ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
General
Camber Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is based in Houston, Texas. We are currently primarily engaged in the acquisition, development and sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids from various known productive geological formations, including the Cline shale and upper Wolfberry shale in Glasscock County, Texas. Incorporated in Nevada in December 2003 under the name Panorama Investments Corp., the Company changed its name to Lucas Energy, Inc., effective June 9, 2006, and effective January 4, 2017, the Company changed its name to Camber Energy, Inc. After the divestiture of our South Texas properties during fiscal 2019, as discussed in further detail below under “Mid-Continent Acquisition and Divestiture“, we initiated discussions with several potential acquisition and merger candidates to diversify our operations.
Pursuant to those discussions on July 8, 2019, we acquired Lineal Star Holdings, LLC (“Lineal”) pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of the same date (the “Lineal Plan of Merger” and the merger contemplated therein, the “Lineal Merger” or the “Lineal Acquisition”), by and between Lineal, Camber, Camber Energy Merger Sub 2, Inc., Camber’s wholly-owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and the Members of Lineal (the “Lineal Members”). Lineal is a specialty construction and oil and gas services enterprise providing services to the energy industry. Pursuant to the Lineal Plan of Merger, Camber acquired 100% of the ownership of Lineal from the Lineal Members in consideration for newly issued shares of Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series E Preferred Stock”) and Series F Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred Stock”), as discussed in greater detail below under “Lineal Acquisition and Divestiture“.
On December 31, 2019, the Company entered into, and closed the transactions contemplated by a Preferred Stock Redemption Agreement, by and between the Company, Lineal and the holders of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Holders”). Pursuant to the Redemption Agreement, effective as of December 31, 2019, each holder of Series E Preferred Stock transferred such Series E Preferred Stock to Camber in consideration for their pro rata share (except as discussed below in connection with the Series F Preferred Stock holder, who was also a holder of Series E Preferred Stock) of 100% of the Common Shares of Lineal and the holder of the Series F Preferred Stock transferred such Series F Preferred Stock (and such Series E Preferred Stock shares held by such holder) to Camber in consideration for 100% of the Preferred Shares of Lineal and as a result, ownership of 100% of Lineal was transferred back to the Preferred Holders, the original owners of Lineal prior to the Lineal Merger. Additionally, all of the Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock of the Company were automatically cancelled and deemed redeemed by the Company and the Series F Holder waived and forgave any and all accrued dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock. See also “Lineal Acquisition and Divestiture“ below.
On February 3, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended to date, the “Merger Agreement”) with Viking Energy Group, Inc. (“Viking”). The Merger Agreement provides that a newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) will merge with and into Viking (the “Merger”), with Viking surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as described in greater detail below under “Viking Plan of Merger“.
Moving forward, the Company plans to complete the Merger with Viking and then focus on growing through the development of Viking’s properties while also seeking new acquisitions to grow its oil and gas production and revenues through the combined entity. The Company anticipates raising additional financing to complete acquisitions following the closing of the Merger, which may be through the sale of debt or equity. As described below, the Merger is subject to various closing conditions which may not be met pursuant to the contemplated timeline, if at all.
Mid-Continent Acquisition and Divestiture
On December 30, 2015, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) to acquire, from twenty-three different entities and individuals (the “Sellers”), working interests in producing properties and undeveloped acreage (the “Acquisition”), which acquisition transaction was completed on August 25, 2016. The assets acquired include varied interests in two largely contiguous acreage blocks in the liquids-rich Mid-Continent region. In connection with the closing of the acquisition, we assumed approximately $30.6 million of commercial bank debt, issued 417 shares of common stock to certain of the Sellers, issued 552,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to one of the Sellers and its affiliate, and paid $4,975,000 in cash to certain of the Sellers. The effective date of the Acquisition was April 1, 2016.
On July 12, 2018, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (as amended, the “Sale Agreement”), as seller, with N&B Energy, LLC (“N&B Energy”) as purchaser, which entity is affiliated with Richard N. Azar II, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and former director, and Donnie B. Seay, the Company’s former director (each of which were Sellers). Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, which closed September 26, 2018, effective August 1, 2018, the Company sold to N&B Energy a substantial portion of its assets, including all of the assets acquired pursuant to the Acquisition and certain other assets, other than the production payment and overriding royalty interests discussed below (the “Disposed Assets”). In consideration for the Disposed Assets, N&B Energy agreed to pay the Company $100 in cash, to assume the Company’s liabilities and contractual obligations in connection with the Disposed Assets (including lease and bonus payments), to assume all of the Company’s obligations and debt owed under its outstanding loan agreement with International Bank of Commerce (“IBC Bank”), which had a then outstanding principal balance of approximately $36.9 million and the other parties agreed to enter into a settlement agreement.
On September 26, 2018, the Company entered into an Assumption Agreement (the “Assumption Agreement”) with IBC Bank; CE Operating, LLC, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary (“CE Operating”), which became a party to the Sale Agreement pursuant to the second amendment thereto; N&B Energy; Mr. Azar; RAD2 Minerals, Ltd., an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Azar (“RAD2”); Mr. Seay; and DBS Investments, Ltd., an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Seay (“DBS”). Azar, Seay, RAD2, and DBS are collectively referred to as the “Guarantors”.
Pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, N&B Energy agreed to assume all of the Company’s liabilities and obligations owed to IBC Bank and IBC Bank approved the transactions contemplated by the Sale Agreement and the assumption by N&B Energy of all of the amounts and liabilities which the Company owed to IBC Bank (collectively, the “IBC Obligations”). Finally, pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, IBC Bank released and forever discharged the Company and CE Operating and each of their current and former officers, directors, and stockholders, from all covenants, agreements, obligations, claims and demands of any kind, whether in law or at equity, which IBC Bank then had, arising out of or related to the amounts which the Company owed to IBC Bank under the Loan Agreement or mortgages and/or under such documents or agreements, and further agreed to release the lien which IBC Bank then held on certain of the Company’s properties located in west Texas.
On September 26, 2018, the transactions contemplated by the Sale Agreement closed and N&B Energy assumed all of the IBC Obligations (pursuant to the Assumption Agreement) and paid the Company $100 in cash, and the Company transferred ownership of the Disposed Assets to N&B Energy.
Notwithstanding the sale of the Disposed Assets, the Company retained its assets in Glasscock and Hutchinson Counties, Texas and also retained a 12.5% production payment (effective until a total of $2.5 million has been received, of which no funds have been received to date) and a 3% overriding royalty interest, in its then existing Okfuskee County, Oklahoma asset; and retained an overriding royalty interest on certain other undeveloped leasehold interests, pursuant to an Assignment of Production Payment and Assignment of Overriding Royalty Interests.
The effective date of the Sale Agreement was August 1, 2018. The Assets were assigned “as is” with all faults.
As a result of the Assumption Agreement and the Sale Agreement, the Company reduced its liabilities by $37.9 million and its assets by approximately $12.1 million.
Lineal Acquisition and Divestiture
In connection with the Lineal Plan of Merger, the Company entered into several other agreements, including (a) a Security Exchange Agreement dated July 8, 2019 (the “Exchange Agreement”), by and between the Company and an accredited institutional investor, Discover Growth Fund LLC, who has funded the Company over the past several years (“Discover”); (b) a Termination Agreement dated July 8, 2019, by and between the Company and Discover Growth Fund, which purchased shares of Series C Preferred Stock from us in December 2018 (“Discover Growth”, which subsequently transferred all of its shares of Series C Preferred Stock to Discover); and (c) a Funding and Loan Agreement dated July 8, 2019, by and among the Company, Lineal, and certain of the Lineal Members who also acquired shares of the Company’s preferred stock as a result of the Lineal Merger (the “Funding Agreement”), which provided for the Company to loan $1,050,000 to Lineal, which loan was evidenced by a Promissory Note entered into by Lineal, as borrower, in favor of the Company, as lender, dated July 8, 2019 (the “July 2019 Lineal Note”).
Also as part of the Lineal Merger, the Company designated three new series of preferred stock, (1) Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock” and the certificate of designations setting forth the rights thereof, the “Series D Designation”); (2) Series E Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series E Preferred Stock” and the certificate of designation setting forth the rights thereof (the “Series E Designation”); and (3) Series F Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock” and the certificate of designation setting forth the rights thereof, the “Series F Designation”, and the Series E Preferred Stock and the Series F Preferred Stock, collectively, the “Series E and F Preferred Stock”). Additionally, with the approval of the holders thereof, the Company amended and restated the designation of its Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock” and the amended and restated designation setting forth the rights thereof, the “Series C Designation”).
The Lineal Plan of Merger, Series D Designation and Series E Designation, provided that, effective upon the date that the stockholders of the Company had approved the Lineal Plan of Merger and issuance of shares in connection therewith (the “Stockholder Approval” and such date of Stockholder Approval, the “Stockholder Approval Date”), and subject to certain closing conditions, (a) the common stock holders of the Company were to hold between 6% and 6.67% of the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization (depending on certain factors); (b) Discover was to hold Series D Preferred Stock convertible into 26.67% of the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization, subject to the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock; and (c) the Lineal Members, who held the Series E Preferred Stock, were to have the right to convert such Series E Preferred Stock, subject to the terms thereof, as discussed above, into 66.67% of the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization, or 70%, subject to certain factors.
Pursuant to the Lineal Plan of Merger, Merger Sub merged with and into Lineal, with Lineal continuing as the surviving entity in the Lineal Merger and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
On October 8, 2019, Lineal acquired an 80% interest in Evercon Energy LLC (“Evercon”). The acquisition required Lineal to assume certain liabilities and provide working capital for a period of six months in an amount of $50,000 per month to Evercon. As part of the Lineal Divestiture, described below, Evercon was divested effective December 31, 2019.
The Funding Agreement required the Company to fund $1,050,000 in immediately available funds to Lineal (the “Loan”). The Loan was documented by the July 2019 Lineal Note and the Loan was made on July 9, 2019.
Subsequent to the closing date of the Lineal Plan of Merger, for various reasons, the parties to such Lineal Plan of Merger were unable to complete a further acquisition or combination which would allow the post-Merger combined company to meet the initial listing standards of the NYSE American. This was a requirement to the Company having to seek shareholder approval for the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock (including the voting rights (i.e., the right, together with the Series F Preferred Stock, to vote 80% of the Company’s voting shares) and conversion rights (i.e., the right to convert into between 67-70% of the Company’s post-shareholder approval capitalization) associated therewith). Consequently, and because no definitive timeline was able to be established for when the Company believed it would meet the NYSE American initial listing standards and consequently, when shareholder approval would be sought or received for the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock, the Preferred Holders and the Company determined it was in their mutual best interests to unwind the Lineal Merger.
In order to affect such unwinding, on December 31, 2019, we, Lineal (and its subsidiaries) and the Preferred Holders entered into, and closed the transactions contemplated by, a Preferred Stock Redemption Agreement (the “Redemption Agreement” and the redemption contemplated thereby, the “Redemption” or the “Lineal Divestiture”).
Pursuant to the Redemption Agreement, the parties thereto mutually agreed to unwind the Lineal Merger and allow for the redemption in full of Lineal by the Preferred Holders. In connection therewith, the Company redeemed the Company’s Series E and F Preferred Stock issued in connection with the Lineal Merger and ownership of 100% of Lineal was transferred back to the Preferred Holders, and all of the Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock of the Company outstanding were cancelled through the redemption.
The Redemption Agreement also provided for (a) the entry by Lineal and the Company into a new unsecured promissory note in the amount of $1,539,719, the outstanding amount of the July 2019 Lineal Note together with additional amounts loaned by Camber to Lineal through December 31, 2019 (the “December 2019 Lineal Note”); (b) the unsecured loan by the Company to Lineal on December 31, 2019 of an additional $800,000, entered into by Lineal in favor of the Company on December 31, 2019 (“Lineal Note No. 2”); and (c) the termination of the prior Lineal Plan of Merger and Funding Agreement entered into in connection therewith (pursuant to which all funds previously held in a segregated account for future Lineal acquisitions, less amounts loaned pursuant to Lineal Note No. 2, were released back to the Company). The December 2019 Lineal Note and Lineal Note No. 2, accrue interest, payable quarterly in arrears, beginning on March 31, 2020 and continuing until December 31, 2021, when all interest and principal is due, at 8% and 10% per annum (18% upon the occurrence of an event of default), respectively.
The divestiture resulting from the Redemption Agreement qualifies as a discontinued operation in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). As a result, operating results and cash flows related to the Lineal operations have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented.
Viking Plan of Merger
On February 3, 2020, the Company and Viking entered into the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock of Viking (the “Viking Common Stock”) issued and outstanding, other than certain shares owned by the Company, Viking and Merger Sub, will be converted into the right to receive the pro rata share of 80% of the Company’s post-closing capitalization, subject to certain adjustment mechanisms discussed in the Merger Agreement (and excluding shares issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock of the Company). Holders of Viking Common Stock will have any fractional shares of Company common stock after the Merger rounded up to the nearest whole share. The completion of the Merger is subject to certain closing conditions. Specifically, the percentage of shares retained by Camber shareholders (initially 80%, the “Camber Percentage”) is adjusted as follows: (i) for each (A) $500,000 in Camber unencumbered cash (without any associated debt) available for use by the combined company (the “Combined Company”) after the Effective Time, with a permitted use being to, among other things, pay debt obligations of Viking outside of Viking’s Ichor division or Elysium division, which comes from equity sold by Camber for cash from February 3, 2020, through the Effective Time, which is not contingent or conditional upon the closing of the Merger (the “Camber Surplus Cash”), or (B) $500,000 in other unencumbered assets acquired by Camber after February 3, 2020 and prior to closing without increasing Camber’s liabilities (the “Other Camber Surplus Assets”), the Camber Percentage will increase by an incremental 0.5% (a “Camber Percentage Increase”); and (ii) for each additional $500,000 in Viking unencumbered cash (without any associated debt) for use by the Combined Company after the Effective Time which is not contingent or conditional upon the closing of the Plan of Merger, with a permitted use being to, among other things, pay debt obligations of Viking outside of Viking’s Ichor division or Elysium division in excess of $500,000 at Closing, which comes from equity sold by Viking for cash from February 3, 2020 through the Effective Time, the Camber Percentage will decrease by an incremental 0.5% (a “Camber Percentage Decrease”). The aggregate Camber Percentage Increase or Camber Percentage Decrease shall not exceed 5% pursuant to this particular section of the Merger Agreement, and neither party will raise capital from the other party’s existing shareholders without the prior written consent of such other party.
The Merger Agreement can be terminated (i) at any time with the mutual consent of the parties; (ii) by either the Company or Viking if any governmental consent or approval required for closing is not obtained, or any governmental entity issues a final non-appealable order or similar decree preventing the Merger; (iii) by either Viking or the Company if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before September 30, 2020, provided that the Company or Viking shall have the right to extend such date from time to time, until up to December 31, 2020, in the event that the Company has not fully resolved SEC comments on the Form S-4 (a preliminary draft of which has previously been filed) or other SEC filings related to the Merger, and Camber is responding to such comments in a reasonable fashion, subject to certain exceptions; (iv) by the Company or Viking, upon the breach by the other of a term of the Merger, which is not cured within 30 days of the date of written notice thereof by the other; (v) by the Company if Viking is unable to obtain the affirmative vote of its stockholders for approval of the Merger; (vi) by Viking if the Company is unable to obtain the affirmative vote of its stockholders required pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement; and (vii) by Viking or the Company if the other party’s directors change their recommendation to their stockholders to approve the Merger, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Merger Agreement, or if there is a willful breach of the Merger Agreement by the other party thereto.
A further requirement to the closing of the Merger was that the Company was required to have acquired 25% of Viking’s subsidiary Elysium Energy, LLC (“Elysium”) as part of a $5,000,000 investment in Viking’s Rule 506(c) offering, which transaction was completed on February 3, 2020, as discussed below and have acquired an additional 5% of Elysium as part of a subsequent $4,200,000 investment in Viking’s Rule 506(c) offering, which transaction was completed on June 25, 2020, as discussed below.
In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement, we are required, under certain circumstances described below, to return a portion of the Elysium interests to Viking:
Reason for Termination
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Percentage of Elysium
Retained by Camber
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The reasonable likelihood that the combined company will not meet the initial listing requirements of the NYSE American, required regulatory approvals will not be obtained, or the registration statement on Form S-4 will not be declared effective, through no fault of Camber or Viking
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20%*
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Termination of the Merger Agreement by either party, through no fault of Camber
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25%*
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Termination of the Merger Agreement due to a material breach of the Merger Agreement by Camber or its disclosure schedules
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0%*
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Termination of the Merger Agreement for any reason and in the event the Secured Notes (defined below) are not repaid within 90 days of the date of termination and the Additional Payment (defined below) is not made.
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30%
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*Assumes the payment of Secured Notes within 90 days of the date of termination of the Merger Agreement and the Additional Payment (defined below) is made.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Secured Notes (defined below) will be forgiven in the event the Merger closes, and the Secured Notes will be due 90 days after the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated by any party for any reason, at which time an additional payment equal to (i) 115.5% of the original principal amount of the Secured Notes, minus (ii) the amount due to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Secured Notes upon repayment thereof (the “Additional Payment”) is due.
A required condition to the entry into the Merger was that the Company loan Viking $5 million, pursuant to the terms of a Securities Purchase Agreement, which was entered into on February 3, 2020 (the “SPA”). On February 3, 2020, the Company and Discover entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Discover purchased 525 shares of Series C Preferred Stock (described in greater detail below under “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities – Description of Capital Stock- Preferred Stock - Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock“), for $5 million, at a 5% original issue discount to the $10,000 face value of such preferred stock. Pursuant to the SPA, the Company made a $5 million loan to Viking (using funds raised from the sale of the Series C Preferred Stock shares to Discover), which was evidenced by a 10.5% Secured Promissory Note (the “February 2020 Secured Note”). The February 2020 Secured Note is secured by a security interest, para passu with the other investors in Viking’s Secured Note offering (subject to certain pre-requisites) in Viking’s 70% ownership of Elysium and 100% of Ichor Energy Holdings, LLC, Viking’s 100% subsidiary. Additionally, pursuant to a separate Security and Pledge Agreement entered into on February 3, 2020, Viking provided the Company a security interest in the membership, common stock and/or ownership interests of all of Viking’s existing and future, directly owned or majority owned subsidiaries, to secure the repayment of the February 2020 Secured Note.
The February 2020 Secured Note is convertible into common shares of Viking at a conversion price of $0.24 per share at any time after March 4, 2020, and before the 15th day after Viking’s common stock has traded at an average daily price of at least $0.55 for 15 consecutive business days (at which point the February 2020 Secured Note is no longer convertible), provided that the Company is restricted from converting any portion of the February 2020 Secured Note into Viking’s common stock if upon such conversion the Company would beneficially own more than 4.99% of Viking’s common stock (which percentage may be increased or decreased, with 61 days prior written notice to Viking, provided that such percentage cannot under any circumstances be increased to greater than 9.99%).
As additional consideration for the Company making the loan to Viking, Viking assigned the Company a 25% interest in Elysium pursuant to the terms of an Assignment of Membership Interests dated February 3, 2020.
Elysium holds certain working interests and over-riding royalty interests in oil and gas properties in Texas (approximately 71 wells in 11 counties) and Louisiana (approximately 52 wells in 6 parishes), along with associated wells and equipment, and was producing an average of approximately 2,700 Boe per day in March 2020.
The Merger Agreement was amended by:
(1) a First Amendment thereto entered into by the parties on May 27, 2020, which (i) modified the Camber Percentage adjustment mechanism to cap the aggregate Camber Percentage Increase or Camber Percentage Decrease at 5%; (ii) modify the events resulting in such adjustments; (iii) correct a prior error with such calculation which discussed Camber being required to have $4 million in cash at closing; and (iv) provided that neither party will raise capital from the other party’s existing shareholders without the prior written consent of the other party;
(2) a Second Amendment thereto entered into by the parties on June 15, 2020, which extended the date after which the Merger Agreement can be cancelled by either the Company or Viking, if not completed thereby, from June 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020, provided that either the Company or Viking have the right to further extend such date from time to time, until up to December 31, 2020, in the event that the Company has not fully resolved SEC comments on Registration Statement on Form S-4 which the Company filed in connection with the Merger, or other SEC filings related to the Merger, and the Company is responding to such comments in a reasonable fashion, subject to certain exceptions; and
(3) a Third Amendment thereto entered into by the parties on June 25, 2020, which (i) provided for the entry into the June 2020 SPA and the loan of the $4.2 million evidenced by the June 2020 Secured Note (discussed below); (ii) provided for the requirement to pay the Additional Payment as a break-up fee, in the event the Merger is terminated prior to closing; (iii) updated the percentages of Elysium which are required to be returned to Viking upon termination of the Merger (as updated in the table above); (iv) confirm that none of the funds loaned by the Company to Viking will affect the merger ratios set forth in the Merger Agreement; and (v) allow for the Company’s Board of Directors to authorize the payment to the officers and directors of the Company, of consideration of up to $150,000 each ($600,000 in aggregate), for past services rendered and services to be rendered by such individuals through the closing date of the Merger, which compensation has not been formally authorized by the Board of Directors to date, but which is expected to be authorized and documented in the coming weeks.
The discussion of the Merger Agreement included throughout this Report (including under this “Viking Plan of Merger” section) has been updated to take into effect the amendments affected by the First Amendment, Second Amendment and Third Amendment.
On June 25, 2020, the Company loaned Viking an additional $4.2 million, pursuant to the terms of a Securities Purchase Agreement, which was entered into on the same date. The $4.2 million loan was evidenced by a 10.5% Secured Promissory Note (the “June 2020 Secured Note” and together with the February 2020 Secured Note, the “Secured Notes”), the repayment of which was secured by the terms of a Security and Pledge Agreement. The June 2020 Secured Note has substantially similar terms as the February 3, 2020 10.5% Secured Note discussed above, and substantially similar security rights in Viking in connection therewith.
As additional consideration for the Company making the loan to Viking, Viking assigned the Company an additional 5% of Elysium pursuant to the terms of an Assignment of Membership Interests dated June 25, 2020, which brings the Company’s current total ownership of Elysium up to 30%.
June 2020 Stock Purchase Agreement
On and effective June 22, 2020, the Company and Discover entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “June 2020 Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Discover purchased 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock for $6 million, at a 5% original issue discount to the $10,000 face value of such preferred stock (the “Face Value”). Pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement, as long as Discover holds any shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the Company agreed that, except as contemplated in connection with the Merger, the Company would not issue or enter into or amend an agreement pursuant to which the Company may issue any shares of common stock, other than (a) for restricted securities with no registration rights, (b) in connection with a strategic acquisition, (c) in an underwritten public offering, or (d) at a fixed price. The Company also agreed that it would not issue or amend any debt or equity securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or including the right to receive, shares of common stock (i) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of common stock at any time after the initial issuance of the security or (ii) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of the security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the common stock.
Additionally, provided that the Company has not materially breached the terms of the June 2020 Purchase Agreement, the Company may at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion, repurchase from Discover all, but not less than all, of the then outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold pursuant to the agreement by paying to Discover 110% of the aggregate face value of all such shares.
The Company also agreed to provide Discover a right of first offer to match any offer for financing the Company receives from any person while the shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement are outstanding, except for debt financings not convertible into common stock, which are excluded from such right to match.
Finally, the Company agreed that if it issues any security with any term more favorable to the holder of such security or with a term in favor of the holder of such security that was not similarly provided to Discover, then the Company would notify Discover of such additional or more favorable term and such term, at Discover’s option, may become a part of the transaction documents with Discover.
The Company agreed pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement that if the Merger does not close by the required date approved by the parties thereto (as such may be extended from time to time), the Company is required, at Discover’s option, in its sole and absolute discretion, to immediately repurchase from Discover all then outstanding Series C Preferred Stock shares acquired by Discover pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement, by paying to Discover 110% of the aggregate Face Value of all such shares (the “Repurchase Requirement”), which totals $6,930,000.
Finally, the Company agreed to include proposals relating to the approval of the June 2020 Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the shares of common stock upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock sold pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement, as well as an increase in authorized common stock to fulfill the Company’s obligations to issue such shares, at the meeting held to approve the Merger or a separate meeting in the event the Merger is terminated prior to shareholder approval, and to use commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain such approvals as soon as possible and in any event prior to December 31, 2020.
Due to the certain redemption provisions of the Series C Preferred Stock that were deemed to be outside the control of the Company, the Series C Redeemable Preferred stock was recorded as temporary equity.
The Company loaned $4.2 million of the funds provided by the June 2020 Purchase Agreement to Viking in connection with the purchase of the June 2020 Secured Note.
Amendment to February 2020 Stock Purchase Agreement
On June 22, 2020, the Company and Discover entered into an Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA Amendment”), pursuant to which Discover agreed to terminate the obligation set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement previously entered into between the Company and Discover on February 3, 2020, which contained a Repurchase Requirement substantially similar to the one contained in the June 2020 Purchase Agreement (as to the 525 shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold to Discover on February 3, 2020), which would have required that the Company pay Discover an aggregate of $5,775,000 in connection with the redemption of the 525 shares of Series C Preferred Stock the Company sold to Discover in the event the Merger was terminated.
Current Operations and Business Information
Our website address is http://www.camber.energy. Our fiscal year ends on the last day of March of each year. The information on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this Report and should not be considered a part of this Report. We refer to the twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019 as our 2020 Fiscal Year and 2019 Fiscal Year, respectively.
As of March 31, 2020, the Company had leasehold interests (working interests) covering approximately 221 / 3,500 (net / gross) acres, producing from the Cline and Wolfberry formations. The remaining Texas acreage consists of leasehold covering approximately 555 / 638 (net / gross) acres and wellbores located in the Panhandle in Hutchinson County, Texas, which was acquired by the Company in March 2018, and which will be transferred as part of the PetroGlobe settlement discussed below. On May 30, 2019, the Company received a Severance Order from the Texas Railroad Commission (the “TRC”) for noncompliance with TRC rules, suspending the Company’s ability to produce or sell oil and gas from its Panhandle leases in Hutchinson County, Texas, until certain well performance criteria are met. Since that time, the Company followed TRC procedures in order to regain TRC compliance for the Panhandle wells. Additionally, as a result of a notice from its working interest partner, PetroGlobe Energy Holdings, LLC (“PetroGlobe”), and related litigation, all prior production on the Panhandle wells was held in suspense. The Company cured its prior issues with the TRC and plans to close the transactions contemplated by its Settlement Agreement with PetroGlobe shortly after the filing of this Report, as discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings“; which will provide for among other things, the Company’s transfer of its ownership of its Hutchinson County, Texas properties and wells to PetroGlobe, which transaction and transfer is anticipated to close shortly after the filing of this Report.
As of March 31, 2020, Camber was producing an average of approximately 35.8 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boepd”) from 25 active well bores. The ratio between the gross and net production varies due to varied working interests and net revenue interests in each well. Our production sales totaled 13,084 Boe, net to our interest, for the year ended March 31, 2020. At March 31, 2020, Camber’s total estimated proved producing reserves were 133,442 Boe, of which 98,600 Bbls were crude oil and NGL reserves, and 207,823 Mcf were natural gas reserves. None of these reserves relate to the Company’s Panhandle properties.
The Hutchinson County, Texas, acquisition in March 2018 included interests in 48 gross non-producing well bores, 5 saltwater disposal wells, and the required infrastructure and equipment necessary to support future hydrocarbon production as well as approximately 555 net leasehold acres in Hutchinson County, Texas. Camber holds an interest in 25 producing wells in Glascock County and the Company previously restored 11 wells in Hutchinson County to production, which are not currently producing and are plugged.
As of March 31, 2020 and through the date of this Report was filed; Camber had curtailed the majority of its production from its wells in Hutchinson County, Texas, because of the Severance Order issued by 2019 as discussed above. As part of the settlement discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings“, the Hutchinson County, Texas wells were plugged and such wells will be transferred to PetroGlobe shortly after the filing of this Report.
At March 31, 2019, Camber’s total estimated proved reserves were 203,406 Boe, of which 124,520 Bbls were crude oil reserves, 44,100 Bbls were natural gas liquids and 208,710 Mcf were natural gas reserves. Approximately 76% of the Boe was proved producing.
As of March 31, 2020, Camber had no employees, and utilized independent contractors on an as-needed basis.
Moving forward, the Company plans to complete the Merger with Viking and then focus on growing through the development of Viking’s properties while also seeking new acquisitions to grow its oil and gas production and revenues through the combined entity. The Company anticipates raising additional financing to complete acquisitions following the closing of the Merger, which may be accomplished through the sale of debt or equity. As described above, the Merger is subject to various closing conditions which may not be met pursuant to the contemplated timeline, if at all.
Recent Reverse Stock Splits and Amendments to Articles
On March 1, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada to affect a 1-for-25 reverse stock split of all outstanding common stock shares of the Company which was effective on March 5, 2018. On December 20, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Change with the Secretary of State of Nevada to affect another 1-for-25 reverse stock split of the Company’s (a) authorized shares of common stock (from 500,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares); and (b) issued and outstanding shares of common stock, which was effective on December 24, 2018. Effective on April 10, 2019, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock, $0.001 per value per share, from 20,000,000 shares to 250,000,000 shares. On July 3, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada to affect another 1-for-25 reverse stock split of all outstanding common stock shares of the Company, which was effective on July 8, 2019. On October 28, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Change with the Secretary of State of Nevada to affect a 1-for-50 reverse stock split of the Company’s (a) authorized shares of common stock (from 250,000,000 shares to 5,000,000 shares); and (b) issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The reverse stock split was effective on October 29, 2019. The effect of the reverse stock split was to combine every 50 shares of outstanding common stock into one new share, with a proportionate 1-for-50 reduction in the Company’s authorized shares of common stock, but with no change in the par value per share of the common stock. The result of the reverse stock split was to reduce the number of common stock shares outstanding on the effective date of the reverse, from approximately 74.5 million shares to approximately 1.5 million shares (prior to rounding). Effective on April 16, 2020, with the approval of the Company’s stockholders at its April 16, 2020 special meeting of stockholders, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation to increase its authorized shares of common stock to 25 million shares of common stock, which filing was effective the same date.
All issued and outstanding shares of common stock, conversion terms of preferred stock, options and warrants to purchase common stock and per share amounts contained herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse splits for all periods presented.
Industry Segments
Our operations during the year ended March 31, 2019 were all crude oil and natural gas exploration and production related. For the year ended March 31, 2020, our operations were all crude oil and natural gas exploration and production related, except that from July 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019, we also owned and operated Lineal, which operated as an oil and gas service company and generated oil and gas service revenues. As described above under “Lineal Acquisition and Divestiture“, on December 31, 2019, we divested our entire interest in Lineal. In conjunction with the Lineal Divestiture, all contract revenue (oil and gas service revenue) has been included in “Loss from Discontinued Operations” for the year ended March 31, 2020, on the statement of operations.
Operations and Oil and Gas Properties
We operate and invest in areas that are known to be productive, with a reasonably established production history, in order to decrease geological and exploratory risk. The Company has certain interests in wells producing from the Wolfberry and Cline formations in Glasscock County, Texas.
In March 2018, we completed the acquisition of working interests in certain leases, wells and equipment located in the Texas panhandle and a 37.5% interest in one partnership that owned certain leases, wells and equipment in the same fields, for a total purchase price of $250,000, payable in three tranches, from an entity which is controlled by Ian Acrey, who served as the operating manager of our operations through a different entity. The acquisition included 49 non-producing well bores, 5 saltwater disposal wells and the required infrastructure and equipment necessary to support future hydrocarbon production as well as approximately 555 net leasehold acres in Hutchinson County, Texas. As a result of the May 30, 2019 Severance Order from the TRC discussed above, the Company was effectively blocked from selling oil and gas from its 11 Panhandle wells located in Hutchinson County, Texas, and as a result of the PetroGlobe lawsuit discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings“, a total of approximately 1,000 barrels of oil were held in suspension pending the outcome of the lawsuit. As discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings“; on January 27, 2020, the Company entered into a Compromise Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with PetroGlobe, Signal Drilling, LLC (“Signal”), Petrolia Oil, LLC (“Petrolia”), Prairie Gas Company of Oklahoma, LLC (“PGCO”), and Canadian River Trading Company, LLC (“CRTC”). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed to pay PetroGlobe $250,000, of which $100,000 was due upon execution of the Settlement Agreement, which payment has been made, and $150,000 was paid to an escrow account, which payment will be released in connection with the successful transfer of all wells and partnership interests of the Company’s prior wholly-owned subsidiary C E Energy, LLC (“CE”) to PetroGlobe, which is anticipated to occur shortly after the filing of this Report. CE operates all of our former producing wells and leases located in Hutchinson County, Texas, which as discussed above are being transferred to PetroGlobe.
On September 26, 2018, the transactions contemplated by the Sale Agreement (described above under “Mid-Continent Acquisition and Divestiture“) closed and N&B Energy assumed all of the IBC Obligations (pursuant to the Assumption Agreement described above) and paid the Company $100 in cash, and the Company transferred ownership of the Disposed Assets (defined above, constituting a substantial portion of its assets) to N&B Energy. Notwithstanding the sale of the Disposed Assets which included approximately 18,000 net acres, the Company retained its assets in Glasscock County and Hutchinson Counties, Texas and also retained a 12.5% production payment (effective until a total of $2.5 million has been received – of which none has been received as of the filing date) and a 3% overriding royalty interest, in its then existing Okfuskee County, Oklahoma assets; and retained an overriding royalty interest on certain other undeveloped leasehold interests.
Marketing
As of the date of this filing, we operate exclusively in the onshore United States oil and natural gas industry. Our crude oil and natural gas production sales are to gatherers and marketers with national reputations. Our sales are made on a month-to-month basis, and title transfer occurs when the oil is loaded onto the purchaser’s truck. Crude oil prices realized from production sales are indexed to published posted refinery prices, and to published crude indexes with adjustments on a contract basis.
We generally sell a significant portion of our oil and gas production to a relatively small number of customers. For the year ended March 31, 2020, our consolidated revenues were from the sale of oil, gas and natural gas liquids under marketing contracts primarily with Apache Corporation. We are not dependent upon any one purchaser and have alternative purchasers available at competitive market prices if there is disruption in services or other events that cause us to search for other ways to sell our production.
During the year ended March 31, 2020, one customer accounted for 92% of our total revenues and during the year ended March 31, 2019, three customers accounted for 84% of our total revenues. We do not believe the loss of any customer will have a material effect on the Company because alternative customers are readily available.
Competition
We are in direct competition for properties with numerous oil and natural gas companies and partnerships exploring various areas of Texas, Oklahoma and elsewhere. Many competitors are large, well-known oil and natural gas and/or energy companies, although no single entity dominates the industry. Many of our competitors possess greater financial and personnel resources, enabling them to identify and acquire more economically desirable energy producing properties and drilling prospects than us. Additionally, there is competition from other fuel choices to supply the energy needs of consumers and industry.
Regulation
Our operations are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state and local levels. These regulations include requiring permits for the drilling of wells; maintaining hazard prevention, health and safety plans; submitting notification and receiving permits related to the presence, use and release of certain materials incidental to oil and natural gas operations; and regulating the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the use, transportation, storage and disposal of fluids and materials used in connection with drilling and production activities, surface plugging and abandonment of wells and the transporting of production. Our operations are also subject to various conservation matters, including the number of wells which may be drilled in a unit and the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties. In this regard, some states allow the forced pooling or integration of tracts to facilitate exploration, while other states rely on voluntary pooling of lands and leases, which may make it more difficult to develop oil and gas properties. In addition, state conservation laws establish maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, generally limiting the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose certain requirements regarding the ratable purchase of production. The effect of these regulations is to possibly limit the amounts of oil and natural gas we can produce from our wells and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill.
In the United States, legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry has been pervasive and is under constant review for amendment or expansion. Pursuant to such legislation, numerous federal, state and local departments and agencies issue recommended new and extensive rules and regulations binding on the oil and natural gas industry, some of which carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. These laws and regulations have a significant impact on oil and natural gas drilling, natural gas processing plants and production activities, increasing the cost of doing business and, consequently, affect profitability. Insomuch as new legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is common-place and existing laws and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we may be unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these laws and regulations. We consider the cost of environmental protection a necessary and manageable part of our business. We have historically been able to plan for and comply with new environmental initiatives without materially altering our operating strategies.
Insurance Matters
We maintain insurance coverage which we believe is reasonable per the standards of the oil and natural gas industry. It is common for companies in these industries to not insure fully against all risks associated with their operations either because such insurance is unavailable or because premium costs are considered prohibitive. A material loss not fully covered by insurance could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We maintain insurance at industry customary levels to limit our financial exposure in the event of a substantial environmental claim resulting from sudden, unanticipated and accidental discharges of certain prohibited substances into the environment. Such insurance might not cover the complete amount of such a claim and would not cover fines or penalties for a violation of an environmental law.
Other Matters
Environmental. Our exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas, including our operation of saltwater injection and disposal wells, are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Such laws and regulations can increase the costs of planning, designing, installing and operating oil, natural gas, and disposal wells. Our domestic activities are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), the Clean Air Act (“CAA”), and the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), as well as state regulations promulgated under comparable state statutes. We are also subject to regulations governing the handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of naturally occurring radioactive materials that are found in our oil and gas operations. Civil and criminal fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with these environmental laws and regulations. Additionally, these laws and regulations require the acquisition of permits or other governmental authorizations before undertaking certain activities, limit or prohibit other activities because of protected areas or species, and impose substantial liabilities for cleanup of pollution.
Under the OPA, a release of oil into water or other areas designated by the statute could result in us being held responsible for the costs of remediating such a release, certain OPA specified damages, and natural resource damages. The extent of that liability could be extensive, as set forth in the statute, depending on the nature of the release. A release of oil in harmful quantities or other materials into water or other specified areas could also result in us being held responsible under the CWA for the costs of remediation, and civil and criminal fines and penalties.
CERCLA and comparable state statutes, also known as “Superfund” laws, can impose joint and several and retroactive liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. In practice, cleanup costs are usually allocated among various responsible parties. Potentially liable parties include site owners or operators, past owners or operators under certain conditions, and entities that arrange for the disposal or treatment of, or transport hazardous substances found at the site. Although CERCLA, as amended, currently exempts petroleum, including but not limited to, crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, from the definition of hazardous substance, our operations may involve the use or handling of other materials that may be classified as hazardous substances under CERCLA. Furthermore, the exemption may not be preserved in future amendments of the act, if any.
RCRA and comparable state and local requirements impose standards for the management, including treatment, storage, and disposal, of both hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes. We generate hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste in connection with our routine operations. From time to time, proposals have been made that would reclassify certain oil and natural gas wastes, including wastes generated during drilling, production and pipeline operations, as “hazardous wastes” under RCRA, which would make such solid wastes subject to much more stringent handling, transportation, storage, disposal, and clean-up requirements. This development could have a significant impact on our operating costs. While state laws vary on this issue, state initiatives to further regulate oil and natural gas wastes could have a similar impact. Because oil and natural gas exploration and production, and possibly other activities, have been conducted at some of our properties by previous owners and operators, materials from these operations remain on some of the properties and in some instances, require remediation. In addition, in certain instances, we have agreed to indemnify sellers of producing properties from which we have acquired reserves against certain liabilities for environmental claims associated with such properties. While we do not believe that costs to be incurred by us for compliance and remediating previously or currently owned or operated properties will be material, there can be no guarantee that such costs will not result in material expenditures.
Additionally, in the course of our routine oil and natural gas operations, surface spills and leaks, including casing leaks, of oil or other materials occur, and we incur costs for waste handling and environmental compliance. Moreover, we are able to control directly the operations of only those wells for which we act as the operator. Management believes that we are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
In response to liabilities associated with these activities, accruals are established when reasonable estimates are possible. Such accruals would primarily include estimated costs associated with remediation. We have used discounting to present value in determining our accrued liabilities for environmental remediation or well closure, but no material claims for possible recovery from third party insurers or other parties related to environmental costs have been recognized in our financial statements. We adjust the accruals when new remediation responsibilities are discovered and probable costs become estimable, or when current remediation estimates must be adjusted to reflect new information.
We do not anticipate being required in the near future to expend amounts that are material in relation to our total capital expenditures program by reason of environmental laws and regulations, but inasmuch as such laws and regulations are frequently changed, we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance. More stringent laws and regulations protecting the environment may be adopted in the future and we may incur material expenses in connection with environmental laws and regulations in the future.
Occupational Health and Safety. We are also subject to laws and regulations concerning occupational safety and health. Due to the continued changes in these laws and regulations, and the judicial construction of many of them, we are unable to predict with any reasonable degree of certainty our future costs of complying with these laws and regulations. We consider the cost of safety and health compliance a necessary and manageable part of our business. We have been able to plan for and comply with new initiatives without materially altering our operating strategies.
Hydraulic Fracturing. Vast quantities of natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil deposits exist in deep shale and other unconventional formations. It is customary in our industry to recover these resources through the use of hydraulic fracturing, combined with horizontal drilling. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of creating or expanding cracks, or fractures, in deep underground formations using water, sand and other additives pumped under high pressure into the formation. As with the rest of the industry, we use hydraulic fracturing as a means to increase the productivity of almost every well that we drill and complete. These formations are generally geologically separated and isolated from fresh ground water supplies by thousands of feet of impermeable rock layers. We follow applicable legal requirements for groundwater protection in our operations that are subject to supervision by state and federal regulators (including the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) on federal acreage). Furthermore, our well construction practices require the installation of multiple layers of protective steel casing surrounded by cement that are specifically designed and installed to protect freshwater aquifers by preventing the migration of fracturing fluids into aquifers.
Injection rates and pressures are required to be monitored in real time at the surface during our hydraulic fracturing operations. Pressure is required to be monitored on both the injection string and the immediate annulus to the injection string. Hydraulic fracturing operations are required to be shut down if an abrupt change occurs to the injection pressure or annular pressure. These aspects of hydraulic fracturing operations are designed to prevent a pathway for the fracturing fluid to contact any aquifers during the hydraulic fracturing operations.
Hydraulic fracture stimulation requires the use of water. We use fresh water or recycled produced water in our fracturing treatments in accordance with applicable water management plans and laws. Several proposals have previously been presented to the U.S. Congress that, if implemented, would either prohibit or restrict the practice of hydraulic fracturing or subject the process to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Several states have previously considered, or are currently considering, legislation to regulate hydraulic fracturing practices that could impose more stringent permitting, transparency, and well construction requirements on hydraulic-fracturing operations or otherwise seek to ban fracturing activities altogether. Hydraulic fracturing of wells and subsurface water disposal are also under public and governmental scrutiny due to potential environmental and physical impacts, including possible contamination of groundwater and drinking water and possible links to earthquakes. In addition, some municipalities have significantly limited or prohibited drilling activities and/or hydraulic fracturing, or are considering doing so.
Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could make it prohibitive to conduct our operations, and also reduce the amount of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas that we are ultimately able to produce in commercial quantities from our properties.
The Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) restricts activities that may affect areas that contain endangered or threatened species or their habitats. While some of our assets and lease acreage may be located in areas that are designated as habitats for endangered or threatened species, we believe that we are in substantial compliance with the ESA. However, the designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species in areas where we intend to conduct construction activity could materially limit or delay our plans.
Global Warming and Climate Change. Various state governments and regional organizations are considering enacting new legislation and promulgating new regulations governing or restricting the emission of greenhouse gases from stationary sources such as our equipment and operations. Legislative and regulatory proposals for restricting greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise addressing climate change could require us to incur additional operating costs and could adversely affect demand for the natural gas and oil that we sell. The potential increase in our operating costs could include new or increased costs to obtain permits, operate and maintain our equipment and facilities, install new emission controls on our equipment and facilities, acquire allowances to authorize our greenhouse gas emissions, pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions and administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program.
Taxation. Our operations, as is the case in the petroleum industry generally, are significantly affected by federal tax laws. Federal, as well as state, tax laws have many provisions applicable to corporations which could affect our future tax liabilities.
Commitments and Contingencies. We are liable for future restoration and abandonment costs associated with our oil and gas properties. These costs include future site restoration, post closure and other environmental exit costs. The costs of future restoration and well abandonment have not been determined in detail. State regulations require operators to post bonds that assure that well sites will be properly plugged and abandoned. We currently operate only in Texas, which requires a security bond based on the number of wells we operate. Management views this as a necessary requirement for operations and does not believe that these costs will have a material adverse effect on our financial position as a result of this requirement.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
Our business and operations are subject to many risks. The risks described below may not be the only risks we face, as our business and operations may also be subject to risks that we do not yet know of, or that we currently believe are immaterial. If any of the events or circumstances described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected and the trading price of our common stock could decline. The following risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information contained herein, including the financial statements and the related notes. Please read “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements“ in this filing, where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this filing.
Our securities should only be purchased by persons who can afford to lose their entire investment in us. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information in this filing before deciding to become a holder of our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business and financial results could be negatively affected to a significant extent.
Risks Relating to the Merger
Because the exchange ratio in the Merger will be set based on a number of factors immediately prior to closing the Merger that cannot be determined now, stockholders cannot be certain how many shares of common stock will be issued to the Viking stockholders, in the Merger.
At the effective time of the Merger (the “effective time”), each share of Viking common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than Viking shares owned by Camber, Viking and Merger Sub) will be converted into the right to receive the pro rata share of an adjustable percentage (initially 80% prior to adjustment) of our post-effective time capitalization (our 20% share is referred to as the “Camber Percentage”), taking into account the number of shares of common stock of the Company outstanding on a fully-diluted basis, but without taking into account any shares of common stock which the holder of our Series C Preferred Stock can receive upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock (which as of June 16, 2020, are convertible into approximately 66.8 million shares of common stock, not including an additional approximately 2.7 million shares of common stock which remain to be issued upon the prior conversion of shares of Series C Preferred Stock and are held in abeyance, subject to their 9.99% ownership limitation), subject to adjustment as provided in the designation of such Series C Preferred Stock). Holders of Viking common stock will have any fractional shares of Company common stock after the Merger rounded up to the nearest whole share.
The Camber Percentage is to be adjusted as follows: (i) for each additional $500,000 (a) of unencumbered cash (without any associated debt) available for use by the combined company after the closing of the Merger, which comes from equity sold by Camber for cash from February 3, 2020 through the closing of the Merger, or (b) in other unencumbered assets acquired by Camber after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to closing without increasing Camber’s liabilities, which is not contingent or conditional upon the closing of the Merger, the Camber Percentage will increase by an incremental 0.5%; and (ii) for each additional $500,000 in Viking unencumbered cash (without any associated debt) available for use by the combined company after the closing of the Merger, outside of Viking’s Ichor division or Elysium division in excess of $500,000, which comes from equity sold by Viking for cash from February 3, 2020 through the closing of the Merger, which is not contingent or conditional upon the closing of the Merger, the Camber Percentage will decrease by an incremental 0.5%. Notwithstanding the above, the Camber Percentage will not be decreased to lower than 15% or increased to more than 25%.
These factors and certain other factors which will adjust the percentages described above and the shares issuable to Viking are currently unknown as such number of shares of common stock issuable to Viking stockholders pursuant to the Merger is currently unknown.
Combining Camber and Viking may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected and Camber and Viking may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, including expected financial and operating performance of the combined company.
The success of the Merger will depend, in part, on the combined company’s ability to realize anticipated cost savings from combining the businesses of Camber and Viking. To realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from the Merger, Camber and Viking must successfully integrate and combine their businesses in a manner that permits those cost savings to be realized. If Camber and Viking are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual cost savings of the Merger could be less than anticipated.
Camber and Viking have operated and, until the completion of the Merger, must continue to operate independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of our ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with leaseholders, customers, suppliers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Merger. Integration efforts between the two companies may also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of Camber and Viking during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the Merger on the combined company.
The combined company may be unable to retain Camber and/or Viking personnel successfully after the Merger is completed.
The success of the Merger will depend in part on the combined company’s ability to retain the talents and dedication of key employees currently employed by Camber and Viking. It is possible that these employees may decide not to remain with Camber or Viking, as applicable, while the Merger is pending, or with the combined company after the Merger is consummated. If key employees terminate their employment, the combined company’s business activities may be adversely affected and management’s attention may be diverted from successfully integrating Camber and Viking to hiring suitable replacements, all of which may cause the combined company’s business to suffer. In addition, Camber and Viking may not be able to locate or retain suitable replacements for any key employees who leave either company.
Regulatory approvals may not be received, may take longer than expected or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or that could have an adverse effect on the combined company following the Merger.
Before the Merger may be completed, applicable waiting periods must expire or terminate, and applicable approvals may need to be obtained under certain antitrust and competition laws and regulations. In deciding whether to grant regulatory clearances and approvals, the relevant governmental entities may consider, among other things, the effect of the Merger on competition within their relevant jurisdiction. The terms and conditions of the approvals that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business. There can be no assurance that regulators will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying completion of the Merger or imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the Merger. In addition, any such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions may result in the delay or abandonment of the Merger.
We will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Merger is pending.
Uncertainty about the effect of the Merger on employees and partners may have an adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Merger is completed, and could cause partners and others that deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships, cease doing business with us or cause potential new partners to delay doing business with us until the Merger has been successfully completed. Retention of certain employees may be challenging during the pendency of the Merger, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles or compensation structure. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the business, our business following the Merger could be negatively impacted. In addition, the Merger Agreement restricts us from making certain acquisitions and taking other specified actions until the Merger is completed without the consent of Viking. These restrictions may prevent us from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the Merger.
The Merger Agreement limits our ability to pursue alternatives to the Merger.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions that could adversely impact competing proposals to acquire us. These provisions include the prohibition on us generally from soliciting any acquisition proposal or offer for a competing transaction and the requirement that transfer back to Viking up to the entire 30% interest in Elysium which we acquired on February 3, 2020 (25%) and June 25, 2020 (5%) if the Merger Agreement is terminated in specified circumstances (as discussed above under “Item 1. Business – General – Viking Plan of Merger“) and requiring us, upon termination of the Merger, to redeem 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by Discover at a price of $6,930,000. These provisions might discourage a third party that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of our company from considering or proposing an acquisition, even if that party were prepared to pay consideration with a higher value than the current proposed Merger consideration. Furthermore, the termination fee may result in a potential competing acquirer proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire us than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.
Stockholder litigation could prevent or delay the closing of the Merger or otherwise negatively impact the business and operations of Camber.
Camber may incur costs in connection with the defense or settlement of any stockholder lawsuits filed in connection with the Merger. Such litigation could have an adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of Camber and could prevent or delay the consummation of the Merger.
In the event the Merger closes, it will cause immediate and substantial dilution to existing stockholders and a change of control of Camber.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock of Viking issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, other than certain shares owned by Camber, Viking and Merger Sub, will be converted into the right to receive the pro rata share of 80% of Camber’s post-effective time capitalization, taking into account the number of shares of common stock of Camber outstanding on a fully-diluted basis and without taking into account any shares of common stock which the holder of Camber’s Series C Preferred Stock can receive upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustment mechanisms discussed in the Merger Agreement. As such, in the event the contemplated Merger closes, the issuance of the common stock consideration to Viking will result in immediate and substantial dilution to the interests of Camber’s then stockholders and result in a change of control of Camber.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the Merger may not be completed.
The Merger Agreement is subject to a number of conditions which must be fulfilled in order to complete the Merger. These conditions to the closing of the Merger may not be fulfilled and, accordingly, the Merger may not be completed. In addition, if the Merger is not completed by September 30, 2020 (or up to December 31, 2020, if the required closing date is extended by the parties, which is allowed under certain circumstances), either Camber or Viking may choose not to proceed with the Merger, and the parties can mutually decide to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time, before or after stockholder approval. In addition, Camber or Viking may elect to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain other circumstances.
Certain of Viking’s convertible note holders will need to approve the merger, or be repaid, prior to the merger closing.
Certain holders of convertible notes in Viking will have to approve the Merger, or their notes will need to be repaid in full at closing of the Merger. Any failure of those note holders to approve the Merger, or Viking to repay those note holders prior to closing, may prevent the Merger from closing. Viking may raise funding through the sale of debt or equity prior to the closing of the Merger to repay those note holders.
Certain of Viking’s warrant holders will need to approve the merger prior to the merger closing.
If Viking is unable to obtain the consent of certain of its outstanding warrant holders to the Merger, the closing of the Merger may not occur.
Termination of the Merger Agreement could negatively impact Camber.
In the event the Merger Agreement is terminated, our business may have been adversely impacted by our failure to pursue other beneficial opportunities due to the focus of management on the Merger, and the market price of our common stock might decline to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed. If the Merger Agreement is terminated and our board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, our stockholders cannot be certain that we will be able to find a party willing to offer equivalent or more attractive consideration than the consideration provided for by the Merger. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Camber may be required to transfer Viking back the 30% interest in Elysium and will be required to redeem 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by Discover at a price of $6,930,000. Although Viking has agreed to repay the Secured Notes upon the termination of the Merger Agreement and to pay Camber an additional amount as a break-up fee upon termination of the Merger, which if paid will be sufficient for Camber to pay the amount it owes to Discover in connection with the redemption of 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock ($6,930,000), Viking may be unable to pay such amounts when due and Camber may be unable to pay any difference in amounts owed. If Camber is unable to timely pay Discover amounts due in connection with the required redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock it could have a material adverse effect on Camber’s cash flows, operations, and its ability to continue as a going concern, all of which could cause the value of Camber’s common stock to decline in value or become worthless.
The combined company will be required to re-meet the initial listing standards of the NYSE American in order to close the Merger.
The Merger Agreement provides that in the event the NYSE American determines that the Merger constitutes, or will constitute, a “back-door listing”/”reverse merger”, Camber (and its common stock) is required to qualify for initial listing on the NYSE American, pursuant to the applicable guidance and requirements of the NYSE as of the date of the Merger and the NYSE American has expressed their initial opinion that the merger will constitute, a “back-door listing”/”reverse merger”. The NYSE American initial listing standards include more stringent requirements than the NYSE American continued listing standards, which as discussed in the risk factors below, Camber is not currently in compliance with; provided that Camber believes it will be in compliance with the continued listing standards through the closing of the merger.
The NYSE American initial listing standards require that issuers meeting one of the following tests: (1) $750,000 of pre-tax income (in either the last fiscal year or two of the three most recent years), $3 million of public float, $4 million of stockholders’ equity and a minimum share price of $3 per share; (2) $15 million of public float, $4 million of stockholders’ equity, a $3 per share price and 2 years of operating history; (3) a $50 million market cap; $15 million of public float, $4 million of stockholders’ equity, and a $2 per share price; (4) a $75 million market cap; $20 million of public float and a $3 per share price; or (5) $75 million in total assets and total revenue (in either the last fiscal year or two of the three most recent years); $20 million of public float and a $3 per share price, plus in each case either (a) 800 public stockholders and 500,000 shares of total public float; (b) 400 public stockholders and 1,000,000 shares of total public float; or (c) 400 public stockholders, 500,000 shares of total public float and a 2,000 share daily trading volume (over the past six months).
Camber as a stand-alone company does not currently meet the initial listing standards described above and the combined company may similarly not meet such requirements.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions that may discourage other companies from trying to combine with us on more favorable terms while the Merger is pending.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions that may discourage a third party from submitting a business combination proposal to us that might result in greater value to our stockholders than the Merger. These provisions include a general prohibition on us from soliciting, or, subject to certain exceptions, entering into discussions with any third party regarding any acquisition proposal or offers for competing transactions.
Failure to complete the Merger could negatively impact our stock price and future business and financial results.
If the Merger is not completed, our ongoing business may be adversely affected and we would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:
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we will not realize the benefits expected from the Merger, including a potentially enhanced competitive and financial position, expansion of assets and therefore opportunities, and will instead be subject to all the risks we currently face as an independent company;
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we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets and our partners and employees;
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under the Merger Agreement, we may be required to transfer back to Viking the 30% interest in Elysium which we have acquired to date, and will be required to redeem 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by Discover at a price of $6,930,000 if the Merger is terminated. If such termination fee is payable, the payment of this fee could have material and adverse consequences to our financial condition and operations. Furthermore, although Viking has agreed to pay us a break-up fee in the event the Merger is terminated, which will allow us to redeem the 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock required to be redeemed from Discover, Viking may be unable to pay such amount when due;
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the Merger Agreement places certain restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to the completion of the Merger or the termination of the Merger Agreement. Such restrictions, the waiver of which is subject to the consent of Viking, may prevent us from making certain acquisitions, taking certain other specified actions or otherwise pursuing business opportunities during the pendency of the Merger; and
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matters relating to the Merger (including integration planning) may require substantial commitments of time and resources by our management, which would otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to us as an independent company.
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Significant costs are expected to be incurred in connection with the consummation of the Viking Merger and integration of the Company and Viking into a single business, including legal, accounting, financial advisory and other costs.
If the Viking Merger is consummated, the Company and Viking expect to incur significant costs in connection with integrating their operations and personnel. These costs may include costs for:
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employee redeployment, relocation or severance;
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integration of information systems; and
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reorganization or closures of facilities.
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In addition, the Company and Viking expect to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with combining the operations of the two companies, which cannot be estimated accurately at this time. The Company and Viking will also incur transaction fees and other costs related to the Viking Merger. Additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration of the businesses of the Company and Viking. Although the Company and Viking expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, may offset incremental transaction and transaction-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all. There can be no assurance that the Company and Viking will be successful in these integration efforts.
General Business and Other Risks Relating to the Company
We currently have only limited oil and gas operations.
Our Hutchinson County, Texas leases make up approximately 30% of our historical total producing properties. We were notified by the Texas Railroad Commission that our P 4 Certificate of Compliance was cancelled because our Hutchinson County, Texas wells had been inactive for more than one year and had not yet been granted a plugging extension. As part of the settlement agreement entered into with PetroGlobe, as discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings“, we agreed to remedy the issues with the Texas Rail Road Commission and transfer ownership of our Hutchinson County, Texas properties to PetroGlobe or its designees, which transfer is in process and is anticipated to be completed shortly after the filing of this Report. As such, following such transfer, we will no longer have ownership of, or generate any revenues from, such Hutchinson County, Texas leases. As a result of such transfer, the Company will have limited oil and gas operations.
Lineal and Viking owe us a substantial amount of money which may not be timely repaid, if at all.
Pursuant to a December 31, 2019 Redemption Agreement entered into between us and the prior owners of Lineal, we entered into a new unsecured promissory note in the amount of $1,539,719 with Lineal, evidencing the outstanding amount of a prior July 2019 promissory note, together with additional amounts loaned by us to Lineal through December 31, 2019 (the “December 2019 Lineal Note”); and loaned Lineal an additional $800,000, which was evidenced by an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $800,000, entered into by Lineal in favor of Camber on December 31, 2019 (“Lineal Note No. 2”). The December 2019 Lineal Note and Lineal Note No. 2, accrue interest, payable quarterly in arrears, beginning on March 31, 2020 and continuing until December 31, 2021, when all interest and principal is due, at 8% and 10% per annum (18% upon the occurrence of an event of default), respectively. The December 2019 Lineal Note and Lineal Note No. 2 are unsecured.
On February 3, 2020 and June 25, 2020, we advanced $5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, to Viking and Viking provided us, among other things, the Secured Notes. The Secured Notes accrue interest at the rate of 10.5% per annum, payable quarterly and are due and payable on February 3, 2022. The notes include standard events of default, including certain defaults relating to the trading status of Viking’s common stock and change of control transactions involving Viking. The Secured Notes can be prepaid at any time with prior notice as provided therein, and together with a pre-payment penalty equal to 10.5% of the original amount of the Secured Notes. The Secured Notes are secured by a security interest, para passu with the other investors in Viking’s Secured Note offering (subject to certain pre-requisites) in Viking’s 70% ownership of Elysium and 100% of Ichor Energy Holdings, LLC. Additionally, pursuant to a separate Security and Pledge Agreement, Viking provided Camber a security interest in the membership, common stock and/or ownership interests of all of Viking’s existing and future, directly owned or majority owned subsidiaries, to secure the repayment of the Secured Notes. The Secured Notes will be forgiven upon the closing of the Merger.
In the event the Lineal notes or the Secured Notes are not paid when due and/or the interest thereon is not timely paid, we may have to take legal action to enforce the repayment of such notes. Furthermore, Lineal and/or Viking may not have sufficient cash to repay such notes when due, including, but not limited to interest due thereon. The Lineal notes are unsecured and as such, secured credits of Lineal may have priority rights to Lineal’s assets in connection with any liquidation or bankruptcy. Although the Secured Notes are secured by Viking, such security interest may not be sufficient to repay the note and other creditors may have priority rights to such collateral. In the event the notes payable to us are not timely paid and/or not paid in full, it could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and our ability to pay our debts as they become due. Any failure by Viking or Lineal to timely repay their debt obligations to us could cause the value of our securities to decline in value or become worthless.
Our Business and operations may be adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic or other similar outbreaks.
As a result of the recent COVID-19 outbreak or other adverse public health developments, including voluntary and mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions and other restrictions, our operations, and those of our subcontractors, customers and suppliers, have and may continue to experience delays or disruptions and temporary suspensions of operations. In addition, our financial condition and results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
The timeline and potential magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak is currently unknown. The continuation or amplification of this virus could continue to more broadly affect the United States and global economy, including our business and operations, and the demand for oil and gas (as it has already). For example, a significant outbreak of coronavirus or other contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect our operating results. In addition, the effects of COVID-19 and concerns regarding its global spread have recently negatively impacted the domestic and international demand for crude oil and natural gas, which has contributed to price volatility, impacted the price we receive for oil and natural gas and materially and adversely affected the demand for and marketability of our production. As the potential impact from COVID-19 is difficult to predict, the extent to which it may negatively affect our operating results or the duration of any potential business disruption is uncertain. Any impact will depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the severity and duration of COVID-19 and the actions taken by authorities to contain it or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. These potential impacts, while uncertain, could adversely affect our operating results, notwithstanding the fact that the impact of COVID-19 has already negatively affected our first quarter and second quarter results of operations.
Furthermore, Covid-19 and the measures being taken to address and limit the spread of the virus have adversely affected the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that has negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, global demand and prices for crude oil and NGLs. If the COVID-19 outbreak should continue or worsen, we may also experience disruptions to commodities markets, equipment supply chains and the availability of personnel, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business and operations. There are still too many variables and uncertainties regarding the COVID-19 pandemic - including the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the duration and severity of the outbreak and the extent of travel restrictions and business closures imposed in affected countries - to fully assess the potential impact on our business and operations.
We may have difficulty managing growth in our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.
Because of our small size, growth in accordance with our business plans, if achieved, will place a significant strain on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. If we expand our activities, developments and production, and increases in the number of projects we are evaluating or in which we participate, there will be additional demands on our financial, technical and management resources. The failure to continue to upgrade our technical, administrative, operating and financial control systems or the occurrence of unexpected expansion difficulties, including the inability to recruit and retain experienced managers, geoscientists, petroleum engineers, landmen, engineers and employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.
We depend significantly upon the continued involvement of our present management.
We depend to a significant degree upon the involvement of our management, specifically, our Interim Chief Executive Officer, Louis G. Schott, who is in charge of our strategic planning and operations, and our Chief Financial Officer, Robert Schleizer. Our performance and success are dependent to a large extent on the efforts and continued employment of Mr. Schott and Mr. Schleizer. We do not believe that Mr. Schott or Mr. Schleizer could be quickly replaced with personnel of equal experience and capabilities, and their successor(s) may not be as effective. If Mr. Schott, Mr. Schleizer, or any of our other key personnel resign or become unable to continue in their present roles and if they are not adequately replaced, our business operations could be adversely affected.
We also have an active Board of Directors that meets several times throughout the year and is intimately involved in its business and the determination of our operational strategies. Members of our Board of Directors work closely with management to identify potential prospects, acquisitions and areas for further development. If any of our directors resign or become unable to continue in their present role, it may be difficult to find replacements with the same knowledge and experience and as a result, our operations may be adversely affected.
Future increases in our tax obligations; either due to increases in taxes on energy products, energy service companies and exploration activities or reductions in currently available federal income tax deductions with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, may adversely affect our results of operations and increase our operating expenses.
Federal, state and local governments have jurisdiction in areas where we operate and impose taxes on the oil and natural gas products we sell. There are constant discussions by federal, state and local officials concerning a variety of energy tax proposals, some of which, if passed, would add or increase taxes on energy products, service companies and exploration activities. The passage of any legislation or any other changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could impact or increase the taxes that we are required to pay and consequently adversely affect our results of operations and/or increase our operating expenses.
Because of the inherent dangers involved in oil and gas exploration, there is a risk that we may incur liability or damages for our conduct or our business operations, which could force us to expend a substantial amount of money in connection with litigation and/or a settlement.
The oil and natural gas business involves a variety of operating hazards and risks such as well blowouts, pipe failures, casing collapse, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires, spills, pollution, releases of toxic gas and other environmental hazards and risks. These hazards and risks could result in substantial losses to us from, among other things, injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, cleanup responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. In addition, we may be liable for environmental damages caused by previous owners of property purchased and leased by us in the future. As a result, substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities may be incurred, the payment of which could reduce or eliminate the funds available for the purchase of properties and/or property interests, exploration, development or acquisitions or result in the loss of our properties and/or force us to expend substantial monies in connection with litigation or settlements. As such, our current insurance or the insurance that we may obtain in the future may not be adequate to cover any losses or liabilities. We cannot predict the availability of insurance or the availability of insurance at premium levels that justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations. We may elect to self-insure if management believes that the cost of insurance, although available, is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, which could lead to any investment in us declining in value or becoming worthless.
We incur certain costs to comply with government regulations, particularly regulations relating to environmental protection and safety, and could incur even greater costs in the future.
Our operations are regulated extensively at the federal, state and local levels and are subject to interruption or termination by governmental and regulatory authorities based on environmental or other considerations. Moreover, we have incurred and will continue to incur costs in our efforts to comply with the requirements of environmental, safety and other regulations. Further, the regulatory environment in the oil and natural gas industry could change in ways that we cannot predict and that might substantially increase our costs of compliance and, in turn, materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Specifically, as an owner or lessee and operator of crude oil and natural gas properties, we are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign regulations relating to the discharge of materials into, and the protection of, the environment. These regulations may, among other things, impose liability on us for the cost of pollution cleanup resulting from operations, subject us to liability for pollution damages and require suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas. Moreover, we are subject to the United States (“U.S.”) EPA rule requiring annual reporting of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. Changes in, or additions to, these regulations could lead to increased operating and compliance costs and, in turn, materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are aware of the increasing focus of local, state, national and international regulatory bodies on GHG emissions and climate change issues. In addition to the U.S. EPA’s rule requiring annual reporting of GHG emissions, we are also aware of legislation proposed by U.S. lawmakers to reduce GHG emissions.
Additionally, there have been various proposals to regulate hydraulic fracturing at the federal level, including possible regulations limiting the ability to dispose of produced waters. Currently, the regulation of hydraulic fracturing is primarily conducted at the state level through permitting and other compliance requirements. Any new federal regulations that may be imposed on hydraulic fracturing could result in additional permitting and disclosure requirements (such as the reporting and public disclosure of the chemical additives used in the fracturing process) and in additional operating restrictions. In addition to the possible federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, some states and local governments have considered imposing various conditions and restrictions on drilling and completion operations, including requirements regarding casing and cementing of wells, testing of nearby water wells, restrictions on the access to and usage of water and restrictions on the type of chemical additives that may be used in hydraulic fracturing operations. Such federal and state permitting and disclosure requirements and operating restrictions and conditions could lead to operational delays and increased operating and compliance costs and, moreover, could delay or effectively prevent the development of crude oil and natural gas from formations which would not be economically viable without the use of hydraulic fracturing.
We will continue to monitor and assess any new policies, legislation, regulations and treaties in the areas where we operate to determine the impact on our operations and take appropriate actions, where necessary. We are unable to predict the timing, scope and effect of any currently proposed or future laws, regulations or treaties, but the direct and indirect costs of such laws, regulations and treaties (if enacted) could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Possible regulation related to global warming and climate change could have an adverse effect on our operations and demand for oil and gas.
Studies over recent years have indicated that emissions of certain gases may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. In response to these studies, governments have begun adopting domestic and international climate change regulations that require reporting and reductions of the emission of greenhouse gases. Methane, a primary component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a by-product of the burning of oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, are considered greenhouse gases. In the United States, at the state level, many states, either individually or through multi-state regional initiatives, have begun implementing legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily through the planned development of emission inventories or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs or have begun considering adopting greenhouse gas regulatory programs. At the federal level, Congress has considered legislation that could establish a cap and trade system for restricting greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The ultimate outcome of this federal legislative initiative remains uncertain. In addition to pending climate legislation, the EPA has issued greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting regulations. Beyond measuring and reporting, the EPA issued an “Endangerment Finding” under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, concluding that greenhouse gas pollution threatens the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The finding served as a first step to issuing regulations that require permits for and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for certain facilities. Moreover, the EPA has begun regulating greenhouse gas emission from certain facilities pursuant to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V provisions of the Clean Air Act. In the courts, several decisions have been issued that may increase the risk of claims being filed by government entities and private parties against companies that have significant greenhouse gas emissions. Such cases may seek to challenge air emissions permits that greenhouse gas emitters apply for and seek to force emitters to reduce their emissions or seek damages for alleged climate change impacts to the environment, people, and property. Any existing or future laws or regulations that restrict or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur increased operating and compliance costs. In addition, such laws and regulations may adversely affect demand for the fossil fuels we produce, including by increasing the cost of combusting fossil fuels and by creating incentives for the use of alternative fuels and energy.
Our officers and directors have limited liability, and we are required in certain instances to indemnify our officers and directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties.
We have adopted provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws which limit the liability of our officers and directors and provide for indemnification by us of our officers and directors to the full extent permitted by Nevada corporate law. Our articles generally provide that our officers and directors shall have no personal liability to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for breaches of their duties of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, acts involving unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit. Such provisions substantially limit our stockholders’ ability to hold officers and directors liable for breaches of fiduciary duty, and may require us to indemnify our officers and directors.
We currently have outstanding indebtedness and we may incur additional indebtedness which could reduce our financial flexibility, increase interest expense and adversely impact our operations in the future.
We currently have outstanding indebtedness and, in the future, may incur significant amounts of additional indebtedness in order to make acquisitions or to develop properties. Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:
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a significant portion of our cash flows could be used to service our indebtedness;
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a high level of debt would increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
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any covenants contained in the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness could limit our ability to borrow additional funds;
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dispose of assets, pay dividends and make certain investments;
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a high level of debt may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged and, therefore, they may be able to take advantage of opportunities that our indebtedness may prevent us from pursuing; and
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debt covenants to which we may agree may affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and in its industry.
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A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the principal or interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to arrange financing, we may have to sell significant assets or have a portion of our assets foreclosed upon which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may experience adverse impacts on our reported results of operations as a result of adopting new accounting standards or interpretations.
Our implementation of and compliance with changes in accounting rules, including new accounting rules and interpretations, could adversely affect our reported financial position or operating results or cause unanticipated fluctuations in our reported operating results in future periods.
We have identified material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. If not remediated, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our common stock.
Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements. As reported under “Part II - Item 9A. Controls and Procedures“, as of March 31, 2020, our Interim CEO and CFO have determined that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, and such disclosure controls and procedures have not been deemed effective since approximately September 30, 2017. Separately, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020 and determined that such internal control over financial reporting was not effective as a result of such assessment.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.
Maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures and effective internal control over financial reporting are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements and the Company is committed to remediating its material weaknesses in such controls as promptly as possible. However, there can be no assurance as to when these material weaknesses will be remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not arise in the future. Any failure to remediate the material weaknesses, or the development of new material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and cause us to fail to meet our reporting and financial obligations, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our common stock, and/or result in litigation against us or our management. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements or our periodic reports filed with the SEC.
Risks Relating to Our Oil and Gas Operations and Industry
We are subject to production declines and loss of revenue due to shut-in wells.
The majority of our oil and gas production revenues come from a small number of producing wells. In the event those wells are required to be shut-in (as they were for various periods in the past), our production and revenue could be adversely affected. Our wells are shut-in from time-to-time for maintenance, workovers, upgrades and other matters outside of our control, including repairs, adverse weather (including hurricanes, flooding and tropical storms), inability to dispose of produced water or other regulatory and market conditions. Any significant period where our wells, and especially our top producing wells, are shut-in, would have a material adverse effect on our results of production, oil and gas revenues and net income or loss for the applicable period. However, notwithstanding the above, Camber’s management believes that Camber’s non-operated properties will be immaterial to the combined company following the merger and following the merger the combined company’s management will determine what course to take regarding such combined company assets, including Camber’s non-operated properties.
Many of our leases are in areas that have been partially depleted or drained by offset wells.
Many of our leases are in areas that have been partially depleted or drained by offset drilling. Interference from offset drilling may inhibit our ability to find or recover commercial quantities of oil and/or may result in an acceleration in the decline in production of our wells, which may in turn have an adverse effect on our recovered barrels of oil and consequently our results of operations.
Crude oil and natural gas prices are highly volatile in general and low prices will negatively affect our financial results.
Our oil and gas revenues, operating results, profitability, cash flow, future rate of growth and ability to borrow funds or obtain additional capital, as well as the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties, are substantially dependent upon prevailing prices of crude oil and natural gas. Lower crude oil and natural gas prices also may reduce the amount of crude oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. Historically, the markets for crude oil and natural gas have been very volatile, and such markets are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Prices for oil and natural gas fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors beyond our control, such as:
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overall U.S. and global economic conditions;
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weather conditions and natural disasters;
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seasonal variations in oil and natural gas prices;
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price and availability of alternative fuels;
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technological advances affecting oil and natural gas production and consumption;
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consumer demand;
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domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas;
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variations in levels of production;
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regional price differentials and quality differentials of oil and natural gas; price and quantity of foreign imports of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;
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global pandemics and epidemics, such as COVID-19;
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the completion of large domestic or international exploration and production projects;
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restrictions on exportation of oil and natural gas;
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the availability of refining capacity;
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the impact of energy conservation efforts;
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political conditions in or affecting other oil producing and natural gas producing countries, including the current conflicts in the Middle East and conditions in South America and Russia; and
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domestic and foreign governmental regulations, actions and taxes.
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Further, oil and natural gas prices do not necessarily fluctuate in direct relation to each other. Our revenue, profitability, and cash flow depend upon the prices of supply and demand for oil and natural gas, and a drop in prices can significantly affect our financial results and impede our growth. In particular, declines in commodity prices may:
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negatively impact the value of our reserves, because declines in oil and natural gas prices would reduce the value and amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically;
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reduce the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness, and other corporate purposes; and
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limit Camber’s ability to borrow money or raise additional capital.
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Downturns and volatility in global economies and commodity and credit markets have materially adversely affected our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our results of operations are materially adversely affected by the conditions of the global economies and the credit, commodities and stock markets. Among other things, we have recently been adversely impacted, and anticipate to continue to be adversely impacted, due to a global reduction in consumer demand for oil and gas, and consumer lack of access to sufficient capital to continue to operate their businesses or to operate them at prior levels. In addition, a decline in consumer confidence or changing patterns in the availability and use of disposable income by consumers can negatively affect the demand for oil and gas and as a result our results of operations.
We may be forced to write-down material portions of our assets if low oil prices continue.
The recent COVID-19 outbreak has led to low oil prices. A continued period of low prices may force us to incur material write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties, which could have a material effect on the value of our properties, and cause the value of our securities to decline in value.
We face intense competition in connection with our oil and gas operations.
We are in direct competition for properties with numerous oil and natural gas companies, drilling and income programs and partnerships exploring various areas of Texas and Oklahoma. Many competitors are large, well-known energy companies, although no single entity dominates the industry. Many of our competitors possess greater financial and personnel resources enabling them to identify and acquire more economically desirable energy producing properties and drilling prospects than us. Additionally, there is competition from other fuel choices to supply the energy needs of consumers and industry. Management believes that a viable marketplace exists for smaller producers of natural gas and crude oil.
Our oil and gas competitors may use superior technology and data resources that we may be unable to afford or that would require a costly investment by us in order to compete with them more effectively.
The oil and gas industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies and databases. As our competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, many of our competitors will have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. One or more of the technologies that we will use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete, and we may be adversely affected.
Restrictions on drilling activities intended to protect certain species of wildlife may adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate.
Oil and natural gas operations in our operating areas can be adversely affected by seasonal or permanent restrictions on drilling activities designed to protect various wildlife. Seasonal restrictions may limit our ability to operate in protected areas and can intensify competition for drilling rigs, oilfield equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages when drilling is allowed. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs. Permanent restrictions imposed to protect endangered species could prohibit drilling in certain areas or require the implementation of expensive mitigation measures. Specifically, applicable laws protecting endangered species prohibit the harming of endangered or threatened species, provide for habitat protection, and impose stringent penalties for noncompliance. The designation of previously unprotected species as threatened or endangered in areas where we operate could cause us to incur increased costs arising from species protection measures or could result in limitations, delays, or prohibitions on our exploration and production activities that could have an adverse impact on our ability to develop and produce our reserves.
If we do not hedge our exposure to reductions in oil and natural gas prices, we may be subject to significant reductions in prices. Alternatively, we may use oil and natural gas price hedging contracts, which involve credit risk and may limit future revenues from price increases and result in significant fluctuations in our profitability.
In the event that we choose not to hedge our exposure to reductions in oil and natural gas prices by purchasing futures and by using other hedging strategies, we may be subject to significant reduction in prices which could have a material negative impact on our profitability. Alternatively, we may elect to use hedging transactions with respect to a portion of our oil and natural gas production to achieve more predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to price fluctuations. While the use of hedging transactions limits the downside risk of price declines, their use also may limit future revenues from price increases. Hedging transactions also involve the risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its obligations.
Declines in oil and, to a lesser extent, NGL and natural gas prices, have in the past, and will continue in the future to, adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations may adversely affect our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations or targets and financial commitments.
The price we receive for oil and, to a lesser extent, natural gas and NGLs, heavily influences our revenue, profitability, cash flows, liquidity, access to capital, present value and quality of reserves, the nature and scale of our operations and future rate of growth. Oil, NGL and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. In recent years, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. Further, oil prices and natural gas prices do not necessarily fluctuate in direct relation to each other. In general, our financial results are more sensitive to movements in oil prices. The price of crude oil has experienced significant volatility over the last five years, with the price per barrel of West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude rising from a low of $27 in February 2016 to a high of $76 in October 2018, then, in 2020, dropping below $20 per barrel due in part to reduced global demand stemming from the recent global COVID-19 outbreak, provided that pricing has since increased to over $30 per barrel prior to the filing of this Report. A prolonged period of low market prices for oil and natural gas, or further declines in the market prices for oil and natural gas, will likely result in capital expenditures being further curtailed and will adversely affect our business, financial condition and liquidity and our ability to meet obligations, targets or financial commitments and could ultimately lead to restructuring or filing for bankruptcy, which would have a material adverse effect on our stock price and indebtedness. Additionally, lower oil and natural gas prices have, and may in the future, cause, a decline in our stock price. During the year ended March 31, 2020, the daily NYMEX WTI oil spot price ranged from a high of $66.24 per Bbl to a low of $14.1 per Bbl and the NYMEX natural gas Henry Hub spot price ranged from a high of $4.70 per MMBtu to a low of $2.54 per MMBtu.
Our oil and gas operations are substantially dependent on the availability of water. Restrictions on our ability to obtain water may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Water is an essential component of deep shale oil and natural gas production during both the drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking processes. Our oil and gas operations and future operations could be adversely impacted if we are unable to locate sufficient amounts of water or dispose of or recycle water used in our exploration and production operations. Currently, the quantity of water required in certain completion operations, such as hydraulic fracturing, and changing regulations governing usage may lead to water constraints and supply concerns (particularly in some parts of the country). As a result, future availability of water from certain sources used in the past may be limited. Moreover, the imposition of new environmental initiatives and conditions 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 wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of oil and natural gas. The CWA and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other oil and natural gas waste, into navigable waters or other regulated federal and state waters. Permits or other approvals must be obtained to discharge pollutants to regulated waters and to conduct construction activities in such waters and wetlands. Uncertainty regarding regulatory jurisdiction over wetlands and other regulated waters has, and will continue to, complicate and increase the cost of obtaining such permits or other approvals. The CWA and analogous state laws provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for any unauthorized discharges of pollutants and unauthorized discharges of reportable quantities of oil and other hazardous substances. Many state discharge regulations, and the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General permits issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), prohibit the discharge of produced water and sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings and certain other substances related to the oil and natural gas industry into coastal waters. While generally exempt under federal programs, many state agencies have also adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain permits for storm water discharges. There has been recent nationwide concern over earthquakes associated with Class II underground injection control wells, a predominant storage method for crude oil and gas wastewater. It is likely that new rules and regulations will be developed to address these concerns, possibly eliminating access to Class II wells in certain locations, and increasing the cost of disposal in others. Finally, EPA studies have previously focused on various stages of water use in hydraulic fracturing operations. It is possible that, in the future, the EPA will move to more strictly regulate the use of water in hydraulic fracturing operations. While we cannot predict the impact that these changes may have on our business at this time, they may be material to our business, financial condition, and operations. Compliance with environmental regulations and permit requirements governing the withdrawal, storage and use of surface water or groundwater necessary for hydraulic fracturing of wells or the disposal or recycling of water will increase our operating costs and may cause delays, interruptions or termination of our operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In addition, our inability to meet our water supply needs to conduct our completion operations may impact our business, and any such future laws and regulations could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If we acquire crude oil and natural gas properties in the future, our failure to fully identify existing and potential problems, to accurately estimate reserves, production rates or costs, or to effectively integrate the acquired properties into our operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we seek to acquire crude oil and natural gas properties. Although we perform reviews of properties to be acquired in a manner that we believe is duly diligent and consistent with industry practices, reviews of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, and may not permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties in order to fully assess their deficiencies and potential. Even when problems with a property are identified, we may assume environmental and other risks and liabilities in connection with acquired properties pursuant to the acquisition agreements. Moreover, there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves (as discussed further below), actual future production rates and associated costs with respect to acquired properties. Actual reserves, production rates and costs may vary substantially from those assumed in our estimates. We may be unable to locate or make suitable acquisitions on acceptable terms and future acquisitions may not be effectively and profitably integrated. Acquisitions involve risks that could divert management resources and/or result in the possible loss of key employees and customers of the acquired operations. For the reasons above, among others, an acquisition may have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations, particularly during the periods in which the operations of the acquired properties are being integrated into our ongoing operations or if we are unable to effectively integrate the acquired properties into our ongoing operations.
If we make any acquisitions or enter into any business combinations in the future, they may disrupt or have a negative impact on our business.
If we make acquisitions or enter into any business combinations in the future, funding permitting, we could have difficulty integrating the acquired companies’ assets, personnel and operations with our own. Additionally, acquisitions, mergers or business combinations we may enter into in the future (other than the Merger) could result in a change of control of the Company, and a change in the Board of Directors or officers of the Company. In addition, the key personnel of the acquired business may not be willing to work for us. We cannot predict the effect expansion may have on our core business. Regardless of whether we are successful in making an acquisition or completing a business combination, the negotiations could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees and increase our expenses. In addition to the risks described above, acquisitions and business combinations are accompanied by a number of inherent risks, including, without limitation, the following:
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the difficulty of integrating acquired companies, concepts and operations;
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the potential disruption of the ongoing businesses and distraction of our management and the management of acquired companies;
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change in our business focus and/or management;
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difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
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the potential impairment of relationships with employees and partners as a result of any integration of new management personnel;
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the potential inability to manage an increased number of locations and employees;
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our ability to successfully manage the companies and/or concepts acquired;
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the failure to realize efficiencies, synergies and cost savings; or
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the effect of any government regulations which relate to the business acquired.
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Our business could be severely impaired if and to the extent that we are unable to succeed in addressing any of these risks or other problems encountered in connection with an acquisition or business combination, many of which cannot be presently identified. These risks and problems could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.
Any acquisition or business combination transaction we enter into in the future could cause substantial dilution to existing stockholders, result in one party having majority or significant control over the Company or result in a change in business focus of the Company.
Our business is subject to extensive regulation.
As many of our activities are subject to federal, state and local regulation, and as these rules are subject to constant change or amendment, our operations may be adversely affected by new or different government regulations, laws or court decisions applicable to our operations.
Government regulation and liability for environmental matters may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Crude oil and natural gas operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local government regulations, which may be changed from time to time. Matters subject to regulation include discharge permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, reports concerning operations, the spacing of wells, unitization and pooling of properties and taxation. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of crude oil and natural gas wells below actual production capacity in order to conserve supplies of crude oil and natural gas. There are federal, state and local laws and regulations primarily relating to protection of human health and the environment applicable to the development, production, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of crude oil and natural gas, byproducts thereof and other substances and materials produced or used in connection with crude oil and natural gas operations. In addition, we may inherit liability for environmental damages caused by previous owners of property we purchase or lease. As a result, we may incur substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities. The implementation of new, or the modification of existing, laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.
The crude oil and natural gas reserves we report in our SEC filings are estimates and may prove to be inaccurate.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating crude oil and natural gas reserves and their estimated values. The reserves we report in our filings with the SEC now and in the future will only be estimates and such estimates may prove to be inaccurate because of these uncertainties. Reservoir engineering is a subjective and inexact process of estimating underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Estimates of economically recoverable crude oil and natural gas reserves depend upon a number of variable factors, such as historical production from the area compared with production from other producing areas and assumptions concerning effects of regulations by governmental agencies, future crude oil and natural gas prices, future operating costs, severance and excise taxes, development costs and work-over and remedial costs. Some or all of these assumptions may in fact vary considerably from actual results. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of crude oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, classifications of such reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows expected therefrom prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers but at different times may vary substantially. Accordingly, reserve estimates may be subject to downward or upward adjustment. Actual production, revenue and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates, and such variances may be material.
Additionally, “probable” and “possible reserve estimates” are considered unproved reserves and as such, the SEC views such estimates to be inherently unreliable, may be misunderstood or seen as misleading to investors that are not “experts” in the oil or natural gas industry. Unless you have such expertise, you should not place undue reliance on these estimates. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no duty to update this information and do not intend to update this information.
The calculated present value of future net revenues from our proved reserves will not necessarily be the same as the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves.
You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows as included in our public filings is the current market value of our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves. We generally base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves on current costs held constant over time without escalation and on commodity prices using an unweighted arithmetic average of first-day-of-the-month index prices, appropriately adjusted, for the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs used for these estimates and will be affected by factors such as:
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actual prices we receive for oil and natural gas;
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actual cost and timing of development and production expenditures;
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the amount and timing of actual production; and
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changes in governmental regulations or taxation.
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In addition, the 10% discount factor that is required to be used to calculate discounted future net revenues for reporting purposes under GAAP is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on the cost of capital in effect from time to time and risks associated with our business and the oil and natural gas industry in general.
Crude oil and natural gas development, re-completion of wells from one reservoir to another reservoir, restoring wells to production and exploration, drilling and completing new wells are speculative activities and involve numerous risks and substantial and uncertain costs.
Our oil and gas operations will be materially dependent upon the success of our future development program. Even considering our business philosophy to avoid wildcat wells, drilling for crude oil and natural gas and reworking existing wells involves numerous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive crude oil or natural gas reservoirs will be encountered. The cost of exploration, drilling, completing and operating wells is substantial and uncertain, and drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or cancelled as a result of a variety of factors beyond our control, including: unexpected drilling conditions; pressure or irregularities in formations; equipment failures or accidents; inability to obtain leases on economic terms, where applicable; adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; compliance with governmental requirements; and shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs or crews and the delivery of equipment. Furthermore, we cannot provide investors with any assurance that we will be able to obtain rights to additional producing properties in the future and/or that any properties we obtain rights to will contain commercially exploitable quantities of oil and/or gas.
Drilling or reworking is a highly speculative activity. Even when fully and correctly utilized, modern well completion techniques such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling do not guarantee that we will find crude oil and/or natural gas in our wells. Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a fluid with or without particulates into a formation at high pressure, thereby creating fractures in the rock and leaving the particulates in the fractures to ensure that the fractures remain open, thereby potentially increasing the ability of the reservoir to produce oil or natural gas. Horizontal drilling involves drilling horizontally out from an existing vertical well bore, thereby potentially increasing the area and reach of the well bore that is in contact with the reservoir. Our future drilling activities may not be successful and, if unsuccessful, such failure would have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition. Our overall drilling success rate and/or our drilling success rate for activities within a particular geographic area may decline in the future. We may identify and develop prospects through a number of methods, some of which do not include lateral drilling or hydraulic fracturing, and some of which may be unproven. The drilling and results for these prospects may be particularly uncertain. Our drilling schedule may vary from our capital budget. The final determination with respect to the drilling of any scheduled or budgeted prospects will be dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the results of previous development efforts and the acquisition, review and analysis of data; the availability of sufficient capital resources to us and the other participants, if any, for the drilling of the prospects; the approval of the prospects by other participants, if any, after additional data has been compiled; economic and industry conditions at the time of drilling, including prevailing and anticipated prices for crude oil and natural gas and the availability of drilling rigs and crews; our financial resources and results; the availability of leases and permits on reasonable terms for the prospects; and the success of our drilling technology.
These projects may not be successfully developed and the wells discussed, if drilled, may not encounter reservoirs of commercially productive crude oil or natural gas. There are numerous uncertainties in estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many factors beyond our control. If we are unable to find commercially exploitable quantities of oil and natural gas in any properties we may acquire in the future, and/or we are unable to commercially extract such quantities we may find in any properties we may acquire in the future, the value of our securities may decline in value.
Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The rate of production from our oil and natural gas properties will decline as our reserves are depleted. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our income and cash flow, are highly dependent on our success in (a) efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves on properties owned by us or by other persons or entities and (b) economically finding or acquiring additional oil and natural gas properties. In the future, we may have difficulty acquiring new properties. During periods of low oil and/or natural gas prices, it will become more difficult to raise the capital necessary to finance expansion activities. If we are unable to replace our production, our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, completion equipment and services, supplies and personnel, including hydraulic fracturing equipment and personnel, could adversely affect our ability to establish and execute exploration and development plans within budget and on a timely basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, completion equipment and services, supplies or personnel could delay or adversely affect our operations. When drilling activity in the United States increases, associated costs typically also increase, including those costs related to drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel and the services and products of other vendors to the industry. These costs may increase, and necessary equipment and services may become unavailable to us at economical prices. Should this increase in costs occur, we may delay drilling activities, which may limit our ability to establish and replace reserves, or we may incur these higher costs, which may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.
Hydraulic fracturing is a common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into rock formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. There has been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the transportation and use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, use of waters, and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater, air quality and the environment generally. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated implicating hydraulic fracturing practices. Additional legislation or regulation could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing, cause operational delays, increase our operating costs or make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings. New legislation or regulations in the future could have the effect of prohibiting the use of hydraulic fracturing, which would prevent us from completing our wells as planned and would have a material adverse effect on production from our wells. If these legislative and regulatory initiatives cause a material delay or decrease in our drilling or hydraulic fracturing activities, our business and profitability could be materially impacted.
The lack of availability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, insurance, personnel and oilfield services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within our budget.
The oil and gas industry is cyclical and, from time to time, there is a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel. During these periods, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies tend to increase, in some cases substantially. In addition, the demand for, and wage rates of, qualified drilling rig crews rise as the number of active rigs in service increases within a geographic area. If increasing levels of exploration and production result in response to strong prices of oil and natural gas, the demand for oilfield services will likely rise, and the costs of these services will likely increase, while the quality of these services may suffer. The future lack of availability or high cost of drilling rigs, as well as any future lack of availability or high costs of other equipment, supplies, insurance or qualified personnel, in the areas in which we operate could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our oil and gas properties are located in Texas, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in one major geographic area.
All of our oil and gas properties are located in Texas. As a result, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of delays or interruptions of production from wells caused by transportation capacity constraints, curtailment of production, availability of equipment, facilities, personnel or services, significant governmental regulation, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, interruption of transportation of oil or natural gas produced from the wells in this area, governmental restrictions, stay-at-home orders and local outbreaks of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. In addition, the effect of fluctuations on supply and demand may become more pronounced within specific geographic oil and gas producing areas such as the ones we operate in, which may cause these conditions to occur with greater frequency or magnify the effect of these conditions. Due to the concentrated nature of our portfolio, a number of our properties could experience any of the same conditions at the same time, resulting in a relatively greater impact on our results of operations than they might have on other companies that have a more diversified portfolio of properties. Such delays or interruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Future acquired properties may not be worth what we pay due to uncertainties in evaluating recoverable reserves and other expected benefits, as well as potential liabilities.
Successful property acquisitions require an assessment of a number of factors beyond our control. These factors include estimates of recoverable reserves, exploration potential, future natural gas and oil prices, operating costs, production taxes and potential environmental and other liabilities. These assessments are complex and inherently imprecise. Our review of the properties we acquire may not reveal all existing or potential problems. In addition, our review may not allow us to fully assess the potential deficiencies of the properties. We do not inspect every well, and even when we inspect a well, we may not discover structural, subsurface, or environmental problems that may exist or arise. There may be threatened or contemplated claims against the assets or businesses we acquire related to environmental, title, regulatory, tax, contract, litigation or other matters of which we are unaware, which could materially and adversely affect our production, revenues and results of operations. We may not be entitled to contractual indemnification for pre-closing liabilities, including environmental liabilities, and our contractual indemnification may not be effective. At times, we acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis with limited representations and warranties and limited remedies for breaches of such representations and warranties. In addition, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business if the acquired properties have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or are in different geographic locations than our existing properties.
We have limited control over activities in properties we do not operate, which could reduce our production and revenues, affect the timing and amounts of capital requirements and potentially result in a dilution of our respective ownership interest in the event we are unable to make any required capital contributions.
We currently serve as the operator of 35 shut-in wells which are located in the Texas Panhandle, provided that, shortly after the filing of this Report, subject to the Settlement Agreement discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings“, we plan to transfer ownership of such wells to PetroGlobe. After such transfer, we will not operate any of our wells. As a result, we may have a limited ability to exercise influence over normal operating procedures, expenditures or future development of underlying properties and their associated costs. For all of the properties that are operated by others, we are dependent on their decision-making with respect to day-to-day operations over which we have little control. The failure of an operator of wells in which we have an interest to adequately perform operations, or an operator’s breach of applicable agreements, could reduce production and revenues we receive from that well. The success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others depend upon a number of factors outside of our control, including the timing and amount of capital expenditures, the available expertise and financial resources, the inclusion of other participants and the use of technology. Since we do not own the majority interest in many of the wells we do not operate, we may not be in a position to remove the operator in the event of poor performance.
A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the principal or interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to arrange financing, we may have to sell significant assets or have a portion of our assets foreclosed upon which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are limited in our ability to undertake subsequent financings.
On and effective June 22, 2020, we and Discover entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “June 2020 Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement, as long as Discover holds any shares of Series C Preferred Stock, we agreed that, except as contemplated in connection with the Merger, we would not issue or enter into or amend an agreement pursuant to which we may issue any shares of common stock, other than (a) for restricted securities with no registration rights, (b) in connection with a strategic acquisition, (c) in an underwritten public offering, or (d) at a fixed price; or issue or amend any debt or equity securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or including the right to receive, shares of common stock (i) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of common stock at any time after the initial issuance of the security or (ii) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of the security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the common stock. These restrictions may make it more costly for us to raise funding in the future or may limit our ability to raise funding, which could force us to curtail our business plan or prohibit us from taking advantage of an attractive investment, acquisition or drilling activities, all of which could have a negative effect on the value of our common stock and our near-term or long-term prospects.
Risks Relating To An Investment In Our Securities
If we are unable to maintain compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards, our common stock may be delisted from the NYSE American equities market, which would likely cause the liquidity and market price of our common stock to decline.
Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American. The NYSE American will consider suspending dealings in, or delisting, securities of an issuer that does not meet its continued listing standards. If we cannot meet the NYSE American continued listing requirements, the NYSE American may delist our common stock, which could have an adverse impact on us and the liquidity and market price of our stock.
On February 24, 2020, we received notice from the NYSE American (the “Exchange”) that we were not in compliance with certain of the Exchange’s continued listing standards as set forth in Part 10 of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”). Specifically, because we reported stockholders’ equity of $3.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and net losses in three of our four most recent fiscal years then ended, we did not comply with Section 1003(a)(ii) of the Company Guide because we had stockholders’ equity of less than $4,000,000 and reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of our four most recent fiscal years. In order to maintain our listing on the Exchange, the Exchange requested we submit a plan of compliance (the “Plan”) by March 25, 2020 addressing how we intended to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(ii) of the Company Guide by August 24, 2021, which plan was submitted and accepted. During the plan period, we are able to continue our listing and will be subject to continued periodic review by the Exchange staff. If we do not make progress consistent with the Plan during the plan period, we will be subject to delisting procedures as set forth in the Company Guide.
It is a required condition to the closing of the Merger that in the event the Exchange determines that the Merger constitutes, or will constitute, a “back-door listing”/”reverse merger”, which we expect that it will, we (and our common stock) will be required to qualify for initial listing on the NYSE American, pursuant to the applicable guidance and requirements of the Exchange.
We may be unable to comply with NYSE American continued listing standards. Our business has been and may continue to be affected by worldwide macroeconomic factors, which include uncertainties in the credit and capital markets. External factors that affect our stock price, such as liquidity requirements of our investors, as well as our performance, could impact our market capitalization, revenue and operating results, which, in turn, could affect our ability to comply with the NYSE American’s listing standards. The NYSE American has the ability to suspend trading in our common stock or remove our common stock from listing on the NYSE American if in the opinion of the exchange: (a) the financial condition and/or operating results of the Company appear to be unsatisfactory; or (b) it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of our common stock has become so reduced as to make further dealings on the exchange inadvisable; or (c) we have sold or otherwise disposed of our principal operating assets, or have ceased to be an operating company; or (d) we have failed to comply with our listing agreements with the exchange (which include that we receive additional listing approval from the exchange prior to us issuing any shares of common stock, something we have inadvertently failed to comply with in the past); or (e) any other event shall occur or any condition shall exist which makes further dealings on the exchange unwarranted.
In the past we have been out of compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards which (a) require a listed company to maintain stockholders’ equity of more than $2-$6 million, depending on the prior years of net losses experienced by the listed company; and (b) require a listed company to maintain an average trading price for its securities which exceeds $0.20 per share, for each 30 day rolling period. While we have cured such prior non-compliance, as discussed above, we are currently not in compliance with the Exchange’s continued listing rules. Notwithstanding that, we expect that upon completion of the Merger we will once again regain compliance with the NYSE American listing standards and the parties to the Merger anticipate us being able to meet the initial listing standards of the Exchange prior to the closing of the Merger, which is a condition to closing the Merger.
If we are unable to retain compliance with the NYSE American criteria for continued listing, our common stock would be subject to delisting. A delisting of our common stock could negatively impact us by, among other things, reducing the liquidity and market price of our common stock and reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing. In addition, delisting from the NYSE American might negatively impact our reputation and, as a consequence, our business. Additionally, if we were delisted from the NYSE American and we are not able to list our common stock on another national exchange we will no longer be eligible to use Form S-3 registration statements (we are currently not eligible to use Form S-3 until approximately October 2020 due to a late Form 8-K which was due in September 2019) and will instead be required to file a Form S-1 registration statement for any primary or secondary offerings of our common stock, which would delay our ability to raise funds in the future, may limit the type of offerings of common stock we could undertake, and would increase the expenses of any offering, as, among other things, registration statements on Form S-1 are subject to SEC review and comments whereas take downs pursuant to a previously filed Form S-3 are not.
If we are delisted from the NYSE American, your ability to sell your shares of our common stock would also be limited by the penny stock restrictions, which could further limit the marketability of your shares.
If our common stock is delisted from the NYSE American, it would come within the definition of “penny stock” as defined in the Exchange Act and would be covered by Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. That Rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction prior to the sale. Consequently, Rule 15g-9, if it were to become applicable, would affect the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell our securities, and accordingly would affect the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the public market. These additional procedures could also limit our ability to raise additional capital in the future.
We do not intend to pay cash dividends to our stockholders.
We currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.
We currently have a volatile market for our common stock, and the market for our common stock is and may remain volatile in the future.
We currently have a highly volatile market for our common stock, which market is anticipated to remain volatile in the future. Factors that could affect our stock price or result in fluctuations in the market price or trading volume of our common stock include:
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our actual or anticipated operating and financial performance and drilling locations, including reserve estimates;
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quarterly variations in the rate of growth of our financial indicators, such as net income/loss per share, net income/loss and cash flows, or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;
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changes in revenue, cash flows or earnings estimates or publication of reports by equity research analysts;
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speculation in the press or investment community;
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public reaction to our press releases, announcements and filings with the SEC;
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sales of our common stock by us or other stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;
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the amount of our freely tradable common stock available in the public marketplace;
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general financial market conditions and oil and natural gas industry market conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices;
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the realization of any of the risk factors that we are subject to;
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the recruitment or departure of key personnel;
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commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;
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the prices of oil and natural gas;
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the success of our exploration and development operations, and the marketing of any oil and natural gas we produce;
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changes in market valuations of companies similar to the Company; and
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domestic and international economic, public health, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance.
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Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “CEI.” Our stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, general economic, political, public health and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations, or global virus outbreaks may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. You should exercise caution before making an investment in us.
A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock could affect our ability to obtain additional financing which would adversely affect our operations.
Historically, we have relied on equity and debt financing as primary sources of financing. A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock or a reduction in our accessibility to the global markets may result in our inability to secure additional financing which would have an adverse effect on our operations.
Nevada law and our Articles of Incorporation authorize us to issue shares of stock which shares may cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders.
We have authorized capital stock consisting of 25,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of June 24, 2020, we had 12,455,929 shares of common stock outstanding and 2,951 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding (each as described in greater detail below under “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Description of Capital Stock“). As a result, our Board of Directors has the ability to issue a large number of additional shares of common stock without stockholder approval, subject to the requirements of the NYSE American (which generally require stockholder approval for any transactions which would result in the issuance of more than 20% of our then outstanding shares of common stock or voting rights representing over 20% of our then outstanding shares of stock), which if issued could cause substantial dilution to our then stockholders. Shares of additional preferred stock may also be issued by our Board of Directors without stockholder approval, with voting powers and such preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and powers as determined by our Board of Directors, which may be greater than the shares of common stock currently outstanding. As a result, shares of preferred stock may be issued by our Board of Directors which cause the holders to have majority voting power over our shares, provide the holders of the preferred stock the right to convert the shares of preferred stock they hold into shares of our common stock, which may cause substantial dilution to our then common stock stockholders and/or have other rights and preferences greater than those of our common stock stockholders. Investors should keep in mind that the Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional shares of common stock and preferred stock, which could cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders. Additionally, the dilutive effect of any preferred stock which we may issue may be exacerbated given the fact that such preferred stock may have super voting rights and/or other rights or preferences which could provide the preferred stockholders with substantial voting control over us subsequent to the date of this filing and/or give those holders the power to prevent or cause a change in control. As a result, the issuance of shares of common stock and/or Preferred Stock may cause the value of our securities to decrease and/or become worthless.
Stockholders may be diluted significantly through our efforts to obtain financing and/or satisfy obligations through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock.
Wherever possible, our Board of Directors will attempt to use non-cash consideration to satisfy obligations. In many instances, we believe that the non-cash consideration will consist of shares of our common stock. Subject to certain consent rights of the holder of our Series C Preferred Stock, our Board of Directors has authority, without action or vote of the stockholders, to issue all or part of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock (subject to NYSE American rules which limit among other things, the number of shares we can issue without stockholder approval to no more than 20% of our outstanding shares of common stock, subject to certain exceptions). These actions will result in dilution of the ownership interests of existing stockholders, and that dilution may be material.
If persons engage in short sales of our common stock, including sales of shares to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, convertible debentures and preferred stock, the price of our common stock may decline.
Selling short is a technique used by a stockholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. In addition, holders of options, warrants and other convertible securities will sometimes sell short knowing they can, in effect, cover through the exercise or conversion of options, warrants and other convertible securities, thus locking in a profit. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of common stock issued upon exercise or conversion of options, warrants and other convertible securities could cause even greater declines in the price of our common stock due to the number of additional shares available in the market upon such exercise/conversion, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our common stock. You could, therefore, experience a decline in the value of your investment as a result of short sales of our common stock.
The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and our stockholders may not be able to sell our stock at a favorable price or at all.
Many factors could cause the market price of our common stock to rise and fall, including: actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly results of operations; changes in market valuations of companies in our industry; changes in expectations of future financial performance; fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes; issuances of dilutive common stock or other securities in the future; the addition or departure of key personnel; announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances; and the increase or decline in the price of oil and natural gas.
Substantial sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.
We cannot predict whether future issuances of our common stock or resales in the open market will decrease the market price of our common stock. The impact of any such issuances or resales of our common stock on our market price may be increased as a result of the fact that our common stock is thinly, or infrequently, traded. The exercise of any options that we have or that we may grant to directors, executive officers and other employees in the future, the issuance of common stock in connection with acquisitions and other issuances of our common stock (including shares previously registered in our registration statements and prospectus supplements, and/or in connection with future registration statements or prospectus supplements) could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, future issuances of our common stock may be dilutive to existing stockholders. Any sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could lower the market price of our common stock.
We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a fully reporting publicly traded company and our management is required to devote substantial time to compliance initiatives.
We incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses in connection with our status as a fully reporting public company. Specifically, we are required to prepare and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Additionally, our officers, directors and significant stockholders are required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 and Schedules 13D/G with the SEC disclosing their ownership of the Company and changes in such ownership. Furthermore, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC have imposed various new requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting and disclosure of controls and procedures. The costs and expenses of compliance with SEC rules and our filing obligations with the SEC, or our identification of deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, could materially adversely affect our results of operations or cause the market price of our stock to decline in value.
Securities analyst coverage or lack of coverage may have a negative impact on our common stock’s market price.
The trading market for our common stock will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If securities or industry analysts stop their coverage of us or additional securities and industry analysts fail to cover us in the future, the trading price for our common stock would be negatively impacted. If any analyst or analysts who cover us downgrade our common stock, changes their opinion of our shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If any analyst or analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease and we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
Due to the fact that our common stock is listed on the NYSE American, we are subject to financial and other reporting and corporate governance requirements which increase our cost and expenses.
We are currently required to file annual and quarterly information and other reports with the SEC that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Additionally, due to the fact that our common stock is listed on the NYSE American, we are also subject to the requirements to maintain independent directors, comply with other corporate governance requirements and are required to pay annual listing and stock issuance fees. These obligations require a commitment of additional resources including, but not limited, to additional expenses, and may result in the diversion of our senior management’s time and attention from our day-to-day operations. These obligations increase our expenses and may make it more complicated or time consuming for us to undertake certain corporate actions due to the fact that we may require the approval of the NYSE American for such transactions and/or NYSE American rules may require us to obtain stockholder approval for such transactions.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings or other equity issuances.
We may in the future issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock.
Risks Relating to Our Series C Preferred Stock
The full amount of premiums, interest and dividends through the maturity date of our Series C Preferred Stock is due upon the repayment/redemption or conversion, as applicable, of the Series C Preferred Stock.
The Series C Preferred Stock provides that all applicable dividends, which initially accrued in the amount of 24.95% per annum and which increase or decrease subject to the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, based on among other things, the trading price of the Company’s common stock, up to a maximum of 34.95% per annum, are due upon conversion or repayment/redemption (where applicable) thereof, for the full seven year term of such securities.
The requirement that we pay all premiums and dividends through maturity and the adjustable nature of such premium and dividend rates, may force us to issue the holders significant additional shares of common stock, which may cause significant dilution to existing stockholders. The requirement that we pay all premiums and dividends through maturity may make it too costly for us to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock, prior to conversion thereof, as applicable.
The number of shares of common stock issuable in consideration for premiums, interest and dividends through maturity on the Series C Preferred Stock continue to be adjustable after the conversion of such securities.
Pursuant to the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, the conversion rate of such securities in connection with the premiums and dividends due on such securities through maturity (7 years, regardless of when converted), continues to be adjustable after the issuance of such securities. Specifically, such securities remain adjustable, based on a discount to the lowest daily volume weighted average price during a measuring period for a period of 30 or 60 days (depending on whether or not a Triggering Event has occurred) after the applicable number of shares stated in the initial conversion notice have actually been received into the holder’s designated brokerage account in electronic form and fully cleared for trading (subject to certain extensions described in the applicable securities). Because Discover (the holder of the Series C Preferred Stock) is limited to holding not more than 9.99% of the Company’s common stock upon exercise/conversion of any security, Discover will not receive all of the shares due upon any conversion, until it has sold shares and been issued additional shares and as such, the beginning date for the applicable 30 or 60 day period after conversion is impossible to determine and may be a significant additional number of days after the initial conversion by Discover.
In the event of a decrease in the Company’s stock price during the applicable measuring periods, the conversion rate of the premiums and dividends due on such applicable securities will adjust downward and Discover will be due additional shares of common stock, which issuances may cause further significant dilution to existing stockholders and the sale of such shares may cause the value of the Company’s common stock to decline in value. Furthermore, it is likely that the sale by Discover of the shares of common stock which Discover receives in connection with any conversion, during the applicable measuring period, will cause the value of the Company’s common stock to decline in value and the conversion rate to decrease and will result in Discover being due additional shares of common stock during the measuring period, which will trigger additional decreases in the value of the Company’s common stock upon further public sales by Discover. If this were to occur, Discover would be entitled to receive an increasing number of shares, upon conversion of the remaining securities, which could then be sold, triggering further price declines and conversions for even larger numbers of shares, which would cause additional dilution to our existing stockholders and would likely cause the value of our common stock to decline.
The issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock will cause immediate and substantial dilution and the sale of such stock will cause significant downward pressure on our stock price.
The issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock will result in immediate and substantial dilution to the interests of other stockholders. Although Discover may not receive shares of common stock exceeding 9.99% of our outstanding shares of common stock immediately after affecting such conversion, this restriction does not prevent Discover from receiving shares up to the 9.99% limit, selling those shares, and then receiving the rest of the shares it is due, in one or more tranches, while still staying below the 9.99% limit. If Discover chooses to do this, it will cause substantial dilution to the then holders of our common stock. Additionally, the continued sale of shares issuable upon successive conversions will likely create significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock as Discover sells material amounts of our common stock over time and/or in a short period of time. This could place further downward pressure on the price of our common stock and in turn result in Discover receiving an ever increasing number of additional shares of common stock upon conversion of its securities, and adjustments thereof, which in turn will likely lead to further dilution, reductions in the exercise/conversion price of Discover’s securities and even more downward pressure on our common stock, which could lead to our common stock becoming devalued or worthless.
Discover holds an approximately $77.4 million liquidation preference in the Company.
Each share of Series C Preferred Stock held by Discover includes a liquidation preference, payable to Discover upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of debts and other liabilities of the Company, prior to any distribution or payment made to the holders of preferred stock or common stock, by reason of their ownership thereof equal to $10,000, plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon. Because the dividends currently require that interest be paid on the Face Value of between 24.95% and 34.95% per annum, for the entire seven year term of the Series C Preferred Stock (even if payable sooner than seven years after the issuance date), the total liquidation value required to be paid to Discover upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company is approximately $77.4 million as of the date of this report. As referenced above, this liquidation preference would be payable prior to any amount being distributed the holders of our common stock. Because our net assets total significantly less than $77.4 million, it is likely that our common stockholders would not receive any amount in the event the Company was liquidated, dissolved or wound up, and that Discover would instead receive the entire amount of available funds after liquidation.
Discover, as holder of our Series C Preferred Stock, effectively has the ability to consent to any material transaction involving the Company including the Merger.
Due to the restrictions placed on the Company as a result of the Series C Preferred Stock, including, but not limited to the significant liquidation preference discussed above and the fact that, as long as Discover holds any shares of Series C Preferred Stock, we agreed that we would not issue or enter into or amend an agreement pursuant to which we may issue any shares of common stock, other than (a) for restricted securities with no registration rights, (b) in connection with a strategic acquisition, (c) in an underwritten public offering, or (d) at a fixed price; or issue or amend any debt or equity securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or including the right to receive, shares of common stock (i) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of common stock at any time after the initial issuance of the security or (ii) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of the security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the common stock. Discover has to effectively consent to any material transaction involving the Company. In the event Discover does not consent to any such transaction, we may be prohibited (either effectively or otherwise) from completing a material transaction in the future, including, but not limited to a combination or acquisition which may be accretive to stockholders. Furthermore, Discover may condition the approval of a future transaction, which conditions may not be favorable to stockholders. It is contemplated that Discover will be required to consent to the terms of the Merger in connection with the completion for the Merger, for the Merger to close. As such, in the event Discover fails to approve the Merger, it is likely the Merger won’t be able to move forward and will be terminated.
Our Series C Preferred Stock holder, Discover, holds rights of first refusal to provide further funding and favored nation rights.
We have granted Discover a right of first offer to match any offer for financing we receive from any person while the shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement are outstanding, except for debt financings not convertible into common stock, which are excluded from such right to match. Such right of first refusal may delay or prevent us from raising funding in the future.
We also agreed that if we issue any security with any term more favorable to the holder of such security or with a term in favor of the holder of such security that was not similarly provided to Discover, then we would notify Discover of such additional or more favorable term and such term, at Discover’s option, may become a part of the transaction documents with Discover, including the Series C Preferred Stock and the agreements relating to the sale thereof. Such favored nations provision may make it more costly to complete transactions in the future, may prevent future transactions from occurring and/or may provide Discover additional rights than it currently has, all of which may cause significant dilution to existing stockholders, and/or cause the value of our common stock to decline in value.
Discover, subject to applicable contractual restrictions, and/or a third party, may sell short our common stock, which could have a depressive effect on the price of our common stock.
Discover is currently prohibited from selling the Company’s stock short; however, in the event a trigger event occurs under the Series C Preferred Stock such restriction is waived. Additionally, nothing prohibits a third party from selling the Company’s common stock short based on their belief that due to the dilution caused by the conversions/exercises of the securities held by Discover, that the trading price of our common stock will decline in value. The significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock as Discover sells material amounts of our common stock could encourage investors to short sell our common stock. This could place further downward pressure on the price of our common stock and in turn result in Discover receiving additional shares of common stock upon exercise/conversion of its securities, and adjustments thereof.
The Shares of Series C Preferred Stock sold pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement include the obligation for us to redeem such shares under certain circumstances.
We agreed pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement that if the Merger does not close by the required date approved by the parties thereto (as such may be extended from time to time), which date is currently September 30, 2020, but which may be extended until December 31, 2020, in the event that we have not fully resolved SEC comments on the Form S-4 (a preliminary draft of which has previously been filed) or other SEC filings related to the Merger, and we are responding to such comments in a reasonable fashion, subject to certain exceptions, and, we are required, at Discover’s option in its sole and absolute discretion, to immediately repurchase from Discover all then outstanding Series C Preferred Stock shares acquired by Discover pursuant to the June 2020 Purchase Agreement, by paying to Discover 110% of the aggregate face value of all such shares ($6,930,000). Viking also agreed pursuant to the Merger Agreement to pay a break-up fee upon termination of the Merger Agreement, which if paid, would allow us to pay Discover the amount we would owe in connection with the required redemption of the 630 shares of Series C Preferred Stock ($6,930,000). The required redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock, if legally authorized under Nevada law, could reduce the amount of cash we have available for working capital and could require Camber to raise additional funding in the future, which funding may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. Due to certain redemption provisions that are outside the control of the Company, the Company has recorded the Series C Preferred Stock in temporary equity.
Because the conversion discounts related to the conversion premiums payable in connection with the Series C Preferred Stock are fixed, and not based on percentages, the percentage of such discounts increase as our stock price declines.
As described in greater detail below under “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities - Description of Capital Stock“, the conversion rate of such premiums and dividends payable on the Series C Preferred Stock equals 95% of the average of the lowest 5 individual daily volume weighted average prices during the applicable Measuring Period, not to exceed 100% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of the Measuring Period (the “Non-Triggering Event Percentage Discounted VWAP”), less $0.05 per share of common stock, unless a triggering event (described in the Series C Preferred Stock Designation) has occurred, in which case the conversion rate equals 85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price during the Measuring Period (the “Triggering Event Percentage Discounted VWAP” and together with the Non-Triggering Event Percentage Discounted WWAP, as applicable, the “Percentage Discounted WWAP”), less $0.10 per share of common stock, not to exceed 85% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of such Measuring Period, less $0.10 per share. Because the $0.05 and $0.10 discounts (the “Fixed Conversion Discounts”) which apply to the already discounted Percentage Discounted VWAPs are fixed, the percentage of such discounts increase as the value of its common stock decreases. For example, see the table below:
$0.05 Discount to Percentage
Discounted VWAP
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$0.10 Discount to Percentage
Discounted VWAP
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Percentage Discounted VWAP
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Conversion
Price*
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Percentage of Discount ($0.05) Compared to Percentage Discounted VWAP
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Percentage Discounted VWAP
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Conversion
Price*
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Percentage of Discount ($0.10) Compared to Percentage Discounted VWAP
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$
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2.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.95
|
|
|
|
2.5
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%
|
|
$
|
2.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.90
|
|
|
|
5.0
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%
|
$
|
1.75
|
|
|
$
|
1.70
|
|
|
|
2.9
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%
|
|
$
|
1.75
|
|
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
|
|
5.7
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%
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.45
|
|
|
|
3.3
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%
|
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
|
$
|
1.40
|
|
|
|
6.7
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%
|
$
|
1.25
|
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
|
|
4.0
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%
|
|
$
|
1.25
|
|
|
$
|
1.15
|
|
|
|
8.0
|
%
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.90
|
|
|
|
10.0
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%
|
$
|
0.75
|
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
6.7
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%
|
|
$
|
0.75
|
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
13.3
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%
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
$
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
$
|
0.25
|
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
0.25
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
40.0
|
%
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
50.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.001
|
|
|
|
99.0
|
%
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.001
|
|
|
|
98.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.001
|
|
|
|
98.0
|
%
|
* Minimum conversion price is $0.001 per share (the par value of the common stock).
As a result, as shown above, as the trading price of our common stock decreases in value, the percentage discount to the Percentage Discounted VWAP which each further $0.05/$0.10 discount results in, increases exponentially, and in certain cases may result in the ultimate conversion price being less than 0, which would result in a conversion price of $0.001 per share, the par value of Camber’s common stock (which occurred in 2019), and the minimum conversion price at which the Series C Preferred Stock is convertible.
The effects of the Fixed Conversion Discounts will be further exacerbated in the event of a reverse stock split of Camber’s outstanding common stock. For example, if in the future Camber completes a 1-for-25 reverse stock split of Camber’s outstanding shares of common stock, the $0.05/$0.10 Fixed Conversion Discounts will be automatically adjusted to equal a fixed conversion discount to the Percentage Discounted VWAP of $1.25/$2.50 per share, which will likely result in a conversion price significantly below such values, and any decrease in the Percentage Discounted VWAP below $1.25/$2.50 per share, will result in a conversion price of the Series C Preferred Stock of $0.001 per share.