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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company has not maintained insurance coverage on its U.S domestic oil and gas properties for several years. The Company is not in compliance with Federal and State laws regarding the U.S. domestic oil and gas properties. The Company’s known compliance issues relate to the Texas Railroad Commission regarding administrative filings and renewal permits relative to its Texas oil and gas properties that were sold in 2012. The ultimate resolution of these compliance issues could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Nicaraguan Concessions

 

The Company was in default of various provisions of the 30-year Concession for both Perlas and Tyra blocks as of December 31, 2018, including (1) the drilling of at least one exploratory well on the Perlas Block; (2) the shooting of additional seismic on the Tyra Block; (3) the provision of the Ministry of Energy with the required letters of credit in the amounts totaling $1,356,227 for the Perlas block and $278,450 for the Tyra block for exploration requirements on the leases; (4) payment of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 area fees required for both the Perlas and Tyra which total approximately $167,000; and (5) payment of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 training fees required for both the Perlas and Tyra totaling approximately $300,000. The Company is seeking a resolution of these defaults including the ability to extend, renew and/or renegotiate the terms of the Nicaraguan Concessions with the Nicaraguan government to cure the defaults. There can be no assurance whether it will be able to extend, renew and/or renegotiate the Nicaraguan Concessions and whether any new terms will be favorable to the Company. It must raise substantial amounts of debt and equity capital from other sources in the immediate future in order to fund these requirements. These are substantial operational and financial issues that must be successfully addressed during 2019 or the Company’s ability to satisfy the conditions necessary to maintain and/or renegotiate its Nicaragua Concessions will be in significant doubt.

 

The Company is seeking debt and equity capital in order to fund the substantial needs enumerated above; however, there can be no assurance that it will be able to obtain such capital or obtain it on favorable terms or within the timeframe necessary to cure the defaults existing on the Nicaraguan Concessions or to meet its ongoing requirements relative to drilling the exploratory wells. The current environment for oil and gas development projects, especially discoveries in otherwise undeveloped regions of the world, is very challenging given the depressed commodity prices for oil and gas products, and the resulting industry-wide reduction in capital expenditure budgets for exploration and development projects. These are substantial impediments for the Company to obtain adequate financing to fund the exploration and development of its Nicaraguan projects.

 

The following charts set forth the minimum work programs required under for the Perlas and Tyra blocks comprising the Concessions in order for the Company to retain them unless it is successful in obtaining extensions, renewals or the renegotiation of the entire Concessions Agreements for the Perlas and Tyra blocks.

 

Minimum Work Program – Perlas

 

Block Perlas – Exploration Minimum Work Commitment and Relinquishments

Exploration
Period (6 Years)
  Duration (Years)     Work Commitment   Relinquishment   Irrevocable Guarantee  
Sub-Period1   2     - Environmental Impact Study - Acquisition & interpretation of 333km of new 2D seismic - Acquisition, processing & interpretation of 667km of new 2D seismic (or equivalent in 3D)   26km2   $ 443,100  
Sub-Period 2 Optional   1     - Acquisition, processing & interpretation of 200km2 of 3D seismic   53km2   $ 1,356,227  
Sub-Period 3 Optional   1     - Drilling of one exploration well to the Cretaceous or 3,500m, whichever is Shallower   80km2   $ 10,220,168  
Sub-Period 4 Optional   2     - Drilling of one exploration well to the Cretaceous or 3,500m, whichever is shallower - Geochemical analysis   All acreage except areas with discoveries   $ 10,397,335  

 

Minimum Work Program – Tyra

 

Block Tyra – Exploration Minimum Work Commitment and Relinquishments

Exploration
Period (6 Years)
  Duration (Years)     Work Commitment   Relinquishment   Irrevocable Guarantee  
Sub-Period1   1.5     - Environmental Impact Study - Acquisition & interpretation of 667km of existing 2D seismic - Acquisition of 667km of new 2D seismic (or equivalent in 3D)   26km2   $ 408,450  
Sub-Period 2 Optional   0.5     - Processing & interpretation of the 667km 2D seismic (or equivalent in 3D) acquired in the previous sub-period   40km2   $ 278,450  
Sub-Period 3 Optional   2     - Acquisition, processing & interpretation of 250km2 of new 3D seismic   160km2   $ 1,818,667  
Sub-Period 4 Optional   2     - Drilling of one exploration well to the Cretaceous or 3,500m, whichever is shallower - Geochemical analysis   All acreage except areas with discoveries   $ 10,418,667  

 

Contractual and Fiscal Terms

 

Training Program   US $50,000 per year, per block      
Area Fee   Years 1-3   $ 0.05/hectare  
    Years 4-7   $ 0.10/hectare  
    Years 8 & forward   $ 0.15/hectare  
Royalties   Recovery Factor 0 – 1.5     Percentage 5 %
    1.5 – 3.0     10 %
     >3.0     15 %
             
Natural Gas Royalties   Market value at production     5 %
Corporate Tax   Rate no higher than 30%        
Social Contribution   3% of the net profit (1.5% for each
autonomous region)
       
Investment Protection   ICSID arbitration OPIC insurance        

 

Revenue Sharing Commitments

 

On March 23, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated effective as of March 23, 2009, with Offshore Finance, LLC, an accredited investor, to issue a subordinated promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $1,275,000 and a one percent (1%) revenue sharing interest in the Nicaraguan Concessions. Off-Shore funded a total of $1,275,000 and subsequently converted the subordinated promissory note to common stock.

 

Under the Revenue Sharing Agreement (the “Revenue Agreement”), Infinity assigned to Off-Shore a monthly payment (the “RSP”) equal to the revenue derived from one percent (1%) of Infinity’s share of the hydrocarbons produced at the wellhead from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The RSP will bear its proportionate share of all costs incurred to deliver the hydrocarbons to the point of sale to an unaffiliated purchaser, including its share of production, severance and similar taxes, and certain additional costs. The RSP will be paid to Off-Shore by the last day of each month based on the revenue received by Infinity from the purchaser of the production during the previous month from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The Revenue Agreement does not create any obligation for Infinity to maintain or develop the Nicaraguan Concessions, and does not create any rights in the Nicaraguan Concessions for Off-Shore. In connection with its dissolution Off-Shore assigned its RSP to its individual members.

 

On June 6, 2009, the Company entered into a Revenue Sharing Agreement with the officers and directors for services provided. Infinity assigned to officers and directors a monthly payment equal to the revenue derived from one percent (1%) of Infinity’s share of the hydrocarbons produced at the wellhead from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The RSP will bear its proportionate share of all costs incurred to deliver the hydrocarbons to the point of sale to an unaffiliated purchaser, including its share of production, severance and similar taxes, and certain additional costs.

 

The RSP shall be paid by the last day of each month based on the revenue received by Infinity from the purchaser of the production during the previous month from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The Revenue Agreement does not create any obligation for Infinity to maintain or develop the Nicaraguan Concessions, and does not create any rights in the Nicaraguan Concessions for officers and directors.

 

The Company intends to seek joint venture or working interest partners (the “Farmout”) prior to the commencement of any exploratory drilling operations on the Nicaraguan Concessions. On September 8, 2009 the Company entered into a Revenue Sharing Agreement with Jeff Roberts to assist the Company with its technical studies of gas and oil holdings in Nicaragua and managing and assisting in the Farmout. Infinity assigned to Jeff Roberts a monthly payment equal to the revenue derived from one percent (1%) of Infinity’s share of the hydrocarbons produced at the wellhead from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The RSP will bear its proportionate share of all costs incurred to deliver the hydrocarbons to the point of sale to an unaffiliated purchaser, including its share of production, severance and similar taxes, and certain additional costs. The RSP shall be paid to Jeff Roberts by the last day of each month based on the revenue received by Infinity from the purchaser of the production during the previous month from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The Revenue Agreement does not create any obligation for Infinity to maintain or develop the Nicaraguan Concessions, and does not create any rights in the Nicaraguan Concessions for Jeff Roberts.

 

In connection with the extension of the December 2013 Note with a $1,050,000 principal balance issued in December 2013, the Company entered into a Revenue Sharing Agreement in May 2014. Infinity assigned to the note holder a monthly payment equal to the revenue derived from one percent (1%) of 8/8ths of Infinity’s share of the hydrocarbons produced at the wellhead from the Nicaraguan Concessions and any other oil and gas concessions that the Company and its affiliates may acquire in the future. The RSP will bear its proportionate share of all costs incurred to deliver the hydrocarbons to the point of sale to an unaffiliated purchaser, including its share of production, severance and similar taxes, and certain additional costs. The RSP shall be paid by the last day of each month based on the revenue received by Infinity from the purchaser of the production during the previous month from the Nicaraguan Concessions. The Revenue Sharing Agreement does not create any obligation for Infinity to maintain or develop the Nicaraguan Concessions.

 

Lack of Compliance with Law Regarding Domestic Properties

 

Infinity has not been in compliance with existing federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations for its previously owned domestic oil and gas properties and this could have a material or significantly adverse effect upon the liquidity, capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of Infinity. All domestic oil and gas properties held by Infinity – Wyoming and Infinity-Texas were disposed of well prior to December 31, 2018; however, the Company may remain liable for certain asset retirement costs should the new owners not complete their obligations. Management believes the total asset retirement obligations recorded of $1,716,003 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are sufficient to cover any potential noncompliance liabilities relative to the plugging of abandoned wells, the removal of facilities and equipment, and site restoration on oil and gas properties for its former oil and gas properties. The Company has not maintained insurance on the domestic properties for a number of years nor has it owned/produced any oil & gas properties for a number of years.

 

Litigation

 

The Company is subject to numerous claims and legal actions in which vendors are claiming breach of contract due to the Company’s failure to pay amounts due. The Company believes that it has made adequate provision for these claims in the accompanying financial statements.

 

The Company is currently involved in litigation as follows:

 

In October 2012 the State of Texas filed a lawsuit naming Infinity-Texas, the Company and the corporate officers of Infinity-Texas, seeking $30,000 of reclamation costs associated with a single well, in addition to administrative expenses and penalties. The Company engaged in negotiations with the State of Texas in late 2012 and early 2013 and reached a settlement agreement that would reduce the aggregate liability, in this action and any extension of this to other Texas wells, to $45,103, which amount has been paid. Certain performance obligations remain which must be satisfied in order to finally settle and dismiss the matter.
   
  Pending satisfactory performance of the performance obligations and their acceptance by the State of Texas, the officers have potential liability regarding the above matter, and the officers are held personally harmless by indemnification provisions of the Company. Therefore, to the extent they might actually occur, these liabilities are the obligations of the Company. Management estimates that the liabilities associated with this matter will not exceed $780,000, calculated as $30,000 for each of the 26 Infinity-Texas operated wells. This related liability, less the payment made to the State of Texas in 2012 in the amount of $45,103, is included in the asset retirement obligation on the accompanying balance sheets.
   
Cambrian Consultants America, Inc. (“Cambrian”) filed an action in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, number CV2014-55719, on September 26, 2014 against Infinity Energy Resources, Inc. resulting from certain professional consulting services provided for quality control and management of seismic operations during November and December 2013 on the Nicaraguan Concessions. Cambrian provided these services pursuant to a Master Consulting Agreement with Infinity, dated November 20, 2013, and has claimed breach of contract for failure to pay amounts due. On December 8, 2014, a default judgment was entered against the Company in the amount of $96,877 plus interest and attorney fees. The Company has included the impact of this litigation as a liability in its accounts payable. The Company will seek to settle the default judgment when it has the financial resources to do so.
   
Torrey Hills Capital, Inc. (“Torrey”) notified the Company by letter, dated August 15, 2014, of its demand for the payment of $56,000, which it alleged was unpaid and owed under a consulting agreement dated October 18, 2013. The parties entered into a consulting agreement under which Torrey agreed to provide investor relations services in exchange for payment of $7,000 per month and the issuance of 15,000 shares of common stock. The agreement was for an initial three month-term with automatic renewals unless terminated upon 30 days’ written notice by either party. The Company made payments totaling $14,000 and issued 15,000 shares of common stock during 2013. The Company contends that Torrey breached the agreement by not performing the required services and that it had provided proper notice of termination to Torrey. Furthermore, the Company contends that the parties agreed to settle the dispute on or about June 19, 2014 under which it would issue 2,800 shares of common stock in full settlement of any balance then owed and final termination of the agreement. Torrey disputed the Company’s contentions and submitted the dispute to binding arbitration. The Company was unable to defend itself and the arbitration panel awarded Torrey a total of $79,594 in damages. The Company has accrued this amount in accounts payable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, which management believes is sufficient to provide for the ultimate resolution of this dispute.