SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d
)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
FOR
THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934.
|
FOR
THE
TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___________ TO _____________.
Commission
file number: 000-25170
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Utah
|
|
87-0306609
|
(State
or other Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
4110
Copper Ridge Dr, Suite 100
Traverse
City, Michigan 49684
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(231)
941-0073
|
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area
code)
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days.
Yes
x
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions
of
“large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer
o
|
Accelerated
filer
x
|
Non-accelerated
filer
o
(do
not check if a smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company
o
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o
No
x
The
number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of May 7, 2008,
was 102,932,788.
FORM
10-Q
INDEX
PART
I
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
1
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
|
2
|
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 (Unaudited), and
December
31, 2007 (Audited)
|
2
|
Unaudited
Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008,
and
2007
|
4
|
Unaudited
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31,
2008, and 2007
|
5
|
Unaudited
Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008,
and
2007
|
6
|
Notes
to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
8
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
24
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
32
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
33
|
|
|
|
PART
II
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item 1A.
|
Risk
Factors
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
5.
|
Other
Information
|
34
|
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
34
|
|
|
|
Signatures
|
36
|
PART
I
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All
statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking
statements. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such
as
“believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” or similar
expressions used in this report.
These
forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and
uncertainties. Factors which may cause our actual results, performance, or
achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance,
or
achievements expressed or implied by us in those statements include, among
others, the following:
|
·
|
the
quality of our properties with regard to, among other things, the
existence of reserves in economic
quantities;
|
|
·
|
uncertainties
about the estimates of reserves;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to increase our production and oil and natural gas income
through
exploration and development;
|
|
·
|
the
number of well locations to be drilled and the time frame within
which
they will be drilled;
|
|
·
|
the
timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for natural gas
and crude
oil;
|
|
·
|
domestic
demand for oil and natural gas;
|
|
·
|
drilling
and operating risks;
|
|
·
|
the
availability of equipment, such as drilling rigs and transportation
pipelines;
|
|
·
|
changes
in our drilling plans and related budgets;
and
|
|
·
|
the
adequacy of our capital resources and liquidity, including, but not
limited to, access to additional borrowing
capacity.
|
Because
such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may
differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements,
which speak only as of the date of this report.
Certain
Definitions
As
used
in this report, “mcf” means thousand cubic feet, “mmcf” means million cubic
feet, “bcf” means billion cubic feet, “bbl” means barrel, “mbbls” means thousand
barrels, and “mmbbls” means million barrels. Also in this report, “boe” means
barrel of oil equivalent, “mcfe” means thousand cubic feet of natural gas
equivalent, “mmcfe” means million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, “mmbtu”
means million British thermal units, and “bcfe” means billion cubic feet of
natural gas equivalent. Natural gas equivalents and crude oil equivalents are
determined using the ratio of six mcf of natural gas to one bbl of crude oil,
condensate, or natural gas liquids. All estimates of reserves and information
related to production contained in this report, unless otherwise noted, are
reported on a “net” basis. References to “us,” “we,” and “our” in this report
refer to Aurora Oil & Gas Corporation, together with its
subsidiaries.
ITEM
1.
|
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
March
31,
2008
(Unaudited)
|
|
December
31,
2007
(Audited)
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
7,326,118
|
|
$
|
2,425,678
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil
and natural gas sales
|
|
|
3,855,060
|
|
|
5,036,416
|
|
Joint
interest owners
|
|
|
876,975
|
|
|
851,638
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
911,909
|
|
|
765,730
|
|
Short-term
derivative instruments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,247,990
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
12,970,062
|
|
|
11,327,452
|
|
PROPERTY
AND EQUIPMENT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil
and natural gas properties, using full cost accounting:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved
properties
|
|
|
173,732,742
|
|
|
167,282,245
|
|
Unproved
properties
|
|
|
55,897,796
|
|
|
56,937,683
|
|
Less:
accumulated depletion and amortization
|
|
|
(15,384,015
|
)
|
|
(14,401,584
|
)
|
Total
oil and natural gas properties, net
|
|
|
214,246,523
|
|
|
209,818,344
|
|
Other
property and equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pipelines,
processing facilities, and compression
|
|
|
6,458,979
|
|
|
6,469,336
|
|
Other
property and equipment
|
|
|
5,511,511
|
|
|
5,450,452
|
|
Less:
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(1,777,458
|
)
|
|
(1,554,189
|
)
|
Total
other property and equipment, net
|
|
|
10,193,032
|
|
|
10,365,599
|
|
Total
property and equipment, net
|
|
|
224,439,555
|
|
|
220,183,943
|
|
OTHER
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
19,373,264
|
|
|
19,373,264
|
|
Intangibles
(net of accumulated amortization of
$4,630,000
and $4,497,920, respectively)
|
|
|
325,000
|
|
|
457,080
|
|
Other
investments
|
|
|
208,381
|
|
|
733,836
|
|
Debt
issuance costs (net of accumulated amortization
of
$479,661 and $360,972, respectively)
|
|
|
1,547,056
|
|
|
1,661,603
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,024,119
|
|
|
934,490
|
|
Total
other assets
|
|
|
22,477,820
|
|
|
23,160,273
|
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
|
$
|
259,887,437
|
|
$
|
254,671,668
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(continued)
|
|
March
31,
2008
(Unaudited)
|
|
December
31,
2007
(Audited)
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
$
|
5,251,746
|
|
$
|
6,490,981
|
|
Accrued
exploration, development, and leasehold costs
|
|
|
393,785
|
|
|
1,341,917
|
|
Current
portion of obligations under capital leases
|
|
|
6,675
|
|
|
6,288
|
|
Current
portion of note payable
|
|
|
87,889
|
|
|
76,416
|
|
Current
portion of mortgage payable
|
|
|
117,672
|
|
|
112,326
|
|
Drilling
advances
|
|
|
46,594
|
|
|
168,356
|
|
Short-term
derivative instruments
|
|
|
6,930,646
|
|
|
384,706
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
12,835,007
|
|
|
8,580,990
|
|
LONG-TERM
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obligations
under capital leases, net of current portion
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,496
|
|
Asset
retirement obligation
|
|
|
1,536,607
|
|
|
1,494,745
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
157,528
|
|
|
143,062
|
|
Mortgage
payable
|
|
|
2,939,254
|
|
|
2,969,870
|
|
Senior
secured credit facility
|
|
|
65,000,000
|
|
|
56,000,000
|
|
Second
lien term loan
|
|
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
50,000,000
|
|
Long-term
derivative instruments
|
|
|
5,936,268
|
|
|
2,248,326
|
|
Other
long-term liabilities
|
|
|
839,340
|
|
|
977,529
|
|
Total
long-term liabilities
|
|
|
126,408,997
|
|
|
113,835,028
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
139,244,004
|
|
|
122,416,018
|
|
Minority
interest in net assets of subsidiaries
|
|
|
127,766
|
|
|
112,661
|
|
COMMITMENTS,
CONTINGENCIES, AND SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Note 9 and Note
11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 250,000,000
shares;
issued and outstanding 102,432,788 and
101,769,456
shares, respectively
|
|
|
1,024,328
|
|
|
1,017,695
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
141,602,229
|
|
|
140,541,460
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(11,898,359
|
)
|
|
(385,043
|
)
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(10,212,531
|
)
|
|
(9,031,123
|
)
|
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
120,515,667
|
|
|
132,142,989
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
$
|
259,887,437
|
|
$
|
254,671,668
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
REVENUES:
|
|
|
Oil
and natural gas sales
|
|
$
|
6,442,558
|
|
$
|
5,929,576
|
|
Pipeline
transportation and processing
|
|
|
224,171
|
|
|
129,268
|
|
Field
service and sales
|
|
|
123,559
|
|
|
189,518
|
|
Interest
and other
|
|
|
102,687
|
|
|
13,513
|
|
Total
revenues
|
|
|
6,892,975
|
|
|
6,261,875
|
|
EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
taxes
|
|
|
339,314
|
|
|
263,098
|
|
Production
and lease operating expenses
|
|
|
2,787,724
|
|
|
1,925,893
|
|
Pipeline
and processing operating expenses
|
|
|
89,223
|
|
|
113,420
|
|
Field
services expense
|
|
|
119,155
|
|
|
154,272
|
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,997,061
|
|
|
2,260,343
|
|
Oil
and natural gas depletion and amortization
|
|
|
979,908
|
|
|
746,865
|
|
Other
assets depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
355,773
|
|
|
568,606
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
1,462,412
|
|
|
981,532
|
|
Taxes
(refunds), other
|
|
|
(71,292
|
)
|
|
(25,182
|
)
|
Total
expenses
|
|
|
8,059,278
|
|
|
6,988,847
|
|
LOSS
BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
|
|
|
(1,166,303
|
)
|
|
(726,972
|
)
|
MINORITY
INTEREST IN LOSS OF SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
|
(15,105
|
)
|
|
(13,347
|
)
|
NET
LOSS
|
|
$
|
(1,181,408
|
)
|
$
|
(740,319
|
)
|
NET
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE—BASIC and DILUTED
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
—BASIC
and DILUTED
|
|
|
102,227,258
|
|
|
101,552,888
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
COMMON
STOCK:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
beginning
|
|
|
101,769,456
|
|
$
|
1,017,695
|
|
|
101,412,966
|
|
$
|
1,014,130
|
|
Cashless
exercise of stock options and warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
78,158
|
|
|
782
|
|
Exercise
of stock options and warrants
|
|
|
663,332
|
|
|
6,633
|
|
|
153,332
|
|
|
1,533
|
|
Balance,
ending
|
|
|
102,432,788
|
|
|
1,024,328
|
|
|
101,644,456
|
|
|
1,016,445
|
|
ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN CAPITAL:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
beginning
|
|
|
|
|
|
140,541,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
138,105,626
|
|
Cashless
exercise of stock options and warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
(782
|
)
|
Issuance
of stock in connection with public equity offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,096
|
)
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
693,652
|
|
|
|
|
|
661,380
|
|
Exercise
of stock options and warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
367,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,966
|
|
Balance,
ending
|
|
|
|
|
|
141,602,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
138,812,094
|
|
ACCUMULATED
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
beginning
|
|
|
|
|
|
(385,043
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
5,220,633
|
|
Changes
in fair value of derivative instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,253,481
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,027,593
|
)
|
Recognition
of gain on derivative instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
(259,835
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(785,000
|
)
|
Balance,
ending
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11,898,359
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
1,408,040
|
|
ACCUMULATED
DEFICIT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
beginning
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,031,123
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(4,609,290
|
)
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,181,408
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(740,319
|
)
|
Balance,
ending
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,212,531
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(5,349,609
|
)
|
TOTAL
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
120,515,667
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
135,886,970
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(1,181,408
|
)
|
$
|
(740,319
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization
|
|
|
1,335,681
|
|
|
1,315,471
|
|
Amortization
of debt issuance costs
|
|
|
137,512
|
|
|
218,234
|
|
Accretion
of asset retirement obligation
|
|
|
27,545
|
|
|
18,895
|
|
Deferred
gain on sale of natural gas compression equipment
|
|
|
(33,207
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
672,962
|
|
|
594,044
|
|
Equity
loss of other investments and other
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
96,181
|
|
Unrealized
loss on ineffective commodity derivative
|
|
|
968,556
|
|
|
-
|
|
Minority
interest income of subsidiaries
|
|
|
15,105
|
|
|
13,347
|
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable – oil and natural gas sales
|
|
|
1,181,356
|
|
|
(154,854
|
)
|
Accounts
receivable – joint interest owners
|
|
|
(31,507
|
)
|
|
1,016,489
|
|
Drilling
advance – liabilities
|
|
|
(121,762
|
)
|
|
186,640
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
|
|
(133,980
|
)
|
|
(367,824
|
)
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
237,460
|
|
|
(557,848
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
3,074,343
|
|
|
1,638,456
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
and development of oil and natural gas properties
|
|
|
(6,237,928
|
)
|
|
(16,691,086
|
)
|
Leasehold
expenditures, net
|
|
|
(1,174,830
|
)
|
|
(2,781,677
|
)
|
Sale
of oil and natural gas properties
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
1,025,000
|
|
Acquisitions/additions
for pipeline, property, and equipment
|
|
|
(16,947
|
)
|
|
(144,456
|
)
|
Additions
in other investments
|
|
|
(3,491
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Sales
of other investments
|
|
|
9,334
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(37,412
|
)
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(7,363,862
|
)
|
|
(18,629,631
|
)
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
bank borrowings
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
390,000
|
|
Short-term
bank payments
|
|
|
(100,000
|
)
|
|
(924,173
|
)
|
Advances
on senior secured credit facility
|
|
|
9,000,000
|
|
|
18,000,000
|
|
Payments
on mortgage obligations
|
|
|
(25,270
|
)
|
|
(32,656
|
)
|
Payments
on notes payable
|
|
|
(18,597
|
)
|
|
(45,514
|
)
|
Payments
of financing fees on credit facilities
|
|
|
(29,142
|
)
|
|
(25,000
|
)
|
Payments
on other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
(19,687
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Proceeds
from exercise of options and warrants
|
|
|
373,750
|
|
|
57,499
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(91,095
|
)
|
|
(14,611
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
9,189,959
|
|
|
17,405,545
|
|
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
4,900,440
|
|
|
414,370
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
|
|
|
2,425,678
|
|
|
1,735,396
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of the period
|
|
$
|
7,326,118
|
|
$
|
2,149,766
|
|
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited-continued)
|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
NONCASH
FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil
and natural gas properties asset retirement obligation
|
|
$
|
14,317
|
|
$
|
(581,840
|
)
|
Accrued
exploration and development costs on oil and natural gas
properties
|
|
|
73,304
|
|
|
4,321,933
|
|
Accrued
leasehold costs
|
|
|
320,481
|
|
|
463,366
|
|
Oil
and natural gas properties capitalized stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
20,690
|
|
|
67,336
|
|
Conversion
of accounts receivable to notes receivable
|
|
|
6,170
|
|
|
10,632
|
|
Vehicle
purchase through financing
|
|
|
44,536
|
|
|
-
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
INFORMATION OF INTEREST AND INCOME TAXES
PAID
(RECEIVED):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest,
net of amount capitalized of $1,177,104 and $869,810,
respectively
|
|
$
|
1,325,766
|
|
$
|
434,955
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
(111,789
|
)
|
|
107,600
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
1.
|
ORGANIZATION
AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
|
Aurora
Oil & Gas Corporation (“AOG”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries
(collectively, the “Company”) is a growing independent energy company focused on
the exploration, development, and production of unconventional natural gas
reserves. The Company generates most of its revenue from the production and
sale
of natural gas. The Company is currently focused on acquiring and developing
operating interests in unconventional drilling programs in the Michigan Antrim
shale, the New Albany shale of Indiana and Kentucky and the Woodford shale
in
Oklahoma. The Company is a Utah corporation whose common stock is listed and
traded on the American Stock Exchange.
The
Company’s revenue, profitability, and future rate of growth are substantially
dependent on prevailing prices of natural gas and oil. Historically, the energy
markets have been very volatile, and it is likely that oil and natural gas
prices will continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. A
substantial or extended decline in natural gas and oil prices could have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of
operations, cash flows, access to capital, and the quantities of natural gas
and
oil reserves that can be economically produced.
NOTE
2.
|
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
|
Basis
of Presentation
The
financial information included herein is unaudited, except the balance sheet
as
of December 31, 2007, which has been derived from our audited consolidated
financial statements as of December 31, 2007. Such information includes all
adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are,
in
the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods. The
results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of
the
results to be expected for an entire year.
Certain
information, accounting policies, and footnote disclosures normally included
in
financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted in
this
Form 10-Q pursuant to certain rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These condensed consolidated financial statements should
be
read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and
notes
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
Principles
of Consolidation
The
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include
the accounts of the wholly-owned subsidiaries and other subsidiaries in which
the Company holds a controlling financial or management interest of which the
Company determined that it is primary beneficiary. The Company uses the equity
method of accounting for investments in entities in which the Company has an
ownership interest between 20% and 50% and exercises significant influence.
The
Company also consolidates its pro rata share of oil and natural gas joint
ventures. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
2.
|
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
|
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Significant estimates underlying these condensed consolidated
financial statements include the estimated quantities of proved oil and natural
gas reserves used to compute depletion of oil and natural gas properties and
to
evaluate the full cost pool in the ceiling test analysis, the estimated fair
value of financial derivative instruments, and the estimated fair value of
asset
retirement obligations.
Reclassifications
Certain
reclassifications have been made to the condensed financial statements for
the
three months ended March 31, 2007, in order to conform to the December 31,
2007,
and March 31, 2008, presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on
net
loss or net cash flows as previously reported.
Asset
Retirement Obligation
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement
Obligations,” which is an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 “Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations.” Accordingly, an entity is required to
recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement
obligation if the fair value can be reasonably estimated. The Company estimates
a fair value of the obligation on each well in which it owns an interest by
identifying costs associated with the future dismantlement and removal of
production equipment and facilities and the restoration and reclamation of
a
field’s surface to a condition similar to that existing before oil and natural
gas extraction began.
In
general, the amount of an Asset Retirement Obligation (“ARO”) and the costs
capitalized will be equal to the estimated future cost to satisfy the
abandonment obligation using current prices that are escalated by an assumed
inflation factor up to the estimated settlement date which is then discounted
back to the date that the abandonment obligation was incurred using an assumed
cost of funds for the Company. After recording these amounts, the ARO is
accreted to its future estimated value using the same assumed cost of funds
and
the additional capitalized costs are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis
within the related full cost pool.
Effective
January 1, 2007, the accretion of the ARO on producing wells was adjusted for
a
change in the estimated life of the wells based on a reserve study prepared
by
Data & Consulting Services, Division of Schlumberger Technology Corporation,
an independent reserve engineering firm. The estimated life of the wells was
increased by 10 years to an estimated life of 50 years per well resulting in
a
reduction of $0.6 million to estimated liabilities for the three months ended
March 31, 2007. Revisions for the three months ended March 31, 2008, are not
considered material and primarily relate to changes in working interest on
certain properties.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
2.
|
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
|
The
following table sets forth a reconciliation of the Company’s ARO liability for
the three months ended March 31 ($ in thousands):
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Beginning
balance
|
|
$
|
1,495
|
|
$
|
1,332
|
|
Liabilities
incurred
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
67
|
|
Liabilities
settled
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(34
|
)
|
Accretion
expense
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
19
|
|
Revisions
of estimated liabilities
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
(617
|
)
|
Ending
balance
|
|
$
|
1,537
|
|
$
|
767
|
|
Natural
Gas Derivative Instruments
The
Company’s results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by the
fluctuations in the market prices of natural gas. To mitigate a portion of
the
exposure to adverse market changes, the Company will periodically enter into
various derivative instruments with a major financial institution. The purpose
of the derivative instrument is to provide a measure of stability to the
Company’s cash flow in meeting financial obligations while operating in a
volatile natural gas market environment. The derivative instrument reduces
the
Company’s exposure on the hedged production volumes to decreases in commodity
prices and limits the benefit the Company might otherwise receive from any
increases in commodity prices on the hedged production volumes.
The
Company recognizes all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the
balance sheet at fair value. The accounting treatment for changes in fair value,
as specified in SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Investments and Hedging
Activities,” is dependent upon whether or not a derivative instrument is
designated as a hedge. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes
in fair value, to the extent the hedge is effective, are recognized in
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the accompanying balance sheet until
the hedged item is recognized in earnings as natural gas revenue. If the hedge
has an ineffective portion, that particular portion of the gain or loss would
be
immediately reported in earnings. The following natural gas contracts were
in
place as of March 31, 2008, and qualified as cash flow hedges (fair value $
in
thousands):
Period
|
|
Type
of
Contract
|
|
Natural
Gas
Volume
per Day
|
|
Price
per
mmbtu
|
|
Fair
Value
Asset
(Liability)
|
|
April
2007—December 2008
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
5,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
9.00
|
|
$
|
(2,037
|
)
|
April
2007—December 2008
|
|
|
Collar
|
|
|
2,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
7.55/$
9.00
|
|
|
(942
|
)
|
January
2008 – December 2008
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
2,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
8.41
|
|
|
(1,140
|
)
|
January
2009—December 2009
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
7,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
8.72
|
|
|
(2,991
|
)
|
January
2010—March 2011
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
7,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
8.68
|
|
|
(1,860
|
)
|
April
2011 - September 2011
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
7,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
7.62
|
|
|
(1,156
|
)
|
Total
Estimated Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(10,126
|
)
|
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
2.
|
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
|
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company has recognized in Comprehensive
Income (Loss) changes in fair value of $(10.0) million on the contracts that
have been designated as cash flow hedges on forecasted sales of natural gas.
See
“Comprehensive Income (Loss)” found in this note section.
For
the
Company’s cash flow hedges, the designated hedged risk is primarily the risk of
changes in cash flows attributable to changes in the production of gas. The
Company’s natural gas contracts require the Company to produce certain volumes
on a daily basis. During January 2008, the Company determined that it was unable
to meet a portion of the volume required by one of the natural gas contracts.
As
a result, that portion was deemed to be ineffective. The following components
of
oil and natural gas sales were recorded for the three months ended March 31
($ in thousands):
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Oil
and natural gas sales
|
|
$
|
7,079
|
|
$
|
5,145
|
|
Realized
gains on natural gas derivatives
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
785
|
|
Realized
gains on ineffectiveness of cash flow hedges
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
-
|
|
Unrealized
losses on ineffectiveness of cash flow hedges
|
|
|
(969
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,443
|
|
$
|
5,930
|
|
Interest
Rate Derivative Instruments
The
Company’s use of debt directly exposes it to interest rate risk. The Company’s
policy is to manage interest rate risk through the use of a combination of
fixed
and floating rate debt. Interest rate swaps may be used to adjust interest
rate
exposure when appropriate. These derivatives are used as hedges and are not
for
speculative purposes. These derivatives involve the exchange of amounts based
on
variable interest rates and amounts based on a fixed interest rate over the
life
of the agreement without an exchange of the notional amount upon which payments
are based. The interest rate differential to be received or paid on the swaps
is
recognized over the lives of the swaps as an adjustment to interest
expense.
In
August
2007, the Company entered into a 3-year interest rate swap agreement in the
notional amount of $50 million with BNP to hedge its exposure to the floating
interest rate on the $50 million second lien term loan. The swap converted
the
debt’s floating three month LIBOR base to 4.86% fixed base. This swap on $50
million will yield an effective interest rate of 11.86% for the period from
August 23, 2007 through August 23, 2010 on the second lien term
loan.
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company has recognized in Comprehensive
Income (Loss) changes in fair value of $(1.5) million on the interest rate
swap.
See “Comprehensive Income (Loss)” found in this note section. For the three
months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized $0.1 million in interest
expense related to the hedge activity which is recorded as an adjustment to
interest expense. Fair value liability of the interest rate swap agreement
at
March 31, 2008, amounted to $2.8 million.
Financial
Instruments
The
Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable,
loans receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and debt. The carrying
amounts of such financial instruments approximate their respective estimated
fair value due to the short-term maturities and approximate market interest
rates of these instruments.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
2.
|
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
|
Stock-Based
Compensation
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based
Payment” (SFAS No. 123R), to account for stock-based employee compensation.
Among other items, SFAS No. 123R eliminates the use of Accounting Principles
Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and
the intrinsic value method of accounting and requires companies to recognize
the
cost of employee services received in exchange for stock-based awards based
on
the grant date fair value of those awards in their financial statements. The
Company elected to use the modified prospective method for adoption, which
requires compensation expense to be recorded for all unvested stock options
beginning in the first quarter of adoption. For stock-based awards granted
or
modified subsequent to January 1, 2006, compensation expense, based on the
fair
value on the date of grant, will be recognized in the financial statements
over
the vesting period. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model
to measure the fair value of stock options. To the extent compensation cost
relates to employees directly involved in oil and natural gas exploration and
development activities, such amounts are capitalized to oil and natural gas
properties. Amounts not capitalized to oil and natural gas properties are
recognized as general and administrative expenses.
The
following stock-based compensation was recorded for the three months ended
March
31 ($ in thousands):
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
$
|
673
|
|
$
|
594
|
|
Oil
and natural gas properties
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
67
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
694
|
|
$
|
661
|
|
The
following table provides the unrecognized compensation expense related to
unvested stock options as of March 31, 2008. The expense is expected to be
recognized over the following 3-year period ($ in thousands).
Period
to be Recognized
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
Total
Unrecognized
Compensation
Expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
st
Quarter
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
2
nd
Quarter
|
|
|
141
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
3
rd
Quarter
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
4
th
Quarter
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
369
|
|
$
|
63
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
$
|
433
|
|
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
2.
|
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
|
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Comprehensive
income (loss) is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income. Other
comprehensive income includes income resulting from derivative instruments
designated as hedging transactions. The details of comprehensive income (loss)
are as follows for the three months ended March 31 ($ in
thousands):
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(1,181
|
)
|
$
|
(740
|
)
|
Other
comprehensive loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in fair value of natural gas derivative instruments
|
|
|
(9,698
|
)
|
|
(3,028
|
)
|
Change
in fair value of interest rate derivative instruments
|
|
|
(1,555
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Recognition
of gains on derivative instruments
|
|
|
(260
|
)
|
|
(785
|
)
|
Comprehensive
loss
|
|
$
|
(12,694
|
)
|
$
|
(4,553
|
)
|
Income
(Loss) Per Share
Basic
net
income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income (loss)
per
common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding plus other dilutive securities, such as stock options, warrants,
and
redeemable convertible preferred stock. As of March 31, 2008, and 2007,
respectively, options to purchase 4,356,280 and 2,284,500 shares of common
stock
were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share
as
their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE
3.
|
RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
|
In
March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,
Disclosures
about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
,
an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced
disclosures about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities,
including: (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments;
(2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for
under SFAS 133 and its related interpretations; and (3) how derivative
instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position,
financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November
15, 2008, with earlier application encouraged. The adoption of SFAS 161 will
require increased financial statement disclosures but will not affect our
consolidated financial position, operating results, or cash flows.
NOTE
4.
|
FAIR
VALUE MEASUREMENT
|
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS
157”), which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007,
and for interim periods within those years. This statement defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the related
disclosure requirements. This statement applies under other accounting
pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. The statement
indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that the
transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal
market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market,
the
most advantageous market for the asset or liability. SFAS 157 defines fair
value
based upon an exit price model.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
4.
|
FAIR
VALUE MEASUREMENT
(continued)
|
Relative
to SFAS 157, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) 157-1 and 157-2. FSP
157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS
13”), and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address
leasing transactions, while FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of the
application of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 14, 2008,
for
all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or
disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring
basis.
We
adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, with the exception of the application
of
the statement to nonrecurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities.
Nonrecurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities for which we
have
not applied the provisions of SFAS 157 include those measured at fair value
in
goodwill impairment testing, indefinite lived intangible assets measured at
fair
value for impairment testing, and asset retirement obligations initially
measured at fair value.
Valuation
Hierarchy
.
SFAS
157 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation
used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three
broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices
for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through
market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial
instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions
used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or
liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the
lowest level input that is significant to the fair value
measurement.
The
following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value
measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008 ($ in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
Fair
Value Measurements at March 31, 2008, Using
|
|
|
|
Total
Carrying
Value
at
March 31,
2008
|
|
Quoted
prices
in
active
markets
(Level 1)
|
|
Significant
other
unobservable
inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
Derivative
liabilities—cash flow hedges
|
|
$
|
10,126
|
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
10,126
|
|
|
-
|
|
Derivative
liabilities—interest rate swap
|
|
|
2,741
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,741
|
|
|
-
|
|
Valuation
Techniques
.
The
fair value of these derivatives are based on quoted prices from a commercial
bank using a discounted cash flow model and are classified within Level 2 of
the
valuation hierarchy.
NOTE
5.
|
ACQUISITIONS
AND DISPOSITIONS
|
2007
- Kansas Project
On
February 7, 2007, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Letter Agreement
to sell to Harvest Energy, LLC all of the Company’s interest in various
developed and undeveloped oil and natural gas properties located in Lane and
Ness Counties in the State of Kansas for approximately $1.0 million. The
properties included two net wells, 98 mmcfe in proven reserves, and
approximately 23,110 net acres. This transaction closed on March 9,
2007.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Short-Term
Bank Borrowings
The
Company had a $5.0 million revolving line of credit agreement with Northwestern
Bank for general corporate purposes through October 15, 2007. The Company
elected not to request an extension of this revolving line of credit beyond
the
expiration date of October 15, 2007. Interest expense on the revolving line
of
credit for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was $28,098.
Northwestern
Bank continues to provide letters of credit for the Company’s drilling program
(as described in Note 9 “Commitments and Contingencies”). These letters of
credit may be extended or may be replaced upon their expiration dates by letters
of credit under the Company’s senior secured credit facility.
Short-Term
Bank Borrowings - Bach Services & Manufacturing Co., L.L.C. (“Bach”), a
wholly-owned subsidiary
Effective
December 12, 2007, Bach obtained an increase in its borrowing capacity under
the
revolving line of credit from $0.5 million to $1.0 million with Northwestern
Bank. This revolving line of credit agreement is for general company purposes
and is secured by all of Bach’s personal property owned or hereafter acquired
and is non-recourse to the Company. The interest rate under the revolving line
of credit is Wall Street prime (5.25% at March 31, 2008, and 8.25% at March
31,
2007) with interest payable monthly in arrears. Principal is payable at the
expiration of the revolving line of credit agreement. The expiration date is
October 1, 2008. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008,
and
2007, was $1,523 and $1,163, respectively.
Mortgage
and Notes Payable - Bach
On
October 6, 2006, Bach entered into a mortgage loan from Northwestern Bank in
the
amount of $383,026 for the purchase of an office and storage building. The
mortgage is collateralized by the building. The payment schedule is principal
and interest in 36 monthly payments of $2,899 with one principal and interest
payment of $348,988 on November 15, 2009. The interest rate is 6.00% per year.
As of March 31, 2008, the principal amount outstanding was $0.4 million.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and 2007, was $5,525
and $5,930, respectively.
On
various dates ranging from October 5, 2006, through March 31, 2008, Bach entered
into six note payable obligations with Northwestern Bank for the financing
of 13
vehicles. The note payable obligations mature on various dates ranging from
October 15, 2009, through April 1, 2012. Fixed interest rates are charged at
percentages ranging from 6.50% to 7.50%. As of March 31, 2008, the total
principal amount outstanding was $0.2 million. Total interest expense for the
three months ended March 31, 2008, and 2007, was $3,873 and $2,900,
respectively.
On
October 6, 2006, Bach entered into a note payable obligation with Northwestern
Bank for the purchase of equipment. This obligation was paid in full during
September 2007. Total interest expense for the three months ended March 31,
2007, was $168.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Mortgage
Payable
On
October 4, 2005, the Company entered into a mortgage loan from Northwestern
Bank
in the amount of $2,925,000 for the purchase of an office condominium and
associated interior improvements. The security for this mortgage is the office
condominium real estate. Effective February 14, 2008, the Company refinanced
the
existing loan by extending its maturity date through February 1, 2011. The
payment schedule is principal and interest in 36 monthly payments of $21,969
with one principal and interest payment of $2,692,849 on February 1, 2011.
The
interest rate is 5.95% per year. As of March 31, 2008, the principal amount
outstanding was $2.7 million. Interest expense for the three months ended March
31, 2008, and 2007, was $42,407 and $36,252, respectively.
Note
Payable - Directors and Officers Insurance
On
November 13, 2006, the Company entered into a financing agreement with AICCO,
Inc. to finance the insurance premium related to director and officer liability
insurance coverage in the amount of $184,230. This obligation was paid in full
during August 2007. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007,
was $36,252.
Second
Lien Term Loan
On
August
20, 2007, the Company entered into a second lien term loan agreement with BNP
Paribas (“BNP”), as the arranger and administrative agent, and several other
lenders forming a syndicate. The initial term loan is $50 million for a 5-year
term (expires 8/20/12) which may increase up to $70 million under certain
conditions over the life of the loan facility. The proceeds of the second lien
term loan were used to repay the outstanding balance under the Company’s
mezzanine financing with Trust Company of the West (“TCW”) and for general
corporate purposes. Interest under the second lien term loan is payable at
rates
based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 700 basis points with
a step-down of 25 basis points once the Company’s ratio of total indebtedness to
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and
other non-cash charges is lower than or equal to a ratio of 4.0 to 1.0 on a
trailing four quarters basis. The Company has the ability to prepay the second
lien term loan during the first year at a price equal to 103% of par, during
the
second year at a price equal to 102% of par, and thereafter at a price equal
to
100% of par.
The
second lien term loan contains, among other things, a number of financial and
non-financial covenants relating to restricted payments (as defined), loans
or
advances to others, additional indebtedness, incurrence of liens, geographic
limitations on operations to the United States, and maintenance of certain
financial and operating ratios, including (i) maintenance of a maximum of
indebtedness to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion
and amortization and non-cash expenses, and (ii) maintenance of minimum reserve
value to indebtedness. Any event of default under the senior secured credit
facility that accelerates the maturity of any indebtedness thereunder is also
an
event of default under the second lien term loan.
In
both
the second lien term loan and senior secured credit facility, the Company agreed
to an affirmative covenant regarding production exit rates. The production
exit
target is 12.0 MMcfe per day as of December 31, 2007 (which was achieved),
and
as of the last day of each quarter thereafter. In addition, the Company was
required to purchase financial hedges at prices and aggregate notional volumes
satisfactory to BNP, as administrative agent.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On
April
29, 2008 management became aware that the Company failed to achieve daily
production of 12.0 mmcfe per day and exceeded the maximum total debt to EBITDAX
ratio as of March 31, 2008. According to the second lien term loan agreement
the
Company has until May 29, 2008 (30 days) to remediate the covenant failures
in
order to avoid an event of default. Management has developed a plan to remediate
the covenant deficiencies which includes among other items, production
enhancements, a plan to reduce general, administrative, and production expenses,
and the possible sale of certain non-core assets. In case the Company is unable
to successfully remediate the covenant failures, management has also requested
BNP to waive the Company’s failure to observe or perform the daily production of
12.0 mmcfe per day and to meet the total debt to EBITDAX ratio requirement
as of
March 31, 2008. There are no assurances the Company will be able to successfully
remediate the covenant failures by May 29, 2008, or that the Company will
receive a waiver from BNP. If an event of default occurs, BNP has the right
to
demand repayment of the second lien term loan obligation which would adversely
affect the Company’s liquidity in a material manner.
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2008, interest and fees incurred for the second
lien term loan was $1.4 million. The Company has also incurred deferred
financing fees of approximately $1.3 million with regard to the second lien
term
loan. The deferred financing fees are being amortized on a straight-line basis
over the remaining terms of the second lien term loan obligation. Amortization
expense for the second lien term loan is estimated to be $0.3 million per year
through 2011. Amortization expense was $65,686 for the three months ended March
31, 2008. In addition, the Company incurs annual agency fees which are recorded
to interest expense.
Senior
Secured Credit Facility
On
January 31, 2006, the Company entered into a $100 million senior secured credit
facility with BNP and other lenders for drilling, development, and acquisitions,
as well as other general corporate purposes. In connection with the second
lien
term loan discussed above, the Company also agreed to the amendment and
restatement of the senior secured credit facility, pursuant to which the
borrowing base under the senior secured credit facility was increased from
the
then current authorized borrowing base of $50 million to $70 million effective
August 20, 2007. The amount of the borrowing base is based primarily upon the
estimated value of the Company’s oil and natural gas reserves. The borrowing
base amount is redetermined by the lenders semi-annually on or about April
1 and
October 1 of each year or at other times required by the lenders or at the
Company’s request. The required semi-annual reserve report may result in an
increase or decrease in credit availability. The security for this facility
is
substantially all of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties; guarantees
from all material subsidiaries; and a pledge of 100% of the stock or member
interest of all material subsidiaries.
The
senior secured credit facility provides for borrowings tied to BNP’s prime rate
(or, if higher, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%) or LIBOR-based
rate
plus 1.25% to 2.0% depending on the borrowing base utilization, as selected
by
the Company. The borrowing base utilization is the percentage of the borrowing
base that is drawn under the senior secured credit facility from time to time.
As the borrowing base utilization increases, the LIBOR-based interest rates
increase under this facility. As of March 31, 2008, interest on the borrowings
had a weighted average interest rate of 4.66%. For the three months ended March
31, 2008, and 2007, interest and fees incurred for the senior secured credit
facility were $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. All outstanding
principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the senior secured facility
is
due and payable on January 31, 2010. The maturity date of the outstanding loan
may be accelerated by the lenders upon occurrence of an event of default under
the senior secured credit facility.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
senior secured credit facility contains, among other things, a number of
financial and non-financial covenants relating to restricted payments (as
defined), loans or advances to others, additional indebtedness, incurrence
of
liens, geographic limitations on operations to the United States, and
maintenance of certain financial and operating ratios, including (i) maintenance
of a minimum current ratio, and (ii) maintenance of a minimum interest coverage
ratio. Any event of default under the second lien term loan that accelerates
the
maturity of any indebtedness thereunder is also an event of default under the
senior secured credit facility.
On
April
29, 2008 management became aware that the Company failed to achieve daily
production of 12.0 mmcfe per day and meet the required interest coverage ratio
as of March 31, 2008. According to the senior secured credit facility agreement
the Company has until May 29, 2008 (30 days) to remediate the covenant failures
in order to avoid an event of default. Management has developed a plan to
remediate the covenant deficiencies which includes among other items, production
enhancements, a plan to reduce general, administrative, and production expenses,
and the possible sale of certain non-core assets. In case the Company is unable
to successfully remediate the covenant failures, management has also requested
BNP to waive the Company’s failure to observe or perform the daily production of
12.0 mmcfe per day and to meet the interest coverage ratio requirement as of
March 31, 2008. There are no assurances the Company will be able to successfully
remediate the covenant failures by May 29, 2008, or that the Company will
receive a waiver from BNP. If an event of default occurs, BNP has the right
to
demand repayment of the senior secured credit facility obligation which would
adversely affect the Company’s liquidity in a material manner.
The
Company has incurred deferred financing fees of $0.7 million with regard to
the
senior secured credit facility. The deferred financing fees are being amortized
on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the debt obligation.
Amortization expense for the senior secured credit facility is estimated to
be
$0.2 million per year through 2009. Amortization expense was $53,003 and $34,050
for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. In addition,
the Company incurs various annual fees associated with unused commitment and
agency fees which are recorded to interest expense.
Mezzanine
Financing
Effective
August 20, 2007, the Company’s subsidiary Aurora Antrim North, L.L.C. (“North”)
terminated its Amended Note Purchase Agreement with TCW which provided $50
million in mezzanine financing. As of the effective date, North had outstanding
borrowing of $40 million. The interest rate was fixed at 11.5% per year,
compounded quarterly, and payable in arrears. TCW had limited the borrowing
base
and the agreement contained a commitment expiration date of August 12, 2007.
Under the termination provisions, the Company was required to pay certain fees
and prepayment charges associated with early termination.
As
part
of the mezzanine financing with TCW, North provided an affiliate of TCW an
overriding royalty interest of 4% in certain leases to be drilled or developed
in the Counties of Alcona, Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Montmorency, and
Otsego in the State of Michigan. The overriding royalty interest will also
continue on leases, including extensions or renewals, held by the Company and
its affiliates at August 20, 2007, that may be developed through September
29,
2009.
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2007, interest and fees incurred for the mezzanine
credit facility was $1.2 million.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
7.
|
SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
|
Common
Stock
In
January 2008, 30,000 common stock options were exercised by a Company employee
under the existing stock option plans at an exercise price of $0.375 per share.
The Company received $11,250 in connection with this exercise.
In
January 2008, 500,000 common stock options were exercised by an outside party
at
an exercise price of $0.625 per share. The Company received $0.3 million in
connection with this exercise.
In
March
2008, 133,332 common stock options were exercised by two Company directors
under
the existing stock option plans at an exercise price of $0.375 per share. The
Company received $50,000 in connection with these exercises.
In
January 2007, 78,158 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued in
connection with the exercise of outstanding warrants by an outside party in
a
net issue (cashless) exercise transaction.
In
February and March 2007, 60,000 common stock options were exercised by various
Company employees under the existing stock option plans at an exercise price
of
$0.375 per share. The Company received $22,500 in connection with this
exercise.
In
February and March 2007, 93,332 common stock options were exercised by various
Company directors under the existing stock option plans at an exercise price
of
$0.375 per share. The Company received $35,000 in connection with these
exercises.
Common
Stock Warrants
The
following table sets forth information related to stock warrant activity for
the
three months ended March 31, 2008 (shares shown in thousands):
|
|
Number
of
Shares
Underlying
Warrants
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
Weighted
Average
Contract
Life
in
Years
|
|
Outstanding
at the beginning of the period
|
|
|
1,952
|
|
$
|
1.74
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeitures
and other adjustments
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding
at the end of the period
|
|
|
1,952
|
|
$
|
1.74
|
|
|
0.84
|
|
NOTE
8.
|
COMMON
STOCK OPTIONS
|
As
of
March 31, 2008, the Company maintains four stock option plans that are fully
described in Note 10 “Common Stock Options” in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A for the year-ended December 31, 2007. These stock option plans
provide for the award of options or restricted shares for compensatory purposes.
The purpose of these plans is to promote the interests of the Company by
aligning the interests of employees (including directors and officers who are
employees), consultants, and non-employee directors of the Company and to
provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success
of
the Company and its subsidiaries.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
8.
|
COMMON
STOCK OPTIONS (continued)
|
The
following table sets forth activity for the stock option plans referenced above
for the three months ended March 31, 2008 (shares shown in
thousands):
|
|
Number
of
Shares
Underlying
Options
|
|
Options
outstanding at beginning of period
|
|
|
2,873
|
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
Options
exercised
|
|
|
(163
|
)
|
Options
forfeited and other adjustments
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
Options
outstanding at end of period
|
|
|
2,707
|
|
No
options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2008; therefore,
weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
are
not presented.
All
Stock Options
In
addition, the Company has awarded compensatory options and warrants totaling
1,430,280 on an individualized basis that was considered outside the awards
issued under its existing stock option plans. Activity with respect to all
stock
options is presented below for the three months ended March 31, 2008 (shares
and
intrinsic value shown in thousands):
|
|
Number
of
Shares
Underlying
Options
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value(a)
|
|
Options
outstanding at beginning of period
|
|
|
4,304
|
|
$
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Options
exercised
|
|
|
(663
|
)
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeitures
and other adjustments
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
4.70
|
|
|
|
|
Options
outstanding at end of period
|
|
|
3,638
|
|
$
|
2.56
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
Exercisable
at end of period
|
|
|
2,756
|
|
$
|
2.15
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
Weighted
average fair value of options granted during period
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
The
intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market
value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The
intrinsic value of the options exercised during the three months ended March
31,
2008, was approximately $51,000.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
8.
|
COMMON
STOCK OPTIONS (continued)
|
The
weighted average remaining life by exercise price as of March 31, 2008, is
summarized below (shares shown in thousands):
Range
of
Exercise
Prices
|
|
Outstanding
Shares
|
|
Weighted
Average
Life
|
|
Exercisable
Shares
|
|
Weighted
Average
Life
|
|
$0.38
- $0.63
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
$1.75
- $2.55
|
|
|
406
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
$2.90
- $3.55
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
$3.62
|
|
|
1,140
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
720
|
|
|
2.7
|
|
$4.45
- $4.70
|
|
|
491
|
|
|
7.5
|
|
|
194
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
$5.50
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
$0.38
- $5.50
|
|
|
3,638
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
2,756
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
NOTE
9.
|
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
|
Environmental
Risk
Due
to
the nature of the oil and natural gas business, the Company is exposed to
possible environmental risks. The Company manages its exposure to environmental
liabilities for both properties it owns as well as properties to be acquired.
The Company has historically not experienced any significant environmental
liability and is not aware of any potential material environmental issues or
claims at March 31, 2008.
Letters
of Credit
For
each
salt water disposal well drilled in the State of Michigan, the Company is
required to issue a letter of credit to the Michigan Supervisor of Wells. The
Supervisor of Wells may draw on the letter of credit if the Company fails to
comply with the regulatory requirements relating to the locating, drilling,
completing, producing, reworking, plugging, filling of pits, and clean up of
the
well site. The letter of credit or a substitute financial instrument is required
to be in place until the salt water disposal well is plugged and abandoned.
For
drilling natural gas wells, the Company is required to issue a blanket letter
of
credit to the Michigan Supervisor of Wells. This blanket letter of credit allows
the Company to drill an unlimited number of natural gas wells. The majority
of
existing letters of credit have been issued by Northwestern Bank of Traverse
City, Michigan, and are secured only by a Reimbursement and Indemnification
Commitment issued by the Company, together with a right of setoff against all
of
the Company’s deposit accounts with Northwestern Bank. At March 31, 2008,
letters of credit in the amount of $1.0 million were outstanding with the
majority issued to the Michigan Supervisor of Wells.
Employment
Agreement
Ronald
E.
Huff resigned as President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of AOG
effective January 21, 2008. The Company had a 2-year Employment Agreement with
Mr. Huff, providing for an annual salary of $200,000 per year and an award
of a
stock bonus in the amount of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on
January 1, 2009, so long as he remained employed by the Company through June
18,
2008, which requires the Company to record approximately $2.1 million in
stock-based compensation expense over the contract period. The Company will
pay
Mr. Huff the compensation provided for in the employment agreement through
June
18, 2008. This agreement has been modified to accelerate the award of Mr. Huff’s
stock bonus in the amount of 500,000 shares of common stock from January 1,
2009, to June 18, 2008. As a result of the acceleration, $0.5 million was
recorded as stock-based compensation during the three months ended March 31,
2008.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
9.
|
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
(continued)
|
Retention
Bonus
On
September 19, 2007, the Company announced that it had retained Johnson Rice
& Company, L.L.C. to assist the Board of Directors with investigating
strategic alternatives for the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company
has approved a retention bonus arrangement to encourage certain key officers
and
employees to remain with the Company through the completion of the Company’s
review of potential strategic alternatives. The services of Johnson Rice &
Company, L.L.C. were concluded on March 7, 2008. As of March 31, 2008, the
Company had recorded $118,750 for retention bonuses in 2008. A final payment
in
the amount of $83,429 was made in April 2008 to those employees actively
participating in the strategic alternative process.
Letter
of Intent
Effective
January 22, 2008, the Board of Directors named John E. McDevitt as President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director. The Board of Directors also named Gilbert
A. Smith as Vice President of Business Development effective as of February
1,
2008. The Company has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire Acadian
Energy, LLC. Mr. McDevitt (through a controlled entity) and Mr. Smith are the
only members of Acadian Energy, LLC (60% and 40% respectively). The proposed
acquisition is valued at approximately $12.5 million and will include over
10,000 acres of New Albany Shale properties, 4 development wells, and
approximately 7 bcf in proved reserves.
Oak
Tree Joint Venture
In
March
2006, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement covering the
acquisition and development of oil and gas leases in an Area of Mutual Interest
(“AMI”) in Oklahoma. The Company’s joint venture partner is the manager of the
leasing program and is designated as Operator for the AMI. A dispute has arisen
with respect to operations under the Joint Venture Agreement. In late March
2008, the Company’s joint venture partner filed a complaint alleging breach of
contract and unjust enrichment and is seeking a declaratory judgment to
terminate the Joint Venture Agreement and to rescind the assignment of leases
to
the Company’s subsidiary, AOK Energy, LLC. Company management is of the opinion
that the complaint is without merit and plans to vigorously contest the
lawsuit.
General
Legal Matters
The
Company is currently involved in various disputes incidental to its business
operations. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, is of the opinion
that the final resolution of all currently pending or threatened litigation
is
not likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
position, results of operations, or cash flows.
NOTE
10.
|
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
Effective
January 22, 2008, Barbara E. Lawson was named Chief Financial Officer of the
Company. Simple Financial Solutions, Inc., which is owned and operated by Ms.
Lawson’s spouse, provides consulting services on a continuous basis to the
Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, Simple Financial Solutions,
Inc. billed the Company $10,865 for services rendered.
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
10.
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued)
Effective
May 30, 2007, the board of directors named John C. Hunter as Vice President
of
Exploration and Production. He has worked for AOG since 2005 as Senior Petroleum
Engineer. Prior to that, Mr. Hunter was instrumental in certain projects
associated with the Company’s New Albany shale play. Over a series of agreements
with the Company, Mr. Hunter (controlling member of Venator Energy, LLC) has
acquired 1.25% working interest in certain leases. The leases cover
approximately 132,600 acres (1,658 net) in certain counties located in Indiana.
The 1.25% carried working interest shall be effective until development costs
exceed $30 million. Thereafter, participation may continue as a standard 1.25%
working interest owner. The Company is entitled to recovery of 100% of
development costs (plus interest at a rate of 6.75% per annum compounded
annually) from 85% of the net operating revenue generated from oil and gas
production developed directly or indirectly in the area of mutual interest
covered by the agreement. As of March 31, 2008, there is no production
associated with this working interest and development costs were approximately
$12.9 million.
Effective
July 1, 2004, Aurora Energy, Ltd., (“AEL”), entered into a Fee Sharing Agreement
with Mr. Hunter as compensation for bringing Bluegrass Energy Enhancement Fund,
LLC (“Bluegrass”) and AEL together for the development of the 1500 Antrim and
Red Run Projects in Michigan. At this time, AEL and Bluegrass have discontinued
leasing activities in both projects. In the 1500 Antrim project, there are
23,989.41 acres. Mr. Hunter's carried working interest share of 0.8333% is
approximately 199.95 net acres. The carried working interest relates to the
first 55 wells that are drilled in the area of mutual interest. Thereafter,
Mr.
Hunter would pay his proportionate share of working interest expenses.
Currently, there are no producing wells. The Red Run project contains 12,893.64
acres. Mr. Hunter's carried working interest share of 0.8333% is approximately
107.44 net acres. The carried working interest relates to the first 55 wells
that are drilled in the area of mutual interest. Thereafter, Mr. Hunter would
pay his proportionate share of working interest expenses. Currently, there
are 3
wells permitted for the Red Run project and one well was temporarily
abandoned.
NOTE
11.
|
SUBSEQUENT
EVENT
|
Effective
April 1, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Acadian Energy, LLC
to
provide oil and gas operating services on properties located in the State of
Indiana. Mr. McDevitt (through a controlled entity) and Mr. Smith are the only
members of Acadian Energy, LLC (60% and 40%, respectively). This agreement
will
remain effective through the acquisition closing date or December 31, 2008,
whichever comes first. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is not
entitled to monetary consideration. Services will be performed to maintain
the
value of the properties prior to transfer of ownership from Acadian Energy,
LLC
to the Company.
ITEM
2.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
You
should read the following discussion in conjunction with management’s discussion
and analysis contained in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, as well as
the
condensed consolidated financial statements and notes hereto included in this
quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The following discussion contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, such as
statements of our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. Our actual
results may differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking
statements because of the risks and uncertainties inherent in future
events.
Overview
We
are a
growing independent energy company focused on the exploration, exploitation,
and
development of unconventional natural gas reserves. Our unconventional natural
gas projects target shale plays where large acreage blocks can be easily
evaluated with a series of low cost test wells. Shale plays tend to be
characterized by high drilling success and relatively low drilling costs when
compared to conventional exploration and development plays. Our project areas
are focused in the Antrim shale of Michigan and New Albany shale of Southern
Indiana and Western Kentucky.
In
1969,
we commenced operations to explore and mine natural resources under the name
Royal Resources, Inc. In July 2001, we reorganized our business to pursue oil
and gas exploration and development opportunities and changed our name to
Cadence Resources Corporation (“Cadence”). We acquired Aurora Energy, Ltd.
(“Aurora”) on October 31, 2005, through the merger of our wholly-owned
subsidiary with and into Aurora. The acquisition of Aurora was accounted for
as
a reverse merger, with Aurora being the acquiring party for accounting purposes.
The Aurora executive management team also assumed management control at the
time
the merger closed, and we moved our corporate offices to Traverse City,
Michigan. Effective May 11, 2006, Cadence amended its articles of incorporation
to change the parent company name to Aurora Oil & Gas
Corporation.
Highlights
For
the
three months ended March 31, 2008, we continued to shift our focus from
acquisition of properties to an early stage developer of unconventional shale
development projects. As of March 31, 2008, our leasehold acres were 1,301,186
(717,621 net) which represent a 1% increase over our December 31, 2007, net
acres. These leasehold acres are included in the following plays: 310,470
(155,733 net) leasehold acres in the Michigan Antrim shale play, 15,837 (15,837
net) leasehold acres in the Indiana Antrim shale play, 849,900 (447,013 net)
acres in the New Albany shale play, 36,802 (32,753 net) acres in the Woodford
shale play, and 88,177 (66,285 net) acres in the other play areas.
With
regard to our strategy to generate growth through drilling, we drilled or
participated in 5 (2 net) wells for the three months ended March 31, 2008,
with
a 100% success rate. As of March 31, 2008, we had 649 (304 net) producing wells,
9 (4 net) wells awaiting hook-up, 41 (20 net) wells undergoing resource
assessment, and 46 (31 net) wells temporarily abandoned. We also continued
our
strategy to have greater control over our projects by operating 257 (239 net)
wells, thus, operating 35% of our gross wells and 67% of our net
wells.
Of
the
239 net wells we operate, 189 net wells are producing in the Antrim; 1 net
well
is awaiting hook-up in the Antrim; 13 net wells are undergoing resource
assessment in the Antrim, 6 net wells are producing in the New Albany; 1 net
well is undergoing resource assessment in the other plays; and 29 net wells
are
temporarily abandoned.
Oil
and
natural gas production for the three months ended March 31, 2008, was 824,489
mcfe, a 13% increase over the 732,430 mcfe produced in the three months ended
March 31, 2007. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, production continues
to be hampered by wells undergoing resource assessment and
dewatering.
Operating
Statistics
The
following table sets forth certain key operating statistics for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 (the “Current Quarter”), and the three months ended March
31, 2007 (the “Prior Year Quarter”):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Net
wells drilled
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antrim
shale
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(88
|
)%
|
New
Albany shale (“NAS”)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(75
|
)%
|
Dry
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
(100
|
)%
|
Total
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
(88
|
)%
|
Total
net wells
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antrim—producing
|
|
|
283
|
|
|
219
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Antrim—awaiting
hookup
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
(96
|
)%
|
NAS—producing
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
600
|
%
|
NAS—awaiting
hookup
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(100
|
)%
|
Other—producing
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Other—awaiting
hookup
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(60
|
)%
|
Total
|
|
|
308
|
|
|
286
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural
gas (mcf)
|
|
|
779,483
|
|
|
690,435
|
|
|
89,048
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
Crude
oil (bbls)
|
|
|
7,501
|
|
|
6,999
|
|
|
502
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
Natural
gas equivalent (mcfe)
|
|
|
824,489
|
|
|
732,430
|
|
|
92,059
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
Average
daily production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural
gas (mcf)
|
|
|
8,566
|
|
|
7,672
|
|
|
989
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
Crude
oil (bbls)
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
Natural
gas equivalent (mcfe)
|
|
|
9,060
|
|
|
8,140
|
|
|
1,021
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
Average
sales price (excluding all gains (losses) on derivatives)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural
gas ($ per mcf)
|
|
$
|
8.29
|
|
$
|
6.91
|
|
$
|
1.38
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Crude
oil ($ per bbls)
|
|
$
|
83.19
|
|
$
|
53.87
|
|
$
|
29.32
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
Natural
gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)
|
|
$
|
8.59
|
|
$
|
7.03
|
|
$
|
1.56
|
|
|
23
|
%
|
Average
sales price (excluding unrealized losses from derivatives)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural
gas ($ per mcf)
|
|
$
|
8.71
|
|
$
|
8.05
|
|
$
|
0.66
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
Crude
oil ($ per bbls)
|
|
$
|
83.19
|
|
$
|
53.87
|
|
$
|
29.32
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
Natural
gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)
|
|
$
|
8.99
|
|
$
|
8.10
|
|
$
|
0.89
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
Production
revenue ($ in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural
gas
|
|
$
|
6,455
|
|
$
|
4,768
|
|
$
|
1,687
|
|
|
36
|
%
|
Natural
gas derivatives—realized gains
|
|
|
333
|
|
|
785
|
|
|
(452
|
)
|
|
(58
|
)%
|
Natural
gas derivatives—unrealized losses
|
|
|
(969
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
(969
|
)
|
|
(100
|
)%
|
Crude
oil
|
|
|
624
|
|
|
377
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
67
|
%
|
Total
|
|
$
|
6,443
|
|
$
|
5,930
|
|
$
|
513
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Amount
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Average
expenses ($ per mcfe)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
taxes
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
$
|
0.36
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Post-production
expenses
|
|
$
|
0.81
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
|
108
|
%
|
Lease
operating expenses
|
|
$
|
2.58
|
|
$
|
2.24
|
|
$
|
0.34
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
General
and administrative expense
|
|
$
|
2.43
|
|
$
|
3.09
|
|
$
|
(0.66
|
)
|
|
(22
|
)%
|
General
and administrative expense excluding stock-based
compensation
|
|
$
|
1.61
|
|
$
|
2.28
|
|
$
|
(0.67
|
)
|
|
(30
|
)%
|
Oil
and natural gas depletion and amortization expenses
|
|
$
|
1.19
|
|
$
|
1.02
|
|
$
|
0.17
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Other
assets depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
$
|
(0.34
|
)
|
|
(44
|
)%
|
Interest
expenses
|
|
$
|
1.78
|
|
$
|
1.34
|
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
|
33
|
%
|
Taxes
|
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
200
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of employees including Bach
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(27
|
)%
|
Results
of Operations
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2008, compared with Three Months Ended March 31,
2007
General
.
For the
Current Quarter, we had a net loss of $1.2 million, or $(0.01) per diluted
common share, on total revenues of $6.9 million. This compares to a net loss
of
$0.7 million, or $(0.01) per diluted common share, on total revenue of $6.3
million for the Prior Year Quarter. The $0.6 million increase in revenue
represents our initial steps as an early stage developer of oil and natural
gas
properties.
Oil
and Natural Gas Sales
.
During
the Current Quarter, oil and natural gas sales were $6.4 million compared to
$5.9 million in the Prior Year Quarter. We produced 824,489 mcfe at a weighted
average price of $8.99 compared to 732,430 mcfe at a weighted average price
of
$8.10. This increase in production was due to new wells placed online. We had
304 net wells producing as of March 31, 2008, as compared to 232 net wells
producing as of March 31, 2007. The weighted average price included $0.3 million
or $0.41 per mcfe and $0.8 million or $1.08 per mcfe of realized gains from
the
gas derivative contract for Current Quarter and Prior Year Quarter,
respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the weighted average
price did not include $1.0 million or $1.18 per mcfe of unrealized losses from
hedge ineffectiveness. For our cash flow hedges, the designated hedged risk
is
primarily the risk of changes in cash flows attributable to changes in the
production of gas. Our natural gas contracts require us to produce certain
volumes on a daily basis. During January 2008, we determined that we were unable
to meet a portion of the volume required by one of our natural gas contracts.
As
a result, that portion was deemed to be ineffective.
Production
from the Antrim shale play represented approximately 90% of our oil and natural
gas revenue for the Current Quarter. The following table summarizes our oil
and
natural gas revenue by play/trend in the periods set forth below:
Play/Trend
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31, 2008
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31, 2007
|
|
|
|
(mcfe)
|
|
Amount
|
|
(mcfe)
|
|
Amount
|
|
Antrim
|
|
|
740,841
|
|
$
|
5,482,339
|
|
|
675,353
|
|
$
|
5,455,370
|
|
New
Albany
|
|
|
38,552
|
|
|
334,718
|
|
|
10,344
|
|
|
74,400
|
|
Other
|
|
|
45,096
|
|
|
625,501
|
|
|
46,733
|
|
|
399,806
|
|
Total
|
|
|
824,489
|
|
$
|
6,442,558
|
|
|
732,430
|
|
$
|
5,929,576
|
|
Production
from the Prior Year Quarter compared to the Current Quarter increased marginally
by 13%. Lower than expected production resulted from Warner Plant outages and
heavy snowfall causing delays in response to freezing complications associated
with compressors, booster stations, and water lines.
Pipeline
Transportation and Processing.
Pipeline
transportation and processing revenues were $0.2 million in the Current Quarter
compared to $0.1 million in the Prior Year Quarter. The increase is attributed
to the recovery of additional post-production costs which were previously being
absorbed as operating expenses by the Company.
Field
Service and Sales
.
Field
service and sales were $0.1 million in the Current Quarter compared to $0.2
million in the Prior Year Quarter. The majority of Bach’s services are performed
for the Company. The decrease in the Current Quarter was attributable to the
reduction in services performed for unrelated third party
customers.
Interest
and Other Revenues
.
Interest and other revenues were $102,687 in the Current Quarter compared to
$13,513 in the Prior Year Quarter. This increase is primarily attributed to
realizing a portion of the gain resulting from a sale-leaseback transaction
executed during December 2007.
Production
Taxes.
Production
taxes were $339,314 in the Current Quarter compared to $263,098 in the Prior
Year Quarter. This increase is attributed to production growth and the state
mix
of production. On a unit of production basis, production taxes were $0.42 per
mcfe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.36 per mcfe in the Prior Year Quarter
representing an increase of production taxes by 31% in the Current Quarter
from
the Prior Year Quarter.
Production
and Lease Operating Expenses
.
Our
production and lease operating expenses include services related to producing
oil and natural gas, such as post-production costs which includes marketing
and
transportation, and expenses to operate the wells and equipment on producing
leases.
Production
and lease operating expenses were $2.8 million in the Current Quarter compared
to $1.9 million in the Prior Year Quarter. On a per unit of production basis,
production and lease operating expenses were $3.39 per mcfe in the Current
Quarter compared to $2.63 per mcfe in the Prior Year Quarter. The increase
in
the Current Quarter was primarily attributable to our expanding operations
which
increased energy costs, pumping costs, repair, and maintenance associated with
meters, compressors, pumps, production personnel, and compressor sale-leaseback
expenses.
On
a
component basis, post-production expenses were $0.7 million, or $0.81 per mcfe,
in the Current Quarter compared to $0.3 million, or $0.39 per mcfe, in the
Prior
Year Quarter, and lease operating expenses were $2.1 million, or $2.58 per
mcfe,
in the Current Quarter compared to $1.6 million, or $2.24 per mcfe, in the
Prior
Year Quarter. The unit of production increases are attributable to an increase
of post-production expenses by 134% and an increase of lease operating expenses
by 32% compared to the Prior Year Quarter due to our expanding operations which
increased energy costs, pumping costs, repair, and maintenance associated with
meters, compressors, pumps, production personnel, and compressor sale-leaseback
expenses.
Production
and lease operating expenses for operated properties were $3.65 per mcfe in
the
Current Quarter while non-operated production and lease operating expenses
were
$2.89 per mcfe in the Current Quarter. Our operated Arrowhead, Blue Chip, and
Gaylord Fishing Club projects continue to negatively impact our operating cost
controls and efficiency due to dewatering. Production and lease operating
expenses for operated properties excluding Arrowhead, Blue Chip, and Gaylord
Fishing Club projects were $3.47 per mcfe in the Current Quarter.
Pipeline
and Processing Operating Expenses
.
Pipeline and processing operating expenses were $89,223 in the Current Quarter
compared to $113,420 in the Prior Year Quarter. This decrease was the result
of
recovering additional post-production costs which was previously being absorbed
as operating expenses by the Company.
Field
Services Expenses
.
Field
services expenses were $0.1 million in the Current Quarter compared to $0.2
million in the Prior Year Quarter which are attributable to the reduction in
services performed by Bach for unrelated third party customers.
General
and Administrative Expenses
.
Our
general and administrative expenses include officer and employee compensation,
travel, audit, tax and legal fees, office supplies, utilities, insurance,
consulting fees, and office related expense. General and administrative expenses
in the Current Quarter decreased by $0.3 million, or 12%, from the Prior Year
Quarter. This decrease was primarily the result of a reduction in accounting
and
other consulting services.
Excluding
the acceleration of Ronald E. Huff’s stock bonus award in the amount of $0.5
million, payroll and related costs decreased by $0.5 million to $1.0 million
in
the Current Quarter due to lower employee payroll and stock-based compensation
of $0.6 million. This amount was offset by a retention bonus in the amount
of
$0.1 million.
We
follow
the full cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with
property acquisition, exploration, and development activities are capitalized.
We capitalized certain internal costs that can be directly identified with
our
acquisition, exploration, and development activities and do not include any
costs related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities.
We capitalized $0.2 million of payroll and benefit costs for the Current Quarter
compared to $0.5 million in the Prior Year Quarter. This decrease was primarily
related to the reduction in the number of employees associated with acquisition,
exploration and development activities from the Prior Year Quarter.
Oil
and Natural Gas Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization
(“DD&A”)
.
DD&A of oil and natural gas properties was $1.0 million and $0.7 million
during the Current Quarter and the Prior Year Quarter, respectively. DD&A is
a function of capitalized costs in the full cost pool and related underlying
reserves in the periods presented. This increase is the result of $6.5 million
being added to proved properties in the full cost pool and production growth.
The average DD&A cost per mcfe also increased to $1.19 in the Current
Quarter compared to $1.02 in the Prior Year Quarter due to the additional proved
properties added to the full cost pool.
Other
Assets Depreciation and Amortization (“D&A”)
.
D&A
of other assets was $0.4 million in the Current Quarter compared to $0.6 million
in the Prior Year Quarter. This decrease was primarily the result of the
complete amortization of certain intangible assets during January 2008
associated with the Cadence merger.
Interest
Expense
.
Interest expense was $1.5 million in the Current Quarter compared to $1.0
million in the Prior Year Quarter. This increase is due to the higher
utilization of debt to continue our growth strategy of acquiring and developing
operating interests primarily in the New Albany shale.
Taxes,
Other
.
Other
taxes primarily include state franchise taxes and personal property taxes.
We
have significant net operating loss carryforwards, thus no federal income tax
expense has been recognized for either the Current Quarter or Prior Year
Quarter. Tax refund was $71,292 in the Current Quarter compared to a refund
of
$25,182 in the Prior Year Quarter. This increase primarily represents a 2006
State of Louisiana income tax refund received during 2008.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Currently,
we are able to maintain our existing operations through the existing cash
balances and internally generated cash flows from sales of oil and natural
gas
production. However, we have determined that our existing capital structure
is
not adequate to fund our planned growth. We believe the best way to pursue
our
growth strategy is with project financing for our emerging plays in the New
Albany shale and the Woodford shale. At this time, we are in the process of
negotiating several term sheets with certain recognized energy lenders offering
mezzanine/project equity financing for at least two areas in our emerging plays.
Our goal is to establish separate financing entities for each emerging play
while ensuring the financing structure is non-recourse to our parent entity.
Our
current credit facilities are reserve-based lending which is appropriate for
a
mature development play like our Antrim shale. We are currently in discussion
to
improve our existing credit facilities. As of the date of this filing, no
project financing or amendments to our existing credit facilities have been
procured. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in procuring
the
financing and amendments we are seeking. Future cash flows are subject to a
number of variables, including the level of production, natural gas prices
and
successful drilling efforts. There can be no assurance that operations and
other
capital resources will provide cash in sufficient amounts to maintain planned
or
future levels of capital expenditures.
On
August
20, 2007, we entered into a second lien term loan agreement with BNP, as the
arranger and administrative agent, and several other lenders forming a
syndicate. The initial term loan is $50 million for a 5-year term which may
increase up to $70 million under certain conditions over the life of the loan
facility. The proceeds of the second lien term loan were used to payoff our
existing mezzanine financing with TCW and for general corporate purposes.
Interest
under the second lien term loan is payable at rates based on the London
Interbank Offered Rate plus 700 basis points with a step-down of 25 basis points
once our ratio of total indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion, amortization, and other noncash charges is lower than
or equal to a ratio of 4.0 to 1.0 on a trailing four quarters basis. We have
the
ability to prepay the second lien term loan during the first year at a price
equal to 103% of par, during the second year at a price equal to 102% of par,
and thereafter at a price equal to 100% of par.
The
second lien term loan contains, among other things, a number of financial and
non-financial covenants relating to restricted payments (as defined), loans
or
advances to others, additional indebtedness, incurrence of liens, geographic
limitations on operations to the United States, and maintenance of certain
financial and operating ratios, including (i) maintenance of a maximum of
indebtedness to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion
and amortization and non-cash expenses, and (ii) maintenance of minimum reserve
value to indebtedness. Any event of default under the senior secured credit
facility that accelerates the maturity of any indebtedness thereunder is also
an
event of default under the second lien term loan.
In
both
the second lien term loan and senior secured credit facility, we agreed to
an
affirmative covenant regarding production exit rates. The production exit target
is 12.0 MMcfe per day as December 31, 2007, and as of the last day of each
quarter thereafter. In addition, we were required to purchase financial hedges
at prices and aggregate notional volumes satisfactory to BNP, as administrative
agent, which requirement has been satisfied.
On
April
29, 2008 management became aware that we failed to achieve daily production
of
12.0 mmcfe per day and exceeded the maximum total debt to EBITDAX ratio as
of
March 31, 2008. According to the second lien term loan agreement we have until
May 29, 2008 (30 days) to remediate the covenant failures in order to avoid
an
event of default. Management has developed a plan to remediate the covenant
deficiencies which includes among other items, production enhancements, a plan
to reduce general, administrative, and production expenses and the possible
sale
of certain non-core assets. In case we are unable to successfully remediate
the
covenant failures, we have also requested BNP to waive our failure to observe
or
perform the daily production of 12.0 mmcfe per day and meet the total debt
to
EBITDAX ratio requirement as of March 31, 2008. There are no assurances we
will
be able to successfully remediate the covenant failures by May 29, 2008, or
that
we will receive a waiver from BNP. If an event of default occurs, BNP has the
right to demand repayment of the second lien term loan obligation which would
adversely affect our liquidity in a material manner.
Our
senior secured credit facility is a $100 million senior secured credit facility
with BNP. In connection with the second lien term loan, we also agreed to the
amendment and restatement of our senior secured credit facility with BNP and
other lenders, pursuant to which the borrowing base under the senior secured
credit facility was increased from the current authorized borrowing base of
$50
million to $70 million. The amount of the borrowing base is based primarily
upon
the estimated value of our oil and natural gas reserves. The borrowing base
amount is redetermined by the lenders semi-annually on or about April 1 and
October 1 of each year or at other times required by the lenders or at our
request. The required semiannual reserve report may result in an increase or
decrease in credit availability. The security for this facility is substantially
all of our oil and natural gas properties; guarantees from all material
subsidiaries; and a pledge of 100% of our stock or member interest of all
material subsidiaries.
The
senior secured credit facility provides for borrowings tied to BNP’s prime rate
(or, if higher, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%) or LIBOR-based
rate
plus 1.25% to 2.0% depending on the borrowing base utilization, as selected
by
us. The borrowing base utilization is the percentage of the borrowing base
that
is drawn under the senior secured credit facility from time to time. As the
borrowing base utilization increases, the LIBOR-based interest rates increase
under this facility. As of March 31, 2008, interest on the borrowings had a
weighted average interest rate of 4.66%. The maturity date of the outstanding
loan may be accelerated by the lenders upon occurrence of an event of default
under the senior secured credit facility.
The
senior secured credit facility contains, among other things, a number of
financial and non-financial covenants relating to restricted payments (as
defined), loans or advances to others, additional indebtedness, incurrence
of
liens, geographic limitations on operations to the United States, and
maintenance of certain financial and operating ratios, including (i) maintenance
of a minimum current ratio, and (ii) maintenance of a minimum interest coverage
ratio. Any event of default under the second lien term loan that accelerates
the
maturity of any indebtedness thereunder is also an event of default under the
senior secured credit facility.
On
April
29, 2008 management became aware that we failed to achieve daily production
of
12.0 mmcfe per day and meet the required interest coverage ratio as of March
31,
2008. According to the senior secured credit facility agreement we have until
May 29, 2008 (30 days) to remediate the covenant failures in order to avoid
an
event of default. Management has developed a plan to remediate the covenant
deficiencies which includes among other items, production enhancements, a plan
to reduce general, administrative, and production expenses and the possible
sale
of certain non-core assets. In case we are unable to successfully remediate
the
covenant failures, we have also requested BNP to waive our failure to observe
or
perform the daily production of 12.0 mmcfe per day and meet the interest
coverage ratio requirement as of March 31, 2008. There are no assurances we
will
be able to successfully remediate the covenant failures by May 29, 2008, or
that
we will receive a waiver from BNP. If an event of default occurs, BNP has the
right to demand repayment of the senior secured credit facility obligation
which
would adversely affect our liquidity in a material manner.
Our
total
capitalization was as follows:
|
|
As
of
March 31,
2008
|
|
As
of
December
31, 2007
|
|
Obligations
under capital lease
|
|
$
|
6,675
|
|
$
|
7,784
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
245,417
|
|
|
219,478
|
|
Mortgage
payables
|
|
|
3,056,926
|
|
|
3,082,196
|
|
Senior
secured credit facility
|
|
|
65,000,000
|
|
|
56,000,000
|
|
Second
lien term loan
|
|
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
50,000,000
|
|
Total
debt
|
|
|
118,309,018
|
|
|
109,309,458
|
|
Minority
interest in net assets of subsidiaries
|
|
|
127,766
|
|
|
112,661
|
|
Shareholders’
equity
|
|
|
120,515,667
|
|
|
132,142,989
|
|
Total
capitalization
|
|
$
|
238,952,451
|
|
$
|
241,565,108
|
|
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities
Cash
provided by operating activities increased 88% to $3.1 million in the Current
Quarter, compared to $1.6 million in the Prior Year Quarter. This $1.5 million
increase in net cash provided by operating activities was due to an increase
in
production, as well as a reduction in outstanding payables. See “Results of
Operations” for discussion of changes in revenues and expenses. Non-cash charges
such as depreciation, depletion and amortization and stock-based compensation
remained relatively flat except for the non-cash charge of unrealized losses
on
ineffectiveness of commodity derivative. Changes in current operating assets
and
liabilities increased cash flow from operations by $1.1
million.
Cash
Flows Used in Investing Activities
Cash
flows used in investing activities was $7.4 million in the Current Quarter
compared to $18.6 million in the Prior Year Quarter. The following table
describes our significant investing transactions that we completed in the
periods set forth below:
|
|
Three
Months Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Acquisitions
of leasehold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan
Antrim shale
|
|
$
|
335,986
|
|
$
|
629,444
|
|
Indiana
Antrim shale
|
|
|
3,018
|
|
|
45,866
|
|
New
Albany shale
|
|
|
417,673
|
|
|
840,626
|
|
Woodford
shale
|
|
|
319,361
|
|
|
1,108,200
|
|
Other
|
|
|
21,136
|
|
|
33,109
|
|
Drilling
and development of oil and natural gas properties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan
Antrim shale
|
|
|
1,115,748
|
(a)
|
|
10,462,221
|
|
Indiana
Antrim shale
|
|
|
9,874
|
|
|
210,141
|
|
New
Albany shale
|
|
|
930,868
|
|
|
620,049
|
|
Other
|
|
|
644,434
|
|
|
113,240
|
|
Infrastructure
properties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan
Antrim shale
|
|
|
7,536
|
|
|
3,750,934
|
|
New
Albany shale
|
|
|
2,188,704
|
|
|
373,443
|
|
Other
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
21,308
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized
interest and general and administrative costs on exploration, development
and leasehold
|
|
|
1,418,420
|
|
|
1,264,182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions/additions
for pipeline, property, and equipment
|
|
|
16,947
|
|
|
144,456
|
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
3,491
|
|
|
37,412
|
|
Subtotal
of capital expenditures
|
|
|
7,433,196
|
|
|
19,654,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale
of oil and natural gas properties
|
|
|
(60,000
|
)
|
|
(1,025,000
|
)
|
Sales
of other investment and other
|
|
|
(9,334
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
Subtotal
of capital divestitures
|
|
|
(69,334
|
)
|
|
(1,025,000
|
)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
7,363,862
|
|
$
|
18,629,631
|
|
(a)
Drilling and development costs in the amount of $1,037,169 relate to
non-operated properties.
Cash
Flows Provided by Financing Activities
Cash
flows provided by financing activities were $9.2 million in the Current Quarter
compared to $17.4 million in the Prior Year Quarter. Cash flows provided in
the
Current Quarter included: (1) $9.0 million of senior secured borrowing; and
(2) $0.4 million of proceeds received from exercise of common stock options
and
warrants. Cash flows used in the Current Quarter included: (1) paydown of
$43,867 in mortgage and notes payable obligations; (2) payment of $29,142 in
financing fees; and (3) payment of $0.1 million on other
liabilities.
Cash
flows provided by financing activities in the Prior Year Quarter included:
(1)
$18.0 million of senior secured credit borrowing; and (2) $0.1 million of net
proceeds received from exercise of common stock options and warrants. Cash
flows
used by financing in the Prior Year Quarter included: (1) net pay-down of
$0.5 million within short-term bank borrowings; (2) pay-down of $0.1
million within mortgage obligations; and (3) payments of $25,000 in
financing fees.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
Reference
is made to Note 3 and Note 4 to the Financial Statements included elsewhere
in
this filing for a description of certain recently issued accounting
pronouncements. We do not expect any of such recently issued accounting
pronouncements to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position
or results of operations.
Critical
Accounting Policies
We
consider accounting policies related to use of estimates, oil and natural gas
properties, oil and natural gas reserves, stock-based compensation, and income
taxes to be critical policies. These accounting policies are summarized in
the
audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Off
Balance Sheet Arrangements
We
have
no special purpose entities, financing partnerships, guarantees, or off-balance
sheet arrangements other than the $1.0 million of outstanding letter of credits
discussed in Note 9 “Commitments and Contingencies.”
ITEM
3.
QUANTITIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Commodity
Price Risk
Our
results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by the fluctuations
in the market prices of natural gas. To mitigate a portion of the exposure
to
adverse market changes, we will periodically enter into various derivative
instruments with a major financial institution. The purpose of the derivative
instrument is to provide a measure of stability to our cash flow in meeting
financial obligations while operating in a volatile natural gas market
environment. The derivative instrument reduces our exposure on the hedged
production volumes to decreases in commodity prices and limits the benefit
we
might otherwise receive from any increases in commodity prices on the hedged
production volumes. The following natural gas contracts were in place as of
March 31, 2008 (fair value $ in thousands):
Period
|
|
Type
of
Contract
|
|
Natural
Gas
Volume
per Day
|
|
Price
per
mmbtu
|
|
Fair
Value Asset (Liability)
($
in thousands)
|
|
April
2007—December 2008
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
5,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
9.00
|
|
|
(2,037
|
)
|
April
2007—December 2008
|
|
|
Collar
|
|
|
2,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
7.55/$
9.00
|
|
|
(942
|
)
|
January
2008—December 2008
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
2,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
8.41
|
|
|
(1,140
|
)
|
January
2009—December 2009
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
7,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
8.72
|
|
|
(2,991
|
)
|
January
2010—March 2011
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
7,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
8.68
|
|
|
(1,860
|
)
|
April
2011—September 2011
|
|
|
Swap
|
|
|
7,000
mmbtu
|
|
$
|
7.62
|
|
|
(1,156
|
)
|
Total
estimated fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,126
|
)
|
For
our
cash flow hedges, the designated hedged risk is primarily the risk of changes
in
cash flows attributable to changes in the production of gas. Our natural gas
contracts require us to produce certain volumes on a daily basis.
During
January 2008, a portion of the swap contract for the period January 2008 through
December 2008 was deemed ineffective. As a result, ineffectiveness amounting
to
$1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, was included as a
reduction to oil and natural gas sales.
Interest
Rate Risk
Our
use
of debt directly exposes us to interest rate risk. Our policy is to manage
interest rate risk through the use of a combination of fixed and floating rate
debt. Interest rate swaps may be used to adjust interest rate exposure when
appropriate. In August 2007, we entered into a 3-year interest rate swap
agreement in the notional amount of $50 million with BNP to hedge our exposure
to the floating interest rate on the $50 million second lien term loan. The
swap
converted the debt’s floating three month LIBOR base to 4.86% fixed base. This
swap on $50 million will yield an effective interest rate of 11.86% for the
period from August 23, 2007 through August 23, 2010, on the second lien term
loan. Fair value liability of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31,
2008, amounted to $2.7 million.
The
following table sets forth our principal financing obligation and the related
interest rates as of March 31, 2008:
|
|
Expected
Maturity
|
|
Average Interest Rate as of
March 31, 2008
|
|
Principal
Outstanding
|
|
Obligations
under capital lease
|
|
|
01/10/09
|
|
|
8.25
|
%
|
$
|
6,675
|
|
Notes
payable
|
|
|
08/01/07-04/25/11
|
|
|
6.50%
- 7.50
|
%
|
|
245,417
|
|
Mortgage
payable
|
|
|
10/15/09
|
|
|
Fixed
at 6.00
|
%
|
|
366,237
|
|
Mortgage
payable
|
|
|
11/01/08
|
|
|
Fixed
at 5.95
|
%
|
|
2,690,689
|
|
Second
lien term loan
|
|
|
02/01/11
|
|
|
Hedged
at 11.86
|
%
|
|
50,000,000
|
|
Senior
secured credit facility
|
|
|
01/31/10
|
|
|
Variable
- 7.125
|
%
|
|
65,000,000
|
|
Total
debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
118,309,018
|
|
While
our
senior secured facility exposes us to the risk of rising interest rates,
management does not believe that the potential exposure is material to our
overall financial position or results of operations. Based on current borrowing
levels, a 1.0% increase or decrease in current market interest rates would
have
the effect of causing $0.8 million additional charge or reduction to our
statement of operations.
ITEM
4.
|
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
|
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our
disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance
that information required to be disclosed in our periodic filings under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized,
and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and
communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Our
Chief
Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") have evaluated
the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule
13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
as of March 31, 2008, and have concluded that these disclosure controls and
procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level. Our CEO and CFO
believe that the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this
report on Form 10-Q fairly present in all material respects our financial
condition, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented
in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Our
management, including our
CEO
and
CFO, do not expect that our internal controls will prevent or detect all errors
and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated,
can
provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the
control system are met with respect to financial statement preparation and
presentation. In addition, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls
is
subject to risks that those internal controls may become inadequate in future
periods because of changes in business conditions, or because the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures deteriorates.
Changes
in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There
have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during
the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or
are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
PART
II
ITEM
1.
|
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
|
Refer
to
Note 9 on page 21 of this Form 10-Q.
Our
business has many risks. Factors that could materially adversely affect our
business, financial condition, operating results or liquidity and the trading
price of our common stock are described under “Risk Factors in Item 1 of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2007. This
information should be considered carefully, together with other information
in
this report and other reports and materials we file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
ITEM
2.
|
UNREGISTERED
SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
We
did
not sell any of our unregisterd equity securities nor did we repurchase any
of
our outstanding equity securities during the quarter ended March 31,
2008.
ITEM
3.
|
DEFAULTS
UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
|
None.
ITEM
4.
|
SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY
HOLDERS
|
None.
ITEM
5.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
None.
3.1(1)
|
Restated
Articles of Incorporation of Aurora Oil & Gas
Corporation.
|
3.2
|
By-Laws
of Aurora Oil & Gas Corporation. (filed as an Exhibit 3.2 to our Form
8-K dated August 16, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 22, 2007
and incorporated herein by reference.)
|
10.1
|
Securities
Purchase Agreement between Cadence Resources Corporation and the
investors
signatory thereto, dated January 31, 2005 (filed as Exhibit 10.2
to our
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 2, 2005,
and
incorporated herein by reference.)
|
10.2(2)
|
Asset
Purchase Agreement with Nor Am Energy, L.L.C., Provins Family, L.L.C.
and
O.I.L. Energy Corp. dated January 10, 2006.
|
10.3
|
First
Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement between Aurora Antrim
North,
L.L.C. et al. and TCW Asset Management Company, dated December 8,
2005 (filed as an Exhibit to our report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal
year
ended September 30, 2005 filed with the SEC on December 29, 2005
and incorporated herein by reference.)
|
10.4(2)
|
First
Amendment to First Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement
between Aurora Antrim North, L.L.C., et al., and TCW Asset Management
Company, dated January 31, 2006.
|
10.5
|
Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated August 20, 2007, among Aurora
Oil
& Gas Corporation, the Borrower, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent
and the Lenders Party hereto. (filed as an Exhibit 10.7 to our Form
8-K
dated August 16, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 22, 2007 and
incorporated herein by reference.)
|
10.6(2)
|
Confirmation
from BNP Paribas to Aurora Antrim North, L.L.C., dated February 22,
2006 relating to gas sale
commitment.
|
10.7
|
2006
Stock Incentive Plan. (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to our Form S-8
Registration Statement filed with the SEC on May 15, 2006 and
incorporated herein by reference.)
|
10.8(1)
|
Employment
Agreement with Ronald E. Huff dated June 19, 2006.
|
10.9(1)
|
Letter
Agreement with Bach Enterprises dated July 10, 2006. (A redacted
copy is
filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 4 to our Form 10`-QSB/A filed
on
January 30, 2008.)
|
10.10(1)
|
First
Amendment to Credit Agreement between Aurora Antrim North, L.L.C.,
et al. and BNP Paribas dated July 14, 2006.
|
10.11(3)
|
LLC
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated October 6, 2006 relating
to
Kingsley Development Company, L.L.C.
|
10.12(3)
|
Asset
Purchase Agreement with Bach Enterprises, Inc., et al., dated October
6,
2006.
|
10.13(3)
|
Form
of indemnification letter agreement between Aurora Oil & Gas
Corporation and Rubicon Master Fund.
|
10.14
|
Second
Amendment to Credit Agreement between Aurora Antrim North, L.L.C.,
et al.
and BNP Paribas dated December 21, 2006. (filed as an Exhibit 10.24
to our
report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006,
filed with the SEC on March 15, 2007 and incorporated herein by
reference.)
|
10.15
|
Third
Amendment to Credit Agreement between Aurora Antrim North, L.L.C.,
et al.
and BNP Paribas dated June 20, 2007. (filed as an Exhibit 10.25 to
our
Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on
August 9, 2007 and incorporated herein by
reference.)
|
10.16
|
Intercreditor
Agreement dated August 20, 2007, among Aurora Oil & Gas Corporation,
the Borrower, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent and the Lenders
Party
hereto. (Replaced Exhibit 10.8 Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement
among, BNP Paribas, et al., TCW Asset Management Company, and Aurora
Antrim North, L.L.C., dated January 31, 2006.) (filed as an Exhibit
10.26
to our Form 8-K dated August 16, 2007, filed with the SEC on
August 22, 2007 and incorporated herein by
reference.)
|
10.17
|
Second
Lien Term Loan Agreement dated August 20, 2007, among Aurora Oil
& Gas
Corporation, the Borrower, BNP Paribas, as Administrative Agent and
the
Lenders Party hereto. (filed as an Exhibit 10.27 to our Form 8-K
dated
August 16, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 22, 2007 and
incorporated herein by reference.)
|
10.18(4)
|
Promissory
Note from Aurora Oil & Gas Corporation to Northwestern Bank dated
February 14, 2008.
|
14.1(4)
|
Code
of Conduct and Ethics (updated 2/1/08).
|
16.1(4)
|
Letter
concerning change of certifying accountant from Rachlin Cohen & Holtz,
LLP
|
|
|
*31.1
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
|
*31.2
|
Rule
13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer.
|
*32.1
|
Section
1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
|
*32.2
|
Section
1350 Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer.
|
*
|
Filed
with this Form 10-Q.
|
(1)
|
Filed
as an exhibit to our Form 10-QSB for the period ended June 30,
2006, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2006, and incorporated herein
by reference.
|
(2)
|
Filed
as an exhibit to our Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2006, and
incorporated herein by reference.
|
(3)
|
Filed
on October 27, 2006, with our Amendment No. 3 to Form SB-2 registration
statement filing, registration no. 333-137176, and incorporated herein
by
reference.
|
(4)
|
Filed
as an exhibit to our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31,
2007, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2008, and incorporated herein
by
reference.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
duly caused this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by
the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
AURORA
OIL & GAS CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
Date:
May 9, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
William W. Deneau
|
|
Name:
|
William
W. Deneau
|
|
Title:
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Date:
May 9, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/
Barbara E. Lawson
|
|
Name:
|
Barbara
E. Lawson
|
|
Title:
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Aurora Oil & Gas Corp. (AMEX:AOG)
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