|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM
_________________
| (Mark One) | ||
|
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended
|
or
|
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from: ____________to ____________ |
_____________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________
|
|
|
|
|
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
( Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
|
|
|
||
| (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code) | ||
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
_________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|
|
|
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | |
|
|
Smaller reporting company
|
|
|
Emerging growth company
|
||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of the latest practicable date of November 12, 2024 was .
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 1 |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Accounts Receivable |
|
|
||||||
| Derivative Instruments |
|
|||||||
| Inventory |
|
|
||||||
| Prepaids |
|
|
||||||
| Total Current Assets |
|
|
||||||
| Property and Equipment: | ||||||||
| Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Successful Efforts |
|
|
||||||
| Less: Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Impairment |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Total Oil and Gas Properties, Net |
|
|
||||||
| Other Property and Equipment, Net |
|
|
||||||
| Total Property and Equipment, Net |
|
|
||||||
| Other Noncurrent Assets |
|
|
||||||
| Total Assets | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
|
|
||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts Payable | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Accrued Expenses |
|
|
||||||
| Current Portion of Lease Liability |
|
|
||||||
| Current Portion of Note Payable - Related Party (Note 8) |
|
|||||||
| Current Portion of Long-Term Debt |
|
|
||||||
| Total Current Liabilities |
|
|
||||||
| Long-Term Debt |
|
|
||||||
| Long Term Lease Liability |
|
|
||||||
| Asset Retirement Obligations |
|
|
||||||
| Total Liabilities |
|
|
||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) | ||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| Series A Preferred Stock - $ Par Value, Shares Authorized, and Shares Issued and Outstanding, Respectively | ||||||||
| Common Stock - $ Par Value, Shares Authorized, and Shares Issued and Outstanding, Respectively |
|
|
||||||
| Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
|
||||||
| Accumulated Deficit |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Total Stockholders' Equity |
|
|
||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 2 |
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
| Oil Sales | $ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
| Gas Sales |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| NGL Sales |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Total Product Revenues |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Other |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivatives |
|
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | |||||||||
| Total Revenue |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Lease Operating Expense |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Production and Ad Valorem Taxes |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Depletion, Depreciation & Amortization |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligation |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense: | ||||||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Total General and Administrative Expense |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Total Costs and Expenses |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Operating Loss |
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||
| Other Income and (Expense): | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense |
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||
| Other Income (Expense) (Note 8) |
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||
| Loss Before Income Taxes |
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||
| Income Tax Benefit |
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | ||||
| Net Loss per Common Share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | ||||
| Diluted | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | ||||
| Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Diluted |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 3 |
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| Additional | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Paid-In | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value | Shares | Par Value | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, March 31, 2024 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rights Offering (Note 10) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Related-Party Note (Note 8) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partial Conversion of Option to Purchase (Note 3) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants Exercised (Note 10) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Related-Party Note (Note 8) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Issued for Purchase Option (See Note 3) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2024 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Additional | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Preferred Stock | Paid-In | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value | Shares | Par Value | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2022 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of Former CEO settlement | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, March 31, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
(
|
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | — | — |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants Exercised |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Issued for Purchase Option (See Note 3) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
— |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 4 |
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net Loss | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | ||
| Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash | ||||||||
| Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
||||||
| Amortization of Right of Use Assets |
|
|
||||||
| Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization |
|
|
||||||
| Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligation |
|
|
||||||
| Loss on Commodity Derivatives |
|
|
||||||
| Settlement on or Purchases of Commodity Derivative Instruments |
|
(
|
) | |||||
| Loss on Financial Derivatives (Note 8) |
|
|||||||
| Amortization of Debt Discount on Convertible Notes |
|
|||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|||||||
| Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts Receivable |
|
(
|
) | |||||
| Inventory, Oil in Tanks |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Prepaids, Current |
|
|
||||||
| Accounts Payable |
|
|
||||||
| Accrued Expenses |
|
(
|
) | |||||
| Other Long-Term Assets and Liabilities |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities |
|
(
|
) | |||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Acquisition of Oil and Natural Gas Properties |
(
|
) | ||||||
| Additions to Oil and Natural Gas Properties (a) |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Purchase of Other Fixed Assets |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Cash Paid for Right of Use Assets |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Sinking Fund Deposit |
|
|||||||
| Net Cash Used In Investing Activities |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Borrowings on Credit Facility |
|
|||||||
| Proceeds from Promissory Note - Related Party (Note 8) |
|
|||||||
| Proceeds from Rights Offering (Net of Transaction Costs) (Note 10) |
|
|||||||
| Principal Payments of Debt |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Net Proceeds from Warrant Exercise (Note 10) |
|
|||||||
| Proceeds from Bridge Loans from Related Parties |
|
|||||||
| Proceeds from Warrant Exercises |
|
|||||||
| Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities |
|
|
||||||
| Net Change in Cash |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Cash - Beginning of Period |
|
|
||||||
| Cash - End of Period | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information: | ||||||||
| Cash Paid for Interest | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
________
| (a) |
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 5 |
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Presentation
Empire Petroleum Corporation (“Empire”, collectively with its subsidiaries) is an independent energy company operator engaged in optimizing developed production by employing field management methods to maximize reserve recovery while minimizing costs. Empire operates the following wholly-owned subsidiaries in its areas of operations:
| ● | Empire New Mexico, LLC (“Empire New Mexico”) | |||
| o | Empire New Mexico LLC d/b/a Green Tree New Mexico | |||
| o | Empire EMSU LLC | |||
| o | Empire EMSU-B LLC | |||
| o | Empire AGU LLC | |||
| o | Empire NM Assets LLC | |||
| ● | Empire Rockies Region | |||
| o | Empire North Dakota LLC (“Empire North Dakota”) | |||
| o | Empire North Dakota Acquisition LLC (“Empire NDA”) | |||
| ● | Empire Texas (“Empire Texas”), consisting of the following entities: | |||
| o | Empire Texas LLC | |||
| o | Empire Texas Operating LLC | |||
| o | Empire Texas GP LLC | |||
| o | Pardus Oil & Gas Operating, LP (owned 1% by Empire Texas GP LLC and 99% by Empire Texas LLC) | |||
| ● | Empire Louisiana LLC (“Empire Louisiana”) | |||
Empire was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1985. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Empire and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and similar terms refer to Empire Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries.
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Empire have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of Empire's financial position, the results of operations, and the cash flows for the interim period are included. All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current presentation. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024.
The information contained in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2023 which are contained in Empire's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 28, 2024.
Liquidity and Going Concern
Empire determined that it was not in compliance with the current ratio covenant contained in its revolving line of credit agreement as of September 30, 2024 (see Note 8). Upon discovering this issue, Empire notified the lender to request a waiver. The noncompliance is due to a higher level of payables related to the Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota. On November 12, 2024, Empire obtained a compliance waiver from the lender for September 30, 2024. Empire will require funds to be in compliance with the current ratio debt covenants and satisfy the payables discussed above which are greater than estimated cash flows from operations over the next 12 months.
Empire initiated a plan to raise additional funds for the payables discussed above as well as the additional capital spending in 2024 in the form of a subscription rights equity offering, which was completed in November 2024 (see Note 10). Empire also has the option to raise additional funds through related party warrants, or a related party note payable that may or may not have conversion rights into shares of common stock of Empire. These fundraising forms were and are supported through committed financial support from Phil Mulacek who owns approximately 20.3% of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024, and Energy Evolution Master Fund, Ltd (“Energy Evolution”), our largest stockholder who owns approximately 31.4% of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024. Both are related parties of the Company (see Note 14). Mr. Mulacek and Energy Evolution have indicated and are willing and able to provide these additional funds, if required, for Empire to continue to meet its obligations over the next 12 months.
Management has considered these plans, including if they are within the control of Empire, in evaluating Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern . Management believes the above actions are sufficient to allow Empire to meet its obligations as they become due for a period of at least 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. Management believes that its plans, and support from the existing related-party stockholders discussed above, is probable and has alleviated the substantial doubt regarding Empire’s ability to continue as a going concern.
| 6 |
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Empire added one significant accounting policy and estimate relating to convertible debt and derivative liability. Besides this, there have been no material changes to significant accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Convertible Debt and Derivative Liability
In connection with Empire’s issuance of a Promissory Note in the first quarter of 2024, Empire bifurcated the embedded conversion option, and recorded the embedded conversion option as a long-term derivative liability in Empire’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets in accordance with FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging . The convertible debt and the derivative liability associated with the Promissory Note were presented on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as the Long-Term note payable – related party and long-term derivative instruments. The convertible debt was carried at amortized cost. The derivative liability was remeasured at each reporting period using a binomial lattice model with changes in fair value recorded in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations in other income (expense). The conversion option related to the Promissory Note was exercised in the second quarter of 2024. See Note 8 for further details.
Fair Value Measurements
FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC Topic 820”) , defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used to measure fair value.
The three-level fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements defined by ASC Topic 820 is as follows:
Level 1 – Unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. An active market is defined as a market where transactions for the financial instrument occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices within Level 1, that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require unobservable inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. Valuation under Level 3 generally involves a significant degree of judgment from management.
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve a degree of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instrument’s complexity. Empire reflects transfers between the three levels at the beginning of the reporting period in which the availability of observable inputs no longer justifies classification in the original level. There were no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels for the period ended September 30, 2024.
Financial instruments and other – The fair values determined for accounts receivable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities were equivalent to the carrying value due to their short-term nature.
Derivatives – Derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis. Empire’s commodity price hedges are valued based on discounted future cash flow models that are primarily based on published forward commodity price curves; thus, these inputs are designated as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.
The fair values of derivative instruments in asset positions include measures of counterparty nonperformance risk, and the fair values of derivative instruments in liability positions include measures of Empire’s nonperformance risk. These measurements were not material to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis - Empire uses a binomial lattice valuation model to value Level 3 derivative liabilities at inception and on subsequent valuation dates. This model incorporates transaction details such as Empire’s stock price, contractual terms of the Promissory Note, and unobservable inputs classified as Level 3 including risk-free rate and expected volatility. As of the conversion option exercise date of May 24, 2024, these unobservable inputs were 5.0% and 46.9%, respectively.
| 7 |
Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Empire applies the provisions of fair value measurement on a non-recurring basis to its non-financial assets and liabilities, including oil and gas properties and asset retirement obligations. These assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments if events or changes in certain circumstances indicate that adjustments may be necessary. No triggering events that require assessment of such items were observed during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Related Party Transactions
Transactions between related parties are considered to be related party transactions even though they may not be given accounting recognition. FASB ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures requires that transactions with related parties that would have influence in decision making shall be disclosed so that users of the financial statements can evaluate their significance. Related party transactions typically occur within the context of the following relationships: affiliates of the entity; entities for which investments in their equity securities is typically accounted for under the equity method by the investing entity; trusts for the benefit of employees; principal owners of the entity and members of their immediate families; management of the entity and members of their immediate families; and other parties that can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Empire’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from oil and natural gas purchasers and joint interest owners. The purchasers of Empire’s oil and natural gas production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas pipeline companies. Historically, Empire has not experienced any significant losses from uncollectible accounts from its oil and natural gas purchasers. Empire operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, Empire makes full payments for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other working interest owners in the property for their share of those costs. Joint operating agreements govern the operations of an oil or natural gas well and, in most instances, provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between Empire and its joint interest owners. Empire’s joint interest partners consist primarily of independent oil and natural gas producers. If the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry in general was adversely affected, the ability of Empire’s joint interest partners to reimburse Empire could be adversely affected.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
The FASB periodically issues new accounting standards in a continuing effort to improve standards of financial accounting and reporting. Empire has reviewed the recently issued pronouncements and concluded that the following new accounting standards are applicable:
In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity . The amendments in this ASU affect entities that issue convertible instruments and/or contracts in an entity’s own equity. The amendments in this ASU primarily affect convertible instruments issued with beneficial conversion features or cash conversion features because the accounting models for those specific features are removed. However, all entities that issue convertible instruments are affected by the amendments to the disclosure requirements of this ASU. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, the contracts primarily affected are freestanding instruments and embedded features that are accounted for as derivatives under the current guidance because of failure to meet the settlement conditions of the derivatives scope exception related to certain requirements of the settlement assessment. Also affected is the assessment of whether an embedded conversion feature in a convertible instrument qualifies for the derivatives scope exception. Additionally, the amendments in this ASU affect the diluted EPS calculation for instruments that may be settled in cash or shares and for convertible instruments. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Board specified that an entity should adopt the guidance as of the beginning of its annual fiscal year. The Board decided to allow entities to adopt the guidance through either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition. Empire has adopted this standard for the current year and does not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
| 8 |
Note 3 – Property
Empire follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and natural gas activities. Under this method, costs to acquire oil and natural gas properties and costs incurred to drill and equip development and exploratory wells are deferred until exploration and completion results are evaluated. Exploration drilling costs are expensed if recoverable reserves are not found. Upon sale or retirement of oil and natural gas properties, the costs and related accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is recognized.
Costs incurred to maintain wells and related equipment and lease and well operating costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depletion is calculated on a units-of-production basis at the field level based on total proved developed reserves.
Proved oil and natural gas properties are reviewed for impairment at least annually, or as indicators of impairment arise. There have been no indicators of impairment during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Aggregate capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties are as follows:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Proved properties | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Unproved properties |
|
|
||||||
| Work in process |
|
|
||||||
| Gross capitalized costs |
|
|
||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Total oil and gas properties, net | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
Depletion and amortization expense related to
oil and gas properties for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, was approximately $
Empire has completed 13 wells in North Dakota related to our Starbuck Drilling Program during the first three quarters of 2024.
On April 9, 2024, Empire partially exercised a purchase
option originally issued on August 9, 2023, (the “Purchase Option”) to acquire additional working interests in certain of
Empire’s New Mexico properties from Energy Evolution, a related party. The additional assets acquired represent approximately 60%
of the total assets collectively acquired by Empire and Energy Evolution in the third quarter of 2023 (the “Option Assets”).
As consideration, upon closing of the partial exercise of the Purchase Option, Empire issued Energy Evolution
shares of common
stock of Empire based on an agreed upon price of $
per share for an aggregate agreed upon value of $
Other property and equipment consists of operating lease assets, vehicles, office furniture, and equipment with lives ranging from three to five years. The capitalized costs of other property and equipment are as follows:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Other property and equipment, at cost | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Other property and equipment, net | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
Depreciation expense related to other property
and equipment for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, was approximately $
| 9 |
Note 4 - Asset Retirement Obligations
Empire’s asset retirement obligations represent the estimated present value of the estimated cash flows Empire will incur to plug, abandon, and remediate its producing properties at the end of their productive lives, in accordance with applicable state laws. Market risk premiums associated with asset retirement obligations are estimated to represent a component of Empire’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate that is utilized in the calculations of asset retirement obligations.
Empire’s asset retirement obligation activity is as follows:
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Additions |
|
|
||||||
| Liabilities settled |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Revisions |
|
|||||||
| Accretion expense |
|
|
||||||
| Asset retirement obligation, end of period | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Less current portion included in Accrued Expenses |
|
|||||||
| Asset retirement obligation, long-term | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
The additions in 2024 primarily relate to the completion of new wells as part of Empire’s North Dakota Starbuck Drilling Program and additional working interest acquired in New Mexico (see Note 3).
Note 5 – Commodity Derivative Financial Instruments
Empire uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price fluctuations. Commodity derivative instruments are used to reduce the effect of volatility of price changes on the oil and natural gas Empire produces and sells. Empire does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Empire’s derivative financial instruments consist of swaps and put options.
Empire does not designate its derivative instruments in such a way that would qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, Empire reflects changes in the fair value of its derivative instruments in its consolidated statements of operations as they occur. Unrealized gains and losses related to the contracts are recognized and recorded as changes to the derivative asset or liability on Empire’s consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the net realized and unrealized gains and (losses) reported in earnings related to the commodity derivative instruments for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Derivatives: | ||||||||||||||||
| Oil derivatives (a) | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | $ |
(
|
) | |||||
_______
| (a) |
|
The following represents Empire’s net settlements received (paid) related to derivatives for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Oil derivatives | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | $ |
|
$ |
(
|
) | ||||||
As of September 30, 2024, Empire did not have any outstanding derivative contracts. In late third-quarter 2024, we settled all outstanding derivative positions for a net realized gain of $300,000.
| 10 |
Note 6 – Accounts Receivable
The following table represents Empire’s accounts receivable as of the dates presented:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Oil, Gas and NGL Receivables | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Joint Interest Billings |
|
|
||||||
| Other |
|
|
||||||
| Total Accounts Receivable | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
Note 7 – Accrued Expenses
The following table represents Empire’s accrued expenses as of the dates presented:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Accrued and suspended third-party revenue | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Accrued salaries and payroll taxes |
|
|
||||||
| Accrued production taxes |
|
|
||||||
| Asset retirement obligation - current |
|
|
||||||
| Other |
|
|
||||||
| $ |
|
$ |
|
|||||
Note 8 – Debt Including Debt with Related Parties
The following table represents Empire’s outstanding debt as of the dates presented:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Equity Bank Credit Facility | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Note Payable – Related Party |
|
|||||||
| Equipment and vehicle notes, 0.00% to 9.00% interest rates, due in 2025 to 2028 with monthly payments ranging from $900 to $1,400 per month |
|
|
||||||
| Note Payable to insurance provider, bears 7.29% interest, matures January 2025, monthly payments of principal and interest of $51,067 |
|
|||||||
| Total Debt |
|
|
||||||
| Less: Current Maturities |
(
|
) |
(
|
) | ||||
| Less: Note Payable – Related Party |
(
|
) | ||||||
| Long-Term Debt | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| 11 |
On December 29, 2023, Empire North Dakota and
Empire NDA (“Borrowers”),
The Revolver is guaranteed by Empire. Borrowers entered into a security agreement, pursuant to which the obligations under the Revolver are secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of Borrowers. Furthermore, the obligations under the Revolver are secured by a continuing, first priority mortgage lien, pledge of and security interest in not less than 80% of Borrowers’ producing oil, gas and other leasehold and mineral interests, including without limitation, those situated in the States of North Dakota and Montana.
The Revolver requires Borrowers to, commencing as of the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, maintain (a) a current ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 or more and (b) a ratio of funded debt to EBITDAX, calculated quarterly and annually based on a trailing twelve-month basis, of no more than 3.50 to 1.00. Empire was not in compliance with the current ratio covenant as of September 30, 2024, however, Empire received a compliance waiver from the lender for September 30, 2024.
Promissory Note – Related Party
On February 16, 2024, Empire issued a Promissory
Note in the aggregate principal amount of $
The Note matures on February 15, 2026, (the
“Maturity Date”) and accrues interest at the rate of
| 12 |
Empire determined that an embedded conversion
feature included in the Note required bifurcation from the host contract that is recognized as a separate derivative liability carried
at fair value.
Note Payable – Related Party
In August 2020, Empire, through its wholly owned
subsidiary, Empire Texas, entered into a joint development agreement (the “JDA”) with Petroleum & Independent Exploration,
LLC and related entities (“PIE”), a related party (see Note 14), dated August 1, 2020. Under the terms of the JDA, PIE will
perform recompletion or workover on specified mutually agreed upon wells (“Workover Wells”) owned by Empire Texas. Concurrent
with the JDA with PIE, Empire entered into a term loan agreement dated August 1, 2020, whereby PIE will loan up to $
On July 31, 2024, PIE, Empire Texas, and Empire
entered into a note repayment and loan termination agreement providing for the payment in full of the remaining outstanding amount of
the $
Note 9 - Leases
As a lessee, Empire leases its corporate office
headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and one field office in North Dakota.
Empire also leases vehicles primarily used in our field operations. These vehicle leases typically have a -year life.
Empire recognizes right-of-use lease expense on a straight-line basis, except for certain variable expenses that are recognized when the variability is resolved, typically during the period in which they are paid. Variable right-of-use lease payments typically include charges for property taxes, insurance, and variable payments related to non-lease components, including common area maintenance.
Right-of-use lease expense was approximately
$
| 13 |
Supplemental balance sheet information related to the right-of-use leases is as follows:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Net operating lease asset (included in Other Property and Equipment) | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Current portion of lease liability | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
| Long-term lease liability |
|
|
||||||
| Total right-of-use lease liabilities | $ |
|
$ |
|
||||
The weighted-average remaining term for Empire’s right-of-use
leases is
years. The weighted-average discount rate was
| Year 1 | $ |
|
|||
| Year 2 |
|
||||
| Year 3 |
|
||||
| Year 4 | |||||
| Year 5 | |||||
| Total lease payments |
|
||||
| Less imputed interest |
(
|
) | |||
| Total lease obligation | $ |
|
|||
Note 10 – Equity
Pursuant to Empire’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”), effective as of March 4, 2022, the total number of shares of all classes of stock that Empire has the authority to issue is 200,000,000, consisting of shares of common stock, par value $ per share, and shares of preferred stock, par value $ per share.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series at the direction of the Board of Directors. The directors also have the ability to fix dividend rates and rights, liquidation preferences, voting rights, conversion rights, rights and terms of redemption and other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, subject to certain limitations set forth in the Charter.
Series A Voting Preferred Stock
On March 8, 2022, Empire formalized the issuance of preferred stock as was required under the terms of Empire's May 2021 financing agreements with Energy Evolution and issued 6 shares of Series A Voting Preferred Stock. The Series A Voting Preferred Stock was issued in connection with the strategic investment in Empire by Energy Evolution. For so long as the Series A Voting Preferred Stock is outstanding, Empire’s Board of Directors will consist of six directors. Three of the directors are designated as the Series A Directors and the three other directors (each, a “common director”) are elected by the holders of common stock and/or any preferred stock (other than the Series A Voting Preferred Stock) granted the right to vote on the common directors. Any Series A Director may be removed with or without cause but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock voting separately and as a single class. The holders of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock have the exclusive right, voting separately and as a single class, to vote on the election, removal and/or replacement of the Series A Directors. Holders of common stock or other preferred stock do not have the right to vote on the Series A Directors. The approval of the holders of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock, voting separately and as a single class, is required to authorize any resolution or other action to issue or modify the number, voting rights or any other rights, privileges, benefits, or characteristics of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock, including without limitation, any action to modify the number, structure and/or composition of Empire’s current Board of Directors.
The Series
A Voting Preferred Stock is held by Phil Mulacek, chairman of the Board of Directors and one of the principals of Energy Evolution, as
Energy Evolution’s designee (the “Initial Holder”). The Series A Voting Preferred Stock may be transferred only to
certain controlled affiliates of the Initial Holder (“Permitted Transferees”), and
| 14 |
The Series A Voting Preferred Stock is not entitled to receive any dividends or distributions of cash or other property except in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Empire’s affairs. In such event, before any amount is paid to the holders of Empire’s common stock but after any amount is paid to the holders of Empire’s senior securities, the holders of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive an amount per share equal to $1.00.
Except as discussed above or as otherwise set forth in the certificate of designation of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series A Voting Preferred Stock have no voting rights.
The Series A Voting
Preferred Stock is not redeemable at Empire’s election or the election of any holder, except Empire may elect to redeem the
| • | any or all shares of Series A Voting Preferred Stock are held by anyone other than the Initial Holder or a Permitted Transferee; or | |
| • | the Series A Holders together hold less than shares of Empire’s outstanding common stock. |
The Series A Voting Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock or any other security.
Common Stock
On August 27, 2021, Empire’s Board of Directors approved a one-for-four reverse stock split such that every holder of Empire’s common stock would receive one share of common stock for every four shares owned. The reverse stock split was effective as of 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 7, 2022, immediately prior to Empire’s listing of its common stock on the NYSE American.
The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share for all matters on which common stockholders are authorized to vote on. Examples of matters that common stockholders are entitled to vote on include, but are not limited to, election of three of the six directors and other common voting situations afforded to common stockholders.
In April 2024, Empire completed a subscription rights offering (the “April Rights Offering”) which raised gross proceeds of $ million. Empire distributed at no charge to holders of its common stock, as of the close of business on March 7, 2024 (the record date for the April Rights Offering), one subscription right for each share of common stock held. Each subscription right entitled the holder to purchase 0.161 shares of common stock at a subscription price of $5.00 per share per one whole share of common stock. The subscription rights were non-transferable and not listed for trading on any stock exchange or market.
On May 29, 2024,
In November 2024, Empire completed a subscription rights offering (the “November Rights Offering”) which raised gross proceeds of $10.0 million. Empire distributed at no charge to holders of its common stock, as of the close of business on September 30, 2024 (the record date for the November Rights Offering), one subscription right for each share of common stock held. Each subscription right entitled the holder to purchase 0.063 shares of common stock at a subscription price of $5.05 per share per one whole share of common stock. The subscription rights were non-transferable and not listed for trading on any stock exchange or market.
Earnings Per Share
The computation of diluted shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, excluded and 1,019,469 shares, respectively, related to stock options, warrants, outstanding RSUs, and convertible debt as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, excluded and shares, respectively, related to stock options, warrants, and outstanding RSUs, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Empire recognizes stock-based compensation expense associated with granted stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Empire accounts for forfeitures of equity-based incentive awards as they occur. Stock-based compensation expense related to time-based restricted stock units is based on the price of the common stock on the grant date and recognized as vesting occurs. For options, the fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation assumptions on dividend yield, expected annual volatility, risk-free interest rate and an expected useful life. Stock-based compensation is recorded with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital within the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets.
| 15 |
The following summary reflects nonvested restricted stock unit activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
| Weighted Average | ||||||||
| RSUs | Fair Value (a) | |||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|||||
| Granted |
|
|
||||||
| Vested |
(
|
) |
|
|||||
| Forfeited |
(
|
) |
|
|||||
| Outstanding, September 30, 2024 |
|
$ |
|
|||||
| _____________ | ||||||||
| (a) Shares are valued at the grant-date market price. | ||||||||
| Weighted Average | ||||||||
| Options | Exercise Price | |||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Exercised |
(
|
) |
|
|||||
| Cancelled | ||||||||
| Outstanding, September 30, 2024 |
|
$ |
|
|||||
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2024.
| Range of | Weighted Average | Weighted | Weighted | |||||||
| Exercise | Options | Remaining | Average | Options | Average | |||||
| Prices | Outstanding | Contractual Life | Exercise Price | Exercisable | Exercise Price | |||||
| $ to $ |
|
years |
$
|
|
$
|
|||||
Note 12 – Executive Separations
On March 16, 2023, Thomas W. Pritchard resigned
as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Empire to pursue other opportunities. Although not required under Mr. Pritchard’s
Employment Agreement with Empire, in recognition of Mr. Pritchard’s past service to Empire, Empire paid Mr. Pritchard severance
benefits in the amount of approximately $
On March 17, 2023, the Board of Directors appointed Michael R. Morrisett to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Morrisett did not receive any additional compensation for assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Note 13 – Income Taxes
For all periods presented, Empire’s effective
tax rate is
| 16 |
The following table presents a reconciliation of its effective income tax rate to the U.S. statutory income tax rate for the periods presented.
Schedule of reconciliation of effective income tax rate
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit at statutory rate |
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| State Taxes (net of federal impact) |
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Nondeductible Expenses |
|
-
|
(
|
) |
|
|
-
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options Exercised |
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Valuation Allowance |
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit |
|
(
|
) |
|
|
(
|
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note 14 – Related Party Transactions
Energy Evolution is a related party of Empire
as it beneficially owns approximately
Empire has a JDA with PIE to perform completions
or workovers on specified mutually agreed upon wells. In the third quarter of 2024, Empire issued PIE 205,427 shares of common stock
of Empire as payment in full for this outstanding note balance of $
On February 16, 2024, Empire issued the
Note to Energy Evolution. Energy Evolution advanced Empire $
Empire elected to partially exercise a Purchase Option in the second quarter of 2024 and acquired 60% of certain New Mexico interests from Energy Evolution. See Note 3 for additional information.
On June 28, 2024, Energy Evolution exercised
warrants of Empire and received
shares in exchange for $
Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, Empire is subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings for which Empire may not have insurance coverage. While many of these matters involve inherent uncertainty, as of the date hereof, Empire does not currently believe that any such legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on Empire’s business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Empire is subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws, among other things, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require Empire to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites. Management believes no materially significant liabilities of this nature existed as of the balance sheet date.
Agreed Compliance Order
In January 2024, Empire deposited $
| 17 |
| Item 2. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including this section, includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events, or developments that Empire expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including future sources of financing and other possible business developments, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties and could be affected by a number of distinct factors, including Empire’s failure to secure short and long-term financing necessary to sustain and grow its operations, increased competition, changes in the markets in which Empire participates and the technology utilized by Empire and new legislation regarding environmental matters. These risks and other risks that could affect Empire's business are more fully described in reports Empire files with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. Empire undertakes no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q.
Overview
Our primary business is the optimization and development of oil and gas interests. In 2022 we had net income from operations but have incurred losses from operations in 2023 and 2024 and in years prior to 2022. There is no assurance that we will be profitable or obtain funds necessary to finance our future operations.
We seek to increase shareholder value by growing reserves, production, revenues, and cash flow from operating activities by executing our mission to use highly-skilled personnel to thoughtfully and expertly spend capital to realize reserves on producing properties as well as further develop fields.
Management places emphasis on operating cash flow in managing our business, as operating cash flow considers the cash expenses incurred during the period and excludes non-cash expenditures not related directly to our operations.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to obtain long-term growth in reserves and cash flow on a cost-effective basis. Management regularly evaluates potential acquisitions of properties that would enhance current core areas of operation.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. As additional information becomes available, these estimates and assumptions are subject to change and thus impact amounts reported in the future. Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that involve judgment and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies and the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using differing assumptions. Management periodically updates the estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements based on management’s latest assessment of the current and projected business and general economic environment. There have been no significant changes to Empire’s critical accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
General
Empire’s primary sources of short-term liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, net cash provided by operating activities, and issuance of debt or equity securities. Empire’s short- and long-term liquidity requirements consist primarily of capital expenditures, acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties, payments of contractual obligations, and working capital obligations. Funding for these requirements may be provided by any combination of Empire’s sources of liquidity. Although Empire expects that its sources of funding will be adequate to fund its liquidity requirements, no assurance can be given that such funding sources will be adequate to meet Empire’s future needs.
| 18 |
Liquidity
As noted below, our working capital is negative as of September 30, 2024, which is primarily the result of a higher level of payables related to capital spending as part of our Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota. In addition, Empire was not in compliance with the current ratio covenant under the Revolver as of September 30, 2024; however, Empire obtained a compliance waiver from the lender for September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $3.1 million in cash on hand and approximately $0.2 million available on the Revolver. Empire will require additional funds to be in compliance with debt covenants and satisfy the payables discussed above which are greater than estimated cash flows from operations over the next 12 months. Phil Mulacek and Energy Evolution Master Fund, Ltd, both related parties of Empire and our largest two shareholders, owning 20.3% and 31.4%, respectively, of the common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024, have indicated that they will, and have the ability to, provide sufficient support to sustain the operating, investing, and financing activities of Empire, as necessary. In addition to the November Rights Offering, discussed elsewhere in this document, management continues to seek additional sources of capital via the debt or equity markets to improve liquidity going forward. See the liquidity and going concern discussion included in notes to unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, presented elsewhere in this document, for further discussion of management’s plans.
Empire expects to continue to incur costs related to drilling activities in core areas as well as future oil and natural gas acquisitions in core areas. As of September 30, 2024, Empire has incurred approximately $38.3 million of additions to oil and natural gas properties, primarily related to the drilling program in the Starbuck field of North Dakota. It is expected that Empire will use a combination of debt or equity issuances, cash on hand, and cash flows from operations to fund capital programs, ongoing operations, and any potential acquisitions.
Working Capital
Working capital, presented below, decreased by approximately $9.0 million between December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2024. This change was primarily driven by payables related to the Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota and a lower cash balance at September 30, 2024.
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Current Assets | $ | 11,731,003 | $ | 18,744,904 | ||||
| Current Liabilities | (26,993,885 | ) | (25,049,572 | ) | ||||
| Working Capital | $ | (15,262,882 | ) | $ | (6,304,668 | ) | ||
Cash Flows
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Variance | ||||||||||
| Cash Flows Provided By (Used In): | ||||||||||||
| Operating Activities | $ | 14,917,374 | $ | (5,957,231 | ) | $ | 20,874,605 | |||||
| Investing Activities | (49,274,023 | ) | (5,519,179 | ) | (43,754,844 | ) | ||||||
| Financing Activities | 29,713,857 | 10,566,802 | 19,147,055 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
The impact of higher oil production and lower workover expenses in 2024 compared to 2023 contributed to the increase in cash flows from operating activities.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash flows from investing activities in the first nine months of 2024 include approximately $48.8 million of additions to oil and natural gas properties primarily due to the development of our operations as part of our Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash flow from financing activities in 2024 includes net proceeds from the April Rights Offering of approximately $20.5 million (see Note 10). In addition, cash flows from financing activities in 2024 includes $5.0 million from a promissory note issued to Empire by a related party and approximately $4.0 million borrowed on Empire’s Revolver (see Note 8).
| 19 |
Capital Resources
Capital Expenditures
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Empire incurred approximately $38.3 million of additions to oil and natural gas properties which primarily reflects continued drilling and completions activity related to our Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota.
Production and Operating Data
The following table sets forth a summary of Empire’s production and operating data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Because of normal production declines, increased or decreased production due to future acquisitions, divestitures, and development, and fluctuations in commodity prices, the historical information presented below should not be interpreted as being indicative of future results.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
|
Production and Operating Data:
|
||||||||||||||||
| Net Production Volumes: | ||||||||||||||||
| Oil (Bbl) | 144,674 | 120,177 | 435,717 | 368,847 | ||||||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf) | 255,195 | 195,908 | 708,258 | 638,419 | ||||||||||||
| Natural Gas Liquids (Bbl) | 39,137 | 35,568 | 113,534 | 106,002 | ||||||||||||
| Total (Boe) | 226,344 | 188,396 | 667,294 | 581,252 | ||||||||||||
| Average Price per Unit: | ||||||||||||||||
| Oil (Bbl) | $ | 71.48 | $ | 78.98 | $ | 73.60 | $ | 74.77 | ||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf) | $ | 0.03 | $ | 2.10 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 2.06 | ||||||||
| Natural Gas Liquids (Bbl) | $ | 13.84 | $ | 11.57 | $ | 13.87 | $ | 12.06 | ||||||||
| Total (Boe) | $ | 48.12 | $ | 54.75 | $ | 50.83 | $ | 51.91 | ||||||||
| Operating Costs and Expenses per Boe: | ||||||||||||||||
| Lease Operating Expense | $ | 29.75 | $ | 37.42 | $ | 32.47 | $ | 35.56 | ||||||||
| Production and Ad Valorem Taxes | $ | 4.35 | $ | 4.21 | $ | 4.32 | $ | 3.91 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion | $ | 13.72 | $ | 6.36 | $ | 12.36 | $ | 5.74 | ||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense: | ||||||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense | $ | 16.06 | $ | 13.70 | $ | 13.29 | $ | 12.90 | ||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation | $ | 1.48 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 2.45 | $ | 3.94 | ||||||||
| Total General and Administrative Expense | $ | 17.54 | $ | 14.54 | $ | 15.74 | $ | 16.84 | ||||||||
Bbl – One stock tank barrel, of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to oil, condensate, or natural gas liquids.
Mcf – One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
Boe – One barrel of oil equivalent, a standard convention used to express oil and natural gas volumes on a comparable oil equivalent basis. Natural gas equivalents are determined under the relative energy content method by using the ratio of 6.0 Mcf of natural gas to 1.0 Bbl of oil or condensate.
| 20 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Results of Operations
The following table reflects Empire’s summary operating information. Because of normal production declines, increased or decreased drilling activity and the effects of acquisitions, the historical information presented below should not be interpreted as indicative of future results.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Variance | Variance % | |||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues | $ | 10,341,280 | $ | 9,492,127 | $ | 849,153 | 9% | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues | 8,547 | 411,217 | (402,670 | ) | -98% | |||||||||||
| NGL Revenues | 541,755 | 411,624 | 130,131 | 32% | ||||||||||||
| Total Product Revenues | 10,891,582 | 10,314,968 | ||||||||||||||
| Lease Operating Expense (Including Workovers) | 6,733,611 | 7,050,054 | (316,443 | ) | -4% | |||||||||||
| Production and Ad Valorem Taxes | 984,075 | 792,241 | 191,834 | 24% | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion | 3,105,491 | 1,198,448 | 1,907,043 | 159% | ||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense: | ||||||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense | 3,635,917 | 2,580,464 | 1,055,453 | 41% | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based Compensation | 335,077 | 158,792 | 176,285 | 111% | ||||||||||||
| Total General and Administrative Expense | 3,970,994 | 2,739,256 | 1,231,738 | 45% | ||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | 196,306 | 249,796 | (53,490 | ) | -21% | |||||||||||
| Operating Loss | (3,416,603 | ) | (2,633,902 | ) | (782,701 | ) | 30% | |||||||||
| Net Loss | (3,639,614 | ) | (2,747,628 | ) | (891,986 | ) | 32% | |||||||||
Revenues
Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024, increased slightly compared to the prior year primarily due to higher oil, natural gas and NGL sales volumes, substantially offset by lower realized oil and natural gas prices.
Net oil sales volumes were approximately 145,000 Bbls for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of approximately 20% over the same period in the prior year. Oil volumes in third-quarter 2024 increased primarily due to new wells completed in North Dakota during the period as well as the acquisition of additional working interest in New Mexico.
Realized oil prices for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $71.48 per barrel, while realized prices for the same period in the prior year were $78.98 per barrel, a decrease in price of approximately 9%.
Realized natural gas prices for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $0.03 per mcf, while realized prices for the same period in the prior year were $2.10 per mcf. This is primarily due to the depressed natural gas prices in the third quarter of 2024 in New Mexico.
Realized NGL prices for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $13.84 per barrel, while realized prices for the same period in the prior year were $11.57 per barrel, an increase in price of approximately 20%.
Lease Operating Expense and Production Taxes
Lease operating expense was lower for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower workover costs. Lease operating expense includes approximately $1.4 million of workover expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2023. The higher workover expense in 2023 was primarily in New Mexico as Empire continued to work over wells in the region to enhance and maintain production.
Production taxes were higher for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 as a result of the higher product revenues discussed above.
| 21 |
Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion
The higher DD&A for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 is due in part to the increase in production, the acquisition of additional working interest as well as the impact of the capitalized costs associated with the new drilling activity as part of our Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense, excluding stock-based compensation, increased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits period over period associated with an increase in employee headcount.
Stock-based Compensation
Empire utilizes stock-based compensation to compensate the Board, members of management, and retain talented personnel. Empire anticipates stock-based compensation to continue to be utilized in 2024 and beyond to attract and retain talented personnel and compensate Board members and consultants.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower cash interest expense from lower average debt balances in the third quarter of 2024 compared to third-quarter 2023.
| 22 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Results of Operations
The following table reflects Empire’s summary operating information. Because of normal production declines, increased or decreased drilling activity and the effects of acquisitions, the historical information presented below should not be interpreted as indicative of future results.
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | Variance | Variance % | |||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues | $ | 32,070,516 | $ | 27,578,453 | $ | 4,492,063 | 16% | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues | 269,844 | 1,315,938 | (1,046,094 | ) | -79% | |||||||||||
| NGL Revenues | 1,574,995 | 1,278,759 | 296,236 | 23% | ||||||||||||
| Total Product Revenues | 33,915,355 | 30,173,150 | ||||||||||||||
| Lease Operating Expense (Including Workovers) | 21,663,719 | 20,669,217 | 994,502 | 5% | ||||||||||||
| Production and Ad Valorem Taxes | 2,883,240 | 2,271,630 | 611,610 | 27% | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion | 8,250,400 | 3,338,615 | 4,911,785 | 147% | ||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense: | ||||||||||||||||
| General and Administrative Expense | 8,869,034 | 7,497,947 | 1,371,087 | 18% | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based Compensation | 1,636,714 | 2,289,237 | (652,523 | ) | -29% | |||||||||||
| Total General and Administrative Expense | 10,505,748 | 9,787,184 | 718,564 | 7% | ||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | 1,246,575 | 671,982 | 574,593 | 86% | ||||||||||||
| Operating Loss | (9,740,056 | ) | (7,158,122 | ) | (2,581,934 | ) | 36% | |||||||||
| Net Loss | (12,004,581 | ) | (7,672,128 | ) | (4,332,453 | ) | 56% | |||||||||
Revenues
Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, increased compared to the prior year primarily due to higher oil, natural gas, and NGL sales volumes, partially offset by lower realized oil and natural gas prices.
Net oil sales volumes were approximately 436,000 Bbls for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of approximately 18% over the same period in the prior year. Oil volumes in 2024 increased primarily due to new wells completed in North Dakota during the period as well as the acquisition of additional working interest in New Mexico.
Realized oil prices for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $73.60 per barrel, while realized prices for the same period in the prior year were $74.77, a decrease in price of approximately 2%.
Realized natural gas prices for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $0.38 per mcf, while realized prices for the same period in the prior year were $2.06, a decrease in price of approximately 72%. The lower prices in 2024 are primarily due to depressed natural gas prices in New Mexico during the period.
Realized NGL prices for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were approximately $13.87 per barrel, while realized prices for the same period in the prior year were approximately $12.06 per barrel, an increase in price of approximately 15%.
Lease Operating Expense and Production Taxes
The increase in lease operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was primarily associated with an increase in production, partially offset by lower workover expenses year over year. Lease operating expense includes approximately $5.3 million of workover expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $8.9 million for the same period in 2023. The higher workover expense in 2023 was primarily in New Mexico as Empire continued to work over wells in the region to enhance and maintain production.
Production taxes were higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 as a result of the higher product revenues discussed above.
| 23 |
Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion
The higher DD&A in 2024 is due in part to the increase in production, the acquisition of additional working interest in New Mexico as well as the impact of the capitalized costs associated with drilling activity associated with our Starbuck Drilling Program in North Dakota.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense, excluding stock-based compensation, increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits period over period associated with an increase in employee headcount.
Stock-based Compensation
Empire utilizes stock-based compensation to compensate members of the Board, management, and retain talented personnel. Empire anticipates stock-based compensation to continue to be utilized in 2024 and beyond to attract and retain talented personnel and compensate Board members and consultants. The decrease year over year is primarily due to Board of Directors awards in 2023.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher cash interest expense and the amortization of the debt discount both associated with the Promissory Note that was issued in 2024 (see Note 8).
| 24 |
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, Empire carried out an evaluation under the supervision and participation of Empire’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, along with our management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Empire’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on this evaluation, Empire’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, in ensuring the information required to be disclosed by Empire in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including Empire’s Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer and principal financial officer) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
While we continue to implement design enhancements to our internal control procedures, there were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2024, which were identified in connection with the evaluation that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. It is management’s expectation that Empire will implement enhanced controls throughout 2024 with additional controls implemented as they are identified by management. Management will continue to diligently and rigorously review the financial reporting controls and procedures on an ongoing basis.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Empire’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their desired objectives. Management recognizes that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of their inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors or misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
| 25 |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 15 of the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
Not applicable.
| Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
On August 8, 2024, Empire issued 16,800 shares of common stock to Energy Evolution in exchange for extension of the Purchase Option. For a description of the Purchase Option and its extension, see Note 3 of the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The issuance of such shares of common stock was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of that Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Energy Evolution is a sophisticated accredited investor with the experience and expertise to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in Empire and the financial means to bear the risks of such an investment.
| Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
| Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
| Item 5. | Other Information |
Empire was not informed by any of its directors or Section 16 officers of the adoption or termination of a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K, during the third quarter of 2024.
| Item 6. | Exhibits |
| 10.1 | ||
| 31.1 | ||
| 31.2 | Rule 13a - 14 (a)/15(d) - 14(a) Certification of Michael R. Morrisett, Chief Executive Officer (principal financial officer) (submitted herewith). | |
| 32.1 |
Section 1350 Certification of Michael R. Morrisett, Chief Executive Officer (submitted herewith). |
|
| 32.2 | ||
| 101 | Financial Statements for Inline XBRL format (submitted herewith). | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document). | |
| 26 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
Empire Petroleum Corporation
|
|||
| Date: November 13, 2024 | By: | /s/ Michael R. Morrisett | |
| Michael R. Morrisett | |||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | |||
| (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) | |||
27