6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL MATTERS

From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are involved in disputes. We review the status of on-going proceedings and other contingent matters with legal counsel. Liabilities for such items are recorded if and when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. If we are able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is disclosed for such matters in excess of the accrued liability, if any. Liabilities are periodically reviewed for adjustments based on additional information.

Tullow and Dana Legal Actions

On January 11, 2016, we filed legal actions against our partners under the Joint Operating Agreement governing the oil and gas exploration rights offshore Guinea (“JOA”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and before the AAA against Tullow, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tullow Oil, PLC and Dana, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Korean National Oil Company, for their failure to meet their obligations under the JOA and the PSC. On January 28, 2016, the action in the Federal District Court was voluntarily dismissed by us and refiled in District Court in Harris County, Texas. On February 8, 2016 Tullow and Dana removed the case to Federal District Court.

The two legal actions seek (1) a determination that Tullow and Dana are in breach of their contractual obligations and (2) orders requiring Tullow and Dana to move forward with well drilling activities offshore Guinea. In addition, the arbitration action seeks the damages caused by the repeatedly delays in well drilling caused by the activities of Tullow and Dana. We determined to bring the legal actions only after it became apparent that Tullow and Dana would not move forward, despite many opportunities to do so, with petroleum operations.

Shareholder Lawsuits

Beginning on March 13, 2014, two lawsuits styled as class actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against us and several officers of the Company alleging that we made false and misleading statements that artificially inflated our stock prices. The lawsuits allege, among other things, that we misrepresented our compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-money laundering statutes and that we lacked adequate internal controls. The lawsuits seek damages based on Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, although the specific amount of damages is not specified. On May 12, 2014, a shareholder filed a motion for appointment as lead plaintiff, which remains pending. One of the March 2014 lawsuits has now been dismissed voluntarily, and the parties to the remaining suit await the issuance of a scheduling order in that matter. We have assessed the status of the remaining March 2014 lawsuit and have concluded that an adverse judgment remains reasonably possible, but not probable. As a result, no provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements. We are unable to estimate a range of possible loss; however, in our opinion, the outcome of this dispute will not have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we have received demands from shareholders to inspect our books and records. On April 28, 2015, one of those purported shareholders filed a derivative complaint against all of our current directors, our current chief financial officer, and our past chief executive officer, and past vice president of African affairs in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The complaint alleges breaches of their fiduciary duties of loyalty and good faith in connection with potential violations by us of the FCPA. On November 2, 2015, the Court entered an order granting plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of the action and dismissed the case without prejudice.

Iroquois Lawsuit

On May 9, 2012, a lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against us and all of our directors. The plaintiffs, five hedge funds that invested in us in early 2012, allege that we breached an agreement with the plaintiffs, and that we and the directors made certain negligent misrepresentations relating to our drilling operations. Among other claims, the plaintiffs allege that we misrepresented the status of our drilling operations and the speed with which the drilling would be completed. The plaintiffs advance claims for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation and seek damages in the amount of $18.5 million plus pre-judgment interest. On July 12, 2012, we and the directors moved to dismiss the suit for failure to state a claim as to all defendants and for lack of personal jurisdiction over the director defendants. On June 19, 2013, the court dismissed the negligent misrepresentation claim but declined to dismiss the breach of contract claim. The negligent misrepresentation claim was dismissed without prejudice, meaning plaintiffs could attempt to refile it. On August 12, 2013, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. That complaint names only us and seeks recovery for alleged breaches of contract. We filed an answer to the plaintiffs’ amended complaint on September 9, 2013, and the court has entered a scheduling order governing pre-trial proceedings in the matter. The maximum possible loss is the full amount of $18.5 million plus interest accrued thereon until judgment. We, however, have assessed the status of this matter and have concluded that although an adverse judgment is reasonably possible, it is not probable. As a result, no provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the outcome of this dispute will not have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Leases

We lease office space under long-term operating leases with varying terms. Most of the operating leases contain renewal and purchase options. We expect that in the normal course of business, the majority of operating leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases.

The following is a schedule by years of minimum future rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Years ending June 30:
2016	$	194
2017	392
2018	399
2019	406
2020 and thereafter	309

Total minimum payments required	$	1,700

Rent expense included in net loss from operations for the three month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.1 million respectively, in each period. Rent expense included in net loss from operations for the six month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.2 million respectively, in each period.