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EX-32.01 - CERTIFICATION - BLACKSANDS PETROLEUM, INC.bspe_ex3201.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One) 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended April 30, 2015

 

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Transition Period from ___________ to ___________

 

Commission file number: 000-51427

 

BLACKSANDS PETROLEUM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

20-1740044

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

800 Bering, Suite 250

Houston, Texas 77057

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

(713) 554-4490

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

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 ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

¨

Accelerated filer

¨

Non-accelerated filer

¨

Smaller reporting company

x

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

 

As of June 10, 2015, there were 20,078,343 shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

BLACKSANDS PETROLEUM, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended April 30, 2015

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Page  

Item 1.

Financial Statements

   
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 (unaudited)

   

3

 
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six and three months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)

   

4

 
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)

   

5

 
 

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   

6

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   

9

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   

14

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

   

14

 
           

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

       

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

   

16

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

   

16

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds

   

16

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   

16

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

   

16

 

Item 5.

Other Information

   

16

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

   

17

 

SIGNATURES

   

18

 

 

 
2

 

Blacksands Petroleum, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   

April 30,
2015

    October 31,
2014
 

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

Current Assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

222,779

   

$

678,940

 

Accounts receivable

   

12,299

     

210,577

 

Prepaid expenses

   

225,805

     

522,073

 

Total Current Assets

   

460,883

     

1,411,590

 

Oil and gas property costs (successful efforts method of accounting)

               

Proved

   

518,348

     

735,756

 

Other assets

   

50,000

     

50,000

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,029,231

   

$

2,197,346

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

Current Liabilities:

               

Note payable

 

$

60,000

   

$

60,000

 

Notes payable – related party

   

3,220,000

     

--

 

Accounts payable

   

118,575

     

129,400

 

Accrued expenses

   

2,254,090

     

2,372,075

 

Total Current Liabilities

   

5,652,665

     

2,561,475

 

Notes Payable, net of discount of $570,933 and $1,312,873

   

2,858,725

     

2,787,127

 

Notes payable – related party

   

--

     

3,220,000

 

Asset Retirement obligation

   

93,938

     

91,707

 

Total Liabilities

   

8,605,328

     

8,606,309

 

Stockholders’ Deficiency:

               

Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized:

               

Series A - $.001 par value, 310,000 shares authorized, nil shares issued and outstanding

   

--

     

--

 

Series B - $.001 par value, 2,217,281 shares authorized, 500,000 shares issued and outstanding

   

500

     

500

 

Series C - $.001 par value, 1,750,000 authorized, 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding

   

1,000

     

1,000

 

Common stock - $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 19,567,620 and 19,278,017 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively

   

19,568

     

19,278

 

Additional paid-in capital

   

28,667,636

     

28,440,320

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(36,264,801

)

 

(34,924,061

)

Total Stockholders’ Deficiency

 

(7,576,097

)

 

(6,462,963

)

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

 

$

1,029,231

   

$

2,197,346

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

 

Blacksands Petroleum, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

    Six Months Ended April 30,     Three Months Ended April 30,  
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
                 

Revenue:

               

Oil and gas revenue

 

$

274,473

   

$

596,700

   

$

140,918

   

$

268,403

 
                               

Expenses:

                               

Selling, general and administrative

   

390,668

     

715,983

     

185,343

     

374,348

 

Depreciation and depletion

   

178,043

     

296,577

     

129,263

     

98,776

 

Accretion expense

   

2,231

     

13,941

     

1,096

     

5,497

 

Lease operating expenses

   

302,949

     

300,571

     

127,473

     

121,791

 

Impairment of oil and gas property interest

   

269,906

     

2,219,813

     

--

     

--

 
                               

Total expenses

   

1,143,797

     

3,546,885

     

443,175

     

600,412

 
                               

Loss from operations

 

(869,324

)

 

(2,950,185

)

 

(302,257

)

 

(332,009

)

                               

Other income and (expense):

                               

Interest expense

 

(471,415

)

 

(1,172,204

)

 

(238,584

)

 

(663,747

)

Gain on sale of oil and gas properties

   

--

     

645,323

     

--

     

23,653

 

Other income

   

--

     

1,760,392

     

--

     

1,760,392

 
                               

Total other income (expense)

 

(471,415

)

   

1,233,511

   

(238,584

)

   

1,120,298

 
                               

Loss before provision for income taxes

 

(1,340,739

)

 

(1,716,674

)

 

(540,841

)

   

788,289

 

Provision for income taxes

   

--

     

--

     

--

     

--

 

Net loss

 

(1,340,739

)

 

(1,716,674

)

 

(540,841

)

   

788,289

 

Preferred stock dividends

   

22,500

     

--

     

11,250

     

--

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

$

(1,363,239

)

 

$

(1,716,674

)

 

$

(552,091

)

 

$

788,289

 
                               

Loss per share attributable to common shareholders

                               

Basic

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.10

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

0.04

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.10

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

0.04

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

                               

 

Basic

   

19,348,169

     

17,720,983

     

19,403,984

     

17,722,485

 

Diluted

   

19,348,169

     

17,720,983

     

19,403,984

     

18,028,257

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

 

BLACKSANDS PETROLEUM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited)

 

    2015     2014  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

       

Net loss

 

$

(1,340,739

)

 

$

(1,716,674

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Impairment of oil and gas property costs

   

269,906

     

2,219,813

 

Equity compensation expense

   

--

     

28,122

 

Amortization of debt discount

   

71,598

     

758,648

 

Depreciation, depletion and accretion

   

180,274

     

310,518

 

Gain on sale of oil and gas properties

   

--

     

(645,323

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

   

198,278

     

225,370

 

Prepaid expense and other current assets

   

296,267

     

(20,223

Accounts payable

   

98,264

     

336,875

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

   

(226,152

)

   

1,497,126

 
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

               

Oil and gas property costs

   

(230,009

)

   

(2,522,220

)

Proceeds from the sale of Cabeza Creek

   

--

     

50,000

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

   

(230,009

)

   

(2,472,220

)

                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               

Proceeds from notes payable

   

--

     

2,000,000

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

   

--

     

2,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   

(456,161

)

   

1,024,906

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Beginning of period

   

678,940

     

1,335,237

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - End of period

 

$

222,779

   

$

2,360,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

168,161

$

167,237

Cash paid for income taxes

$

--

$

 --

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental non-cash activities:

 

 

 

 

Payment of accrued interest to related party through issuance of common stock

$

227,783

$

--

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

 
5

 

BLACKSANDS PETROLEUM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1. The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Blacksands Petroleum, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on October 12, 2004. Since August 2007, the Company has been engaged in the exploration, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas. The Company sells its oil and gas products primarily to domestic pipelines and refineries. Its operations are presently focused in the States of Texas and New Mexico.

 

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on February 11, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to the consolidated financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited financial statements as reported in the 2014 annual report on Form 10-K have been omitted.

 

Oil and Gas Properties

 

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and natural gas properties. Oil and gas properties are periodically assessed to determine whether they have been impaired. Any impairment in value of unproved properties is charged to exploration expense. The costs of unproved properties, which are determined to be productive, are transferred to prove oil and gas properties and amortized on an equivalent unit-of-production basis. Exploratory expenses, including geological and geophysical expenses and delay rentals for unevaluated oil and gas properties, are charged to expense as incurred. Exploratory drilling costs are initially capitalized as unproved property but charged to expense if and when the well is determined not to have found proved oil and gas reserves. In accordance with ASC No. 935, exploratory drilling costs are evaluated within a one-year period after the completion of drilling. For proved properties, we compare expected undiscounted future cash flows at a producing field level to the unamortized capitalized cost of the asset. If the future undiscounted cash flows, based on our estimate of future natural gas and crude oil prices, operating costs, anticipated production from proved reserves and other relevant date, are lower than the unamortized capitalized cost, the capitalized cost is reduced to fair value. Fair value is calculated by discounting the future cash flows at an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate.

 

During the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company impaired its oil and gas properties by $269,906 and $2,219,813, respectively, which is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The Company recorded income in the six months ended April 30, 2014 of $1,760,392 in connection with the transfer of some of the Company’s interest in three wells to PIE Holdings, LP. This income is included in the income statements as other income.

 

Going Concern

 

As shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred an accumulated deficit of $36,264,801 through April 30, 2015. In addition, the Company had a working capital deficit of $5,191,782 and cash and cash equivalents of $222,779 at April 30, 2015.

 

The current rate of cash usage raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, absent the raising of additional capital, restructuring or extending the terms on its current debt and/or additional significant revenues from new oil production. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary in the event that the Company cannot continue in existence.

 

 
6

 

2. Asset Retirement Obligation

 

The following table summarizes the change in the asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) for the periods ended April 30, 2015:

 

Beginning balance at November 1

 

$

91,707

 

Liabilities settled

   

--

 

Liabilities incurred through acquisition of assets

 --

Liabilities settled through sale of assets

   

--

 

Accretion expense

   

2,231

 

Ending balance at April 30

 

$

93,938

 

 

The ARO reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties. Inherent in the fair value calculation of the ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance.

 

3. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company, as an owner or lessee and operator of oil and gas properties, is subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. These laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee under an oil and gas lease for the cost of pollution clean-up resulting from operations and subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages. In some instances, the Company may be directed to suspend or cease operations in the affected area. The Company maintains insurance coverage, which it believes is customary in the industry, although the Company is not fully insured against all environmental risks. The Company is not aware of any environmental claims existing as of January 31, 2015, which have not been provided for, covered by insurance or otherwise have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that current regulatory requirements will not change, or past noncompliance with environmental laws will not be discovered on the Company’s properties.

 

On January 26, 2015, David DeMarco, a former Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, alleging that pursuant to a contract for work performed and/or services rendered, Mr. DeMarco is due $151,000 in deferred compensation that accrued during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Service of process was effected on February 17, 2015. On May 5, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint denying the allegations. The matter is currently in the discovery stage. The Company has reported $151,000 in accrued expenses.

On February 18, 2015, Dan A. Hughes, L.P. (“Hughes”) filed a complaint against the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Blacksands Petroleum Texas, LLC (“Blacksands Texas”) in the District Court of the 156th Judicial District of Bee County, Texas, alleging that the Company and Blacksands Texas owe certain costs and expenses to Hughes in connection with Blacksands Texas’ interests in the Del Norte Prospect located in Grande County, Colorado, pursuant to the Letter Agreement and Operating Agreement by and between Blacksands Texas and Hughes, each dated September 9, 2010 (together, the “Hughes Agreements”).  Hughes seeks to recover damages in the amount of $99,730 for the breach of contract in the amounts unpaid and due to Hughes, plus interest on such past due amounts, as well as all legal or equitable right and interest of Blacksands Texas in and to the Del Norte prospect. On May 5, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint denying the allegations.

On February 18, 2015, Hughes filed a complaint against the Company and Blacksands Texas in the District Court of the 36th Judicial District of Bee County, Texas, alleging that the Company and Blacksands Texas owe certain costs and expenses in the amount of $1,166,301 to Hughes in connection with Blacksands Texas’ interests in the Pedrogosa Basin located in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, pursuant to the Hughes Agreements.  Hughes seeks to recover damages for the breach of contract in the amounts unpaid and due to Hughes, plus interest on such past due amounts, as well as all legal or equitable right and interest of Blacksands Texas in and to the Pedrogosa Basin project. The claim is subject to an arbitration provision. On May 5, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint denying the allegations and a motion to compel arbitration. 

The Company has reported approximately $1,208,000 in accrued expenses for both Hughes litigation matters.

4. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Issuance of Common Stock

 

In December 2014, 20,183 and 74,574 shares were issued to a related party for interest totaling $32,818 and $97,394 accruing for the month of July 2014 and for the quarter ended October 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has reported the excess of the fair market value of the shares issued over the accrued interests totaling $87,748 because the shares were issued to a related party. This amount is reflected as an increase in additional paid in capital.

 

In April 2015, 194,788 shares were issued to a related party for interest totaling $97,571 accruing for the quarter ended January 31, 2015. The Company has reported the excess of the fair market value of the shares issued over the accrued interests totaling $45,775 because the shares were issued to a related party. This amount is reflected as an increase in additional paid in capital.

 

 
7

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information is as follows:

 

    Number of Shares     Weighted Average Exercise Price  
         

Outstanding at November 1, 2014

 

66,667

   

$

3.00

 

Granted

   

-

     

-

 

Exercised

   

-

     

-

 

Cancelled

   

-

     

-

 

Outstanding at April 30, 2015

   

66,667

   

$

3.00

 

Exercisable at April 30, 2015

   

66,667

   

$

3.00

 

 

During the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of nil and $28,122, respectively, as general and administrative expenses. At April 30, 2015, the weighted average remaining life of the stock options is 5.12 years. There were no unamortized amount of stock-based compensation at April 30, 2015.

 

5. Subsequent Event

 

In June 2015, 510,723 shares were issued to a related party for interest totaling $94,218 shares for the quarter ended April 30, 2015. 

   

 
8

 

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

 

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes a number of forward-looking statements that reflect Management's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate” and “continue,” or similar words. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us and members of its management team as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.

 

Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors currently known to us could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the future operating results over time. We believe that its assumptions are based upon reasonable data derived from and known about our business and operations and the business and operations of the Company. No assurances are made that actual results of operations or the results of our future activities will not differ materially from its assumptions. Factors that could cause differences include, but are not limited to, expected market demand for the Company’s services, fluctuations in pricing for materials, and competition.

 

Overview

 

We currently focus our oil and natural gas exploration, exploitation and development operations on projects located in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The higher potential impact projects (“Core Focus Areas”) are concentrated in the Spraberry, Wolfberry, Cline, Strawn and Mississippian formations in the Permian Basin (Midland Basin) in W. Texas. We also have interests in (i) conventional reef structures in the Pedregosa Basin in S.W. New Mexico, (ii) conventional structure and stratigraphic formations and unconventional resource formations in Southern Colorado and (iii) Beech Creek Field in Hardin County Texas (“Non-core Properties”).

 

As of April 30, 2015, we owned interests in approximately (i) 7,700 gross (4,000 net) acres in the Midland Basin, (ii) 108,715 gross (54,357 net) acres in the Pedregosa Basin, and (iii) 3,300 gross (1,650 net) acres in Colorado.

 

We have approximately 112,793 gross acres (56,100 net acres) held by production and continuous drilling operations. This includes approximately 3,100 gross acres (1,150 net acres) in Midland Basin and 108,715 gross acres (54,357 net acres) in the Pedregosa Basin. We also own between a 24% and 30% working interest in two wells in the Beech Creek Field, which are operated by Gaither Petroleum Corp. The Corporation has no production in Colorado.

 

We began oil and gas operations in the United States on November 1, 2009, with the purchase of a producing conventional oil and gas field, located in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, from Pioneer Natural Resources. Additionally, we acquired interests in two (2) properties located in the Gulf Coast region of Texas and one property in our Core Focus Area located in the Midland Basin in West Texas.

 

The Core Focus Areas provide us with the opportunity to grow reserves and cash flow by drilling and developing the properties. The Core Focus Areas we currently plan to concentrate on developing are in the AP Clark Field. The three wells that we commenced drilling on in the AP Clark Field in November 2013 were completed and have been producing. These wells came online in the month of May 2014 with the Corporation’s portion of the production averaging approximately 18 barrels of oil per day. During August 2014, the wells were shut in for completion and testing. The Corporation is still testing potential productive zones, and currently two wells are producing and hold the leases by production. The Corporation will need to raise additional capital in order to drill any potential future wells.

 

 
9

 

We continue to pursue avenues to reduce or eliminate our financial exposure on a case by case basis for each project, including joint venture arrangements where others may participate in the well revenue, in exchange for a disproportionate share of the initial leasing and/or drilling costs, thus further reducing its economic exposure. In order to maintain our financial position, we have sold equity and used joint venture agreements with other industry companies to limit or eliminate its financial exposure in early drilling.

 

We have not entered into any commodity derivative arrangements or hedging transactions. Although we have no current plans to do so, we may enter into commodity swap and/or hedging transactions in the future in conjunction with oil and gas production. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Six and Three Months Ended April 30, 2015 Compared to the Six and Three Months Ended April 30, 2014

 

Revenues for the six months ended April 30, 2015 totaled $274,473 as compared to $596,700 for the six months ended April 30, 2014. Revenues for the three months ended April 30, 2015 totaled $140,918 as compared to $268,403 for the three months ended April 30, 2014. The decrease, totaling $322,227 for the six months ended April 30, 2015, resulted primarily from a decrease in oil production volume valued at approximately $100,576 and a drop in the average price of oil of $221,650. We anticipate that the production for the older wells will continue at low levels and expect that as the three wells completed during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014 test additional formations, production from those wells may increase during 2015.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $325,315 from $715,983 in the six months ended April 30, 2014 to $390,668 in the six months ended April 30, 2015. This decrease is primarily the result of decreases in payroll and payroll related charges of $243,960, director fees of $30,000 and professional services of $30,427 and a decrease of $28,122 in the stock based compensation recorded in the six months ended April 30, 2015 as the result of the vesting of previously granted stock options. There were no additional options granted during the six months ended April 30, 2015. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $189,005 from $374,348 in the three months ended April 30, 2014 to $185,343 in the three months ended April 30, 2015. This decrease is primarily the result of a decrease in payroll and payroll related charges of $121,900, director fees of $15,000, stock based compensation of $13,098 and professional services of $12,852.

 

Depreciation, depletion and accretion decreased $130,244 from $310,518 in the six months ended April 30, 2014 to $180,274 for the six months ended April 30, 2015. Depreciation, depletion and accretion increased $26,086 from $104,273 in the three months ended April 30, 2014 to $130,359 for the three months ended April 30, 2015. The decrease during the six months ended April 30, 2015 is the result of a decrease in production from the existing wells as well as the lower carrying value for the properties as a result of impairment charges in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The increase during the three months ended April 30, 2015 was the result of the depletion of the costs related to the three wells completed during 2014.

 

Lease operating expenses increased by $2,378 from $300,571 in the six months ended April 30, 2014 to $302,949 in the six months ended April 30, 2015. Lease operating expenses increased by $5,682 from $121,791 in the three months ended April 30, 2014 to $127,473 in the three months ended April 30, 2015.

 

During the six months ended April 30, 2015, the Company reported an impairment of our oil and gas properties totaling $269,906. During the six months ended April 30, 2014 the Company reported impairment of our oil and gas properties totaling $2,219,813.

 

Interest expense decreased by $700,789 from $1,172,204 in the six months ended April 30, 2014 to $471,415 in the six months ended April 30, 2015. Interest expense decreased by $425,163 from $663,747 in the three months ended April 30, 2014 to $238,584 in the three months ended April 30, 2015. This decrease is primarily related to an decrease in the amortization of the discount on the amounts due to KP Rahr, which became fully amortized in July 2014.

 

The gain on the sale of oil and gas properties of $645,323 in the six months ended April 30, 2014, was the result of selling our rights in the Cabeza Creek Field. In January 2014, we sold our interest in all of the wells in the Cabeza Creek Field for all depths from the surface to 8,500 feet below the surface in exchange for $50,000 and the assumption of $617,189 in current liabilities and all future liabilities associated with the plugging and abandoning of all wells in the Cabeza Creek Field.

 

 
10

 

 We incurred a net loss for the six months ended April 30, 2015 of $1,340,739, compared to a net loss of $1,716,674 for the six months ended April 30, 2014. We incurred a net loss for the three months ended April 30, 2015 of $540,841, compared to a net income of $788,289 for the three months ended April 30, 2014.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $222,779 as of April 30, 2015. The Company owes approximately $2.37 million in currently due accounts payable and accrued expenses, and $3.22 million in notes payable to Silver Bullet Property Holdings SDN BHD, which mature on December 31, 2015. As such, we currently do not have sufficient cash to engage in any further drilling or exploration activities. In addition, our cash balances are not sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements for normal operations, or to meet our immediate accounts payable and other obligations regarding our indebtedness or capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, as of April 30, 2015, we had $222,779 in cash and cash equivalents on hand, a working capital deficiency of approximately $5.2 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately $36 million.

 

We have incurred substantial losses since inception and we are not operating at cash flow breakeven. Our cash balance at April 30, 2015 is not sufficient to fund our business plan or to satisfy our cash requirements for normal operations, to meet our immediate accounts payable or other obligations regarding our indebtedness or our anticipated development activities over the next twelve months. In view of our capital requirements, current cash resources, nondiscretionary expenses, debt and near term accounts payable and accrued expenses obligations, we may explore all strategic alternatives to maintain our business as a going concern including, but not limited to, a sale of assets of our company, or one or more other transactions that may include a comprehensive financial reorganization of our company.

 

In order to continue operations and engage in development of our properties, we will be dependent on raising capital, debt or equity, from outside sources to pay for further expansion, exploration and development of our business, and to meet current obligations. Such capital may not be available to us when we need it on terms acceptable to us if at all, particularly in the current global economic conditions. The issuance of additional equity securities by us will result in a dilution to our current stockholders, which could depress the trading price of our common stock. Obtaining debt financing will increase our liabilities and future cash commitments. If we are unable to obtain financing in the amounts and on terms deemed acceptable to us, we may be unable to continue our business and may be required to scale back, sell a portion of or cease our operations. The terms of securities we issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable to our new investors, and may include preferences, superior voting rights and the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, and issuances of incentive awards under equity employee incentive plans, which may have a further dilutive effect.

 

We may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertible notes and warrants, which may adversely impact our financial condition. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain sufficient funds on terms acceptable to us or at all. If adequate additional funding is not available, we may be forced to limit our activities.

 

If we are not able to obtain sufficient capital either from the sale of assets or external sources of capital to fund our immediate operating requirements, we may determine that it is in the Company’s best interests to seek relief through a pre-packaged, pre-negotiated or other type of filing under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

 

In the event we seek protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, it may be necessary, in order to obtain the approval of our creditors and the Bankruptcy Court to a plan of reorganization for the Company, to eliminate and cancel all existing equity of the Company, including common stock, options, warrants and other securities that are linked to our equity, which will result in a loss of the entire investment of the holders of such securities, including our stockholders. Further, if we were unable to implement a plan of reorganization or if sufficient debtor-in-possession financing were not available, we could be forced to liquidate under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which would result in a loss of your entire investment.

 

 
11

 

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

 

Cash provided by operating activities in the period ended April 30, 2014 was $1,497,126, compared to cash used of $226,152 in the period ended April 30, 2015. The increase in cash used in operating activities was primarily a result of a decrease in non-cash impairment of oil and gas properties of $1,949,907 and amortization of debt discounts of $687,050, and a decrease in accounts payable of $238,610 which was partially offset by a decrease in the net loss of $375,935, an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $316,490 and the gain reported in the six months ended April 30, 2014 for the sale of the Cabeza Creek property.

 

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended April 30, 2015 was $230,009 compared to $2,472,220 in the period ended April 30, 2014. The costs for both periods presented relate to our oil and gas acquisitions and development activity. The costs in the six months ended April 30, 2014 represent $2,522,220 of costs paid to drill the three new, uncompleted wells in the AP Clark Field, offset in part by $50,000 of cash received from the sale of Cabeza Creek. The costs incurred during the six months ended April 30, 2015 relate primarily to recompletion costs on the wells completed in 2014. There were no acquisitions of additional leaseholds incurred in either quarter.

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

During the six months ended April 30, 2014, we obtained additional financing through the sale of $1,500,000 in convertible debentures and 500,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock in exchange for $2 million. There was no cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended April 30, 2015. 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Oil and Gas Accounting

 

Accounting for oil and gas exploratory activity is subject to special accounting rules unique to the oil and gas industry. The acquisition of geological and geophysical seismic information, prior to the discovery of proved reserves, is expensed as incurred, similar to accounting for research and development costs. However, leasehold acquisition costs and exploratory well costs are capitalized on the balance sheet pending determination of whether proved oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the prospect.

 

Property Acquisition Costs

 

For individually significant leaseholds, management periodically assesses for impairment based on exploration and drilling efforts to date. For leasehold acquisition costs that individually are relatively small, management exercises judgment and determines a percentage probability that the prospect ultimately will fail to find proved oil and gas reserves and pools that leasehold information with others in the geographic area. For prospects in areas that have had limited, or no, previous exploratory drilling, the percentage probability of ultimate failure is normally judged to be quite high. This judgmental percentage is multiplied by the leasehold acquisition cost, and that product is divided by the contractual period of the leasehold to determine a periodic leasehold impairment charge that is reported in exploration expense.

 

This judgmental probability percentage is reassessed and adjusted throughout the contractual period of the leasehold based on favorable or unfavorable exploratory activity on the leasehold or on adjacent leaseholds, and leasehold impairment amortization expense is adjusted prospectively. Management periodically assesses individually significant leaseholds for impairment based on the results of exploration and drilling efforts and the outlook for project commercialization.

 

 
12

 

Exploratory Costs

 

For exploratory wells, drilling costs are temporarily capitalized, or “suspended,” on the balance sheet, pending a determination of whether potentially economic oil and gas reserves have been discovered by the drilling effort to justify completion of the find as a producing well. If exploratory wells encounter potentially economic quantities of oil and gas, the well costs remain capitalized on the balance sheet as long as sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project is being made. The accounting notion of “sufficient progress” is a judgmental area, but the accounting rules do prohibit continued capitalization of suspended well costs on the mere chance that future market conditions will improve or new technologies will be found that would make the project’s development economically profitable. Often, the ability to move the project into the development phase and record proved reserves is dependent on obtaining permits and government or co-venturer approvals, the timing of which is ultimately beyond our control. Exploratory well costs remain suspended as long as we are actively pursuing such approvals and permits, and believe they will be obtained. Once all required approvals and permits have been obtained, the projects are moved into the development phase, and the oil and gas reserves are designated as proved reserves. Once a determination is made the well did not encounter potentially economic oil and gas quantities, the well costs are expensed as a dry hole and reported in exploration expense.

 

Management reviews suspended well balances quarterly, continuously monitors the results of the additional appraisal drilling and seismic work, and expenses the suspended well costs as a dry hole when it determines the potential field does not warrant further investment in the near term. Criteria utilized in making this determination include evaluation of the reservoir characteristics and hydrocarbon properties, expected development costs, ability to apply existing technology to produce the reserves, fiscal terms, regulations or contract negotiations, and our required return on investment.

 

Proved Reserves

 

Engineering estimates of the quantities of proved reserves are inherently imprecise and represent only approximate amounts because of the judgments involved in developing such information. Reserve estimates are based on geological and engineering assessments of in-place hydrocarbon volumes, the production plan, historical extraction recovery and processing yield factors, installed plant operating capacity and operating approval limits. The reliability of these estimates at any point in time depends on both the quality and quantity of the technical and economic data and the efficiency of extracting and processing the hydrocarbons.

 

Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, accounting rules require disclosure of “proved” reserve estimates due to the importance of these estimates to better understand the perceived value and future cash flows of a company’s exploration and production operations. There are several authoritative guidelines regarding the engineering criteria that must be met before estimated reserves can be designated as “proved.” Our reservoir engineers have policies and procedures in place consistent with these authoritative guidelines.

 

Proved reserve estimates are adjusted annually and during the year if significant changes occur, and take into account recent production and subsurface information about each field. Also, as required by current authoritative guidelines, the estimated future date when a field will be permanently shut down for economic reasons is based on 12-month average prices and year-end costs. This estimated date when production will end affects the amount of estimated reserves. Therefore, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate of proved reserves also changes.

 

Our proved reserves include estimated quantities related to production sharing contracts, which are reported under the “economic interest” method and are subject to fluctuations in prices of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; recoverable operating expenses; and capital costs. The estimation of proved developed reserves also is important to the statement of operations because the proved developed reserve estimate for a field serves as the denominator in the unit-of-production calculation of depreciation, depletion and amortization of the capitalized costs for that asset.

 

 
13

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Under various contracts, permits and regulations, we have material legal obligations to remove tangible equipment and plug wells at the end of operations at operational sites. The fair values of obligations for dismantling and removing these facilities are accrued at the installation of the asset based on estimated discounted costs. Estimating the future asset removal costs necessary for this accounting calculation is difficult. Most of these removal obligations are many years, or decades, in the future and the contracts and regulations often have vague descriptions of what removal practices and criteria must be met when the removal event actually occurs. Asset removal technologies and costs, regulatory and other compliance considerations, expenditure timing, and other inputs into valuation of the obligation, including discount and inflation rates, are also subject to change.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not required under Regulation S-K for “smaller reporting companies.”

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Our management, with the participation of our Interim President and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of April 30, 2015. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

 

Based on management’s evaluation, our interim president and chief financial officer concluded that, as of April 30, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures are not designed at a reasonable assurance level and are ineffective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The material weaknesses, which relate to internal control over financial reporting, that were identified are: 

 

   

a)

Due to our small size, we did not have sufficient personnel in our accounting and financial reporting functions nor do we have a proper segregation of duties. During the period ended April 30, 2015, we had limited staff that performed nearly all aspects of our financial reporting process, including, but not limited to, access to the underlying accounting records and systems, the ability to post and record journal entries and responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements. This creates certain incompatible duties and a lack of review over the financial reporting process that would likely result in a failure to detect errors in spreadsheets, calculations, or assumptions used to compile the financial statements and related disclosures as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, we have had an overreliance on consultants involved in our financial statement closing process. As a result we were not able to achieve adequate segregation of duties and were not able to provide for adequate reviewing of the financial statements. This control deficiency, which is pervasive in nature, results in a reasonable possibility that material misstatements of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis; and

   

 

 
   

b)

Our executive officers only work for the Company on a part-time basis, have outside interests and are unable to devote all of their business time and effort to the Company. As a result, they may be unable to provide the level of oversight required.

 

 
14

 

Management’s Remediation Plans

 

We are committed to improving our financial organization. When funds are available, we will look to increase our personnel resources and technical accounting expertise within the accounting function to resolve non-routine or complex accounting matters. As our operations are relatively small and we continue to have net cash losses each quarter, we do not anticipate being able to hire additional internal personnel until such time as our operations are profitable on a cash basis or until our operations are large enough to justify the hiring of additional accounting personnel. As necessary, we will engage consultants in the future in order to ensure proper accounting for our consolidated financial statements.

 

Management believes that hiring additional knowledgeable personnel with technical accounting expertise will remedy the following material weakness: insufficient personnel with an appropriate level of technical accounting knowledge, experience, and training in the application of GAAP commensurate with our complexity and our financial accounting and reporting requirements.

 

Management believes that the hiring of additional personnel who have the technical expertise and knowledge with the non-routine or technical issues we have encountered in the past will result in both proper recording of these transactions and a much more knowledgeable finance department as a whole. Due to the fact that our internal accounting staff consists of a Chief Financial Officer and a bookkeeper, additional personnel will also ensure the proper segregation of duties and provide more checks and balances within the department. Additional personnel will also provide the cross training needed to support us if personnel turn over issues within the department occur. We believe this will greatly increase our internal control procedures in the future.

 

In addition to the accounting personnel to be hired in the future, we are actively searching for a full time Chief Executive Officer to oversee our operations.

 

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended April 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
15

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

On January 26, 2015, David DeMarco, a former Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, alleging that pursuant to a contract for work performed and/or services rendered, Mr. DeMarco is due $151,000 in deferred compensation that accrued during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Service of process was effected on February 17, 2015. On May 5, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint denying the allegations. The matter is currently in the discovery stage.

 

On February 18, 2015, Dan A. Hughes, L.P. (“Hughes”) filed a complaint against the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Blacksands Petroleum Texas, LLC (“Blacksands Texas”) in the District Court of the 156th Judicial District of Bee County, Texas, alleging that the Company and Blacksands Texas owe certain costs and expenses to Hughes in connection with Blacksands Texas’ interests in the Del Norte Prospect located in Grande County, Colorado, pursuant to the Letter Agreement and Operating Agreement by and between Blacksands Texas and Hughes, each dated September 9, 2010 (together, the “Hughes Agreements”). Hughes seeks to recover damages in the amount of $99,730 for the breach of contract in the amounts unpaid and due to Hughes, plus interest on such past due amounts, as well as all legal or equitable right and interest of Blacksands Texas in and to the Del Norte prospect. On May 5, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint denying the allegations.

 

On February 18, 2015, Hughes filed a complaint against the Company and Blacksands Texas in the District Court of the 36th Judicial District of Bee County, Texas, alleging that the Company and Blacksands Texas owe certain costs and expenses in the amount of $1,166,301 to Hughes in connection with Blacksands Texas’ interests in the Pedrogosa Basin located in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, pursuant to the Hughes Agreements. Hughes seeks to recover damages for the breach of contract in the amounts unpaid and due to Hughes, plus interest on such past due amounts, as well as all legal or equitable right and interest of Blacksands Texas in and to the Pedrogosa Basin project. The claim is subject to an arbitration provision. On May 5, 2015, the Company filed an answer to the complaint denying the allegations and a motion to compel arbitration.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Not required under Regulation S-K for “smaller reporting companies.”

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In April 2015, 194,788 shares were issued to a related party for interest totaling $97,571 accruing for the quarter ended January 31, 2015. The Company has reported a gain on the issuance of these shares totaling $45,775, which because the shares were issued to a related party, is reflected as an increase in additional paid in capital.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

 
16

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

31.01

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.02

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.01

Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

 

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 
17

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

 

BLACKSANDS PETROLEUM, INC.

 
       

Date: June 15, 2015

By:

/s/ RHONDA ROSEN

 
  Name:

Rhonda Rosen

 
  Title:

Interim President (Principal Executive Officer)

 
       
       

Date: June 15, 2015

By:

/s/ DONALD GIANNATTASIO

 
  Name:

Donald Giannattasio

 
  Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

18