reserves do not exist. Geological and geophysical costs are also expensed under the successful efforts method. Under the full cost method, both dry hole costs and geological and geophysical costs are initially capitalized and classified as unevaluated properties pending determination of proved reserves. If no proved reserves are discovered, these costs are then amortized with all the costs in the full cost pool.

19


           Capitalized amounts except unevaluated costs are depleted using the units of production method. The depletion expense per unit of production is the ratio of the sum of our unamortized historical costs and estimated future development costs to our proved reserve volumes. Estimation of hydrocarbon reserves relies on professional judgment and use of factors that cannot be precisely determined. Subsequent reserve estimates materially different from those reported would change the depletion expense recognized during the future reporting periods. For the year ended December 31, 2009, our average depletion expense per unit of production was $15.06 per BOE. A 10% decrease in our estimated net proved reserves at December 31, 2009 would result in a $1.60 per BOE increase in our per unit depletion expense and a $450,000 decrease in our pre-tax net income.

           To the extent the capitalized costs in our full cost pool (net of depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred taxes) exceed the sum of the present value (using a 10% discount rate and based on period-end oil and natural gas prices) of the estimated future net cash flows from our proved oil and natural gas reserves and the capitalized cost associated with our unproved properties, we would have a capitalized ceiling impairment. Such costs would be charged to operations as a reduction of the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties. The risk that we will be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties increases when oil and natural gas prices are depressed, even if the low prices are temporary. In addition, capitalized ceiling impairment charges may occur if we experience poor drilling results or estimations of our proved reserves are substantially reduced. A capitalized ceiling impairment is a reduction in earnings that does not impact cash flows, but does impact operating income and stockholders’ equity. Once recognized, a capitalized ceiling impairment charge to oil and natural gas properties cannot be reversed at a later date. The risk that we will experience a ceiling test writedown increases when oil and gas prices are depressed or if we have substantial downward revisions in our estimated proved reserves. As of December 31, 2009 the Company has not incurred a capitalized ceiling impairment charge. However, no assurance can be given that we will not experience a capitalized ceiling impairment charge in future periods. In addition, capitalized ceiling impairment charges may occur if estimates of proved hydrocarbon reserves are substantially reduced or estimates of future development costs increase significantly.

           Asset Retirement Obligations

           We have significant obligations to plug and abandon our oil and natural gas wells and related equipment. Liabilities for asset retirement obligations are recorded at fair value in the period incurred. The related asset value is increased by the same amount. Asset retirement costs included in the carrying amount of the related asset are subsequently allocated to expense as part of our depletion calculation. Additionally, increases in the discounted asset retirement liability resulting from the passage of time are reported as accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations expense on our Statement of Operations.

           Estimating future asset retirement obligations requires us to make estimates and judgments regarding timing, existence of a liability, as well as what constitutes adequate restoration. We use the present value of estimated cash flows related to our asset retirement obligations to determine the fair value. Present value calculations inherently incorporate numerous assumptions and judgments, which include the ultimate retirement and restoration costs, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of our existing asset retirement obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment will be made to the carrying cost of the related asset.

           Income Taxes

           Deferred tax assets are recognized for temporary differences in financial statement and tax basis amounts that will result in deductible amounts and carry-forwards in future years. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for temporary differences that will result in taxable amounts in future years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax law and tax rate(s) for the year in which we expect the temporary differences to be deducted or settled. The effect of a change in tax law or rates on the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period of enactment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Significant future taxable income would be required to realize this net tax asset.

           Estimating the amount of the valuation allowance is dependent on estimates of future taxable income, alternative minimum tax income, and changes in stockholder ownership that would trigger limits on use of net operating losses under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.

           Revenue Recognition

           We derive revenue primarily from the sale of the oil and natural gas from our interests in producing wells, hence our revenue recognition policy for these sales is significant.

           We recognize revenue from the sale of oil and natural gas when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonable determinable.

20


           We recognize revenue from the sale of natural gas using the entitlements method of accounting. Under this method, we recognize revenue based on our entitled ownership percentage of sales of natural gas delivered to purchasers. Gas imbalances occur when we sell more or less than our entitled ownership percentage of total natural gas production. When we receive less than our entitled share, a receivable is recorded. When we receive more than our entitled share, a liability is recorded.

           Settlements for hydrocarbon sales can occur up to two months after the end of the month in which the oil, natural gas or other hydrocarbon products were produced. We estimate and accrue for the value of these sales using information available to us at the time our financial statements are generated. Differences are reflected in the accounting period that payments are received from the operator.

           Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

           We use derivative instruments from time to time to manage market risks resulting from fluctuations in prices of oil and natural gas. We periodically enter into derivative contracts, including price swaps, caps and floors, which require payments to (or receipts from) counterparties based on the differential between a fixed price and a variable price for a fixed quantity of oil and natural gas without the exchange of underlying volumes. The notional amounts of these financial instruments are based on expected production from existing wells.

           Derivatives, historically, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, depending on the type of hedge transaction. The Company’s derivatives historically consist primarily of cash flow hedge transactions in which the Company is hedging the variability of cash flows related to a forecasted transaction. Period to period changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in the periods in which the contracts are settled. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges was reflected in current period earnings as gain or loss from derivative. Gains and losses on derivative instruments that did not qualify for hedge accounting were included in income or loss from derivatives in the period in which they occur.

           On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, the Company de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and in addition, the Company has elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as accounting hedges under FASB ASC 815-20-25. As such, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. Any realized and unrealized gains or losses are recorded on the statement of operations. We elected to include all derivative settlement and unrealized gains (losses) within revenues.

           New Accounting Pronouncements

           In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB ASC 815-10-15 (Prior authoritative literature, FASB Statement 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). FASB ASC 815-10-15 is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. FASB ASC 815-10-15 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. Pursuant to the transition provisions of the Statement, the Company adopted FASB ASC 815-10-15 on January 1, 2009. The required disclosures are presented in Note 15 on a prospective basis. This Statement does not impact the financial results as it is disclosure-only in nature.

            In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 270-10-05 (Prior authoritative literature: APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments). FASB ASC 270-10-05 amends FASB ASC 825-10-50 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments) to require an entity to provide disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information. FASB ASC 270-10-05 is to be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The required disclosures are presented in Note 13 on a prospective basis.

           In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 (Prior authoritative literature: FSP FAS 157-2/Statement 157, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157). FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 delayed the effective date for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 related to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Financial Statements. See Note 13 for FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 disclosures.

           In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly). FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 provides additional guidance in estimating fair value, when the volume and level of transaction activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity

21


for the asset or liability. FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 also provides additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate a transaction is not orderly. FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and the Company has adopted its provisions during second quarter 2009. FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.

           In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 320-10-65 (Prior authoritative literature: FSP FAS 115-2/124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments). The guidance applies to investments in debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairments may be recorded. If an entity’s management asserts that it does not have the intent to sell a debt security and it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, then an entity may separate other-than-temporary impairments into two components: 1) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings), and 2) all other amounts (recorded in other comprehensive income). This ASC is to be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this ASC in the second quarter 2009 did not have a material impact on the Financial Statements.

           In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 860-10-05 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets). FASB ASC 860-10-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact of FASB ASC 860-10-05 on its financial position and results of operations.

           In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 810-10-25 ( Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 167-Amendment to FIN 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Entities). FASB ASC 810-10-25 eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires a qualitative analysis to determine whether an enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. FASB ASC 810-10-25 contains certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity. This statement also requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. FASB ASC 810-10-25 will be effective as of the beginning of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FASB ASC 810-10-25.

           In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 105-10-65 ( Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ). Under FASB ASC 105-10-65, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ™ (the “Codification”) becomes the exclusive source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards, with the exception of certain non-SEC accounting literature which will become nonauthoritative. FASB ASC 105-10-65 is effective for the Company’s 2009 third fiscal quarter. The adoption of FASB ASC 105-10-65 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. All references to U.S. GAAP provided in the notes to the Financial Statements have been updated to conform to the Codification.

           In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 200-13, Revenue Recognition – Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance currently included in FASB ASC 605-25. The revised guidance provides for two significant changes to the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance. The first change relates to the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. This change will result in the requirement to separate more deliverables within an arrangement, ultimately leading to less revenue deferral. The second change modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified deliverables. Together, these changes will result in earlier recognition of revenue and related costs for multiple-element arrangements than under previous guidance. This guidance expands the disclosures required for multiple-element revenue arrangements effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of this guidance on its financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

          We currently do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

22


PART III

Item 11. Executive Compensation

          The following discussion of executive compensation addresses the material compensation awarded to our four named executive officers, including the following individuals:

 

 

 

Michael L. Reger

 

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director

 

 

 

Ryan R. Gilbertson

 

President and Director

 

 

 

Chad D. Winter

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

James R. Sankovitz

 

Chief Operations Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

Summary Compensation Table

          The table below shows compensation for our named executive officers for services in all capacities to our company during fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009. Information provided for fiscal year 2007 reflects compensation paid by our predecessor—Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. Compensation, as reflected in this table and the tables which follow, is presented on the basis of rules of the SEC and does not, in the case of certain stock-based awards or accruals, necessarily represent the amount of compensation realized or which may be realized in the future. For more information regarding our salary policies and executive compensation plans, please review the information under the caption “Compensation Committee Report.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Principal
Position(*)

 

Year

 

Salary
($)

 

Bonus
($)(†)

 

Stock Awards
($)(‡)

 

Option
Awards
($)(§)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(**)

 

All Other
Compensation
($)(††)(‡‡)

 

Total
Compensation
($)

 

 

Michael L. Reger

 

2007

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

 

1,367

 

121,367

 

Chief Executive

 

2008

 

185,000

 

100,000

 

 

 

370,000

 

155,833

 

810,833

 

Officer and Chairman
of the Board

 

2009

 

285,000

 

570,000

 

1,455,000

(§§)

 

 

50,186

 

2,360,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan R. Gilbertson

 

2007

 

 

120,000

 

 

 

 

1,955

 

121,955

 

President

 

2008

 

185,000

 

100,000

 

 

 

370,000

 

156,964

 

811,964

 

 

 

2009

 

285,000

 

570,000

 

1,455,000

(***)

 

 

58,782

 

2,368,782

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad D. Winter

 

2007

 

 

 

388,500

(†††)

163,200

(‡‡‡)

 

 

551,700

 

Chief Financial

 

2008

 

105,000

 

 

 

 

 

677

 

105,677

 

Officer

 

2009

 

155,000

 

 

441,750

(§§§)

 

 

34,478

 

631,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James R. Sankovitz

 

2008

 

100,000

 

 

140,500

(****)

 

 

1,802

 

207,177

 

Chief Operating
Officer, General
Counsel & Secretary

 

2009

 

155,000

 

 

441,750

(††††)

 

 

39,613

 

636,363

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

(*)

Mr. Reger joined our company as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Secretary and Mr. Gilbertson joined us as Chief Financial Officer and a director on March 20, 2007. Mr. Winter joined our company in November 2007 and Mr. Sankovitz joined our company in March 2008. Mr. Reger, Mr. Gilbertson and Mr. Winter were not paid any salary during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

()

The amounts reported for Messrs. Reger and Gilbertson represent $120,000 year-end cash bonuses in 2007, $100,000 signing bonuses upon execution of employment agreements in 2008 and $570,000 year-end cash bonuses in 2009.

 

 

()

Valuation of awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 utilizing assumptions discussed in note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

(§)

Valuation of awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 utilizing assumptions discussed in note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

23



 

 

 

 

 

(**)

For 2008, the amounts reported for Messrs. Reger and Gilbertson include a $370,000 year-end bonus based upon achievement of performance objectives and approved by the Compensation Committee but paid through issuance of promissory notes in lieu of cash bonus.

 

 

(††)

For 2008, the amounts reported for Messrs. Reger and Gilbertson include $153,735 accrued by our company as an additional bonus to pay tax obligations associated with year-end bonuses in consideration of their willingness to accept such bonuses in the form of unsecured notes rather than cash.

 

 

(‡‡)

The amounts reported consist of the following for 2009:


Form of All Other
CompensationMichael L.
RegerRyan R.
GilbertsonChad D.

WinterJames R. SankovitzPersonal use of company-leased vehicles ($)7,2027,0329,113 11,977401(k) contributions by the Company ($)16,50016,500 16,500 16,500 Reimbursement of meal, entertainment and personal expenses ($)10,6985,2741,445 2,876Tax Gross-ups ($)15,78629,976 7,4208,260 Total ($)50,18658,782 34,478 39,613

 

 

(§§)

Reflects the grant date fair value of 50,000 shares of common stock and 100,000 shares of restricted common stock, granted to Mr. Reger on December 7, 2009.

 

 

(***)

Reflects the grant date fair value of 50,000 shares of common stock and 100,000 shares of restricted common stock, granted to Mr. Gilbertson on December 7, 2009.

 

 

(†††)

Reflects the grant date fair value of 75,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Winter upon the commencement of his employment in November 2007.

 

 

(‡‡‡)

Reflects the grant date fair value of options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Winter upon the commencement of his employment in November 2007.

 

 

(§§§)

Includes (i) $213,000, which is the grant date fair value of 45,000 shares of common stock and 30,000 shares of restricted common stock, granted to Mr. Winter on February 23, 2009 and (ii) $228,750, which is the grant date fair value of 25,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Winter on November 30, 2009.


 

 

(****)

          Reflects the grant date fair value of 20,000 shares of restricted common stock granted to Mr. Sankovitz upon the commencement of his employment in March 2008.

 

 

(††††)

          Includes (i) $213,000, which is the grant date fair value of 45,000 shares of common stock and 30,000 shares of restricted common stock, granted to Mr. Sankovitz on February 23, 2009 and (ii) $228,750, which is the grant date fair value of 25,000 shares of common stock granted to Mr. Sankovitz on November 30, 2009.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

          Our Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing director and executive officer compensation, policies and programs to insure that they are consistent with our compensation philosophy and corporate governance guidelines. The Compensation Committee is authorized to make plan awards to our employees to recognize individual and company-wide achievements as the Committee deems appropriate. Our Compensation Committee has annually reviewed and approved base salary and incentive compensation levels, employment agreements and benefits of executive officers and other key executives.

          We have implemented a compensation program that is designed to reward our management for maximizing stockholder value and ensuring the long-term stability of our company. Our compensation program is intended to reward individual accomplishments, team success and corporate results. It also recognizes the varying responsibilities and contributions of each employee and is intended to foster an ownership mentality among our management team.

Stock-Based Incentives

          We have traditionally utilized stock incentives as a means to align the interests of our management with the interests of our stockholders and motivate our management to enhance stockholder value. Stock issuances to-date have been designed to serve as both short-term rewards and long-term incentives. As a result, each of our named executive officers holds a significant number of shares of our outstanding common stock.

Year-End Compensation Decisions

          Near the end of the 2009, the Compensation Committee met on multiple occasions to consider the performance of our named executive officers and make year-end compensation decisions. In evaluating the performance of our named executive officers, the Committee primarily focused on the accomplishments and overall performance of the Company during 2009. Notable accomplishments in 2009 that the Compensation Committee took into account were the closing of a $25 million credit facility with CIT; the raising of over $70 million in equity capital at accretive levels; the substantial increase in production and revenues from 2008

24


to 2009; the efficient expansion of the company’s acreage position throughout 2009; and the realization of almost a 400% stock appreciation from the lows of March 2009.

          The Compensation Committee also examined the compensation policies and practices of numerous exploration and production companies which it deemed to be similar to our company. The companies examined included Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp., Double Eagle Petroleum Co., Gasco Energy, Inc., Gastar Exploration Ltd., Union Drilling, Inc., Bronco Drilling Company, Venoco Inc. and FX Energy, Inc. The Compensation Committee used this information in determining 2009 bonus and 2010 base salary amounts for our management.

2009 Cash Bonuses

          On November 30, 2009, the Compensation Committee approved the payment of a $570,000 cash bonus to each of Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson, in recognition of their contributions to the Company and the significant accomplishments of the Company during 2009, as described above under “Compensation Committee Evaluation of Performance.”2009. The cashtotal bonus amount was determined by the Compensation Committee on a post hoc basis based on the Compensation Committee’s assessment of Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson’s contributions to the Company’s notable accomplishments during 2009, including the closing of a $25 million credit facility with CIT, raising over $70 million in equity capital at accretive levels, increasing production and revenues from 2008 to 2009, efficiently expanding the Company’s acreage position throughout 2009 and realizing nearly a 400% stock appreciation from the lows of March 2009. The Compensation Committee concluded that the achievement of these qualitative factors qualified Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson for a significant year-end bonus, consistent with bonus compensation of the highest paid executive officers from the Company’s peers. The Compensation Committee then examined the compensation policies and practices of various publicly-traded oil and gas exploration and production companies which the Compensation Committee deemed as peer companies to determine the appropriate year-end bonus compensation amounts for the 2009 fiscal year, including (in alphabetical order) Abraxas Petroleum Corp., Callon Petroleum Co., Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., Double Eagle Petroleum Co., Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited, EV Energy Partners LP, GMX Resources Inc., Goodrich Petroleum Corp., Kodiak Oil and Gas, PetroQuest Energy Inc., Rex Energy Corporation Stone Energy Corp. and Swift Energy Co.

2009 Equity Incentive Plan

          In 2009, the Board adopted and the stockholders approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is designed to enable our company to attract, retain and motivate capable and loyal employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors. The Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee.

          The Plan permits grants of both options to purchase common stock and restricted shares of our common stock. Stock options granted under the Plan may be either incentive stock options, which qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or nonqualified stock options, which do not qualify for favorable tax treatment. The Plan permits grants of options to any employee, non-employee director, consultant or advisor of our company or its subsidiaries.

          A total of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the Plan. The maximum number of shares for which any person may be granted awards under the Plan is 500,000 shares annually. The maximum number of shares for which awards may be granted under the Plan to all persons in any calendar year shall be limited to ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding shares of our common stock. Upon a “change in control” of the Company, all outstanding options granted under the Plan immediately vest and become immediately exercisable in full and all grants of restricted stock issued under the Plan become immediately fully-vested and free of all forfeiture and transfer restrictions.

          On February 23, 2009, the Compensation Committee approved (subject to shareholder approval of the Plan, which was subsequently obtained) the issuance of 75,000 shares of common stock to each of Mr. Winter and Mr. Sankovitz, of which 45,000 shares were fully vested upon issuance and the remaining 30,000 of which were restricted shares that were to vest in two equal installments on January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011. These grants were made in recognition of the contributions of Mr. Winter and Mr. Sankovitz since they were each initially hired by the Company and to further align their interests with those of our stockholders.

          On November 30, 2009, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 150,000 shares of common stock to each of Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson, of which 50,000 shares were fully vested upon issuance and the remaining 100,000 of which are restricted shares that vest in approximately equal installments on the first day of each month from January 2010 through December 2011. In addition, on November 30, 2009, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 25,000 shares of common stock to each of Mr. Winter and Mr. Sankovitz, all of which were fully vested upon grant and approved the acceleration and immediate vesting of 15,000 shares of restricted stock previously granted to each of Mr. Winter and Mr. Sankovitz, which were otherwise scheduled to vest on January 1, 2010. All such actions taken by the Compensation Committee were made in recognition of the named executive officers’ contributions to the Company during 2009 and the companyCompany’s achievements during 2009 (as described above under “Compensation Committee Evaluation of Performance”) and to further align their interests with those of our stockholders. The stock

25


bonus amount was determined by the Compensation Committee on a post hoc basis based on the Compensation Committee’s assessment of management’s contributions to the Company’s notable accomplishments during 2009. The Compensation Committee’s process is more fully described above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2009 Cash Bonuses”.

          On March 17, 2010, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of 250,000 shares of common stock to each of Mr. Reger, Mr. Gilbertson, Mr. Winter and Mr. Sankovitz. Each such grant consisted of 12,500 shares that were fully vested upon issuance and 237,500 restricted shares that will vest in quarterly installments from July 1, 2010 through January 1, 2014. The first three quarterly vesting installments are for 12,500 shares each, the next eight quarterly vesting installments are for 15,625 shares each and the final four quarterly vesting installments are for 18,750 shares each. Such grants were made in order to significantly increase each executive officer’s personal stake in the Company, thereby further aligning their interests with those of our stockholders. In addition, the four year vesting period will provide our executive officers with a strong incentive to remain with the Company for the long-term. The Compensation Committee examined the compensation policies and practices of various publicly-traded oil and gas exploration and production peer companies which the Compensation Committee deemed as peer companies when determining year-end bonus compensation amounts for the 2009 fiscal year, including (in alphabetical order) Abraxas Petroleum Corp., Callon Petroleum Co., Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., Double Eagle Petroleum Co., Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited, EV Energy Partners LP, GMX Resources Inc., Goodrich Petroleum Corp., Kodiak Oil and Gas, PetroQuest Energy Inc., Rex Energy Corporation Stone Energy Corp. and Swift Energy Co. This examination was used in addition to the annual accomplishment and performance metrics to determine the yearly compensation amounts for the Company’s management in 2009. The Compensation Committee also engaged BDO Seidman, as an independent consultant to prepare an analysis of peer company compensation practices when implementing a one-time four-year incentive plan for the Company’s executive management. The four-year incentive plan represents a multi-year plan designed to incentivize the Company’s executive team over a long-term basis. As such, the Compensation Committee deemed it appropriate to broaden the peer group from the group used in determining year-end compensation to include various companies implementing long-term plans similar to the plan then contemplated by our Compensation Committee. BDO Seidman agreed that the broader peer group was appropriate for use in determining long-term grants. BDO Seidman concluded that the award of equity, in combination with prior year awards and a continuation of cash compensation at levels suggested by our Compensation Committee, sets our executive officers’ compensation at market-competitive levels for the next four years, and the vesting terms of the awards establish a meaningful incentive to remain with our companyEmploymentCompany.

Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control

          In January 2008, we entered into employment agreements with Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson covering their service as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. In November 2007 and March 2008, we entered into employment agreements with Chad D. Winter and James R. Sankovitz, respectively, as a condition to their employment with our company. On January 30, 2009, our board of directors and Compensation Committee approved certain amendments to all employment agreements, which were effectuated through adopting amended and restated employment agreements. In March 2010, Mr. Winter and Mr. Sankovitz were promoted to executive officer positions with the Company and in connection therewith entered into new employment agreements.

General Employment Agreement Provisions

          The current employment agreements entitle Messrs. Reger, Gilbertson, Winter and Sankovitz to each receive an annual base salary as determined by our Compensation Committee, but which shall increase each year a minimum of four percent (4.0%) over the prior year’s annual salary. All officers are eligible to receive bonus compensation at the discretion of our Compensation Committee or board of directors based upon meeting or exceeding established performance objectives. The employment agreements also contain provisions prohibiting our named executive officers from competing with our company or soliciting any employees of our company for a period of one year following termination of their employment in the event either officer terminates his employment with our company.

          The current employment agreements have a three-year term commencing January 30, 2009 for Messrs. Reger and Gilbertson and March 25, 2010 for Messrs. Winter and Sankovitz, which term automatically renews for an additional three-year term each year unless otherwise terminated by either the Company or the employee. Notwithstanding the specified term, each employee’s employment with our company is entirely “at-will,” meaning that either the employee or our company may terminate such employment relationship at any time for any reason or for no reason at all, subject to the provisions of the then-applicable employment agreements.

Change-in-Control and Similar Provisions

           The Compensation Committee utilized change of control provisions that were previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors as part of the Company’s executive employment agreements. These provisions initially were suggested by the Company’s outside legal counsel at the time the Company entered into employment agreements with Michael L. Reger and Ryan R.

26


Gilbertson based on common practices of similarly situated companies, and have been utilized consistently by the Company and the Compensation Committee since that time.

          The current employment agreements of each named executive officer contain change-in-control provisions entitling the employees to certain payments under specified circumstances. A “change-in-control” is defined as any one or more of the following:

 

 

 

 

The consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or similar transaction, or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our company, unless, in any case, the persons beneficially owning the voting securities of our company immediately before that transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, immediately after the transaction, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting securities of our company or any other corporation or other entity resulting from or surviving the transaction in substantially the same proportion as their respective ownership of the voting securities of our company immediately prior to the transaction;

 

 

 

 

Individuals who constitute the incumbent board of directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors; or

 

 

 

 

Our stockholders approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of our company.

Upon a change-in-control of our company, each employee’s employment agreement will immediately cease and our employees will be entitled to certain specified compensation.

          In the event of a change-in-control, upon the earlier to occur of their death or six (6) months following the “change in control” we must pay each of our named executive officers a lump sum payment equal to twice their then-applicable annual salary in lieu of any and all other benefits and compensation to which they otherwise would be entitled. Messrs. Reger, Gilbertson, Winter and Sankovitz also are entitled to the pre-payment of the remaining lease term of their company vehicle and use of such vehicle through the remaining lease term of such vehicle, along with a lump sum payment of the estimated insurance premiums for such vehicle through the remaining lease terms upon a change-in-control.

          In addition to the cash payments referenced above, upon any change-in-control our company or its successor must pay and/or issue (as appropriate) to both Messrs. Winter and Sankovitz that amount of cash and/or that number of shares of our common stock or shares of capital stock or ownership interests of any other entity which they would have been entitled to receive in connection with the change-in-control had they owned an aggregate of 30,000 fully-paid and non-assessable shares of our common stock prior to the change-in-control.

          Assuming a change-in-control had occurred as of December 31, 2009 and assuming then-applicable base salaries, Messrs. Reger and Gilbertson each would have been entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment of $570,000 and each of Messrs. Winter and Sankovitz would have been entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment of $310,000. In addition, Messrs. Reger and Gilbertson each would have been entitled to payment of approximately $7,000 toward their vehicle lease and related insurance and Messrs. Winter and Sankovitz each would have been entitled to payment of approximately $11,000 toward their vehicle lease and related insurance. At December 31, 2009, the value of stock or similar change-in-control compensation to be awarded to both Messrs. Winter and Sankovitz would have approximated $360,600.

          Our Compensation Committee carefully reviewed and considered the foregoing change-in-control provisions before approving the current employment agreements of each of our named executive officers. In addition, our Compensation Committee Chairperson—Lisa Meier—was involved in reviewing and negotiating draft employment agreements in advance of the full Committee review and approval.

27


Grants of Plan-Based Awards

          The following table sets forth grants of plan-based awards during the year ended December 31, 2009, which consisted solely of grants of common stock and restricted common stock. All grants were made pursuant to the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Grant Date

 

Compensation
Committee
Approval
Date

 

Number of Shares of
Common Stock

 

Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock Awards ($)

 

Michael L. Reger

 

12/7/2009

 

 

11/30/2009

 

 

150,000

 

 

1,455,000

 

 

Ryan R. Gilbertson

 

12/7/2009

 

 

11/30/2009

 

 

150,000

 

 

1,455,000

 

 

Chad D. Winter

 

2/23/2009

 

 

2/23/2009

 

 

75,000

 

 

213,000

(‡‡‡‡)

 

 

 

11/30/2009

 

 

11/30/2009

 

 

25,000

 

 

228,750

 

 

James R. Sankovitz

 

2/23/2009

 

 

2/23/2009

 

 

75,000

 

 

213,000

(§§§§)

 

 

 

11/30/2009

 

 

11/30/2009

 

 

25,000

 

 

228,750

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(‡‡‡‡)

          On November 30, 3009, the Compensation Committee approved a modification of this award, such that 15,000 shares of restricted common stock that would have otherwise vested on January 1, 2010 instead vested on November 30, 2009. There was no incremental fair value related to the November 30, 2009 modification of the award.

 

 

(§§§§)

          On November 30, 3009, the Compensation Committee approved a modification of this award, such that 15,000 shares of restricted common stock that would have otherwise vested on January 1, 2010 instead vested on November 30, 2009. There was no incremental fair value related to the November 30, 2009 modification of the award.

Outstanding Equity Awards

          The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards to our named executive officers as of December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of Shares That
Had Not Vested

 

Market Value of Shares That
Had Not Vested(*****)

 

Michael L. Reger

 

100,000

(†††††)

 

$1,184,000

 

 

Ryan R. Gilbertson

 

100,000

(‡‡‡‡‡)

 

$1,184,000

 

 

Chad D. Winter

 

15,000

(§§§§§)

 

$177,600

 

 

James R. Sankovitz

 

15,000

(§§§§§)

 

$177,600

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*****)

          The values in this column are based on the $11.84 closing price of our common stock on the NYSE AMEX Equities Market on December 31, 2009.

 

 

(†††††)

          Consists of restricted common stock granted to Mr. Reger on December 7, 2009. 4,167 shares will vest on the first day of each month from January 2010 through November 2011 and the final 4,159 shares will vest on December 1, 2011.

 

 

(‡‡‡‡‡)

          Consists of restricted common stock granted to Mr. Gilbertson on December 7, 2009. 4,167 shares will vest on the first day of each month from January 2010 through November 2011 and the final 4,159 shares will vest on December 1, 2011.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Consists of restricted common stock granted to Mr. Winter on February 23, 2009. All 15,000 shares will vest on January 1, 2011.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Consists of restricted common stock granted to Mr. Sankovitz on February 23, 2009. All 15,000 shares will vest on January 1, 2011.

28


Option Exercises and Stock Vested

          Our named executive officers did not hold or exercise any stock options during the year ended December 31, 2009. The table below sets forth the number of shares of common stock acquired on vesting by our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting

 

Value Realized on Vesting

 

Michael L. Reger

 

50,000

 

 

$485,000

(§§§§§)

 

Ryan R. Gilbertson

 

50,000

 

 

$485,000

(§§§§§)

 

Chad D. Winter

 

85,000

 

 

$493,800

(§§§§§)

 

James R. Sankovitz

 

105,000

 

 

$547,000

(§§§§§)

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Mr. Reger received a grant of 50,000 shares of fully vested common stock on December 7, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE AMEX Equities Market on such date was $9.70.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Mr. Gilbertson received a grant of 50,000 shares of fully vested common stock on December 7, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE AMEX Equities Market on such date was $9.70.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Mr. Winter received a grant of 45,000 shares of fully vested common stock on February 23, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE AMEX Equities Market on such date was $2.84. Mr. Winter received a grant of 25,000 shares of fully vested common stock and had an additional 15,000 shares of restricted stock vest, on November 30, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on such date was $9.15.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Mr. Sankovitz had 20,000 shares of restricted stock vest on January 2, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE AMEX Equities Market on such date was $2.66. Mr. Sankovitz received a grant of 45,000 shares of fully vested common stock on February 23, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on such date was $2.84. Mr. Sankovitz received a grant of 25,000 shares of fully vested common stock and had an additional 15,000 shares of restricted stock vest, on November 30, 2009. The closing price of our common stock on such date was $9.15.

Defined Benefit Plans

          We did not maintain any defined benefit plans during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

          Our directors receive no cash fees for their services. Directors are, however, reimbursed for their actual out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending meetings and carrying out their obligations as directors.

          On November 1, 2007, each of our non-employee directors received an option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock pursuant to our 2006 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The options were fully vested at the time of grant and are exercisable at $5.18 per share, which represents the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, calculated based on the average close/last trade price of our common stock reported for the five highest volume trading days during the 30-day trading period ending on the last trading day preceding the date of grant (rounded to the nearest penny).

          On December 7, 2009, each of our non-employee directors received a grant of 25,000 shares of common stock pursuant to our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 8,334 shares were fully vested upon issuance and the remaining 16,666 are restricted shares that vest in approximately equal installments on the first day of each month from January 2010 through December 2011.

          The following table contains compensation information for our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash ($)

 

Stock
Awards ($)(§§§§§)(§§§§§)

 

Option
Awards ($)(§§§§§)

 

Total ($)

 

Robert Grabb

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

Jack E. King

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

Lisa Meier

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

Loren J. O’Toole

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

Carter Stewart

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

 

 

242,500

 

 

29



 

 

 

 

(§§§§§)

          Each non-employee director received a grant of 8,334 shares of common stock and 16,666 shares of restricted common stock, on December 7, 2009. Valuation of awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 utilizing assumptions discussed in note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          As of December 31, 2009, each non-employee director held 16,666 shares of unvested restricted common stock.

 

 

(§§§§§)

          As of December 31, 2009, each of Mr. King, Ms. Meier and Mr. O’Toole held stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $5.18 per share and each of Mr. Grabb and Mr. Stewart held no stock options.

30



COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Compensation Committee Activities

          The Compensation Committee of our board consists of three independent directors. As the Compensation Committee, we authorize and evaluate programs and, where appropriate, establish relevant performance criteria to determine management compensation. Our Compensation Committee Charter grants the Compensation Committee full authority to review and approve annual base salary and incentive compensation levels, employment agreements and benefits of executive officers and other key employees. We intend to adopt performance criteria to measure the performance of our executive management and determine the appropriateness of awarding year-end cash bonuses based on performance company performance.

Employment Agreements

          All employees, including the officers named in the summary compensation table, have entered into written employment agreements with our company. All such agreements provide that year-end cash bonuses are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee or board of directors, to be determined according to our company’s achievement of specified predetermined and mutually agreed upon performance objectives each year.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

          There are no compensation committee interlocks.

Review of Compensation Discussion and Analysis

          The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis presented on the preceding pages. Based on its review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

          The name of each person who serves as a member of our Compensation Committee is set forth below.

 

 

 

Loren J. O’Toole

Robert Grabb

Lisa Meier

31


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

          The Audit Committee of the board consists of three members who are neither officers nor employees of our company and who meet NYSE Amex independence requirements. Information as to these persons, as well as their duties, is provided under the caption “Our board of directors and Committees.” The Committee met eight times during 2009 and reviewed a wide range of issues, including the objectivity of the financial reporting process and the adequacy of internal controls. The Committee ratified the selection of Mantyla McReynolds LLC (“Mantyla McReynolds”) as our independent registered public accounting firm and considered factors relating to its independence. In addition, the Committee received reports and reviewed matters regarding ethical considerations and business conduct and monitored compliance with laws and regulations. Prior to filing our annual report on Form 10-K, the Committee also met with our management and internal auditors and reviewed the current audit activities, plans and results of selected internal audits. The Committee also met privately with the internal auditors and with representatives of Mantyla McReynolds to encourage confidential discussions as to any accounting or auditing matters.

          The Audit Committee has (a) reviewed and discussed with management and representatives of our company’s independent registered public accountants our company’s audited financial statements contained for the year ended December 31, 2009; (b) discussed with our company’s independent registered public accountants the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T; and (c). received the written disclosures and the letter from our company’s independent registered public accounting firm as required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence and discussed with representatives of our company’s independent registered public accounting firm its independence.

          Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for filing with the SEC.

          The name of each person who serves as a member of our Audit Committee is set forth below.

 

 

 

Loren J. O’Toole

Robert Grabb

Lisa Meier

32


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

          As an oil and gas exploration company, our business strategy is to identify and exploit resources in and adjacent to existing or indicated producing areas that can be quickly developed and put in production at low cost. We are focused on low overhead and, thus, have relied upon various relationships with third-parties that assist us in identifying and acquiring property in the most exciting new plays in a nimble and efficient fashion. As a consequence, we have entered into and may in the future enter into, certain transactions and arrangements with parties that have a direct or indirect relationship with one or more members of our management or board of directors.

          A majority of the members of our board of directors have qualified as “independent” as defined in Section 803(a)(2) of the NYSE Amex company guide since September 2007 and our board of directors has approved any and all transactions involving any material obligation by our company to any party. See Directors—Independence and Committees above for a complete discussion regarding our Audit Committee and the independence of our directors. Our Audit Committee Charter, as amended March 18, 20082008, and the NYSE Amex company guide require that Audit Committee review and approve all material transactions between our company and its directors, officers and 5% or greater stockholders, as well as all material transactions between our company and any relative or affiliate of any of the foregoing. In reviewing such transactions, the Audit Committee generally seeks third-party data to assist in evaluating whether the specific terms and provisions of each individual transaction are no less favorable to us than we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties. The Audit Committee historically has relied upon data from state and federal lease auctions to support the appropriateness of prices paid to any related party in connection with any leasehold acquisition. We anticipate that our Audit Committee will review and approve or ratify future transactions involving any executive officer, director, 5% or greater stockholder or any relative or affiliate of any of the foregoing.

          In September 2007, we commenced a continuous lease program with South Fork Exploration, LLC (“SFE”), a Montana limited liability Companycompany owned and managed by J.R. Reger, brother of our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman—Michael Reger. The Company’s continuous lease program with SFE involved the acquisition of acreage in specific agreed upon sections of townships and ranges in North Dakota where SFE previously leased acreage on the Company’s behalf and is authorized to continue to acquire additional acreage within the proximity of the originally-acquired leases. The program has resulted in the acquisition of approximately 6,812 net acres across Burke and Divide Counties, approximately 624 net acres in Dunn County, approximately 56 net acres in Mercer County, and approximately 13,820 net acres in Mountrail County of North Dakota. This program differs from other arrangements where the Company may purchase specific leases in one-time, single closing transactions. SFE is compensated for the leases through a $13.00 cash payment per net acre and an over-riding royalty interest equal to the difference between the royalty payable to each lessor. The Company is receiving a net revenue interest ranging from 80.25% to 82.5% net revenue interest in the acquired leases, which is net of royalties and overriding royalties. Because each lessor separately negotiates its own desired royalty, SFE’s over-riding royalty interest varies from lease to lease. Under the terms of the program, we paid SFE an aggregate of $501,603 in 2009. J.R. Reger is also a stockholder of our company.

          On January 30, 2009, our Compensation Committee and Audit Committee approved the issuance of non-negotiable, unsecured subordinated promissory notes in the principal amount of $370,000 to both Mr. Reger and Mr. Gilbertson in lieu of paying cash bonuses earned in 2008.

          On November 17, 2009, the Audit Committee approved the opening of an investment account with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC for management of a portion of the company’s excess cash. This account will be managed by Kathleen Gilbertson, a financial advisor with that firm who is the sister of our President and Director, Ryan Gilbertson. Depending on liquidity needs, we expect to invest approximately $30 million to $60 million in this investment account and Kathleen Gilbertson’s personal interest in any such amount we invest is expected to be approximately $7,000 to $20,000, depending upon the specific investments chosen for our funds.

          Except as disclosed above, we had no transactions during 2009 and none are currently proposed, in which we were a participant and in which any related person had a direct or indirect material interest.

33


Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

(b)

Exhibits:


 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

Reference

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Mantyla McReynolds LLC

 

Filed herewith

23.123.2

 

Consent of Ryder Scott Company, LP

 

Filed herewith

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed herewith

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Filed herewith

99.1

 

Report of Ryder Scott Company, LP.

 

Filed herewith

34


SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

 

 

Date:

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

 

By:

/s/ Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Michael L. Reger

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

SeptemberNovember___, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Chad D. Winter

 

Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

Chad D. Winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

§§§§§

 

President and Director

 

SeptemberNovember___, 2010

Ryan R. Gilbertson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

Loren J. O’Toole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

Carter Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

Jack King

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

Robert Grabb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

SeptemberNovember ___, 2010

Lisa Bromiley Meier

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

§§§§§    Michael L. Reger, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this document on behalf of the above-named directors of the Registrant pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such persons.

By:/s/ Michael L. Reger Michael L. Reger Attorney-in-Fact


NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Page

Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007

 

 

Selected Notes to the Financial Statements

F-1



NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008
Adjusted *

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Sales

 

$

15,171,824

 

$

3,542,994

 

$

-

 

Gain (Loss) on Settled Derivatives

 

 

(624,541

)

 

778,885

 

 

-

 

Mark-to-Market of Derivative Instruments

 

 

(363,414

)

 

-

 

 

-

 

Other Revenue

 

 

37,630

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

14,221,499

 

 

4,321,879

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production Expenses

 

 

754,976

 

 

70,954

 

 

-

 

Production Taxes

 

 

1,300,373

 

 

203,182

 

 

-

 

General and Administrative Expense

 

 

3,686,330

 

 

2,091,289

 

 

4,509,743

 

Depletion of Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

4,250,983

 

 

677,915

 

 

-

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

91,794

 

 

67,060

 

 

3,446

 

Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations

 

 

8,082

 

 

1,030

 

 

-

 

Total Expenses

 

 

10,092,538

 

 

3,111,430

 

 

4,513,189

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

4,128,961

 

 

1,210,449

 

 

(4,513,189

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME

 

 

135,991

 

 

383,891

 

 

207,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

4,264,952

 

 

1,594,340

 

 

(4,305,293

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT)

 

 

1,466,000

 

 

(830,000

)

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

2,798,952

 

$

2,424,340

 

$

(4,305,293

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.08

 

$

(0.18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.07

 

$

(0.18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic

 

 

36,705,267

 

 

31,920,747

 

 

23,667,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

 

36,877,070

 

 

32,653,552

 

 

23,667,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See Note 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
SELECTED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009

 

 

NOTE 2

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of interest-bearing bank accounts and money market funds. Our cash positions represent assets held in checking and money market accounts. These assets are generally available to us on a daily or weekly basis and are highly liquid in nature. Due to the balances being greater than $250,000, we do not have FDIC coverage on the entire amount of bank deposits. The company believes this risk is minimal. In addition, we are subject to Security Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) protection on a vast majority of our financial assets.

Short-Term Investments

All marketable debt and equity securities and United States Treasuries that are included in short-term investments are considered available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. The short-term investments are considered current assets due their maturity term or the company’s ability and intent to use them to fund current operations. The unrealized gains and losses related to these securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When securities are sold, their cost is determined based on the first-in first-out method. The realized gains and losses related to these securities are included in other income in the statements of operations.

Other Property and Equipment

Property and equipment that are not oil and gas properties are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of three to five years. Expenditures for replacements, renewals, and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Long-lived assets, other than oil and gas properties, are evaluated for impairment to determine if current circumstances and market conditions indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We have not recognized any impairment losses on non oil and gas long-lived assets. Depreciation expense was $91,794, $67,070, and $3,446 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

Debt Issuance Costs

In February 2009, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with CIT Capital USA, Inc. (CIT) (See Note 9). The Company incurred costs related to this facility that were capitalized on the Balance Sheet as Debt Issuance Costs. Included in the Debt Issuance Costs are direct costs paid to third parties for broker fees and legal fees, 180,000 shares of restricted common stock paid as additional compensation for broker fees, and the fair value of 300,000 warrants issued to CIT. The fair value of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on factors present at the time of closing. CIT can exercise these warrants at any time until the warrants expire in February 2012. The exercise price of the warrants is $5.00 per warrant. The total amount capitalized for Debt Issuance Costs is $1,670,000. The capitalized costs are being amortized for three years over the term of the facility using the effective interest method. In May 2009, the Company amended the revolving credit facility with CIT to allow for additional borrowings. The Company incurred $216,414 of direct costs related to this amendment. The capitalized costs will be amortized over the remaining term of the facility using the effective interest method. The amortization of debt issuance costs for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $459,343.


Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which the asset is acquired and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

Revenue Recognition and Gas Balancing

We recognize oil and gas revenues from our interests in producing wells when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. We use the sales method of accounting for gas balancing of gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proven reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, our gas production was in balance, i.e., our cumulative portion of gas production taken and sold from wells in which we have an interest equaled our entitled interest in gas production from those wells.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has accounted for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718-10-55 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 123(R), Share-Based Payment). This statement requires us to record an expense associated with the fair value of stock-based compensation. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate stock based compensation at the date of grant. Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740-10-30 (Prior authoritative literature, FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes). Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Accounting standards requires the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Stock Issuance

The Company records the stock-based compensation awards issued to non-employees and other external entities for goods and services at either the fair market value of the goods received or services rendered on the instruments issued in exchange for such services, whichever is more readily determinable, using the measurement date guidelines enumerated in FASB ASC 505-50-30 (Prior authoritative literature, EITF 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods, or Services).

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Net Income (Loss) per common share is based on the Net Income (Loss) divided by weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Diluted earnings per share are computed using weighted average number of common shares plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. As the Company has a loss for the period ended December 31, 2007 the potentially dilutive shares were anti-dilutive and were thus not added into the earnings per share calculation.


Full Cost Method

The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration and development of oil and gas properties are initially capitalized into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling directly related to acquisition, and exploration activities. Internal costs that are capitalized are directly attributable to acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include costs related to the production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Costs associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Capitalized costs are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

Capitalized Certain Payroll and Other Internal Costs

 

$

2,616,262

 

$

1,374,071

 

$

-

Capitalized Interest Costs

 

 

624,717

 

 

-

 

 

-

Total

 

$

3,240,979

 

$

1,374,071

 

$

-

As of December 31, 2009 we controlled acreage in Sheridan County, Montana with primary targets including the Red River and Mission Canyon. We controlled acreage in North Dakota, primarily in Mountrail County, targeting the Bakken Shale and Three Forks/Sanish as well as acreage in Yates County, New York that is prospective for Marcellus Shale and Trenton-Black River natural gas production. See Note 5 for explanation of activities on these properties.

Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of the proved reserves related to a single full cost pool. In the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company sold acreage for $468,609. The proceeds for these sales were applied to reduce the capitalized costs of oil and gas properties. There were no property sales for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and capitalized cost related to properties having proved reserves, plus the estimated future development costs, asset retirement costs under FASB ASC 410-20-25 (Prior authoritative literature:, FASB Statement 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations) are depleted and amortized on the unit-of-production method based on the estimated gross proved reserves as determined by independent petroleum engineers. The costs of unproved properties are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are either developed or abandoned. When proved reserves are assigned or the property is considered to be impaired, the cost of the property or the amount of the impairment is added to costs subject to depletion calculations.

Capitalized costs of oil and gas properties (net of related deferred income taxes) may not exceed an amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves plus the cost of unevaluated properties (adjusted for related income tax effects). Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, impairment is recognized. The present value of estimated future net cash flows is computed by applying 12-month average price of oil and natural gas to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of period-end, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. Such present value of proved reserves’ future net cash flows excludes future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the Balance Sheet. Should this comparison indicate an excess carrying value, the excess is charged to earnings as an impairment expense. To this point the Company has not realized any impairment of its properties due to our low basis in the acreage and productivity and economics of our producing wells.


Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States requires management 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 the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to proved oil and natural gas reserve volumes, future development costs, estimates relating to certain oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of derivative instruments, fair value of certain investments, and deferred income taxes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ reported amounts in order to conform with the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not impact our net income, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management

The Company uses derivative instruments from time to time to manage market risks resulting from fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas. The Company may periodically enter into derivative contracts, including price swaps, caps and floors, which require payments to (or receipts from) counterparties based on the differential between a fixed price and a variable price for a fixed quantity of oil or natural gas without the exchange of underlying volumes. The notional amounts of these financial instruments are based on expected production from existing wells. The Company has, and may continue to use exchange traded futures contracts and option contracts to hedge the delivery price of oil at a future date.

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company historically designated the derivative as a cash flow hedge. For all derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the Company formally documented the relationship between the derivative contract and the hedged items, as well as the risk management objective for entering into the derivative contract. To be designated as a cash flow hedge transaction, the relationship between the derivative and the hedged items must be highly effective in achieving the offset of changes in cash flows attributable to the risk both at the inception of the derivative and on an ongoing basis. The Company historically measured hedge effectiveness on a quarterly basis and hedge accounting would be discontinued prospectively if it determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. Gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedge derivatives that become ineffective remain unchanged until the related production is delivered. If the Company determines that it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, deferred gains or losses on the derivative are recognized in earnings immediately. See Note 15 for a description of the derivative contracts which the Company executed during 2009.

Derivatives, historically, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, depending on the type of hedge transaction. The Company’s derivatives historically consist primarily of cash flow hedge transactions in which the Company is hedging the variability of cash flows related to a forecasted transaction. Period to period changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in the periods in which the contracts are settled. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges was reflected in current period earnings as gain or loss from derivative. Gains and losses on derivative instruments that did not qualify for hedge accounting were included in income or loss from derivatives in the period in which they occur. The resulting cash flows from derivatives are reported as cash flows from operating activities.

On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, the Company de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and in addition, the Company has elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as accounting hedges under FASB ASC 815-20-25 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). As such, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. Any realized and unrealized gains or losses are recorded as gain (loss) on derivatives net, as an increase or


decrease in revenues on the Statement of Operations rather than as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) or other Income (expense).

Impairment

FASB ASC 360-10-35-21 (Prior authoritative literature, FASB Statement 144, Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets), requires that long-lived assets to be held and used be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Oil and gas properties accounted for using the full cost method of accounting (which we use) are excluded from this requirement but continue to be subject to the full cost method’s impairment rules. There was no impairment identified at December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

Change in Accounting Principle Related to Drilling Costs

In 2009, the Company changed its method of accounting for drilling costs from the accrual of drilling costs at the time drilling commenced for a well to recording the costs when amounts are invoiced by operators. Recording drilling costs when the amounts are invoiced by operators is deemed preferable as it better represents the Company’s actual drilling costs. The recording of drilling costs in this method also is consistent with other companies in the oil and gas industry. Generally accepted accounting principles require that the impact of the change in accounting be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. As a result, all prior period financial statements have been adjusted to give effect to the cumulative impact of this change.

The following Table shows the effects on the Company’s Balance Sheet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2008,

 

 

 

As Reported

 

Adjusted

 

Effect of
Change

 

Deferred Tax Asset - Current

 

$

1,433,000

 

$

1,390,000

 

$

(43,000

)

Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method

 

 

55,680,567

 

 

47,260,838

 

 

(8,419,729

)

Accumulated Depreciation and Depletion

 

 

856,010

 

 

748,421

 

 

(107,589

)

Accrued Drilling Costs

 

 

8,419,729

 

 

-

 

 

(8,419,729

)

Accumulated Deficit

 

$

(2,021,649

)

$

(1,957,060

)

$

64,589

 

The following Table shows the effect on the Company’s Statement of Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2008,

 

 

 

As Reported

 

Adjusted

 

Effect of
Change

 

Depletion Expense

 

$

785,504

 

$

677,915

 

$

(107,589

)

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

 

 

(873,000

)

 

(830,000

)

 

43,000

 

Net Income

 

$

2,359,751

 

$

2,424,340

 

$

64,589

 

Earnings Per Share – Basic

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.01

 

Earnings Per Share – Diluted

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.07

 

$

-

 



The following Table shows the effect on the Company’s Statement of Cash Flows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2008,

 

 

 

As Reported

 

Adjusted

 

Effect of
Change

 

Net Income

 

$

2,359,751

 

$

2,424,340

 

$

64,589

 

Depletion of Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

785,504

 

 

677,915

 

 

(107,589

)

Income Tax Benefit

 

 

(873,000

)

 

(830,000

)

 

43,000

 

Increase in Accrued Drilling Costs

 

 

8,419,729

 

 

-

 

 

(8,419,729

)

Increase in Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

(46,416,886

)

 

(37,997,157

)

 

8,419,729

 

There was no effect on the Company’s Statement of Operations or Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company did not commence production on its wells until 2008 and reported no Accrued Drilling Costs as of December 31, 2007.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the FSABFASB issued FASB ASC 815-10-15 (Prior authoritative literature, FASB Statement 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). FASB ASC 815-10-15 is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. FASB ASC 815-10-15 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. Pursuant to the transition provisions of the Statement, the Company adopted FASB ASC 815-10-15 on January 1, 2009. The required disclosures are presented in Note 15 on a prospective basis. This Statement does not impact the financial results as it is disclosure-only in nature.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 270-10-05 (Prior authoritative literature: APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments). FASB ASC 270-10-05 amends FASB ASC 825-10-50 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments) to require an entity to provide disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information. FASB ASC 270-10-05 is to be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The required disclosures are presented in Note 13 on a prospective basis.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 (Prior authoritative literature: FSP FAS 157-2/Statement 157, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.) FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 delayed the effective date for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of the provisions of FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 related to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the Financial Statements. See Note 13 for FASB ASC 820-10-65-1 disclosures.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly). FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 provides additional guidance in estimating fair value, when the volume and level of transaction activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability. FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 also provides additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate a transaction is not orderly. FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and the Company has adopted its provisions during second quarter 2009. FASB ASC 820-10-65-4 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or disclosures.


In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 320-10-65 (Prior authoritative literature: FSP FAS 115-2/124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments). The guidance applies to investments in debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairments may be recorded. If an entity’s management asserts that it does not have the intent to sell a debt security and it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, then an entity may separate other-than-temporary impairments into two components: 1) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings), and 2) all other amounts (recorded in other comprehensive income). This ASC is to be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this ASC in the second quarter 2009 did not have a material impact on the Financial Statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 860-10-05 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets). FASB ASC 860-10-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact of FASB ASC 860-10-05 on its financial position and results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 810-10-25 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 167-Amendment to FIN 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Entities). FASB ASC 810-10-25 eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires a qualitative analysis to determine whether an enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. FASB ASC 810-10-25 contains certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity. This statement also requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. FASB ASC 810-10-25 will be effective as of the beginning of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FASB ASC 810-10-25.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB ASC 105-10-65 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles). Under FASB ASC 105-10-65, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ™ (the “Codification”) becomes the exclusive source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards, with the exception of certain non-SEC accounting literature which will become nonauthoritative. FASB ASC 105-10-65 is effective for the Company’s 2009 third fiscal quarter. The adoption of FASB ASC 105-10-65 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. All references to U.S. GAAP provided in the notes to the Financial Statements have been updated to conform to the Codification.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 200-13, Revenue Recognition – Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance currently included in FASB ASC 605-25. The revised guidance provides for two significant changes to the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance. The first change relates to the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. This change will result in the requirement to separate more deliverables within an arrangement, ultimately leading to less revenue deferral. The second change modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified deliverables. Together, these changes will result in earlier recognition of revenue and related costs for multiple-element arrangements than under previous guidance. This guidance expands the disclosures required for multiple-element revenue arrangements. Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of this guidance on its financial statements.



 

 

NOTE 5

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

Acquisitions

Montana Acquisitions

In February 2007, the Company acquired leasehold interests in approximately 22,000 net mineral acres in Sheridan County, Montana. The Company paid a combination of cash and stock as consideration for such acquisition, including the issuance of an aggregate of 400,000 restricted shares of its common stock.

At various points in 2009, we acquired leasehold interests in approximately 6,100 net mineral acres in development areas located in Roosevelt, Richland and Sheridan Counties Montana, in which we are targeting the Bakken Shale. On November 13, 2009, we entered into a Letter of Intent with Slawson pursuant to which we agreed to acquire a twenty percent (20%) working interest ownership in the exploration and development of Slawson’s Big Sky Project in Richland County, Montana for which Slawson controls leasehold interest in 13,401 gross acres and 11,586 net acres. For each well we elect to participate, we will pay a participation interest share of all costs to drill, equip, complete, test and plug such well(s) on an at cost basis.

North Dakota Acquisitions

At various points in late 2007 and throughout 2008, the Company acquired leasehold interests in approximately 21,498 net mineral acres of land via bulk purchases in the core development area of Mountrail County, North Dakota. The Company paid a combination of cash and stock as consideration for such acquisitions, including the issuance of an aggregate of 633,027 restricted shares of its common stock. In addition to these major acquisitions the Company completed a series of small transactions pursuant to which it purchased leasehold interests in approximately 8,000 net mineral acres in Mountrail County.

On June 11, 2008, the Company entered into a purchase agreement pursuant to which it ultimately acquired leasehold interests in approximately 23,210 net mineral acres primarily in Dunn County, North Dakota. The Company also completed various additional acquisitions of oil and gas leasehold interests through numerous small transactions with several parties in fiscal years 2007 and 2008.

At various points in 2007 and 2008, the Company purchased leasehold interests in approximately 10,000 net mineral acres in and around Burke and Divide Counties of North Dakota for cash consideration.

In May 2009, the Company entered into an exploration and development agreement with Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. (Slawson) pursuant to which the Company acquired certain North Dakota Bakken assets from Windsor Bakken LLC as part of a syndicate led by privately owned Slawson. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company purchased a five percent (5.0%) interest of the undeveloped acreage, including approximately 60,000 net acres. The Company also acquired an additional nine percent (9%) interest in the existing well bores purchased from Windsor Bakken LLC, providing the Company an aggregate fourteen percent (14%) interest in the existing 59 gross Bakken and Three Forks well bores in North Dakota including approximately 1,200 barrels of oil production per day. In the transaction, the Company purchased approximately 300,000 barrels of proven producing reserves as well as approximately 3,000 net undeveloped acres. The Company paid a total cost of $7,300,000 for the initial acquisition of acreage and well bore interests.

On November 3, 2009, along with Slawson Exploration we acquired 24 high working interest sections comprising approximately 12,000 net acres located in western McKenzie and Williams Counties of North Dakota. We acquired a 50% interest in these properties and will participate in drilling on a heads-up basis. These properties are proximal to several recent high-rate producing wells. We paid approximately $1,100 per net acre acquired in this acquisition and expect to begin drilling these properties in early 2011.

On November 17, 2009, we entered into an Exploration and Development Agreement with Area of Mutual Interest with Slawson pursuant to which we agreed to participate with a fifty percent (50%) working interest ownership, which equates to a thirty percent (30%) participation interest in the exploration and development of Slawson’s Anvil Project in Roosevelt and Sheridan Counties, Montana and Williams County, North Dakota. In the transaction, we


acquired an interest in 12,500 net acres in leases at $750 per net acre for a thirty percent (30%) interest and an aggregate sum of $2,812,500. We agreed to participate in all costs to drill, equip, complete, test and plug the well and to pay costs for the well on an at cost basis. We have the option to elect to participate or not participate as to each well drilled in the applicable project area. For each well in which we elect to participate, we will pay a participation interest share of all costs to drill, equip, complete, test and plug such wells on an at cost basis.

In addition to acquiring acreage through large block acquisitions, we have organically acquired approximately 4,000 net mineral acres in all of our key prospect areas in the form of both effective leases and top-leases. In this organic acquisition program we have spent an average of approximately $730 per net acre acquired.

The Company has also completed other miscellaneous non-material acquisitions in North Dakota, and utilized a combination of stock and cash consideration for some of the acquisitions.

New York Acquisition

In September 2007, the Company acquired leasehold interests in approximately 10,000 net mineral acres in the Appalachia Basin of New York. The Company paid a combination of cash and stock as consideration for such acquisition, including the issuance of an aggregate of 275,000 restricted shares of its common stock.

Certain of the foregoing acquisitions were purchased using the services of, or purchased from, parties considered to be related to the Company or the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael L. Reger. See Note 7. All transactions involving related parties were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or Audit Committee.

Unevaluated Properties

The Company’s unproved properties not being amortized are comprised of approximately 105,542 net acres of undeveloped leasehold interests that could result in over 165 net potential drilling locations based on one well per 640 acre spacing unit. The Company believes that the majority of our unproved costs will become subject to depletion within the next five years by proving up reserves relating to the acreage through exploration and development activities, by impairing the acreage that will expire before we can explore or develop it further or by determining that further exploration and development activity will not occur.

Excluded costs for unevaluated properties are accumulated by year. Costs are reflected in the full cost pool as the drilling costs are incurred or as costs are evaluated and deemed impaired. The Company anticipates these excluded costs will be included in the depletion computation over the next five years. The Company is unable to predict the future impact on depletion rates. The following is a summary of capitalized costs excluded from depletion at December 31, 2009 by year incurred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

Property Acquisition Costs

 

$

17,478,196

 

$

29,080,499

 

$

5,147,236

 

Developmental Drilling Costs

 

 

394,066

 

 

1,762,532

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

17,872,262

 

$

30,843,031

 

$

5,147,236

 

The Company had 1.55 net wells drilling and completing as of December 31, 2009. All properties that have not yet commenced production are considered unevaluated properties and, thus, the costs associated with such properties are not subject to depletion. Once production commences for a well, all associated acreage and drilling costs are subject to depletion.


 

 

NOTE 7

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has purchased leasehold interests from South Fork Exploration, LLC (SFE ). In 2009, the company paid a total of $501,603 related to a previously executed leasehold agreement. SFE’s president is J.R. Reger, the brother of the Company’s CEO, Michael Reger. J.R. Reger is also a shareholder in the Company.

The Company has also purchased leasehold interests from Montana Oil Properties (“MOP”) for total consideration of approximately $62,234. MOP is controlled by Mr. Tom Ryan and Mr. Steven Reger, both are relatives of the Company’s CEO, Michael Reger.

The Company has also purchased leasehold interests from Gallatin Resources, LLC for total consideration of approximately $22,223. Carter Stewart, one of the Company’s directors, owns a 25% interest in Gallatin Resources, LLC.

All transactions involving related parties were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or Audit Committee.


EXHIBIT 23.1

MANTYLA MCREYNOLDS LLC
178 South Rio Grande Street, Suite 200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Telephone: 801.269.1818
Facsimile: 801.266.3481

The Board of Directors
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.:

[TO COME]


EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Avenue – Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

[TO COME]


EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

I, Michael L. Reger, certify that:

 

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.;

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

 

 

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

 

 

Dated: April 30,November ___, 2010

By: 

/s/ Michael L. Reger

 

 

  Michael L. Reger

 

 

  Chief Executive Officer



EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

I, Chad D. Winter, certify that:

 

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.;

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

 

 

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

 

 

Dated: April 30,November ___, 2010

By: 

/s/ Chad D. Winter

 

 

  Chad D. Winter

 

 

  Chief Financial Officer



EXHIBIT 99.1

REPORT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, LP

February 23, 2010

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
315 Manitoba Ave., Suite 200
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

Gentlemen:

          At your request, we have prepared an estimate of the reserves, future production, and income attributable to certain leasehold and royalty interests of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. as of December 31, 2009. The subject properties are located in the States of Montana and North Dakota. The reserves and income data were estimated based on the definitions and disclosure guidelines of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contained in Title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, Final Rule released January 14, 2009 in the Federal Register (SEC regulations). Our third party study completed on February 23, 2010 and presented herein, was prepared for public disclosure by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. in filings made with the SEC in accordance with the disclosure requirements set forth in the SEC regulations.

          The properties evaluated by Ryder Scott represent 100 percent of the total net proved liquid hydrocarbon reserves and 100 percent of the total net proved gas reserves of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc as of December 31, 2009.

          The estimated reserves and future net income amounts presented in this report, as of December 31, 2009 are related to hydrocarbon prices. The hydrocarbon prices used in the preparation of this report are based on the average prices during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered in this report, determined as the unweighted arithmetic averages of the prices in effect on the first-day-of-the-month for each month within such period, unless prices were defined by contractual arrangements, as required by the SEC regulations. Actual future prices may vary significantly from the prices required by SEC regulations; therefore, volumes of reserves actually recovered and the amounts of income actually received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities presented in this report. The results of this study are summarized below.

SEC PARAMETERS
Estimated Net Reserves and Income Data
Certain Leasehold and Royalty Interests of
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Proved

 

 

 

Developed

 

Undeveloped

 

Total
Proved

 

 

 

Producing

 

Non-Producing

 

 

 

Net Remaining Reserves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil/Condensate – Barrels

 

1,647,031

 

600,687

 

3,567,862

 

5,815,579

 

Gas – MMCF

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

513

 

214

 

1,034

 

1,761

 

Income Data M$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Future Gross Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deductions

 

$79,213

 

$28,985

 

$171,258

 

$279,456

 

Future Net Income (FNI)

 

22,341

 

9,858

 

92,108

 

124,308

 

 

 

$56,872

 

$19,126

 

$79,150

 

$155,149

 

Discounted FNI @ 10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,785

 

$12,795

 

$37,233

 

$87,812

 

          Liquid hydrocarbons are expressed in standard 42 gallon barrels. All gas volumes are reported on an “as sold basis” expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at the official temperature and pressure bases of the areas in which the gas


reserves are located. In this report, the revenues, deductions, and income data are expressed as thousands of U.S. dollars (M$).

          The estimates of the reserves, future production, and income attributable to properties in this report were prepared using the economic software package AriesTM System Petroleum Economic Evaluation Software, a copyrighted program of Halliburton. The program was used solely at the request of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. Ryder Scott has found this program to be generally acceptable, but notes that certain summaries and calculations may vary due to rounding and may not exactly match the sum of the properties being summarized. Furthermore, one line economic summaries may vary slightly from the more detailed cash flow projections of the same properties, also due to rounding. The rounding differences are not material.

          The future gross revenue is after the deduction of production taxes. The deductions incorporate the normal direct costs of operating the wells, ad valorem taxes, recompletion costs, development costs, and certain abandonment costs net of salvage. The future net income is before the deduction of state and federal income taxes and general administrative overhead, and has not been adjusted for outstanding loans that may exist nor does it include any adjustment for cash on hand or undistributed income. Liquid hydrocarbon reserves account for approximately 98 percent and gas reserves account for the remaining 2 percent of total future gross revenue from proved reserves.

          The discounted future net income shown above was calculated using a discount rate of 10 percent per annum compounded monthly. Future net income was discounted at four other discount rates which were also compounded monthly. These results are shown in summary form as follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discounted Future Net Income
As of December 31, 2009

Discount Rate
Percent

 

Total
Proved M$

 

5

 

 

$112,930

15

 

 

$71,353

20

 

 

$59,793

25

 

 

$51,253

          The results shown above are presented for your information and should not be construed as our estimate of fair market value.

Reserves Included in This Report

          The proved reserves included herein conform to the definition as set forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulations Part 210.4-10(a). An abridged version of the SEC reserves definitions from 210.4-10(a) entitled “Petroleum Reserves Definitions” is included as an attachment to this report.

          The various proved reserve status categories are defined under the attachment entitled “Petroleum Reserves Definitions” in this report. The proved developed non-producing reserves included herein consist of the behind pipe category.

          No attempt was made to quantify or otherwise account for any accumulated gas production imbalances that may exist. The proved gas volumes included herein do not attribute gas consumed in operations as reserves.

          Reserves are those estimated remaining quantities of petroleum which are anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, from known accumulations under defined conditions. All reserve estimates involve an assessment of the uncertainty relating the likelihood that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the estimated quantities determined as of the date the estimate is made. The uncertainty depends chiefly on the amount of reliable geologic and engineering data available at the time of the estimate and the interpretation of these data. The relative degree of uncertainty may be conveyed by placing reserves into one of two principal classifications, either proved or unproved. Unproved reserves are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves and may be further sub-classified as probable and possible reserves to denote progressively increasing uncertainty in their recoverability. At Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s request, this report addresses only the proved reserves attributable to the properties evaluated herein.

          Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward. The proved reserves included herein were estimated using deterministic methods. If deterministic methods are used, the SEC has defined reasonable certainty for proved reserves as a “high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered.”


          Proved reserve estimates will generally be revised only as additional geologic or engineering data become available or as economic conditions change. For proved reserves, the SEC states that “as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.” Moreover, estimates of proved reserves may be revised as a result of future operations, effects of regulation by governmental agencies or geopolitical or economic risks. Therefore, the proved reserves included in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as being exact quantities, and if recovered, the revenues therefrom, and the actual costs related thereto, could be more or less than the estimated amounts.

          Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s operations may be subject to various levels of governmental controls and regulations. These controls and regulations may include, but may not be limited to, matters relating to land tenure and leasing, the legal rights to produce hydrocarbons, drilling and production practices, environmental protection, marketing and pricing policies, royalties, various taxes and levies including income tax and are subject to change from time to time. Such changes in governmental regulations and policies may cause volumes of proved reserves actually recovered and amounts of proved income actually received to differ significantly from the estimated quantities.

          The estimates of proved reserves presented herein were based upon a detailed study of the properties in which Northern Oil and Gas, Inc owns an interest; however, we have not made any field examination of the properties. No consideration was given in this report to potential environmental liabilities that may exist nor were any costs included for potential liabilities to restore and clean up damages, if any, caused by past operating practices.

Estimates of Reserves

          The estimation of reserves involves two distinct determinations. The first determination results in the estimation of the quantities of recoverable oil and gas and the second determination results in the estimation of the uncertainty associated with those estimated quantities in accordance with the definitions set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulations Part 210.4-10(a). The process of estimating the quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves relies on the use of certain generally accepted analytical procedures. These analytical procedures fall into three broad categories or methods: (1) performance-based methods, (2) volumetric-based methods and (3) analogy. These methods may be used singularly or in combination by the reserve evaluator in the process of estimating the quantities of reserves. The reserve evaluator must select the method or combination of methods which in their professional judgment is most appropriate given the nature and amount of reliable geoscience and engineering data available at the time of the estimate, the established or anticipated performance characteristics of the reservoir being evaluated and the stage of development or producing maturity of the property.

          In many cases, the analysis of the available geoscience and engineering data and the subsequent interpretation of this data may indicate a range of possible outcomes in an estimate, irrespective of the method selected by the evaluator. When a range in the quantity of reserves is identified, the evaluator must determine the uncertainty associated with the incremental quantities of the reserves. If the reserve quantities are estimated using the deterministic incremental approach, the uncertainty for each discrete incremental quantity of the reserves is addressed by the reserve category assigned by the evaluator. Therefore, it is the categorization of reserve quantities as proved, probable and/or possible that addresses the inherent uncertainty in the estimated quantities reported. For proved reserves, uncertainty is defined by the SEC as reasonable certainty wherein the “quantities actually recovered are much more likely than not to be achieved.” The SEC states that “probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.” The SEC states that “possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves and the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability of exceeding proved plus probable plus possible reserves.” All quantities of reserves within the same reserve category must meet the SEC definitions as noted above.

          Estimates of reserves quantities and their associated reserve categories may be revised in the future as additional geoscience or engineering data become available. Furthermore, estimates of reserves quantities and their associated reserve categories may also be revised due to other factors such as changes in economic conditions, results of future operations, effects of regulation by governmental agencies or geopolitical or economic risks as previously noted herein.

          The proved reserves for the properties included herein were estimated by performance methods or analogy. Approximately 100 percent of the proved producing reserves attributable to producing wells were estimated by performance methods. The performance method utilized was decline curve analysis which utilized extrapolations of historical production data. The data utilized in this analysis were supplied to Ryder Scott by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc or obtained from public data sources and were considered sufficient for the purpose thereof.


          Approximately 100 percent of the proved non-producing and undeveloped reserves included herein were estimated by the analogy methods. The data utilized from the existing producing wells to develop analogues were considered sufficient for the purpose thereof.

          To estimate economically recoverable proved oil and gas reserves and related future net cash flows, we consider many factors and assumptions including, but not limited to, the use of reservoir parameters derived from geological, geophysical and engineering data which cannot be measured directly, economic criteria based on current costs and SEC pricing requirements, and forecasts of future production rates. Under the SEC regulations 210.4-10(a)(22)(v) and (26), proved reserves must be anticipated to be economically producible from a given date forward based on existing economic conditions including the prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. While it may reasonably be anticipated that the future prices received for the sale of production and the operating costs and other costs relating to such production may increase or decrease from those under existing economic conditions, such changes were, in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from consideration in making this evaluation.

          Northern Oil and Gas, Inc has informed us that they have furnished us all of the material accounts, records, geological and engineering data, and reports and other data required for this investigation. In preparing our forecast of future proved production and income, we have relied upon data furnished by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc with respect to property interests owned, production and well tests from examined wells, normal direct costs of operating the wells or leases, other costs such as transportation and/or processing fees, ad valorem and production taxes, recompletion and development costs, abandonment costs after salvage, product prices based on the SEC regulations, adjustments or differentials to product prices, well logs, and pressure measurements. Ryder Scott reviewed such factual data for its reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the data supplied by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. We consider the factual data used in this report appropriate and sufficient for the purpose of preparing the estimates of reserves and future net revenues herein.

          In summary, we consider the assumptions, data, methods and analytical procedures used in this report appropriate for the purpose hereof, and we have used all such methods and procedures that we consider necessary and appropriate to prepare the estimates of reserves herein. The proved reserves included herein were determined in conformance with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting; Final Rule, including all references to Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K, referred to herein collectively as the “SEC Regulations.” In our opinion, the proved reserves presented in this report comply with the definitions, guidelines and disclosure requirements as required by the SEC regulations.

Future Production Rates

          For wells currently on production, our forecasts of future production rates are based on historical performance data. If no production decline trend has been established, future production rates were held constant, or adjusted for the effects of curtailment where appropriate, until a decline in ability to produce was anticipated. An estimated rate of decline was then applied to depletion of the reserves. If a decline trend has been established, this trend was used as the basis for estimating future production rates.

          Test data and other related information were used to estimate the anticipated initial production rates for those wells or locations that are not currently producing. For reserves not yet on production, sales were estimated to commence at an anticipated date furnished by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc Wells or locations that are not currently producing may start producing earlier or later than anticipated in our estimates due to unforeseen factors causing a change in the timing to initiate production. Such factors may include delays due to weather, the availability of rigs, the sequence of drilling, completing and/or recompleting wells and/or constraints set by regulatory bodies.

          The future production rates from wells currently on production or wells or locations that are not currently producing may be more or less than estimated because of changes including, but not limited to, reservoir performance, operating conditions related to surface facilities, compression and artificial lift, pipeline capacity and/or operating conditions, producing market demand and/or allowables or other constraints set by regulatory bodies.

Hydrocarbon Prices

          The hydrocarbon prices used herein are based on SEC price parameters using the average prices during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered in this report, determined as the unweighted arithmetic averages of the prices in effect on the first-day-of-the-month for each month within such period, unless prices were defined by contractual arrangements. For hydrocarbon products sold under contract, the contract prices, including fixed and determinable escalations, exclusive of inflation adjustments, were used until expiration of the contract. Upon contract expiration, the prices were adjusted to the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average as previously described.


          Northern Oil and Gas, Inc furnished us with the above mentioned average prices in effect on December 31, 2009. These initial SEC hydrocarbon prices were determined using the 12-month average first-day-of-the-month benchmark prices appropriate to the geographic area where the hydrocarbons are sold. These benchmark prices are prior to the adjustments for differentials as described herein. The table below summarizes the “benchmark prices” and “price reference” used for the geographic area included in the report. In certain geographic areas, the price reference and benchmark prices may be defined by contractual arrangements.

          The product prices which were actually used to determine the future gross revenue for each property reflect adjustments to the benchmark prices for gravity, quality, local conditions, gathering and transportation fees and/or distance from market, referred to herein as “differentials.” The differentials used in the preparation of this report were supplied to us by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. The differentials furnished to us were accepted as factual data and reviewed by us for their reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the data used by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., to determine these differentials.

          In addition, the table below summarizes the net volume weighted benchmark prices adjusted for differentials and referred to herein as the “average realized prices.” The average realized prices shown in the table below were determined from the total future gross revenue before production taxes and the total net reserves for the geographic area and presented in accordance with SEC disclosure requirements for each of the geographic areas included in the report.

 

 

 

 

 

Geographic
Area

Product

Price
Reference

Avg Benchmark
Prices

Avg Realized
Prices

 

 

 

 

 

United States

Oil/Condensate

WTI Cushing

$61.18/Bbl

$53.00/Bbl

 

Gas

Henry Hub
NYMEX

$3.866/MMBTU

$3.93/MCF

          The effects of derivative instruments designated as price hedges of oil and gas quantities are not reflected in our individual property evaluations.

Costs

          Operating costs for the leases and wells in this report are based on the operating expense reports of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc and include only those costs directly applicable to the leases or wells. The operating costs include a portion of general and administrative costs allocated directly to the leases and wells. The operating costs for non-operated properties include the COPAS overhead costs that are allocated directly to the leases and wells under terms of operating agreements. The operating costs furnished to us were accepted as factual data and reviewed by us for their reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of the operating cost data used by NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC. No deduction was made for loan repayments, interest expenses, or exploration and development prepayments that were not charged directly to the leases or wells.

          Development costs were furnished to us by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc and are based on authorizations for expenditure for the proposed work or actual costs for similar projects. The development costs furnished to us were accepted as factual data and reviewed by us for their reasonableness; however, we have not conducted an independent verification of these costs. The estimated net cost of abandonment after salvage was included for properties where abandonment costs net of salvage were significant. The estimates of the net abandonment costs furnished by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc were accepted without independent verification.

          The proved non-producing and undeveloped reserves in this report have been incorporated herein in accordance with Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s plans to develop these reserves as of December 31, 2009. The implementation of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc’s development plans as presented to us and incorporated herein is subject to the approval process adopted by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s management. As the result of our inquires during the course of preparing this report, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc has informed us that the development activities included herein have been subjected to and received the internal approvals required by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.’s management at the appropriate local, regional and/or corporate level. In addition to the internal approvals as noted, certain development activities may still be subject to specific partner AFE processes, Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) requirements or other administrative approvals external to Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. Additionally, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc has informed us that they are not aware of any legal, regulatory, political or economic obstacles that would significantly alter their plans.

          Current costs used by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc were held constant throughout the life of the properties.


Standards of Independence and Professional Qualification

          Ryder Scott is an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm that has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world for over seventy years. Ryder Scott is employee-owned and maintains offices in Houston, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We have over eighty engineers and geoscientists on our permanent staff. By virtue of the size of our firm and the large number of clients for which we provide services, no single client or job represents a material portion of our annual revenue. We do not serve as officers or directors of any publicly-traded oil and gas company and are separate and independent from the operating and investment decision-making process of our clients. This allows us to bring the highest level of independence and objectivity to each engagement for our services.

          Ryder Scott actively participates in industry-related professional societies and organizes an annual public forum focused on the subject of reserves evaluations and SEC regulations. Many of our staff have authored or co-authored technical papers on the subject of reserves related topics. We encourage our staff to maintain and enhance their professional skills by actively participating in ongoing continuing education.

          Prior to becoming an officer of the Company, Ryder Scott requires that staff engineers and geoscientists have received professional accreditation in the form of a registered or certified professional engineer’s license or a registered or certified professional geoscientist’s license, or the equivalent thereof, from an appropriate governmental authority or a recognized self-regulating professional organization.

          We are independent petroleum engineers with respect to Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. Neither we nor any of our employees have any interest in the subject properties and neither the employment to do this work nor the compensation is contingent on our estimates of reserves for the properties which were reviewed.

          The results of this study, presented herein, are based on technical analysis conducted by teams of geoscientists and engineers from Ryder Scott. The professional qualifications of the undersigned, the technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the evaluation of the reserves information discussed in this report, are included as an attachment to this letter.

Terms of Usage

          The results of our third party study, presented in report form herein, were prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements set forth in the SEC regulations and intended for public disclosure as an exhibit in filings made with the SEC by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

          Northern Oil and Gas, Inc makes periodic filings on Form 10-K, including amendments thereto, with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Furthermore, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc has filed certain registration statements with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 into which any subsequently filed Form 10-K, including amendments thereto, is incorporated by reference. We have consented to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-3 and Form S-8 of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc of the references to our name as well as to the references to our third party report for Northern Oil and Gas, Inc, which appears in the December 31, 2009 annual report on Form 10-K of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. Our written consent for such use is included as a separate exhibit to the filings made with the SEC by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

          We have provided Northern Oil and Gas, Inc with a digital version of the original signed copy of this report letter. In the event there are any differences between the digital version included in filings made by Northern Oil and Gas, Inc and the original signed report letter, the original signed report letter shall control and supersede the digital version.

          The data and work papers used in the preparation of this report are available for examination by authorized parties in our offices. Please contact us if we can be of further service.

Very truly yours,

RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.
TBPE Firm Registration No. F-1580

/s/ Richard J. Marshall

Richard J. Marshall P.E.
Vice President

Approved:

/s/ James L. Baird

James L. Baird, P.E.
Senior Vice President



Professional Qualifications of Primary Technical Person

The conclusions presented in this report are the result of technical analysis conducted by teams of geoscientists and engineers from Ryder Scott Company, L.P. Richard J. Marshall was the primary technical person responsible for overseeing the estimate of the future net reserves and income.

Marshall, an employee of Ryder Scott Company L.P. (Ryder Scott) beginning in 1981, is a Vice President responsible for coordinating and supervising staff and consulting engineers of the company in ongoing reservoir evaluation studies. Before joining Ryder Scott, Marshall served in a number of engineering positions with Texaco, Phillips Petroleum, and others. For more information regarding Mr. Marshall’s geographic and job specific experience, please refer to the Ryder Scott Company website at www.ryderscott.com/Experience/Employees.

Marshall earned a B.S. in Geology from the University of Missouri in 1974 and a M.S. in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 1976. Marshall is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Wyoming Geological Association, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers.

Based on Marshall’s educational background, professional training and more than 30 years of practical experience in the estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves, Marshall has attained the professional qualifications as a Reserves Estimator and Reserves Auditor as set forth in Article III of the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers as of February 19, 2007.


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q/A
(AMENDMENT NO.1)

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

 

o TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from ____________ to____________

 

Commission File No. 001-33999

 

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Minnesota

95-3848122

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Incorporation or organization)

 

 

315 Manitoba Avenue – Suite 200

Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(952) 476-9800

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

 

 

 

 

 

Large Accelerated Filer

o

Accelerated Filer x

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Accelerated Filer

o

Smaller Reporting Company o

     (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x

          As of August 6, 2010, there were 51,537,329 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.


NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
FORM 10-Q

June 30, 2010

C O N T E N T S

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

3

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

3

 

Condensed Statements of Operations

 

5

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

6

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

8

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

24

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

32

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

33

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

34

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

34

 

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

34

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

34

 

Signatures

 

35



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
JUNE 30, 2010 AND DECEMBER 31, 2009

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2010
(UNAUDITED)

 

December 31,
2009

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

70,167,911

 

$

6,233,372

 

Trade Receivables

 

 

11,311,742

 

 

7,025,011

 

Prepaid Drilling Costs

 

 

6,431,446

 

 

1,454,034

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

 

481,371

 

 

143,606

 

Other Current Assets

 

 

272,392

 

 

201,314

 

Short - Term Investments

 

 

-

 

 

24,903,476

 

Derivative Asset

 

 

1,068,924

 

 

-

 

Deferred Tax Asset

 

 

863,000

 

 

2,057,000

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

90,596,786

 

 

42,017,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Full Cost Method (including unevaluated cost of $86,422,22786,939,327 at 6/30/2010 and $53,862,529 at 12/31/2009)

 

 

156,185,056

 

 

96,801,626

 

Other Property and Equipment

 

 

2,193,447

 

 

439,656

 

Total Property and Equipment

 

 

158,378,503

 

 

97,241,282

 

Less - Accumulated Depreciation and Depletion

 

 

9,626,536

 

 

5,091,198

 

Total Property and Equipment, Net

 

 

148,751,967

 

 

92,150,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS

 

 

1,525,703

 

 

1,427,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

240,874,456

 

$

135,594,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts Payable

 

$

9,987,487

 

$

6,419,534

 

Line of Credit

 

 

-

 

 

834,492

 

Accrued Expenses

 

 

1,938,696

 

 

316,977

 

Derivative Liability

 

 

-

 

 

1,320,679

 

Other Liabilities

 

 

18,574

 

 

18,574

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

11,944,757

 

 

8,910,256

 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Derivative Liability

 

 

85,544

 

 

1,459,374

 

Subordinated Notes

 

 

400,000

 

 

500,000

 

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

 

 

315,727

 

 

243,888

 

Total Long-Term Liabilities

 

 

801,271

 

 

2,203,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

 

 

5,192,000

 

 

922,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

17,938,028

 

 

12,035,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, Par Value $.001; 100,000,000 Authorized, 51,079,143 Outstanding (2009 – 43,911,044 Shares Outstanding)

 

 

51,080

 

 

43,912

 

Additional Paid-In Capital

 

 

215,539,549

 

 

124,884,266

 

Retained Earnings

 

 

8,522,388

 

 

841,892

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

(1,176,589

)

 

(2,210,620

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

222,936,428

 

 

123,559,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

240,874,456

 

$

135,594,968

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

3


NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009
Adjusted *

 

2010

 

2009
Adjusted *

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Sales

 

$

11,664,873

 

$

2,418,496

 

$

20,033,720

 

$

3,059,230

 

Gain (Loss) on Settled Derivatives

 

 

303,919

 

 

(143,412

)

 

126,936

 

 

(125,878

)

Mark-to-Market of Derivative Instruments

 

 

4,251,199

 

 

-

 

 

3,260,383

 

 

-

 

Other Revenue

 

 

11,782

 

 

-

 

 

32,248

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

16,231,773

 

 

2,275,084

 

 

23,453,287

 

 

2,933,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production Expenses

 

 

561,427

 

 

119,751

 

 

893,757

 

 

214,140

 

Production Taxes

 

 

1,024,277

 

 

189,400

 

 

1,670,143

 

 

247,715

 

General and Administrative Expense

 

 

718,4711,911,543

 

 

519,014555,316

 

 

1,612,1423,618,511

 

 

910,6741,123,951

 

Share Based Compensation

 

 

1,193,072

 

 

36,302

 

 

2,006,369

 

 

213,277

 

Depletion of Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

2,600,836

 

 

548,124

 

 

4,484,441

 

 

850,326

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

26,267

 

 

22,777

 

 

50,897

 

 

45,456

 

Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations

 

 

9,215

 

 

2,077

 

 

12,752

 

 

3,471

 

Total Expenses

 

 

6,133,565

 

 

1,437,445

 

 

10,730,501

 

 

2,485,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

10,098,208

 

 

837,639

 

 

12,722,786

 

 

448,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSE

 

 

(144,342

)

 

(139,243

)

 

(232,290

)

 

(182,770

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

9,953,866

 

 

698,396

 

 

12,490,496

 

 

265,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX PROVISION

 

 

3,833,000

 

 

280,000

 

 

4,810,000

 

 

106,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

6,120,866

 

$

418,396

 

$

7,680,496

 

$

159,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Per Common Share - Basic

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Per Common Share - Diluted

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic

 

 

49,934,409

 

 

34,582,282

 

 

47,032,602

 

 

34,404,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

 

50,609,944

 

 

34,741,036

 

 

47,593,962

 

 

34,484,966

 

 

*See Note 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

4


NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009
Adjusted *

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

7,680,496

 

$

159,523

 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depletion of Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

4,484,441

 

 

850,326

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

50,897

 

 

45,456

 

Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs

 

 

280,768

 

 

168,790

 

Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations

 

 

12,752

 

 

3,471

 

Income Tax Provision

 

 

4,810,000

 

 

106,000

 

Loss on Sale of Available for Sale Securities

 

 

197,556

 

 

-

 

Market Value adjustment of Derivative Instruments

 

 

(3,260,383

)

 

-

 

Amortization of Deferred Rent

 

 

(9,287

)

 

(9,286

)

Share - Based Compensation Expense

 

 

2,006,369

 

 

213,277

 

Changes in Working Capital and Other Items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Trade Receivables

 

 

(4,286,731

)

 

(775,192

)

Increase in Prepaid Expenses

 

 

(337,765

)

 

(44,892

)

Decrease (Increase) in Other Current Assets

 

 

(71,078

)

 

-

 

Increase in Accounts Payable

 

 

3,567,953

 

 

2,585,014

 

Decrease in Accrued Expenses

 

 

(138,281

)

 

(934,162

)

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

 

14,987,707

 

 

2,368,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of Other Equipment and Furniture

 

 

(1,753,791

)

 

(6,943

)

Decrease (Increase) in Prepaid Drilling Costs

 

 

(4,977,412

)

 

19

 

Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

237,877

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from Sale of Available for Sale Securities

 

 

25,890,901

 

 

-

 

Increase in Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

(51,636,851

)

 

(17,506,249

)

Net Cash Used For Investing Activities

 

 

(32,239,276

)

 

(17,513,173

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on Line of Credit

 

 

(834,492

)

 

(12,338

)

Advances on Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

5,300,000

 

 

16,000,000

 

Payments on Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

(5,300,000

)

 

-

 

Increase (Decrease) in Subordinated Notes, net

 

 

(100,000

)

 

500,000

 

Debt Issuance Costs Paid

 

 

(379,400

)

 

(1,190,061

)

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock - Net of Issuance Costs

 

 

82,500,000

 

 

12,701,049

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

 

81,186,108

 

 

27,998,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

63,934,539

 

 

12,853,802

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

6,233,372

 

 

780,716

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – END OF PERIOD

 

$

70,167,911

 

$

13,634,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Paid During the Period for Interest

 

$

125,135

 

$

189,128

 

Cash Paid During the Period for Income Taxes

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of Oil and Gas Properties through Issuance of Common Stock

 

$

5,698,337

 

$

224,879

 

Payment of Compensation through Issuance of Common Stock

 

$

4,224,114

 

$

261,280

 

Capitalized Asset Retirement Obligations

 

$

69,802

 

$

61,403

 

Fair Value of Warrants Issued for Debt Issuance Costs

 

$

-

 

$

221,153

 

Payment of Debt Issuance Costs through Issuance of Common Stock

 

$

-

 

$

475,200

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

     * See Note 2

5


NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2010
(Unaudited)

 

 

NOTE 1

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and words of similar import) is a growth-oriented independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas properties. The Company’s common stock trades on the NYSE Amex Equities Market under the symbol “NOG”.

The Company acquires interests in oil and gas acreage and drilling projects, primarily within the Williston Basin Bakken Shale formation. The Company has begun to develop its substantial leasehold acreage in the Bakken play and will target additional opportunities in emerging plays utilizing its first mover leasing advantage. The Company owns working interests in wells, and does not lease land to operators. We believe the advantage gained by participating as a non-operating partner has given us valuable data on completions and will help our operating partners control well costs and enhance results as we continue to develop our higher working interest sections in the remainder of 2010 and beyond.

The Company participates on a heads up basis proportionate to its working interest in declared drilling units with working interests ranging from approximately 0.5% to 63%. As of June 30, 2010, we controlled approximately 109,913 net acres in the Williston Basin targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations. As of August 9, 2010, we control approximately 115,700 net mineral acres in the Williston Basin targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations, which provides the potential to drill approximately 1,085 net wells using 640 acre spacing units assuming three horizontal Bakken and three horizontal Three Forks wells per spacing unit. We have no material lease expirations until late 2011 and continue to expand our position through aggressive acquisition and leasing programs.

Our land acquisition and field operations, along with various other services, are primarily outsourced through the use of consultants and drilling partners. The Company will continue to retain independent contractors to assist in operating and managing the prospects and other administrative functions. With the additional acquisition of oil and natural gas properties, the Company intends to continue to use both in-house employees and outside consultants to develop and exploit its leasehold interests.

As an independent oil and gas producer, the Company’s revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing prices of crude oil and natural gas. Historically, the energy markets have been very volatile and it is likely that oil and gas prices will continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. A substantial or extended decline in crude oil or natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and access to capital, and on the quantities of natural gas and oil reserves that can be economically produced.

 

 

NOTE 2

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial information included herein is unaudited, except the balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, which has been derived from our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2009. However, such information includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and change in accounting principles), which are in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an entire year.

Certain information, accounting policies, and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to certain rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the

6


year ended December 31, 2009, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of interest-bearing bank accounts and money market funds. Our cash positions represent assets held in checking and money market accounts. These assets are generally available to us on a daily or weekly basis and are highly liquid in nature. Due to the balances being greater than $250,000, we do not have FDIC coverage on the entire amount of bank deposits. The Company believes this risk is minimal. In addition, we are subject to Security Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) protection on a vast majority of our financial assets.

Short-Term Investments

All marketable debt and equity securities and United States Treasuries that are included in short-term investments are considered available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. The short-term investments are considered current assets due to their maturity term or the Company’s ability and intent to use them to fund current operations. The unrealized gains and losses related to these securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). There are no unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of June 30, 2010, as the Company has no short-term investments. When securities are sold, their cost is determined based on the first-in first-out method. The realized gains and losses related to these securities are included in other expense in the statements of operations.

Other Property and Equipment

Property and equipment that are not oil and gas properties are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of three to fifteen years. Expenditures for replacements, renewals, and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Long-lived assets, other than oil and gas properties, are evaluated for impairment to determine if current circumstances and market conditions indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We have not recognized any impairment losses on non oil and gas long-lived assets. Depreciation expense was $50,897 for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Debt Issuance Costs

In February 2009, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with CIT Capital USA, Inc. (“CIT”) (See Note 9). The Company incurred costs related to this facility that were capitalized on the Balance Sheet as Debt Issuance Costs. Included in the Debt Issuance Costs are direct costs paid to third parties for broker fees and legal fees, 180,000 shares of restricted common stock paid as additional compensation for broker fees, and the fair value of 300,000 warrants issued to CIT. The fair value of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on factors present at the time of closing. CIT can exercise these warrants at any time until the warrants expire in February 2012. The exercise price of the warrants is $5.00 per warrant. The total amount capitalized for Debt Issuance Costs is $1,670,000 related to the original agreement with CIT. In May 2009, the Company amended the revolving credit facility with CIT to allow for additional borrowings. The Company incurred and capitalized $216,414 of direct costs related to this amendment.

In May 2010, the Company completed an assignment of its revolving credit facility to Macquarie Bank Limited (“Macquarie”) from CIT. In connection with the assignment, the Company and Macquarie entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement governing the facility. The Company incurred and capitalized $379,400 of direct costs related to this assignment and amendment.

The remaining capitalized costs from the original February 2009 agreement and the May 2009 amendment to the agreement and the additional costs from the assignment and amendment of the facility in May 2010 are being amortized over the remaining term of the amended facility using the effective interest method.

The amortization of debt issuance costs for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $280,768.

7


Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which the asset is acquired and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

Revenue Recognition and Gas Balancing

We recognize oil and gas revenues from our interests in producing wells when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. We use the sales method of accounting for gas balancing of gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proven reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, our gas production was in balance, meaning our cumulative portion of gas production taken and sold from wells in which we have an interest equaled our entitled interest in gas production from those wells.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has accounted for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718-10-55 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 123(R), Share-Based Payment). This standard requires us to record an expense associated with the fair value of stock-based compensation. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate stock based compensation at the date of grant. Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740-10-30 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes). Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Accounting standards require the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Stock Issuance

The Company records the stock-based compensation awards issued to non-employees and other external entities for goods and services at either the fair market value of the goods received or services rendered on the instruments issued in exchange for such services, whichever is more readily determinable, using the measurement date guidelines enumerated in FASB ASC 505-50-30 (Prior authoritative literature, EITF 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods, or Services).

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing net income (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period (the denominator). Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. Potential common shares include stock options, warrants, and restricted stock. The number of potential common shares outstanding relating to stock options, warrants, and restricted stock is computed using the treasury stock method.

The reconciliation of the denominators used to calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

8



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

 

 

49,934,409

 

 

34,582,282

 

 

47,032,602

 

 

34,404,093

Plus: Potentially dilutive common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options, warrants, and restricted stock

 

 

675,534

 

 

158,754

 

 

561,359

 

 

80,873

Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted

 

 

50,609,944

 

 

34,741,036

 

 

47,593,962

 

 

34,484,966

Stock options and warrants excluded from EPS due to the anti-dilutive effect

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

62,529

As of June 30, 2010 there were 300,000 potentially dilutive shares from stock options that became exercisable in 2007.

In addition, as of June 30, 2010, there were 300,000 warrants that were issued in conjunction with the February 2009 revolving credit facility with CIT that remained outstanding and exercisable. These warrants are presently exercisable and represent potentially dilutive shares. Each of these warrants has an exercise price of $5.00.

The remaining potential dilutive shares are the result of applying the Codification requirements to unamortized compensation in accordance with the treasury stock method.

Full Cost Method

The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration and development of oil and gas properties are initially capitalized into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling directly related to acquisition, and exploration activities. Internal costs that are capitalized are directly attributable to acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include costs related to the production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Costs associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. The Company capitalized $2,771,704 of internal costs and $59,711 of interest and fees for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

As of June 30, 2010 we controlled acreage in Sheridan County, Montana with primary targets including the Red River and Mission Canyon. We controlled acreage in North Dakota targeting the Bakken Shale and Three Forks/Sanish as well as acreage in Yates County, New York that is prospective for Marcellus Shale and Trenton-Black River natural gas production.

Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of the proved reserves related to a single full cost pool. In March 2010, we entered into an agreement to sell wellbore interests in certain wells where our net working interest is less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of all working interests in such wells. The transaction was entered into in March 31, 2010, and the initial divestitures pursuant to the transaction were effective December 31, 2009. Estimated proceeds from the transaction are approximately $238,000. The proceeds for this agreement were applied to reduce the capitalized costs of oil and gas properties.

Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and capitalized cost related to properties having proved reserves, plus the estimated future development costs, asset retirement costs under FASB ASC 410-20-25 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations) are depleted and amortized on the unit-of-production method based on the estimated gross proved reserves as determined by independent petroleum engineers. The costs of unproved properties are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are either developed or abandoned. When proved reserves are assigned or the property is considered to be impaired, the cost of the property or the amount of the impairment is added to costs subject to depletion

9


calculations. As of June 30, 2010, the Company included $765,037 of costs related to expired leases in Sheridan County, Montana and Yates County, New York, which costs are subject to depletion calculation.

Capitalized costs of oil and gas properties (net of related deferred income taxes) may not exceed an amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves plus the cost of unevaluated properties (adjusted for related income tax effects). Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, impairment is recognized. The present value of estimated future net cash flows is computed by applying the 12-month average price of oil and natural gas based on the prices in effect at the beginning of each month to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of period-end, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. Such present value of proved reserves’ future net cash flows excludes future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the Balance Sheet. Should this comparison indicate an excess carrying value, the excess is charged to earnings as an impairment expense. To this point the Company has not realized any impairment of its properties due to our low basis in the acreage and productivity and economics of our producing wells.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States requires management 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 the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to proved oil and natural gas reserve volumes, future development costs, estimates relating to certain oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of derivative instruments, and deferred income taxes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ reported amounts in order to conform with the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not impact our net income, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management

The Company uses derivative instruments from time to time to manage market risks resulting from fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas. The Company may periodically enter into derivative contracts, including price swaps, caps and floors, which require payments to (or receipts from) counterparties based on the differential between a fixed price and a variable price for a fixed quantity of oil or natural gas without the exchange of underlying volumes. The notional amounts of these financial instruments are based on expected production from existing wells. The Company has, and may continue to use exchange traded futures contracts and option contracts to hedge the delivery price of oil at a future date.

At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company historically designated the derivative as a cash flow hedge. For all derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the Company formally documented the relationship between the derivative contract and the hedged items, as well as the risk management objective for entering into the derivative contract. To be designated as a cash flow hedge transaction, the relationship between the derivative and the hedged items must be highly effective in achieving the offset of changes in cash flows attributable to the risk both at the inception of the derivative and on an ongoing basis. The Company historically measured hedge effectiveness on a quarterly basis and hedge accounting would be discontinued prospectively if it determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. Gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedge derivatives that become ineffective remain unchanged until the related production is delivered. If the Company determines that it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, deferred gains or losses on the derivative are recognized in earnings immediately. See Note 14 for a description of the derivative contracts which the Company executed during 2010.

Derivatives, historically, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is

10


designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, depending on the type of hedge transaction. The Company’s derivatives historically consist primarily of cash flow hedge transactions in which the Company is hedging the variability of cash flows related to a forecasted transaction. Period to period changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in the periods in which the contracts are settled. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges was reflected in current period earnings as gain or loss from derivative. Gains and losses on derivative instruments that did not qualify for hedge accounting were included in income or loss from derivatives in the period in which they occur. The resulting cash flows from derivatives are reported as cash flows from operating activities.

On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, the Company de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and in addition, the Company has elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as accounting hedges under FASB ASC 815-20-25 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). As such, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. Any realized and unrealized gains or losses are recorded as gain (loss) on derivatives net, as an increase or decrease in revenues on the Statement of Operations rather than as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) or other Income (expense).

Impairment

FASB ASC 360-10-35-21 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 144, Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets), requires that long-lived assets to be held and used be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Oil and gas properties accounted for using the full cost method of accounting (which we use) are excluded from this requirement but continue to be subject to the full cost method’s impairment rules.

Change in Accounting Principle Related to Drilling Costs

In 2009, the Company changed its method of accounting for drilling costs from the accrual of drilling costs at the time drilling commenced for a well to recording the costs when amounts are invoiced by operators. Recording drilling costs when the amounts are invoiced by operators is deemed preferable as it better represents the Company’s actual drilling costs. The recording of drilling costs in this method also is consistent with other companies in the oil and gas industry. Generally accepted accounting principles require that the impact of the change in accounting be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. As a result, all prior period financial statements have been adjusted to give effect to the cumulative impact of this change.

The following table shows the effect on the Company’s Statement of Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjusted

 

Effect of Change

 

As
Reported

 

Adjusted

 

Effect of Change

 

Depletion Expense

 

 

$719,596

 

$548,124

 

$(171,472

)

 

$1,101,250

 

 

$850,326

 

 

$(250,924

)

Income Tax Provision

 

 

211,000

 

 

280,000

 

 

69,000

 

 

6,000

 

 

106,000

 

 

100,000

 

Net Income

 

 

$315,924

 

 

$418,396

 

 

$102,472

 

 

$8,599

 

 

$159,523

 

 

$150,924

 

Earnings Per Share – Basic and Diluted

 

 

$0.01

 

 

$0.01

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

 

$0.00

 

11


The following table shows the effect on the Company’s Statement of Cash Flows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjusted

 

Effect of
Change

 

Net Income

 

$

8,599

 

$

159,523

 

$

150,924

 

Depletion of Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

1,101,250

 

 

850,326

 

 

(250,924

)

Income Tax Provision

 

 

6,000

 

 

106,000

 

 

100,000

 

Decrease in Accrued Drilling Costs

 

 

(181,900

)

 

-

 

 

181,900

 

Increase in Oil and Gas Properties

 

 

(17,324,349

)

 

(17,506,249

)

 

(181,900

)

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, “Subsequent Events (Topic 855) - Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements.” ASU 2010-09 requires an entity that is a filer with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued and removes the requirement that an SEC filer disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. ASC 2010-09 was effective upon issuance. The adoption of this standard had no effect on our results of operation or our financial position.

In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-13, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades.” ASU 2010-13 provides amendments to Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in ASU 2010-13 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this standard will not have an effect on our results of operation or our financial position.

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. If not discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements upon adoption.

 

 

NOTE 3

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

All marketable debt and equity securities and United States Treasuries that are included in short-term investments are considered available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. The short-term investments are considered current assets due to their maturity term or the Company’s ability and intent to use them to fund current operations. The unrealized gains and losses related to these securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). When securities are sold, their cost is determined based on the first-in first-out method. The realized gains and losses related to these securities are included in other income in the statements of operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, we realized losses of $197,556 on the sale of short-term investments.

The Company has no short-term investments as of June 30, 2010.

12



 

 

NOTE 4

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment at June 30, 2010 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2010

 

Oil and Gas Properties, Full Cost Method

 

 

 

 

Unevaluated Costs, Not Subject to Amortization or Ceiling Test

 

$

86,939,327

 

Evaluated Costs

 

 

69,245,729

 

 

 

 

156,185,056

 

Other Property and Equipment

 

 

2,193,447

 

 

 

 

158,378,503

 

Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 

 

 

 

Property and Equipment

 

 

9,626,536

 

Total

 

$

148,751,967

 

The following table shows depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense by type of asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009
Adjusted

 

Depletion of Costs for Evaluated Oil and Gas Properties

 

$

4,484,441

 

$

850,326

 

Depreciation of Other Property and Equipment

 

 

50,897

 

 

45,456

 

Total Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense

 

$

4,535,338

 

$

895,782

 


 

 

NOTE 5

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

The value of the Company’s oil and gas properties consists of all acreage acquisition costs (including cash expenditures and the value of stock consideration) drilling costs and other associated capitalized costs. Each of these costs contributed to the Company’s $36.6 million increase in oil and gas properties during the second quarter of 2010.

North Dakota Acquisitions

In the second quarter of 2010 the Company acquired approximately 16,861 net mineral acres in all of ourits key prospect areas in the form of both effective leases and top-leases. Of the approximate 16,861 net mineral acres acquired approximately 5,800 net mineral acres were acquired organically. The Company spent an average of approximately $1,015 per net mineral acre acquired in the second quarter of 2010.

The largest acquisition completed by the Company through June 30, 2010 is described below. The Company also completed numerous other acquisitions not specifically described in this Note. No single acquisition was considered material by the Company.

JAG Oil Limited Partnership and G.G. Rose, L.L.C. Acreage Acquisition

In June of 2010 the Company acquired approximately 3,498.47 net acres for $1,750 per net acre in Williams and McKenzie Counties of North Dakota. The Company issued an aggregate of 382,645 shares of its common stock and $761,463 to JAG Oil Limited Partnership and G.G. Rose, L.L.C. inpaid $761,464 in cash as consideration for the acreage. The fair value of the stock issued was $5,360,856 or $14.01 per share, based upon the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the shares were registered with the SEC for resale, which is the date the leasehold interests were acquired. As such, the total $6,122,320 consideration for these acquisitions approximated 17% of the total $36.6 million increase in the Company’s Oil and Gas properties during the second quarter of 2010.

13



 

 

NOTE 6

PREFERRED AND COMMON STOCK

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Our Board of Directors is authorized to establish one or more series of preferred stock, setting forth the designation of each such series and fixing the relative rights and preferences of each such series. The Company has neither designated nor issued any shares of preferred stock.

In January 2010, the Company agreed to issue 4,000 shares of Common Stock to two employees of the Company. The shares were fully vested on the date of the grant. The fair value of the stock issued was $50,280 or $12.57 per share, based upon the market value of one share of our common stock on the date the stock was obligated to be issued. The entire amount of this stock award was expensed in the three months ended March 31, 2010.

In January 2010, the Company agreed to issue 1,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant of the Company. The shares were fully vested on the date of the grant. The fair value of the stock issued was $12,320 or $12.32 per share, based upon the market value of one share of common stock on the date the stock was obligated to be issued. The entire amount of this stock award was expensed in the three months ended March 31, 2010.

In March 2010, the Company issued 10,287 shares of Common Stock as part of an acquisition of leasehold interests in North Dakota. The fair value of the stock issued was $99,475 or $9.67 per share, based upon the market value of one share of common stock on the date the leasehold interests were acquired.

In March 2010, pursuant to employment agreements the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock to executives of the Company. The shares were fully vested on the date of the grant. The fair value of the stock issued was $664,500 or $13.29 per share, based upon the market value of one share of common stock on the date the stock was obligated to be issued. The Company expensed $307,331 in share-based compensation related to the issuance for the three month period ended March 31, 2010. The remainder of the expense was capitalized into the full cost pool.

In April 2010, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement to sell 5,750,000 shares of common stock at a price of $15.00 less an underwriting discount of $0.60 per share for total gross proceeds of $82.8 million. The Company incurred costs of $300,000 related to this offering. These costs were netted against the proceeds of the offering through Additional Paid-In Capital.

On June 14, 2010, the Company issued 382,645 shares of Common Stock as part of an acquisition of leasehold interests in North Dakota. The fair value of the stock issued was $5,360,856 or $14.01 per share, based upon the market value of one share of common stock on the date the shares were registered with the SEC for resale, which is the date the leasehold interests were acquired.

On June 18, 2010, the Company granted 14,167 shares of Common Stock related to acquisitions of leasehold interests in North Dakota. The fair value of the stock granted was $238,006 or $16.80 per share, based upon the market value of one share of common stock on the date the leasehold interests were acquired. The common stock related to these grants was issued in July 2010.

As of June 30, 2010 the Company has accrued bonuses based on the year to date results of operations in comparison to year-end bonus attainment expectations. Management anticipates these bonuses will be paid in the fourth quarter of 2010 through the issuance of stock. The accrued bonuses as of June 30, 2010, are an estimate and are considered discretionary based on 2010 operations. The Company’s compensation committee has approved a plan to grant bonuses and the bonus accrual is based on that plan, but the June 30, 2010 bonus accrual balance has not been approved by the compensation committee. The Company expensed $801,775 in share -based compensation related to this bonus accrual for the six month period ended June 30, 2010. The remainder of bonus was capitalized into the full cost pool.

14


Restricted Stock Awards

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company issued 956,000 restricted shares of common stock as compensation to officers and employees of the Company. The restricted shares vest over various terms with all restricted shares vesting no later than December 31, 2013. As of June 30, 2010, the Company had approximately $13.7 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock. This compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of the grants. The Company has assumed a zero percent forfeiture rate for restricted stock.

15


The following table reflects the outstanding restricted stock awards and activity related thereto for the six months ended June 30, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Price

 

Restricted Stock Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Shares Outstanding at the Beginning of Period

 

 

325,330

 

$

9.01

 

Shares Granted

 

 

956,000

 

$

13.29

 

Lapse of Restrictions

 

 

(76,854

)

$

9.59

 

Restricted Shares Outstanding at June 30, 2010

 

 

1,204,476

 

$

12.37

 


 

 

NOTE 7

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has purchased leasehold interests from South Fork Exploration, LLC (“SFE”). In the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid a total of $5,000 related to a previously executed leasehold agreement. SFE’s president is J.R. Reger, the brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Reger. J.R. Reger is also a stockholder in the Company.

The Company has also purchased leasehold interests in 2007 from Gallatin Resources, LLC. In the second quarter of 2010, the company paid a total of $6,277 related to a previously executed leasehold agreement. Carter Stewart, one of the Company’s directors, owns a 25% interest in Gallatin Resources, LLC.

The Company has an investment account with Morgan Stanley that is managed by Kathleen Gilbertson, a financial advisor with that firm who is the sister of our President and Director, Ryan Gilbertson.

All transactions involving related parties were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or Audit Committee.

 

 

NOTE 8

STOCK OPTIONS/STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND WARRANTS

On November 1, 2007, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase 560,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s 2006 Stock Option Plan. The Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock to members of the Company’s Board of Directors and options to purchase an additional 60,000 shares of common stock to one employee pursuant to an employment agreement. These options were granted at an exercise price of $5.18 per share and were fully vested on the grant date. Options to purchase an aggregate of 260,000 shares granted in 2007 have been exercised as of June 30, 2010.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB ASC 718-10-55 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 123(R), Share-Based Payment). This statement requires us to record an expense associated with the fair value of stock-based compensation. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate stock-based compensation at the date of grant. Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility. The Company used the simplified method to determine the expected term of the options due to the lack of sufficient historical data. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate. The total fair value of the options are recognized as compensation over the vesting period. There have been no stock options granted since November 2007 under the 2006 Stock Option Plan.

16


The following summarizes activities concerning outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock as of and for the period ending June 30, 2010:

 

 

 

 

No options were exercised in the six months ended June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

 

No options were forfeited or expired during the six months ended June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

 

300,000 options are exercisable and outstanding as June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

 

There is no further compensation expense that will be recognized in future years relative to any options that had been granted as of June 30, 2010, because the Company recognized the entire fair value of such compensation upon vesting of the options.

 

 

 

 

There were no unvested options at June 30, 2010.

Warrants Granted February 2009

On February 27, 2009, in conjunction with the closing of the revolving credit facility (see Note 9), the Company issued to CIT warrants to purchase a total of 300,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $5.00 per share. The total fair value of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on factors present at the time the warrants were issued. The fair value of the warrants is included in Debt Issuance Costs and are being amortized over the amended term of the facility using the effective interest method. CIT can exercise the warrants at any time until the warrants expire in February 2012.

 

 

NOTE 9

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

In February 2009, the Company completed the closing of a revolving credit facility with CIT that provided up to a maximum principal amount of $25 million of working capital for exploration and production operations (the “Facility”).

On May 26, 2010, the Company completed the assignment of its revolving credit facility to Macquarie from CIT. In connection with the assignment, the Company and Macquarie entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement governing the facility.

The facility provides up to a maximum principal amount of $100 million of working capital for exploration and production operations. The borrowing base of the funds available under the Facility is re-determined semi-annually based upon the net present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue from its interests in proved reserves estimated to be produced from its oil and gas properties. $25 million of financing is currently available under the Facility. The Facility terminates on May 26, 2014. The Company had no borrowings under the Facility at June 30, 2010.

The Company has the option to designate the reference rate of interest for each specific borrowing under the Facility as amounts are advanced. Borrowings based upon the London interbank offering rate (“LIBOR”) will bear interest at a rate equal LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 2.5% to 3.25%, depending on the percentage of borrowing base that is currently advanced. Any borrowings not designated as being based upon LIBOR will bear interest at a rate equal to the greater of (a) the current prime rate published by the Wall Street Journal, or (b) the current one month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, plus in either case a spread ranging from 2% to 2.5%, depending on the percentage of borrowing base that is currently advanced. The Company has the option to designate either pricing mechanism. Payments are due under the Facility in arrears, in the case of a loan based on LIBOR on the last day of the specified interest period and in the case of all other loans on the last day of each March, June, September and December. All outstanding principal is due and payable upon termination of the Facility.

The applicable interest rate increases under the Facility and the lenders may accelerate payments under the Facility, or call all obligations due under certain circumstances, upon an event of default. The Facility references various

17


events constituting a default on the Facility, including, but not limited to, failure to pay interest on any loan under the Facility, any material violation of any representation or warranty under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, failure to observe or perform certain covenants, conditions or agreements under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, a change in control of the Company, default under any other material indebtedness the Company might have, bankruptcy and similar proceedings and failure to pay disbursements from lines of credit issued under the Facility. The Company was not in default on the Facility as of June 30, 2010, and is not expected to be in default in the future.

The Facility requires that the Company enter into swap agreements with Macquarie for each month of the thirty-six (36) month period following the date on which each such swap agreement is executed, the notional volumes for which when aggregated with other commodity swap agreements and additional fixed-price physical off-take contracts then in effect, as of the date such swap agreement is executed, is not less than 50%, nor exceeds 90%, of the reasonably anticipated projected production from the Company’s proved developed producing reserves, as defined at the time of the agreement. The Company entered into swap agreements as required at the time, and presently there are no material hedging requirements imposed by Macquarie.

All of the Company’s obligations under the Facility and the swap agreements with Macquarie are secured by a first priority security interest in any and all assets of the Company.

 

 

NOTE 10

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

The Company has asset retirement obligations associated with the future plugging and abandonment of proved properties and related facilities. Under the provisions of FASB ASC 410-20-25 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations), the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized. The Company has no assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations.

The following table summarizes the Company’s asset retirement obligation transactions recorded in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 410-20-25 during the six months ended June 30, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Beginning Asset Retirement Obligation

 

$

206,741

 

Liabilities Incurred for New Wells Placed in Production

 

 

69,802

 

Liabilities Settled

 

 

(1,428

)

Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations

 

 

12,752

 

Ending Asset Retirement Obligation

 

$

287,867

 


 

 

NOTE 11

INCOME TAXES

The Company utilizes the asset and liability approach to measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10-30 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

18


The income tax provision (benefit) for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 consists of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009
Adjusted

 

Current Income Taxes

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Federal

 

 

3,915,000

 

 

87,000

 

State

 

 

895,000

 

 

19,000

 

Total Provision

 

$

4,810,000

 

$

106,000

 

In June 2006, FASB issued FASB ASC 740-10-05-6 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes). We adopted FASB ASC 740-10-05-6 on January 1, 2007. Under FASB ASC 740-10-05-6, tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits are tax benefits claimed in our tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards.

Upon the adoption of FASB ASC 740-10-05-6, we had no liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and, as such, the adoption had no impact on our financial statements, and we have recorded no additional interest or penalties. The adoption of FASB ASC 740-10-05-6 did not impact our effective tax rates.

Our policy is to recognize potential interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, we did not recognize any interest or penalties in our Statement of Operations, nor did we have any interest or penalties accrued in our Balance Sheet at June 30, 2010 relating to unrecognized benefits.

The tax years 2009, 2008 and 2007 remain open to examination for federal income tax purposes and by the other major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.

 

 

NOTE 12

FAIR VALUE

FASB ASC 820-10-55 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 157, Fair Value Measurements)defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under FASB ASC 820-10-55 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under FASB ASC 820-10-55 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets of liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

19


The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet as of June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted
Prices In
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Current Derivative Assets

 

$

-

 

$

1,068,924

 

$

-

 

Non-Current Derivative Liabilities

 

 

-

 

 

(85,544

)

 

-

 

Total

 

$

-

 

$

983,380

 

$

-

 

Level 2 assets and liabilities consist of derivative assets and liabilities (see Note 14). Under FASB ASC 820-10-55 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 157, Fair Value Measurements), the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is determined based on spot prices and the notional quantities. The fair value of all derivative contracts is reflected on the balance sheet. The current asset amounts represent the fair values expected to be included in the results of operations for the subsequent year.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
Date Using Significant Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Level 3 Financial Assets

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

 

$

1,818,356

 

Sales

 

 

(2,025,003

)

Unrealized Gain Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

206,787

 

Realized Loss on Sales

 

 

(140

)

Balance at June 30, 2010

 

$

-

 

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the nonfinancial assets and liabilities and their placement in the fair value hierarchy levels. The fair value of the Company’s asset retirement obligations are determined using discounted cash flow methodologies based on inputs that are not readily available in public markets. The fair value of the asset retirement obligations is reflected on the balance sheet as follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at
June 30, 2010 Using

 

Description

 

Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Other Non-Current Liabilities

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

(287,867

)

Total

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

(287,867

)

See Note 10 for a rollforward of the Asset Retirement Obligation.

20


NOTE 13 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s non-derivative financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and line of credit. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and line of credit approximate fair value because of their immediate or short-term maturities.

The Company’s accounts receivable relate to oil and natural gas sold to various industry companies. Credit terms, typical of industry standards, are of a short-term nature and the Company does not require collateral. The Company’s accounts receivable at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 do not represent significant credit risks as they are dispersed across many counterparties.

NOTE 14 DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company utilizes commodity swap contracts to (i) reduce the effects of volatility in price changes on the oil commodities it produces and sells, (ii) reduce commodity price risk and (iii) provide a base level of cash flow in order to assure it can execute at least a portion of its capital spending.

Crude Oil Derivative Contracts Cash-flow Hedges

Historically, all derivative positions that qualified for hedge accounting were designated on the date the Company entered into the contract as a hedge against the variability in cash flows associated with the forecasted sale of future oil production. The cash flow hedges were valued at the end of each period and adjustments to the fair value of the contract prior to settlement were recorded on the statement of stockholders’ equity as other comprehensive income. Upon settlement, the gain (loss) on the cash flow hedge was recorded as an increase or decrease in revenue on the statement of operations. The Company reports average oil and gas prices and revenues including the net results of hedging activities.

On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, the Company de-designated all derivates that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and, in addition, the Company has elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as cash flow hedges under FASB ASC 815-20-25 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). Beginning on November 1, 2009, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. Any realized and unrealized gains or losses are recorded as gain (loss) on derivatives, net, as an increase or decrease in revenue on the statement of operations rather than as a component of other comprehensive income or as other income (expense).

FASB ASC 815-20-25 requires the fair value disclosure of derivative instruments be presented on a gross basis, even when those instruments are subject to a master netting arrangement and qualify for net presentations on the statement of financial position in accordance with Topic 210-20. The Company has a master netting agreement on each of the individual oil contracts and therefore the current asset and liability are netted on the statement of financial position and the non-current asset and liability are netted on the statement of financial position.

The net mark-to-market loss on the Company’s remaining swaps that qualified for cash flow hedge accounting at the date the decision was made to discontinue hedge accounting totaled $1,913,590 as of June 30, 2010. The Company has recorded that as accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and the entire amount will be amortized into revenues as the original forecasted hedged oil production occurs in 2010 and 2011.

The Company realized a settled derivative gain of $126,936 and maintained a mark-to-market value of an unrealized gain of $3,260,383 on derivative instruments for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

21


The following table reflects the weighted average price of open commodity derivative contracts as of June 30, 2010, by year with associated volumes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Price

Of Open Commodity Contracts

Year

 

Volumes
(Bbl)

 

Weighted
Average
Price

 

2010

 

 

225,400

 

$

80.64

 

2011

 

 

263,996

 

$

80.45

 

2012

 

 

3,000

 

$

51.25

 

In addition to the hedges listed above, on July 22, 2010 the Company entered into a swap agreement covering delivery of 374,504 barrels of oil for delivery in various quantities beginning August 1, 2010 until June 30, 2012 at a fixed price of $80.00 per barrel. As of July 31, 2010, the Company has a total hedged volume of 828,500 barrels at a weighted average price of approximately $80.18.

At June 30, 2010, the Company had derivative financial instruments under FASB ASC 815-20-25 recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as set forth below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Contract

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

June 30,
2010
Estimated
Fair Value

 

December
31, 2009
Estimated
Fair Value

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil Contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

2,072,249

 

$

96,163

 

Oil Contracts

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

469,001

 

 

-

 

Total Derivative Assets

 

 

 

$

2,541,250

 

$

96,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil Contracts

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

(1,003,325

)

$

(1,402,910

)

Oil Contracts

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

(554,545

)

 

(1,473,306

)

Total Derivative Liabilities

 

 

 

$

(1,557,870

)

$

(2,876,216

)

The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. The Company has netting arrangements with Macquarie Bank Limited that provide for offsetting payables against receivables from separate derivative instruments.

NOTE 16 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 220-10-55 (Prior authoritative literature: FASB Statement 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income) which establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income. In addition to net income, comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investments and distributions to stockholders of the Company.

For the periods indicated, comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:

22



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net Income

 

$

6,120,866

 

$

418,396

 

$

7,680,496

 

$

159,523

 

Unrealized gains on Marketable Securities (net of tax of $459,000 and $68,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009)

 

 

529,516

 

 

8,311

 

 

725,981

 

 

90,556

 

Net unrealized gains/losses on hedges (net of tax of $195,000 and $1,133,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009)

 

 

167,950

 

 

(1,101,600

)

 

308,050

 

 

(1,700,323

)

Other Comprehensive income (loss) net

 

$

6,818,332

 

$

(674,893

)

$

8,714,527

 

$

(1,450,244

)

23


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

          This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report regarding our financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, industry conditions, and indebtedness covenant compliance are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

          Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond our Company’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following: oil prices, general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which our Company conducts business, changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements, conditions of the securities markets, our ability to raise or access capital, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, financial or political instability, acts of war or terrorism, other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting our Company’s operations, products, services and prices.

          We have based any forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results described in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should consider carefully the statements in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, as updated by subsequent reports we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Our Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

Overview and Outlook

          As an exploration and production company, our business strategy is to identify and exploit repeatable and scalable resource plays that can be quickly developed at low costs. We also intend to take advantage of our expertise in aggressive land acquisition to continue to pursue exploration and development projects as a non-operating working interest partner, participating in drilling activities primarily on a heads-up basis proportionate to our working interest. Our business does not depend upon any intellectual property, licenses or other proprietary property unique to our Company, but instead revolves around our ability to acquire mineral rights and participate in drilling activities by virtue of our ownership of such rights and through the relationships we have developed with our operating partners. We believe our competitive advantage lies in our ability to acquire property, specifically in the Williston Basin, in a nimble and efficient fashion.

          We are focused on maintaining a low cash overhead structure. We believe we are in a position to most efficiently exploit and identify high production oil and gas properties due to our unique non-operator model through which we are able to diversify our risk and participate in the evolution of technology by the collective expertise of those operators with which we partner. We intend to continue to carefully pursue the acquisition of properties that fit our profile. We accelerated our acreage acquisition activities throughout the Williston Basin in the first and second quarters of 2010 and continue to monitor various larger acquisitions.

24


          We control approximately 115,700 net acres in the Williston Basin targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations, which we believe provides the potential to drill approximately 1,085 net wells using 640 acre spacing units assuming three horizontal Bakken and three horizontal Three Forks wells per spacing unit. We have no material lease expirations until late 2011 and continue to expand our position through aggressive acquisition and leasing programs.

          During the three months ended June 30, 2010, we continued the development of our oil and gas properties primarily in the Williston Basin Bakken play. We drilled, completed, and commenced production in an additional 41 gross wells (approximately 3.89 net wells) during the quarter. As of June 30, 2010, we owned working interests in 202 successful discoveries, consisting of 198 targeting the Bakken/Three Forks formation and four targeting the Red River formation.

          We believe recent discoveries in western Williams and McKenzie Counties of North Dakota have substantially expanded the delineated area of high quality Bakken and Three Forks production and the rapidly accelerating pace of drilling has dramatically changed the dynamics of this oil play. Acreage acquisition represents our core competency and we expect to continue to leverage our leasing expertise as the Bakken and Three Forks plays continue to increase in size and scope.

          As of August 9, 2010, we are participating in the drilling or completion of an additional 63 gross Bakken or Three Forks wells and one gross Red River well, for an aggregate of 7.24 net wells currently drilling or awaiting completion. We have spud approximately 13.85 net wells in 2010. We expect to spud approximately 18 net wells throughout 2010 and increase production volumes by 30 to 35% in the quarter ending September 30, 2010 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

Completion Activity

          During the second quarter, we continued to experience delays in fracture stimulation appointments for wells across all operators with whom we participate. We believe this trend has been driven primarily by an increased inventory of wells awaiting fracture stimulation throughout the Williston Basin caused by a low supply of sub-contractors responsible for fracture stimulation. Additionally, we believe the constraint in moving fracture stimulation supplies, such as frac sand, into the field have added to this delay. We expect that for the next quarter, delay between fracture stimulation and completion may continue to average as much as six weeks. We do not expect that this will affect the pace of drilling and we continue to see wells drilled to total depth at an accelerated pace. However, delays in fracture stimulation have the effect of delaying production additions.

2010 Drilling Projects

          We are engaged in numerous drilling activities on properties presently owned and intend to drill or develop other properties acquired in the future. We drilled, completed, and commenced production in an additional 41 gross wells (approximately 3.89 net wells) during the quarter. We intend to continue drilling efforts on our existing acreage in North Dakota and Montana. We reaffirm our previous guidance to spud approximately 18 net wells in 2010, through participations in approximately 120 gross wells in which we expect to own an average 15% working interest.

          As of June 30, 2010, we had interest in a total of 268 gross wells that were either drilling, completing or producing, including 202 producing wells and 66 drilling or completing wells. Permits continue to be issued for spacing units in which we have acreage interests within North Dakota and Montana.

          We continue to develop our acreage position we acquired from Windsor Bakken LLC in 2009 with our operating partner, Slawson Exploration. The development program consists of Northern owning a working interest in the majority of the wells, with an average working interest in such wells expected to approximate 20%. As of June 30, 2010, 58 wells have been drilled, completed, and turned over to production with six rigs drilling ahead.

          During the second quarter of 2010, we entered into an agreement with GeoResources, Inc. to begin development of a block of approximately 3,000 net acres located in Roosevelt County, Montana, more commonly known as the Rip Rap prospect. We believe this important extensional exploration into Montana may serve to further delineate the productive area of the Bakken and Three Forks formations. We will participate in the program

25



on a heads-up basis, with our operating partner Slawson Exploration, in drilling and all future acreage acquisitions for a 15% interest in the program.

Production History

          The following table presents information about our produced oil and gas volumes during the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2010, compared to the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009. As of June 30, 2010, we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 202 gross wells (approximately 14.36 net wells), compared to 104 gross wells (approximately 4.97 net wells) at June 30, 2009. All data presented below is derived from accrued revenue and production volumes for the relevant period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

%
Change

 

2009

 

2010

 

%
Change

 

2009

 

Net Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (Bbl)

 

 

166,341

 

 

230

%

 

50,396

 

 

285,955

 

 

267

%

 

77,956

 

Natural Gas (Mcf)

 

 

37,931

 

 

474

%

 

6,604

 

 

70,534

 

 

716

%

 

8,647

 

Barrel of Oil Equivalent (Boe)

 

 

172,663

 

 

235

%

 

51,497

 

 

297,711

 

 

275

%

 

79,397

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Prices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

 

69.15

 

 

25

%

 

55.21

 

 

69.58

 

 

42

%

 

48.95

 

Effect of settled oil hedges on average price (per Bbl)

 

 

1.83

 

 

164

%

 

(2.85

)

 

0.44

 

 

128

%

 

(1.61

)

Oil net of settled hedging (per Bbl)

 

 

70.98

 

 

36

%

 

52.36

 

 

70.02

 

 

48

%

 

47.34

 

Natural Gas and Other Liquids (per Mcf)

 

 

5.07

 

 

0

%

 

5.05

 

 

4.56

 

 

(13

)%

 

5.26

 

Effect of natural gas hedges on average price (per Mcf)

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

 

0.00

 

Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)

 

 

5.07

 

 

0

%

 

5.05

 

 

4.56

 

 

(13

)%

 

5.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Production Costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

 

3.37

 

 

39

%

 

2.43

 

 

3.32

 

 

19

%

 

2.78

 

Natural Gas (per Mcf)

 

 

0.27

 

 

13

%

 

0.24

 

 

0.23

 

 

(13%

)

 

0.26

 

Barrel of Oil Equivalent (Boe)

 

 

3.30

 

 

37

%

 

2.41

 

 

3.25

 

 

18

%

 

2.76

 

Depletion of oil and natural gas properties

          Our depletion expense is driven by many factors, including certain exploration costs involved in the development of producing reserves, production levels and estimates of proved reserve quantities and future developmental costs. The following table presents our depletion expenses for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 compared to the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2009.

26



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Depletion of oil and natural gas properties

 

$

2,600,836

 

$

548,124

 

$

4,484,441

 

$

850,326

 

Productive Oil Wells

          The following table summarizes gross and net productive oil wells by state at June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2009. A net well represents our percentage ownership of a gross well. No wells have been permitted or drilled on any of our Yates County, New York acreage. The following table also does not include wells which were awaiting completion, in the process of completion or awaiting flow back subsequent to fracture stimulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

North Dakota

 

 

194

 

 

12.98

 

 

97

 

 

4.16

 

Montana

 

 

8

 

 

1.38

 

 

7

 

 

0.81

 

Total:

 

 

202

 

 

14.36

 

 

104

 

 

4.97

 

Results of Operations for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

          Our current business activities are focused primarily on developing our current acreage position and identifying potential strategic acreage and production acquisitions to continue to consistently increase production and revenues.

          During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we continued the development of our oil and gas properties primarily in the Williston Basin Bakken play. As of June 30, 2010, we had established production from 202 total gross wells in which we hold working interests, only 104 of which had established production as of June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2010 we produced an average of approximately 1,828 barrels of oil per day, compared to an average of approximately 554 barrels of oil per day during the second quarter of 2009. Our production at June 30, 2010 approximated 2,550 barrels of oil per day, compared to approximately 967 barrels of oil per day at June 30, 2009.

          We drilled with a 100% success rate in the six months ended June 30, 2010. We have 198 Bakken or Three Forks wells completed and four successful Red River discoveries at June 30, 2010. As of June 30, 2010, we expect to participate in the drilling of approximately 120 gross (approximately 18 net) oil wells in 2010.

          We recognized $11,664,873 in revenues from sales of oil and natural gas for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $2,418,496 for the three months ended June 30, 2009. We recognized $20,033,720 in revenues from sales of oil and natural gas for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $3,059,230 for the six months ended June 30, 2009. These increases in revenue are due primarily to our continued addition of wells and an increase in our average realized oil prices period-over-period, our realization of production from such wells, as well as a substantial increase in oil prices.. We have added wells each quarter since June 30, 2009 and, in particular, added production from 3.89 additional net wells during the second quarter of 2010. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, we realized a $70.98 average price per barrel of crude oil (after the effect of settled hedges), compared to a $52.36 average price per barrel of crude oil (after the effect of settled hedges) during the three months ended June 30, 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we realized a $70.02 average price per barrel of crude oil (after the effect of settled hedges), compared to a $47.34 average price per barrel of crude oil (after the effect of settled hedges) during the six months ended June 30, 2009.

          We had net income of $6,120,866 (representing approximately $0.12 per share) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2010, and net income of $418,396 (representing approximately $0.01 per share) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009. Total operating expenses were $6,133,565 for the three -month period months ended

27


June 30, 2010, compared to total operating expenses of $1,437,445 for the three-month periodmonths ended June 30, 2009. These increases in expensesexpense are due primarily to increased production expenses, severance taxes, depletion and general and administrative expenses associated with our continued addition of oil and gas production. from new wells. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, we had production expenses of $561,427, compared to production expenses of $119,751 during the three months ended June 30, 2009. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, we incurred severance taxes of $1,024,277, compared to severance taxes of $189,400 during the three months ended June 30, 2009. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, we recorded depletion of $2,600,836, compared to depletion of $548,124 during the three months ended June 30, 2009. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, we had cash general and administrative expenses of $718,471, compared to cash general and administrative expenses of $519,014 during the three months ended June 30, 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we had cash general and administrative expenses of $1,612,142, compared to cash general and administrative expenses of $910,674 during the six months ended June 30, 2009.

          Our net income for the three months ended June 30, 2010, excluding unrealized mark-to-market hedging gains, was $3,502,667 (representing approximately $0.07 per diluted share) as compared to net income in the quarter ended March 31, 2010, excluding unrealized mark-to-market hedging losses of $2,172,446 (representing approximately $0.05 per diluted share).

          We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization, (iv) accretion of abandonment liability, (v) pre-tax unrealized gain and losses on commodity risk and (vii) non-cash expenses relating to share based payments recognized under ASC Topic 718. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was $9,677,386 (representing approximately $0.19 per diluted share), compared to adjusted EBITDA of $6,417,708 (representing approximately $0.14 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2010.

           We believe the use of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors to gain an overall understanding of our current financial performance. Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP results included herein provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and unrealized commodity gains and losses that our management believes are not indicative of our core operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management for budgeting and forecasting as well as subsequently measuring the Company’s performance, and we believe that we are providing investors with financial measures that most closely align to our internal measurement processes. We consider these non-GAAP measures to be useful in evaluating our core operating results as they more closely reflect our essential revenue generating activities and direct operating expenses (resulting in cash expenditures) needed to perform these revenue generating activities. Our management also believe, based on feedback provided by the investment community, that the non-GAAP financial measures are necessary to allow the investment community to construct its valuation models to better compare our results with our competitors and market sector.

           The non-GAAP financial information is presented using consistent methodology from quarter-to-quarter. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that these measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP financial measures.

          Net income excluding unrealized mark-to-market hedging gains and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation of these measures to GAAP is included below:

28


Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2010

 

Net Income

 

$

1,559,630

 

$

6,120,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add Back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Provision

 

 

977,000

 

 

3,833,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization, and Accretion

 

 

2,062,170

 

 

2,766,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Based Compensation

 

 

813,297

 

 

1,193,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Gain on Commodity Price Risk Management Activities

 

 

990,816

 

 

(4,251,199

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

 

14,795

 

 

14,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

6,417,708

 

$

9,677,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA Per Common Share - Basic

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA Per Common Share - Diluted

 

$

0.14

 

$

0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic

 

 

44,098,553

 

 

49,934,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

 

44,544,469

 

 

50,609,944

 

29


Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Earnings Without
the Effect of Certain Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2010

 

Net Income, as Reported

 

$

1,559,630

 

$

6,120,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Derivative Gains

 

 

990,816

 

 

(4,251,199

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Impact

 

 

(378,000

)

 

1,633,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings without the Effect of Certain Items

 

$

2,172,446

 

$

3,502,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Per Common Share – Basic

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Per Common Share – Diluted

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic

 

 

44,098,553

 

 

49,934,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

 

44,544,469

 

 

50,609,944

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

          We have historically met our capital requirements through the issuance of common stock and by borrowings. In the future, we anticipate we will be able to provide the necessary liquidity by the revenues generated from the sales of our oil and gas reserves in our existing properties, credit facility borrowings and potential equity issuances. However there is no guarantee the capital markets will be available to us on favorable terms or at all.

          The following table summarizes total current assets, total current liabilities and working capital at June 30, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

$

90,596,786

 

Current Liabilities

 

$

11,944,757

 

Working Capital

 

$

78,652,029

 

Assignment of CIT Capital USA, Inc. Credit Facility to Macquarie Bank Limited

          On May 26, 2010, we completed the closing of the assignment of our revolving credit facility to Macquarie Bank Limited (“Macquarie”) from CIT Capital USA Inc., and entered into an amended credit agreement in connection with such assignment.

          The new facility with Macquarie provides us with an increased initial borrowing base of $25 million and maximum borrowings of up to $100 million (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility may be used to provide

30


working capital for exploration and production operations. The Credit Facility has a four year term and does not contain any minimum interest rate on borrowings. Borrowings, if any, will bear interest at a spread ranging from 2.00% to 3.25% over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or prime rate, as the case may be, based upon the percentage of borrowing base that is advanced at any given time.

          As of June 30, 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.

          All of our obligations under the Credit Facility and the swap agreements with Macquarie (as discussed in Item 3) continue to be secured by a first priority security interest in any and all of our assets pursuant to the terms of an Amended and Restated Guaranty and Collateral Agreement and perfected by an amended and restated mortgage, notice of pledge and security and similar documents.

Follow-On Equity Offering

          On April 20, 2010, we completed the sale of 5,750,000 shares of our common stock (the “Offering”), which included 750,000 shares that were issued pursuant to the underwriters full exercise of their over-allotment option. Pursuant to an underwriting agreement, we sold the shares at a price per share of $15.00 to the public, less an underwriting discount of $0.60 per share. We received approximately $82.5 million net proceeds from the Offering after deducting the underwriters discounts and expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from the Offering to continue to pursue acquisition opportunities, to fund our accelerated drilling program, to repay short-term borrowings, and for other working capital purposes. This Offering was completed as a firm commitment underwritten offering in which the underwriters purchased the shares directly from us at a predetermined price, prior to marketing any of the shares.

          The shares of common stock sold in the Offering were registered under an existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-158320), which the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective on May 21, 2009.

Satisfaction of Our Cash Obligations for the Next 12 Months

          With the addition of equity capital during 2009 and 2010 and our Credit Facility, we believe we have sufficient capital to meet our drilling commitments and expected general and administrative expenses for the next twelve months at a minimum. Nonetheless, any strategic acquisition of assets may require us to seek additional capital. We may also choose to seek additional capital rather than our Credit Facility or other debt instruments to fund accelerated or continued drilling at the discretion of management and depending on prevailing market conditions. We will evaluate any potential opportunities for acquisitions as they arise. Given our non-leveraged asset base and anticipated growing cash flows, we believe we are in a position to take advantage of any appropriately priced sales that may occur. However, there can be no assurance that any additional capital will be available to us on favorable terms or at all.

          Over the next 24 months it is possible that our existing capital, the Credit Facility and anticipated funds from operations may not be sufficient to sustain continued acreage acquisitions. Consequently, we may seek additional capital in the future to fund growth and expansion through additional equity or debt financing or credit facilities. No assurance can be made that such financing would be available, and if available it may take either the form of debt or equity. In either case, the financing could have a negative impact on our financial condition and our stockholders.

          Though we achieved profitability in 2008 and remained profitable throughout 2009 and into 2010, our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of operations, particularly companies in the oil and gas exploration industry. Such risks include, but are not limited to, an evolving and unpredictable business model and the management of our growth. To address these risks we must, among other things, implement and successfully execute our business and marketing strategy, continue to develop and upgrade technology and products, respond to competitive developments, and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing such risks, and the failure to do so can have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

31


Contractual Obligations and Commitments

          Our material long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations and operating lease obligations or purchase obligations are included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and have not materially changed since that report was filed.

Critical Accounting Policies

          A description of our critical accounting policies was provided in Note 2 to the Financial Statements provided in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

          Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk for changes in commodity prices and interest rates are included in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and, except as set forth below, have not materially changed since that report was filed.

Commodity Price Risk

          The price we receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. Crude oil and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the markets for oil and gas have been volatile, and these markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices we receive for our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control. Our revenue during 2009 and the first and second quarter of 2010 generally would have increased or decreased along with any increases or decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices, but the exact impact on our income is indeterminable given the variety of expenses associated with producing and selling oil that also increase and decrease along with oil prices.

          We have previously entered into derivative contracts to achieve a more predictable cash flow by reducing our exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility. On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, we de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and in addition, we have elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as accounting hedges. As such, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. Any realized gains or losses on derivatives are recorded in Gain (Loss) on Settled Derivatives and unrealized gains or losses are recorded in Mark-to-Market of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations rather than as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) or other Income (expense).

          The following table reflects the weighted average price of open commodity derivative contracts as of June 30, 2010, by year with associated volumes

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Price
Of Open Commodity Contracts

Year

 

Volumes (Bbl)

 

Weighted Average
Price

2010

 

225,400

 

$80.64

2011

 

263,996

 

$80.45

2012

 

3,000

 

$51.25

          In addition to the hedges listed above, on July 22, 2010 the Company entered into a swap agreement covering delivery of 374,504 barrels of oil for delivery in various quantities beginning August 1, 2010 until June 30, 2012 at a fixed price of $80.00 per barrel. As of July 31, 2010, the Company has a total hedged volume of 828,500 barrels at a weighted average price of approximately $80.18.

32


Interest Rate Risk

          We did not have outstanding any borrowings under our credit facilities or other obligations that would subject us to significant interest rate risk at June 30, 2010. Our Credit Facility would, however, subject us to interest rate risk on borrowings under that facility.

          Our Credit Facility allows us to fix the interest rate of borrowings under it for all or a portion of the principal balance for a period up to six months. To the extent the interest rate is fixed, interest rate changes affect the instrument’s fair market value but do not impact results of operations or cash flows. Conversely, for the portion of our borrowings that has a floating interest rate, interest rate changes will not affect the fair market value but will impact future results of operations and cash flows.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

          We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

          As of June 30, 2010, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, had evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon and as of the date of the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified periods and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure of material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. Based on the foregoing, our management determined that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2010.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

          There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period of this report that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

33


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

          Our company is subject to litigation claims and governmental and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. One of the opposing parties in a pending litigation seeking the quieting of title for a leasehold interest filed a motion for summary judgment in the case. We have opposed the summary judgment motion and also filed our own motion seeking summary judgment in our favor. No other developments have occurred in any pending litigation during the period of this report. Our management believes that all litigation matters in which we are involved are not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

          There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as updated by our subsequent filings on Form 10-Q (and otherwise) with the SEC.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

          In May 2010, we issued an aggregate of 382,645 shares of common stock as part of an acquisition of leasehold interests in Williams County, North Dakota and McKenzie County, North Dakota, consisting of 107,052 shares issued to JAG Oil, LP and 275,593 shares issued to G.G. Rose, LLC. The fair value of the stock issued was $5,360,856 or $14.01 per share, based upon the market value of our common stock on the date the shares were registered with the SEC for resale, which is the date the leasehold interests were acquired.

          In June 2010, we agreed to issue an aggregate of 14,167 shares of common stock related to acquisitions from four separate parties of leasehold interests in North Dakota. The fair value of the stock issued was an aggregate of $238,006 or $16.80 per share, based upon the market value of our common stock on the date the leasehold interests were acquired. The common stock related to these transactions was issued in July 2010.

          In July 2010, we issued 444,186 shares of common stock to Lario Oil & Gas Company as part of an acquisition of leasehold interests in Divide County, North Dakota. The fair value of the stock issued was $6,529,534.20 or $14.70 per share, based upon the market value of our common stock on the date the leasehold interests were acquired.

          Each of the foregoing issuances was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 193, as amended.

Item 6. Exhibits.

          The exhibits listed in the accompanying exhibit index are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

34


SIGNATURES

          In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has caused this Quarterly Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NORTHERN OIL AND GAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 9,November ___, 2010

 

By:

/s/ Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

 

Michael L. Reger, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 9,November ___, 2010

 

By:

/s/ Chad D. Winter

 

 

 

 

Chad D. Winter, Chief Financial Officer

35


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

2.1

 

Plan of Merger of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. a Nevada corporation with and into Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010)

 

 

 

3.1

 

Articles of Incorporation of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010.)

 

 

 

3.2

 

Bylaws of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010.)

 

 

 

4.1

 

Form of Stock Certificate of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010)

 

 

 

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 2010 among Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. as Borrower, Macquarie Bank Limited, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto ((Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2010)

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

36


Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

 

 

I, Michael L. Reger, certify that:

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.:

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

 

 

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

August 9,November         ___, 2010

By:

/s/ Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 



Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

 

 

I, Chad D. Winter, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.:

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

 

 

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

 

 

 

 

Dated: 

August 9,November           ___, 2010

By: 

/s/ Chad D. Winter

 

 

Chad D. Winter

 

 

Chief Financial Officer



Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

          In connection with the Quarterly Report of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of his knowledge:

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

 

 

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 9,November___, 2010

By: 

/s/ Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

 

Michael L. Reger

 

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: 

August 9,November ___, 2010

By:

/s/ Chad D. Winter

 

 

 

 

Chad D. Winter

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

          A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.