Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - ROYALE ENERGY FUNDS, INCFinancial_Report.xls
EX-31.1 - ROYALE ENERGY FUNDS, INCex31-1.htm
EX-32.2 - ROYALE ENERGY FUNDS, INCex32-2.htm
EX-31.2 - ROYALE ENERGY FUNDS, INCex31-2.htm
EX-32.1 - ROYALE ENERGY FUNDS, INCex32-1.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 

 
FORM 10-Q
 

 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2013
Commission File No. 000-22750
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
California
33-0224120
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

7676 Hazard Center Drive, Suite 1500
San Diego, CA 92108
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
619-881-2800
(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 Exchange Act during the past 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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).              Yes x     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer  (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Check one:
 
Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer  o
Non-accelerated filer  o
Smaller reporting company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a blank check company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                  Yes  o    No  x
 
At March 31, 2013, a total of 13,045,465 shares of registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1
Item 1.
1
Item 2.
10
Item 3.
12
Item 4.
12
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
13
Item 1.
13
Item 1A.
13
Item 6.
13
 
14
 

 
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
March 31, 2013
   
December 31, 2012
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current Assets
           
    Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
1,639,071
   
$
1,489,930
 
    Accounts Receivable, net
   
1,377,805
     
3,969,160
 
    Prepaid Expenses
   
1,041,498
     
469,038
 
    Inventory
   
612,464
     
612,464
 
                 
    Total Current Assets
   
4,670,838
     
6,540,592
 
                 
                 
Other Assets
   
6,946
     
6,946
 
                 
Oil and Gas Properties, at cost, (successful efforts basis),
     Equipment and Fixtures
   
10,824,822
     
10,955,797
 
                 
                 
Total Assets
 
$
15,502,606
   
$
17,503,335
 
 
See notes to unaudited financial statements
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
March 31, 2013
   
December 31, 2012
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
           
             
Current Liabilities:
           
    Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
 
$
4,247,908
   
$
4,932,468
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
   
1,253,418
     
2,258,668
 
    Current Portion of Deferred Tax Liability
   
1,775
     
1,775
 
    Deferred Revenue from Turnkey Drilling
   
8,714,373
     
8,693,743
 
                 
    Total Current Liabilities
   
14,217,474
     
15,886,654
 
                 
Noncurrent Liabilities:
               
    Asset Retirement Obligation
   
956,667
     
954,088
 
                 
    Total Noncurrent Liabilities
   
956,667
     
954,088
 
                 
Total Liabilities
   
15,174,141
     
16,840,742
 
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
    Common Stock, no par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares, 
      13,045,465 and 12,545,465 shares issued; 13,045,465 and
      12,545,465 shares outstanding, respectively
   
34,269,240
     
33,247,571
 
    Convertible preferred stock, Series AA, no par value,
      147,500 shares authorized; 52,784 and 52,784 shares
      issued and outstanding, respectively
   
154,014
     
154,014
 
    Accumulated (Deficit)
   
(35,542,727
   
(34,186,930
    Paid in Capital
   
1,447,938
     
1,447,938
 
                 
                 
    Total Stockholders' Equity
   
328,465
     
662,593
 
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
15,502,606
   
$
17,503,335
 

See notes to unaudited financial statements
 

ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012
 
   
2013
   
2012-Restated
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Revenues:
           
    Sale of Oil and Gas
  $ 330,895     $ 496,894  
    Supervisory Fees and Other
    140,771       204,684  
                 
      Total Revenues
    471,666       701,578  
                 
Costs and Expenses:
               
    General and Administrative
    860,013       1,019,952  
    Turnkey Drilling and Development
    43,143       70,400  
    Lease Operating
    292,822       295,510  
    Geological and Geophysical Expense
    0       359,029  
    Inventory Write Down
    0       62,744  
    Legal and Accounting
    171,631       270,303  
    Marketing
    37,626       154,219  
    Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
    221,360       363,462  
                 
        Total Costs and Expenses
    1,626,595       2,595,619  
                 
Gain on Sale of Assets
    0       1,307  
                 
    Loss From Operations
    (1,154,929     (1,892,734 )
Other Income (Expense):
               
    Interest Expense
    (200,868     (32,738 )
                 
Loss Before Income Tax Expense
    (1,355,797     (1,925,472 )
Income Tax Benefit
    0       (558,617 )
                 
Net Loss
  $ (1,355,797     (1,366,855 )
                 
                 
Basic Loss Per Share
  $ (0.11   $ (0.13
                 
                 
Diluted Loss Per Share
  $ (0.11   $ (0.13
                 
Other Comprehensive Income
               
    Unrealized Gain on Equity Securities
  $ 0     $ 1,672  
                 
Other Comprehensive Income, before tax
    0       1,672  
Income Tax Expense Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income
    0       485  
                 
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax
    0       1,187  
                 
Comprehensive Loss
  $ (1,355,797   $ (1,365,668 )
 
See notes to unaudited financial statements 
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

   
2013
   
2012-Restated
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
    Net Loss
 
$
(1,355,797
 
$
(1,366,855
    
               
    Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net
      Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
               
        Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
   
221,360
     
363,462
 
        Gain on Sale of Assets
   
0
     
(1,307
        Inventory Write Down
   
0
     
62,744
 
        Stock-Based Compensation, net of adjustments
   
0
     
9,815
 
     Debt Discount Amortization, net of adjustments
   
     178,083
     
           0
 
     Decrease (Increase) in:
               
        Accounts Receivable
   
2,591,355
     
270,719
 
        Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
   
(572,460
   
39,398
 
     Increase (Decrease) in:
               
        Accounts Payable and Accrued expenses
   
(681,981
   
284,224
 
        Deferred Revenues - DWI
   
20,630
     
1,199,939
 
        Deferred Income Tax expense (benefit)
   
0
     
(558,617
                 
   Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
   
401,190
     
303,522
 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
    Expenditures for Oil and Gas Properties and Other Capital Expenditures
   
(90,384
   
(345,891
    Proceeds from Sale of Assets
   
0
     
1,307
 
                 
   Net Cash Used by Investing Activities
   
(90,384
   
(344,584
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
    Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt
   
(1,183,333
   
(400,000
    Proceeds from Stock Option and Warrant Exercises
   
0
     
299,499
 
Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock
   
1,021,668
     
286,339
 
                 
   Net Cash Used by Financing Activities
   
(161,665
   
185,838
 
                 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
149,141
     
144,776
 
                 
Cash at Beginning of Year
 
$
1,489,930
   
$
2,946,131
 
                 
Cash at End of Period
 
$
1,639,071
   
$
3,090,907
 
                 
           
  Cash Paid for Interest
 
$
22,785
   
$
32,738
 
                 
  Cash Paid for Taxes
 
$
800
   
$
800
 

See notes to unaudited financial statements
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normally recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  The results of operations for the three month period are not, in management’s opinion, indicative of the results to be expected for a full year of operations.  It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report.

NOTE 2 – LOSS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated as follows:

   
For the Three Months ended
 March 31, 2013
 
   
Loss
(Numerator)
   
Shares
(Denominator)
   
Per-Share
Amount
 
Basic Loss Per Share:
                 
   Net loss available to common stock
 
$
(1,355,797
   
12,673,243
   
$
(0.11
                         
Diluted Loss Per Share:
                       
   Effect of dilutive securities and stock options
   
0
     
0
     
0
 
                         
Net loss available to common stock
 
$
(1,355,797
   
12,673,243
   
$
(0.11
 
   
For the Three Months ended
 March 31, 2012 - Restated
 
   
Loss
(Numerator)
   
Shares
(Denominator)
   
Per-Share
Amount
 
Basic Loss Per Share:
                       
   Net income available to common stock
 
$
(1,366,855
   
10,846,102
   
$
(0.13
                         
Diluted Loss Per Share:
                       
   Effect of dilutive securities and stock options
   
0
     
0
     
0.00
 
                         
Net loss available to common stock
 
$
(1,366,855
   
10,846,102
   
$
(0.13
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, Royale Energy had dilutive securities of 643,017 and 652,738, respectively.  These securities were not included in the dilutive loss per share due to their antidilutive nature.
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 – OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES, EQUIPMENT AND FIXTURES

Oil and gas properties, equipment and fixtures consist of the following:

   
March 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
 
Oil and Gas
           
  Producing properties, including drilling costs
 
$
24,364,562
   
$
24,327,806
 
  Undeveloped properties
   
4,086,079
     
4,034,292
 
  Lease and well equipment
   
9,724,602
     
9,724,602
 
     
38,175,243
     
38,086,700
 
                 
  Accumulated depletion, depreciation & amortization
   
(27,964,970
   
(27,756,493
     
10,210,273
     
10,330,207
 
Commercial and Other
               
  Real estate, including furniture and fixtures
 
$
502,344
   
$
502,344
 
  Vehicles
   
151,669
     
151,669
 
  Furniture and equipment
   
1,299,300
     
1,299,300
 
     
   1,953,313
     
     1,953,313
 
  Accumulated depreciation
   
(1,338,764
   
(1,327,723
     
614,549
     
625,590
 
                 
   
$
10,824,822
   
$
10,955,797
 
 
The guidance set forth in the Continued Capitalization of Exploratory Well Costs paragraph of the Extractive Activities Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification requires that we evaluate all existing capitalized exploratory well costs and disclose the extent to which any such capitalized costs have become impaired and are expensed or reclassified during a fiscal period. We did not make any additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending a determination of proved reserves during the periods in 2013 or 2012. 
 
NOTE 4 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

During the Board of Directors meeting held in December 2010, directors and officers of Royale Energy were each granted 50,000 stock options, a total of 400,000 options, to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per share.  These options are to vest in two parts; the first 200,000 options vested on January 1, 2011; the remaining 200,000 options vested on January 1, 2012.  The options were granted with a legal life of five years, and a service period of two years beginning on January 1, 2011.  During the first quarter of 2012, Royale recognized compensation costs of $9,815 and a tax benefit of $2,848 relating to this option grant.
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 5 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

Royale Energy identifies reportable segments by product. Royale Energy includes revenues from both external customers and revenues from transactions with other operating segments in its measure of segment profit or loss. Royale Energy also includes interest revenue and expense, DD&A, and other operating expenses in its measure of segment profit or loss.

Royale Energy's operations are classified into two principal industry segments. Following is a summary of segmented information for the three months ended March 31, 2013, and 2012:
 
   
Oil and Gas
             
   
Producing
   
Turnkey
       
   
and
   
Drilling
       
   
Exploration
   
Services
   
Total
 
                   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013:
                 
Revenues from External Customers
 
$
330,895
     
0
     
330,895
 
                         
Supervisory Fees
   
140,670
     
0
     
140,670
 
                         
Interest Revenue
   
0
     
101
     
101
 
                         
Interest Expense
   
100,434
     
100,434
     
200,868
 
                         
Operating Expenses for Segment Assets
   
901,492
     
503,743
     
1,405,235
 
                         
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
   
210,292
     
11,068
     
221,360
 
                         
Gain on Sale of Assets
   
0
     
0
     
0
 
                         
Income Tax Benefit
   
0
     
0
     
0
 
                         
Total Assets
 
$
14,727,476
     
775,130
     
15,502,606
 
                         
Net Loss
 
$
   (740,653
)
   
(615,144
)
   
(1,355,797
)
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
Oil and Gas
             
   
Producing
   
Turnkey
       
   
and
   
Drilling
       
   
Exploration
   
Services
   
Total
 
                   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 - Restated:
                 
Revenues from External Customers
 
$
496,894
   
$
0
   
$
496,894
 
                         
Supervisory Fees
   
202,079
     
0
     
202,079
 
                         
Interest Revenue
   
0
     
2,605
     
2,605
 
                         
Interest Expense
   
16,369
     
16,369
     
32,738
 
                         
 Expenditures for Segment Assets
   
1,478,534
     
 753,623
     
 2,232,157
 
                         
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
   
345,289
     
18,173
     
363,462
 
                         
Gain on Sale of Assets
   
1,307
     
0
     
1,307
 
                         
Income Tax Benefit
   
(330,711
)
   
 (227,906
)
   
 (558,617
)
                         
Total Assets
 
$
 20,007,211
   
$
 1,053,011
   
$
 21,060,222
 
                         
Net Loss
 
$
(809,201
)
 
$
 (557,654
)
 
$
 (1,366,855
)
 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 – RESTATEMENT TO REFLECT CHANGE IN REVENUE RECOGNITION POLICY

The Company has restated its previously issued 2012 financial statements for the correction of an error in the method of revenue recognition.  The effect on the Company’s issued March 31, 2012 financial statements is summarized below:
 
   
As Previously
       
   
Reported
   
As Restated
 
             
Balance sheet as of March 31, 2012:
           
Deferred Tax Asset-Noncurrent
  $ 6,541,634     $ 6,614,420  
Total Assets
    20,987,436       21,060,222  
Deferred Revenue from Turnkey Drilling
    5,828,910       6,079,792  
Total Current Liabilities
    13,004,809       13,255,691  
Total Liabilities
    13,583,213       13,834,095  
Accumulated Deficit
    22,100,521       22,278,617  
Total paid in capital and accumulated deficit
    6,941,780       6,763,684  
Total Stockholder’s Equity
    7,404,223       7,226,127  
Total Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity
    20,987,436       21,060,222  
                 
Statement of Comprehensive Loss for the period ended March 31, 2012:
               
Turnkey Drilling
    250,882       0  
Total Revenues
    952,460       701,578  
Income From Operations
    (1,641,852     (1,892,734
Income Before Income Tax Expense
    (1,674,590     (1,925,472
Income Tax Benefit
    (485,831     (558,617
Net Loss
    (1,188,759     (1,366,855
Comprehensive Loss
    (1,187,572     (1,365,668
 

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

In addition to historical information contained herein, this discussion contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the "forward-looking" statements. While we believe our forward looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, there are factors that are difficult to predict and that are influenced by economic and other conditions beyond our control. Investors are directed to consider such risks and other uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Results of Operations

For the first quarter of 2013, we had a net loss of $1,355,797 compared to net loss of $1,366,855 during the first quarter of 2012, an $11,058 change.  Total revenues for the first quarter in 2013 were $471,666, a decrease of $229,912 or 32.8% from the total revenues of $701,578 during the period in 2012.  The lower net profits and revenues were the result of a decrease in oil and natural gas production volumes and lower supervisory fees during the quarter in 2013, when compared to 2012.

In the first quarter of 2013, revenues from oil and gas production decreased $165,999 or 33.4% to $330,895 from the 2012 first quarter revenues of $496,894.  This decrease was due to lower natural gas production, stemming from the natural declines of our existing wells and pipeline issues in one of our main producing fields.  During February 2013, PG&E shut down the pipeline operations in our Lonestar field for approximately two weeks, due to issues with the pipeline oderizer.  The net sales volume of natural gas for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, was approximately 88,530 Mcf with an average price of $3.48 per Mcf, versus 169,371 Mcf with an average price of $2.63 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2012.  This represents a decrease in net sales volume of 80,841 Mcf or 47.7%.  The net sales volume for oil and condensate (natural gas liquids) production was 280 barrels with an average price of $87.67 per barrel for the first three months of 2013, compared to 527 barrels at an average price of $94.64 per barrel for the first three months in 2012.  This represents a decrease in net sales volume of 247 barrels, or 46.9%.

Oil and natural gas lease operating expenses decreased by $2,688 or 1.0%, to $292,822 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, from $295,510 for the quarter in 2012.  This difference was mainly due a decrease in compression charges due to the lower production volumes during the period in 2013.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, turnkey drilling and development costs decreased $27,257 or 38.7% to $43,143 in 2013 from $70,400 during the quarter in 2012.  The costs incurred during the periods in 2013 and 2012 were carryover expenses from wells drilled during December 2012 and 2011, respectively.  During the first three months of 2013 and 2012 we did not drill any new wells, due to the lower overall natural gas commodity prices.  Thus far in 2013, we have processed permits on two wells in California, which we expect to drill during the second quarter of 2013.

The aggregate of supervisory fees and other income was $140,771 for quarter ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $63,913 or 31.2% from $204,684 during the period in 2012.  This decrease was the result of lower overhead rates during the period in 2013, due to lower production volumes.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased to $221,360 from $363,462, a decrease of $142,102 or 39.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012. The depletion rate is calculated using production as a percentage of reserves.  This decrease in depreciation expense was mainly due to a lower depletion rate because of lower production volumes during 2012.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $159,939 or 15.7% from $1,019,952 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, to $860,013 for the period in 2013. This decrease was primarily due to lower employee related compensation expenses during the period in 2013, due to continued cost control measures.  Marketing expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, decreased $116,593, or 75.6%, to $37,626, compared to $154,219 for the same period in 2012. Marketing expense varies from period to period according to the number of marketing events attended by personnel and their associated costs.

Legal and accounting expense decreased to $171,631 for the period, compared to $270,303 for the same period in 2012, a $98,672 or 36.5% decrease.  The decrease in legal and accounting expense was a result of a litigation settlement reached during the period in 2012, resulting in lower legal fees during the period in 2013.
 
 
During 2011, we began a new seismic survey in Northern California of which a majority of the actual seismic work took place during the first quarter of 2012.  As a result we recorded Geological and Geophysical expenses of $359,029 during the first quarter of 2012.  There were no Geological and Geophysical expenses in the first quarter of 2013.  In 2012, we recorded a gain of $1,307 on the sale of a non-oil and gas asset.   Additionally during 2012, we had a write down of $62,744 on certain oil and gas inventory to its estimated current market value.

Interest expense increased to $200,868 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, from $32,738 for the same period in 2012, a $168,130, or 513.6% increase. This increase was mainly due to the interest on a new convertible note payable obtained during the fourth quarter of 2012.  For the first quarter in 2013, there was no income tax benefit or expense, as the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012.  For the same period in 2012, we had an income tax benefit of $558,617 due to net operating loss.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

At March 31, 2013, Royale Energy had current assets totaling $ 4,670,838 and current liabilities totaling $14,217,474, a $9,546,636 working capital deficit.  We had cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2013, of $1,639,071 compared to $1,489,930 at December 31, 2012.
 
In February 2009, we entered into a revolving credit agreement with Texas Capital Bank, N.A. secured by our oil and gas properties, of up to $14,250,000.  We also entered into a separate letter of credit facility with Texas Capital Bank of up to $750,000, for the purposes of refinancing Royale’s existing debt and to fund development, exploration and acquisition activities as well as other general corporate purposes.  The scheduled maturity date for the loan was February 13, 2013.  During January 2013, the balance of $350,000 on this credit facility was paid in full.  In February 2013, the revolving credit agreement matured.

In October 2012, the Company obtained $3 million from sale of a convertible note.  See, The Company’s Prospectus Supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) on October 29, 2012, and the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2012.  The Company used these proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the reduction of outstanding bank debt and for capital expenditures on oil and gas development.  The note may, at the Company’s option, be repaid by converting the interest and principal amounts due to common stock, thus reducing the Company’s cash needs to service its debt.  At March 31, 2013, the net outstanding balance of this note was $1,253,418.
  
At March 31, 2013, our accounts receivable totaled $1,377,805, compared to $3,969,160 at December 31, 2012, a $2,591,355 or 65.3% decrease.  This was primarily due to an approximately $2,500,000 receivable, as part of the sale of common stock sold at year end December 2012.  This common stock receivable was collected on January 4, 2013.  At March 31, 2013, our accounts payable and accrued expenses totaled $4,247,908, a decrease of $684,560 or 13.9% from the accounts payable at December 31, 2012, of $4,932,468, mainly due to a decrease in payables related drilling costs for wells that were drilled during December 2012.

Ordinarily, we fund our operations and cash needs from our available credit and cash flows generated from operations.  We believe that we have sufficient liquidity for the remainder of 2013 and do not foresee any liquidity demands that cannot be met from cash flow or financing activities.
 
Operating Activities.  Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $401,190 and $303,522 for the three month period ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  This $97,668 or 32.2% increase in cash provided was mainly due to the  collection of accounts receivable and cost control measures during the quarter in 2013.
 
Investing Activities.  Net cash used by investing activities, primarily in capital acquisitions of oil and gas properties, amounted to $90,384 and $344,584 for the three month period ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  This decrease was due to lower drilling completion costs during the quarter in 2013, as the Company completed one well begun at the end of 2012.  During the first quarter of 2012, Royale also received proceeds of $1,307 relating to a sale of stock in 2012.
 
Financing Activities.  Net cash used by financing activities totaled $161,655 in the first quarter of 2013, while $185,838 was provided by financing activities for the three month period ended March 31, 2012.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, Royale received proceeds of $1,021,668 and issued 500,000 shares of its common stock relating to its market equity offering program.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, options were exercised by one director for a total of 88,692 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for proceeds of $299,499.  Additionally during the period, Royale received proceeds of $286,339 and issued 53,676 shares of its common stock relating to its market equity offering program.  Also during the period in 2012, four director's exchanged 150,000 options in a cashless exercise for 62,350 common shares.
 
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Our major market risk exposure relates to pricing of oil and gas production.  The prices we receive for oil and gas are closely related to worldwide market prices for crude oil and local spot prices paid for natural gas production.  Prices have been volatile for the last several years, and we expect that volatility to continue.  Monthly average natural gas prices ranged from a low of $3.64 per Mcf to a high of $4.04 per Mcf for the first three months of 2013.  We have not entered into any hedging or derivative agreements to limit our exposure to changes in oil and gas prices or interest rates.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
As of March 31, 2013, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures.  These controls and procedures are based on the definition of disclosure controls and procedures in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on that evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2012.
 
No changes occurred in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2013, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 
National Fuel Corporation (“NFC”) v. Royale Energy, Inc., No. 080800735, Uintah County, Utah.   This lawsuit is concluded.  The appeal was dismissed and the litigation has been concluded.
 
Douglas Jones v. Royale Energy, Inc., et.al.
On July 1, 2010, Douglas Jones filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Circuit Court, 17th Judicial District, Broward County, Florida.  Mr. Jones was an independent contractor handling certain aspects of sales for the Company prior to July 2, 2008.  He asserts that he is entitled to an unspecified amount for commissions and expenses.  The Company denies that any money is owed to Mr. Jones.  On August 16, 2010, the Company through Florida counsel Adam Hodkin, filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction in the Florida courts. The Court ruled that it wanted to have an evidentiary hearing on the motion, but no hearing date has been set; we do not anticipate that the hearing will be held until fall 2013.  If the motion to dismiss is denied, Royale intends to answer the complaint and oppose the lawsuit vigorously.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Please review the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Item 6.  Exhibits
 
31.1
 
     
31.2
 
     
32.1
 
     
32.2
 
     
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
ROYALE ENERGY, INC.
 
     
Date:    May 15, 2013
/s/ Donald H. Hosmer
 
 
Donald H. Hosmer, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer
     
Date:    May 15, 2013
/s/ Stephen M. Hosmer
 
 
Stephen M. Hosmer, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer