2. INVESTMENT IN OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

Investment in oil and gas properties consists entirely of our Concession in offshore Guinea, West Africa. We owned a 77% participating interest in our Guinea Concession prior to the sale of a 40% gross interest to Tullow which closed on December 31, 2012. We now own a 37% interest in the Concession.

We follow the “Full-Cost” method of accounting for oil and natural gas property and equipment costs. Under this method, internal costs incurred that were directly identified with exploration, development, and acquisition activities undertaken by us for our own account, and which were not related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities, are capitalized. Capitalization of internal costs was discontinued April 1, 2013 when Tullow became the operator. Geological and geophysical costs incurred that are directly associated with specific unproved properties are capitalized in “Unproved properties excluded from amortization” and evaluated as part of the total capitalized costs associated with a prospect. The cost of unproved properties not being amortized is assessed to determine whether such properties have been impaired. In determining whether such costs should be impaired, we evaluate current drilling plans and drilling results and available geological and geophysical information. If petroleum operations are not commenced soon, our ability to obtain additional financing and our financial condition will be adversely affected, which will likely impact our ability to conduct exploration. No reserves have been attributed to the concession.

The following table provides detail of total capitalized costs for the Concession which remain unproved and unevaluated and are excluded from amortization as of March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 (in thousands):

	March 31, 2016		June 30, 2015
Oil and Gas Properties:
Unproved properties not subject to amortization	$	—	$	14,311

During the nine month period ended March 31, 2016, our oil and gas property balance increased by $20 thousand to $14,331,000 as a result of additional geological and geophysical costs incurred. As of March 31, 2016, based on our impairment assessment, we fully impaired the $14,331,000 of unproved oil and gas properties. This impairment assessment was based on the continued impasse by our members of the Consortium to resume petroleum operations and drill the next exploration obligation well, which needs to be commenced by the end of September 2016, and our inability to get interim injunctive relief from the American Arbitration Association requiring Tullow and Dana to join with SCS in the negotiation of an acceptable amendment to the PSC and to agree to a process that would result in the execution of the amendment which we hoped would have led to the resumption of petroleum operations. Thus, we believe all legal measures to require Tullow and Dana to drill the planned exploration well have been exhausted. Despite this impairment, we continue to pursue any avenues with the members of the Consortium and the Government of Guinea in order to begin drilling activities in our Concession prior to the end of the Concession in September 2016.

Sale of Interest to Tullow

On December 31, 2012, we closed a sale to Tullow of a 40% gross interest in the Concession. As consideration, we received $27 million from Tullow as reimbursement of our past costs in the Concession and, as additional consideration, Tullow agreed to: (i) pay our entire participating interest share of future costs associated with joint operations in the Concession, up to a gross expenditure cap of $100 million incurred during the carry period that began on September 21, 2013; and (ii) pay our participating interest share of costs associated with an appraisal well of the initial exploration well, if drilled, subject to a gross expenditure cap on the appraisal well of $100 million. Tullow will continue to pay our costs, subject to the gross expenditure cap of $100 million, until 90 days following the date on which the rig contracted to drill the exploration well moves off the well location. We are responsible for our share of any costs exceeding the gross expenditure cap of $100 million per well. The $27 million payment was received by us on December 31, 2012 and was recorded as a reduction in unproved oil and gas properties, net of transaction costs of approximately $3.3 million.

In connection with the transaction, SCS, Tullow and Dana entered into a Joint Operating Agreement Novation and Amendment Agreement reflecting that as a result of the sale to Tullow, the interest of the parties in the Concession are SCS 37%, Dana 23%, and Tullow 40%, and Tullow agreed to be bound by the PSC and the Joint Operating Agreement previously entered into between SCS and Dana. Tullow also assumed all the respective liabilities and obligations of SCS in respect of the assigned 40% interest. SCS and Tullow executed a Deed of Assignment. The Assignment was approved by Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Geology by issuing an Arrêté on December 27, 2012 which formally authorized our assignment of a participating interest to Tullow. SCS, Dana and Tullow elected Tullow as the Operator of the Concession beginning April 1, 2013.