ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Certain factors may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, including the risk, factors, and uncertainties described under this Part I, Item 1A, and elsewhere in this Annual Report. This is not an exhaustive list, and there are other factors that may be applicable to our business that are not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material. Any of these risks could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, or prospects, which could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. You should carefully consider the risks, factors, and uncertainties described below, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report, as well as the risk, factors, uncertainties, and other information we disclose in other filings we make with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding our securities.

Risks Related To Our Common Stock

We may not be successful in producing oil or natural gas from some of our wells.

Ten of our 34 wells are currently producing oil or natural gas. We recently attempted to restart six additional wells but had to shut in five due to uneconomic volumes of water and the sixth did not yield any product. It is unlikely that many of the remaining 18 wells could be economically re-started in the existing completion zones which, as used herein, refers to the Mississippian Lime Formation. Though some of these wells may be candidates for recompletion in alternate zones or depths, we may ultimately need to plug and abandon these wells which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Acquiring oil and natural gas properties requires us to assess reservoir and infrastructure characteristics, including recoverable reserves, development and operating costs and potential environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and inherently uncertain and include properties with which we do not have a long operational history. In connection with the assessments, we intend to perform a review of the subject properties, but such a review will not reveal all existing or potential problems. In the course of our due diligence, we may not inspect every well or pipeline. We cannot necessarily observe structural and environmental problems, such as pipe corrosion, when an inspection is made. We may not be able to obtain contractual indemnities from the seller for liabilities created prior to our purchase of a property. We may be required to assume the risk of the physical condition of properties in addition to the risk that they may not perform in accordance with our expectations. If properties we acquire do not produce as projected or have liabilities, we were unable to identify, we could experience a decline in our reserves and production, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are currently producing a limited amount of oil and natural gas.

We produced a limited amount of oil and natural gas in 2022. Through December 31, 2022 and thereafter, our production was not sufficient to cover our operating expenses, although the production was adequate to cover a majority of our well bore field operations.

We have not completed a detailed geological/geophysical interpretation.

We are currently examining the costs and benefits of conducting a high-quality 3D seismic survey over the field as well as at least one full suite of modern logs because the detailed historical well for the Logan Project (files typically kept by the operator) were lost. Without such data, we are relying on the available logs and completion information available for the state. As a result of using this limited data set, we are more likely to attempt recompleting zones that end up being uneconomic which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may utilize detailed geological interpretation combined with advanced seismic exploration techniques to identify the most promising sites within our leases. Seeking fresh wells without guidance of seismic may risk incursion into an unknown fault zone and potentially losing the well in the event circulation is lost and cannot be restored. 3D seismic is especially important for guiding laterals of a horizontal drilling program: without seismic guidance, there is an increased risk of either running into a fault or simply straying out of the optimal pay zone, resulting in a sub-par or possibly sub-economic well. Additionally, advanced geostatistical techniques enable 3D seismic and modern downhole logs to be used to more accurately map reservoirs and reservoir compartments. With the relatively small acreage block in the Logan Project, we may not be able to permit a large enough survey to acquire reliable data. 

We do not currently have any price hedges or other derivatives in place.

We do not currently have any price hedges or other derivatives in place with respect to commodity prices and do not intend to engage in such activities in the near future. As a result, our financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected by fluctuations in commodity prices.

We conduct our own field operations.

We currently conduct all of our field operations through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Alpha Energy Texas Operating, LLC (“AETO”). Although we have a limited history of performing such operations, we believe we can perform these activities less expensively than using a third-party operator. In the event AETO cannot continue as operator (for instance, as a result of an accident or it loses its bond or insurance), then we would be forced to hire an outside operator and there can be no assurance that we would be able to do so or be able to do so on financially acceptable terms.

We are dependent on a single purchaser of our oil.

We sell all of our crude oil to Energy Transfer Crude Marketing LLC (“ETC Marketing”) under a month-to-month agreement which may be terminated by either party upon 30 days advance written notice. In the event this agreement were to be terminated, there can be no assurance that we would be able to continue to sell crude oil produced at the Logan Project or be able to do so on financially acceptable terms. The failure to engage an alternative service provider if we lose the services of ETC Marketing would result in our inability to sell oil. There can be no assurance that ETC Marketing will continue to provide such services or that ETC Marketing or an alternative service provider will be available to provide services on financially acceptable terms. 

We are dependent on a single purchaser of our natural gas.

We sell all of our natural gas to ETC Pipeline, Ltd. (“ETC Pipeline”) under a month-to-month agreement which may be terminated by either party upon 60 days advance written notice. In the event this Agreement were to be terminated, there can be no assurance that we would be able to continue to sell natural gas produced at the Logan Project or be able to do so on financially acceptable terms. The failure to engage an alternative service provider if we lose the services of ETC Pipeline would result in our inability to sell natural gas. There can be no assurance that ETC Pipeline will continue to provide such services or that ETC Pipeline or an alternative service provider will be available to provide services on financially acceptable terms.

We have a limited operating history and limited experience pursuing our strategy and may not be able to operate our business successfully.

We have a limited operating history and limited experience pursuing our strategy. Historical results are not indicative of, and may be substantially different than, the results we achieve in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to operate our business successfully, or acquire, restart, rework or recomplete additional oil and natural gas producing properties, or become profitable. The results of our operations depend on several factors, our success in attracting and retaining motivated and qualified personnel, the availability of adequate short and long-term financing, conditions in the financial markets, prices for oil and natural gas resources, and general economic conditions. In addition, our future operating results and financial data may vary materially from historical operating results and financial data because of a number of factors.

We may not be able to continue operating as a going concern.

We have experienced losses from operations since inception and have never generated positive cash flow. The success of our business plan during the next 12 months and beyond will be contingent upon generating sufficient revenue to cover our operating costs and obtaining additional financing. The report from our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 includes an explanatory paragraph stating the Company has recurring net losses from operations, and a net capital deficiency. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected, and we may be unable to continue as a going concern.

We have incurred net losses since inception.

We have accumulated net losses of approximately $6.9 million as of December 31, 2022. These losses have had an adverse effect on our financial condition, stockholders’ equity, net current assets, and working capital. We will need to generate higher revenues and control operating costs in order to attain profitability. There can be no assurances that we will be able to do so or to reach profitability. We expect losses to continue for the foreseeable future. We also expect that expenses will increase significantly as we seek to operate additional wells at the Logan Project and rework, restart, and recomplete existing wells at the Logan Project and elsewhere following future acquisitions, if any. We may never succeed in implementing our business strategy and, even if we do, we may never generate revenues that are significant or large enough to achieve profitability. If we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to become and remain profitable would decrease the value of the Company and could impair our ability to raise capital and acquire and operate additional properties.

We will need additional capital to fund our expanding operations, and if we are not able to obtain sufficient capital, we may be forced to limit the scope of our operations.

We expect that our planned expansion of business activities will require additional working capital. If adequate additional debt and/or equity financing is not available on reasonable terms or at all, then we may not be able to continue to develop our business activities, and we will have to modify our business plan. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our future operating results and our financial condition.

If we are unable to raise needed additional funds to continue as a going concern, we could be forced to cease our business activities and dissolve. In such an event, we may incur additional financial obligations, including the accelerated maturity of debt obligations, lease termination fees, employee severance payments, and other creditor and dissolution-related obligations.

Our ability to raise financing through sales of equity securities depends on general market conditions and the demand for our common stock. We may be unable to raise adequate capital through sales of equity securities, and if our stock has a low market price at the time of such sales, our existing stockholders could experience substantial dilution. If adequate financing is not available or unavailable on acceptable terms, we may find we are unable to fund expansion, continue operating our properties, take advantage of acquisition opportunities, or restart, rework, or recomplete development projects, or to respond to competitive pressures in the industry which may jeopardize our ability to continue operations.

We have granted a security interest in all of our well bores and other assets relating to the Logan Project to affiliates of our majority stockholder to secure our obligations under secured convertible notes.

In December 2022, the Company and 20 Shekels, Inc. an affiliate of our President Jay Leaver, and AEI Management, Inc., an affiliate of our majority stockholder, AEI Acquisition Company, LLC, entered into Exchange Agreements (the “Exchange Agreements”) with respect to certain outstanding indebtedness of the Company.   Under the Exchange Agreements, the Company entered into a new 7.25% Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement (the “NPA”), new 7.25% Senior Secured Note due December 31, 2024 (the “7.25% Notes”) and a Security Agreement (the “7.25% Security Agreement”, and together with the NPA and 7.25% Notes, the “7.25% Transaction Documents”).  Under the terms of the Exchange Agreements, 20 Shekels, Inc. was issued a $906,754 principal amount 7.25% Notes and AEI Management, Inc. was issued $413,206 principal amount 7.25% Notes. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, the 7.25% Notes are secured by assets acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisition of the Logan Project, including the 34 well bores relating to the Logan Project, other than the leases.  In the event that we fail in the future to make any required payment under the agreements governing our indebtedness, we would be in default with respect to that indebtedness and the lenders could declare such indebtedness to be immediately due and payable.  Since substantially all of our debt obligations are secured by our assets, upon a default, our lenders may be able to foreclose on our assets, which would result io the cessation of our operations at the Logan project and materially impact our business.

We are subject to the risks relating to start-up oil and natural gas companies, including the risk that our oil and natural gas products may not be saleable to our targeted customers.

Our business is new to the marketplace and as such we have limited information on which to estimate our sales levels, the amount of potential revenue, and our operating and other expenses. While we believe our energy products will meet purchaser specifications and conform to industry standards, we cannot assure that we will be successful in our efforts to market our energy resources as contemplated.

The risks, uncertainties and challenges encountered by start-up companies operating in the oil and natural gas industry include:

• Generating sufficient revenue to cover operating costs and sustain operations;

• Acquiring and maintaining market share;

• Attracting and retaining qualified personnel, especially engineers with the requisite technical skills;

• Successfully developing new locations;

• Accessing the capital markets to raise additional capital, on reasonable terms, if and when required to sustain operations or to grow the business. 

We face competition from larger companies that have substantially greater resources which challenges our ability to acquire, explore and develop properties and grow our business, and reach profitability.

The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. Our competitors and potential competitors include major oil companies and independent producers of varying sizes which are engaged in the acquisition of producing properties and the exploration and development of prospects. Most of our competitors have greater financial, personnel and other resources than we do and therefore have greater leverage in acquiring prospects, hiring personnel and marketing oil and natural gas. In addition, larger companies operating in the same area may be willing or able to offer oil and natural gas at a lower price.

We compete in Oklahoma with over 500 independent companies and approximately 40 significant independent operators including Marathon Oil, Devon Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources, and Mewbourne Oil Company in addition to over 450 smaller operations with no single producer dominating the area. Major operators such as ExxonMobil, Shell Oil, ConocoPhillips, and others that are considered major players in the oil and natural gas industry retain significant interests in Oklahoma. Our inability to compete effectively against these larger companies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may come under increased competition from alternative energy sources and conservation could reduce demand for natural gas and oil.

While natural gas provides a capable partner to supplement power generation in times of low wind speed or cloudy weather and gasoline provides an extremely compact, energy-dense, and relatively safe fuel for vehicles, improvements in wind and solar power and especially improvements in battery technology could lead to a decrease in demand for our primary products. There has been a general trend to move toward renewable forms of electric generation and electrification of the transportation industry. Fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, increasing consumer demand for alternatives to natural gas and oil could reduce demand for natural gas and oil. The impact of the changing demand for natural gas and oil services and products may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution.

We may not be able to keep pace with technological advances.

The energy industry in general, and the oil and natural gas industry in particular, continue to undergo significant changes, primarily due to technological developments. Because of the rapid growth of technology, shifting consumer tastes and the popularity and availability of other forms of energy, it is impossible to predict the overall effect these factors could have on potential revenue from, and profitability of, oil and natural gas exploration and development. Additionally, technological advances in fuel economy and energy generation devices could reduce demand for natural gas and oil. It is impossible to predict the overall effect these factors could have on our ability to compete effectively in a changing market, and if we are not able to keep pace with technological advances, then our revenues, profitability and results from operations may be materially adversely affected.

Our results of operations may fluctuate from period to period which could cause volatility in our stock price.

Results of operations for any company developing oil and natural gas leases and wells can be expected to fluctuate until the products are in the market and could fluctuate thereafter even when products are in the marketplace. There is significant lead time in developing, restarting, reworking, and recompleting wells. Unanticipated delays can adversely impact the release of supplies into the marketplace. Revenues generated could be adversely impacted if a lack of working capital limits our ability to acquire new equipment or assets.

Results of our operations depend significantly upon the price and value of our reserves and production, none of which can be predicted with certainty. Accordingly, our revenues and results of operations may fluctuate from period to period. The results of one period may not be indicative of the results of any future period. Any quarterly fluctuations that we report in the future may not match the expectations of market analysts and investors. This could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly.

The loss of key executives may adversely affect our business.

Our business is dependent upon our President Jay Leaver and his affiliated company, Leaverite Exploration and our Chief Financial Officer Lacie Kellogg. Our success is dependent upon the continued availability of Mr. Leaver and Ms. Kellogg, neither of whom have an employment agreement with us. If it became necessary to replace them, it is unlikely new management could be found with the same level of knowledge and experience or at the same or similar cost. The loss of the services of these officers would adversely affect our business.

None of our executives have employment agreements or provisions that would restrict or prohibit them from competing with us and they currently devote only a portion of their time to the business of the Company. As a result, they could terminate their employment and immediately compete against us. The loss of the services of any member of our management team or other key persons could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

None of our executives devotes their full-time efforts to the business of the Company. It is possible that situations may arise in the future where the personal interests of our officers and directors may conflict with our interests. Such conflicts could include determining what portion of their working time will be spent on our business and what portion on other business interests.

Our executive officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our business.

Our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and their other businesses. For example, Jay Leaver, our President, is only required to devote 50% of his time to the Company and Lacie Kellogg, our Chief Financial Officer, serves as chief financial officer and director of several companies. We do not intend to have any full-time employees for the foreseeable future. Each of our officers is engaged in other business endeavors for which they may be entitled to substantial compensation and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent directors may also serve as officers or board members for other entities. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our business.

We may lose the services of key management personnel and may not be able to attract and retain other necessary personnel.

Changes in our management could have an adverse effect on our business, and in particular while our staff is relatively small with only three contractors and no employees, we are dependent upon the active participation of several key management personnel, including Jay Leaver our President and Lacie Kellogg our Chief Financial Officer Each of these executives are critical to the strategic direction and overall management of our company as well as execution of our strategy. The loss of any of them could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. We do not carry key person life insurance.

We will need to hire and retain highly skilled technical personnel in order to pursue our strategy and grow our business. The competition for highly skilled technical, managerial, and other personnel is intense. Our recruiting and retention success is substantially dependent upon our ability to offer competitive salaries and benefits. We must compete with companies that possess greater financial and other resources than we do and that may be more attractive. To be competitive, we may have to increase the compensation, bonuses, stock options and other fringe benefits we offer in order to attract and retain such personnel. The costs of retaining or attracting personnel may have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. If we fail to attract and retain the technical and managerial personnel required to be successful, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Litigation could harm our business or otherwise distract management.

Substantial, complex or extended litigation could cause us to incur large expenditures and could distract management. For example, environmental or conservation lawsuits and lawsuits by government, environmental groups, consumers, employees or stockholders or litigation with federal, state or local governments or regulatory bodies could be very costly and disrupt business. While disputes from time to time are not uncommon, we may not be able to resolve such disputes on terms favorable to us which could have a material, adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

If we lose our rights under our third-party leases or licenses, our operations could be adversely affected.

Our business depends in part on property leases and other rights licensed from third parties. We could lose our exclusivity or other rights if we fail to comply with the terms and performance requirements of the leases, including failure to continue to actively utilize our leases. In addition, certain leases may terminate upon our breach and have the right to consent to sublease arrangements. If we were to lose our rights under any of these leases, or if we were unable to obtain required consents to future subleases, we could lose a competitive advantage in the market, and may even lose the ability to operate completely. Either of these results could substantially decrease our revenues

The nature of our business involves significant risks and uncertainties that may not be covered by insurance or indemnity.

We develop and sell resources where insurance or indemnification may not be available, including:

Certain of our activities are inherently dangerous and could result in loss of life or property damage. Certain products may raise questions with respect to issues of environmental harm or injury, trespass, conversion and similar concepts, which may raise complex legal issues. Indemnification to cover potential claims or liabilities resulting from a failure may be available in certain circumstances, but not in others. The insurance we maintain may not be adequate to protect against all our risks and uncertainties. Claims resulting from an accident, failure, environmental damage or liability arising from our activities in excess of any indemnity or insurance coverage (or for which indemnity or insurance is not available or was not obtained) could harm our financial condition, cash flows, and operating results. Any accident, failure, environmental damage or liability, even if fully covered or insured, could negatively affect our reputation among our customers and the public, and make it more difficult for us to operate.

Our strategy may not be successful.

We intend to expand our operations and base, in large part, by acquiring additional leases. Our operations are subject to all the risks inherent in the growth of a new business. The timing and related expenses of expansion may cause our revenues, if any, to fluctuate. The likelihood of our success must be considered in the light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays frequently encountered in connection with the growth of a business and the reliance on our ability to establish ongoing relationships with operators, mineral rights owners, and surface owners, and satisfy legal and regulatory requirements, as we encounter uncertainty about implementation of our strategies and capabilities, unfamiliarity with our operating methods, and competition. We may not be successful in our proposed business activities.

We may be unable to generate sufficient revenue from our leases to achieve and sustain profitability.

At present, we rely solely on our Logan Project to generate revenue and we expect to substantially generate all our revenue in the foreseeable future from these assets, which is currently inadequate to cover our costs. We will need to continue to expand our efforts to develop new relationships and expand existing relationships with lessors and energy production capabilities, to achieve and maintain compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, and to develop additional locations that will generate cashflow. If we fail in these efforts we may never receive a return on the substantial investments in leases, production, distribution and environmental and, regulatory compliance we have made, and will make in the future, which may cause us to fail to generate revenue and achieve profitability.

Cybersecurity risks could adversely affect our business and disrupt our operations.

The threats to network and data security are increasingly diverse and sophisticated. Despite our efforts and processes to prevent breaches, our devices, as well as our servers, computer systems, and those of third parties that we use in our operations are vulnerable to cybersecurity risks, including cyber-attacks such as viruses and worms, phishing attacks, denial-of-service attacks, physical or electronic break-ins, employee theft or misuse, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our servers and computer systems or those of third parties that we use in our operations, which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of critical data, unauthorized access to user data, and loss of consumer confidence. In addition, we may be the target of email scams that attempt to acquire personal information or company assets. Despite our efforts to create security barriers to such threats, we may not be able to entirely mitigate these risks. Any cyber-attack that attempts to obtain our or our users’ data and assets, disrupt our service, or otherwise access our systems, or those of third parties we use, if successful, could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition, be expensive to remedy, and damage our reputation. In addition, any such breaches may result in negative publicity, adversely affect our brand, decrease demand for our products and services, and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

There are economic and general risks relating to our business.

The success of our activities is subject to risks inherent in business generally, including demand for energy products and services, general economic conditions, changes in taxes and tax laws, and changes in governmental regulations and policies.

Our operations are vulnerable to interruption or loss due to natural or other disasters, power loss, strikes, and other events beyond our control.

A major earthquake, fire, cold weather events, or other disaster (such as a major flood, tsunami, volcanic eruption, or terrorist attack) affecting our facilities, or those of our suppliers or pipelines, could significantly disrupt our operations, and delay or prevent product shipment or installation during the time required to repair, rebuild, or replace our suppliers’ damaged manufacturing facilities; these delays could be lengthy and costly. If any of our customers’ facilities are negatively impacted by a disaster, shipments of our products could be delayed. Additionally, customers may delay purchases of our products until operations return to normal. Even if we are able to quickly respond to a disaster, the ongoing effects of the disaster could create some uncertainty in the operations of our business. In addition, our facilities may be subject to a shortage of available electrical power and other energy supplies. Any shortages may increase our costs for power and energy supplies or could result in blackouts, which could disrupt the operations of our affected facilities and harm our business. In addition, concerns about terrorism, the effects of a terrorist attack, political turmoil, or an outbreak of epidemic diseases could have a negative effect on our operations, those of our suppliers and customers, including the ability to travel.

The near-term effects of the recent COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are known, as they adversely affected our business. Some long- term effects, such as supply chain issues and inflation, are becoming known and may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flow.

Over the past two years the impact of COVID-19 has had adverse effects on our business by slowing down our ability to work with third parties. We have witnessed supply chain related delays and increasing costs due to inflation. It is difficult to predict what other adverse effects, if any, COVID-19 and related matters can have on our business, or against the various aspects of same.

The COVID-19 pandemic could further negatively impact our business or results of operations through the temporary closure of our operating locations or those of our customers, contractors or suppliers. In addition, the ability of our employees, contractors and our suppliers’ and customers’ employees to work may be significantly impacted by individuals contracting or being exposed to COVID-19, or as a result of prevention and control measures, which may significantly hamper our production throughout the supply chain and constrict sales channels.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency caused by a new strain of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and advised of the risks to the international community as the virus spread globally. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The spread of COVID-19 coronavirus caused public health officials to recommend precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus, especially as to travel and congregating in large numbers. Over time, the incidence of COVID-19 and its variants has diminished although periodic spikes in incidence occur. Consequently, restrictions imposed by various governmental health organizations may change over time. Several states have lifted restrictions only to reimpose such restrictions as the number of cases rise and new variants arise.

It is difficult to isolate the impact of the pandemic on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our future strategic plans.

The Company may experience long-term disruptions to its operations resulting from changes in government policy or guidance; quarantines of employees, customers and suppliers in areas affected by the pandemic and the presence of new variants of COVID-19; and closures of businesses or manufacturing facilities critical to its business or supply chains. The Company is actively monitoring, and will continue to actively monitor, the pandemic and the potential impact on its operations, financial condition, liquidity, suppliers, industry and workforce.

We may be negatively impacted by inflation.

Increases in inflation could have an adverse effect on us. Current and future inflationary effects may be driven by, among other things, supply chain disruptions and governmental stimulus or fiscal policies, and geopolitical instability, including the ongoing conflict between the Ukraine and Russia. Continuing increases in inflation could increase our costs of labor and other costs related to our business, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Inflation has also resulted in higher interest rates in the U.S., which could increase our cost of debt borrowing in the future.

We may be negatively impacted by the seasonality of our business.

Winter weather conditions and lease stipulations can limit or temporarily halt restart, rework and recompletion activities and producing activities for oil and natural gas operations. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay or temporarily halt the operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs. Such seasonal anomalies can also pose challenges for meeting objectives and may increase competition for equipment, supplies and personnel during the spring and summer months, which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay or temporarily halt our operations.

Risk Factors Relating to the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

Oil and natural gas prices fluctuate widely, and lower prices for an extended period of time are likely to have a material adverse impact on our business.

Our revenues, profitability, cash flows and future growth, as well as liquidity and ability to access additional sources of capital, depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil and natural gas and the relative mix of these commodities in our reserves and production. Sustained lower prices will reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can economically produce and may result in impairments of our proved reserves or reduction of our proved undeveloped reserves. Oil and natural gas prices also affect the amount of cash flow we could utilize for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital.

The supply of and demand for oil and natural gas impact the prices we realize on the sale of these commodities and, in turn, materially affect our financial results. Our revenues, operating results, cash available for distribution and the carrying value of our oil and natural gas depend significantly upon the prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas prices have historically been, and will likely continue to be, volatile. The prices for oil and natural gas are subject to wide fluctuation in response to a number of factors beyond our control, including:

Sustained material declines in oil or natural gas prices may have the following effects on our business:

Legislation or regulatory initiatives intended to address seismic activity in Oklahoma and elsewhere could increase our costs of compliance or lead to operational delays, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In addition to oil and natural gas, most producing wells also produce saltwater, wastewater, brine, or produced water. We dispose of large volumes of saltwater produced in connection with our drilling and production, pursuant to permits issued to us by governmental authorities. While these permits are issued under existing laws and regulations, these requirements are subject to change, which could result in the imposition of more stringent operating constraints or new monitoring and reporting requirements, owing to, among other things, concerns of the public or governmental authorities regarding such gathering or disposal activities.

There exists a consensus that the injection of produced water into belowground disposal wells triggers seismic events in certain areas, including Oklahoma, where we operate. In response to recent seismic events near underground water disposal wells, federal and some state agencies are investigating whether certain high volume disposal wells have caused or contributed to increased seismic activity, and some states have restricted, suspended or shut down the use of such disposal wells that are located in close proximity to areas of increased seismic activity. 

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) evaluates existing disposal wells to assess their continued operation, or operation with restrictions, based on location relative to faults, seismicity and other factors, with well operators in certain geographic locations required to make frequent, or even daily, volume and pressure reports. In addition, the OCC has adopted rules requiring operators of certain saltwater disposal wells in the state to, among other things, conduct additional mechanical integrity testing or make certain demonstrations of such wells’ performance that, depending on the depth, could require the plugging back of such wells to shallower depths and/or the reduction of volumes disposed in such wells. As a result of these measures, the OCC from time to time has developed and implemented plans calling for wells within Areas of Interest where seismic incidents have occurred to restrict or suspend disposal well operations in an attempt to mitigate the occurrence of such incidents. For example, OCC has established a 15 thousand square mile Area of Interest in the Arbuckle formation located primarily north and east of the Anadarko Basin in the Mississippi Lime play. Since 2013, OCC has prohibited disposal into the basement rock and ordered reduction of disposal volumes into the overlying Arbuckle formation and directed the shut-in of a number of Arbuckle disposal wells in response to seismic activity. In addition, in January 2016, the Governor of Oklahoma announced a grant of $1.4 million in emergency funds to support earthquake research to be directed by the OCC and the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS). During September and November 2016, in response to the occurrence of earthquakes in Cushing and Pawnee, Oklahoma, located in the northeast area of the Anadarko Basin, the OCC developed action plans in conjunction with the OGS and the EPA. The plans require reductions in disposal volumes in three concentric zones from the center of the earthquake activity in both Cushing and Pawnee, Oklahoma, with the greatest reductions in the zone located closest to the center of the largest quakes. These actions are in addition to any previous orders to shut in wells or reduce disposal volumes. Prior measures had already reduced disposal volumes in the areas of concern by up to 50 percent for some disposal wells. In the Pawnee area, the action plan covers a total of 38 Arbuckle disposal wells under OCC jurisdiction and 26 Arbuckle disposal wells under EPA jurisdiction and in the Cushing area the plan covers a total of 58 Arbuckle disposal wells. Local residents have also recently filed lawsuits against saltwater disposal well operators in these areas for damages resulting from the increased seismic activity.

Additionally, in recent years there has been increased public concern regarding an alleged potential for hydraulic fracturing to induce seismic events. In December 2016, the OCC announced the development of seismicity guidelines focused on operators in SCOOP and STACK to directly address concerns related to induced seismicity and hydraulic fracturing. The OCC has established three action levels to be followed if events are detected at a M2.5 or above and within 1.24 miles (2 km) of hydraulic fracturing activities. 

Magnitude 2.5 — OCC contacts the operator, discusses mitigation plan, operations may continue

Magnitude 3.0 — required minimum six-hour pause, technical call with OCC regarding mitigations, operations continue with an approved and revised completion plan

Magnitude 3.5 — required operations suspension, technical meeting with OCC and decision made to resume or halt operations based on approved and revised completion plan

Restrictions on disposal well volumes or a lack of sufficient disposal wells, the filing of lawsuits, or curtailment or restrictions on oil and natural gas activity generally in response to concerns related to induced seismicity, could cause us to delay, curb or discontinue our exploration and development plans. Increased costs associated with restrictions on hydraulic fracturing or the transportation and disposal of produced water, including the cost of complying with regulations concerning produced water disposal or hydraulic fracturing, such as mandated produced water recycling in some portion or all of our operations or prohibitions on performing hydraulic fracturing in certain areas, may reduce our profitability. 

These developments may result in additional levels of regulation, or increased complexity and costs with respect to existing regulations, that could lead to operational delays or increased operating and compliance costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

We have substantial capital requirements to fund our business strategy that are greater than cash flows from operations. Limited liquidity would likely negatively impact our ability to execute our business plan.

Our capital investment needs exceed our historical and projected cash flows from operations. As a result, we may use available cash or borrow funds under a credit facility, due in part to our acquisitions and restart, rework and recomplete activities including activities required in order to avoid future lease renewals to retain certain acreage. If necessary, we may continue to use cash on hand, sell non-strategic assets or potentially access debt and/or equity markets to fund any shortfall. Our ability to generate operating cash flows is subject to many risks and variables, such as the level of production from existing wells; prices of oil and natural gas; production costs; availability of economical gathering, processing, storage and transportation in our operating areas; our success in developing and producing new reserves and the other risk factors discussed in this filing. Actual levels of capital expenditures may vary significantly due to many factors, including drilling results, commodity prices, industry conditions, the prices and availability of goods and services, unbudgeted acquisitions and the promulgation of new regulatory requirements. In addition, in the past, we often have increased our capital budget during the year as a result of acquisitions or changes in drilling plans. Alternatively, we may have to reduce capital expenditures, and our ability to execute our business plans could be adversely affected, if:

Actual quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and future cash flows from those reserves will most likely vary from our estimates.

It is not possible to accurately measure underground accumulations of oil and natural gas. Estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves is complex and inexact. The process relies on interpretations of geologic, geophysical, engineering and production data. The extent, quality and reliability of these data can vary. The process also requires a number of economic assumptions, such as oil and natural gas prices, the relative mix of oil and natural gas that will be ultimately produced, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, operating and development costs, future prices of these commodities, the effect of government regulation, taxes and availability of funds. The accuracy of a reserve estimate is a function of:

Actual quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, future oil and natural gas production and the relative mix of oil and natural gas that will be ultimately produced, oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, capital expenditures, effects of regulations, funding availability and drilling and operating expenses will most likely vary from our estimates. In addition, the methodologies and evaluation techniques that we use, which include the use of multiple technologies, data sources and interpretation methods, may be different than those used by our competitors. Further, reserve estimates are subject to the evaluator’s criteria and judgment and show important variability, particularly in the early stages of development. Any significant variance could be systematic and undetected for an extended period of time, which would materially affect the quantities and net present value of our reserves. In addition, we may adjust estimates of reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration and development activities, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our reserves also may be susceptible to drainage by operators on adjacent properties. If any of these assumptions prove to be incorrect, our estimates of reserves, the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery and our estimates of the future net cash flows from our reserves could change significantly.

In accordance with SEC reporting rules, we calculate the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves using the SEC’s pricing methodology for calculating proved reserves, adjusted for market differentials and costs in effect at year end discounted at 10% per annum. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs we used as of the date of an estimate. Over time, we may make material changes to reserve estimates to take into account changes in our assumptions and the results of actual development and production. In addition, actual production rates for future periods may vary significantly from the rates assumed in the calculation. Moreover, the 10% discount factor used when calculating discounted future net cash flows, in compliance with the FASB statement on oil and natural gas producing activities disclosures, may not be the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with the Company, or the oil and natural gas industry in general. You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows is the current market value of our proved reserves.

The reserve estimates made for fields that do not have a lengthy production history are less reliable than estimates for fields with lengthy records. A lack of production history may contribute to inaccuracy in our estimates of proved reserves, future production rates and the timing of development expenditures. Further, our lack of knowledge of all individual well information known to the well operators such as incomplete well stimulation efforts, restricted production rates for various reasons and up-to-date well production data, etc. may cause differences in our reserve estimates.

To grow our production and cash flows, we must continue to develop existing reserves and locate or acquire new reserves.

Currently, our reserves are limited. However, our strategy is to grow our production and cash flows. As we produce oil and natural gas, our reserves decline. Unless we successfully replace reserves through acquisitions or other means the decline in our reserves will eventually result in a decrease in oil and natural gas production and lower revenue, income and cash flows from operations. Future oil and natural gas production is, therefore, highly dependent on our success in efficiently finding, developing or acquiring additional reserves that are economically recoverable. We may be unable to find, develop or acquire additional reserves or production at an acceptable cost, if at all. In addition, these activities require substantial capital expenditures.

Our future success depends on developing our existing inventory of mineral acreage and acquiring additional mineral interests. Failure to develop our existing inventory of mineral acreage and to acquire additional mineral interests will cause reserves and production to decline materially from their current levels.

The rate of production from natural gas and oil properties generally declines as reserves are depleted. Our proved reserves will decline materially as reserves are produced except to the extent that we acquire additional mineral interests on properties containing proved reserves and our lessees or well operators conduct additional successful exploration and development drilling, successfully apply new technologies or identify additional behind-pipe zones (different productive zones within existing producing well bores) or secondary recovery reserves.

Developing natural gas and oil invariably involves unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells, but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient reserves to return a profit after deducting drilling, completion, operating and other costs. In addition, wells that are profitable may not achieve a targeted rate of return. We rely on third-party operators’ interpretation of seismic data and other advanced technologies in identifying prospects and in conducting exploration and development activities. Nevertheless, prior to drilling a well, the seismic data and other technologies used do not allow operators to know conclusively whether natural gas, oil or NGL is present in commercial quantities.

Cost factors can adversely affect the economics of any project, and the eventual cost of drilling, completing and operating a well is controlled by well operators and existing market conditions. Further, drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of numerous factors, including:

• unexpected drilling conditions;

• title problems;

• pressure or irregularities in formations;

• equipment failures or accidents;

• fires, explosions, blowouts and surface cratering;

• availability to market production via pipelines or other transportation;

• adverse weather conditions;

• environmental hazards or liabilities;

• lack of water disposal facilities;

• governmental regulations;

• cost and availability of drilling rigs, equipment and services; and

• expected sales price to be received for natural gas, oil or NGL produced from the wells.

Competition for acquisitions of mineral interests may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. Our ability to complete acquisitions is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing and, in some cases, regulatory approvals. Further, these acquisitions may be in geographic regions in which we do not currently hold properties, which could result in unforeseen operating difficulties. In addition, if we enter into new geographic markets, we may be subject to additional and unfamiliar legal and regulatory requirements. Compliance with regulatory requirements may impose substantial additional obligations on us and our management, cause us to expend additional time and resources in compliance activities and increase our exposure to penalties or fines for non-compliance with such additional legal requirements. Further, the success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to effectively integrate the acquired business or assets into our existing operations. The process of integrating acquired businesses or assets may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources. In addition, possible future acquisitions may be larger and for purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for earlier acquisitions.

No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify suitable mineral interest acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to integrate the acquired businesses and assets into our existing operations successfully or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution. The inability to effectively manage the integration of acquisitions could reduce our focus on subsequent acquisitions and current operations, which, in turn, could negatively impact our growth, results of operations and cash available for distribution.

Any acquisition of additional mineral and royalty interests that we complete will be subject to substantial risks.

Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:

Lower oil and natural gas prices and other factors have resulted in ceiling test impairments in the past and may result in future ceiling test or other impairments.

We use the full cost method of accounting for our oil and natural gas producing activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are capitalized into cost centers. The net capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties may not exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at 10% per annum, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties. If net capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties exceed the cost center ceiling, we are subject to a ceiling test impairment to the extent of such excess. If required, a ceiling test impairment reduces income and stockholders’ equity in the period of occurrence. 

All long-lived assets, principally our natural gas and oil properties, are monitored for potential impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset on our books may be greater than our future net cash flows. The need to test a property for impairment may result from declines in natural gas and oil sales prices or unfavorable adjustments to natural gas and oil reserves. The decision to not participate in future development on our leasehold acreage can trigger a test for impairment. Also, once assets are classified as held for sale, they are reviewed for impairment. Because of the uncertainty inherent in these factors, we cannot predict when or if future impairment charges will be recorded.

The risk that we will be required to further impair the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties increases when oil and natural gas prices are low or volatile for a prolonged period of time. In addition, impairments may occur if we experience substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves or our unproved property values, or if estimated future development costs increase. If an impairment charge is recognized, cash flow from operating activities is not impacted, but net income and, consequently, stockholders’ equity are reduced. In periods when impairment

Restarting, Reworking and Recompleting is a costly and high-risk activity.

In addition to the numerous operating risks described in more detail below, the restarting, reworking and recompleting of wells involves the risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs will be encountered. The seismic data and other technologies we use do not allow us to know conclusively if a well that oil and natural gas are present or may be produced economically. In addition, we are often uncertain of the future cost or timing of restarting, reworking or recompleting and producing wells. Furthermore, our operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of a variety of factors, including:

As we implement pad development and increase the lateral length and size of hydraulic fracturing stimulations of our horizontal wells, the costs and other impacts associated with any curtailment, delay or cancellation may increase due to the concentration of capital expenditures prior to bringing production online. Future restart, rework and recompletion activities may not be successful, and if unsuccessful, this could have an adverse effect on our future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The oil and natural gas business involves many operating risks that can cause substantial losses.

Our oil and natural gas acquisition and production strategy is subject to all of the operating risks associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including the risk of:

Some of these risks or hazards could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows by reducing or shutting in production from wells, loss of equipment or otherwise negatively impacting the projected economic performance of our prospects. If any of these risks occur, we could incur substantial losses as a result of:

The magnitude of these risks may increase due to the increase in lateral length, larger multi-stage hydraulic fracturing stimulations for our horizontal wells and the implementation of pad development because of the larger amounts of liquids, chemicals and proppants involved.

In addition, our hydraulic fracturing operations require significant quantities of water. Regions in which we operate have recently experienced drought conditions. Any diminished access to water for use in hydraulic fracturing, whether due to usage restrictions or drought or other weather conditions, could curtail our operations or otherwise result in delays in operations or increased costs related to finding alternative water sources.

Failure or loss of equipment, as the result of equipment malfunctions, cyber-attacks or natural disasters, could result in property damage, personal injury, environmental pollution and other damages for which we could be liable. Catastrophic occurrences giving rise to litigation, such as a well blowout, explosion or fire at a location where our equipment and services are used, may result in substantial claims for damages. Ineffective containment of a drilling well blowout or pipeline rupture could result in extensive environmental pollution and substantial remediation expenses, as well as governmental fines and penalties. If our production is interrupted significantly, our efforts at containment are ineffective or litigation arises as the result of a catastrophic occurrence, our cash flows, and in turn, our results of operations, could be materially and adversely affected.

In connection with our operations, we generally require our contractors, which include the contractor, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliate companies, its subcontractors, their agents, employees, directors and officers, to agree to indemnify us for injuries and deaths of their employees, contractors, subcontractors, agents and directors, and any property damage suffered by the contractors. There may be times, however, that we are required to indemnify our contractors for injuries and other losses resulting from the events described above, which indemnification claims could result in substantial losses to us. Contractor or customer contracts may also contain inadequate indemnity clauses, exposing us to unexpected losses or an unfavorable litigation position, and could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

While we maintain insurance against some potential losses or liabilities arising from our operations, our insurance does not protect us against all operational risks. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events and any costs or liabilities incurred as a result of such events, if uninsured or in excess of our insurance coverage or not indemnified, could reduce revenue, income and cash flows and the funds available to us for our exploration, development and production activities and could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our proved undeveloped reserves may not be ultimately developed or produced. The development of our proved undeveloped reserves may take longer and may require higher levels of capital expenditures than we currently anticipate. 

A significant amount of our total estimated proved reserves (by volume) were undeveloped and may not be ultimately developed or produced. Recovery of undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve estimates assume we can and will make these expenditures and conduct these operations successfully. These assumptions, however, may not prove to be accurate. We cannot be certain that the estimated costs of the development of these reserves are accurate, that development will occur as scheduled, or that the results of such development will be as estimated. If we choose not to spend the capital to develop these reserves, or if we are not otherwise able to successfully develop these reserves, we will be required to remove the associated volumes from our reported proved reserves. In addition, under the SEC’s reserve rules, because proved undeveloped reserves may be booked only if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years of the date of booking, we may be required to remove any proved undeveloped reserves that are not developed within this five-year time frame. A removal of such reserves may significantly reduce the quantity and present value of our natural gas and oil reserves which would adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The potential adoption of federal, state, tribal and local legislative and regulatory initiatives related to hydraulic fracturing could result in operating restrictions or delays in the completion of oil and natural gas wells.

Hydraulic fracturing is an essential and common practice in the oil and natural gas industry used to stimulate production of natural gas and/or oil from dense subsurface rock formations. We routinely apply hydraulic fracturing techniques on almost all of our U.S. onshore oil and natural gas properties. Hydraulic fracturing involves using water, sand or other proppant materials, and certain chemicals to fracture the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation to allow flow of hydrocarbons into the wellbore.

As explained in more detail below, the hydraulic fracturing process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas agencies, although the EPA, the BLM and other federal regulatory agencies have taken steps to review or impose federal regulatory requirements. Certain states in which we operate, have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could impose more stringent permitting, public disclosure and well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations or otherwise seek to ban fracturing activities altogether. Certain municipalities have already banned hydraulic fracturing, and courts have upheld those moratoria in some instances. In the past several years, dozens of states have approved or considered additional legislative mandates or administrative rules on hydraulic fracturing.

At the federal level, the EPA has taken numerous actions. The adoption of new federal rules or regulations relating to hydraulic fracturing could require us to obtain additional permits or approvals or to install expensive pollution control equipment for our operations, which in turn could lead to increased operating costs, delays and curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, which in turn could materially adversely affect our operations.

In December 2016, the EPA released its final report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The final report concluded that "water cycle" activities associated with hydraulic fracturing may impact drinking water resources "under some circumstances," noting that the following hydraulic fracturing water cycle activities and local- or regional-scale factors are more likely than others to result in more frequent or more severe impacts: water withdrawals for fracturing in times or areas of low water availability; surface spills during the management of fracturing fluids, chemicals or produced water; injection of fracturing fluids into wells with inadequate mechanical integrity; injection of fracturing fluids directly into groundwater resources; discharge of inadequately treated fracturing wastewater to surface waters; and disposal or storage of fracturing wastewater in unlined pits. Since the report did not find a direct link between hydraulic fracturing itself and contamination of groundwater resources, we do not believe that this multi-year study report provides any basis for further regulation of hydraulic fracturing at the federal level.

Based on the foregoing, increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic fracturing process from federal agencies, various states and local governments could lead to greater opposition, including litigation, to oil and natural gas production activities using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation or regulation could also lead to operational delays or increased operating costs in the production of oil and natural gas, including from the developing shale plays, or could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing. The adoption of any federal, state or local laws or the implementation of regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could potentially cause a decrease in the completion of new oil and natural gas wells and increased compliance costs and time, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our ability to produce oil and natural gas economically and in commercial quantities could be impaired if we are unable to acquire adequate supplies of water for our operations or are unable to dispose of or recycle the water we use economically and in an environmentally safe manner.

Development activities require the use of water. For example, the hydraulic fracturing process if employed to produce commercial quantities of natural gas and oil from many reservoirs requires the use and disposal of significant quantities of water. In certain regions, there may be insufficient local capacity to provide a source of water for our activities. In these cases, water must be obtained from other sources and transported to the drilling site, adding to the operating cost. Our inability to secure sufficient amounts of water, or to dispose of or recycle the water used in our operations, could adversely impact our operations in certain areas. Moreover, the imposition of new environmental initiatives and regulations could include restrictions on our ability to conduct certain operations, such as hydraulic fracturing or disposal of waste, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids and other materials associated with the exploration, development or production of NGLs, natural gas and oil. In recent history, public concern surrounding increased seismicity has heightened focus on our industry’s use of water in operations, which may cause increased costs, regulations or environmental initiatives impacting our use or disposal of water. Furthermore, future environmental regulations governing the withdrawal, storage and use of surface water or groundwater necessary for hydraulic fracturing of wells could cause delays, interruptions or termination of operations, which may result in increased operating costs and have an effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

The marketability of our production is dependent upon transportation and processing facilities over which we may have no control.

The marketability of our production depends in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of pipelines, natural gas gathering systems and processing and refining facilities. We deliver oil and natural gas through gathering systems and pipelines that we do not own and which are operated by a sole source. The lack of alternatives or available capacity on these systems and facilities could reduce the price offered for our production or result in the shut-in of producing wells or the delay or discontinuance of development plans for properties. transportation of our production through some firm transportation arrangements, third-party systems and facilities may be temporarily unavailable due to market conditions or mechanical or other reasons, or may not be available to us in the future at a price that is acceptable to us. Also, the shipment of our or our operators’ natural gas and oil on third-party pipelines may be curtailed or delayed if it does not meet the quality specifications of the pipeline owners. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months. In many cases, we or our operators are provided only with limited, if any, notice as to when these circumstances will arise and their duration.

Any significant curtailment in gathering system or transportation, processing or refining-facility capacity could reduce our or our operators’ ability to market oil production and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash distributions to stockholders. Our or our operators’ access to transportation options and the prices we or our operators receive can also be affected by federal and state regulation—including regulation of oil production, transportation and pipeline safety—as well as by general economic conditions and changes in supply and demand. New regulations on the transportation of oil by rail, like those finalized by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in 2015, may increase our transportation costs. . Federal regulation to improve the safety of existing pipeline infrastructure by replacement could increase the cost of interstate transportation. FERC’s 2022 review of its policies relating to natural gas pipeline infrastructure could ultimately increase the cost of approving new interstate capacity or delay new interstate capacity being constructed. In addition, federal and state regulation of natural gas and oil production, processing and transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and demand, pipeline pressures, damage to or destruction of pipelines, infrastructure or capacity constraints and general economic conditions could adversely affect our ability to produce, gather and transport natural gas. Any significant change in market factors or other conditions affecting these infrastructure systems and facilities, as well as any delays in constructing new infrastructure systems and facilities, could harm our business and, in turn, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may be involved in legal proceedings that could result in substantial liabilities.  

Like many companies in the oil and natural gas industry, we are from time to time involved in various legal and other proceedings, such as title, royalty or contractual disputes, regulatory compliance matters and personal injury or property damage matters, in the ordinary course of our business. Such legal proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be predicted. Regardless of the outcome, such proceedings could have an adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management and other personnel and other factors. In addition, it is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in liability, penalties, or sanctions, as well as judgments, consent decrees or orders requiring a change in our business practices, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. Accruals for such liability, penalties or sanctions may be insufficient. Judgments and estimates to determine accruals or range of losses related to legal and other proceedings could change from one period to the next, and such changes could be material.

We are subject to complex laws and regulatory actions that can affect the cost, manner, feasibility, or timing of doing business.

Existing and potential regulatory actions could increase our costs and reduce our liquidity, delay our operations, or otherwise alter the way we conduct our business. Exploration and development and the production and sale of oil and natural gas are subject to extensive federal, state, provincial, tribal, local and international regulation. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply with environmental, natural resource protection, and other governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include the following, in addition to the other matters discussed under the caption "Regulation" in Items 1 and 2 of this report:

Under these laws, we could be liable for personal injuries, property damage, oil spills, discharge of hazardous materials into the environment, remediation and clean-up costs, natural resource risk mitigation, damages and other environmental or habitat damages. We also could be required to install and operate expensive pollution controls, engage in environmental risk management, incur increased waste disposal costs, or limit or even cease activities on lands located within wilderness, wetlands or other environmentally or politically sensitive areas. 

In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws also may result in the suspension or termination of our operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties as well as the imposition of corrective action orders. Any such liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations, or regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The matters described above and other potential legislative proposals, along with any applicable legislation introduced and passed in Congress or new rules or regulations promulgated by state or the US federal government, could increase our costs, reduce our liquidity, delay our operations, or otherwise alter the way we conduct our business, negatively impacting our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Although it is not possible at this time to predict whether proposed legislation or regulations will be adopted as initially written, if at all, or how legislation or new regulation that may be adopted would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions. Additional costs or operating restrictions associated with legislation or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows, in addition to the demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce.

Climate change laws and regulations restricting emissions of "greenhouse gases" could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce while potential physical effects of climate change could disrupt our production and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.

In response to findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) present an endangerment to public health and the environment, the EPA has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act that, among other things address GHG emissions for certain sources, including pipelines.

Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of GHGs from, our equipment and operations could require us to incur costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with our operations. Severe limitations on GHG emissions could also adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas we produce and lower the value of our reserves, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Moreover, incentives to conserve energy or use alternative energy sources as a means of addressing climate change could reduce demand for natural gas, oil and NGL. Finally, it should be noted that some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, droughts and other extreme climatic events; if any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on our exploration and production operations.

Certain U.S. federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to natural gas and oil exploration and development may be eliminated as a result of future legislation. 

In past years, legislation has been proposed that would, if enacted into law, make significant changes to U.S. tax laws, including to certain key U.S. federal income tax provisions currently available to oil and natural gas companies. Such legislative changes have included, but not been limited to:

Although these provisions were largely unchanged in the Tax Act, which was signed on December 22, 2017, Congress could consider, and could include, some or all of these proposals as part of future tax reform legislation, to accompany lower federal income tax rates. Moreover, other more general features of any additional tax reform legislation, including changes to cost recovery rules, may be developed that also would change the taxation of oil and natural gas companies. It is unclear whether these or similar changes will be enacted in future legislation and, if enacted, how soon any such changes could take effect. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals or any similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could eliminate or postpone certain tax deductions that currently are available with respect to oil and natural gas development or increase costs, and any such changes could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 

Competition for, or the loss of, our senior management or experienced technical personnel may negatively impact our operations or financial results.

To a large extent, we depend on the services of our senior management and technical personnel and the loss of any key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our continued success and the success of other activities integral to our operations will depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain a seasoned management team and experienced explorationists, engineers, geologists and other professionals. In the past, competition for these professionals was strong, and in a continuing price recovery environment may become strong again, which could result in future retention and attraction issues. 

Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense.

We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties and marketing oil and natural gas. Our competitors include multinational oil and natural gas companies, major oil and natural gas companies, independent oil and natural gas companies, individual producers, financial buyers as well as participants in other industries supplying energy and fuel to consumers. During these periods, there is often a shortage of drilling rigs and other oilfield services. Many of our competitors have greater and more diverse resources than we do. In addition, high commodity prices, asset valuations and stiff competition for acquisitions have in the past, and may in the future, significantly increase the cost of available properties. We compete for the personnel and equipment required to explore, develop and operate properties. Our competitors also may have established long-term strategic positions and relationships in areas in which we may seek new entry. As a consequence, our competitors may be able to address these competitive factors more effectively than we can. If we are not successful in our competition for oil and natural gas reserves or in our marketing of production, our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Shortages of oilfield equipment, services, supplies and qualified field personnel could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Periodically, there are shortages of drilling rigs, hydraulic fracturing stimulation equipment and crews, and other oilfield equipment as demand for that equipment has increased along with the number of wells being drilled. The demand for qualified and experienced field personnel to drill wells, conduct hydraulic fracturing stimulations and conduct field operations can fluctuate significantly, often in correlation with natural gas and oil prices, causing periodic shortages. These factors have caused significant increases in costs for equipment, services and personnel. Higher oil, natural gas, and NGL prices generally stimulate demand and result in increased prices for drilling rigs and crews, hydraulic fracturing stimulation equipment and crews and associated supplies, equipment, services and raw materials. Similarly, lower oil and natural gas prices generally result in a decline in service costs due to reduced demand for drilling and completion services. 

Decreased levels of drilling activity in the oil and natural gas industry in recent periods have led to declining costs of some oilfield equipment, services, and supplies. However, if the current oil and natural gas market changes, and commodity prices continue to recover, we may face shortages of field personnel, drilling rigs, hydraulic fracturing stimulation equipment and crews or other equipment or supplies, which could delay or adversely affect our exploration and development operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or restrict operations.

We may not be insured against all of the operating risks to which our business is exposed.

Our operations are subject to all of the risks normally incident to the exploration for and the production of oil and natural gas, such as well blowouts, explosions, oil spills, releases of gas or well fluids, fires, pollution and adverse weather conditions, which could result in substantial losses to us. See also "— The oil and natural gas business involves many operating risks that can cause substantial losses." Exploration and production activities are also subject to risk from political developments such as terrorist acts, piracy, civil disturbances, war, expropriation or nationalization of assets, which can cause loss of or damage to our property. We maintain insurance against many, but not all, potential losses or liabilities arising from our operations in accordance with what we believe are customary industry practices and in amounts and at costs that we believe to be prudent and commercially practicable. Our insurance includes deductibles that must be met prior to recovery, as well as sub-limits and/or self-insurance. Additionally, our insurance is subject to exclusions and limitations. Our insurance does not cover every potential risk associated with our operations, including the potential loss of significant revenues. We can provide no assurance that our insurance coverage will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences, damages and losses.

We currently have insurance policies that include coverage for general liability, excess liability, physical damage to our oil and natural gas properties, operational control of wells, oil pollution, third- party liability, workers’ compensation and employers’ liability and other coverages. Consistent with insurance coverage generally available to the industry, our insurance policies provide limited coverage for losses or liabilities relating to pollution and other environmental issues, with broader coverage for sudden and accidental occurrences. For example, we maintain operators extra expense coverage provided by third-party insurers for obligations, expenses or claims that we may incur from a sudden incident that results in negative environmental effects, including obligations, expenses or claims related to seepage and pollution, cleanup and containment, evacuation expenses and control of the well (subject to policy terms and conditions). In the specific event of a well blowout or out-of-control well resulting in negative environmental effects, such operators extra expense coverage would be our primary source of coverage, with the general liability and excess liability coverage referenced above also providing certain coverage.

In the event we make a claim under our insurance policies, we will be subject to the credit risk of the insurers. Volatility and disruption in the financial and credit markets may adversely affect the credit quality of our insurers and impact their ability to pay claims.

Further, we may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. Some forms of insurance may become unavailable in the future or unavailable on terms that we believe are economically acceptable. No assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain insurance in the future at rates that we consider reasonable, and we may elect to maintain minimal or no insurance coverage. If we incur substantial liability from a significant event and the damages are not covered by insurance or are in excess of policy limits, then we would have lower revenues and funds available to us for our operations, that could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may face various risk associated with the long-term trend toward increased activism against oil and natural gas exploration and development activities.  

Opposition toward oil and natural gas production has been growing globally. Companies in the oil and natural gas industry are often the target of activist efforts from both individuals and non-governmental organizations regarding safety, environmental compliance and business practices. Anti-development activists are working to, among other things, reduce access to federal and state government lands and delay or cancel certain projects such as the development of oil or gas shale plays. For example, environmental activists continue to advocate for increased regulations or bans on shale drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the United States, even in jurisdictions that are among the most stringent in their regulation of the industry. Future activist efforts could result in the following:

We may need to incur significant costs associated with responding to these initiatives. Complying with any resulting additional legal or regulatory requirements that are substantial could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

We may be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions and divestitures.

As part of our business strategy, we have made and will likely continue to make acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties and to divest non-strategic assets. Suitable acquisition properties or suitable buyers of our non-strategic assets may not be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable or not at all.

Acquisitions pose substantial risks to our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. These risks include that the acquired properties may not produce revenues, reserves, earnings or cash flows at anticipated levels. Also, the integration of properties we acquire could be difficult. In pursuing acquisitions, we compete with other companies, many of which have greater financial and other resources. The successful acquisition of properties requires an assessment of several factors, including:

These assessments are complex and the accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems, nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and capabilities.

In addition, our divestitures may pose significant residual risks to the Company, such as divestitures where we retain certain liabilities or we have legal successor liability due to the bankruptcy or dissolution of the purchaser. Generally, uneconomic or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures may divert management’s attention and financial resources away from our existing operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

We depend on computer and telecommunications systems, and failures in our systems or cyber security attacks could significantly disrupt our business operations.

The oil and natural gas industry has become increasingly dependent upon digital technologies to conduct day-to-day operations including certain exploration, development and production activities. We have entered into agreements with third parties for hardware, software, telecommunications and other information technology services in connection with our business. In addition, we have developed proprietary software systems, management techniques and other information technologies incorporating software licensed from third parties. We depend on digital technology to estimate quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, process and record financial and operating data, analyze seismic and drilling information, and communicate with our employees and third party partners. Our business partners, including vendors, service providers, purchasers of our production and financial institutions, are also dependent on digital technology. It is possible we could incur interruptions from cyber security attacks, computer viruses or malware. We believe that we have positive relations with our related vendors and maintain adequate anti-virus and malware software and controls; however, any cyber incidents or interruptions to our arrangements with third parties, to our computing and communications infrastructure or our information systems could lead to data corruption, communication interruption, unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse or destruction of proprietary or other information, or otherwise significantly disrupt our business operations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities.

Hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, cold weather events, and other natural disasters can potentially destroy thousands of business structures and homes and, if occurring in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, could disrupt the supply chain for oil and natural gas products. Disruptions in supply could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. Damages and higher prices caused by hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, cold weather events, and other natural disasters could also have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow due to the impact on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow of our customers.

Delays in obtaining licenses, permits, and other government authorizations required to conduct our operations could adversely affect our business.  

Our operations require licenses, permits, and in some cases renewals of licenses and permits from various governmental authorities. Our ability to obtain, sustain or renew such licenses and permits on acceptable terms is subject to changes in regulations and policies and to the discretion of the applicable government agencies, among other factors. Our inability to obtain, or our loss of or denial of extension, to any of these licenses or permits could hamper our ability to produce income, revenues or cash flows from our operations.

We may incur losses as a result of title defects in the properties in which we invest. 

The existence of a material title deficiency can render a lease worthless and can adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. While we typically obtain title opinions prior to commencing drilling operations on a lease or in a unit, the failure of title may not be discovered until after a well is drilled, in which case we may lose the lease and the right to produce all or a portion of the interest under the property.

As we continue to expand our operations in Oklahoma, we may operate within the boundaries of Native American reservations and become subject to certain tribal laws and regulations. 

An entirely separate and distinct set of laws and regulations applies to operators and other parties within the boundaries of Native American reservations in the United States. Various federal agencies within the U.S. Department of the Interior, particularly the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the EPA, together with each Native American tribe, promulgate and enforce regulations pertaining to oil and natural gas operations on Native American reservations. These regulations include lease provisions, environmental standards, tribal employment contractor preferences and numerous other matters.

Native American tribes are subject to various federal statutes and oversight by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and BLM. However, each Native American tribe is a sovereign nation and has the right to enact and enforce certain other laws and regulations entirely independent from federal, state and local statutes and regulations, as long as they do not supersede or conflict with such federal statutes. These tribal laws and regulations include various fees, taxes, requirements to employ Native American tribal members or use tribal owned service businesses and numerous other conditions that apply to lessees, operators and contractors conducting operations within the boundaries of a Native American reservation. Further, lessees and operators within a Native American reservation are often subject to the Native American tribal court system, unless there is a specific waiver of sovereign immunity by the Native American tribe allowing resolution of disputes between the Native American tribe and those lessees or operators to occur in federal or state court.

We therefore may become subject to various laws and regulations pertaining to Native American oil and natural gas leases, fees, taxes and other burdens, obligations and issues unique to oil and natural gas operations within Native American reservations. One or more of these Native American requirements, or delays in obtaining necessary approvals or permits necessary to operate on tribal lands pursuant to these regulations, may increase our costs of doing business on Native American tribal lands and have an impact on the economic viability of any well or project on those lands.

The conflict in Ukraine and related price volatility and geopolitical instability could negatively impact our business. 

In late February 2022, Russia launched significant military action against Ukraine. The conflict has caused, and could intensify, volatility in natural gas, oil and NGL prices, and the extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions could be significant and could potentially have a substantial negative impact on the global economy and/or our business for an unknown period of time. There is evidence that the increase in crude oil prices during the first half of calendar year 2022 was partially due to the impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the global commodity and financial markets, and in response to economic and trade sanctions that certain countries have imposed on Russia. Any such volatility and disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section. 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

General securities market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the outset of the pandemic the United States and worldwide national securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of the pandemic and the resulting reactions and outcomes of government, business and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in all market sectors, increases in volumes due to flight to safety and governmental actions to support the markets. As a result, until the pandemic has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.

General securities market uncertainties resulting in geo-political considerations.

Since the outset of the military conflict in Ukraine, the United States and worldwide national securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of that conflict and the resulting reactions and outcomes of governments, businesses, and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in all market sectors, increases in volumes due to flight to safety and governmental actions to support the markets. As a result, until the military conflict has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible, we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.

General securities market uncertainties resulting in economic considerations.

Recent unease regarding the geo-political considerations and increasing inflation has caused the United States and worldwide national securities markets to have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of regarding the economy and the resulting reactions and outcomes of governments, businesses, and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in all market sectors, increases in volumes due to flight to safety and governmental actions to support the markets. As a result, until economic outlook has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible, we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.

Our management and controlling stockholder, AEI Acquisition Company, LLC, has voting control of the Company.

Our controlling stockholder, AEI Acquisition Company, LLC, currently owns approximately 74% of the total issued and outstanding common stock of the Company and our officers and directors own approximately 2.96% of our common stock (exclusive of shares of our common stock underlying the 7.25% Notes held by affiliates of Harry McMillan, who maintains sole voting and investment power over AEI Acquisition Company, LLC, which are subject to beneficial ownership blockers). AEI and management are able to influence the outcome of all corporate actions requiring approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, which may result in corporate action with which other stockholders do not agree. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors, and that we have the power to indemnify our officers and employees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, which may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties, or from bringing derivative litigation against our directors and officers.

Our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or any person serving in any such capacity of any other entity or enterprise at the request of the corporation, against any and all legal expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims and/or liabilities arising out of any action, suit or proceeding, except an action by or in the right of the corporation. The corporation may, but shall not be required to, indemnify any person where such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, where there was not reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order or settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, there was reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. The corporation shall reimburse or otherwise indemnify any director, officer, employee, or agent against legal expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with defense of any action, suit, or proceeding herein above referred to, to the extent such person is successful on the merits or otherwise. Indemnification shall be made by the corporation only when authorized in the specific case and upon a determination that indemnification is proper by the stockholders, a majority vote of a quorum of the Board of Directors, consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit, or proceeding, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, if a quorum of disinterested directors so orders or if a quorum of disinterested directors so orders or if a quorum of disinterested directors cannot be obtained. 

Our failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have an adverse impact on us.

We are required to establish and maintain appropriate internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to establish those controls, or any failure of those controls once established, could adversely impact our public disclosures regarding our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, management’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting may identify weaknesses and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal controls over financial reporting or other matters that may raise concerns for investors. Any actual or perceived weaknesses and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure of management’s assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting or disclosure of our public accounting firm’s attestation to or report on management’s assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting may have an adverse impact on the price of our Common Stock.

Management recently undertook an assessment of the effectiveness, as of December 31, 2022, of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO" 2013). Based upon that evaluation, management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2022.

Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, for the year ended December 31, 2022, such internal controls and procedures were not effective due to the following material weakness identified:

In addition, discovery and disclosure of a material weakness in the future or our inability to cure the material weakness we previously discovered and disclosed, by definition, could have a material adverse impact on our financial statements. Such an occurrence could negatively affect our business and affect how our stock trades. This could, in turn, negatively affect our ability to access public equity or debt markets for capital.

We have never paid dividends and we do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future

We intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of future cash dividends, if any, depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business opportunities and other factors. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock, will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

An active, liquid trading market for our common stock does not exist and if an active market were to develop, the price of our common stock may be volatile.

There is no meaningful public market for our common stock although our common stock is quoted on the OTC Pink Open Markets. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. The lack of an active market may also reduce the price of shares of common stock. An inactive market may impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares and our ability to use our capital stock to acquire other companies or technologies.

Our Board of Directors may authorize and issue shares of new classes of stock that could be superior to or adversely affect current holders of our common stock.

Our board of directors has the power to authorize and issue shares of classes of stock, including preferred stock that have voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and special rights, including preferred distribution rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation rights without further stockholder approval which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. In addition, our board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing common stockholders.

Any of these actions could significantly adversely affect the investment made by holders of our common stock. Holders of common stock could potentially not receive dividends that they might otherwise have received. In addition, holders of our common stock could receive less proceeds in connection with any future sale of the Company, whether in liquidation or on any other basis.

Our shares are subordinate to all of our debts and liabilities, which increases the risk that you could lose your entire investment.

Our shares are equity interests that are subordinate to all of our current and future indebtedness with respect to claims on our assets. In any liquidation, all of our debts and liabilities must be paid before any payment is made to our stockholders.

The market price of our shares of common stock is subject to fluctuation.

The market prices of our shares may fluctuate significantly in response to factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

Future capital raises may dilute our existing stockholders’ ownership and/or have other adverse effects on our operations.

If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership may decrease, and these stockholders may experience substantial dilution. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt instruments, these debt instruments could impose significant restrictions on our operations, including liens on our assets. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our technologies or products, or to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us or could diminish the rights of our stockholders.

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.

AEI Acquisition Company, LLC currently owns approximately 74% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If it, or any other of our stockholders, sells substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market upon the expiration of any statutory holding period or otherwise, or issued upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or other rights to receive common stock, 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 make more difficult 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.  The shares of our restricted common stock will be freely tradable upon the earlier of: (i) effectiveness of a registration statement covering such shares and (ii) the date on which such shares may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (or other applicable exemption) under the Securities Act. Under the terms of a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Pure Oil & Gas, Inc. and ZQH Holding, LLC entered June 25, 2020 for the purchase of oil and natural gas assets in Rogers County, Oklahoma, the Company recorded $1,210,000 of convertible debt which is convertible into common stock at $1.00 per share. The Company has disputed its obligation to pay any further amounts under the Purchase and Sale Agreement due to the seller’s failure to perform. In the event that the seller prevailed and was able to convert its debt into common stock, the Company could be required to issue additional shares of its common stock which constitutes additional overhang and could have the effects described above.

Our common stock may become subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC, which would make transactions in our stock cumbersome and may reduce the value of an investment in our stock.

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If we do not obtain a listing on the NYSE American Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange and if the price of our common stock is less than $5.00, our common stock could be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.