FORM 10-K

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

[X] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2012

 

 

Commission file number 000-53952

 

 

(Formerly Ante5, Inc.)

(Name of registrant as in its charter)

 

Nevada 27-2345075
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

10275 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 310, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(952) 426-1241

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

 

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

 

 

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange On

Which Registered

   
COMMON STOCK OTC

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes |_| No |X|

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes |_| 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 |_|

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 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 |X| No |_|

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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.

|_|

 

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer |_|   Accelerated filer |_|

Non-accelerated filer

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

|_|   Smaller reporting company |X|

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes |_| No |X|

 

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $20,053,907 as of June 30, 2012 (computed by reference to the last sale price of a share of the registrant’s Common Stock on that date as reported by OTC Bulletin Board).

 

There were 47,979,990 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 27, 2013.

 

 
 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We are including the following discussion to inform our existing and potential security holders generally of some of the risks and uncertainties that can affect our company and to take advantage of the “safe harbor” protection for forward-looking statements that applicable federal securities law affords.

 

From time to time, our management or persons acting on our behalf may make forward-looking statements to inform existing and potential security holders about our company. 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 and industry conditions 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 making assumptions regarding actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, 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 control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include the following:

 

· volatility or decline of our stock price;
· low trading volume and illiquidity of our common stock, and possible application of the SEC’s penny stock rules;
· potential fluctuation in quarterly results;
· our failure to earn revenues or to monetize claims that we have for payments owed to us;
· material defaults on monetary obligations owed us, resulting in unexpected losses;
· inadequate capital to acquire working interests in oil and gas prospects and to participate in the drilling and production of oil and other hydrocarbons;
· unavailability of oil and gas prospects to acquire;
· failure to discover or produce commercial quantities of oil, natural gas or other hydrocarbons;
· cost overruns incurred on our oil and gas prospects, causing unexpected operating deficits;
· drilling of dry holes;
· acquisition of oil and gas leases that are subsequently lost due to the absence of drilling or production;
· dissipation of existing assets and failure to acquire or grow a new business;
· litigation, disputes and legal claims involving outside parties; and
· risks related to our ability to be listed on a national securities exchange and meeting listing requirements.

 

We have based these 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 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 in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should consider carefully the statements in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of this report, which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

 

Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.

 

i
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
PART 1     1
ITEM 1   Business 1
ITEM 1A   Risk Factors 6
ITEM 1B   Unresolved Staff Comments 17
ITEM 2   Properties 17
ITEM 3   Legal Proceedings 22
ITEM 4   Mine Safety Disclosures 22
       
PART II     23
ITEM 5   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,  Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 23
ITEM 6   Selected Financial Data 24
ITEM 7   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 25
ITEM 7A   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 35
ITEM 8   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 36
ITEM 9   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 37
ITEM 9A   Controls and Procedures 37
ITEM 9B   Other Information 38
       
PART III     39
ITEM 10   Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance 39
ITEM 11   Executive Compensation 44
ITEM 12   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 48
ITEM 13   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 50
ITEM 14   Principal Accounting Fees and Services 51
       
PART IV     53
ITEM 15   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 53
SIGNATURES 56

  

ii
 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are an oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Our properties are located in North Dakota and Montana. Our corporate strategy is the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana. As of December 31, 2012, we controlled the rights to mineral leases covering approximately 12,256 net acres for prospective drilling to the Bakken and/or Three Forks formations. Looking forward, we are pursuing the following objectives:

 

· acquire high-potential mineral leases;
· access appropriate capital markets to fund continued acreage acquisition and drilling activities;
· develop and maintain strategic industry relationships;
· attract and retain talented associates;
· operate a low overhead non-operator business model; and
· become a low cost producer of hydrocarbons.

 

Effective April 2, 2012, we changed our name to Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. Our common stock is still traded on the OTCBB under the trading symbol “ANFC.”

 

Recent Developments

 

Peerless/ElectraWorks Settlement

 

We inherited assets from our former parent company prior to our spin off. These historical assets relate to our former parent company’s business as WPT Enterprises, Inc., when it created internationally branded products through the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. The primary historical gaming asset was our license agreement with Peerless Media, Ltd. (“Peerless”) and ElectraWorks, Ltd. (“ElectraWorks”), subsidiaries of PartyGaming, PLC (collectively “PartyGaming”), an international online casino gaming company. On July 9, 2012, we formed a wholly-owned subsidiary in the state of Nevada called Poker Interest, LLC. Commensurate with the formation of this entity we assigned all rights and obligations obtained pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 24, 2009 from Peerless to this newly formed entity. On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Peerless/ElectraWorks to settle claims regarding their performance under the license agreement. Under the settlement agreement Peerless/ElectraWorks has paid the Company $11.0 million in two installments of $5.5 million on October 30, 2012 and December 17, 2012, and is obligated to pay the Company another $2.5 million on or before December 31, 2013. In addition, Peerless/ElectraWorks will make payments to the Company upon certain contingencies related to the passage of federal or state legislation permitting real money online poker and Peerless/ElectraWorks or one of their affiliates obtaining such a license. The maximum amount of these contingent payments is $6.5 million with the amount determined based on how such legislation is enacted. Under the settlement agreement the Company has released its rights to the royalty stream and no further payments are due from Peerless/ElectraWorks other than those set forth in the settlement agreement.

 

The Company has paid attorneys’ fees of $1.84 million as well as various costs out of the Peerless /Electra settlement proceeds and is obligated to pay an additional $160,000 in attorneys’ fee upon receipt of the remaining $2.5 million due from Peerless/ElectraWorks. In addition, as a result of an incentive arrangement with the Company’s former President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, Steve Lipscomb that was approved by WPT Enterprises, Inc.’s Board of Directors in February 2009, Mr. Lipscomb is receiving 5% of the settlement payments, net of attorneys’ fees and other costs as such amounts are received by the Company.

 

1
 

 

Deloitte & Touche Settlement

 

On October 5, 2012, the Company and other parties entered into a settlement agreement with Deloitte & Touche, LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") to settle all claims between the parties arising out of the case of WPT Enterprises, Inc. v. Deloitte & Touche, before the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles (the "Litigation"). The claims in the Litigation were assigned to the Company as part of the Company’s distribution (spin-off) agreement with Ante4, Inc. On November 1, 2012, after satisfying obligations to various parties, including litigation counsel, the Company received $5.4 million of net proceeds under the settlement agreement as its share of the settlement proceeds. The parties have agreed to stipulate to the dismissal of the Litigation and to a mutual release of all claims.

 

Reincorporation into Nevada

 

We completed a reincorporation into the state of Nevada on December 10, 2012. Our Board approved resolutions authorizing the Company to reincorporate into Nevada. Our stockholders also approved the reincorporation by written consent.

 

Potential Reverse Stock Split

 

Our Board approved resolutions authorizing the Company to implement a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio of up to 1:10 and any related amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation. Our stockholders have also approved the amendment by written consent.

 

Our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors has the authority to decide whether to implement a reverse stock split and the exact amount of the split within the foregoing range, if it is to be implemented. If the reverse split is implemented, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock would be reduced in accordance with the exchange ratio selected by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. The total number of authorized shares of Common Stock will be reduced proportionately as a result of the reverse stock split and the total number of shares of authorized preferred stock will remain unchanged at 20,000,000 shares.

 

We believe that a reverse split would, among other things, (i) better enable the Company to obtain a listing on a national securities exchange, (ii) facilitate higher levels of institutional stock ownership, where investment policies generally prohibit investments in lower-priced securities and (iii) better enable the Company to raise funds to finance its planned operations. There can be no assurance however that we will be able to obtain a listing on a national securities exchange even if we implement the reverse stock split.

 

AS OF THE DATE OF THIS FILING, OUR BOARD HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO MAKE THE POTENTIAL REVERSE STOCK SPLIT EFFECTIVE.

 

Business

 

The Company’s focus is the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana. As of March 15, 2013, we controlled approximately 12,971 net acres in the Williston Basin. In addition, the Company owned working interests in 91 gross wells representing 3.20 net wells that are preparing to drill, drilling, awaiting completion, complete or producing.

 

We control some properties in which we may have control of the drilling unit. We currently anticipate selling or trading some or all of our interest in these properties in order to relinquish controlling interest to an operator capable of developing the properties.

 

Through alliances we have with partners on the ground in the Williston Basin region, we believe that we are able to create value through opportunistic acreage acquisitions. We believe our business model enhances our ability to identify and acquire high value acreage in the rapidly expanding Bakken and Three Forks trends. Because we purchase smaller interests in multiple drilling units, we are able to diversify our risk across numerous wells. We believe that our prospective success revolves around our ability to acquire mineral leases and participate in drilling activities by virtue of our ownership of such rights and through the relationships we have developed with our operating partners.

 

2
 

 

As a non-operating working interest partner, we participate in drilling activities primarily on a heads-up basis. Before a well is spud, an operator is required to offer all mineral lease owners in the designated well spacing unit the right to participate in the drilling and production of the well. Drilling costs and revenues from oil and gas sales are split pro-rata based on acreage ownership in the designated drilling unit. We rely on our operator partners to identify specific drilling sites, permit, and engage in the drilling process. As a non-operator we are focused on maintaining a low overhead structure.

 

We believe we create value through selectively targeting acquisition of acreage positions with attractive returns on the capital employed by evaluating, amongst other factors, reserve potential, operator performance, anticipated well costs and anticipated operating expenses.

 

Our proven oil and gas reserves were 2.4 million barrel of oil equivalents (BOE’s) as of December 31, 2012 and 0.5 million barrel of oil equivalents (BOE’s) as of December 31, 2011.

 

Production Methods

 

We primarily engage in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production by participating on a pro-rata basis with operators in wells drilled and completed in spacing units that include our acreage. We are generally a minority working interest owner in our wells. We typically depend on drilling partners to propose, permit and engage the drilling of wells. Prior to commencing drilling, our partners are required to provide all owners of 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. We will assess each drilling opportunity on a case-by-case basis going forward. We will participate in wells that we expect to meet our return thresholds based upon our estimates of ultimate recoverable crude oil and natural gas and other factors. In 2011 we participated in the drilling of all new wells that included any of our acreage. In 2012 we participated in the drilling of all new wells that included any of our acreage with the exception of two gross wells totaling 0.02 net wells. At present time, we expect to participate in the majority of the wells proposed to us, but will decline drilling opportunities that we believe will not meet our return criteria over a long-term horizon.

 

We do not manage our commodities marketing activities internally, but our operating partners generally market and sell crude oil and natural gas produced from wells in which we have an interest. Our operating partners coordinate the transportation of our crude 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 crude oil and is readily accepted into the pipeline infrastructure.

 

Competition

 

The crude oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with numerous other crude oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Most of these companies have substantially greater resources than we have. Our competitors not only explore for and produce crude oil and natural gas, but many also conduct midstream and refining operations and market petroleum products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These additional operations may enable them to pay more for exploratory prospects and productive crude oil and natural gas properties than us. They also may 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 absorb the burden of existing and changing 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 depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. In addition, we may be at a disadvantage in acquiring crude oil and natural gas properties and bidding for exploratory prospects because we have fewer financial and human resources than other companies in our industry.

 

3
 

 

Marketing and Customers

 

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

 

Our crude oil production is expected to be sold at prices tied to the spot crude 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 include a variety of exploration and production companies, from large publicly-traded companies to small, privately-owned companies.

 

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 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 crude oil and natural gas industry in North Dakota. Most of our leases are acquired from other parties that obtained the original leasehold interest prior to our acquisition of the leasehold interest.

 

In general, our lease agreements stipulate three to five year terms including extension options. Bonuses and royalty rates are negotiated on a case-by-case basis consistent with industry standard pricing. Once a well is drilled, or production is established, depending on the lease terms, the acreage in a well’s drilling unit is considered “held by production,” meaning the lease on that particular acreage continues as long as oil or gas is being produced. Generally, 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. In the event a lease is not developed prior to lease expiration, the Company completes an economic evaluation of the expiring lease and makes a strategic decision to exercise an available option, attempt to extend the lease, or allow it to expire.  As a result of these evaluations and taking into consideration other acquisition opportunities available to the Company, we anticipate some of our leases will expire prior to being held by production.  We did not have any leases expire in 2012.

 

Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters

 

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

 

Regulation of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production

 

Our crude 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 crude oil and natural gas. Such states may also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of crude 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 crude oil and natural 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.

  

4
 

 

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 and injunctions. 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 of them could have a significant impact on our company, as well as the crude 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 crude 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 or could force our company to discontinue certain operations.

 

On April 17, 2012, the EPA finalized rules originally proposed in 2011 establishing new air emission controls for oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations. The EPA’s rule package includes standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with oil and natural gas production and processing activities. The rules establish specific new requirements regarding emissions from compressors, dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment. In addition, the rules revise leak detection requirements for natural gas processing plants. These rules may require a number of modifications to the operations of our third-party operating partners, including the installation of new equipment to control emissions from compressors. Although we cannot predict the cost to comply with these new requirements at this point, compliance with these new rules could result in significant costs, including increased capital expenditures and operating costs, and could adversely impact our business.

 

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, or the Clean Water Act (the “CWA”), imposes restrictions and controls on the discharge of produced waters and other pollutants into navigable waters. Permits must be obtained to discharge pollutants into state and federal waters and to conduct construction activities in waters and wetlands. The CWA and certain state regulations prohibit the discharge of produced water, sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings, sediment and certain other substances related to the oil and gas industry into certain coastal and offshore waters without an individual or general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permit. In addition, the Clean Water Act and analogous state laws require individual permits or coverage under general permits for discharges of storm water runoff from certain types of facilities. Some states also maintain groundwater protection programs that require permits for discharges or operations that may impact groundwater conditions. Costs may be associated with the treatment of wastewater and/or developing and implementing storm water pollution prevention plans. The CWA and comparable state statutes provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges of oil and other pollutants and impose liability on parties responsible for those discharges, for the costs of cleaning up any environmental damage caused by the release and for natural resource damages resulting from the release.

 

The underground injection of oil and natural gas wastes are regulated by the Underground Injection Control program authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The primary objective of injection well operating requirements is to ensure the mechanical integrity of the injection apparatus and to prevent migration of fluids from the injection zone into underground sources of drinking water. Substantially all of the oil and natural gas production in which we have interest is developed from unconventional sources that require hydraulic fracturing as part of the completion process. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into the formation to stimulate gas production. Legislation to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the definition of “underground injection” and require federal permitting and regulatory control of hydraulic fracturing, as well as legislative proposals to require disclosure of the chemical constituents of the fluids used in the fracturing process, were proposed in recent sessions of Congress. The U.S. Congress continues to consider legislation to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to subject hydraulic fracturing operations to regulation under the Act’s Underground Injection Control Program to require disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process.

 

Scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing activities continues in other ways. The federal government is currently undertaking several studies of hydraulic fracturing’s potential impacts. Several states, including Montana and North Dakota where our properties are located, have also proposed or adopted legislative or regulatory restrictions on hydraulic fracturing. We cannot predict whether any other legislation will ever be enacted and if so, what its provisions would be. If additional levels of regulation and permits were required through the adoption of new laws and regulations at the federal or state level, which could lead to delays, increased operating costs and process prohibitions that would materially adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

 

The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, establishes a national environmental policy and goals for the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the environment and provides a process for implementing these goals within federal agencies. A major federal agency action having the potential to significantly impact the environment requires review under NEPA. Many of the activities of our third-party operating partners are covered under categorical exclusions which results in a shorter NEPA review process. The Council on Environmental Quality has announced an intention to reinvigorate NEPA reviews and on March 12, 2012, issued final guidance that may result in longer review processes that could lead to delays and increased costs that could materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

 

5
 

 

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 crude oil and natural gas exploration and production. Many states and the federal government have enacted legislation directed at controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Future legislation and regulation could impose additional restrictions in connection with our drilling and production activities and favor use of alternative energy sources, which could increase operating costs and reduce demand for crude 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 five full time employees: our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, vice president of land, corporate controller and a staff accountant. Our chief executive officer, Kenneth DeCubellis, is responsible for all material policy-making decisions, with the support of James Moe, our chief financial officer. As drilling and production activities continue to increase, we may hire additional technical or administrative personnel as appropriate. 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 10275 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 310, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305. Our office space consists of approximately 1,142 square feet leased pursuant to a lease agreement that commenced on May 1, 2012 on a month to month basis. The owner of the building in which we are located is a company wholly owned by our chairman of the board of directors.

 

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 in North Dakota and Montana.

 

Available Information – Reports to Security Holders

 

Our website address is www.blackridgeoil.com. We make available on this website, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports 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 also post to our website our Audit Committee Charter and our Code of Ethics, in addition to all pertinent company contact information.

  

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

 

Risks Related to our Business

 

As a non-operator, our development of successful operations relies extensively on third-parties who, if not successful, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation.

 

We have only participated in wells operated by third-parties. Our current ability to develop successful business operations depends on the success of our consultants and drilling partners. As a result, we do not control the timing or success of the development, exploitation, production and exploration activities relating to our leasehold interests. If our consultants and drilling partners are not successful in such activities relating to our leasehold interests, or are unable or unwilling to perform, our financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

 

We own some properties in which we may have control of the drilling unit. We currently anticipate selling or trading some of the acres within these properties in order for our ownership to be reduced so that we would not have control of the drilling unit or entering into other arrangements in order to not be the operator of such drilling units. Since we do not have the ability to operate the drilling unit, if we are unable to sell or trade these properties or enter into other arrangement with a potential operator of the drilling units, the lease could lapse or we would be required to incur significant additional costs to operate the drilling unit.

 

6
 

 

The possibility of a global financial crisis may significantly impact our business and financial condition for the foreseeable future.

 

The ongoing credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system may adversely impact our business and our financial condition, and we may face challenges if conditions in the financial markets do not improve. Our ability to access the capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to raise financing, which could have a material negative impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The economic situation could have a material negative impact on operators upon whom we are dependent for drilling our wells, our lenders or customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us. Additionally, market conditions could have a material negative impact on potential future crude oil hedging arrangements if our counterparties are unable to perform their obligations or seek bankruptcy protection. We believe we will need additional capital and financing to fund our future land acquisitions and drilling. There is no assurance that additional capital or financing will be available to us on terms that are acceptable to us or at all.

 

We may be unable to obtain the additional capital that we need to implement our business plan, which could restrict our ability to grow.

 

We have entered into a $20 million revolving credit facility (of which $16.5 million is currently available) secured by substantially all of our assets, but that credit facility may not be available to us if we are not in compliance with its terms and conditions. We had drawn a net $5,748,844 as of December 31, 2012 and had no additional draws through March 15, 2013. We will require additional capital to continue to grow our business through acquisitions and to further expand our exploration and development programs. We may be unable to obtain additional capital or financing if and when required, or upon terms that are acceptable to us. Future acquisitions and future exploration, development, production and marketing activities, as well as our administrative requirements will require a substantial amount of capital and cash flow. We may pursue sources of additional capital through various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means. We also expect to seek equity financing to finance our expected drilling and completion costs. We may not be successful in identifying suitable financing transactions in the time period required or at all, and we may not obtain the capital we require by other means. If we do not succeed in raising additional capital, our resources may not be sufficient to fund our planned expansion of operations in the future.

 

Any additional capital raised through the sale of equity would dilute the ownership percentage of our shareholders. Raising any such capital could also result in a decrease in the fair market value of our equity securities because our assets would be owned by a larger pool of outstanding equity holders. The terms of securities we issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable to our new investors, and may include preferences, superior voting rights and the issuance of other derivative securities. In addition, we have granted and will continue to grant equity incentive awards under our equity incentive plans, which may have a further dilutive effect. Our ability to obtain financing, if and when necessary, may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets (both generally and in the crude oil and natural gas industry in particular), our limited operating history, the location of our crude oil and natural gas properties, and prices of crude oil and natural gas on the commodities markets (which will impact the amount of asset-based financing available to us) and the departure of key employees. Further, if crude oil or natural gas prices on the commodities markets decline, our revenues will likely decrease and such decreased revenues may increase our requirements for capital. If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our revenues from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital needs (even to the extent that we reduce our operations), we may be required to cease our operations, divest our assets at unattractive prices or obtain financing on unattractive terms. We may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, which may adversely impact our financial condition.

 

7
 

 

We have a limited operating history and may not be successful in becoming profitable.

 

We have a limited operating history. Our business operations must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in establishing a business in the crude oil and natural gas industries. We began to generate revenues from operations during 2011, and have incurred operating losses since our inception in April 2010. There can be no assurance that our business operations will prove to be successful in the long-term. Our future operating results will depend on many factors, including: our ability to raise adequate working capital; success of our development and exploration; demand for natural gas and crude oil; the level of our competition; our ability to attract and maintain key management and employees; and our ability to efficiently explore, develop and produce sufficient quantities of marketable natural gas or crude oil in a highly competitive and speculative environment while maintaining quality and controlling costs. To sustain profitable operations in the future, we must, alone or with others, successfully manage these factors, as well as continue to develop ways to enhance our production efforts. Despite our best efforts, we may not be successful in our exploration or development efforts, or obtain required regulatory approvals. There is a possibility that some of our wells may never produce natural gas or crude oil.

 

We are highly dependent on Kenneth DeCubellis, our chief executive officer, and our other executive officer and employees. The loss of one or more of them, upon whose knowledge, leadership and technical expertise we rely, would harm our ability to execute our business plan.

 

Our success depends heavily upon (1) the continued contributions of Kenneth DeCubellis, our chief executive officer, whose knowledge, leadership and technical expertise would be difficult to replace, with the support of James Moe, our chief financial officer, and (2) on our ability to retain and attract experienced engineers, geoscientists and other technical and professional consultants. If we were to lose their services, our ability to execute our business plan would be harmed and we may be forced to cease operations until such time as we are able to suitably replace them. Any of our executive officers may terminate their employment with our company at any time.

 

Our lack of diversification will increase the risk of an investment in our company, and our financial condition and results of operations may deteriorate if we fail to diversify.

 

Our business focus is on the crude oil and natural gas industry in a limited number of properties, primarily in North Dakota and Montana. Larger companies have the ability to manage their risk by diversification. We lack diversification in terms of both the nature and geographic scope of our business. As a result, we will likely be impacted more acutely by factors affecting our industry or the regions in which we operate than we would if our business were more diversified, increasing our risk profile. If we do not diversify our operations, our financial condition and results of operations could deteriorate.

 

Strategic relationships upon which we may rely are subject to change, which may diminish our ability to conduct our operations.

 

Our ability to successfully acquire additional properties, to increase our reserves, to participate in drilling opportunities and to identify and enter into commercial arrangements with customers will depend on developing and maintaining close working relationships with industry participants. Our success will also depend on our ability to select and evaluate suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. These realities are subject to change and our inability to maintain close working relationships with industry participants or continue to acquire suitable properties may impair our ability to execute our business plan.

 

To continue to develop our business, we will use the business relationships of our management and develop new relationships to enter into strategic relationships. These relationships may take the form of mineral lease purchase agreements, joint ventures, joint operating agreements, referral agreements and other contractual arrangements with outside individuals and crude oil and natural gas companies. We may not be able to establish these strategic relationships, or if established, we may not be able to maintain them. In addition, the dynamics of our relationships with strategic partners may require us to incur expenses or undertake activities that we would not otherwise be inclined to do independent of these strategic relationships. If sufficient strategic relationships are not established and maintained, our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

8
 

 

Competition in obtaining rights to explore and develop crude oil and natural gas reserves and to market our production may impair our business.

 

The crude oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. Other crude oil and natural gas companies may seek to acquire crude oil and natural gas leases and other properties and services we will need to operate our business in the areas in which we expect to operate. This competition is increasingly intense as commodity prices of crude oil have continued to remain at levels that make oil and gas production in our area of operation viable. Additionally, other companies engaged in our line of business may compete with us from time to time in obtaining capital from investors. Competitors include larger companies which, in particular, may have access to greater resources, may be more successful in the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and may conduct their own refining and petroleum marketing operations, which may give them a competitive advantage. In addition, actual or potential competitors may be strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests. If we are unable to compete effectively or respond adequately to competitive pressures, our results of operation and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

 

We have a history of losses which may continue and negatively impact our ability to achieve our business objectives.

 

We had net income of $4,911,410 in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, however before settlement income, net of settlement expenses and related income taxes, the Company had a loss of approximately $1,444,485 (see Item 7 – Managements’ Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures). We incurred net losses of $2,482,255 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. We cannot assure you that we can achieve or sustain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. Our operations are subject to the risks and competition inherent in the oil and natural gas industry. We cannot assure you that future operations will be profitable. Revenues and profits, if any, will depend upon various factors, including whether we will be able to expand our revenues. We may not achieve our business objectives and the failure to achieve such goals would have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and result of operations.

 

Downward adjustments in our proved reserve estimates and lower oil and natural gas prices may cause us to record ceiling test write-downs.

 

We use the full cost method of accounting to account for our oil and natural gas operations. Accordingly, we capitalize the cost to acquire, explore for and develop oil and natural gas properties. Under full cost accounting rules, the net capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties may not exceed a “full cost ceiling” which is based upon the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, including the effect of hedges in place, discounted at 10%, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties. If at the end of any fiscal period we determine that the net capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties exceed the full cost ceiling, we must charge the amount of the excess to earnings in the period then ended. This is called a “ceiling test write-down.” This charge does not impact cash flow from operating activities, but does reduce our net income and stockholders’ equity. We recognized a ceiling test write-down of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 due to a downward adjustment in our proved reserve estimate primarily associated with an adjustment to one well in which we own a large percentage. The Company incurred an impairment charge primarily due to this well’s substantially reduced production levels since resuming production. We did not incur a ceiling test write-down for the year ended December 31, 2012. We may recognize additional write-downs in the future if commodity prices decline or if we experience substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves.

 

We may not be able to effectively manage our growth, which may harm our profitability.

 

Our strategy envisions the expansion of our business. If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our financial results could be adversely affected. Growth may place a strain on our management systems and resources. We must continue to refine and expand our business capabilities, our systems and processes and our access to financing sources. As we grow, we must continue to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. We cannot assure that we will be able to:

 

  meet our capital needs;
  expand our systems effectively or efficiently or in a timely manner;

 

9
 

 

  allocate our human resources optimally;
  identify and engage qualified employees and consultants, or retain valued employees and consultants; or
  incorporate effectively the components of any business that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.

 

If we are unable to manage our growth, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

We may engage in hedging activities that could result in financial losses, which may adversely affect investments in our common stock.

 

We may enter into swap arrangements from time-to-time to hedge our expected production depending on reserves and market conditions. While intended to reduce the effects of volatile crude oil and natural gas prices, such transactions may limit our potential gains and increase our potential losses if crude oil and natural gas prices were to rise substantially over the price established by the hedge. In addition, such transactions may expose us to the risk of loss in certain circumstances, including instances in which our production is less than expected, there is a widening of price differentials between delivery points for our production, or the counterparties to our hedging agreements fail to perform under the contracts. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions relating to derivative contracts. While the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our derivatives activities is not known, it could ultimately have an adverse impact on us.

 

Risks Related To Our Industry

 

Crude oil and natural gas prices are very volatile. A protracted period of depressed crude oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

The crude oil and natural gas markets are very volatile, and we cannot predict future crude oil and natural gas prices. The price we receive for our crude oil and natural gas production heavily influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. The prices we receive for our production and the levels of our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  changes in global supply and demand for crude oil and natural gas;
  the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries;
  the price and quantity of imports of foreign crude oil and natural gas;
  competitive measures implemented by our competitors and by domestic and foreign governmental bodies;
  political conditions in nations that traditionally produce and export significant quantities of crude oil and natural gas (including military and other conflicts in the Middle East and surrounding geographic region) and regulations and tariffs imposed by exporting and importing nations;
  domestic and foreign economic volatility and stability;
  the level of global crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activity;
  the level of global crude oil and natural gas inventories;
  weather conditions;
  technological advances affecting energy consumption;
  domestic and foreign governmental regulations;
  proximity and capacity of crude oil and natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities;
  the price and availability of competitors’ supplies of crude oil and natural gas in captive market areas; and
  the price and availability of alternative fuels to replace or compete with crude oil and natural gas

 

The recent worldwide financial and credit crisis reduced the availability of liquidity and credit to fund the continuation and expansion of industrial business operations worldwide. The shortage of liquidity and credit combined with recent substantial losses in worldwide equity markets led to a worldwide economic recession. The slowdown in economic activity caused by future similar recessions could reduce worldwide demand for energy resulting in lower crude oil and natural gas prices and restrict our access to liquidity and credit. Lower crude oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of crude oil and natural gas that we can produce economically, potentially lowering our reserves. A substantial or extended decline in crude oil or natural gas prices may result in impairments of our proved crude oil and natural gas properties and may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures. To the extent commodity prices received from production are insufficient to fund planned capital expenditures; we will be required to reduce spending or borrow to cover any such shortfall. Lower crude oil and natural gas prices may also reduce our ability to borrow or obtain credit to finance our operations.

 

10
 

 

Drilling for and producing crude oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties and may not be commercially successful, and the advanced technologies we use cannot eliminate exploration risk.

 

Our future success will depend on the success of our development, production and exploration activities. Our crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control; including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable crude oil or natural gas production. These risks are more acute in the early stages of exploration. Our decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. Our cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical. Our expenditures on exploration may not result in new discoveries of crude oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities. Projecting the costs of implementing an exploratory drilling program is difficult due to the inherent uncertainties of drilling in unknown formations, the costs associated with encountering various drilling conditions, such as over-pressured zones and tools lost in the hole, and changes in drilling plans and locations as a result of prior exploratory wells or additional seismic data. Even when used and properly interpreted, three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data and visualization techniques only assist geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and hydrocarbon indicators. Such data and techniques do not allow the interpreter to know conclusively if hydrocarbons are present or economically producible. In addition, the use of three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data becomes less reliable when used at increasing depths. We could incur losses as a result of expenditures on unsuccessful wells. If exploration costs exceed our estimates, or if our exploration efforts do not produce results which meet our expectations, our exploration efforts may not be commercially successful, which could adversely impact our ability to generate revenues from our operations. Further, many factors may curtail, delay or cancel drilling, including the following:

 

  delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory requirements;
  pressure or irregularities in geological formations;
  shortages of or delays in obtaining qualified personnel or equipment, including drilling rigs;
  equipment failures or accidents; and
  adverse weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures, hurricanes and storms.

 

As a non-operator of oil and gas wells, we do not have sufficient control to manage these conditions, and the risks from them cannot entirely be eliminated. The presence of one or a combination of these factors at our properties could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

We may not be able to develop crude oil and natural gas reserves on an economically viable basis, and our reserves and production may decline as a result.

 

On a long-term basis, our viability depends on our ability to find or acquire, develop and commercially produce additional crude oil and natural gas reserves. Even if we continue to succeed in discovering crude oil and/or natural gas reserves, we cannot assure that these reserves will be capable of production levels we project or in sufficient quantities to be commercially viable. Without the addition of reserves through acquisition, exploration or development activities, our reserves and production will decline over time as reserves are produced. Our future reserves will depend not only on our ability to develop then-existing properties, but also on our ability to identify and acquire additional suitable producing properties or prospects, to find markets for the crude oil and natural gas we develop and to effectively distribute our production into our markets. Future crude oil and natural gas exploration may involve unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells, but from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient net revenues to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. There is no assurance that advanced technology in the oil and gas industry such as three dimensional (3-D) seismic data and visualization techniques will result in the discovery of commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. Completion of a well does not assure a profit on the investment or recovery of drilling, completion and operating costs. In addition, drilling hazards or environmental damage could greatly increase the cost of operations, and various field operating conditions may adversely affect the production from successful wells. These conditions include delays in obtaining governmental approvals or consents, shut-downs of connected wells resulting from extreme weather conditions, problems in storage and distribution and adverse geological and mechanical conditions. As a non-operator of oil and gas wells, we do not have sufficient control to manage these conditions, and the risks from them generally cannot entirely be eliminated. Therefore, these conditions could diminish our revenue and cash flow levels and result in the impairment of our crude oil and natural gas interests.

 

11
 

 

Estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves that we make may be inaccurate and our actual revenues may be lower than our financial projections.

 

We make estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves, upon which we base our financial projections. We make these reserve estimates using various assumptions, including assumptions as to crude oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. Some of these assumptions are inherently subjective, and the accuracy of our reserve estimates relies in part on the ability of our management team, engineers and other advisors to make accurate assumptions. Economic factors beyond our control, such as crude oil and natural gas prices and interest rates, will also impact the value of our reserves. Determining the amount of crude oil and natural gas recoverable from various formations where we have exploration and production activities involves great uncertainty. The process of estimating crude oil and natural gas reserves is complex and will require us to use significant assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each property. As a result, our reserve estimates will be inherently imprecise. Actual future production, crude oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable crude oil and natural gas reserves may vary substantially from those we estimate. If actual production results vary substantially from our reserve estimates, this could materially reduce our revenues and result in the impairment of our crude oil and natural gas interests.

 

Drilling new wells could result in new liabilities, which could endanger our interests in our properties and assets.

 

There are risks associated with the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells, including encountering unexpected formations or pressures, premature declines of reservoirs, blow-outs, craterings, sour gas releases, fires and spills, among others. The occurrence of any of these events could significantly increase our costs or reduce our revenues or cause substantial losses, impairing our future operating results. We may become subject to liability for pollution, blow-outs or other hazards. We may seek to maintain insurance (including insurance maintained by our industry operators) with respect to these hazards; however, such insurance has limitations on liability that may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of such liabilities. The payment of such liabilities could reduce the funds available to us or could, in an extreme case, result in a total loss of our properties and assets. Moreover, we may not be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates that are considered reasonable. Crude oil and natural gas production operations are also subject to all the risks typically associated with such operations, including premature decline of reservoirs and the invasion of water into producing formations.

 

Decommissioning costs are unknown and may be substantial, and unplanned costs could divert resources from other projects.

 

We may become responsible for costs associated with abandoning and reclaiming wells, facilities and pipelines which we use for production of crude oil and natural gas reserves. Abandonment and reclamation of these facilities and the costs associated therewith is often referred to as “decommissioning.” We accrue a liability for decommissioning costs associated with our wells, but have not established any cash reserve account for these potential costs in respect of any of our properties. If decommissioning is required before economic depletion of our properties or if our estimates of the costs of decommissioning exceed the value of the reserves remaining to cover such decommissioning costs, we may have to draw on funds from other sources to satisfy such costs. The use of other funds to satisfy such decommissioning costs could impair our ability to focus capital investment in other areas of our business.

 

12
 

 

Our operating partners may have difficulty distributing our production, which could harm our financial condition.

 

In order to sell the crude oil and natural gas that we are able to produce, the operators of our wells may have to make arrangements for storage and distribution to the market. We will rely on local infrastructure and the availability of transportation for storage and shipment of our products, but infrastructure development and storage and transportation facilities may be insufficient for our needs at commercially acceptable terms in the localities in which we operate. This situation could be particularly problematic to the extent that our operations are conducted in remote areas that are difficult to access, such as areas that are distant from shipping and/or pipeline facilities. These factors may affect our ability to explore and develop properties and to store and transport our crude oil and natural gas production, increasing our expenses. Furthermore, weather conditions or natural disasters, actions by companies doing business in one or more of the areas in which we will operate, or labor disputes may impair the distribution of crude oil and/or natural gas and in turn diminish our financial condition or ability to maintain our operations.

 

Environmental risks may adversely affect our business.

 

All phases of the crude oil and natural gas business present environmental risks and hazards and are subject to environmental regulation pursuant to a variety of federal, state and municipal laws and regulations. Environmental legislation provides for, among other things, restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with crude oil and natural gas operations. The legislation also requires that wells and facility sites be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. Compliance with such legislation can require significant expenditures, and a breach may result in the imposition of fines and penalties, some of which may be material. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner we expect may result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability and potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs. The discharge of crude oil, natural gas or other pollutants into the air, soil or water may give rise to liabilities to governments and third parties and may require us to incur costs to remedy such discharge. The application of environmental laws to our business may cause us to curtail our production or increase the costs of our production, development or exploration activities.

 

Our business will suffer if we cannot obtain or maintain necessary licenses.

 

Our operations require licenses, permits and in some cases renewals of licenses and permits from various governmental authorities. Our ability (or the ability of our industry operators) to obtain, sustain or renew such licenses and permits on acceptable terms is subject to change in regulations and policies and to the discretion of the applicable governmental authorities, among other factors. Our inability to obtain, or our loss of or denial of extension of, any of these licenses or permits could hamper our ability to produce revenues from our operations or otherwise materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Challenges to our properties may impact our financial condition.

 

Title to crude oil and natural gas interests is often not capable of conclusive determination without incurring substantial expense. While we intend to make appropriate inquiries into the title of properties and other development rights we acquire, title defects may exist. In addition, we may be unable to obtain adequate insurance for title defects on a commercially reasonable basis or at all. If title defects do exist, it is possible that we may lose all or a portion of our right, title and interests in and to the properties to which the title defects relate. If our property rights are reduced, our ability to conduct our exploration, development and production activities may be impaired. To mitigate title problems, operators of the drilling units that we have an interest in follow common industry practice of obtaining a title opinion from a qualified crude oil and natural gas attorney prior to the drilling operations of a well.

 

We will rely on technology to conduct our business, and our technology could become ineffective or obsolete.

 

We rely on technology, including geographic and seismic analysis techniques and economic models, to develop our reserve estimates and to guide our acquisition, exploration, development and production activities. We will be required to continually access enhanced and updated technology to maintain our capability and to avoid obsolescence. The costs of doing so may be substantial and may be higher than the costs that we anticipate for technology maintenance and development. If we are unable to maintain the technology available to us, our ability to manage our business and to compete may be impaired. Further, even if we are able to maintain technical effectiveness, such technology may not be the most efficient means of reaching our objectives, in which case we may incur higher operating costs than we would were our technology more efficient.

 

13
 

 

Penalties we may incur could impair our business.

 

Failure to comply with government regulations could subject us to civil and criminal penalties, could require us to forfeit property rights, and may affect the value of our assets. We may also be required to take corrective actions, such as installing additional equipment or taking other actions, each of which could require us to make substantial capital expenditures. We could also be required to indemnify our employees in connection with any expenses or liabilities that they may incur individually in connection with regulatory action against them. As a result, our future business prospects could deteriorate due to regulatory constraints, and our profitability could be impaired by our obligation to provide such indemnification to our employees.

 

Federal or state hydraulic fracturing legislation could increase our costs or restrict our access to oil and natural gas reserves.

 

Hydraulic fracturing using fluids other than diesel is currently exempt from regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, but opponents of hydraulic fracturing have called for further study of the technique’s environmental effects and, in some cases, a moratorium on the use of the technique. Several bills have been offered in Congress that, if implemented, would subject all hydraulic fracturing to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act and require disclosure of materials used in the hydraulic fracturing process. Congress has also directed the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) to investigate the possible relationships between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water. The Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report was published in December 2012, but the information gathered to date cannot be used to draw scientific conclusions. Technical workshops and roundtables are scheduled for 2013, and a draft report of study results is expected in late 2014. Further, under the federal Clean Water Act, the EPA is currently developing standards for treating wastewater produced by natural gas extraction from underground shale formations. The EPA plans to publish a proposed rule in 2014. Several states are considering legislation to regulate hydraulic fracturing practices, including restrictions on its use in environmentally sensitive areas. Some municipalities have significantly limited or prohibited drilling activities, or are considering doing so.

 

Although it is not possible at this time to predict the final outcome of the ORD’s study or the requirements of any additional federal or state legislation or regulation regarding hydraulic fracturing, any new federal or state, or local restrictions on hydraulic fracturing that may be imposed in areas in which we conduct business, such as the Bakken and Three Forks areas, could significantly increase our operating, capital and compliance costs as well as delay or halt our ability to develop oil and natural gas reserves.

 

Risks Related to our Common Stock

 

The market price of our common stock is, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.

 

The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to:

 

  dilution caused by our issuance of additional shares of common stock and other forms of equity securities, which we expect to make in connection with future capital financings to fund our operations and growth, to attract and retain valuable personnel and in connection with future strategic partnerships with other companies;
  announcements of new acquisitions, reserve discoveries or other business initiatives by us or our competitors;

 

14
 

 

  our ability to take advantage of new acquisitions, reserve discoveries or other business initiatives;
  fluctuations in revenue from our crude oil and natural gas business as new reserves come to market;
  changes in the market for crude oil and natural gas commodities and/or in the capital markets generally;
  changes in the demand for crude oil and natural gas, including changes resulting from economic conditions, governmental regulation or the introduction or expansion of alternative fuels;
  quarterly variations in our revenues and operating expenses;
  changes in the valuation of similarly situated companies, both in our industry and in other industries;
  challenges associated with timely SEC filings;
  illiquidity and lack of marketability by being an OTC traded stock;
  changes in analysts’ estimates affecting our company, our competitors and/or our industry;
  changes in the accounting methods used in or otherwise affecting our industry;
  additions and departures of key personnel;
  announcements of technological innovations or new products available to the crude oil and natural gas industry;
  announcements by relevant governments pertaining to incentives for alternative energy development programs;
  fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of capital in the capital markets; and
  significant sales of our common stock, including sales by selling shareholders following the registration of shares under a prospectus.

 

These and other factors are largely beyond our control, and the impact of these risks, singly or in the aggregate, may result in material adverse changes to the market price of our common stock and our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly, and these fluctuations may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

Our operating results will likely vary in the future primarily as the result of fluctuations in our revenues and operating expenses, including the coming to market of crude oil and natural gas reserves that we are able to discover and develop, expenses that we incur, the prices of crude oil and natural gas in the commodities markets and other factors. If our results of operations do not meet the expectations of current or potential investors, the price of our common stock may decline.

 

Shareholders will experience dilution upon the exercise of options and issuance of common stock under our incentive plans.

 

As of December 31, 2012, we had options for 4,149,001 shares of common stock outstanding under our 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan. Our 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan permits us to issue up to 7,500,000 shares of our common stock either upon exercise of stock options granted under such plan or through restricted stock awards under such plan. If the holders of outstanding options exercise those options or our compensation committee or full board of directors determines to grant additional stock awards under our incentive plan, shareholders may experience dilution in the net tangible book value of our common stock. In addition, 4,463,375 shares of our common stock may be issued upon the exercise of warrants held by certain of our stockholders. If the stockholders exercise their warrants, shareholders may experience dilution in the net tangible book value of our common stock. Further, the sale or availability for sale of the underlying shares in the marketplace as a result of the exercise of existing options, the grant of additional options, and the exercise of the warrants could depress our stock price.

 

We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

We do not intend to declare dividends for the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will reinvest any future earnings in the development and growth of our business. In addition, our current revolving credit facility, and other debt arrangements we may enter into in the future, precludes us from paying dividends. Therefore, investors will not receive any funds unless they sell their common stock, and shareholders may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms or at all. Investors cannot be assured of a positive return on investment or that they will not lose the entire amount of their investment in our common stock.

 

15
 

 

We may issue additional stock without shareholder consent.

 

Our board of directors has authority, without action or vote of the shareholders, to issue all or part of our authorized but unissued shares. Additional shares may be issued in connection with future financing, acquisitions, employee stock plans, or otherwise. Any such issuance will dilute the percentage ownership of existing shareholders. We are also currently authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The board of directors can issue preferred stock in one or more series and fix the terms of such stock without shareholder approval. Preferred stock may include the right to vote as a series on particular matters, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock and reduce the value of the common stock. In addition, specific rights granted to holders of preferred stock could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company, even if doing so would benefit our shareholders. Such issuance could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other shareholders to elect directors of your choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions you desire.

 

There is currently a limited trading market for our common stock and we cannot ensure that one will ever develop or be sustained.

 

To date there has not been a significant liquid trading market for our common stock. We cannot predict how liquid the market for our common stock might become. We currently do not satisfy the initial listing standards for any major securities exchange, although we intend to apply for such an exchange listing when we are able. Currently our common stock is traded on the OTCQB and OTCBB. Should we fail to remain traded on the OTCQB and OTCBB or not be able to be traded on the OTCQB and OTCBB, the trading price of our common stock could suffer, the trading market for our common stock may be less liquid and our common stock price may be subject to increased volatility. Furthermore, for companies whose securities are quoted on the OTCQB and OTCBB, it may be more difficult (i) to obtain accurate quotations, (ii) to obtain coverage for significant news events because major wire services generally do not publish press releases about such companies and (iii) to obtain needed capital.

 

Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or upon the expiration of any statutory holding period under Rule 144, or issued upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, it could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang” and in anticipation of which the market price of our common stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could hinder our ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

 

If we undergo a reverse split of our common stock, which our Board and shareholders have currently approved that we do subject to the Board’s determination of the ratio of up to 1:10, the value of our common stock may be less than the market value of the common stock before the split multiplied by the split ratio.

 

As set forth in our information statement, filed with the SEC on March 26, 2012, our Board and shareholders have approved a reverse split of up to 1:10; we may in the future undergo a reverse stock split. After completion of such a reverse split, the post-split market price of our common stock may be less than the pre-split price multiplied by the split ratio. In addition, a reduction in the shares available in the public float may impair the liquidity in the market for our common stock which may reduce the value of our common stock. There is no assurance that the reverse stock split will allow us to meet the listing requirements of a national exchange. If we issue additional shares in the future, it will likely result in the dilution of our existing stockholders.

 

16
 

  

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

  

ITEM 2. Properties

 

Executive Offices

 

Our executive offices are located at 10275 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 310, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305. We lease 1,142 square feet pursuant to a lease agreement that commenced on May 1, 2012 on a month-to-month basis. In accordance with this lease, our lease term remains on a month-to-month basis, provided that either party may provide 90 day notice to terminate the lease, with base rents of $1,142 per month, plus common area operations and maintenance charges, and monthly parking fees of $240 per month, for the first year commencing on May 1, 2012, and increases of $24 per month for each of the subsequent four year periods. The owner of the building in which we are located is a company wholly owned by our chairman of the board of directors.

 

Leasehold Properties

 

As of December 31, 2012, the Company controls approximately 12,256 net acres all in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana. The leases we control have an initial minimum term of three years.

 

Acreage

 

The following table summarizes our estimated gross and net developed and undeveloped acreage by state and resource play at December 31, 2012. Net acreage represents our percentage ownership of gross acreage.

 

  Developed Acreage     Undeveloped Acreage     Total Acreage  
  Gross     Net     Gross     Net     Gross     Net  
North Dakota     15,200       2,886       26,549       9,263       41,749       12,149  
Montana                 320       107       320       107  
Total:     15,200       2,886       26,869       9,370       42,069       12,256  

 

Recent Acreage Acquisitions

 

In 2012, we acquired leasehold interests covering an aggregate of approximately 2,306 net mineral acres in our key prospect areas for an average of $1,409 per net acre.

 

Recent Divestitures

 

In 2012, we sold leasehold interests covering an aggregate of approximately 506 net mineral acres in our key prospect areas for an average of $3,741 per net acre. The proceeds of the sales were applied to reduce the capitalized costs of oil and gas properties.

 

17
 

 

Undeveloped Acreage Expirations

 

The following table sets forth the number of gross and net undeveloped acres as of December 31, 2012 that will expire over the next three fiscal years unless production is established within the spacing units covering the acreage prior to the expiration dates:

 

                    Expiring 2016  
  Expiring 2013     Expiring 2014     Expiring 2015     and Thereafter  
  Gross     Net     Gross     Net     Gross     Net     Gross     Net  
North Dakota     11,229       2,090       10,805       4,656       3,697       1,425       1,766       1,011  
Montana                             320       107              
Total:     11,229       2,090       10,805       4,656       4,017       1,532       1,766       1,011  

 

Of the net acres that expire in 2013, 2014 and 2015, we have 161, 7, and 250 acres, respectively, which are under a well that is currently completed, awaiting completion, drilling, preparing to drill or permitted.

 

In addition, of the remaining undeveloped acreage leases that expire in 2013, 2014 and 2015, there are 1,483, 2,741 and 207 acres, respectively, in which we have options to extend the lease.

 

During 2012, we had no leases expire.

 

Productive Oil Wells

 

The following table summarizes gross and net productive oil wells by state at December 31, 2012 and 2011. A net well represents our percentage ownership of a gross well. The following table does not include wells in which our interest is limited to royalty and overriding royalty interests. 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.

 

    December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
    Gross     Net     Gross     Net  
North Dakota     66       2.30       24       0.68  
Total:     66       2.30       24       0.68  

 

Exploratory Oil Wells

 

The following table summarizes gross and net exploratory wells as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The wells are at various stages of completion and the costs incurred are included in unevaluated oil and gas properties on our balance sheet.

 

    December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
    Gross     Net     Gross     Net  
North Dakota:     1       0.02       5       0.23  
Total:     1       0.02       5       0.23  

 

Research and Development

 

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

 

Delivery Commitments

 

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

 

18
 

 

Drilling and Other Exploratory and Development Activities

 

Production History

 

The following table presents information about our produced oil and gas volumes during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 66 gross wells (approximately 2.30 net wells) and 24 gross wells (approximately 0.68 net wells), respectively. All data presented below is derived from accrued revenue and production volumes for the relevant period indicated. We entered into the oil & gas industry in October of 2010.

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Net Production:                
Oil (Bbl)     71,307       21,545  
Natural Gas (Mcf)     15,756       6,473  
Barrel of Oil Equivalent (Boe)     73,933       22,624  
                 
Average Sales Prices:                
Oil (per Bbl)   $ 83.27     $ 86.91  
Effect of oil hedges on average price (per Bbl)   $     $  
Oil net of hedging (per Bbl)   $ 83.27     $ 86.91  
Natural Gas (per Mcf)   $ 5.39     $ 6.97  
Effect of natural gas hedges on average price (per Mcf)   $     $  
Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)   $ 5.39     $ 6.97  
                 
Average Production Costs:                
Oil (per Bbl)   $ 9.00     $ 24.39  
Natural Gas (per Mcf)   $ 0.51     $ 0.37  
Barrel of Oil Equivalent (Boe)   $ 8.79     $ 23.33  

 

Reserves

 

We completed our most recent reserve calculations as of December 31, 2012.

 

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. For our year-end reports we utilized a contracted internal reserve engineer to aid in the preparation of our reserve estimates. Our internal reserve engineer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and has over 35 years of experience in North America and International exploration and production activities. We accumulated 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 Executive Officer provides a final review of our reserve report and the assumptions relied upon in such report.

 

We have utilized Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc. (“NSAI”), an independent reservoir engineering firm, as our third-party engineering firm with the preparation of our December 31, 2012 reserve report. The selection of NSAI was approved by our Audit Committee. NSAI is a worldwide leader of petroleum property analysis for industry and financial organizations and government agencies. NSAI was founded in 1961 and performs consulting petroleum engineering services under Texas Board of Professional Engineers Registration No. F-2699. Within NSAI, the technical persons primarily responsible for preparing the estimates set forth in the NSAI reserves report incorporated herein are Mr. Dan Paul Smith and Mr. John Hattner. Mr. Smith has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at NSAI since 1980. Mr. Smith is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (License No. 49093) and has over 30 years of practical experience in petroleum engineering and in the estimation and evaluation of reserves. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering.  Mr. Hattner has been practicing consulting petroleum geology at NSAI since 1991. Mr. Hattner is a Licensed Professional Geoscientist in the State of Texas, Geology, (License No. 559) and has over 30 years of practical experience in petroleum geosciences, with over 20 years of experience in the estimation and evaluation of reserves. He graduated from University of Miami, Florida, in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology; from Florida State University in 1980 with a Master of Science Degree in Geological Oceanography; and from Saint Mary's College of California in 1989 with a Master of Business Administration Degree.  Both technical principals meet or exceed the education, training, and experience requirements set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers; both are proficient in judiciously applying industry standard practices to engineering and geoscience evaluations as well as applying SEC and other industry reserves definitions and guidelines.

 

19
 

 

The proved reserves tables below summarize our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2012, based upon reports prepared by NSAI. The reports of our estimated proved reserves in their entirety are based on the information we provide to them.

 

In accordance with applicable requirements of the 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 NSAI 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 PHDWin Petroleum Economic Evaluation Software, a copyrighted program of TRC Consultants, L.C.

 

To estimate economically recoverable crude oil and natural 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 we own, 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 and product prices are based on the SEC regulations, geological maps, well logs, core analyses, and pressure measurements.

 

The reserve data set forth in the NSAI 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 actual revenues and costs 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 crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating crude 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 crude 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 crude 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.

 

20
 

 

We expect that our proved undeveloped reserves will continue to be converted to proved developed producing reserves as additional wells are drilled within our acreage. We do not have any material amounts of proved undeveloped reserves that have remained undeveloped for five years or more.

 

SEC Pricing Proved Reserves(1)
                         
          Natural           Pre-Tax  
    Crude Oil     Gas     Total     PV10%  
    (barrels)     (Mcf)     (BOE)(2)     Value(3)  
PDP Properties     452,595       340,160       509,288       15,352,200  
PDNP Properties                        
PUD Properties     1,663,538       1,264,527       1,874,293       12,586,600  
Total Proved Properties     2,116,133       1,604,687       2,383,581       27,938,800  

 

 

  (1) The SEC Pricing Proved Reserves table above values crude oil and natural gas reserve quantities and related discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2012 assuming a constant realized price of $84.36 per barrel of crude oil and a constant realized price of $6.69 per Mcf of natural gas. The values presented in both tables above were calculated by NSAI.

 

  (2) 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 crude 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 crude oil and natural 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 crude oil and natural gas reserves.  The pre-tax PV10% values of our Total Proved Properties in the tables above differ from the tables reconciling our pre-tax PV10% value on the following page of this Annual Report due to rounding differences in certain tables of NSAI’s reserve report.

 

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.

 

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 crude 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 crude oil and natural gas quantities and the value of those commodities ultimately recovered from our properties will vary from reserve estimates.

 

21
 

  

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 years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Depletion of oil and natural gas properties   $ 2,443,482     $ 919,631  
                 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Peerless/ElectraWorks to settle claims regarding their performance under the license agreement. Under the settlement agreement Peerless/ElectraWorks has paid the Company $11.0 million in two installments of $5.5 million on October 30, 2012 and December 17, 2012, and is obligated to pay the Company another $2.5 million payable on or before December 31, 2013. In addition, Peerless/ElectraWorks will make payments to the Company upon certain contingencies related to the passage of federal or state legislation permitting real money online poker and Peerless/ElectraWorks or one of their affiliates obtaining such a license. The maximum amount of these contingent payments is $6.5 million with the amount determined based on how such legislation is enacted. Under the settlement agreement the Company has released its rights to the royalty stream and no further payments are due from Peerless/ElectraWorks other than those set forth in the settlement agreement.

 

The Company has paid attorneys’ fees of $1.84 million as well as various costs out of the Peerless /Electra settlement proceeds and is obligated to pay an additional $160,000 in attorneys’ fee upon receipt of the remaining $2.5 million due from Peerless/ElectraWorks. In addition, as a result of an incentive arrangement with the Company’s former President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, Steve Lipscomb that was approved by WPT Enterprises, Inc.’s Board of Directors in February 2009, Mr. Lipscomb is receiving 5% of the settlement payments; net of attorneys’ fees and other costs as such amounts are received by the Company.

 

On October 5, 2012, the Company and other parties entered into a settlement agreement with Deloitte & Touche, LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") to settle all claims between the parties arising out of the case of WPT Enterprises, Inc. v. Deloitte & Touche, before the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles (the "Litigation"). The claims in the Litigation were assigned to the Company as part of the Company’s distribution (spin-off) agreement with Ante4, Inc. On November 1, 2012, after satisfying obligations to various parties, including litigation counsel, the Company received $5.4 million of net proceeds under the settlement agreement as its share of the settlement proceeds. The parties have agreed to stipulate to the dismissal of the Litigation and to a mutual release of all claims.

  

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

 

22
 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Common Stock

 

Our common stock trades on the OTCBB under the symbol “ANFC.” The range of high and low bid information for each fiscal quarter during 2012 and 2011 are set forth below:

 

    Sales Price  
    High     Low  
Year Ended December 31, 2012                
First Quarter   $ 0.95     $ 0.68  
Second Quarter   $ 0.78     $ 0.35  
Third Quarter   $ 0.50     $ 0.26  
Fourth Quarter   $ 0.56     $ 0.32  
                 
Year Ended December 31, 2011                
First Quarter   $ 1.73     $ 1.20  
Second Quarter   $ 1.50     $ 0.91  
Third Quarter   $ 1.30     $ 0.80  
Fourth Quarter   $ 1.01     $ 0.60  

 

The above quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, mark-down, or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The closing price of our common stock on the OTC BB on March 15, 2013 was $0.63 per share.

 

As of March 15, 2013, there were approximately 1,937 record holders of our common stock, not including shares held in “street name” in brokerage accounts which is unknown. As of March 15, 2013, there were approximately 47,979,990 shares of common stock outstanding on record.

 

Dividends

 

We have not declared or paid any dividends on our common stock since our inception and do not anticipate paying dividends for the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition, and other relevant factors. We intend to reinvest any earnings in the development and expansion of our business. Any cash dividends in the future to common shareholders will be payable when, as and if declared by our board of directors, based upon the board’s assessment of our financial condition and performance, earnings, need for funds, capital requirements, prior claims of preferred stock to the extent issued and outstanding, and other factors, including income tax consequences, restrictions and applicable laws. There can be no assurance, therefore, that any dividends on our common stock will ever be paid.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Effective March 2, 2012 the 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan was approved by our Board and the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares, replacing the Ante5, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. Amongst other things, our 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan increased the number of shares reserved under the Plan to a total of 7,500,000 shares of our common stock. The following table sets forth certain information regarding our 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012:

 

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding stock options
  Weighted-average exercise price
of outstanding stock options
  Number of securities
remaining available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans
         
4,149,001   $0.58   3,290,999

 

23
 

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we issued a total of 2,110,000 and 2,053,000 stock options, respectively, pursuant to our 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan. There were 2,122,999 and -0- options cancelled during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Included in the 2012 stock options issued and stock options cancelled, were stock options that certain officers and employees of the Company agreed to have cancelled in exchange for new stock option agreements. Under the new stock option agreements, covering 1,510,000 options, each optionee’s original number of stock options remained the same.

 

See Notes 3 and 11 to our audited financial statements included herein for additional information about our equity compensation plans.

 

Warrants

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we issued a total of 585,000 and 3,878,375 warrants, respectively, to purchase shares of registered or unregistered common stock.

 

Unregistered Issuance of Equity Securities

 

We did not issue securities during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 in transactions exempt from registration that were not previously included in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by us with the SEC.

  

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

Not applicable.

 

24
 

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes to those statements. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this annual report contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties.

 

Overview and Outlook

 

We are an oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Our properties are located in North Dakota and Montana. Our corporate strategy is the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana. As of December 31, 2012, we controlled the rights to mineral leases covering approximately 12,256 net acres for prospective drilling to the Bakken and/or Three Forks formations. Looking forward, we are pursuing the following objectives:

 

  Acquire high-potential mineral leases;
  Access appropriate capital markets to fund continued acreage acquisition and drilling activities;
  Develop and maintain strategic industry relationships;
  Attract and retain talented associates;
  Operate a low overhead non-operator business model; and
  Become a low cost producer of hydrocarbons.

 

We believe the following are the key drivers to our business performance:

 

  The ability of the Company to acquire acreage at a price that is significantly below the acreage value when fully developed ;
  The ability of operators to successfully drill wells on the acreage position we hold and incur customary costs;
  The price per barrel of oil;
  The number of producing wells we own and the performance of those wells; and
  Our ability to raise capital to fund drilling costs and acreage acquisitions.

 

Effective April 2, 2012, we changed our name to Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. Our common stock is still traded on the OTCBB under the trading symbol “ANFC.”

 

Overview of 2012 results

 

During 2012, we achieved the following financial and operating results:

  

  227% production growth compared to 2011;
  397% proved reserve growth compared to 2011;
  Participated in the completion of 42 gross (1.62 net) wells, with a 100% success rate in the Bakken and Three Forks plays;
  Continued expansion of our activities in the Bakken and Three Forks plays by growing production and continuing to prove and acquire additional acreage;
 

Strengthened our balance sheet and liquidity attaining a debt to capitalization ratio of 26% at December 31, 2012;

  Monetized our legacy assets realizing net settlement income of $11.1 million and collecting $14.1 million of settlement proceeds, net of settlement expenses:
  Realized $0.9 million of cash flow from operating activities before net settlement proceeds; and
  Ended the year with stockholders’ equity of $31.6 million.

 

Operationally, our 2012 performance reflects a year of successfully executing our strategy of developing our acreage position and building a long-life reserve base. Our success enabled us to increase proved reserves by 1.9 million BOE, which is 26 times 2012 production. During 2012, production increased 227% to 73,933 BOE as compared to 2011 production of 22,624 BOE. The increase in 2012 production was driven by a 238% increase in producing net wells from 0.68 net wells at December 31, 2011 to 2.30 net wells at December 31, 2012.

 

25
 

 

Total revenues increased 214% in 2012 compared to 2011 driven by higher production and partially offset by a decrease in average realized prices on a BOE basis of 3.9% in 2012 compared to 2011. Significant changes in crude oil and natural gas prices can have a material impact on our results of operations and our balance sheet.

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, deferred tax assets and fair value computation using the Black Scholes option pricing model. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions, such as the trading value of our common stock and estimated future undiscounted cash flows, that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The establishment and consistent application of accounting policies is a vital component of accurately and fairly presenting our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (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.

 

Method of Accounting

 

The method of accounting we use to account for our crude 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 crude 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 crude 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 crude oil and natural gas exploration business. Thus, under the full cost method, all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, development and exploration of crude 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 crude 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 unproved 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.

 

Capitalized amounts except unproved 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.

 

26
 

 

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 crude oil and natural gas prices) of the estimated future net cash flows from our proved crude 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 crude oil and natural gas properties. The risk that we will be required to write down the carrying value of our crude oil and natural gas properties increases when crude 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 shareholders’ equity. Once recognized, a capitalized ceiling impairment charge to crude oil and natural gas properties cannot be reversed at a later date. The risk that we will experience a ceiling test impairment increases when crude oil and natural gas prices are depressed or if we have substantial downward revisions in our estimated proved reserves. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we did not incur a ceiling test impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2011 we incurred a capitalized ceiling impairment charge of $2,392,742. No assurance can be given that we will not experience capitalized ceiling impairment charges 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.

 

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

 

The determination of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense as well as impairments that are recognized on our crude oil and natural gas properties will be highly dependent on the estimates of the proved crude oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. Our estimate of proved reserves will be based on the quantities of crude 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 crude 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 crude oil and natural gas reserves are estimates only and should not be construed as the current market value of the estimated crude 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 crude 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 crude oil and natural gas reserves used in the preparation of our financial statements are prepared by a registered independent petroleum consultant in accordance with the rules promulgated by the SEC.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We may have significant obligations to plug and abandon our crude 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.

 

27
 

 

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.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We derive revenue primarily from the sale of the crude 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 crude oil and natural gas when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. Settlements for hydrocarbon sales can occur up to two months, or more, after the end of the month in which the crude 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.

 

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 shareholder ownership that would trigger limits on use of net operating losses under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Our cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable are stated at cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. In January 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting standards related to the disclosures about an entity’s use of fair value measurements. Among these amendments, entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures about transfers into and out of the Level 1 (fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities) and Level 2 (fair value determined based on significant other observable inputs) classifications, provide separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to the tabular reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 (fair value determined based on significant unobservable inputs) classification and provide greater disaggregation for each class of assets and liabilities that use fair value measurements. We do not expect that the adoption of this new standard will have a material impact to our financial statements.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management utilizes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our estimates of our proved crude oil and natural gas reserves, future development costs, estimates relating to certain crude oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of certain investments, and deferred income taxes are or will be the most critical to our financial statements.

 

28
 

 

Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

The following table summarizes selected items from the statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Oil and gas sales   $ 6,022,540     $ 1,917,719  
                 
Operating expenses:                
Production expenses     649,603       527,844  
Production taxes     692,527       214,363  
General and administrative     3,530,643       1,850,536  
Depletion of oil and gas properties     2,443,482       919,631  
Impairment of oil and gas properties           2,392,742  
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations     4,557       509  
Depreciation and amortization     24,206       14,043  
Total operating expenses:     7,345,018       5,919,668  
                 
Net operating loss     (1,322,478 )     (4,001,949 )
                 
Total other income (expense)     9,954,489       (161,211 )
                 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes     8,632,011       (4,163,160 )
                 
Provision for income taxes     (3,720,601 )     1,680,905  
                 
Net income (loss)   $ 4,911,410     $ (2,482,255 )

 

Revenues:

 

We recognized $6,022,540 in revenues from sales of crude oil and natural gas for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to revenues of $1,917,719 for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $4,104,821, or 214%. These revenues are due to the drilling and development of producing wells. We had 66 gross producing wells as of December 31, 2012, and an additional nine wells that were either in the drilling preparation, drilling, awaiting completion, or completing stages, compared to 24 gross producing wells, and an additional 16 wells that were either in the drilling preparation, drilling, awaiting completion, or completing stages as of December 31, 2011.

 

The Company acquired a lease for mineral rights from the State of North Dakota on February 14, 2012 for 110 acres or an 8.7% working interest in the Dahl Federal 2-15H well that spud on January 6, 2012. The acreage we purchased lies within the riverbed of the Missouri River and there is currently third-party litigation ongoing in the State of North Dakota pertaining to the state’s ownership claim to similar riparian acreage.  We have signed an AFE for the well and the operator has agreed to retroactively honor the AFE if the state is successful in defending its ownership claim. As a result we have not capitalized any of the AFE costs or recognized any sales from this well. The well started production on May 21, 2012. Had we recognized the revenue from this well we would have recorded approximately an additional $468,000 in oil and gas sales for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the event the state is not successful in defending its ownership claim, the state is required to refund the Company the cost to purchase the lease.

 

29
 

 

Expenses:

 

Production expenses and taxes

 

Our production expenses of $649,603 and production taxes of $692,527 for the year ended December 31, 2012, and $527,844 and $214,363 for the year ended December 31, 2011, are comprised of certain production costs involved in the development of producing reserves in the Bakken formation. Combined, they represent approximately 22% and 39% of the oil and gas sales for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our production expenses and taxes are greater in total than the comparative period due to our rapid expansion and increased acreage holdings. The expenses during the year ended December 31, 2011 were greater as a percentage of sales primarily as a result of one well that experienced high costs transporting and disposing well water throughout the last half of 2011 and continuing into the first quarter of 2012. The operator has decreased those costs for that well during the last three quarters of 2012 to normal operating levels. We anticipate costs related to well water disposal will continue at near normal levels.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $3,530,643, compared to $1,850,536 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase for 2012 as compared to 2011 was $1,680,107, or 91%, and is primarily related to increased expenses for compensation and professional fees as a result of hiring additional employees and professionals needed to support our expanding operations as we grow our oil and gas operations. Additionally, general and administrative expenses increased as a result of a one-time expense of $438,539 related to the fair value of common stock granted as a non-refundable deposit on acreage acquisitions that we decided not to complete and increased non-contingent legal costs associated with litigation settlement activity that have been expensed as incurred. The acquisition agreement was terminated in June of 2012. Legal costs associated with the Peerless/ElectraWorks litigation were $333,176 and $165,251 for years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and legal costs associated with the Deloitte & Touche litigation were $37,758 and $35,315 for the same periods.

 

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. We recognized depletion expense of $2,443,482 for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $919,631 for the year ended December 31, 2011, an increase of $1,523,851, or 166%. The increase was due primarily due to our expansion and acquisitions of oil and gas properties during 2012 and 2011.

 

Impairment of oil and gas properties

 

Impairment of oil and gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $-0-, compared to $2,392,742 for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $2,392,742, or 100%. 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 unproved 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 arithmetic average first day price of oil and natural gas for the preceding twelve months to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of the end of the period, 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. This comparison indicated an excess carrying value in 2011, as such the excess was charged to earnings as an impairment expense, in the amount of $2,392,742 during the year ended December 31, 2011. No such impairment was necessary in 2012.

 

30
 

 

Depreciation

 

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $24,206, compared to $14,043 for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in depreciation expense for 2012 as compared to 2011 of $10,163, or 72%, was due to the additional depreciation associated with the purchase of office equipment and website development in the latter half of 2011 and early 2012.

 

Net operating loss

 

The net operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1,322,478, compared to $4,001,949 for the year ended December 31, 2011, a decrease of $2,679,471, or 67% for 2012 as compared to 2011. Our net operating loss in 2012 consisted primarily of oil and gas production costs, professional fees, officer salaries and depletion expense, netted against our oil and gas income, incurred as we expanded our oil and gas business, in addition to a one-time expense of $438,539 in 2012 related to the fair value of common stock granted as a non-refundable deposit on acreage acquisitions that we decided not to complete. Our net operating loss in 2011 consisted primarily of an impairment charge of $2,392,742 related to our ceiling test, which was caused by substantially reduced production levels and increased operating costs in one of our largest wells.

 

Other income and (expenses)

 

Other income and (expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $9,954,489, compared to ($161,211) for the year ended December 31, 2011, a net difference of $10,115,700.

 

The net other income and (expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2012 consisted of a net gain of $11,145,895 due to the settlement, net of expenses, of the Peerless/ElectraWorks arbitration and the Deloitte & Touche litigation, $1,872 of interest income earned on money market accounts, ($1,193,278) of interest expense. Interest expense includes ($317,652) of amortized warrant costs and ($190,580) of amortized debt issuance costs for the year ended December 31, 2012 Amortization of the warrants and debt issuance costs on the PrenAnte5 Credit Agreement were accelerated due to the Company’s repayment and voluntary termination of the revolving credit facility on April 12, 2012.

 

The net other income and (expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of $1,717 of interest income earned on money market accounts, ($101,956) of interest expense. Interest expenses consisted of ($87,084) of expenses incurred on amortized warrant costs and ($14,872) of amortized debt issuance costs. We also incurred a loss of ($1,061) on the disposal of assets, and ($97,686) of indemnification expenses related to payments made pursuant to previously unidentified tax obligations prior to our spin-off on April 16, 2010. In addition, we recognized a gain on debt settlement of $36,151 related to the settlement of certain accounts payable liabilities for legal fees incurred prior to our spin-off on April 16, 2010, and a gain on sale of oil and gas equipment of $1,924.

 

Income taxes

 

We had income tax expense of $3,720,601 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to income tax benefits of $1,680,905 for the year ended December 31, 2011, a difference of $5,401,506 comparing 2012 to 2011, primarily due to additional income tax expense related to the Peerless/ElectraWorks settlement and D&T settlement.

 

Net income (loss)

 

The net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $4,911,410, compared to a net loss of ($2,482,255) for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our net income in 2012 consisted primarily of settlement income, net of expenses and income taxes, of $6,355,895 related to our settlement of the Peerless/ElectraWorks arbitration and the Deloitte & Touche litigation. Revenue from our oil and gas sales as well as oil and gas production costs, professional fees, officer salaries and interest costs related to our credit facility have increased in 2012 as compared to 2011 as we aggressively expanded our oil and gas operations compared to our relatively new oil and gas operations during 2011. Decreasing the Company’s net income in 2012 were a one-time expense of $438,539 related to the fair value of common stock granted as a non-refundable deposit on acreage acquisitions that we decided not to complete and non-contingent legal and other costs of $370,934 in 2012 compared to $200,566 in 2011 related litigation settlement activity. Additionally, the Company had income tax expense of $3,720,601 in 2012 compared to income tax benefits of $1,680,905 in 2011, the difference driven primarily by the tax effect of our litigation settlements.

 

31
 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In addition to reporting net income (loss) as defined under GAAP, we also present Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income excluding settlement income, net of settlement expenses, and tax. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization, (iv) accretion of abandonment liability, and (v) non-cash expenses relating to share based payments recognized under ASC Topic 718. We believe the use of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our current financial performance; however, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent, and should not be considered alternatives to GAAP measurements. We believe these measures are useful in evaluating our fundamental core operating performance. Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain income and expenses that our management believes are not indicative of our core operating results. Although we use Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to manage our business, including the preparation of our annual operating budget and financial projections, we believe that non-GAAP financial measures have limitations and 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. A reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income, GAAP, are included below:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Net income (loss)   $ 4,911,410     $ (2,482,255 )
Subtract:                
Settlement income, net of tax (a)     (6,355,895 )      
Adjusted net income (loss)   $ (1,444,485 )   $ (2,482,255 )
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic     47,789,225       42,882,772  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - fully diluted     48,061,239       42,882,772  
                 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic   $ 0.10     $ (0.06 )
Subtract:                
Settlement income per common share, net of tax     (0.13 )      
Adjusted net income (loss) per common share - basic   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.06 )
                 
Net income (loss) per common share - fully diluted   $ 0.10     $ (0.06 )
Subtract:                
Settlement income per common share, net of tax     (0.13 )      
Adjusted net income (loss) per common share - fully diluted   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.06 )

 

(a) Adjusted to reflect tax expense, computed based on our effective tax rate of approximately 43%, of $4,790,000 for the year Ended December 31, 2012.

 

32
 

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Net income (loss)   $ 4,911,410     $ (2,482,255 )
Add back:                
Interest expense, net, excluding amortization                
of warrant based financing costs     873,754       13,155  
Income tax provision     3,720,601       (1,680,905 )
Impairment of oil and gas properties           2,392,742  
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     2,467,688       933,674  
Accretion of abandonment liability     4,557       509  
Common stock issued for terminated oil and gas acquisition     438,539        
Share-based compensation     1,167,561       840,944  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 13,584,110     $ 17,864  

 

Our Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes settlement income, net of settlement expenses, of $11,145,895.

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

The following table summarizes our total current assets, liabilities and working capital at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

    December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Current Assets   $ 6,171,023     $ 4,424,495  
                 
Current Liabilities   $ 3,291,426     $ 3,130,573  
                 
Working Capital   $ 2,879,597     $ 1,293,922  

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On April 4, 2012, the Company entered into a Secured Revolving Credit Agreement with Dougherty Funding, LLC as Lender which was subsequently amended on September 5, 2012 and December 14, 2012 with an Amended and Restated Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (collectively the “Credit Facility”). Under the terms of the amended Credit Facility, up to $20,000,000 maximum is available from time to time (i) to fund, or to reimburse the Company for, the Company’s pro-rata share of development and production costs for oil wells that relate to the Company’s oil and gas leasehold interests for which there is a valid and enforceable Authorization for Expenditure and that are incurred from and after the date of the Credit Facility, and (ii) to reimburse the Company for amounts that the Company paid from its own funds or from funds that it borrowed under its previous credit facility from Prenante5, LLC as agent pursuant to the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated May 2, 2011 (the “Previous Credit Facility”). Of the $20 million Credit Facility, $16.5 million is currently available. If the Company has not successfully completed an equity offering of at least $10,000,000 by August 31, 2014, then advances will no longer be available under the Credit Facility.

 

Interest on the unpaid principal balance of the Credit Facility accrues and is payable monthly at 9.25% per year. The Company must also pay the Lender quarterly a commitment fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the average line of credit available, but not advanced, for the previous quarter. The Company must make payments equal to 90% of the Company’s earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization (excluding certain items as defined in the Credit Agreement) on a quarterly basis as a principal payment on the Loan.

 

33
 

 

The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets and has typical representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default, including, subject to certain exceptions, incurrence of additional indebtedness. The Credit Agreement requires that the Company meet certain conditions to obtain additional advances under the Credit Facility, including providing certain documentation related to the Company’s oil and gas properties. The Lender has the right to approve advances for properties which are not held by production. In addition, the Company must maintain available cash and specified cash equivalents in an amount that is not less than the greater of (i) $300,000 and (ii) 12 months’ then-regularly scheduled payments of interest on the outstanding amount of advances.

 

The Credit Facility will mature on August 1, 2015. The Credit Facility may be prepaid with thirty (30) days written notice at any time. In connection with the amended financing, the Company agreed to issue Dougherty Funding, LLC warrants to purchase up to 900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 585,000 shares have currently been issued, at an exercise price of $0.38. The warrants expire on August 31, 2015.

 

We took our first draw on April 12, 2012 of $2,450,000, and used $2,051,722 of the proceeds to repay and terminate our outstanding PrenAnte5 revolving credit facility, including interest of $51,722, and we have taken subsequent draws (net of repayments) of $3,298,844 through December 31, 2012 and used the proceeds to pay for our development of oil and gas wells.

 

We anticipate that we may incur operating losses in the next twelve months. Although our revenues are expected to grow as our wells are placed into production, our revenues are not expected to exceed our investment developing oil and gas wells and our operating costs throughout 2013. However, our availability under our Credit Facility provides ample funding for our property acquisition and development plans throughout 2013. Our prospects still must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of development. Such risks for us include, but are not limited to, potential failure to earn revenues or to sufficiently monetize certain claims that we have for payments that are owed to us; an inability to identify investment and expansion targets; and dissipation of existing assets. To address these risks, we must, among other things, seek growth opportunities through investment and acquisitions in the oil and gas industry, effectively monitor and manage our claims for payments that are owed to us, implement and successfully execute our business strategy, respond to competitive developments, and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. We cannot assure that we will be successful in addressing such risks, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Satisfaction of our cash obligations for the next 12 months

 

As of December 31, 2012, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was $1,417,340. Our plan for satisfying our cash requirements for the next twelve months, in addition to our revenues from oil and gas sales is through draws on our credit facility, potential sale of shares of our common stock, third party financing, and/or traditional bank financing.

 

Effects of inflation and pricing.

 

The crude oil and natural gas industry is very cyclical and the demand for goods and services of crude 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 crude 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, impairment assessments of crude oil and natural gas properties, and values of properties in purchase and sale transactions. Material changes in prices can impact the value of crude oil and natural 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 crude oil and natural gas could result in increases in the costs of materials, services and personnel.

 

34
 

 

Contractual obligations and commitments.

 

The following table summarizes our obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2012 to make future payments under certain contracts, aggregated by category of obligation, for specified time periods:

 

  Payment Due by Period  
  Less than                 More than        
Contractual Obligations   1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years     Total  
Long-term Debt (1)(3)   $     $ 5,748,844     $     $     $ 5,748,844  
Cash Interest Expense on Debt (2)     531,768      

842,088

                 

1,373,856

 

AFE Commitments (4)

    1,100,000                         1,100,000  
   Total   $

1,631,768

    $

6,590,932

    $     $     $

8,222,700

 

 

(1) Revolving Credit Facility
(2) Cash Interest on Revolving Credit Facility is estimated assuming no principal repayment until the due date
(3)

Repayment terms on the Revolving Credit Facility include a provision to repay principal quarterly based on 90% of the EBTDA.

  (4)

Additional commitments on our Authorization for Expenditures (“AFE”) not accrued as of December 31, 2012.

 

Summary of product and research and development that we will perform for the term of our plan.

 

We are not anticipating significant research and development expenditures in the future.

 

Expected purchase or sale of plant and 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.

 

Significant changes in the number of employees.

 

As of December 31, 2012, we had five employees, our chief executive officer, Kenneth DeCubellis, our chief financial officer, James Moe, and three other employees. Currently, there are no organized labor agreements or union agreements and we do not anticipate any in the future.

 

Assuming we are able to expand our oil and gas business and continue to acquire more mineral leases, we may need to hire additional employees. In the interim, we intend to use the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services when appropriate. We believe the use of third-party service providers may enhance our ability to control general and administrative expenses and operate efficiently.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We 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, revenues, expenses, results of operations liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

  

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

The price we receive for our crude oil and natural gas production will heavily influence 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 crude oil and natural 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 will generally increase or decrease 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 crude oil that also increase and decrease along with crude oil prices.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our revolving credit facility has a fixed interest rate of 9.25%. To the extent that the interest rate is fixed, interest rate changes would affect the instrument’s fair market value but would not impact results of operations or cash flows. Conversely, for any portion of our future borrowings that may have a floating interest rate, interest rate changes will not affect the fair market value of the instrument but will impact future results of operations and cash flows.

 

35
 

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA OF BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC.

 

 

BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-1
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 F-2
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 F-3
   
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 F-4
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 F-5
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

36
 

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Board of Directors

Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods described above in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ M&K CPAS, PLLC

 

www.mkacpas.com

Houston, Texas

March 22, 2013

 

 

 

 

F- 1
 

 

BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC. (Formerly Ante5, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
ASSETS                
                 
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,417,340     $ 1,401,141  
Accounts receivable     856,233       673,003  
Settlement receivable     2,500,000        
Prepaid expenses     1,397,450       40,599  
Current portion of contingent consideration receivable           2,309,752  
Total current assets     6,171,023       4,424,495  
                 
Property and equipment:                
Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method of accounting                
Proved properties     35,248,983       10,867,443  
Unproved properties     9,055,513       13,236,057  
Other property and equipment     85,917       78,489  
Total property and equipment     44,390,413       24,181,989  
Less, accumulated depreciation, amortization, depletion and allowance for impairment     (5,793,184 )     (3,325,497 )
Total property and equipment, net     38,597,229       20,856,492  
Contingent consideration receivable, net of current portion and allowance of $-0- and $878,650 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively           3,698,850  
Debt issuance costs, net     657,702       52,049  
Total other assets     657,702       3,750,899  
                 
Total assets   $ 45,425,954     $ 29,031,886  
                 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                 
Current liabilities:                
Accounts payable, including $160,000 and $-0- of settlement payables, respectively   $ 3,113,526     $ 2,820,936  
Accounts payable, related parties, including $116,234 and $-0- of settlement payables, respectively     116,234       9,206  
Accrued expenses     61,666        
Royalties payable, related party           300,431  
Total current liabilities     3,291,426       3,130,573  
                 
Asset retirement obligations     67,145       3,900  
Revolving credit facilities     5,748,844        
Deferred tax liability     4,732,696       1,012,095  
                 
Total liabilities     13,840,111       4,146,568  
                 

Commitments and contingencies (See note 14)

               
                 
Stockholders' equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding            
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 47,979,990 and 47,402,965 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively     47,980       47,403  
Additional paid-in capital     29,847,212       28,058,674  
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)     1,690,651       (3,220,759 )
Total stockholders' equity     31,585,843       24,885,318  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 45,425,954     $ 29,031,886  

   

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

 

F- 2
 

 

BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC. (Formerly Ante5, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    For the Years  
    Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
             
Oil and gas sales   $ 6,022,540     $ 1,917,719  
                 
Operating expenses:                
Production expenses     649,603       527,844  
Production taxes     692,527       214,363  
General and administrative     3,530,643       1,850,536  
Depletion of oil and gas properties     2,443,482       919,631  
Impairment of oil and gas properties           2,392,742  
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations     4,557       509  
Depreciation and amortization     24,206       14,043  
Total operating expenses     7,345,018       5,919,668  
                 
Net operating loss     (1,322,478 )     (4,001,949 )
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest income     1,872       1,717  
Interest (expense)     (1,193,278 )     (101,956 )
Other income           38,075  
Settlement income     17,020,759        
Settlement expenses     (5,874,864 )      
Loss on disposal of equipment           (1,061 )
Indemnification expenses           (97,986 )
Total other income (expense)     9,954,489       (161,211 )
                 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes     8,632,011       (4,163,160 )
                 
Provision for income taxes     (3,720,601 )     1,680,905  
                 
Net income (loss)   $ 4,911,410     $ (2,482,255 )
                 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic     47,789,225       42,882,772  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - fully diluted     48,061,239       42,882,772  
                 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic   $ 0.10     $ (0.06 )
Net income (loss) per common share - fully diluted   $ 0.10     $ (0.06 )

  

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

 

F- 3
 

 

BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC. (Formerly Ante5, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Retained Earnings (Accumulated     Total
Stockholders'
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit)     Equity  
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2010         $       37,303,614     $ 37,304     $ 16,654,223     $ (738,504 )   $ 15,953,023  
                                                         
Units of common stock and warrants sold at $1 per share                 6,142,500       6,143       5,609,914             5,616,057  
                                                         
Exercise of common stock options                 60,000       60       17,220             17,280  
                                                         
Common stock issued for acquisition of oil & gas properties                 3,852,851       3,852       4,936,417             4,940,269  
                                                         
Common stock granted for services                 44,000       44       43,076             43,120  
                                                         
Common stock warrants granted for services                             74,022             74,022  
                                                         
Common stock options granted for services, related parties                             723,802             723,802  
                                                         
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2011                                   (2,482,255 )     (2,482,255 )
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2011         $       47,402,965     $ 47,403     $ 28,058,674     $ (3,220,759 )   $ 24,885,318  
                                                         
Common stock issued for terminated oil & gas acquisition                 577,025       577       437,962             438,539  
                                                         
Adjustments of indemnified accruals incurred pursuant to the spin-off from Ante4, Inc.                             183,015             183,015  
                                                         
Common stock warrants granted as financing costs                             271,933             271,933  
                                                         
Common stock warrants granted as financing costs, related party                             45,719             45,719  
                                                         
Common stock options granted for services, related party                             849,909             849,909  
                                                         
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2012                                   4,911,410       4,911,410  
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2012         $       47,979,990     $ 47,980     $ 29,847,212     $ 1,690,651     $ 31,585,843  

  

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

 

F- 4
 

 

BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC. (Formerly Ante5, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    For the Years  
    Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES                
Net income (loss)   $ 4,911,410     $ (2,482,255 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                
Depletion of oil and gas properties     2,443,482       919,631  
Depreciation and amortization     24,206       14,043  
Impairment of oil and gas properties           2,392,742  
Amortization of debt issuance costs     190,580       14,872  
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations     4,557       509  
Loss on disposal of equipment           1,061  
Common stock issued for terminated oil & gas acquisition     438,539        
Common stock issued for services           43,120  
Common stock warrants     271,933       74,022  
Common stock warrants, related parties     45,719       13,062  
Common stock options, related parties     849,909       710,740  
Decrease (increase) in assets:                
Accounts receivable     (183,230 )     (657,163 )
Settlement receivable     (2,500,000 )      
Prepaid expenses     (1,424,985 )     (32,168 )
Contingent consideration receivable     6,008,602       463,398  
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:                
Accounts payable, including $160,000 and $-0- of settlement payables, respectively     347,744       73,202  
Accounts payable, related parties, including $116,234 and $-0- of settlement payables, respectively     107,028       (67,571 )
Accrued expenses     61,666       (47,267 )
Royalties payable, related party     (300,431 )     (23,169 )
Deferred tax liability     3,720,601       (1,680,905 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     15,017,330       (270,096 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties     1,893,649       336,925  
Purchases of oil and gas properties and development capital expenditures     (21,839,963 )     (12,731,225 )
Purchases of other property and equipment     (7,428 )     (78,489 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (19,953,742 )     (12,472,789 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                
Advances from revolving credit facilities     16,350,000        
Repayments on revolving credit facilities     (10,601,156 )      
Proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of $526,444 of offering costs           5,616,057  
Debt issuance costs paid     (796,233 )     (66,921 )
Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options           17,280  
Net cash provided by financing activities     4,952,611       5,566,416  
                 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     16,199       (7,176,469 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD     1,401,141       8,577,610  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD   $ 1,417,340     $ 1,401,141  
                 
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:                
Interest paid   $ 667,917     $  
Income taxes paid   $     $  
                 
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Purchase of oil and gas properties accrued within accounts payable   $ 2,618,145     $ 2,422,150  
Purchase of oil and gas properties through issuance of common stock   $     $ 4,940,269  
Capitalized asset retirement costs   $ 58,688     $ 3,391  
Liabilities relieved to additional paid in capital   $ 183,015     $  

 

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

 

F- 5
 

 

Note 1 – Organization and Nature of Business

 

Effective April 2, 2012, Ante5, Inc. changed its corporate name to Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., and continues to trade its common stock on the OTC QB and OTC BB under the trading symbol “ANFC”. Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (Formerly Ante5, Inc.) (the “Company”) became an independent company in April 2010 when the spin-off from our former parent company, Ante4, Inc. (now Emerald Oil, Inc. and also formerly known as Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc.), became effective. We became a publicly traded company when our shares began trading on July 1, 2010. Since October 2010, we have been engaged in the business of acquiring oil and gas leases and participating in the drilling of wells in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana. Our strategy is to participate in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas reserves as a non-operating working interest owner in a growing, diversified portfolio of oil and gas wells. We aggressively seek to accumulate mineral leases to position us to participate in the drilling of new wells on a continuous basis. Occasionally we also purchase working interests in producing wells.

 

The Company’s focus is the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks trends in North Dakota and Montana. We believe that our prospective success 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.

 

As a non-operating working interest partner, we participate in drilling activities primarily on a heads-up basis. Before a well is spud, an operator is required to offer all mineral lease owners in the designated well spacing unit the right to participate in the drilling and production of the well. Drilling costs and revenues from oil and gas sales are split pro-rata based on acreage ownership in the designated drilling unit. We rely on our operator partners to identify specific drilling sites, permit, and engage in the drilling process. As a non-operator we are focused on maintaining a low overhead structure.

  

Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared using the accrual method of accounting as generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the following entities, all of which are under common control and ownership:

 

    State of    
Name of Entity   Incorporation   Relationship (1)
Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc.   Nevada   Parent
Poker Interests, LLC (1)   Nevada   Subsidiary

 

(1)  Wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

The consolidated financial statements herein contain the operations of the wholly-owned subsidiary listed above. All significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated in the preparation of these financial statements. The parent company, Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. and subsidiary, Poker Interests, LLC will be collectively referred to herein as the “Company”, or “Black Ridge”. The Company's headquarters are located in Minnetonka, Minnesota and substantially all of its operations are within the United States.

 

These statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary for fair presentation of the information contained therein.

 

Segment Reporting

FASB ASC 280-10-50 requires annual and interim reporting for an enterprise’s operating segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas and major customers. An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. The Company operates as a single segment and will evaluate additional segment disclosure requirements as it expands its operations.

 

F- 6
 

 

Reclassifications

In the current year, the Company separately classified debt issuance costs in the financial statements. For comparative purposes, amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The oil and gas industry is subject, by its nature, to environmental hazards and clean-up costs. At this time, management knows of no substantial losses from environmental accidents or events for which the Company may be currently liable.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include money market accounts which have maturities of three months or less. For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following:

 

    December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Cash   $ 513,788     $ 474,314  
Money market funds     903,552       926,827  
Total   $ 1,417,340     $ 1,401,141  

 

Cash in Excess of FDIC and SIPC Insured Limits

The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Accounts are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) up to $250,000 and $500,000, respectively, under current regulations. The Company had approximately $917,340 and $402,952 in excess of FDIC and SIPC insured limits at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

 

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs relating to obtaining certain debts are capitalized and amortized over the term of the related debt using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. The Company paid $796,233 and $66,921 of debt issuance costs during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which the unamortized balance of debt issuance costs at December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $657,702 and $52,049, respectively. Amortization of debt issuance costs charged to interest expense was $190,580 and $14,872 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. When a loan is paid in full, any unamortized financing costs are removed from the related accounts and charged to interest expense.

 

Website Development Costs

The Company accounts for website development costs in accordance with ASC 350-50, “Accounting for Website Development Costs” (“ASC 350-50”), wherein website development costs are segregated into three activities:

 

1) Initial stage (planning), whereby the related costs are expensed.

 

2) Development (web application, infrastructure, graphics), whereby the related costs are capitalized and amortized once the website is ready for use. Costs for development content of the website may be expensed or capitalized depending on the circumstances of the expenditures.

 

3) Post-implementation (after site is up and running: security, training, admin), whereby the related costs are expensed as incurred. Upgrades are usually expensed, unless they add additional functionality.

 

F- 7
 

 

We have capitalized a total of $56,660 of website development costs from inception through December 31, 2012. We have recognized depreciation expense on these website costs of $18,630 and $3,507 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered. The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for which it does not consider realization of such assets to be more likely than not.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Under FASB ASC 820-10-05, the Financial Accounting Standards Board establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement reaffirms that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements as reflected herein. The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses reported on the balance sheets are estimated by management to approximate fair value primarily due to the short term nature of the instruments. The Company had no items that required fair value measurement on a recurring basis.

 

Non-Oil & Gas 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 seven 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. The Company has not recognized any impairment losses on non-oil and gas long-lived assets. Depreciation expense was $24,206 and $14,043 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition and Gas Balancing

The Company recognizes oil and gas revenues from its 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. The Company uses 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.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which the well is spud or 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.

 

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, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

 

F- 8
 

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Capitalized Certain Payroll and Other Internal Costs   $ 172,503     $ 138,591  
Capitalized Interest Costs            
Total   $ 172,503     $ 138,591  

 

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 20% or more of the proved reserves related to a single full cost pool. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold approximately 509 net acres for total proceeds of $1,893,649. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company sold approximately 123 net acres for total proceeds of $336,925. The Company assesses all items classified as unevaluated property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; drilling results and activity; the assignment of proved reserves; and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to amortization.

 

Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and properties having proved reserves, estimated future development costs, and asset retirement costs under FASB ASC 410-20-25 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.

 

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 unproved 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 arithmetic average first day price of oil and natural gas for the preceding twelve months to estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of the end of the period, 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. Should this comparison indicate an excess carrying value, the excess is charged to earnings as an impairment expense. We recognized $-0- and $2,392,742 of impairment costs during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Concentrations

Our revenue is solely derived from oil and gas sales to various purchasers, the market for which has very inelastic demand. Due to this, we didn’t consider any purchasers to represent a material concentration to our sales for the years ended December 31, 2012 or 2011, as we believe any of our customers could easily be replaced.

 

Since we do not operate any of our wells, we depend on our drilling partner operators to perform the drilling and other operating activities required for all sales of oil and gas. These operators are also responsible for remitting to us our revenue proceeds and billing us for drilling costs and lease operating expenses incurred. We had material concentrations of accounts receivable owed from two (2) and three (3) operators during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing 44% and 80% of total oil and gas revenues and 28% and 65% of total oil and gas accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had 66 and 24 gross producing wells, respectively, and 2.30 and 0.68 net producing wells, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, these two (2) and three (3) operating partners operated 38% and 46% of these gross producing wells, respectively.

 

Impairment

FASB ASC 360-10-35-21 requires that 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 the Company uses) are excluded from this requirement but continue to be subject to the full cost method's impairment rules.

 

FASB ASC 310-40 requires that impaired loans be measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

 

Basic and Diluted Loss Per 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.

 

F- 9
 

 

The reconciliation of the denominators used to calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic     47,789,225       42,882,772  
Plus: Potentially dilutive common shares:                
Stock options and warrants     272,014        
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted     48,061,239       42,882,772  

 

Stock options and warrants excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their effect was antidilutive were 7,513,709 and 6,047,375 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company adopted FASB guidance on stock based compensation upon inception at April 9, 2010. Under FASB ASC 718-10-30-2, all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. Amortization of the fair values of common stock and stock options issued for services and compensation totaled $1,288,448 and $753,860 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, including $438,539 and $43,120, respectively, of common stock valued at the fair market value based on the Company’s closing trading price on the date of grant. The fair values of stock options were determined using the Black-Scholes options pricing model and an effective term of 6 to 6.5 years based on the weighted average of the vesting periods and the stated term of the option grants and the discount rate on 5 to 7 year U.S. Treasury securities at the grant date and are being amortized over the related implied service term, or vesting period.

 

Uncertain Tax Positions

Effective upon inception at April 9, 2010, the Company adopted new standards for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. These standards prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. These standards also provide guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.

 

Various taxing authorities periodically audit the Company’s income tax returns. These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income to various tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposures connected with these various tax filing positions, including state and local taxes, the Company records allowances for probable exposures. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which an allowance has been established, is audited and fully resolved. The Company, Inc. has not yet undergone an examination by any taxing authorities. The Company had indemnified Voyager Oil and Gas (Ante4), however, for any unrecognized liabilities which was limited to $2,500,000, and terminated on or about April 15, 2012, subject to customary exceptions from these limitations. In July of 2011 the Internal Revenue Service completed an examination of federal income tax returns of Voyager Oil and Gas (Ante4) for the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008. As a result of the examination we reimbursed Voyager Oil and Gas for their payments of $11,417 of federal taxes and, based on the federal examination, amended state returns in California that totalled an additional $48,666 in state taxes. In addition, we reimbursed Voyager Oil and Gas for their payments of an additional $37,903 in California payroll taxes related to an underpayment by Ante4 from 2010.

 

The assessment of the Company’s tax position relies on the judgment of management to estimate the exposures associated with the Company’s various filing positions.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Adopted

Fair Value Measurement — In May 2011, the FASB issued Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04), which provides clarifications regarding existing fair value measurement principles and disclosure requirements, and also specific new guidance for items such as measurement of instruments classified within stockholders’ equity. These requirements were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We implemented the accounting and disclosure guidance effective January 1, 2012, and the implementation did not have a material impact on our financial statements. For required fair value measurement disclosures, see Note 7.

 

F- 10
 

 

Comprehensive Income — In June 2011, the FASB issued Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) — Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05), which requires the presentation of the components of net income, the components of OCI and total comprehensive income in either a single continuous financial statement of comprehensive income or in two separate, but consecutive financial statements of net income and comprehensive income. These updates do not affect the items reported in OCI or the guidance for reclassifying such items to net income. These requirements were effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We implemented the financial statement presentation guidance effective January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

Recently Issued

Balance Sheet Offsetting — In December 2011, the FASB issued Balance Sheet (Topic 210) — Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU 2011-11), which requires disclosures regarding netting arrangements in agreements underlying derivatives, certain financial instruments and related collateral amounts, and the extent to which an entity’s financial statement presentation policies related to netting arrangements impact amounts recorded to the financial statements. These disclosure requirements do not affect the presentation of amounts in the balance sheets, and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. We do not expect the implementation of this disclosure guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Various accounting standards and interpretations were issued in 2012 with effective dates subsequent to December 31, 2012. We have evaluated the recently issued accounting pronouncements that are effective in 2013 and believe that none of them will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows when adopted.

 

Further, we are monitoring the joint standard-setting efforts of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board. There are a large number of pending accounting standards that are being targeted for completion in 2013 and beyond, including, but not limited to, standards relating to revenue recognition, accounting for leases, fair value measurements, accounting for financial instruments, disclosure of loss contingencies and financial statement presentation. Because these pending standards have not yet been finalized, at this time we are not able to determine the potential future impact that these standards will have, if any, on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

  

Note 3 – Related Party

 

During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we granted various awards to our Officers and Directors as compensation for their services. These related party grants are fully disclosed in Note 10 below.

 

Former Financing Arrangement

On May 2, 2011, we entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “PrenAnte5 Credit Agreement”) with certain lenders (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually a “Lender”) and Prenante5, LLC, as agent for the Lenders (PrenAnte5, LLC, in such capacity, the “Agent”). The facility provided $10 million in financing to be made available for drilling projects on the Company’s North Dakota Bakken and Three Forks position. The Company drew $2,000,000 utilizing the PrenAnte5 Credit Agreement in February of 2012 and subsequently paid in full and terminated the agreement in April of 2012.

 

Morris Goldfarb, one of the Company’s former directors, participated as a Lender through the Agent with a commitment amount of $1.5 million in the facility. In consideration for his participation through the agent, Mr. Goldfarb was issued 75,000 warrants (his pro-rata share as a Lender) with the same terms and conditions as the other warrants issued in connection with the closing of the PrenAnte5 Credit Agreement. The warrants vested on the May 2, 2012, the one year anniversary of the grant and are exercisable until May 1, 2016 at an exercise price of $0.95 per share. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 97% and a call option value of $0.7837, was $58,781, and was amortized over the three year life of the credit agreement and the amortization was accelerated in 2012 to fully amortize the remaining unamortized value upon termination of the agreement. The Company recognized compensation expense of $45,719 and $13,062 during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

F- 11
 

 

Other Related Party Transactions

A former officer of the Company, Steve Lipscomb, received a commission of 5% of a royalty stream from Peerless Media Ltd., recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 as a contingent consideration receivable, as a result of an incentive arrangement with Mr. Lipscomb that was approved by Ante4’s Board of Directors in February 2009. Mr. Lipscomb has received a total of $26,468 and $23,170 during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which $19,071 in royalties were received by Mr. Lipscomb while an officer of the Company in 2012. As a result of the settlement of litigation related to the same agreement, Mr. Lipscomb was due 5% of the settlement payments from the litigation settlement amounting to approximately $548,827 of which $432,593 was paid in 2012 and the remaining $116,234 is due upon receipt by the Company of the final settlement payment from Peerless Media, Ltd.

 

We have subleased and currently lease office space on a month to month basis where the lessor is an entity owned by our former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bradley Berman. The sublease agreement was cancelled and we entered into a direct lease on April 30, 2012 to expand and occupy approximately 1,142 square feet of office space. In accordance with this lease, our lease term remains on a month-to-month basis, provided that either party may provide 90 day notice to terminate the lease, with base rents of $1,142 per month, plus common area operations and maintenance charges, and monthly parking fees of $240 per month, for the first year commencing on May 1, 2012, and subject to increases of $24 per month for each of the subsequent four year periods. We have paid a total of $26,546 and $13,208 to this entity during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

We also paid a total of $-0- and $10,562 to an entity owned by our former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bradley Berman for administrative services provided during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

  

Note 4 – Oil and Gas Properties

 

The following tables summarize gross and net productive oil wells by state at December 31, 2012 and 2011. A net well represents our percentage ownership of a gross well. The following tables do not include wells in which our interest is limited to royalty and overriding royalty interests. The following tables also do not include wells which were awaiting completion, in the process of completion or awaiting flow back subsequent to fracture stimulation.

 

    December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011
    Gross     Net     Gross     Net
North Dakota     66       2.30       24     0.68

 

The Company’s oil and gas properties consist of all acreage acquisition costs (including cash expenditures and the value of stock consideration), drilling costs and other associated capitalized costs. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, our principal oil and gas assets included approximately 12,256 and 10,457 net acres, respectively, located in North Dakota and Montana.

 

F- 12
 

 

The following table summarizes our capitalized costs for the purchase and development of our oil and gas properties for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Purchases of oil and gas properties and development costs for cash   $ 21,839,963     $ 12,731,225  
Purchase of oil and gas properties paid subsequent to period-end     2,618,145       2,422,150  
Prior year purchase of oil and gas properties paid in current year     (2,422,150 )      
Purchases of oil and gas properties through the issuance of common stock           4,940,269  
Capitalized asset retirement obligations     58,688       3,391  
Total purchase and development costs, oil and gas properties   $ 22,094,646     $ 20,097,035  

 

2012 Acquisitions

During 2012, the Company purchased approximately 2,306 net mineral acres of oil and gas properties in North Dakota and Montana. In consideration for the assignment of these mineral leases, we paid the sellers a total of approximately $3,249,347. Of these acquisitions, 110 acres acquired on February 14, 2012 were acquired from the State of North Dakota. The operator of this well has filed a lawsuit against the state challenging the state’s ownership in these mineral rights. As a result, we have not capitalized any Authorization for Expenditure costs (“AFE”) or recognized any sales from this well. In the event the operator is successful in their litigation with the state, the state is required to refund our original purchase price for the lease.

 

2012 Divestitures

During 2012, the Company sold approximately 506 net mineral acres of oil and gas properties in North Dakota for total proceeds of $1,893,649. No gain or loss was recorded pursuant to the sales.

 

2011 Acquisitions

During 2011, the Company purchased approximately 6,867 net mineral acres of oil and gas properties in North Dakota and Montana. In consideration for the assignment of these mineral leases, we paid the sellers a total of approximately $12,507,552, including 3,852,851 shares of common stock valued at $4,940,269.

 

2011 Divestitures

On December 30, 2011, the Company sold a total of approximately 123 net acres at $2,750 per acre for total proceeds of $336,925. No gain or loss was recorded pursuant to the sale.

  

Note 5 – 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, 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 years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

    Years ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Beginning asset retirement obligation   $ 3,900     $  
Liabilities incurred for new wells placed in production     58,688       3,391  
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations     4,557       509  
Ending asset retirement obligation   $ 67,145     $ 3,900  

 

F- 13
 

 

Note 6 – Litigation Settlements and Contingent Consideration Receivable

 

Peerless Settlement

As a result of a transaction between Ante4, Inc. (“Ante4”) and Peerless Media Ltd. (“Peerless”) during fiscal year 2009, pursuant to which, Ante4 sold substantially all of its operating assets (the “Transaction”) and a spin-off on April 16, 2010 to Ante5, Inc., now Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (the “Company”), the Company was entitled to receive, in perpetuity, 5% of gross gaming revenue and 5% of other revenue of Peerless generated by Ante4’s former business and assets that were sold to Peerless in the Transaction, subject to a 5% commission presented as Royalties Payable on the balance sheet. Peerless had guaranteed a minimum payment to the Company of $3 million for such revenue over the three-year period following the closing of the Transaction on November 2, 2009. The Company prepared a discounted cash flow model to determine an estimated fair value of this portion of the purchase price as of November 2, 2009. This value was recorded on the balance sheet of Ante4. In connection with the spin-off described above, on April 16, 2010 Ante4 distributed this asset to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ante5, Inc., which was spun-off and a registration statement was filed on Form 10-12/A, along with an Information Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of spinning off the Ante5 shares from Ante4, Inc. to its stockholders of record on April 15, 2010. The following is a summary of the contingency consideration receivable and related royalties payable through December 31, 2012:

 

  Contingent       Net Contingent
  Consideration   Royalties   Consideration
  Receivable   Payable   Receivable
Balance spun-off, April 16, 2010 $ 7,532,985   $ (415,000)   $ 7,117,985
                 
Net royalties received and commissions paid   (182,335)     11,343     (170,992)
Fair value adjustment   (878,650)     80,057     (798,593)
Balance, December 31, 2010   6,472,000     (323,600)     6,148,400
                 
Net royalties received and commissions paid   (463,398)     23,169     (440,229)
   Balance, December 31, 2011   6,008,602     (300,431)     5,708,171
                 
Net royalties received and commissions paid   (529,361)     26,468     (502,893)
Elimination of the contingent receivable due to settlement agreement   (5,479,241)      273,963     (5,205,278)
Balance, December 31, 2012 $ -   $ -   $ -

 

On September 27, 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Peerless and ElectraWorks, Ltd. (“ElectraWorks”) to settle all claims regarding Peerless’s performance of obligations with respect to the business purchased by Peerless from Ante4, Inc. in November 2009 (the "Litigation"). The Litigation was pending before Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) in Los Angeles, California. Under the settlement agreement, Peerless/ElectraWorks will pay the Company $13.5 million, of which $11,000,000 was received by the Company in 2012 and the remaining $2.5 million is payable on or before December 31, 2013. In addition, Peerless/ElectraWorks will make payments to the Company upon certain contingencies related to the passage of federal or state legislation permitting real money online poker and Peerless/ElectraWorks or one of their affiliates obtaining such a license. The maximum amount of these contingent payments is $6.5 million with the amount determined based on how such legislation is enacted. Under the settlement agreement the Company has released its rights to the royalty stream and no further payments are due from Peerless/ElectraWorks other than those set forth in the settlement agreement.

 

The Company is paying attorneys’ fees of $2 million, of which $1.84 million was paid in 2012, as well as various costs out of the proceeds. In addition, as a result of an incentive arrangement with Steve Lipscomb, a former officer of the Company that was approved by WPT Enterprises, Inc.’s Board of Directors in February 2009, Mr. Lipscomb is receiving 5% of the settlement payments, net of attorneys’ fees and other costs; as such amounts are received by the Company.

 

F- 14
 

 

As of December 31, 2012, Company has recorded a receivable of $2.5 million for the remaining litigation settlement and payables of $160,000 and $116,233 related to remaining contingent attorneys’ fees payable and amounts due Mr. Lipscomb, respectively. The contingent consideration receivable of $5,479,241 and the royalty payable of $273,963 as of the settlement date were relieved as a part of the settlement resulting in a net gain of $5,745,895. The Company has expensed non-contingent expenses and fees associated with pursuing the settlement as those expenses and fees were incurred amounting to $333,176 and $165,251 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Deloitte & Touche Settlement

On October 5, 2012, the Company and other parties entered into a settlement agreement with Deloitte & Touche, LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") to settle all claims between the parties arising out of the case of WPT Enterprises, Inc. v. Deloitte & Touche, before the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles (the "Litigation"). The claims in the Litigation were assigned to the Company as part of the Company’s distribution (spin-off) agreement with Ante4, Inc. On November 1, 2012, after satisfying obligations to various parties, including litigation counsel, the Company received $5.4 million of net proceeds under the settlement agreement as its share of the settlement proceeds, representing $9 million of settlement income and $3.6 million of related legal fees. The parties agreed to stipulate to the dismissal of the Litigation and to a mutual release of all claims. The Company has expensed non-contingent expenses and fees associated with pursuing the settlement as those expenses and fees were incurred amounting to $37,758 and $35,315 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

  

Note 7 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company adopted FASB ASC 820-10 upon inception at April 9, 2010. Under FASB ASC 820-10-5, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The standard outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy in order to increase the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and the related disclosures. Under GAAP, certain assets and liabilities must be measured at fair value, and FASB ASC 820-10-50 details the disclosures that are required for items measured at fair value.

 

The Company has cash and cash equivalents and a revolving credit facility that must be measured under the fair value standard. The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels are as follows:

 

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis in the balances sheet as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012  
  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Assets                        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,417,340     $     $  
Total assets     1,417,340              
Liabilities                        
Revolving credit facilities           5,748,844        
Total Liabilities           5,748,844        
    $ 1,417,340     $ ( 5,748,844 )   $  

 

F- 15
 

 

  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011  
  Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Assets                        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,401,141     $     $  
Total assets     1,401,141              
Liabilities                        
None                  
Total Liabilities                  
    $ 1,401,141     $     $  

 

There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 inputs for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Level 2 liabilities consist of revolving credit facilities. No fair value adjustment was necessary during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

  

Note 8 –Revolving Credit Facilities

 

PrenAnte5, LLC Revolving credit facility

On May 2, 2011, we entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lenders (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually a “Lender”) and Prenante5, LLC, as agent for the Lenders (PrenAnte5, LLC, in such capacity, the “Agent”). The facility provided $10 million in financing to be made available for drilling projects on the Company’s North Dakota Bakken and Three Forks position. The facility terms stated it would be available for a period of three years over which time we may draw on the line seven times, pay the line down three times, and terminate the facility without penalty one time. The facility set the minimum total draw at $500,000 and required the Company, upon each draw, to provide the Lender with a compliance certificate that, along with other usual and customary financial covenants, stated that the Company has at least twelve months interest coverage on its balance sheet in cash. We received our first draw of $2,000,000 on February 24, 2012, and subsequently repaid the balance plus accrued interest of $51,722 on April 12, 2012 when we terminated the revolving credit facility.

 

Dougherty Funding, LLC Revolving credit facility

On April 4, 2012, the Company entered into a Secured Revolving Credit Agreement with Dougherty Funding, LLC as Lender which was subsequently amended on September 5, 2012 with an Amended and Restated Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (collectively the “Credit Facility”). Under the terms of the amended Credit Facility, up to $20,000,000 maximum is available from time to time (i) to fund, or to reimburse the Company for, the Company’s pro-rata share of development and production costs for oil wells that relate to the Company’s oil and gas leasehold interests for which there is a valid and enforceable Authorization for Expenditure and that are incurred from and after the date of the Credit Facility, and (ii) to reimburse the Company for amounts that the Company paid from its own funds or from funds that it borrowed under its previous credit facility from Prenante5, LLC as agent pursuant to the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated May 2, 2011 (the “Previous Credit Facility”). Of the $20 million Credit Facility, $16.5 million is currently available. If the Company has not successfully completed an equity offering of at least $10,000,000 by August 31, 2014, then advances will no longer be available under the Credit Facility.

 

Interest on the unpaid principal balance of the Credit Facility accrues and is payable monthly at 9.25% per year. The Company must also pay the Lender quarterly a commitment fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the average line of credit available, but not advanced, for the previous quarter. The Company must make payments equal to 90% of the Company’s earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization (excluding certain items as defined in the Credit Agreement) on a quarterly basis as a principal payment on the loan.

 

F- 16
 

 

The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets and has typical representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default, including, subject to certain exceptions, incurrence of additional indebtedness. The Credit Agreement requires that the Company meet certain conditions to obtain additional advances under the Credit Facility, including providing certain documentation related to the Company’s oil and gas properties. The Lender has the right to approve advances for properties which are not held by production. In addition, the Company must maintain available cash and specified cash equivalents in an amount that is not less than the greater of (i) $300,000 and (ii) 12 months’ then-regularly scheduled payments of interest on the outstanding amount of advances.

 

The Credit Facility will mature on August 1, 2015. The Credit Facility may be prepaid with thirty (30) days written notice at any time. In connection with the amended financing, the Company agreed to issue Dougherty Funding, LLC warrants to purchase up to 900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 585,000 shares have currently been issued, at an exercise price of $0.38. The warrants expire on August 31, 2015.

 

We took our first draw on April 12, 2012 of $2,450,000, and used $2,051,722 of the proceeds to repay and terminate our outstanding PrenAnte5 revolving credit facility, including interest of $51,722.

 

Revolving credit facility consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively:

 

  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
PrenAnte5, LLC Revolving Credit Facility   $     $  
                 
Dougherty Funding, LLC Revolving Credit Facility     5,748,844        
                 
Total revolving credit facilities   $ 5,748,844     $  

 

The following presents components of interest expense by instrument type for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

 

  Year Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
PrenAnte5 Revolving Credit Facility, interest   $ 51,722     $  
PrenAnte5 Revolving Credit Facility, finance charges     52,049       14,872  
PrenAnte5 Revolving Credit Facility, warrant costs     304,788       87,084  
Dougherty Revolving Credit Facility, interest     633,324        
Dougherty Revolving Credit Facility, finance charges     138,531        
Dougherty Revolving Credit Facility, warrant costs     12,864        
    $ 1,193,278     $ 101,956  

  

Note 9 – Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock

On April 9, 2010 (inception) the Company authorized 20,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value preferred stock. No shares have been issued to date.

 

Common Stock

On April 9, 2010 (inception) the Company authorized 100,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock.

 

On December 10, 2012, the Company reincorporated into the state of Nevada. In conjunction with the reincorporation, the Company increased the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000.

 

F- 17
 

 

On April 30, 2012, the Company issued 577,025 shares of common stock in satisfaction of a subscription payable granted on March 22, 2012 as part of a deposit on the purchase of certain oil and gas mineral leases, which was subsequently terminated on June 1, 2012. The shares were non-refundable in the event that we decided not to close the purchase. As a result, the $438,539 fair value of the shares was expensed on June 1, 2012 and is presented within general and administrative expense in our condensed statements of operations.

 

On August 9, 2011 the Company’s Board of Directors issued 44,000 shares of restricted common stock to an independent contractor for investor relations services provided. The total fair value of the common stock was $43,120 based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

On July 26, 2011, we closed on a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with multiple accredited investors (the “Purchasers”) to sell 6,142,500 units (“Units”) at a price of $1.00 per Unit, with each Unit consisting of one share of our common stock and a five-year warrant to purchase one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock for a total of 3,071,250 shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share (the “Offering”). The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $2.50 per share for ten (10) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption and provided that a resale registration statement with respect to exercise of the warrants is declared effective. Net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Units, after deducting selling commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $5.6 million. The proceeds received were allocated between the common stock and warrants on a relative fair value basis.

 

The Company agreed to pay the agents in connection with this offering an aggregate fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Units in the Offering. Additionally, the Company issued warrants to the agents to purchase an aggregate of 307,125 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share to the Agents (the “Agents’ Warrants”).

 

On July 7, 2011 a total of 12,000 options were exercised at various prices between $0.05 and $0.29 per share, resulting in the receipt of total proceeds of $1,680.

 

On May 18, 2011 a total of 24,000 options were exercised at various prices between $0.05 and $0.51 per share by our former CEO in exchange for total proceeds of $7,800.

 

On April 28, 2011, the Company acquired a total of 3,837 net mineral acres of undeveloped oil and gas properties located in Dunn County, North Dakota. In consideration for the assignment of these mineral leases, the Company paid a total of $2,685,900 of cash and issued 2,302,200 shares of our common stock. The fair value of the common stock exchanged was $2,578,464 based on the closing stock price at the date of agreement.

 

On April 5, 2011, the Company acquired a total of 116 net mineral acres of undeveloped oil and gas properties located in Mountrail and Williams Counties within North Dakota. In consideration for the assignment of these mineral leases, the Company paid a total of $145,025 of cash and issued 55,689 shares of our common stock. The fair value of the common stock exchanged was $70,725 based on the closing stock price at the date of agreement.

 

On March 18, 2011 a total of 24,000 options were exercised at various prices between $0.05 and $0.51 per share for total proceeds of $7,800. The shares were subsequently issued on April 4, 2011.

 

On March 16, 2011, we closed an asset purchase agreement with certain sellers under which we acquired the sellers’ ownership interest in several mineral leases covering approximately 1,105 net acres of undeveloped oil and gas properties and 20 net acres of developed producing properties in Mountrail, Williams and Burke Counties in North Dakota in the Williston Basin. In consideration for their assignment of the mineral leases, we paid the sellers a total of $1,372,787 of cash and issued to them 871,960 shares of our common stock, and issued an additional 400,000 shares of our common stock to an unaffiliated designee of the sellers. The fair value of the common stock exchanged was $1,933,379 based on the closing stock price at the date of agreement.

 

F- 18
 

 

On February 28, 2011, we closed an asset purchase agreement with certain sellers under which we acquired the sellers’ ownership interest in several mineral leases covering approximately 732 net acres of oil and gas properties in Williams, Mountrail, Dunn, Burke, Billings, Golden Valley, McKenzie and Stark counties in North Dakota. In consideration for their assignment of these mineral leases, we paid the sellers a total of $821,270 of cash and issued to them 205,050 shares of our common stock. The fair value of the common stock exchanged was $328,080 based on the closing stock price at the date of agreement.

 

On February 11, 2011 we acquired additional oil and gas acreage from three unaffiliated sellers in two separate transactions encompassing mineral leases covering a total of approximately 117 net acres in Mountrail, Williams and Dunn counties in North Dakota for which we paid total cash of $215,975 and issued a total of 17,952 shares of our common stock. The fair value of the common stock exchanged was $29,621 based on the closing stock price at the date of agreement.

 

Adjustments to Additional Paid In Capital

During 2012, the Company relieved total liabilities of $183,015 from accounts payable incurred prior to our spin-off from Ante4, Inc. on April 16, 2010. These liabilities were tested in the current year and determined not to be validly owed liabilities by Ante4, Inc. Our indemnification agreement pursuant to the spin-off terminated during 2012 and we no longer bear any liability for unclaimed liabilities. The original transactions did not have an impact on our statements of operations. As a result, the adjustment did not affect current period income.

 

Potential Reverse Stock Split

Our Board approved resolutions authorizing the Company to implement a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock at a ratio of up to 1:10 and any related amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation. Our stockholders have also approved the amendment by written consent.

 

Our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors has the authority to decide whether to implement a reverse stock split and the exact amount of the split within the foregoing range, if it is to be implemented. If the reverse split is implemented, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock would be reduced in accordance with the exchange ratio selected by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. The total number of authorized shares of Common Stock will be reduced proportionately as a result of the reverse stock split and the total number of shares of authorized preferred stock will remain unchanged at 20,000,000 shares.

 

We believe that a reverse split would, among other things, (i) better enable the Company to obtain a listing on a national securities exchange, (ii) facilitate higher levels of institutional stock ownership, where investment policies generally prohibit investments in lower-priced securities and (iii) better enable the Company to raise funds to finance its planned operations. There can be no assurance however that we will be able to obtain a listing on a national securities exchange even if we implement the reverse stock split.

  

Note 10 – Options

 

The following table presents all options granted during the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

    Number   Term Vesting Black-Scholes Options Total  Expense  Expense
Grant   of Strike in Term in Pricing Model: Fair Recognized Recognized
Date Recipient  Options Price Years (1) Years (1) Volatility Call Value Value  in 2012  in 2011
12/04/12 Benjamin Oehler, Director 100,000 $ 0.53 10 5 110%  $   0.4468  $ 44,681  $          661  $               -
12/04/12 Joseph Lahti, Director 100,000 $ 0.53 10 5 110%  $   0.4468 44,681 661 -
09/25/12 Kenneth DeCubellis, CEO (2) 1,000,000 $ 0.27 10 5 114%  $   0.2316 31,294 1,651 -
09/25/12 James Moe, CFO (2) 500,000 $ 0.27 10 5 114%  $   0.2316 27,595 1,456 -
09/25/12 Employee (2) 10,000 $ 0.27 10 5 114%  $   0.2316 313 17 -
08/31/12 Joseph Lahti, Director 100,000 $ 0.31 10 3 114%  $   0.2607 26,066 1,731 -
08/10/12 Employee 150,000 $ 0.28 10 5 112%  $   0.2390 35,853 2,795 -
08/03/12 Employee 150,000 $ 0.40 10 5 111%  $   0.3398 50,965 4,168 -
    2,110,000           $261,448  $     13,140  $               -

 

F- 19
 

 

The following table presents all options granted during the year ended December 31, 2011:

 

    Number   Term Vesting Black-Scholes Options Total  Expense  Expense
Grant   of Strike in Term in Pricing Model: Fair Recognized Recognized
Date Recipient  Options Price Years (1) Years (1) Volatility Call Value Value  in 2012  in 2011
11/02/11 James Moe, CFO 200,000  $  1.00 10 5 87% $0.7352  $147,039  $     29,408  $       4,901
11/02/11 Joshua Wert, Former COO (3) 133,000  $  1.00 10 5 87% $0.7352 97,781 13,475 3,259
11/02/11 Employee (2) 10,000  $  1.00 10 5 87% $0.7352 7,352 1,472 245
11/02/11 Morris Goldfarb, Former Director (4) 100,000  $  1.00 10 5 87% $0.7352 73,519 12,253 2,451
11/02/11 Benjamin Oehler, Director 100,000  $  1.00 10 5 87% $0.7352 73,519 14,704 2,451
10/26/11 Kenneth DeCubellis, CEO (2) 1,000,000  $  1.00 10 5 88% $0.7456 745,587 142,306 24,853
08/04/11 Employee (2) 10,000  $  1.00 10 5 86% $0.7436 7,436 1,400 620
02/22/11 James Moe, CFO (2) 500,000  $  1.65 10 5 108% $1.3661 683,070 185,769 180,256
    2,053,000            $1,835,303  $   400,787  $   219,036

 

 

(1) All options vest in equal annual installments, commencing one year from the date of the grant, are exercisable for 10 years from the date of the grant and are being amortized over the implied service term, or vesting period, of the options.

 

(2) On September 25, 2012, an amendment (the “Plan Amendment”) to the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) became effective. The Plan Amendment allows for the one-time re-pricing and re-granting of stock options for certain option holders. The Plan Amendment did not alter any other terms of the Plan. Pursuant to the Plan Amendment, certain officers and employees of the Company agreed to the cancellation of their current stock option agreements in exchange for new stock option agreements. Under the new stock option agreements, covering 1,510,000 options, each optionee’s original number of stock options remains the same. Kenneth DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer, and James Moe, Chief Financial Officer, grants of 1,000,000 and 500,000 shares, respectively, remain the same and have a new exercise price of $0.27, along with another 10,000 options granted to an employee. These options vest in five equal annual installments, commencing one year from the date of grant on September 25, 2013, and continuing on the next four anniversaries thereof until fully vested. The total incremental fair value of the warrants in excess of the fair value immediately preceding the modification of the common stock options totaled $59,202, and is being amortized in addition to the original fair value, over the vesting period of the options.

 

(3) Mr. Wert resigned effective September 7, 2012, and the unvested options were cancelled.

 

(4) Mr. Goldfarb resigned effective October 17, 2012. The board granted an accelerated vesting term for the first 20,000 options that were set to vest on November 2, 2012, and the remaining 80,000 unvested options were cancelled.

 

Options Cancelled

On October 17, 2012, 113,333 common stock options were forfeited pursuant to the resignation of a director.

 

On September 7, 2012, 466,333 common stock options were cancelled pursuant to the resignation of an officer.

 

No other options were cancelled during 2012 or 2011.

 

Options Expired

No options expired during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Options Exercised

No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2012. A total of 60,000 options were exercised at varying prices between $0.05 and $0.51 during the year ended December 31, 2011, resulting in total proceeds of $17,280.

 

F- 20
 

 

The following is a summary of information about the Stock Options outstanding at December 31, 2012.

 

Shares Underlying Options Outstanding   Shares Underlying Options Exercisable
                     
Range of Exercise Prices   Shares Underlying Options Outstanding   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Shares Underlying Options Exercisable   Weighted Average Exercise Price
                     
$0.03 - $1.00   4,149,001   8.73 years   $0.58   1,391,002   $0.81

  

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants under the fixed option plan:

 

  December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Average risk-free interest rates     1.06%     1.65%
Average expected life (in years)     5       5  
Volatility     112%     90%

  

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of short-term traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 there were no options granted with an exercise price below the fair value of the underlying stock at the grant date.

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted with exercise prices at the current fair value of the underlying stock during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.31, and $1.16 per option, respectively.

 

The following is a summary of activity of outstanding stock options:

 

        Weighted  
        Average  
  Number     Exercise  
  of Shares     Prices  
Balance, December 31, 2010     2,169,000     $ 0.84  
Options expired     -0-       -0-  
Options cancelled     -0-       -0-  
Options granted     2,053,000       1.16  
Options exercised     (60,000 )     (0.29 )
Balance, December 31, 2011     4,162,000       1.00  
Options expired     -0-       -0-  
Options cancelled     (2,122,999 )     (1.14 )
Options granted     2,110,000       0.31  
Options exercised     -0-       -0-  
Balance, December 31, 2012     4,149,001       0.58  
                 
Exercisable, December 31, 2012     1,391,002     $ 0.81  

 

The Company expensed $849,909 and $710,740 from the amortization of common stock options during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

F- 21
 

 

Note 11 – Warrants

 

Warrants Granted

 

2012 Warrants Granted

On September 5, 2012, we granted 585,000 warrants in connection with the amended Dougherty Funding, LLC Revolving Credit Facility. The estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 113% and a call option value of $0.2069, was $121,054, and is being amortized over the approximate three year life of the amended facility. The remaining unamortized balance of those warrants is $108,190 as of December 31, 2012. The Company recognized a total of $12,864 of interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

2011 Warrants Granted

On July 26, 2011, we issued a total of 3,071,250 warrants as part of a Securities Purchase Agreement with multiple accredited investors that purchased a total of 6,142,500 units at a price of $1.00 per Unit consisting of one share of our common stock and a five-year warrant to purchase one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock for a total of 3,071,250 shares at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The Company may redeem outstanding warrants prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per share, provided that the volume weighted average sale price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $2.50 per share for ten (10) consecutive trading days ending on the third business day prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption and provided that a resale registration statement with respect to exercise of the warrants is declared effective. In addition, we issued warrants to the agents to purchase an aggregate of 307,125 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share to the Agents. Net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Units, after deducting selling commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $5.6 million. The proceeds received were allocated between the common stock and warrants on a relative fair value basis.

 

On May 2, 2011, we entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain lenders (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually a “Lender”) and Prenante5, LLC, as agent for the Lenders (PrenAnte5, LLC, in such capacity, the “Agent”). The facility provided $10 million in financing to be made available for drilling projects on the Company’s North Dakota Bakken and Three Forks position. The facility was originally available for a period of three years until it the Company terminated the agreement on April 12, 2012, over which time we had the ability to draw on the line seven times, pay the line down three times, and terminate the facility without penalty one time. The facility set the minimum total draw at $500,000 and required The Company, upon each draw, to provide the Lender with a compliance certificate that, along with other usual and customary financial covenants, states that the Company had at least twelve months interest coverage on its balance sheet in cash.

 

In connection with the closing of the Credit Agreement on May 2, 2011, the Company issued to each Lender a five-year warrant to purchase a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to an amount determined by multiplying 500,000 by such Lender’s commitment percentage. The warrants vest on the earlier of the 1 year anniversary of the grant date (May 2, 2012) or when 50% of the LOC has been advanced, and are exercisable until May 1, 2016 at an exercise price of $0.95 per share. The total estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 97% and a call option value of $0.7837, was $391,872, and was amortized over the three year life of the credit agreement, and was accelerated to fully amortize the fair value as of the early termination date of the agreement on April 12, 2012. The Company recognized a total of $304,788 and $87,084 of interest expense during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Warrants Cancelled

No warrants were cancelled during 2012 or 2011.

 

Warrants Expired

No warrants expired during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

Warrants Exercised

No warrants were exercised during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

F- 22
 

 

The following is a summary of information about the Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2012:

 

 

Shares Underlying Warrants Outstanding   Shares Underlying Warrants Exercisable
                     
Range of Exercise Prices   Shares Underlying Warrants Outstanding   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Shares Underlying Warrants Exercisable   Weighted Average Exercise Price
                     
$0.38 - $1.50   4,463,375   3.42 years   $ 1.26   4,463,375   $1.26

 

The fair value of each warrant grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants under the fixed option plan:

 

  December 31,     December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Average risk-free interest rates     0.32%     1.96%
Average expected life (in years)     3       5  
Volatility     113%     97%

  

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of short-term traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no warrants granted with an exercise price below the fair value of the underlying stock at the grant date.

 

The weighted average fair value of warrants granted with exercise prices at the current fair value of the underlying stock during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.38 and $1.39 per option, respectively.

 

The following is a summary of activity of outstanding warrants:

 

  Weighted        
  Average        
  Number     Exercise  
  of Shares     Prices  
Balance, December 31, 2010     -0-     $ -0-  
Warrants expired     -0-       -0-  
Warrants cancelled     -0-       -0-  
Warrants granted     3,878,375       1.39  
Warrants exercised     -0-       -0-  
Balance, December 31, 2011     3,878,375       1.39  
Warrants expired     -0-       -0-  
Warrants cancelled     -0-       -0-  
Warrants granted     585,000       0.38  
Warrants exercised     -0-       -0-  
Balance, December 31, 2012     4,463,375       1.26  
                 
Exercisable, December 31, 2012     4,463,375     $ 1.26  

 

F- 23
 

 

Note 12 – Other Income

 

On December 28, 2011, we recognized a gain of $1,924 related to the sale of oil and gas equipment.

 

At various dates between July 15, 2011 and December 21, 2011, we recognized gains from settlements with vendors in the total amount of $36,151, representing disputed billings amounts outstanding prior to December 31, 2010.

  

Note 13 – Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes under the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income taxes, which provides for an asset and liability approach for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on anticipated future tax consequences, using currently enacted tax laws, attributable to temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts calculated for income tax purposes.

 

Our provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

 

  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Current taxes   $     $  
Deferred tax provision (benefit)     3,720,601       (1,680,905 )
Valuation allowance            
Net income tax provision (benefit)   $ 3,720,601     $ (1,680,905 )

 

The effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

 

  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Federal statutory income tax rate     35.00%     35.00%
State income taxes     6.01%     3.41%
Effect of statutory rate change on deferred taxes     0.52%      
Permanent differences     0.57%     (0.03% )
Change in valuation allowance     1.00%     1.99%
Net effective income tax rate     43.10%     40.37%

  

The Company’s state income tax rate as of December 31, 2012 increased by 2.6% from 3.41% as of December 31, 2011, to 6.01%. This increase in the effective tax rate is attributable to changes in the Company’s state apportionment factors in the current year. Due to the legal settlement amounts the Company received during the year being sourced to the state of Minnesota for income tax purposes, a larger percentage of the Company’s activity is expected to be apportioned to that state. As compared to North Dakota, the other state the Company files tax returns in which has a corporate income tax rate of 5.15%, the state of Minnesota has a 9.80% corporate income tax rate.

 

The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 

  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Deferred tax assets:                
Federal and state net operating loss carryovers   $ 2,466,977     $ 2,932,099  
Stock compensation     837,761       336,229  
Reorganization costs     54,943       51,464  
Asset retirement obligation     27,535       1,498  
Total deferred tax assets   $ 3,387,216     $ 3,321,290  

 

F- 24
 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:            
Ceiling test impairment, intangible drilling costs and other exploration costs capitalized for financial reporting purposes   $ (7,630,903 )   $ (1,731,321 )
Deferred revenue           (2,192,619 )
Property and equipment     (15,192 )     (21,752 )
Total deferred liabilities     (7,646,095 )     (3,945,692 )
Net deferred tax liabilities     (4,258,879 )     (624,402 )
Less: valuation allowance     (473,817 )     (387,693 )
Deferred tax liabilities   $ (4,732,696 )   $ (1,012,095 )

 

As of December 31, 2012, the Company has net operating loss carryover of approximately $6,015,738. Under existing Federal law, the net operating loss may be utilized to offset taxable income through the year ended December 31, 2032. A portion of the net operating loss carryover begins to expire in 2030.

 

ASC Topic 740 provides that a valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company had recognized a valuation allowance reducing the carrying value of its deferred tax asset by $387,693 as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2012 the Company has increased its valuation allowance by $86,124 to $473,817. This increase was to more accurately reflect an allowance on only a portion of its deferred tax assets which the Company believes it is more likely than not that the benefit of these assets will not be realized.

 

The Company files annual US Federal income tax returns and annual income tax returns for the states of Minnesota and North Dakota. We are not subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010 for all returns. Income taxing authorities have conducted no formal examinations of our past Federal or state income tax returns and supporting records.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 740 regarding uncertainty in income taxes. The Company has found no significant uncertain tax positions as of any date on or before December 31, 2012.

  

Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is involved in various inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation relating to matters arising in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently a defendant in any material litigation and is not aware of any threatened litigation that could have a material effect on the Company. Management is not able to estimate the minimum loss to be incurred, if any, as a result of the final outcome of these matters but believes they are not likely to have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position or results of operations and, accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded.

 

The Company periodically maintains cash balances at banks in excess of federally insured amounts. The extent of loss, if any, to be sustained as a result of any future failure of a bank or other financial institution is not subject to estimation at this time.

 

The Company commits to its participation in upcoming well development by signing an Authorization for Expenditure (“AFE”). As of December 31, 2012 the Company had committed to AFE’s of approximately $1.1 million beyond amounts previously paid or accrued. Additionally, The Company acquired a lease for mineral rights from the State of North Dakota on February 14, 2012 for 110 acres or an 8.7% working interest in the Dahl Federal 2-15H well that spud on January 6, 2012. The acreage we purchased lies within the riverbed of the Missouri River and there is currently third-party litigation ongoing in the State of North Dakota pertaining to the state’s ownership claim to similar riparian acreage.  We have signed an AFE for the well and the operator has agreed to retroactively honor the AFE if the state is successful in defending its ownership claim. As a result we have not capitalized any of the AFE costs or recognized any sales from this well. Our proportion of the well costs, based on the AFE and our working interest, is approximately $800,000. The well started production on May 21, 2012. Had we recognized the revenue and expenses from this well we would have recorded approximately an additional $468,000 in oil and gas sales and $124,000 of production taxes and operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the event the state is not successful in defending its ownership claim, the state is required to refund the Company the cost to purchase the lease.

  

Note 15 – Subsequent Events

 

Oil & Gas Property Acquisitions

Through March 15, 2013 the Company purchased approximately 800 net acres of oil and gas properties in North Dakota and Montana. In consideration for the assignment of these mineral leases, we paid the sellers approximately $416,283. Additionally, through March 15, 2013 the Company sold 60 net acres of oil and gas properties in North Dakota for proceeds of $199,800.

 

Common Stock Options

On January 24, 2013, the Company granted a total of 762,500 common stock options to officers and employees, including 400,000 options granted to Ken DeCubellis, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and 115,000 options granted to James Moe, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. All of the options vest annually over five years beginning on the first anniversary of the grants and are exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the date of grant at an exercise price of $0.56 per share. The total estimated fair value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model, based on a volatility rate of 110% and a call option value of $0.4725 was $360,307 and is being amortized over the vesting period.

 

F- 25
 

  

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production Activities

 

Oil and gas sales reflect the market prices of net production sold or transferred with appropriate adjustments for royalties, net profits interest, and other contractual provisions. Production expenses include lifting costs incurred to operate and maintain productive wells and related equipment including such costs as operating labor, repairs and maintenance, materials, supplies and fuel consumed. Production taxes include production and severance taxes. Depletion of oil and natural gas properties relates to capitalized costs incurred in acquisition, exploration, and development activities. Results of operations do not include interest expense and general corporate amounts. The results of operations for the Company's oil and natural gas production activities are provided in the Company's related statements of operations.

 

Costs Incurred and Capitalized Costs

 

Net capitalized costs related to the Company’s oil and gas producing activities were as follows:

 

  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Proved oil and gas properties   $ 35,248,983     $ 10,867,443  
Unproved oil and gas properties     9,055,513       13,236,057  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, and impairment     (5,755,855 )     (3,312,373 )
Total   $ 38,548,641     $ 20,791,127  

 

The Company incurred the following costs for oil and natural gas acquisition, exploration and development activities during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

  Year Ended  
  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Costs incurred for the year:                
Proved property acquisition   $ 2,434,143     $  
Unproved property acquisition     987,685       12,650,037  
Development     18,614,130       7,443,607  
Total   $ 22,035,958     $ 20,093,644  

 

Excluded costs for unproved 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:

 

  Year Ended  
  December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Property acquisition   $ 9,028,945     $ 12,919,798  
Development     26,568       316,259  
Total   $ 9,055,513     $ 13,236,057  

 

Oil and Natural Gas Reserves and Related Financial Data

 

Information with respect to the Company's crude oil and natural gas producing activities is presented in the following tables. Reserve quantities, as well as certain information regarding future production and discounted cash flows, were determined by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum consultants based on information provided by the Company.

 

F- 26
 

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

Oil and Natural Gas Reserve Data

 

The following tables present the Company's independent petroleum consultants' estimates of its proved oil and natural gas reserves. The Company emphasizes that reserves are approximations and are expected to change as additional information becomes available. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment.

 

      Natural  
  Oil (Bbls)     Gas (Mcf)  
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2010            
Revisions of previous estimates            
Extensions, discoveries and other additions     453,808       291,916  
Production     (21,545 )     (6,473 )
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2011     432,263       285,443  
Revisions of previous estimates     (26,256 )     25,070  
Extensions, discoveries and other additions     1,455,882       1,127,965  
Purchase of reserves in place     388,927       207,806  
Sale of reserves in place     (63,376 )     (25,840 )
Production     (71,307 )     (15,756 )
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2012     2,116,133       1,604,688  
                 
Proved developed reserves:                
December 31, 2011     119,117       79,383  
December 31, 2012     452,595       340,160  
                 
Proved undeveloped reserves:                
December 31, 2011     313,146       206,060  
December 31, 2012     1,663,538       1,264,528  

 

Proved reserves are estimated quantities of oil and natural gas, which geological and engineering data indicate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved developed reserves are proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Proved undeveloped reserves are included for reserves for which there is a high degree of confidence in their recoverability and they are scheduled to be drilled within the next five years.

 

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Inflows and Changes Therein

 

The following table presents a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves and the changes in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas were prepared in accordance with the provisions of ASC 932-235-555 (formerly SFAS 69). Future cash inflows were computed by applying average prices of oil and natural gas for the first day of the last twelve months as of December 31, 2012 to estimated future production. Future production and development costs were computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and natural gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. Future income tax expenses were calculated by applying appropriate year-end tax rates to future pretax cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves, less the tax basis of properties involved and tax credits and loss carryforwards relating to oil and natural gas producing activities. Future net cash flows are discounted at the rate of 10% annually to derive the standardized measure of discounted future cash flows. Actual future cash inflows may vary considerably, and the standardized measure does not necessarily represent the fair value of the Company's oil and natural gas reserves. The following is a summary of the Company’s standardized measure of discounted future cash flows for the years as indicated:

 

F- 27
 

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

  Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Future cash inflows   $ 189,245,600     $ 40,516,329  
Future production costs     (57,521,100 )     (12,972,216 )
Future development costs     (49,284,100 )     (9,556,716 )
Future income tax expense     (23,163,250 )      
Future net cash flows     59,277,150       17,987,397  
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows     (37,562,429 )     (10,432,324 )
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows   $ 21,714,721     $ 7,555,073  

 

The twelve month average prices were adjusted to reflect applicable transportation and quality differentials on a well-by-well basis to arrive at realized sales prices used to estimate the Company's reserves. The prices for the Company's reserve estimates were as follows:

  

      Natural  
  Oil (Bbl)     Gas (Mcf)  
December 31, 2012   $ 84.36     $ 6.69  
           
December 31, 2011   $ 89.12     $ 6.98  

 

Changes in the Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows at 10% per annum are as follows:

 

  Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Standard measure, beginning of year   $ 7,555,073     $  
Sales of oil and natural gas produced, net of production costs     (4,680,409 )     (1,175,512 )
Net changes of prices and production costs     (289,171 )      
Revisions of quantity estimates     (429,455 )      
Extensions and discoveries     18,311,978       8,730,585  
Changes in estimated future development costs     80,830        
Purchase of reserves in place     4,716,587        
Sale of reserves in place     (258,040 )      
Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period     2,955,579        
Accretion of discount     755,507        
Net changes in income taxes     (6,224,479 )      
Changes in timing and other     (779,279 )      
Standard measure, end of year   $ 21,714,721     $ 7,555,073  

 

F- 28
 

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

None.

  

ITEM 9A. 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 by us in the reports we file or furnish to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

As of December 31, 2012 we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined) in Exchange Act Rules 13a –15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered in this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer do not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. Although our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have determined that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at doing so, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented if there exists in an individual a desire to do so. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework.” Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2012, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

 

37
 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting through the date of this report or during the quarter ended December 31, 2012, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Independent Registered Accountant’s Internal Control Attestation

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to applicable law.

 

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

38
 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The following table lists our executive officers and directors as of March 28, 2013:

 

Name   Age   Position
Kenneth DeCubellis   46   Chief Executive Officer
James Moe   55   Chief Financial Officer
Bradley Berman   42   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Benjamin S. Oehler (1)(2)   64   Director
Joseph Lahti (1)(2)   52   Director

 

 
(1) Member of audit committee.

 

(2) Member of compensation committee.

 

Kenneth DeCubellis has been our chief executive officer since November 9, 2011. Prior to joining Black Ridge, Mr. DeCubellis was the president and chief executive officer of Altra Inc. 1 , a venture capital backed biofuels company based in Los Angeles, California. He joined Altra in June 2006 as vice president, business development and was promoted to president in November of 2007 and chief executive officer in February 2008. From 1996 to 2006, he was an executive with Exxon Mobil Corp in Houston, Texas. Mr. DeCubellis also previously served as the chairman of KD Global Energy Belize Ltd., a company that provides technical and business services for petroleum lease holders in Belize. Mr. DeCubellis holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Northwestern University’s JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

 

Mr. DeCubellis’s qualifications:

· Leadership experience – Mr. DeCubellis has been our chief executive officer since November 9, 2011, chief executive officer of Altra Inc. (2008 to 2011), vice president- president of Altra Inc. (2006 to 2011),and an executive with Exxon Mobil Corp in Houston, Texas. (1996 to 2006).
· Industry experience - Mr. DeCubellis has been our chief executive officer from November 9, 2011 and has broad energy experience as, chief executive officer of Altra Inc., a biofuel company, and executive experience with Exxon Mobil Corp.
· Education experience - Mr. DeCubellis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1990), an MBA from Northwestern University’s JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management (1996), and a Masters of Engineering Management from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering (1996).

 

James Moe has been the chief financial officer of Black Ridge since March 14, 2011. Mr. Moe had previously been the chief financial officer of Northern Contours Inc., a multi-state manufacturing company located in Mendota Heights, Minnesota specializing in cabinet doors and work surfaces, since August 2005. From January 2004 to August 2005, he was the chief financial officer of Trimodal Inc., a trucking and container handling company located in Bloomington, Minnesota, which operated in seven cities in the Midwest and East Coast. From April 2000 to December 2003, Mr. Moe was the corporate controller of Simondelivers.com, a venture capital backed start-up company located in Golden Valley, Minnesota providing home delivery of groceries ordered over the internet. From October 1994 to April 2000, he was the corporate controller of Recovery Engineering Inc., a high growth publicly traded manufacturer and distributor of small-scale water filters located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. From November 1989 to October 1994, Mr. Moe was the controller of Standard Iron and Wire Works, a privately held multi-division metal fabricator operating three plants in Minnesota. Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1985, Mr. Moe worked as a senior accountant until November 1989 for Boulay, Heutmaker, Zibell & Company.

 

 

1 When Mr. DeCubellis became CEO of Altra Inc in 2008, the company was in deep financial distress. Mr. DeCubellis implemented a comprehensive corporate wide restructuring effort that was completed in 2009. This included restructuring and eliminating all of the debt at Altra Inc, raising capital at Altra Inc and refocusing the strategy of the company on a technology license. As part of this restructuring, certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of Altra, Inc. surrendered assets to lenders or entered in receivership.

 

39
 

 

Mr. Moe’s qualifications:

· Leadership experience – Mr. Moe has been our chief financial officer since March 14, 2011, chief financial officer of Northern Contours Inc. (2005 to 2011), and chief financial officer of Trimodal Inc. (2004 to 2005).
· Industry experience - Mr. Moe has been our chief financial officer since March 14, 2011 and has served as a chief financial officer for businesses in other industries. Black Ridge is the first oil and gas company for which Mr. Moe has provided management services.
· Education experience - Mr. Moe holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota (1985).

 

Bradley Berman has been a director of Black Ridge since our inception and our chairman since November 12, 2010. He was our chief executive officer from November 12, 2010 to November 9, 2011, our chief financial officer between November 12, 2010 and November 15, 2010, and our corporate secretary from November 12, 2010 to February 22, 2011. Mr. Berman is the president of King Show Games, Inc., a company he founded in 1998. Mr. Berman has worked in various capacities in casino gaming from 1992 to 2004 for Grand Casinos, Inc. and then Lakes Entertainment, Inc., achieving the position of Vice President of Gaming, after which he assumed a lesser role in that company. Mr. Berman was a director of Voyager Oil and Gas, Inc. (formerly Ante4 and WPT) from August 2004 to November 2010.

 

Mr. Berman’s qualifications:

· Leadership experience – Mr. Berman has been our chairman since November 12, 2010 and was our chief executive officer from November 12, 2010 to November 9, 2011 and he is the founder and president of King Show Games, Inc.
· Finance experience – Mr. Berman is the founder and president of King Show Games, Inc.
· Industry experience – Mr. Berman was a director of Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. until November 2010.
· Education experience - Mr. Berman attended Mankato State University in Minnesota and University of Nevada at Las Vegas in Nevada concentrating in business and computer science.

 

Benjamin S. Oehler has been a director of Black Ridge since November 16, 2010, and chairman of our audit committee and compensation committee since February 22, 2011. Mr. Oehler is the president and founder of Bashaw Group, Inc., which he founded in 2007. Bashaw Group advises business owners with regard to strategic planning, owner governance and education, business continuity, legacy, philanthropy and liquidity. Prior to founding Bashaw Group, Mr. Oehler was from 1999 to 2007 the president and chief executive officer of Waycrosse, Inc., a financial advisory firm for the family owners of Cargill Incorporated. While at Waycrosse, Mr. Oehler was the primary advisor to the five family members who were serving on the Cargill Incorporated board of directors from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Oehler played a key role in two major growth initiatives for Cargill: the merger of Cargill’s fertilizer business into a public company which is now Mosaic, Inc., and the transformation of Cargill’s proprietary financial markets trading group into two major investment management companies: Black River Asset Management, LLC and CarVal Investors, LLC. An investment banker for 20 years, Mr. Oehler’s transaction experience includes public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, mergers and acquisitions, fairness opinions and valuations of private companies. Prior to joining Waycrosse, Mr. Oehler was an investment banker for Piper Jaffray. By the time he left Piper Jaffray in 1999, he was group head for Piper’s Industrial Growth Team. He has also played a leadership role in a number of corporate buy-outs and venture stage companies, served on corporate and non-profit boards of directors, and has been involved in the creation and oversight of foundations and charitable organizations, as well as U.S. trusts and off shore entities.

 

Mr. Oehler has been a board member and founder of many non-profit organizations including the Minnesota Zoological Society, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, The Lake Country Land School, Greencastle Tropical Study Center, Park Nicollet Institute, Afton Historical Society Press, United Theological Seminary and University of Minnesota Investment Advisor, Inc. He has been a director of Waycrosse, Inc., WayTrust Inc., Dain Equity Partners, Inc., Time Management, Inc., BioNIR, Inc. and Agricultural Solutions, Inc. In September 2007, Mr. Oehler completed the Stanford University Law School Directors Forum, a three-day update on key issues facing corporate directors presented by the Stanford Business School and Stanford Law School. From 1984 through 1999, Mr. Oehler was registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) as a financial principal. Mr. Oehler is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts and has completed all course work at the University of Minnesota Business School with a concentration in finance.

 

40
 

 

Mr. Oehler’s qualifications:

· Leadership experience – Mr. Oehler is the president and founder of Bashaw Group, Inc. (2007 to present), was the president and chief executive officer of Waycrosse, Inc. (1997 to 2007). He served as an investment banker for Piper Jaffray until 1999, achieving the position of group head of its Industrial Growth Team.
· Industry experience – Mr. Oehler has been a director of Waycrosse, Inc., WayTrust Inc., Dain Equity Partners, Inc., Time Management, Inc., BioNIR, Inc. and Agricultural Solutions, Inc.
· Education experience - Mr. Oehler is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts.

 

Joseph Lahti was appointed as a director of the Company to fill a newly-created directorship seat on August 31, 2012. Mr. Lahti is a Minneapolis native and leader in numerous Minnesota business and community organizations. As principal of JL Holdings since 1989, Mr. Lahti has provided funding and management leadership to several early-stage or distressed companies. From 1993 to 2002, he held the positions of chief operating officer, president, chief executive officer and chairman at Shuffle Master, Inc., a company that provides innovative products to the gaming industry. Mr. Lahti currently serves as Chairman of the Board of PokerTek, Inc., a publicly traded company, and he is also an independent director of AFAM/Innealta. Within the past five years Mr. Lahti served on the board of directors of Zomax Inc. and Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc., and more than five years ago Mr. Lahti served as the chairman of the board of directors of Shuffle Master, Inc. Through his public company Board experience, he has participated on, and chaired, both Audit and Compensation Committees.

 

Mr. Lahti’s qualifications:

·

Leadership experience – Mr. Lahti is a principal of JL Holdings (1980 to present). Mr. Lahti currently serves as Chairman of the Board of PokerTek, Inc., a publicly traded company. He served as chief executive officer and chairman of Shuffle Master, Inc., a publicly traded company (1997-2002).

· Industry experience - Mr. Lahti has participated as an independent director in several public companies in a variety of other industries, including serving as an independent director of Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. and serving as the compensation committee chair for Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. and Poker Tek, Inc. and compensation committee member of Zomax Inc. and several private companies.
· Education experience - Mr. Lahti holds Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Harvard University.

 

No director is required to make any specific amount or percentage of his business time available to us. Each of our officers intends to devote such amount of his or her time to our affairs as is required or deemed appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41
 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Director Selection Process

 

The Company does not have a standing nominating committee, but rather the Board of Directors as a whole considers director nominees. The Board of Directors has determined this is appropriate given the size of the Board of Directors and the Company’s current size. The Board will consider candidates suggested by its members, other directors, senior management and stockholders in anticipation of upcoming elections and actual or expected board vacancies. The Board of Directors has not adopted a formal diversity policy or established specific minimum criteria or qualifications because from time to time the needs of the Board and the Company may change. All candidates, including those recommended by stockholders, are evaluated on the same basis in light of the entirety of their credentials and the needs of the Board of Directors and the Company. Of particular importance is the candidate’s wisdom, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of the business environment in which the Company operates, as well as his or her potential contribution to the diversity of the Board of Directors and his or her willingness to devote adequate time to fulfill his or her duties as a director. The Board of Directors will consider director candidates recommended by the Company’s stockholders. Stockholders may recommend director candidates by contacting the Chairman of the Board as provided under the heading “Communications with the Board of Directors.” The Company did not employ a search firm or pay fees to other third parties in connection with seeking or evaluating board nominee candidates.

 

Board and Committee Meetings

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Board of Directors held four meetings, the Audit Committee held five meetings, and the Compensation Committee held two meetings. Each of our elected Directors attended at least 75% of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which he served during the year.

 

Annual Meeting Attendance

 

The Company did not hold an annual meeting of stockholders in 2012. If the Company holds an annual meeting of stockholders in the future, the Board of Directors will encourage Directors to attend such annual meeting.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

Our Board of Directors has no formal policy with respect to separation of the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or with respect to whether the Chairman should be a member of management or an independent director, and believes that these are matters that should be discussed and determined by the Board from time to time based on the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board. The Board has determined that having Bradley Berman, although not considered independent due to his former role as Chief Executive Officer, serve as Chairman is in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders at this time due to his extensive knowledge of the Company. Further, the separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus on the management of the Company’s day-to-day operations.

 

Risk Management

 

Our Board of Directors believes that risk management is an important component of the Company’s corporate strategy. The Board, as a whole, oversees our risk management process, and discusses and reviews with management major policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Board is regularly informed through its interactions with management and committee reports about risks we currently face, as well as the most likely areas of future risk, in the course of our business including economic, financial, operational, legal and regulatory risks.

 

42
 

 

Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Stockholders and other interested persons seeking to communicate directly with the Board of Directors, the independent directors as a group or any of the Audit or Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors, should submit their written comments c/o Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at 10275 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 310, Minnetonka MN 55305 and should indicate in the address whether the communication is intended for the Chairman of the Board, the Independent Directors or a Committee Chair. The Chairman of the Board will review any such communication at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting unless, in his or her judgment, earlier communication to the Board of Directors is warranted.

 

At the direction of the Board of Directors, we reserve the right to screen all materials sent to its directors for potential security risks, harassment purposes or routine solicitations.

 

Code of Ethics

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to our directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other Company employees who perform similar functions.

 

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. To our knowledge, based solely on the review of the copies of these forms furnished to us and representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes the following forms required to be filed under Section 16 of the Exchange Act for the year ended December 31, 2012 have not been filed timely:

 

  £ One Form 4 for Mr. Benjamin Oehler filed on December 10, 2012.
  £ One Form 4 for Mr. Joseph Lahti filed on September 18, 2012.

 

 

43
 

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Overview

 

We currently qualify as a “smaller reporting company” as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K. Accordingly, and in accordance with relevant SEC rules and guidance, we have elected, with respect to the disclosures required by Item 402 (Executive Compensation) of Regulation S-K, to comply with the disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies. The following Compensation Overview is not comparable to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis” that is required of SEC reporting companies that are not smaller reporting companies.

 

The following Compensation Overview describes the material elements of compensation for our executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table (“Named Executive Officers”), and executive officers that we may hire in the future. As more fully described below, our board’s compensation committee reviews and recommends policies, practices, and procedures relating to the total direct compensation of our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, and the establishment and administration of certain of our employee benefit plans to our board of directors.

 

Compensation Program Objectives and Rewards

 

Our compensation philosophy is based on the premise of attracting, retaining, and motivating exceptional leaders, setting high goals, working toward the common objectives of meeting the expectations of customers and stockholders, and rewarding outstanding performance. Following this philosophy, we consider all relevant factors in determining executive compensation, including the competition for talent, our desire to link pay with performance, the use of equity to align executive interests with those of our stockholders, individual contributions, teamwork, and each executive’s total compensation package. We strive to accomplish these objectives by compensating all executives with compensation packages consisting of a combination of competitive base salary and incentive compensation.

 

The compensation received by our Named Executive Officers is based primarily on the levels at which we can afford to retain them and their responsibilities and individual contributions. Our compensation policy also reflects our strategy of minimizing general and administration expenses and utilizing independent professional consultants. Our compensation committee and board of directors apply the compensation philosophy and policies described below to determine the compensation of Named Executive Officers.

 

The primary purpose of the compensation and benefits we consider is to attract, retain, and motivate highly talented individuals who will engage in the behavior necessary to enable us to succeed in our mission, while upholding our values in a highly competitive marketplace. Different elements are designed to engender different behaviors, and the actual incentive amounts which may be awarded to each Named Executive Officer are subject to the annual review of our compensation committee who will make recommendations regarding compensation to our board of directors. The following is a brief description of the key elements of our planned executive compensation structure.

 

· Base salary and benefits are designed to attract and retain employees over time.
· Incentive compensation awards are designed to focus employees on the business objectives for a particular year.
· Equity incentive awards, such as stock options and non-vested stock, focus executives’ efforts on the behaviors within the recipients’ control that they believe are designed to ensure our long-term success as reflected in increases to our stock prices over a period of several years, growth in our profitability and other elements.
· Severance and change in control plans are designed to facilitate a company’s ability to attract and retain executives as we compete for talented employees in a marketplace where such protections are commonly offered.

 

44
 

 

Benchmarking

 

We have not yet adopted benchmarking but may do so in the future. When making compensation decisions, our compensation committee and board of directors may compare each element of compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers against a report showing comparable compensation metrics from a group that includes both publicly-traded and privately-held companies. Our board believes that while such peer group benchmarks are a point of reference for measurement, they are not necessarily a determining factor in setting executive compensation. Each executive officer’s compensation relative to the benchmark varies based on the scope of responsibility and time in the position. We have not yet formally established our peer group for this purpose.

 

The Elements of The Company’s Compensation Program

 

Base Salary

 

Executive officer base salaries are based on job responsibilities and individual contribution. Our compensation committee and board of directors review the base salaries of our executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, considering factors such as corporate progress toward achieving objectives (without reference to any specific performance-related targets) and individual performance experience and expertise. None of our Named Executive Officers have employment agreements with us. Additional factors reviewed by our compensation committee and board of directors in determining appropriate base salary levels and raises include subjective factors related to corporate and individual performance. For the year ended December 31, 2012, all executive officer base salary decisions were approved by the board of directors.

 

Our compensation committee determines and then recommends to the whole board base salaries for the Named Executive Officers at the beginning of each fiscal year. The compensation committee proposes new base salary amounts, if appropriate, based on its evaluation of individual performance and expected future contributions. The board of directors then approves base salary amounts for the fiscal year. We do not have a 401(k) Plan, but if we adopt one in the future, base salary would be the only element of compensation that would be used in determining the amount of contributions permitted under the 401(k) Plan.

 

Incentive Compensation Awards

 

Our compensation committee has not yet recommended a formal compensation policy for the determination of bonuses, however, on January 24, 2013, our board of directors granted to our Named Executive Officers bonuses consisting of a total of 515,000 common stock options to purchase common stock at $0.56 per share, exercisable over 10 years, vesting in five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant and cash bonuses totaling $15,000. Further, on September 25, 2012, our board of directors authorized the repricing of 1,500,000 common stock options previously granted to Named Executive Officers by cancelling the pre-existing options and granting new options at an exercise price of $0.27 per share, exercisable over 10 years, vesting in five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant.

 

As our revenue grows and bonuses become affordable and justifiable, we expect to use the following parameters in justifying and quantifying bonuses for our Named Executive Officers and other officers of the Company: (1) the growth in our revenue, (2) the growth in our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (“EBITDA”), and (3) our stock price. The board has not adopted specific performance goals and target bonus amounts, but may do so in the future.

 

Equity Incentive Awards

 

Effective June 10, 2010, as amended on February 22, 2011 and March 2, 2012, our board of directors adopted the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan under which a total of 7,500,000 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance as restricted stock or pursuant to the grant and exercise of stock options. Our Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan has been approved by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares. We believe equity incentive awards motivate our employees to work to improve our business and stock price performance, thereby further linking the interests of our senior management and our stockholders. The board considers several factors in determining whether awards are granted to an executive officer, including those previously described, as well as the executive’s position, his or her performance and responsibilities, and the amount of options or other awards, if any, currently held by the officer and their vesting schedule. Our policy prohibits backdating options or granting them retroactively.

 

45
 

 

Benefits and Prerequisites

 

At this stage of our business we have limited benefits and no prerequisites for our employees other than health insurance and vacation benefits that are generally comparable to those offered by other small private and public companies or as may be required by applicable state employment laws. We do not have a 401(k) Plan or any other retirement plan for our Named Executive Officers. We may adopt these plans and confer other fringe benefits for our executive officers in the future.

 

Separation and Change in Control Arrangements

 

We do not have any employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers or any other executive officer or employee of The Company. As of the date of this filing, none of them are eligible for specific benefits or payments if their employment or engagement terminates in a separation or if there is a change of control. We may consider entering into such agreements in the future.

 

Executive Officer Compensation

 

The following table sets forth the total compensation paid in all forms to our named executive officers of the Company during the periods indicated:

 

Summary Compensation Table
          Non-Equity Non-Qualified    
          Incentive Deferred    
Name and       Option Plan Compensation All Other  
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Awards (4) Compensation Earnings Compensation Total
                 
Kenneth T. DeCubellis, 2012 $200,000 $-0- $31,294 (2) $-0- $-0- $-0- $231,294
Chief Executive Officer 2011 $29,167 $-0- $745,587 $-0- $-0- $-0- $774,754
                 
Joshua Wert, 2012 $106,562 $-0- $-0- $-0- $-0- $-0- $106,562
Chief Operating Officer (1) 2011 $150,833 $-0- $97,781 $-0- $-0- $-0- $248,614
  2010 $7,661 $-0- $407,870 $-0- $-0- $-0- $415,531
                 
James Moe, 2012 $145,000 $15,000 $27,595 (3) $-0- $-0- $-0- $187,595
Chief Financial Officer 2011 $109,449 $-0- $830,109 $-0- $-0- $-0- $939,558

 

 

(1) Joshua Wert was our interim chief financial officer from November 15, 2010 to March 14, 2011, and resigned as our chief operating officer on September 7, 2012.

 

(2) On September 25, 2012, Mr. Kenneth T. DeCubellis agreed to the cancellation of 1,000,000 stock options previously granted on October 26, 2011 in exchange for new stock option agreements. Under the new agreements the original number of stock options remains the same, but will have a new exercise price of $0.27 per share. These options will vest in five equal annual installments, commencing one year from the date of grant on September 25, 2013, and continuing on the next four anniversaries thereof until fully vested. The additional estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model was $31,294 greater than the estimated value immediately preceding the modifications, and is being amortized in addition to the remaining unamortized value of the original option grants.

 

(3) On September 25, 2012, Mr. James Moe agreed to the cancellation of 500,000 stock options previously granted on February 22, 2011 in exchange for new stock option agreements. Under the new agreements the original number of stock options remains the same, but will have a new exercise price of $0.27 per share. These options will vest in five equal annual installments, commencing one year from the date of grant on September 25, 2013, and continuing on the next four anniversaries thereof until fully vested. The additional estimated value using the Black-Scholes Pricing Model was $27,595 greater than the estimated value immediately preceding the modifications, and is being amortized in addition to the remaining unamortized value of the original option grants.

 

(4) See Notes 3 and 11 of our audited financial statements included herein for additional information on assumptions made in the valuation of option awards.

 

46
 

 

Employment Agreements

 

We have not entered into any employment agreements with our executive officers to date. We may enter into employment agreements with them in the future.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to unexercised stock options, stock that has not vested, and equity incentive plan awards held by our executive officers at December 31, 2012.

 

Outstanding Option Awards at Fiscal Year-End  

Name   Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable   Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable   Option Exercise Price   Option Expiration Date
                 
Kenneth T. DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer   -0-   1,000,000 (2)   $0.27   September 24, 2022
                 
Joshua Wert, Chief Operating Officer (1)   166,667   -0-   $1.00   September 7, 2013
                 
James Moe, Chief Financial Officer   -0-   500,000 (2)   $0.27   September 24, 2022
    40,000   160,000 (3)   $1.00   November 1, 2021

 

 

(1) Joshua Wert was our interim chief financial officer from November 15, 2010 to March 14, 2011, and resigned as our chief operating officer on September 7, 2012.
(2) Options vest in five equal annual installments, commencing one year from the date of grant on September 25, 2013, and continuing on the next four anniversaries thereof until fully vested.
(3) Remaining unvested options vest in four equal annual installments, beginning November 2, 2013, and continuing on the next three anniversaries thereof until fully vested.

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

None of our executive officers exercised any stock options or acquired stock through vesting of an equity award during the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

47
 

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table summarizes the compensation paid or accrued by us to our directors for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Name   Fees Earned or Paid in Cash   Stock Award   Option Awards   Non-Equity Incentive Compensation   Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings   All other Compensation   Total
                             
Bradley Berman, Chairman   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-
                             
Benjamin Oehler   $-0-   $-0-   $44,681 (1)   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $44,681
                             
Joseph Lahti   $-0-   $-0-   $70,747 (2)   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $70,747
                             
Morris Goldfarb (3)   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-   $-0-

 

 

(1) Effective December 4, 2012, we granted to Mr. Oehler options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.53 per share, exercisable until December 3, 2022, vesting in five equal annual installments beginning on the one year anniversary of the grant date. The value of these option awards was calculated utilizing the Black-Scholes Pricing Model.

 

(2) Effective August 31, 2012, we granted to Mr. Lahti options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.31 per share, exercisable until August 30, 2022, vesting in five equal annual installments beginning on the one year anniversary of the grant date. And, effective December 4, 2012, we granted to Mr. Lahti options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.53 per share, exercisable until December 3, 2022, vesting in five equal annual installments beginning on the one year anniversary of the grant date. The value of these option awards was calculated utilizing the Black-Scholes Pricing Model.

 

(3) Mr. Goldfarb resigned effective October 17, 2012. The board granted an accelerated vesting term for the first 20,000 options that were set to vest on November 2, 2012, and the remaining 80,000 unvested options were cancelled. No additional compensation expense resulted from the acceleration of the vesting term.

 

Our compensation committee has not yet recommended policy for board compensation, however option awards have been granted to independent directors upon joining the board and on an annual basis. The Company has not paid cash fees to directors and has no formal compensation arrangements with its directors. No form of compensation has been paid or granted to Mr. Berman, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, since his resignation as an officer of the Company on November 9, 2011. While there is no set policy regarding board compensation, this may be subject to change by the directors.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2013 by: (i) each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) each director; (iii) each named executive officer; and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. On March 15, 2013, we had 47,979,990 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

48
 

  

Certain persons who purchased shares in our private offering which closed on December 16, 2010 with respect to 6,684,000 shares of our common stock, excluding shares purchased by our officers and directors, have entered into a voting agreement that gives our board of directors, by majority vote, the power to vote certain shares of common stock. The terms of the voting agreement provides that each agreement is effective for one year from the date entered into and will automatically renew for subsequent one year periods unless the stockholder gives notice of termination to us at least 30 days prior to the expiration of each annual period. In addition, the voting agreements expire:

 

· With respect to any shares sold in the public markets.
· With respect to any shares for which a registration statement is declared effective.

 

As used in the table below and elsewhere in this form, the term “beneficial ownership” with respect to a security consists of sole or shared voting power, including the power to vote or direct the vote and/or sole or shared investment power, including the power to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to the security through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, including a right to acquire such power(s) during the next 60 days following March 15, 2013. Inclusion of shares in the table does not, however, constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. Unless otherwise indicated, (i) each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that person’s spouse) with respect to all shares of capital stock listed as owned by that person or entity, and (ii) the address of each person or entity named in the table is c/o Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., 10275 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 310, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305.

 

Name, Title and Address of Beneficial Owner   Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (1)   Percentage of Ownership
Bradley Berman, Chairman of Board and Director   6,824,065 (2)   14.0%
Ken DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer   86,000 (3)   *
Joshua Wert, former Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary   166,667 (4)   *
James Moe, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary   40,000 (5)   *
Joseph Lahti, Director   -   *
Benjamin Oehler, Director   86,667 (6)   *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (6 persons)   7,203,399 (7)   14.6%
Lyle Berman   2,468,801 (8)   5.1%
Neil Sell   3,886,335 (9)   8.1%

Twin City Technical, LLC

P.O. Box 2323, Bismarck

North Dakota 58502

  4,514,595 (10)   9.4%

Irish Oil & Gas, Inc.

P.O. Box 2356, Bismarck

North Dakota 58502

  4,514,594 (10)   9.4%

Ernest W. Moody Revocable Trust

175 East Reno Avenue, Suite C6

Las Vegas, NV 89119

  3,250,000 (11)   6.8%

 

 

*Indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

 

(1) Except as pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned. The total number of issued and outstanding shares and the total number of shares owned by each person does not include unexercised warrants and stock options owned by parties other than for whom the calculation is presented, and is calculated as of March 15, 2013.
(2) Includes 733,333 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2013. Includes 712,229 shares held by certain trusts for the children of Mr. Bradley Berman. Includes 185,898 shares owned by Mr. Bradley Berman’s wife.
(3) Includes 5,000 shares owned by Mr. Ken DeCubellis’ wife.
(4) Includes 166,667 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2013.
(5) Includes 40,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2013.
(6) Includes 86,667 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2013.
(7) Does not include a total of 6,684,000 additional shares over which our board of directors has voting but not dispositive power as a result of voting agreements between us and certain other shareholders.
(8) Includes 24,000 shares which may be purchased pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2013. Does not include 3,717,313 shares held by trusts for the children of Mr. Lyle Berman, the trustee for which is Mr. Neil Sell.
(9) Includes 169,022 shares owned by Mr. Sell, individually, and an aggregate of 3,717,313 shares owned by certain trusts for the benefit of Mr. Lyle Berman’s children, for which Mr. Sell is the trustee. Does not include 19,000 shares held by Mr. Sell’s spouse, for which Mr. Sell disclaims beneficial ownership.
(10) These companies sold oil and gas properties to us in various transactions and, as part of the purchase price for these properties or down payments related to transactions, were issued these shares of common stock by us. We may purchase additional oil and gas properties from these companies in the future, for which we may issue additional shares of our common stock.
(11) Based on Schedule 13G filed February 14, 2013.

 

49
 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Related Party Transactions

 

Transactions with Twin City Technical and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc.

 

We have acquired a majority of our mineral leases from Twin City Technical, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company, and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc., a Nevada corporation. As part of these acquisitions, we have issued shares of our common stock to Twin City Technical and Irish Oil and Gas. As set forth above under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” , each of Twin City Technical and Irish Oil and Gas own over 8.9% of our common stock as of March 15, 2013. We recorded the total value of property acquired from Twin City Technical and Irish Oil and Gas at $15,760,766.

 

On March 22, 2012, we entered into another asset purchase agreement with Twin City Technical, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company, and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc., a Nevada corporation, dated March 21, 2012, to acquire all of the Sellers’ right, title and interest in and to certain oil and gas mineral leases comprising approximately 8,655 net acres of undeveloped oil and gas properties primarily located in McKenzie, Mountrail, Williams, Burke, Divide, Dunn Counties, and other associated positions in North Dakota, in consideration for a total of $24,235,036 of cash payable in full at the closing, plus an aggregate of 577,025 shares of the Company’s common stock, which shares of common stock will also be issued as a non-refundable deposit. The acquisition agreement was terminated in June of 2012.

 

Credit Facility

 

Pursuant to the revolving credit facility, Morris Goldfarb, one of the Company’s former directors, was participating as a lender acting through PrenAnte5, LLC as the lenders’ Agent. As a lender under the credit facility, Mr. Goldfarb had a commitment amount of $1.5 million in the facility. In consideration for his participation through the agent, Mr. Goldfarb was issued 75,000 warrants (his pro-rata share as a lender) with an exercise price of $0.95 per share with the same terms and conditions as the other warrants issued in connection with the closing of the credit facility. Mr. Goldfarb abstained from the vote of the Company’s board of directors for the authorization of the credit facility. The Company received its first draw of $2,000,000 on February 24, 2012, and subsequently repaid the balance plus accrued interest of $51,722 on April 12, 2012 when it terminated the revolving credit facility.

 

Office Lease

 

We have subleased and currently lease office space on a month to month basis where the lessor is an entity owned by our former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bradley Berman. The sublease agreement was cancelled and we entered into a direct lease on April 30, 2012 to expand and occupy approximately 1,142 square feet of office space. In accordance with this lease, our lease term remains on a month-to-month basis, provided that either party provide 90 day notice to terminate the lease, with base rents of $1,142 per month, plus common area operations and maintenance charges, and monthly parking fees of $240 per month, for the first year commencing on May 1, 2012, and increases of $24 per month for each of the subsequent four year periods. We have paid a total of $26,546 and $13,208 to this entity during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Other Related Party Transactions

 

A former officer of the Company, Steve Lipscomb, received a commission of 5% of a royalty stream from Peerless Media Ltd., recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 as a contingent consideration receivable, as a result of an incentive arrangement with Mr. Lipscomb that was approved by Ante4’s Board of Directors in February 2009. Mr. Lipscomb has received a total of $26,468 and $23,170 during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which $19,071 in royalties were received by Mr. Lipscomb while an officer of the Company in 2012. As a result of the settlement of litigation related to the same agreement, Mr. Lipscomb was due 5% of the settlement payments from the litigation settlement amounting to approximately $548,827 of which $432,593 was paid in 2012 and the remaining $116,234 is due upon receipt by the Company of the final settlement payment from Peerless Media, Ltd.

 

We also paid a total of $-0- and $10,562 to an entity owned by our former CEO and current Chairman of the Board of Directors , Bradley Berman for administrative services provided during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

50
 

 

Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons

 

The Audit Committee has adopted a related party transaction policy whereby any proposed transaction between the Company and any officer or director, any stockholder owning in excess of 5% of the Company’s stock, immediate family member of an officer or director, or an entity that is substantially owned or controlled by one of these individuals, must be approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Audit Committee. The only exceptions to this policy are for transactions that are available to all employees of the Company generally or involve less than $25,000. If the proposed transaction involves executive or director compensation, it must be approved by the Compensation Committee. Similarly, if a significant opportunity is presented to any of the Company’s officers or directors, such officer or director must first present the opportunity to the Board for consideration.

 

At each meeting of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee meets with The Company's management to discuss any proposed related party transactions. A majority of disinterested members of the Audit Committee must approve a transaction for the Company to enter into it. If approved, management will update the Audit Committee with any material changes to the approved transaction at its regularly scheduled meetings.

 

Director Independence

 

Our Common Stock currently trades on the OTC Bulletin Board. As such, we are not currently subject to corporate governance standards of listed companies, which require, among other things, that the majority of the board of directors be independent. We are not currently subject to corporate governance standards defining the independence of our directors, and we have chosen to define an “independent” director in accordance with the NASDAQ Global Market’s requirements for independent directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Oehler and Lahti is “independent” in accordance with the NASDAQ Global Market’s requirements and, thus, that a majority of the current Board of Directors is independent.

 

Our Board of Directors will review at least annually the independence of each director. During these reviews, our Board of Directors will consider transactions and relationships between each director (and his or her immediate family and affiliates) and us and our management to determine whether any such transactions or relationships are inconsistent with a determination that the director was independent. The Board of Directors will conduct its annual review of director independence and to determine if any transactions or relationships exist that would disqualify any of the individuals who then served as a director under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, or require disclosure under SEC rules.

  

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

M&K CPAS, PLLC (“M&K”) was the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and has served the Company as its independent registered public accounting firm since our inception.

 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

 

The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by M&K for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

  Years Ended December 31,  
    2012     2011  
Audit fees (1)   $ 53,000     $ 60,400  
Audit related fees            
Tax fees            
All other fees            
Total   $ 53,000     $ 60,400  

 

 

(1) Audit fees were principally for audit services and work performed in the preparation and review of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and private placement offering/registration statement.

 

51
 

 

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for, and overseeing the work of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, and all such services were approved by the Audit Committee in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

The Audit Committee assesses requests for services by the independent registered public accounting firm using several factors. The Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s and SEC’s rules on auditor independence. In addition, the Audit Committee will determine whether the independent registered public accounting firm is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service based upon the members’ familiarity with the Company’s business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and whether the service might enhance the Company’s ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality.

 

Report of the Audit Committee

 

The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its general oversight of the Company’s financial reporting process. The Audit Committee’s function is more fully described in its charter, which can be found on the Company’s website at www.blackridgeoil.com. The Committee reviews the charter on an annual basis. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Committee is independent in accordance with the NASDAQ Global Market’s requirements for independent directors. The Board of Directors has also determined that Benjamin Oehler qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing those financial statements and expressing an opinion on the fairness of the audited financial statements based on the audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

In connection with the Audit Committee’s responsibilities set forth in its charter, the Audit Committee has:

 

· Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Company’s independent auditors;

 

· Discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; and

 

· Received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence.

 

The Audit Committee also considered, as it determined appropriate, tax matters and other areas of financial reporting and the audit process over which the Audit Committee has oversight.

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 for filing with the SEC.

 

  THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
  Benjamin Oehler, Chairman
  Joseph Lahti

  

52
 

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

Exhibits

  

Exhibit No Description
2.1 Distribution Agreement by and between Ante4, Inc. (now Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc.) and Ante5, Inc. (now Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc.), dated April 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commissioner by Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. on April 19, 2010)
   
2.2 Certificate of Ownership and Merger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on April 3, 2012)
   
2.3 Plan and Agreement of Merger by and between Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., dated December 10, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on December 12, 2012)
   
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on December 12, 2012)
   
3.2 Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on December 12, 2012)
   
4.1 Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. 2012 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Schedule 14C filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on March 26, 2012)
   
4.2 Black Ridge Oil & Gas Amendment of 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on September 27, 2012)
   
4.3 Form of Stock Incentive Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on September 27, 2012)
   
9.1 Form of Voting Agreement used in connection with our private placement which closed on December 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 of the Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on August 22, 2011)
   
10.1 Subscription Agreement dated April 13, 2010, by and between Ante4, Inc. and Ante5, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 10-12G Registration Statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2010)
   
10.2 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Ante4, Inc. (now Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc.),  Plains Energy Acquisition Corp. and Plains Energy Investments, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commissioner by Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. on April 19, 2010)
   
10.3 Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 24, 2009 by and among Peerless Media, Ltd. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. on August 24, 2009)

 

53
 

 

10.4 Guaranty Agreement dated August 24, 2009 made by ElectraWorks Ltd. In favor of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. on August 24, 2009)
   
10.5 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 7, 2010, made by Ante5, Inc., Twin City Technical, LLC and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on October 13, 2010)
   
10.6 Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 2, 2011, made by Ante5, Inc., Twin City Technical, LLC and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on March 4, 2011)
   
10.7 Addendum, dated March 15, 2011, to the Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 2, 2011, made by Ante5, Inc., Twin City Technical, LLC and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on March 22, 2011)
   
10.8 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 27, 2011, made by Ante5, Inc., Twin City Technical, LLC and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on May 4, 2011)
   
10.9 Amended and Restated Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated September 5, 2012, by and between Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. and Dougherty Funding LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on September 6, 2012)
   
10.10 Form of Warrant issued in connection with the credit facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on September 6, 2012)
   
10.11 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. on December 20, 2012)
   
10.12 Securities Purchase Agreement, dated July 26, 2011, by and among Ante5, Inc. and the several Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on July 26, 2011)
   
10.13 Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 26, 2011, by and among Ante5, Inc. and the persons named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on July 26, 2011)
   
10.14 Form of Investors’ Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on July 26, 2011)
   
10.15 Form of Agents’ Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on July 26, 2011)
   
10.16* Form of Indemnification Agreement with Officers and Directors
     
10.17 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 9, 2011, made by Ante5, Inc., Twin City Technical, LLC and Irish Oil and Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Ante5, Inc. on August 11, 2011)

 

54
 

 

21.1* List of Subsidiaries
     
23.2* Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
   
24.1* Power of Attorney (including on signature pages)
   
31.1* Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
   
31.2* Section 302 Certification of Principal Accounting Officer
   
32.1* Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
   
32.2* Section 906 Certification of Principal Accounting Officer
   
99.1* Report of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
   
101* Interactive Data Files

  

 

* Filed herewith.

 

 

55
 

  

SIGNATURES

 

 

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

 

Dated: March 28, 2013 BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC.
   
   
  By:   / s/ Kenneth DeCubellis
  Kenneth DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each of the undersigned members of the Board of Directors of BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, Inc., whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of James Moe or Ken DeCubellis, such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such person and in such name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “Annual Report”) of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. and any or all amendments to such Annual Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.

 

By:  /s/ Kenneth DeCubellis Dated: March 28, 2013
Kenneth DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer)  
   
   
By:    /s/ James Moe Dated: March 28, 2013
James Moe, Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Accounting Officer)  
   
   
By:    /s/ Bradley Berman Dated: March 28, 2013
Bradley Berman, Director  
   
   
By:    /s/ Joseph Lahti Dated: March 28, 2013
Joseph Lahti, Director  
   
   
By:    /s/ Benjamin Oehler Dated: March 28, 2013
Benjamin Oehler, Director  

 

 

56

 

Exhibit 10.16

 

BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC.

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of January ___, 2013 by and between Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and [ ], an individual (“Indemnitee”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. The Company and Indemnitee recognize the significant cost of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the general limitations in the coverage of such insurance.

 

B. The Company and Indemnitee further recognize the risk of corporate litigation in general, potentially subjecting officers and directors to litigation at the same time as the coverage of liability insurance is limited.

 

C. The Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals, such as Indemnitee, to serve as officers and directors of the Company and to indemnify its officers and directors so as to provide them with the maximum protection permitted by law.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration for Indemnitee’s services as an officer or director of the Company, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Indemnification .

 

(a) Third Party Proceedings . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding or any alternative dispute resolution mechanism, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

1
 

 

(b) Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or any subsidiary of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that any court in which such action or suit was brought or another court of competent jurisdiction shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as such court shall deem proper.

 

(c) Mandatory Payment of Expenses . To the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 1, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith.

 

2. Advancement of Expenses . All reasonable Expenses (as hereinafter defined) incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee (including costs of enforcement of this Agreement) shall be advanced from time to time by the Company to Indemnitee within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a written request for an advance of Expenses, whether prior to or after final disposition of a Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) (except to the extent that there has been a final adverse determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses), including without limitation any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. The written request for an advancement of any and all Expenses under this paragraph shall contain reasonable detail of the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. By execution of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have made whatever undertaking as may be required by law at the time of any advancement of Expenses with respect to repayment to the Company of such Expenses. In the event that the Company shall breach its obligation to advance Expenses under this Section 2, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee’s remedies available at law would not be adequate and that Indemnitee would be entitled to specific performance.

 

3. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings . Upon making a request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching any contrary determination. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, arbitration award or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not affect this presumption or, except as determined by a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to Indemnitee, establish a presumption with regard to any factual matter relevant to determining Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification hereunder. If the person or persons so empowered to make a determination pursuant to Section 4 hereof shall have failed to make the requested determination within sixty (60) days after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or other disposition or partial disposition of any Proceeding or any other event that could enable the Company to determine Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, the requisite determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

2
 

 

4. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification .

 

(a) Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee . Indemnitee shall, as a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified under this Agreement, give the Company notice in writing as soon as practicable of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Notice to the Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the address shown on the signature page of this Agreement (or such other address as the Company shall designate in writing to Indemnitee). Notice shall be deemed received as provided in Section 15 of this Agreement. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information, documentation and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall reasonably be accessible to Indemnitee.

 

(b) Procedure . Any indemnification and advances provided for in Section 1 and Section 2 shall be made no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the written request of Indemnitee; provided, in the case of any request for indemnification, the Company has determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. If a claim under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification, is not paid in full by the Company within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 14 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of bringing such action. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed. Nevertheless, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to receive interim payments of expenses pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement unless and until such defense may be finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists. It is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

3
 

 

(c) Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(d) Selection of Counsel . In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 2 hereof to pay the expenses of any proceeding against Indemnitee, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such proceeding, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same proceeding, provided that Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his counsel in any such proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, if Indemnitee reasonably concludes that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, and the Company approves Indemnitee’s counsel which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, then the reasonable fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.

 

5. Additional Indemnification Rights; Nonexclusivity .

 

(a) Scope. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute. In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Nevada corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be, ipso facto, within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and Company’s obligations, under this Agreement. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Nevada corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.

 

(b) Nonexclusivity . The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested Directors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Nevada, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though he may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any action, suit or other covered proceeding (the “Indemnification Period”). To the extent that during the Indemnification Period the rights of the then existing directors and officers are more favorable to such directors or officers than the rights currently provided to Indemnitee thereunder or under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to the full benefits of such more favorable rights.

 

4
 

 

6. Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the expenses, judgments, fines or penalties actually and reasonably incurred by him in the investigation, defense, appeal or settlement of any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses, judgments, fines or penalties to which Indemnitee is entitled, which shall be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

7. Mutual Acknowledgement . Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, Federal law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.

 

8. Officer and Director Liability Insurance . The Company shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for the Company to obtain and maintain policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing the officers and directors of the Company with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, or to ensure the Company’s performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. Among other considerations, the Company will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage. In all policies of director and officer liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that (a) such insurance is not reasonably available, (b) the premium costs for such insurance are too expensive for the Company to afford or are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, (c) the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or (d) the Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a subsidiary or parent of the Company.

 

9. Severability . Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable as provided in this Section 9. If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

5
 

 

10. Exceptions . Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

(a) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee . To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under the Nevada General Corporation Law, but such indemnification or advancement of expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors has approved the initiation or bringing of such suit; or

 

(b) Lack of Good Faith . To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee with respect to any proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by the Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous; or

 

(c) Insured Claims . To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) which have been paid directly to or on behalf of Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance maintained by the Company; or

 

(d) Claims Under Section 16(b) . To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or

 

(e) Certain Matters . To indemnify Indemnitee on account of any proceeding with respect to (i) remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law, (ii) which it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that the Imdemnitee’s conduct was knowingly fraudulent or dishonest or constituted willful misconduct, or (iii) which it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication by a court having jurisdiction in the matter that such indemnification is not lawful.

 

11. Construction of Certain Phrases .

 

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

6
 

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement, including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

 

(d) For purposes of this Agreement, references to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

12. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.

 

7
 

 

13. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s estate, heirs, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

14. Attorneys’ Fees . In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, unless as a part of such action, the court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action were not made in good faith or were frivolous. In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless as a part of such action the court determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.

 

15. Notice . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party addressee, or by email or by facsimile, on the date of such receipt, or (ii) if mailed by domestic certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date postmarked. Addresses for notice to either party are as shown on the signature page of this Agreement, or as subsequently modified by written notice.

 

16. Choice of Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and its provisions construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof.

 

17. Period of Limitations . No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s estate, spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of one year from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such one-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, such shorter period shall govern.

 

18. Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

19. Amendment and Termination . No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing signed by both the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

20. Integration and Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes and merges all previous written and oral negotiations, commitments, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof between the parties hereto.

 

8
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

COMPANY: INDEMNITEE:
   
Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., a Nevada corporation [               ]
   
   
By:_______________________________ _____________________________
        Kenneth DeCubellis, [               ]
        Chief Executive Officer  
   
Address: Address:
        10275 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 310 _____________________________
        Minnetonka, MN 55305 _____________________________

 

 

 

 

9

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF BLACK RIDGE OIL & GAS, INC.

As of December 31, 2012

 

 

Subsidiary

Corporation

State of

Incorporation

   
Poker Interests, LLC Nevada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

 

We hereby consent to the inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2012, of our report dated March 4, 2013, with respect to estimates of reserves and future net revenue of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., as of December 31, 2012, and to all references to our firm included in this Annual Report.

 

  NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
   
   
  By:     /s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III
  C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Dallas, Texas

March 27, 2013

 

Please be advised that the digital document you are viewing is provided by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) as a convenience to our clients.  The digital document is intended to be substantively the same as the original signed document maintained by NSAI.  The digital document is subject to the parameters, limitations, and conditions stated in the original document.  In the event of any differences between the digital document and the original document, the original document shall control and supersede the digital document.

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

  

I, Kenneth DeCubellis, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Black Ridge Oil & 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.

 

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

 

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses 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 small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: March 28, 2013

 

 

By: /s/ Kenneth DeCubellis

Kenneth DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, James Moe, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Black Ridge Oil & 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.

 

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

 

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses 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 small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: March 28, 2013

 

 

By: /s/ James Moe

James Moe, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting 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 Annual Report of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2012 (the “Report”), I, Kenneth DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:

 

(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.

 

 

Dated: March 28, 2013

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ Kenneth DeCubellis

Kenneth DeCubellis, Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

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 Annual Report of Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2012 (the “Report”) I, James Moe, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:

 

(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.

 

 

Dated: March 28, 2013

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ James Moe

James Moe, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

March 4, 2013

 

 

 

Mr. Ken DeCubellis

Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc.

10275 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 310

Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305

 

Dear Mr. DeCubellis:

 

In accordance with your request, we have estimated the proved reserves and future revenue, as of December 31, 2012, to the Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (Black Ridge) interest in certain oil and gas properties located in Montana and North Dakota. We completed our evaluation on or about the date of this letter. It is our understanding that the proved reserves estimated in this report constitute all of the proved reserves owned by Black Ridge. The estimates in this report have been prepared in accordance with the definitions and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, with the exception of the exclusion of future income taxes, conform to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas. Definitions are presented immediately following this letter. This report has been prepared for Black Ridge's use in filing with the SEC; in our opinion the assumptions, data, methods, and procedures used in the preparation of this report are appropriate for such purpose.

 

We estimate the net reserves and future net revenue to the Black Ridge interest in these properties, as of December 31, 2012, to be:

 

    Net Reserves   Future Net Revenue (M$)
    Oil   Gas       Present Worth
Category   (MBBL)   (MMCF)   Total   at 10%
                 
Proved Developed Producing   452.6   340.2   26,501.3   15,352.2
Proved Undeveloped   1,663.5   1,264.5   55,939.1   12,586.6
                 
Total Proved   2,116.1   1,604.7   82,440.4   27,938.8

 

The oil reserves shown include crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids (NGL). Oil volumes are expressed in thousands of barrels (MBBL); a barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at standard temperature and pressure bases.

 

The estimates shown in this report are for proved developed producing and proved undeveloped reserves. Our study indicates that there are no proved developed non-producing reserves for these properties at this time. No study was made to determine whether probable or possible reserves might be established for these properties. This report does not include any value that could be attributed to interests in undeveloped acreage beyond those tracts for which undeveloped reserves have been estimated. Reserves categorization conveys the relative degree of certainty; reserves subcategorization is based on development and production status. The estimates of reserves and future revenue included herein have not been adjusted for risk.

 

Gross revenue is Black Ridge's share of the gross (100 percent) revenue from the properties prior to any deductions. Future net revenue is after deductions for Black Ridge's share of production taxes, ad valorem taxes, capital costs, and operating expenses but before consideration of any income taxes. The future net revenue has been discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent to determine its present worth, which is shown to indicate the effect of time on the value of money. Future net revenue presented in this report, whether discounted or undiscounted, should not be construed as being the fair market value of the properties.

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Prices used in this report are based on the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period January through December 2012. For oil volumes, the average West Texas Intermediate spot price of $94.71 per barrel is adjusted by lease for quality, transportation fees, and regional price differentials. For gas volumes, the average Henry Hub spot price of $2.757 per MMBTU is adjusted by lease for energy content, transportation fees, and regional price differentials. When applicable, gas prices have been adjusted to include the value for natural gas liquids. All prices are held constant throughout the lives of the properties. The average adjusted product prices weighted by production over the remaining lives of the properties are $84.36 per barrel of oil and $6.689 per MCF of gas.

 

Operating costs used in this report are based on operating expense records of Black Ridge. These costs include the per-well overhead expenses allowed under joint operating agreements along with estimates of costs to be incurred at and below the district and field levels. Since all properties are nonoperated, headquarters general and administrative overhead expenses of Black Ridge are not included. Operating costs are held constant throughout the lives of the properties.

 

Capital costs used in this report were provided by Black Ridge and are based on authorizations for expenditure and actual costs from recent activity. Capital costs are included as required for new development wells and production equipment. Based on our understanding of future development plans, a review of the records provided to us, and our knowledge of similar properties, we regard these estimated capital costs to be reasonable. Capital costs are held constant to the date of expenditure. As requested, our estimates do not include any salvage value for the lease and well equipment or the cost of abandoning the properties.

 

For the purposes of this report, we did not perform any field inspection of the properties, nor did we examine the mechanical operation or condition of the wells and facilities. We have not investigated possible environmental liability related to the properties; therefore, our estimates do not include any costs due to such possible liability.

 

We have made no investigation of potential gas volume and value imbalances resulting from overdelivery or underdelivery to the Black Ridge interest. Therefore, our estimates of reserves and future revenue do not include adjustments for the settlement of any such imbalances; our projections are based on Black Ridge receiving its net revenue interest share of estimated future gross gas production.

 

The reserves shown in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as exact quantities. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of engineering and geoscience data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible; probable and possible reserves are those additional reserves which are sequentially less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. Estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of market conditions, future operations, changes in regulations, or actual reservoir performance. In addition to the primary economic assumptions discussed herein, our estimates are based on certain assumptions including, but not limited to, that the properties will be developed consistent with current development plans, that the properties will be operated in a prudent manner, that no governmental regulations or controls will be put in place that would impact the ability of the interest owner to recover the reserves, and that our projections of future production will prove consistent with actual performance. If the reserves are recovered, the revenues therefrom and the costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Because of governmental policies and uncertainties of supply and demand, the sales rates, prices received for the reserves, and costs incurred in recovering such reserves may vary from assumptions made while preparing this report.

 

For the purposes of this report, we used technical and economic data including, but not limited to, well logs, geologic maps, well test data, production data, historical price and cost information, and property ownership interests. The reserves in this report have been estimated using deterministic methods; these estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Standards). We used standard engineering and geoscience methods, or a combination of methods, including performance analysis, volumetric analysis, and analogy, that we considered to be appropriate and necessary to categorize and estimate reserves in accordance with SEC definitions and regulations. A substantial portion of these reserves are for undeveloped locations; such reserves are based on estimates of reservoir volumes and recovery efficiencies along with analogy to properties with similar geologic and reservoir characteristics. As in all aspects of oil and gas evaluation, there are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of engineering and geoscience data; therefore, our conclusions necessarily represent only informed professional judgment.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

The data used in our estimates were obtained from Black Ridge, other interest owners, various operators of the properties, public data sources, and the nonconfidential files of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) and were accepted as accurate. Supporting work data are on file in our office. The titles to the properties have not been examined by NSAI, nor has the actual degree or type of interest owned been independently confirmed. The technical persons responsible for preparing the estimates presented herein meet the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the SPE Standards. We are independent petroleum engineers, geologists, geophysicists, and petrophysicists; we do not own an interest in these properties nor are we employed on a contingent basis.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-2699

   
  By: /s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III
   

C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  

Senior Vice President

     

       
By: /s/ Dan Paul Smith   By: /s/ John G. Hattner
 

Dan Paul Smith, P.E. 49093

Senior Vice President

   

John G. Hattner, P.G. 559

Senior Vice President

         
Date Signed: March 4, 2013   Date Signed: March 4, 2013

 

 

BWJ:AHA

 

Please be advised that the digital document you are viewing is provided by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) as a convenience to our clients. The digital document is intended to be substantively the same as the original signed document maintained by NSAI. The digital document is subject to the parameters, limitations, and conditions stated in the original document. In the event of any differences between the digital document and the original document, the original document shall control and supersede the digital document.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

The following definitions are set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a). Also included is supplemental information from (1) the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, (2) the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, and (3) the SEC's Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations.

 

(1) Acquisition of properties. Costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire a property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers' fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

 

(2) Analogous reservoir . Analogous reservoirs, as used in resources assessments, have similar rock and fluid properties, reservoir conditions (depth, temperature, and pressure) and drive mechanisms, but are typically at a more advanced stage of development than the reservoir of interest and thus may provide concepts to assist in the interpretation of more limited data and estimation of recovery. When used to support proved reserves, an "analogous reservoir" refers to a reservoir that shares the following characteristics with the reservoir of interest:

 

(i) Same geological formation (but not necessarily in pressure communication with the reservoir of interest);
(ii) Same environment of deposition;
(iii) Similar geological structure; and
(iv) Same drive mechanism.

 

Instruction to paragraph (a)(2) : Reservoir properties must, in the aggregate, be no more favorable in the analog than in the reservoir of interest.

 

(3) Bitumen . Bitumen, sometimes referred to as natural bitumen, is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis. In its natural state it usually contains sulfur, metals, and other non-hydrocarbons.

 

(4) Condensate . Condensate is a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

 

(5) Deterministic estimate . The method of estimating reserves or resources is called deterministic when a single value for each parameter (from the geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation is used in the reserves estimation procedure.

 

(6) Developed oil and gas reserves . Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

 

(i) Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and
(ii) Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

 

Supplemental definitions from the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System:

 

Developed Producing Reserves – Developed Producing Reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals that are open and producing at the time of the estimate. Improved recovery reserves are considered producing only after the improved recovery project is in operation.

 

Developed Non-Producing Reserves – Developed Non-Producing Reserves include shut-in and behind-pipe Reserves. Shut-in Reserves are expected to be recovered from (1) completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate but which have not yet started producing, (2) wells which were shut-in for market conditions or pipeline connections, or (3) wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons. Behind-pipe Reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells which will require additional completion work or future recompletion prior to start of production. In all cases, production can be initiated or restored with relatively low expenditure compared to the cost of drilling a new well.

 

Definitions - Page 1 of 7
 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(7) Development costs. Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas. More specifically, development costs, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of development activities, are costs incurred to:

 

(i) Gain access to and prepare well locations for drilling, including surveying well locations for the purpose of determining specific development drilling sites, clearing ground, draining, road building, and relocating public roads, gas lines, and power lines, to the extent necessary in developing the proved reserves.
(ii) Drill and equip development wells, development-type stratigraphic test wells, and service wells, including the costs of platforms and of well equipment such as casing, tubing, pumping equipment, and the wellhead assembly.
(iii) Acquire, construct, and install production facilities such as lease flow lines, separators, treaters, heaters, manifolds, measuring devices, and production storage tanks, natural gas cycling and processing plants, and central utility and waste disposal systems.
(iv) Provide improved recovery systems.

 

(8) Development project . A development project is the means by which petroleum resources are brought to the status of economically producible. As examples, the development of a single reservoir or field, an incremental development in a producing field, or the integrated development of a group of several fields and associated facilities with a common ownership may constitute a development project.

 

(9) Development well . A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

 

(10) Economically producible . The term economically producible, as it relates to a resource, means a resource which generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. The value of the products that generate revenue shall be determined at the terminal point of oil and gas producing activities as defined in paragraph (a)(16) of this section.

 

(11) Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) . Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and cumulative production as of that date.

 

(12) Exploration costs . Costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells. Exploration costs may be incurred both before acquiring the related property (sometimes referred to in part as prospecting costs) and after acquiring the property. Principal types of exploration costs, which include depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of exploration activities, are:

 

(i) Costs of topographical, geographical and geophysical studies, rights of access to properties to conduct those studies, and salaries and other expenses of geologists, geophysical crews, and others conducting those studies. Collectively, these are sometimes referred to as geological and geophysical or "G&G" costs.
(ii) Costs of carrying and retaining undeveloped properties, such as delay rentals, ad valorem taxes on properties, legal costs for title defense, and the maintenance of land and lease records.
(iii) Dry hole contributions and bottom hole contributions.
(iv) Costs of drilling and equipping exploratory wells.
(v) Costs of drilling exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells.

 

(13) Exploratory well . An exploratory well is a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well, or a stratigraphic test well as those items are defined in this section.

 

(14) Extension well . An extension well is a well drilled to extend the limits of a known reservoir.

 

Definitions - Page 2 of 7
 

  

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(15) Field . An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more reservoirs in a field which are separated vertically by intervening impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent fields may be treated as a single or common operational field. The geological terms "structural feature" and "stratigraphic condition" are intended to identify localized geological features as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, plays, areas-of-interest, etc.

 

(16) Oil and gas producing activities.

 

(i) Oil and gas producing activities include:

 

(A) The search for crude oil, including condensate and natural gas liquids, or natural gas ("oil and gas") in their natural states and original locations;
(B) The acquisition of property rights or properties for the purpose of further exploration or for the purpose of removing the oil or gas from such properties;
(C) The construction, drilling, and production activities necessary to retrieve oil and gas from their natural reservoirs, including the acquisition, construction, installation, and maintenance of field gathering and storage systems, such as:
(1) Lifting the oil and gas to the surface; and
(2) Gathering, treating, and field processing (as in the case of processing gas to extract liquid hydrocarbons); and
(D) Extraction of saleable hydrocarbons, in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state, from oil sands, shale, coalbeds, or other nonrenewable natural resources which are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, and activities undertaken with a view to such extraction.

 

Instruction 1 to paragraph (a)(16)(i) : The oil and gas production function shall be regarded as ending at a "terminal point", which is the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank. If unusual physical or operational circumstances exist, it may be appropriate to regard the terminal point for the production function as:

 

a. The first point at which oil, gas, or gas liquids, natural or synthetic, are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, or a marine terminal; and
b. In the case of natural resources that are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, if those natural resources are delivered to a purchaser prior to upgrading, the first point at which the natural resources are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, a marine terminal, or a facility which upgrades such natural resources into synthetic oil or gas.

 

Instruction 2 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): For purposes of this paragraph (a)(16), the term saleable hydrocarbons means hydrocarbons that are saleable in the state in which the hydrocarbons are delivered.

 

(ii) Oil and gas producing activities do not include:

 

(A) Transporting, refining, or marketing oil and gas;
(B) Processing of produced oil, gas, or natural resources that can be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas by a registrant that does not have the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in such production;
(C) Activities relating to the production of natural resources other than oil, gas, or natural resources from which synthetic oil and gas can be extracted; or
(D) Production of geothermal steam.

 

(17) Possible reserves. Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves.

 

(i) When deterministic methods are used, the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability of exceeding proved plus probable plus possible reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 10% probability that the total quantities ultimately recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates.

 

Definitions - Page 3 of 7
 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(ii) Possible reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to probable reserves where data control and interpretations of available data are progressively less certain. Frequently, this will be in areas where geoscience and engineering data are unable to define clearly the area and vertical limits of commercial production from the reservoir by a defined project.
(iii) Possible reserves also include incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than the recovery quantities assumed for probable reserves.
(iv) The proved plus probable and proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates must be based on reasonable alternative technical and commercial interpretations within the reservoir or subject project that are clearly documented, including comparisons to results in successful similar projects.
(v) Possible reserves may be assigned where geoscience and engineering data identify directly adjacent portions of a reservoir within the same accumulation that may be separated from proved areas by faults with displacement less than formation thickness or other geological discontinuities and that have not been penetrated by a wellbore, and the registrant believes that such adjacent portions are in communication with the known (proved) reservoir. Possible reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher or lower than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.
(vi) Pursuant to paragraph (a)(22)(iii) of this section, where direct observation has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves should be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir above the HKO only if the higher contact can be established with reasonable certainty through reliable technology. Portions of the reservoir that do not meet this reasonable certainty criterion may be assigned as probable and possible oil or gas based on reservoir fluid properties and pressure gradient interpretations.

 

(18) Probable reserves. 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.

 

(i) When deterministic methods are used, it is as likely as not that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50% probability that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable reserves estimates.
(ii) Probable reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to proved reserves where data control or interpretations of available data are less certain, even if the interpreted reservoir continuity of structure or productivity does not meet the reasonable certainty criterion. Probable reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.
(iii) Probable reserves estimates also include potential incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than assumed for proved reserves.
(iv) See also guidelines in paragraphs (a)(17)(iv) and (a)(17)(vi) of this section.

 

(19) Probabilistic estimate. The method of estimation of reserves or resources is called probabilistic when the full range of values that could reasonably occur for each unknown parameter (from the geoscience and engineering data) is used to generate a full range of possible outcomes and their associated probabilities of occurrence.

 

(20) Production costs.

 

(i) Costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. They become part of the cost of oil and gas produced. Examples of production costs (sometimes called lifting costs) are:

 

(A) Costs of labor to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities.
(B) Repairs and maintenance.
(C) Materials, supplies, and fuel consumed and supplies utilized in operating the wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

Definitions - Page 4 of 7
 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(D) Property taxes and insurance applicable to proved properties and wells and related equipment and facilities.
(E) Severance taxes.

 

(ii) Some support equipment or facilities may serve two or more oil and gas producing activities and may also serve transportation, refining, and marketing activities. To the extent that the support equipment and facilities are used in oil and gas producing activities, their depreciation and applicable operating costs become exploration, development or production costs, as appropriate. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of capitalized acquisition, exploration, and development costs are not production costs but also become part of the cost of oil and gas produced along with production (lifting) costs identified above.

 

(21) Proved area. The part of a property to which proved reserves have been specifically attributed.

 

(22) Proved oil and gas reserves. 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, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

 

(i) The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

 

(A) The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and
(B) Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

 

(ii) In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.
(iii) Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.
(iv) Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

 

(A) Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and
(B) The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

 

(v) Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

 

(23) Proved properties. Properties with proved reserves.

 

(24) Reasonable certainty. If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.

 

Definitions - Page 5 of 7
 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(25) Reliable technology. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

 

(26) Reserves. Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.

 

Note to paragraph (a)(26) : Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

 

Excerpted from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas:

 

932-235-50-30 A standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to an entity's interests in both of the following shall be disclosed as of the end of the year:

 

a. Proved oil and gas reserves (see paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B)

b. Oil and gas subject to purchase under long-term supply, purchase, or similar agreements and contracts in which the entity participates in the operation of the properties on which the oil or gas is located or otherwise serves as the producer of those reserves (see paragraph 932-235-50-7).

 

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to those two types of interests in reserves may be combined for reporting purposes.

 

932-235-50-31 All of the following information shall be disclosed in the aggregate and for each geographic area for which reserve quantities are disclosed in accordance with paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B:

 

a. Future cash inflows. These shall be computed by applying prices used in estimating the entity's proved oil and gas reserves to the year-end quantities of those reserves. Future price changes shall be considered only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end.

b. Future development and production costs. These costs shall be computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. If estimated development expenditures are significant, they shall be presented separately from estimated production costs.

c. Future income tax expenses. These expenses shall be computed by applying the appropriate year-end statutory tax rates, with consideration of future tax rates already legislated, to the future pretax net cash flows relating to the entity's proved oil and gas reserves, less the tax basis of the properties involved. The future income tax expenses shall give effect to tax deductions and tax credits and allowances relating to the entity's proved oil and gas reserves.

d. Future net cash flows. These amounts are the result of subtracting future development and production costs and future income tax expenses from future cash inflows.

e. Discount. This amount shall be derived from using a discount rate of 10 percent a year to reflect the timing of the future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves.

f. Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. This amount is the future net cash flows less the computed discount.

  

(27) Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

 

Definitions - Page 6 of 7
 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

 

(28) Resources. Resources are quantities of oil and gas estimated to exist in naturally occurring accumulations. A portion of the resources may be estimated to be recoverable, and another portion may be considered to be unrecoverable. Resources include both discovered and undiscovered accumulations.

 

(29) Service well. A well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Specific purposes of service wells include gas injection, water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt-water disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for in-situ combustion.

 

(30) Stratigraphic test well. A stratigraphic test well is a drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition. Such wells customarily are drilled without the intent of being completed for hydrocarbon production. The classification also includes tests identified as core tests and all types of expendable holes related to hydrocarbon exploration. Stratigraphic tests are classified as "exploratory type" if not drilled in a known area or "development type" if drilled in a known area.

 

(31) Undeveloped oil and gas reserves. Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

 

(i) Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.
(ii) Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances, justify a longer time.

 

From the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (October 26, 2009):

 

Although several types of projects — such as constructing offshore platforms and development in urban areas, remote locations or environmentally sensitive locations — by their nature customarily take a longer time to develop and therefore often do justify longer time periods, this determination must always take into consideration all of the facts and circumstances. No particular type of project per se justifies a longer time period, and any extension beyond five years should be the exception, and not the rule.

 

Factors that a company should consider in determining whether or not circumstances justify recognizing reserves even though development may extend past five years include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Ÿ The company's level of ongoing significant development activities in the area to be developed (for example, drilling only the minimum number of wells necessary to maintain the lease generally would not constitute significant development activities);

Ÿ The company's historical record at completing development of comparable long-term projects;

Ÿ The amount of time in which the company has maintained the leases, or booked the reserves, without significant development activities;

Ÿ The extent to which the company has followed a previously adopted development plan (for example, if a company has changed its development plan several times without taking significant steps to implement any of those plans, recognizing proved undeveloped reserves typically would not be appropriate); and

Ÿ The extent to which delays in development are caused by external factors related to the physical operating environment (for example, restrictions on development on Federal lands, but not obtaining government

 

(iii) Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

 

(32) Unproved properties. Properties with no proved reserves.

 

 

Definitions - Page 7 of 7