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EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - TRANS ENERGY INCd284977dex311.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - TRANS ENERGY INCd284977dex322.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - TRANS ENERGY INCd284977dex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - TRANS ENERGY INCd284977dex312.htm
10-K - 10-K - TRANS ENERGY INCd284977d10k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

March 15, 2012

Trans Energy, Inc.

210 Second Street

St. Marys, WV 26170

Attention: Mr. John Corp

SUBJECT:     Evaluation of Oil and Gas Reserves

      To the Interests of Trans Energy, Inc.

      In Certain Properties Located in West Virginia

      Pursuant to the Requirements of the

      Securities and Exchange Commission

      Effective January 1, 2012

      Job 11.1364

At the request of Trans Energy, Inc. (Trans Energy), Wright & Company, Inc. (Wright) has performed an evaluation to estimate proved reserves and associated cash flow and economics from certain properties to the subject interests. This evaluation was authorized by Mr. John Corp of Trans Energy. Projections of the reserves and cash flow to the evaluated interests were based on specified economic parameters, operating conditions, and government regulations considered applicable at the effective date. This reserves evaluation is pursuant to the financial reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as specified in Regulation S-X, Rule 4-10(a) and Regulation S-K, Rule 1202(a)(8). It is the understanding of Wright that the purpose of this evaluation is for inclusion in relevant registration statements or other filings to the SEC. The effective date of this report is January 1, 2012. The report was completed March 15, 2012. The following is a summary of the results of the evaluation.

 

Trans Energy, Inc.

SEC Parameters

   Proved Developed      Total Proved
Developed
(PDP & PDNP)
     Proved
Undeveloped
(PUD)
     Total Proved
(PDP, PDNP
& PUD)
 
   Producing
(PDP)
     Nonproducing
(PDNP)
          

Net Reserves to the Evaluated Interests

              

Oil, Mbbl:

     163.316         0.000         163.316         0.590         163.906   

Gas, MMcf:

     16,695.133         0.000         16,695.133         679.280         17,374.412   

NGL, Mbbl:

     559.389         0.000         559.389         33.209         592.598   

Gas Equivalent, MMcfe:

     21,031.363         0.000         21,031.363         882.074         21,913.436   

(1 bbl = 6 Mcfe)

              

Cash Flow (BTAX), M$

     85,523.648         0.000         85,523.648         3,557.515         89,081.172   

Undiscounted:

              

Discounted at 10% Per Annum:

     39,815.098         0.000         39,815.098         1,437.817         41,252.910   

It should be noted that some minor differences might exist between the total summaries and the table totals due to rounding techniques in the ARIESTM petroleum software program.


Mr. John Corp

Trans Energy, Inc.

March 15, 2012

Page 2

The properties evaluated in this report are located in the state of West Virginia. According to Trans Energy, the total proved reserves included in this evaluation represent 100 percent of the reported total proved reserves of Trans Energy.

Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations. As specified by the SEC regulations, when calculating economic producibility, the base product price must be the 12-month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the prior 12-month period. The benchmark base prices used for this evaluation were $89.73 per barrel for Ergon West Virginia Tier II oil and $4.243 per Million British thermal units (MMBtu) for natural gas at Dominion South Point, Appalachia. These benchmark base prices were adjusted for energy content, quality, and basis differential, as appropriate. For the Marcellus Shale properties, the oil price (condensate) was estimated to be approximately 65 percent of the base oil price, resulting in an average adjusted price of $58.32 per barrel. The average adjusted product prices used to estimate proved reserves are $89.23 per barrel of oil and $4.65 per Mcf of gas. The Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) product price was estimated to be approximately 54 percent of the base oil price, resulting in an average adjusted price of $48.65 per barrel. Prices for oil and gas were held constant for the life of the properties.

Oil and other liquid hydrocarbon volumes are expressed in thousands of United States (U.S.) barrels (Mbbl), one barrel equaling 42 U.S. gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of standard cubic feet (MMcf) at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and at the legal pressure base that prevails in the state in which the reserves are located. No adjustment of the individual gas volumes to a common pressure base has been made.

Net income to the evaluated interests is the cash flow after consideration of royalty revenue payable to others, standard state and county taxes, operating expenses, and investments, as applicable. The cash flow is before federal income tax (BTAX) and excludes consideration of any encumbrances against the properties if such exist. The Cash Flow (BTAX) was discounted at an annual rate of 10.00 percent (PCT) in accordance with the reporting requirements of the SEC.

The estimates of reserves contained in this report were determined by accepted industry methods, and the procedures used in this evaluation are appropriate for the purpose served by the report. Where sufficient production history and other data were available, reserves for producing properties were determined by extrapolation of historical production or sales trends. Analogy to similar producing properties was used for development projects and for those properties that lacked sufficient production history to yield a definitive estimate of reserves. When appropriate, Wright may have also utilized volumetric calculations and log correlations in the determination of estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). These calculations are often based upon limited log and/or core analysis data and incomplete formation fluid and rock data. Since these limited data must frequently be extrapolated over an assumed drainage area, subsequent production performance trends or material balance calculations may cause the need for significant revisions to the estimates of reserves. Wright has used all methods and procedures as it considered necessary under the circumstances to prepare this report.

Oil and gas reserves were evaluated for the proved developed producing (PDP), proved developed nonproducing (PDNP), and proved undeveloped (PUD) reserves categories. The summary classification of total proved developed reserves combines the PDP and PDNP categories. In preparing


Mr. John Corp

Trans Energy, Inc.

March 15, 2012

Page 3

 

this evaluation, no attempt has been made to quantify the element of uncertainty associated with any category. Reserves were assigned to each category as warranted. Wright is not aware of any local, state, or federal regulations that would preclude Trans Energy from continuing to produce from currently active wells or to fully develop those properties included in this report.

There are significant uncertainties inherent in estimating reserves, future rates of production, and the timing and amount of future costs. The estimation of oil and gas reserves must be recognized as a subjective process that cannot be measured in an exact way, and estimates of others might differ materially from those of Wright. The accuracy of any reserves estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of subjective interpretations and judgments. It should be emphasized that production data subsequent to the date of these estimates or changes in the analogous properties may warrant revisions of such estimates. Accordingly, reserves estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered.

All data utilized in the preparation of this report were provided by Trans Energy. No inspection of the properties was made as this was not considered to be within the scope of this evaluation. Wright has not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of information and data furnished by Trans Energy with respect to ownership interests, oil and gas production or sales, historical costs of operation and development, product prices, or agreements relating to current and future operations and sales of production. Wright requested and received detailed information allowing Wright to check and confirm any calculations provided by Trans Energy with regard to product pricing, appropriate adjustments, lease operating expenses, and capital investments. Furthermore, if in the course of Wright’s examination something came to our attention that brought into question the validity or sufficiency of any information or data, Wright did not rely on such information or data until we had satisfactorily resolved our questions relating thereto or independently verified such information or data. In accordance with the requirements of the SEC, all operating costs were held constant for the life of the properties.

It should be noted that no abandonment costs were included in the economic parameters in accordance with the instructions of Trans Energy. It was assumed that the cost to abandon the property would be directly offset by the salvage value. Wright has not performed a detailed study of the abandonment costs or the salvage values and offers no opinion as to Trans Energy’s assumptions.

Wright is not aware of any potential environmental liabilities that may exist concerning the properties evaluated. There are no costs included in this evaluation for potential property restoration, liability, or clean up of damages, if any, that may be necessary due to past or future operating practices.

Wright is an independent petroleum consulting firm founded in 1988 and owns no interests in the oil and gas properties covered by this report. No employee, officer, or director of Wright is an employee, officer, or director of Trans Energy, nor does Wright or any of its employees have direct financial interest in Trans Energy. Neither the employment of nor the compensation received by Wright is contingent upon the values assigned or the opinions rendered regarding the properties covered by this report.

This report is prepared for the information of Trans Energy, its shareholders, and for the information and assistance of its independent public accountants in connection with their review of and report upon the financial statements of Trans Energy, and for reporting disclosures as required by the SEC. This report is also intended for public disclosure as an exhibit in filings made to the SEC by Trans Energy.


Mr. John Corp

Trans Energy, Inc.

March 15, 2012

Page 4

 

Based on data and information provided by Trans Energy, and the specified economic parameters, operating conditions, and government regulations considered applicable at the effective date, it is Wright’s conclusion that this report provides a fair and accurate representation of the oil and gas reserves to the interests of Trans Energy in those certain properties included in this report.

The professional qualifications of the petroleum consultants responsible for the evaluation of the reserves and economics information presented in this report meet the standards of Reserves Estimator as defined in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information as promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

It has been a pleasure to serve you by preparing this evaluation. All related data will be retained in our files and are available for your review.

 

Very truly yours,
Wright & Company, Inc.
By:   \S\ D. Randall Wright
  D. Randall Wright
  President

DRW/RS/CMF/ts

3_SEC Letter – Trans Energy

Job 11.1364