Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Information set forth herein contains "forward-looking statements" which
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes,"
"expects," "intends," "may," "should" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof
or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of
strategy. No assurance can be given that the future results covered by the
forward-looking statements will be achieved. We caution readers that important
factors may affect our Company's actual results and could cause such results to
differ materially from forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the
Company. These include our Company's lack of historically profitable operations,
dependence on key personnel, ability to implement business plan, ability to
market our services, and other factors identified in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases and other public
communications.
8
Plan of Operation. The Company has not had any revenues from operations
since we commenced business in February 2006. See Item 1 "Financial Statements."
Accordingly, the information provided in this Item 2 is a plan of operation
pursuant to Regulation S-B Item 303(a) promulgated by the SEC.
The merger transaction with Energy Venture in May 2006 resulted in the
Energy Venture stockholders controlling approximately 92% of our issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately following its completion.
Consequently, the transaction was accounted for as a reverse merger with Energy
Venture being deemed the acquiring entity for financial accounting purposes.
Since the transaction involved the merger of a private company (Energy Venture)
into a public shell company, it was considered to be a capital transaction
rather than a business combination for financial accounting purposes. Thus, for
financial accounting and reporting purposes, the historical financial statements
of the Company prior to the effective date of the Energy Venture merger have
been restated to be those of Energy Venture.
Since the merger with Energy Venture, the Company has primarily been
involved in conducting business planning and capital-raising activities. The
Company intends to engage in the oil and natural gas industry either by making
acquisitions or by participating in strategic joint ventures. To date no
acquisitions have been made nor has the Company entered into any joint ventures.
Capital Resources. During 2006, we raised funds by issuances of our debt
and equity securities to pay current expenses and funds for our proposed
operations. From March through July 2006, the Company conducted a private
placement offering, pursuant to a Private Placement Memorandum, of the Notes
(the "Private Placement"). As a result of the Merger we were provided with
needed working capital in the form of a capital infusion of approximately
$1,500,000 from the Private Placement.
The Company repaid, on the Maturity Date, six (6) of the holders of the
Notes in the aggregate $424,637, of which $410,000 represented principal and
$14,637 represented accrued interest, with an additional $44,624 of interest to
be repaid as shares of common stock of the Company, which is in the aggregate
89,248 shares of the Company's common stock. The remaining holders of the Notes
have entered into an agreement with the Company whereby the Notes were amended.
The Maturity Date of the Notes was extended to February 28, 2008 and, from
September 1, 2007 until the Notes are paid in full, the interest rate accruing
on the principal was increased from 10% per annum to 12% per annum. In addition,
the Company agreed to issue to the remaining holders of the Notes in the
aggregate 218,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
On November 1, 2007, ABC sold $350,000 in convertible notes ("2007
Notes"). Investors in the 2007 Notes also received 200,000 shares of common
stock. The 2007 Notes have the following terms: each note matures October 31,
2008, a 10% interest rate payable in shares and a conversion rate of $ 0.35 per
share. If all $350,000 of notes are converted at maturity, then including
interest and the additional shares issued upon subscription, 1,300,004 shares
will have been issued.
Despite the Merger, if we are unable to raise additional capital from
conventional sources, including lines of credit and additional sales of
additional stock in the future, we may be forced to curtail or cease our
business operations. Even if we are able to continue our operations, the failure
to obtain sufficient financing could have a substantial adverse effect on our
business and financial results.
In the future, we may be required to seek additional capital by selling
debt or equity securities, curtailing operations, selling assets, or otherwise
be required to bring cash flows in balance when we approach a condition of cash
insufficiency. The sale of additional equity securities, if accomplished, may
result in dilution to our shareholders. We cannot assure you, however, that
financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Our inability to obtain sufficient financing will adversely affect our operating
results and prospects.
9
Our forecasted operating needs and funding requirements, as well as our
projected ability to obtain adequate financial resources, involve risks and
uncertainties, and actual results could vary as a result of a number of factors,
including the "Risk Factors" set forth above. The risks described therein are
not the only ones facing us and additional risks that we do not yet know of or
that we currently think are not material may also have an adverse effect on our
business operations. If any of the risks actually occur, our business could be
adversely affected as well as the value of our shares.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related notes requires us to
make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities. An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it
requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters
that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different
estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting
estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially
impact the financial statements.
Because of our limited level of operations, we have not had to make
material assumptions or estimates other than our assumption that we are a going
concern. If our business increases, our principal estimates will involve whether
engagements in process will be profitable.
Forward Looking Statements
ABC Funding, Inc. (referred to herein as "we" or the "Company") desires to
take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This report contains a number of forward-looking
statements that reflect management's current views and expectations with respect
to our business, strategies, future results and events and financial
performance. All statements made in this annual report other than statements of
historical fact, including statements that address operating performance, events
or developments that management expects or anticipates will or may occur in the
future, including statements related to future reserves, cash flows, revenues,
profitability, adequacy of funds from operations, statements expressing general
optimism about future operating results and non-historical information, are
forward-looking statements. In particular, the words "believe," "expect,"
"intend," " anticipate," "estimate," "may," "will," variations of such words and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the
exclusive means of identifying such statements and their absence does not mean
that the statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below. Our
actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from
historical results as well as those expressed in, anticipated or implied by
these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to revise
these forward-looking statements to reflect any future events or circumstances.
Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which are based on management's current expectations and projections
about future events, are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to
risks, uncertainties and assumptions (including those described below) and apply
only as of the date of this report. Our actual results, performance or
achievements could differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied
by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "--Risk
Factors" below as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report, and the
risks discussed in our press releases and other communications to shareholders
issued by us from time to time, which attempt to advise interested parties of
the risks and factors that may affect our business. We undertake no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
10
Risk Factors
The reader should carefully consider each of the risks described below. If
any of the following risks develop into actual events, our business, financial
condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected and
the trading price of our common stock could decline significantly.
Risk Factors of the Company
We are a company with limited operating history and very limited resources.
We have commenced business of a limited basis, and to date have been
engaged principally in organization, capital-raising activities and early
business development planning matters related primarily to making acquisitions
or participating in strategic joint ventures in the oil and natural gas
industry. To date no acquisitions have been made nor have any joint ventures
been entered into by the Company; in addition, we have had no revenues and
anticipate significant expenses relating to the development of our
infrastructure and business. Our prospects must be considered in light of the
risks, expenses, delays, problems and difficulties frequently encountered in the
establishment of a new business in the energy industry, given the volatile
nature of the energy markets. There can be assurance that the Company will
achieve its objective and business plan, or that it will be able to succeed in
achieving its objective and business plan. Given factors that are described
below, there exists a possibility that an investor could suffer a substantial
loss as a result of an investment in the Company.
Our common stock is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board. Our common stock is
not quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System or listed on a national
securities exchange. The NASDAQ National Market System and national securities
exchanges require companies to fulfill certain requirements in order for their
shares to be listed and to continue to be listed. The securities of a company
may be ineligible for listing or, if listed, may be considered for delisting if
the company fails to meet certain financial thresholds, including if the company
has sustained losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in recent
fiscal years. There can be no assurance that we will not report additional
losses in the future or that we will be able to list or have our common stock
quoted on the NASDAQ National Market or a national securities exchange. An
inability to list our common stock could adversely affect our ability to raise
capital in the future by issuing common stock or securities convertible into or
exercisable for our common stock.
Continuing losses may mean that additional funding may not be available on
acceptable terms, if at all. If adequate funds are unavailable from our
operations or additional sources of financing, we might be forced to reduce or
delay acquisitions or capital expenditures, sell assets, reduce operating
expenses, refinance all or a portion of our debt, or delay or reduce important
drilling or enhanced production initiatives.
In addition, in that instance, we may seek to raise any necessary
additional funds through equity or debt financings, convertible debt financing,
joint ventures with corporate partners or other sources, which may be dilutive
to our existing shareholders and may cause the price of our common stock to
decline.
11
Substantial doubt exists as to whether our Company can continue as a going
concern.
We have only generated nominal revenues since our inception and have no
current source of revenues. Our lack of revenues increases the likelihood that
the Company may be unable to continue as a going concern, particularly in the
event that it is unable to obtain additional financing and/or attain profitable
operations. The financial statements presented in this annual report do not
include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty
and if our Company cannot continue as a going concern, our shares could become
devalued or even worthless.
We have future capital needs and without adequate capital we may go out of
business.
Our growth and continued operations could be impaired by limitations on
our access to the capital markets or traditional secured sources of credit.
There is no assurance that capital will be available to us, or if available,
would be adequate for the long-range growth of our Company. If financing is
available, it may involve issuing securities senior to our shares or equity
financings which are dilutive to holders of our shares. In addition, in the
event we do not raise additional capital from conventional sources, such as our
existing investors or commercial banks, there is every likelihood that our
growth will be restricted and we may need to scale back or curtail implementing
our business plan. Even if we are successful in raising capital, we will likely
need to raise additional capital to continue and/or expand our operations. If we
do not raise the additional capital, the value of our shares may become
substantially devalued.
Management's decision to change the business focus of the Company from the
mortgage industry to the oil and natural gas industry could ultimately prove to
be unsuccessful, harming our business operations and prospects.
Management has changed the Company's business focus from the mortgage
industry to the oil and natural gas industry. Accordingly, a substantial portion
of our management's time will be directed toward the pursuit of identifying and
acquiring business opportunities in the oil and natural gas industry. There can
be no assurance that new management will be able to properly manage the
direction of the Company or that any ultimate change in the Company's business
focus will be successful. If new management fails to properly manage and direct
the Company, the Company may be forced to scale back or abandon its existing
operations, which will cause the value of our shares to decline.
A member of the Company's Board of Directors possesses significant control over
our operations based, in part, upon being our controlling stockholder, and
because of this he could choose a plan of action which could devalue our
outstanding securities.
Alan Gaines, a member of our Board of Directors, controls 49.6% of our
outstanding shares of capital stock as of the date hereof. Accordingly, Mr.
Gaines could significantly influence the Company on matters submitted to the
stockholders for approval. These matters include the election of directors,
mergers, consolidations, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and
also the power to prevent or cause a change in control. This amount of control
gives Mr. Gaines virtually limitless ability to determine the future of our
Company, and as such, he could unilaterally elect to close the business, change
the business plan or make any number of other major business decisions without
the approval of other stockholders. This control may eventually make the value
of our shares worthless.
Conflicts of interest for a member of our Board of Directors may exist with
regards to his obligations to the Company and his obligations to businesses in
which he continues to own interests and manage.
Alan Gaines, a member of our Board of Directors, also serves as an
executive officer and director of each of Dune Energy, Inc. and Baseline Oil &
Gas Corp., public companies also engaged in the oil and gas industry. Mr. Gaines
is required to devote his time (and in the case of Dune Energy, Inc.,
12
substantially all of his business time as provided in his employment agreement)
to the business and affairs of each of these entities, and his responsibilities
to these other entities may have the effect of diverting his time and attention
that he might have otherwise had available to devote solely to the business and
operations of our Company. There can be no guarantee that Mr. Gaines will be
able to devote adequate time to the affairs of the Company given his fiduciary
and contractual obligations to Dune Energy, Inc. and Baseline Oil & Gas Corp.
In addition, our officers and directors are be subject to the certain
duties imposed on them under the Nevada law, including a general requirement
that opportunities which come to their attention may be considered opportunities
that should be made available to our Company as well as the companies that they
may be affiliated with on an equal basis. A breach of this requirement will be a
breach of the fiduciary duties of the officer and director. If our Company or
any of the other companies with which any of our officers or directors is
affiliated both desire to take advantage of an opportunity, then those officers
and directors would abstain from negotiating and voting upon the business
opportunity. Even in the event these procedures are followed, we cannot assure
you that conflicts of interests among us, our officers and directors, and such
other companies will not develop.
We have not and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock,
because of this our securities could face devaluation in the market
We have paid no cash dividends on our common stock to date and it is not
anticipated that any cash dividends will be paid to holders of our common stock
in the foreseeable future. While our dividend policy will be based on the
operating results and capital needs of the business, it is anticipated that any
earnings will be retained to finance our future expansion. As an investor, you
should take note of the fact that a lack of a dividend can further affect the
market value of our stock, and could significantly affect the value of any
investment in our Company.
Notwithstanding our financial position, we will continue to incur significant
increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management
will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance requirements.
In January 2006, we registered our common stock under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and thereby became subject to the reporting
requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, together with rules implemented by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable market regulators. These rules
impose various requirements on public companies, including requiring certain
corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel will need to
devote a substantial amount of time to these new compliance requirements.
Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial
compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly.
In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we
maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures. In particular, for fiscal years ending on or after
December 15, 2007, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of
our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on
the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, as required
by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For fiscal years ending on or after
December 15, 2008, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of
our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management and our
independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of
our internal controls over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our testing, or the subsequent testing by our
independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our
13
internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material
weaknesses. Compliance with Section 404 may require that we incur substantial
accounting expense and expend significant management efforts. If we are not able
to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or if our
independent registered public accounting firm later identifies deficiencies in
our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material
weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject
to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other applicable regulatory
authorities.
Our articles of incorporation provide for indemnification of officers and
directors at our expense and limit their liability.
Our articles of incorporation and applicable Nevada law provide for the
indemnification of our directors, officers, employees, and agents, under certain
circumstances, against attorney's fees and other expenses incurred by them in
any litigation to which they become a party arising from their association with
or activities on behalf of the Company. We will also bear the expenses of such
litigation for any of our directors, officers, employees, or agents, upon such
person's promise to repay us therefor if it is ultimately determined that any
such person shall not have been entitled to indemnification. This
indemnification policy could result in substantial expenditures by us which we
will be unable to recoup.
We have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, this type of
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against these types of liabilities, other than the payment by us
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding, is asserted by a director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, we will (unless in the opinion of our counsel, the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent) submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction,
the question whether indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue
preferred stock with terms that may not be beneficial to common stock holders
and with the ability to adversely affect stockholder voting power and perpetuate
the board's control over the Company.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $ 0.001 per share.
The specific terms of the preferred stock have not been determined,
including: designations; preferences; conversions rights; cumulative, relative;
participating; and optional or other rights, including: voting rights;
qualifications; limitations; or restrictions of the preferred stock.
The board of directors is entitled to authorize the issuance of up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series with such limitations
and restrictions as may be determined in its sole discretion, with no further
authorization by security holders required for the issuance thereof.
The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power
and other rights of the holders of common stock. Preferred stock may be issued
quickly with terms calculated to discourage, make more difficult, delay or
prevent a change in control of our Company or make removal of management more
difficult. As a result, the board of directors' ability to issue preferred stock
may discourage the potential hostile acquirer, possibly resulting in beneficial
negotiations. Negotiating with an unfriendly acquirer may result in, among other
things, terms more favorable to us and our stockholders. Conversely, the
issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect any market price of, and the
voting and other rights of the holders of the common stock. We presently have no
plans to issue any preferred stock.
14
Oil and Natural Gas Prices are Volatile.
If any of the projects we participate in are successful, the prices we
receive for future oil and natural gas production will heavily influence our
revenue, profitability, access to capital and rate of growth. Oil and natural
gas are commodities and their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in
response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand or global
macroeconomic disruptions. Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas
have been volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in the
future. The prices we may receive for any future production, and the levels of
this production, depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors
include the following:
o changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas;
o the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or
OPEC;
o the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas in
the U.S.;
o political conditions, including embargoes, which affect other
oil-producing activities;
o the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production
activity;
o the level of global oil and natural gas inventories;
o weather conditions affecting energy consumption;
o technological advances affecting energy consumption; and
o the price and availability of alternative fuels.
Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues on a
per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can
produce economically. Lower prices will also negatively impact the value of our
proved reserves. A substantial or extended decline in oil or natural gas prices
may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition,
results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital
expenditures.
Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense.
We intend to operate in a highly competitive environment for developing
properties, marketing of oil and natural gas and securing trained personnel.
Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel
resources substantially greater than ours, which can be particularly important
in the areas in which we operate. Those companies may be able to pay more for
productive oil and natural gas properties and prospects and to evaluate, bid for
and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or
personnel resources permit. Our ability to acquire additional prospects and to
find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate
and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly
competitive environment. In addition, there is substantial competition for
capital available for investment in the oil and natural gas industry. We may not
be able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring prospective reserves,
developing reserves, marketing oil and natural gas, attracting and retaining
quality personnel and raising additional capital.
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with
many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition
or results of operations.
Our future success will depend on the success of our exploitation,
exploration, development and production activities. Our oil and natural gas
exploration and production activities will be subject to numerous risks beyond
our control, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially
viable oil or natural gas production. Our decisions to purchase, explore,
develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the
evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses,
15
production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often
inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. The costs associated with
drilling, completing and operating wells are often uncertain before drilling
commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a
particular project uneconomical. Further, many factors may curtail, delay or
cancel drilling, including the following:
o delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory
requirements;
o pressure or irregularities in geological formations;
o shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment and qualified
personnel;
o equipment failures or accidents;
o adverse weather conditions;
o reductions in oil and natural gas prices;
o oil and natural gas property title problems; and
o market limitations for oil and natural gas.
Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in
commercially viable quantities.
There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any
particular prospect will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to
recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. The use of
seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the
same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil
or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will
be present in commercial quantities. We cannot assure you that the analogies we
draw from available data from other wells, more fully explored prospects or
producing fields will be applicable to our drilling prospects.
We may incur substantial losses and be subject to substantial liability claims
as a result of our oil and natural gas operations.
We are not insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities arising from
uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect our
business, financial condition or results of operations. Our oil and natural gas
exploration and production activities will be subject to all of the operating
risks associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including
the possibility of:
o environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable flows of oil, natural
gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution into the
environment, including groundwater and shoreline contamination;
o abnormally pressured formations;
o mechanical difficulties, such as stuck oil field drilling and
service tools and casing collapses;
o fires and explosions;
o personal injuries and death; and
o natural disasters.
Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct
operations or result in substantial losses to the Company. We may elect not to
obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive
relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks
generally are not fully insurable. If a significant accident or other event
occurs and is not fully covered by insurance, then that accident or other event
could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash
flows.
16
We may not have enough insurance to cover all of the risks that we face.
In accordance with customary industry practices, we will maintain
insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses in order to
protect against the risks we face. We do not carry business interruption
insurance. We may elect not to carry insurance if our management believes that
the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In
addition, we cannot insure fully against pollution and environmental risks. The
occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations may cause us to incur substantial liabilities for failure to
comply with environmental laws and regulations.
Our oil and natural gas operations will be subject to stringent federal,
state and local laws and regulations relating to the release or disposal of
materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental
protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit
before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities and concentration of
substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling
and production activities, limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain
lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas, and impose
substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. Failure to
comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of
administrative, civil and criminal penalties, incurrence of investigatory or
remedial obligations or the imposition of injunctive relief. Changes in
environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result
in more stringent or costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or
cleanup requirements could require us to make significant expenditures to
maintain compliance, and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations, competitive position or financial condition as well as
the industry in general. Under these environmental laws and regulations, we
could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously
released materials or property contamination regardless of whether we were
responsible for the release or if our operations were standard in the industry
at the time they were performed.
If our access to markets is restricted, it could negatively impact our
production, our income and ultimately our ability to retain our leases.
Market conditions or the unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural
gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to oil and natural gas
markets or delay our production. The availability of a ready market for our oil
and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand
for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines
and terminal facilities. Our ability to market our production depends in
substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems,
pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Our
failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms could materially harm our
business.
Our productive properties may be located in areas with limited or no
access to pipelines, thereby necessitating delivery by other means, such as
trucking, or requiring compression facilities. Such restrictions on our ability
to sell our oil or natural gas could have several adverse affects, including
higher transportation costs, fewer potential purchasers (thereby potentially
resulting in a lower selling price) or, in the event we were unable to market
and sustain production from a particular lease for an extended time, possibly
causing us to lose a lease due to lack of production.