UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004
Commission file number 000-24971
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 95-4079863 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960
Houston, Texas 77098
(Address of principal executive offices)
(713) 960-1901
(Issuers telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Common Stock, Par Value $0.04 per share | American Stock Exchange |
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the average bid and asked price of such common equity at the close of business on September 15, 2004, was $48,054,646. As of September 15, 2004, there were 12,977,366 shares of the issuers common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III have been omitted from this report since registrant will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year, a definitive proxy statement, pursuant to Regulation 14A. The information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this report, which will appear in the definitive proxy statement, is incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements made in this Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words and phrases should be, will be, believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, forecast, goal and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express our expectations about future events. These include such matters as:
| | Our financial position |
| | Business strategy and budgets |
| | Anticipated capital expenditures |
| | Drilling of wells |
| | Natural gas and oil reserves |
| | Timing and amount of future production of natural gas and oil |
| | Operating costs and other expenses |
| | Cash flow and anticipated liquidity |
| | Prospect development |
| | Property acquisitions and sales |
| | Hedging results |
| | Development and financing of our LNG receiving terminal |
Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will occur. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from actual future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include among others:
| | Low and/or declining prices for natural gas and oil |
| | Natural gas and oil price volatility |
| | The risks associated with exploration, including cost overruns and the drilling of non-economic wells or dry holes |
| | Availability of capital and the ability to repay indebtedness when due |
| | Ability to raise capital to fund capital expenditures |
| | The ability to find, acquire, market, develop and produce new natural gas and oil properties |
| | Uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures |
| | Operating hazards attendant to the natural gas and oil business |
| | Downhole drilling and completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance |
| | Potential mechanical failure or under-performance of significant wells or pipeline mishaps |
| | Weather |
| | Availability and cost of material and equipment |
| | Delays in anticipated start-up dates |
| | Actions or inactions of third-party operators of our properties |
| | Ability to find and retain skilled personnel |
| | Strength and financial resources of competitors |
| | Federal and state regulatory developments and approvals |
| | Environmental risks |
ii
| | Worldwide economic conditions |
| | Operational and financial risks associated with foreign exploration and production |
| | Ability of LNG to become a competitive energy supply in the United States |
| | Ability to fund our LNG project, cost overruns and third party performance |
You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K, as they speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See the information under the heading Risk Factors in this Form 10-K for some of the important factors that could affect our financial performance or could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates contained in forward-looking statements.
iii
All references in this Form 10-K to the company, Contango, we, us or our are to Contango Oil & Gas Company and Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise noted, all information in this Form 10-K relating to natural gas and oil reserves and the estimated future net cash flows attributable to those reserves are based on estimates prepared by independent engineers and are net to our interest.
General information about us can be found on our Website at www.contango.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our Website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We are an independent natural gas and oil company engaged in the exploration, production and acquisition of natural gas and oil in the United States, both onshore Gulf Coast and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Our primary source of natural gas and oil production currently is in south Texas. We also own a 10% partnership interest in Freeport LNG Development, L.P., which is developing a 1.5 Bcf per day LNG receiving terminal in Freeport, Texas, and have a 32% interest in Contango Capital Partnership Management, LLC, which was formed to invest in the alternative energy venture capital market.
As of June 30, 2004, we owned approximately 17.4 Bcfe of total proved reserves, compared to 23.6 Bcfe as of June 30, 2003. As of June 30, 2004 and 2003, approximately 99% and 97% of total proved reserves, respectively, were classified as proved developed producing. The pre-tax net present value of our total proved reserves prepared in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) guidelines as of June 30, 2004 was approximately $59.8 million, compared to $69.6 million as of June 30, 2003.
Total revenues and EBITDAX for the year ended June 30, 2004 were $27.7 million and $29.0 million, respectively. For the year ended June 30, 2003, total revenues and EBITDAX were $28.2 million and $20.9 million, respectively. We define EBITDAX as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairment expense and expensed exploration expenditures, including gains (losses) from hedging activities, and sale of assets and other. See Item 6. Selected Financial Data for more information about the calculation of EBITDAX and its uses. Average net daily production for the year ended June 30, 2004 was 11.8 MMcf of natural gas and 272 barrels of oil per day, compared to 16.5 MMcf of natural gas and 380 barrels of oil per day for the year ended June 30, 2003.
Our exploration strategy is predicated upon two core beliefs: (1) that the only competitive advantage in the commodity-based natural gas and oil business is to be among the lowest cost producers and (2) that virtually all the exploration and production industrys value creation occurs through the drilling of successful exploratory wells. As a result, our business strategy includes the following elements:
Funding exploration prospects developed by our alliance partners. Because we only have four employees, we depend on alliance partners for exploration, development and production expertise. Our four alliance partners, Juneau Exploration, L.P. (JEX), Alta Resources, LLC, Ameritex Minerals and Exploration, Ltd. and Coastline Exploration, Inc. perform all of our prospect generation and evaluation functions.
1
Negotiated acquisitions of proved properties. We continue to seek negotiated producing property acquisitions based on our view of the pricing cycles of natural gas and oil and available exploitation opportunities of probable and possible reserves. Since January 1, 2002, we have acquired approximately 14.0 Bcfe of proved developed producing reserves of natural gas and oil for approximately $26.0 million.
Sale of proved properties. From time-to-time as part of our business strategy, we may sell some or a substantial portion of our proved reserves to capture current value, using the sales proceeds to further our exploration activities. In July 2003, we sold producing properties consisting of 10 wells in south Texas for $5.0 million. In December 2003, Contango and its 33%-owned subsidiary, Republic Exploration LLC, sold all of their then producing Gulf of Mexico leases for approximately $12.0 million.
Controlling general and administrative and geological and geophysical costs. Our goal is to be among the highest in the industry in revenue and profit per employee and among the lowest in general and administrative costs. We plan to continue outsourcing our geological, geophysical, reservoir engineering and land functions, and partnering with cost efficient operators whenever possible. We have four employees.
Structuring transactions to minimize front-end investments. We seek to maximize returns on capital by minimizing our up-front investments in acreage, seismic data and prospect generation whenever possible. We want our partners to share in both the risk and the reward of our success.
Diversified energy investments. While our core focus is the domestic exploration and production business, we will continue to seek opportunities that may include foreign exploration prospects or investments related to new and developing energy sources such as LNG and alternative energy (see below).
Structuring incentives to drive behavior. We believe that equity ownership aligns the interests of our partners, employees, and stockholders. Our directors and executive officers beneficially own approximately 22% of our common stock. In addition, our alliance partners co-invest in prospects that they recommend to us.
Exploration Alliances with JEX, Alta Resources, Ameritex and Coastline
Alliance with JEX. JEX was our first alliance partner. Under our agreement with JEX, JEX generates natural gas and oil prospects and evaluates exploration prospects generated by others. In exchange, we have committed, within various parameters, to invest along with JEX up to 95% of the available working interest in the recommended prospects. In the Gulf of Mexico, JEX brings offshore exploration prospects directly to our affiliated companies, Republic Exploration, LLC and Contango Offshore Exploration, LLC (see Offshore Gulf of Mexico Exploration Joint Ventures below).
If JEX recommends an onshore prospect to Contango, we pay the lease and seismic costs, and JEX generally pays the remaining costs of generating and preparing a prospect to drill ready status. When drilling begins on a prospect, we are obligated to assign to the JEX geoscientists an overriding royalty interest equal to 3 1/3% of our working interest in the prospect. In addition, when our revenues from prospects we invest in under the agreement, net of taxes, royalties and other expenses equals our capital expenditure related to the exploration and development of the prospects on a well-by-well basis, JEX is entitled to an assignment of 25% of our working interest in the well.
We may terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice, and JEX may terminate the agreement upon 180 days notice. If we are in default under the agreement, however, JEX may terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice.
Offshore prospects are typically generated by our partially owned subsidiaries, Republic Exploration LLC and Contango Offshore Exploration LLC. JEX is the managing partner of both entities. See Offshore Gulf of Mexico Exploration Joint Ventures below.
2
Alliance with Alta Resources. Alta Resources is a private company formed for the purpose of assembling domestic, onshore natural gas and oil prospects. Our arrangement with Alta Resources generally provides for us to pay our share of seismic and lease costs, with Alta Resources generally receiving a negotiated overriding royalty interest and a carried or back-in working interest.
Alliance with Ameritex. In February 2004, we entered into an exploration agreement with Ameritex, a privately held San Antonio based prospect generation and exploration company. Our participation percentage is typically a 33.3% working interest, with Ameritex being carried to casing point. Ameritexs activities are concentrated on the generation of exploration opportunities utilizing 3-D seismic technology. The annual G&G cost to Contango for this prospect generation effort is approximately $80,000 per year.
Alliance with Coastline. Coastline is a private company engaged in domestic, onshore natural gas and oil exploration and production. In late 2003, we entered into our original agreement with Coastline to explore for and develop natural gas and oil prospects in Kenedy County, Texas. Our arrangement with Coastline generally provides for us to pay all leasehold costs, with Coastline generally receiving a negotiated overriding royalty interest and a carried working interest to casing point.
Domestic Onshore Exploration and Properties
JEX Activities
JEX was our first alliance partner. Between May 2000 and March 2004, we drilled 49 wells with JEX on our south Texas properties in Jim Hogg and Brooks Cos., Texas, resulting in 34 successes. We have no further drilling plans on this acreage.
While JEX continues a limited onshore exploration effort for us, JEXs principle activity is the exploration management of our affiliated offshore Gulf of Mexico exploration companies. See Offshore Gulf of Mexico Exploration and Joint Ventures.
Alta Resources Activities
In October 2003, Contango and Alta Resources completed a 3-D seismic shoot covering approximately 40 square miles in southern Duval County, Texas. The net cost to us was approximately $1.7 million. Two Queen City prospects have been successfully drilled and commenced production in September 2004. Two additional shallow prospects have been identified and are expected to be drilled prior to calendar year end 2004.
We recently participated with Alta Resources in an unsuccessful exploratory Frio well located in Matagorda County, Texas. The dry hole cost was approximately $1.4 million, of which our share was $0.7 million.
We are currently participating with Alta in an exploratory Queen City well in Jim Hogg County, Texas. Our 45% share of the dry hole cost is estimated at $0.4 million. In addition, we have agreed to participate in an exploratory well in Bandera County, Texas. We expect to drill this prospect by mid-year 2005. Our 50% share of the dry hole cost is estimated at $0.6 million.
Ameritex Activities
In February 2004, we entered into an exploration agreement with Ameritex. Ameritex has currently identified eight prospect areas. Amertiex has successfully drilled an 11,400-foot Wilcox test in one prospect area in Zapata County, Texas. We have a 14% net revenue interest in this well. Another Wilcox test is planned for a second prospect area in Zapata County, Texas next year. Our 18.8% share of the dry hole cost is estimated at approximately $0.8 million. Prospect generation is continuing on identified prospect areas.
3
Coastline Activities
In September 2004, we entered into an agreement with Coastline to generate prospects in Jim Hogg County, Texas using available 3-D seismic data. Contango has agreed to reimburse Coastline $100,000 for geological and geophysical costs. If drillable prospects are identified, we will pay all of the prospect leasehold costs and carry Coastline on a portion of the drilling costs on a specified number of wells. In addition, Coastline will receive an overriding royalty interest.
International Onshore Exploration and Properties
In March 2004, Contango and Texas Petroleum Investment Company agreed to pursue an oil exploration prospect in the Aquitaine Basin in southwestern France. The initial well was drilled to approximately 10,500 feet and was a dry hole. The cost of this well was approximately $4.0 million, with Contangos 20% dry hole cost of $0.8 million. We have no future plans in France.
Offshore Gulf of Mexico Exploration Joint Ventures
Contango directly and through affiliated companies conducts exploration activities in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, Contango and its affiliates have interests in 42 offshore leases. See Offshore Properties below for additional information on our offshore properties.
Contango owns an equity interest in Republic Exploration and Contango Offshore Exploration, formed for the purpose of generating exploration opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico. These companies have collectively licensed approximately 4,000 blocks of 3-D seismic data and have focused on identifying prospects, acquiring leases at federal and state lease sales and then selling the prospects to third parties, subject to timed drilling obligations plus retained reversionary interests in favor of Republic Exploration and Contango Offshore Exploration. In the future, Contango may choose to take a direct working interest in some of these prospects under the same arms-length terms available to industry partners. JEX is the managing member of Republic Exploration and Contango Offshore Exploration.
Republic Exploration LLC. Contango invested approximately $6.7 million in Republic Exploration in August 2000 for a 33.3% ownership interest. The other members of Republic Exploration are JEX, its managing member, and a privately held seismic company. Both have comprehensive offshore experience. Republic Exploration holds a non-exclusive license to approximately 1,700 blocks of 3-D seismic data in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This data is used to identify, acquire and exploit natural gas and oil prospects. All leases owned by Republic Exploration are subject to a 3.3% overriding royalty interest in favor of the JEX exploration team. See Offshore Properties below for more information on Republic Explorations offshore properties.
Contango Offshore Exploration LLC. Contango purchased a 66.7% interest in Contango Offshore Exploration in September 2002. JEX is the only other member and acts as the managing member. Contango Offshore Explorations activities will be focused on identifying and purchasing prospects in the Gulf of Mexico and selling them to third parties, retaining a reversionary interest. Contango Offshore Exploration has invested approximately $13.6 million to acquire and reprocess 2,294 blocks of 3-D seismic data and to acquire leases in the Gulf of Mexico. All leases will be subject to a 3.3% overriding royalty interest in favor of the JEX exploration team. See Offshore Properties below for additional information on Contango Offshore Explorations properties.
Current Activities. On March 17, 2004, Republic Exploration and Contango Offshore Exploration bid on 37 blocks offered at the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale #190 held in New Orleans and were awarded 24 blocks. Each of these blocks is located on the shelf of the Gulf of Mexico in water depths of less than 200 meters. Contango currently own interests, both directly and indirectly through its affiliates, in 42 federal lease blocks in the Gulf of Mexico.
4
In May 2003, Contango and Republic Exploration farmed out Eugene Island 113B. This well is currently drilling. Republic Exploration and Contango Offshore Exploration recently farmed out five lease blocks, Vermilion 73, West Cameron 174, Eugene Island 76, Vermilion 154 and Main Pass 221. An exploratory well to test a deep sand on Vermilion 73 was unsuccessfully drilled earlier this year. A shallower formation is expected to be drilled later this year. West Cameron 174, Eugene Island 76 and Main Pass 221 are expected to be drilled in the 2004-2005 timeframe. A timetable for drilling Vermilion 154 has not been determined at this time. Republic Exploration has sold the NE/4 of West Cameron 133. The remainder is available for farm-out. Contango Offshore Exploration has granted seismic options on East Breaks 369 and 370.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has implemented a rule on royalty relief for shallow water, deep natural gas production from certain Gulf of Mexico leases. Deep shelf gas refers to natural gas produced from depths greater than 15,000 feet in waters of 200 meters or less. Royalty relief is available on the first 15 Bcf of natural gas production if produced from an interval between 15,000 to less than 18,000 feet. Royalty relief is available on the first 25 Bcf of natural gas production if produced from well depths greater than 18,000 feet. This royalty relief is expected to have a positive impact on the economics of deep gas wells drilled on the shelf of the Gulf of Mexico.
The following table sets forth the interests owned by Contango and related entities in the Gulf of Mexico as of September 15, 2004:
| Area/Block |
WI |
NRI |
Acquired |
Status | ||||||
| Contango Oil & Gas Company: |
||||||||||
| Brazos 436 |
13.6 | % | 10.8 | % | Jul-00 | Sold | ||||
| East Cameron 107 |
33.8 | % | 27.0 | % | May-01 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Eugene Island 113B |
(2 | ) | (2 | ) | May-01 | Farmed-out, drilling |
| Area/Block |
WI |
NRI |
Acquired |
Status | ||||||
| Republic Exploration (1): |
||||||||||
| East Cameron 107 |
66.2 | % | 53.0 | % | May-01 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Eugene Island 113B |
(2 | ) | (2 | ) | May-01 | Farmed-out, drilling | ||||
| West Delta 36 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-02 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Vermilion 73 |
(3 | ) | (3 | ) | Jul-02 | Farmed-out; drilling expected 4Q2004 | ||||
| West Cameron 174 |
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | Jun-03 | Farmed out; drilling expected 1Q2005 | ||||
| High Island 113 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Sep-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| South Timbalier 191 |
50.0 | % | 40.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Vermilion 36 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Vermilion 109 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Vermilion 134 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Cameron 179 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Cameron 185 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Cameron 200 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Delta 18 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Delta 33 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Delta 34 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Delta 43 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Ship Shoal 220 |
50.0 | % | 40.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| South Timbalier 240 |
50.0 | % | 40.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Eugene Island 76 |
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | Jul-04 | Farmed out; drilling expected 1Q2005 | ||||
| South Marsh Island 247 |
(5 | ) | (5 | ) | Jul-04 | Subject to farm-out option | ||||
| Vermilion 130 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jul-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Cameron 80 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jul-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| West Cameron 133 |
(6 | ) | (6 | ) | May-04 | NE/4 sold, remainder available for farm-out | ||||
| West Cameron 167 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jul-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Vermilion 154 |
(7 | ) | (7 | ) | Jul-04 | Farmed out; drilling schedule undetermined |
5
| Area/Block |
WI |
NRI |
Acquired |
Status | ||||||
| Contango Offshore Exploration (1): |
||||||||||
| Vermilion 231 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Viosca Knoll 167 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | May-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Eugene Island 209 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jun-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Viosca Knoll 161 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jun-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| High Island A16 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Nov-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| East Breaks 283 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Nov-03 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| East Breaks 369 |
(8 | ) | (8 | ) | Nov-03 | Subject to seismic option | ||||
| East Breaks 370 |
(8 | ) | (8 | ) | Nov-03 | Subject to seismic option | ||||
| South Timbalier 191 |
50.0 | % | 40.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Grand Isle 63 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jun-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Grand Isle 72 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jun-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Grand Isle 73 |
100.0 | % | 80.0 | % | Jun-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| Ship Shoal 220 |
50.0 | % | 40.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||
| South Timbalier 240 |
50.0 | % | 40.0 | % | May-04 | Available for farm-out | ||||