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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x      Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

or

o         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: 001-32490

HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

12012 Wickchester Lane, Suite 475

Houston, Texas 77079

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

713-353-9400

(Registrant’s principal executive office telephone number)

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 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, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  YES o  NO x

As of May 18, 2017, 21,871,658 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, were outstanding.

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HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Number of Shares and Par Value)

(Unaudited)

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

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HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Number of Shares and Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

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

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HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In Thousands, Except Number of Shares)

(Unaudited)

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

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HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

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

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HYPERDYNAMICS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General Overview

Hyperdynamics Corporation (“Hyperdynamics,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) is a Delaware corporation formed in March 1996. Hyperdynamics has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, SCS Corporation Ltd (“SCS”), a Cayman corporation, and HYD Resources Corporation (“HYD”), a Texas corporation. Through SCS, Hyperdynamics focuses on oil and gas exploration offshore the coast of West Africa. Our exploration efforts are pursuant to a Hydrocarbon Production Sharing Contract, as amended (the “PSC”).  We refer to the rights granted under the PSC as the “Concession.” We began operations in oil and gas exploration, seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation in late fiscal 2002.

As used herein, references to “Hyperdynamics,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Hyperdynamics Corporation and our subsidiaries, including SCS. The rights in the Concession offshore Guinea are held by SCS.

Status of our Business, Liquidity and Going Concern

We have no source of operating revenue and there is no assurance when we will, if ever.

On March 31, 2017 we had $0.6 million in cash, and $2.2 million in accounts payable and accrued expense liabilities, all of which are current liabilities.  Our net working capital will not be sufficient to meet our corporate needs and Concession related activities for the quarter ending June 30, 2017.  We are currently pursuing several avenues to raise funds.  We have no other material commitments other than ordinary operating costs and commitments relating to the PSC.

As of the date of filing, the Company’s trade accounts payable and accrued expenses exceeded its cash balances.

Following the execution of Amendment No. 1 to the PSC in March 2010 (the “First PSC Amendment”) and the receipt of a Presidential Decree in May 2010, we closed on a sale of a 23% gross interest in the Concession to Dana Petroleum, PLC (“Dana”), a subsidiary of the Korean National Oil Corporation. In December 2012, we closed a sale of a 40% gross interest to Tullow Guinea Ltd. (“Tullow”), and Tullow became the Operator on April 1, 2013.

Pursuant to the terms of sale between Tullow and us, Tullow paid us $26.0 million in cash and Tullow agreed to pay our entire participating interest share of expenditures associated with joint operations in the Concession up to a gross expenditure cap of $100.0 million incurred during the period of our carried interest while drilling the initial exploratory well that began on September 21, 2013. Tullow also agreed to pay our participating interest share of future costs for the drilling of an appraisal well following the initial exploration well, if drilled, up to an additional gross expenditure cap of $100.0 million.

A planned deepwater exploration well of the Concession during the first half of calendar 2014 was delayed by Tullow upon declaration of Force Majeure in March of 2014 based on the mere existence of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) investigations pursuant to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States (“FCPA Investigations”).  Tullow withdrew its Force Majeure declaration in May of 2014, but did not resume petroleum operations citing the continued existence of the FCPA Investigations and the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

The DOJ investigation ended in May 2015, the SEC investigation ended in September 2015, and the World Health Organization declared Guinea Ebola free on December 29, 2015. Notwithstanding the resolution of the FCPA Investigations, Dana insisted on further specific title assurances from the Government of Guinea.  Continued failure to resume petroleum operations by both Tullow and Dana in December 2015 forced us to file legal actions under our Joint Operating Agreement.

On August 15, 2016, we entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with Tullow and Dana (“Settlement Agreement”) that returned to us 100% of the interest under the PSC, long-lead item property useful in the drilling of an exploratory well, and $0.7 million in cash, in return for a mutual release of all claims. We also agreed to pay Dana a success fee based upon the certified reserves of the Fatala-1 well if it results in a discovery.

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We executed a Second Amendment to the PSC (“Second PSC Amendment”) with the Government of Guinea on September 15, 2016, and received a Presidential Decree that gave us a one year extension to the second exploration period of the PSC to September 22, 2017 (“PSC Extension Period”) and became the designated Operator of the Concession.

In addition to clarifying certain elements of the PSC, we agreed in the Second PSC Amendment to drill one exploratory well to a minimum depth of 2,500 meters below the seabed within the PSC Extension Period (the “Extension Well”) with the option of drilling additional wells. Fulfillment of this work obligations exempts us from the expenditure obligations during the PSC Extension Period.

In turn, we retained an area equivalent to approximately 5,000 square kilometers in the Guinea offshore waters and took on the obligation to provide the Government of Guinea: (1) A parent company guarantee for the well obligation, (2) monthly progress reports and a reconciliation of budget to actual expenditures, (failure to provide the reports and assurances on a timely basis could result in a notice of termination with a 30 day period to cure), and (3) certain guarantees.

Additionally, we agreed to limit the cost recovery pool to date to our share of expenditures in the PSC since 2009 (estimated to be approximately $165,000,000 net to our interest) and began to move into the territory of Guinea the long lead items we received in the Settlement Agreement that are currently stored in Takoradi, Ghana. The movement of approximately $1.6 million of the $4.1 million of equipment was started on January 29, 2017 and was completed on February 5, 2017. The balance of the material still in Ghana will be moved at a later date. Finally, we agreed to allocate and administer a training budget during the PSC Extension Period for the benefit of the Guinea National Petroleum Office of $250,000 in addition to any unused portion of the training program under Article 10.3 of the PSC. The unused portion of the training program is now estimated to be approximately $400,000.

In mid-January 2017 we requested and received a notification letter dated January 24, 2017 from the General Director of the National Petroleum Office of the Republic of Guinea, informing us that the Republic of Guinea granted a postponement of our obligation to provide a mutually acceptable security of $5.0 million to February 20, 2017 (originally required by no later than January 21, 2017) as well as a clarification regarding the timing of the security under Article 4.2 of the Second PSC Amendment until the work on the Fatala-1 well is completed. On March 1, 2017, the Republic of Guinea issued a reservation of rights letter asserting that we did not satisfy our obligation to deposit mutually acceptable security of $5.0 million.

Following the signing of a Tri-Party Protocol on March 10, 2017 (the “Protocol”), with Guinea and South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (“SAPETRO”), a Nigerian independent oil company, we executed a Farmout Agreement (“Farmout Agreement”) with SAPETRO on March 30, 2017. Under the terms of the Farmout Agreement, upon closing, SAPETRO will receive a 50% participating interest in the PSC in exchange for its commitment to pay 50% of the expenditures associated with the Concession, including the drilling of the upcoming Fatala-1 well, (the minimum work program under the PSC). Further, SAPETRO agreed to reimburse us for half of the costs previously incurred in preparing for the well since the approval of the Second PSC Amendment. The approximate total amount of such costs is estimated to be $8-10 million depending on the timing of the closing of the Farmout Agreement.

As more fully described in Note 8, on April 12, 2017 SCS, SAPETRO and Guinea executed a Third Amendment to the PSC (the “Third PSC Amendment”) that was subject to the receipt of a Presidential Decree and the closing of the Farmout Agreement. We received a Presidential Decree on April 21, 2017. The Third PSC Amendment approves the assignment of 50% of SCS’ participating interest in the Guinea concession to SAPETRO and confirms the two companies’ rights to explore for oil and gas on a 5,000-square-area of our Concession offshore the Republic of Guinea. It further requires that drilling operations in relation to the Extension Well are to begin no later than May 30, 2017 and amends the security instrument requirements initially agreed under the Second PSC Amendment. In turn, we agreed SAPETRO would put in place a US $5 million security instrument within 30 days from the date of the Presidential Decree.

On May 20, 2017 we entered into Amendment No.1 to the Offshore Drilling Contract with a subsidiary of Pacific Operations Drilling Limited (“Pacific Amendment”) on May 20, 2017.  The Pacific Amendment clarifies the use of the Pacific Scirocco drill ship for the upcoming drilling program offshore Guinea and provides for Special Mobilization and Standby Rate (“SMSR”) of $100,000 per day to apply at moment the drill ship enters Guinea territorial waters.  It further provides that SMSR ends the later of when Pacific Sirocco receives from SCS a 28 day notice for drilling commencement or July 17, 2017. In consideration for the extension of the Pacific Sirocco Contract and reduction of the costs associated with it, we agreed with Pacific Scirocco Limited (“Pacific”) to issue and deliver to Pacific a number of shares of our Common Stock equal to $1,000,000 at a 10 day average market price preceding the date of the agreement to issue the shares.

The Pacific Sirocco drillship entered Guinea shelf waters as provided by the terms of the Third PSC Amendment on May 21, 2017, which is within the 30 days from the Presidential Decree signing date. It relieves SAPETRO and SCS from an obligation to place a $5 million security instrument with the Government of Guinea. Subsequent to arrival of the Pacific Sirocco in Guinea waters, SCS begins mobilization of additional equipment, materials and supplies on the rig to prepare for spudding the Fatala 1 well, which constitutes the commencement of the drilling operations before May 30, 2017 as required by the Third PSC Amendment.

In addition, SCS and SAPETRO separately agreed on April 12, 2017, that SCS’s “sufficient financing for the Obligation Well Costs” as defined in the Farmout Agreement will be $15 million in “cash and committed financing to the satisfaction of SAPETRO acting reasonably” in addition to costs already incurred. SAPETRO and SCS further agreed that SAPETRO may elect to pay for a portion of SCS’s Fatala-1 well costs so long as SCS is not in default of either the PSC or the Farmout Agreement and requires credit support. In case SAPETRO makes such payments for a share of SCS’s costs of, SCS shall assign to SAPETRO 2% of its participating interest in the Concession for each $ 1 million of SCS’s costs paid by SAPETRO.

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As more fully described in Note 7 and Note 8, between March 17 and April 26, 2017, we held four closings of a private placement offering (the “Series A Offering”) of an aggregate of 1,951 Units of our securities, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit. Each “Unit” consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, with a Stated Value of $1,040 per share, and (ii) a warrant (the “Investor Warrant”) to purchase 223 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable from issuance until March 17, 2019, at an exercise price of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances). At the closings, we issued to the subscribers an aggregate of: (i) 1,951 Units of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 435,073 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $3.50 per share.

The Company received an aggregate of $1,951,000 in gross cash proceeds, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses, and legal, accounting and other fees and expenses, in connection with the sale of the Units. We paid the Placement Agent a total of $175,555 of cash fees and issued to the Placement Agent or its designees Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 51,650 shares of common stock.

The delays have adversely affected our ability to date to explore the Concession and reduced the attractiveness of the Concession to prospective industry participants and financing parties. We have no source of operating revenue, and there is no assurance when we will, if ever. We have no operating cash flows, and absent cash inflows we will not have adequate capital resources to meet our current obligations as they become due, and therefore there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to meet our current obligations as they become due and to be able to continue exploration, will depend on obtaining additional resources through sales of additional interests in the Concession, equity or debt financial offerings, or through other means. If we further farm-out additional interests in the Concession, our percentage will decrease. If we enter into equity or debt offerings, the terms of any such arrangements, if made, may not be advantageous and will be dilutive to our shareholders. Our need for additional funding may also be affected by the uncertainties involved with resumption of petroleum operations and the planned exploratory well.

No assurance can be given that any of these actions can be completed.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hyperdynamics and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2016.

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 financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, as reported in the Form 10-K, have been omitted.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses at the balance sheet date and for the period then ended.  We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, such estimates and assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from such estimates. The following assumptions underlying these financial statements include:

·                                                estimates in the calculation of share-based compensation expense,

·                                                estimates in valuation of warrants derivative liability,

·                                                estimates made in our income tax calculations,

·                                                estimates in the assessment of current litigation claims against the Company,

·                                                estimates and assumptions involved in our assessment of unproved oil and gas properties for impairment, and

·                                                estimates and assumptions involved in our fair market value assessment of the well construction equipment received in the August 15, 2016 Settlement Agreement with Tullow and Dana.

We are subject, from time to time, to legal proceedings, claims, and liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of business. We accrue for losses when such losses are considered probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.

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Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.  For the periods presented, we maintained all of our cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, exceed the federally insured limits.

Earnings per share

Basic loss per common share has been computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. In period of earnings, diluted earnings per common share are calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period plus weighted-average dilutive potential common shares.  Diluted earnings per share calculations assume, as of the beginning of the period, exercise of stock options and warrants using the treasury stock method.

All potential dilutive securities, including potentially dilutive options, warrants and convertible securities were excluded from the computation of dilutive net loss per common share for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, because their effects in the computation are antidilutive due to our net loss for those periods.

Stock options to purchase approximately 1.2 million common shares at an average exercise price of $4.06 were outstanding at March 31, 2017. Using the treasury stock method, had we had net income, approximately 1,158 common shares attributable to our outstanding stock options would have been included in the fully diluted earnings per share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 while approximately 1,173 common shares attributable to our outstanding stock options would have been included in the fully diluted earnings per share for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2017.

Stock options to purchase approximately 1.2 million common shares at an average exercise price of $ 5.67 were outstanding at March 31, 2016. Using the treasury stock method, had we had net income, approximately 1,182 common shares attributable to our outstanding stock options would have been included in the fully diluted earnings per share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 while approximately 958 common shares attributable to our outstanding stock options would have been included in the fully diluted earnings per share for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2016.

Contingencies

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities. We accrue for losses associated with legal claims when such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or circumstances change. Legal fees are charged to expense as they are incurred.  See Note 6 for more information on legal proceedings and settlements.

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standards define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurements and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

As discussed in Note 2, we determined a fair value of the well construction equipment material (Level 3 fair value measurement) that we received at the time of our legal settlement with Tullow and Dana. The fair value estimate was based on the combination of cost and market approaches taking into consideration a number of factors, which included but were not limited to the original cost and the condition of the material and demand for steel and tubulars at the time of measurement.  As discussed further below the fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black Scholes option-pricing model. The warrants derivative liability is carried on the balance sheet at its fair value. Significant Level 3 inputs used to calculate the fair value of the warrants include expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The Company has determined that Investor Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants issued in March 2017 qualify as derivative financial instruments.  These warrant agreements include provisions designed to protect holders from a decline in the stock

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price (‘down-round’ provision) by reducing the exercise price of warrants in the event we issue equity shares at a price lower than the exercise price of the warrants.  As a result of this down-round provision, these warrants are considered derivative liabilities and as such, are recorded at fair value at date of issuance and at each reporting date.  Change in fair value of derivative instruments during the period are recorded in earnings as “Other income (expense) — Gain (loss) on warrants derivative liability.” The change in fair value between preferred stock issuance dates in March 2017 and March 31, 2017 was immaterial.

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 (in thousands).

The following describes some of the key inputs into our fair value model as it relates to valuation of warrants.

Expected Volatility

As the Company’s stock has been extremely volatile during 2016-2017 as a result of uncertainty surrounding the Company’s target spud date, the expected stock price volatility for the Company’s common stock was estimated by taking the average of the observed volatility of daily returns of the Company’s stock and the historic price volatility for industry peers based on daily price observations. Industry peers consist of several public companies in the Company’s industry which were the same as the comparable companies used in the common stock valuation analysis. The Company intends to continue to consistently apply this process using the same or similar public companies until a statistically significant amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own share price becomes available, or unless circumstances change such that the identified companies are no longer similar to the Company, in which case, more suitable companies whose share prices are publicly available would be used in the calculation.

Risk-Free Interest Rate

The risk-free interest rate is based on the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury notes.

Expected Dividend Yield

The Company does not anticipate paying any dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option-valuation model.

2. INVESTMENT IN OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

Investment in oil and gas properties consists entirely of our Concession in offshore the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. We previously owned a 37% participating interest in our Guinea Concession on June 30, 2016. As part of our settlement with Tullow and Dana, we received their respective 40% and 23% participating interests in the Concession.  Following execution of a Second Amendment to the PSC (“Second PSC Amendment”) on September 15, 2016 and receipt of a Presidential Decree on September 21, 2016 we held a 100% ownership of the Concession. On March 30, 2017, we executed a Farmout Agreement with SAPETRO. Under the terms of the Farmout Agreement, upon closing of the transaction SAPETRO will receive a 50% participating interest in the PSC in exchange for its commitment to pay 50% of the expenditures associated with the Concession.

In addition to clarifying certain elements of the PSC, we agreed in the Second PSC Amendment to drill one exploratory well to a minimum depth of 2,500 meters below the seabed within the PSC Extension Period (the “Extension Well”) with the option of drilling additional wells. Fulfillment of the work obligations exempts us from the expenditure obligations during the PSC Extension Period.

In turn, we retained an area equivalent to approximately 5,000 square kilometers in the Guinea offshore waters and are obliged to provide the Government of Guinea: (1) A parent company guarantee for the well obligation, (2) monthly progress reports and a reconciliation of budget to actual expenditures, (failure to provide the reports and assurances on a timely basis could result in a notice of termination with a 30-day period to cure), and (3) certain guarantees.

Additionally, we agreed to limit the cost recovery pool to date to our share of expenditures in the PSC since 2009 (estimated to be approximately $165,000,000 net to our interest) and begin to move into the territory of Guinea the long lead items we received in the Settlement Agreement that are currently stored in Takoradi, Ghana for the drilling of the Extension Well in 2017. The movement of approximately $1.6 million of the $4.1 million of equipment was started on January 29, 2017 and was completed on February 5, 2017.

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The balance of the material still in Ghana will be moved at a later date. Finally, we agreed to allocate and administer a training budget during the PSC Extension Period for the benefit of the Guinea National Petroleum Office of $250,000 in addition to any unused portion of the training program under Article 10.3 of the PSC. The unused portion of the training program is now estimated to be approximately $400,000.

The closing of the Farmout Agreement with SAPETRO is subject to several conditions, including, but not limited to: (i) the receipt of the requisite approvals and consents of the government of the Republic of Guinea, (ii) if required by the Government of Guinea, security in respect of each party’s participating share of the drilling costs, and (iii) subject to the satisfaction of SAPETRO acting reasonably, SCS having obtained cash or committed financings in the amount of up to $15 million to enable it to meet its obligations related to the Fatala-1 well. At closing, SAPETRO and SCS will deliver mutual parent guarantees to secure the obligations under the Farmout Agreement and a joint operating agreement governing the conduct of operations. Each party to the Farmout Agreement may waive certain conditions in whole or in part at any time.

The parties have agreed to close on or before May 31, 2017, unless the Farmout Agreement is previously terminated due to parties’ failure to satisfy the closing conditions, by mutual agreement of the parties, or if either party receives final, unappealable written notice from the Government of Guinea stating that it will not approve the transfer of the farm-in interest, or on certain other conditions.

As more fully described in Note 8, on April 12, 2017 SCS, SAPETRO and Guinea executed a Third Amendment to the PSC (the “Third PSC Amendment”) approving the assignment of a 50% interest in the Concession, subject to the receipt of a Presidential Decree as well as the closing of the Farmout Agreement. We received a Presidential Decree on April 21, 2017.

We follow the “Full-Cost” method of accounting for oil and natural gas property and equipment costs. Under this method, internal costs incurred that were directly identified with exploration, development, and acquisition activities undertaken by us for our own account, and which were not related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities, are capitalized. Capitalization of internal costs was discontinued on April 1, 2013 when Tullow became the Operator of the Concession. Following receipt of the Presidential Decree after the signing of the Second Amendment of the PSC on September 15, 2016 we resumed the role of Operator of the Concession and thus capitalization of certain internal, project related costs resumed. For the three and nine-month periods ended March 31, 2017, we capitalized $0.5 million and $2.0 million of such costs, respectively.

Capitalized internal costs of approximately $0.2 million from the quarter ended September 30, 2016 were written off and recorded as Full-cost ceiling test write-down expenses, and capitalized internal costs of approximately $ 1.3 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2016 were written off and recorded as General, administrative and other operating costs.

Geological and geophysical costs incurred that are directly associated with specific unproved properties are capitalized in “Unproved properties excluded from amortization” and evaluated as part of the total capitalized costs associated with a prospect. The cost of unproved properties not being amortized is assessed to determine whether such properties have been impaired. In determining whether such costs should be impaired, we evaluate current drilling plans and drilling results and available geological and geophysical information. No reserves have been attributed to the Concession.

The following table provides detail of total capitalized costs for the Concession which remain unproved and unevaluated and are excluded from amortization as of March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 (in thousands):

During the nine-month period ended March 31, 2017, our oil and gas property balance increased by $4.7 million as a result of the fair value of the material received in our settlement with Tullow and Dana. The fair value of the material, for the most part well construction material, at the time of the settlement was approximately $4.4 million, of which we reduced by approximately $0.4 million during the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 based on additional information that we determined reduced the original fair market value. We engaged an independent outside party with expertise in valuing oil and gas equipment to conduct an appraisal and provide a fair valuation determination for our initial recording and reporting purposes.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2016 we impaired $0.8 million of unproved oil and gas property costs capitalized during the second quarter ($0.5 million) and first quarter ($0.3 million) and the internal costs described above. That impairment assessment was based on our liquidity position, and the possibility that we may not reach an agreement with the Government of Guinea regarding the requirement under the PSC to provide a mutually acceptable security of $5.0 million, and the possibility that the Government of Guinea may at any time and without prior notice terminate our Concession.

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As of June 30, 2016, at the close of our last fiscal year we fully impaired the $14.3 million of previously capitalized unproved oil and gas property costs. That impairment assessment was based on the continued impasse with Tullow and Dana to resume petroleum operations and drill the next exploration obligation well, which needed to be commenced at that time by the end of September 2016, as well as our inability at the time to get interim injunctive relief from the American Arbitration Association requiring Tullow and Dana to join with SCS in the negotiation of an acceptable amendment to the PSC and to agree to a process that would result in the execution of the amendment which we hoped would have led to the resumption of petroleum operations.  Thus, we believed all legal measures to require Tullow and Dana to drill the planned exploration well had been exhausted.

3. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 include the following (in thousands):

4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

On February 18, 2010, at our annual meeting of stockholders, the board of directors and stockholders approved the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). Prior to the 2010 stockholder meeting, we had two stock award plans: The Stock and Stock Option Plan, which was adopted in 1997 (“1997 Plan”) and the 2008 Restricted Stock Award Plan (“2008 Plan”). In conjunction with the approval of the 2010 Plan at the annual meeting, the 1997 Plan and the 2008 Plan were terminated as of February 18, 2010. Subsequently, on February 17, 2012, the 2010 Plan was amended to increase the maximum shares issuable under the 2010 Plan and again on January 27, 2016, at our annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders approved amending the 2010 Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance by 750,000 shares.

The 2010 Plan provides for the awards of shares of common stock, restricted stock units or incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options to purchase our common stock to selected employees, directors, officers, agents, consultants, attorneys, vendors and advisors of ours’ or of any parent or subsidiary thereof. Shares of common stock, options, or restricted stock can only be awarded under the 2010 Plan within 10 years from the effective date of February 18, 2010. A maximum of 2,000,000 shares are issuable under the 2010 Plan and at March 31, 2017, 783,460 shares remained available for issuance.

The 2010 Plan provides a means to attract and retain the services of participants and also to provide added incentive to such persons by encouraging stock ownership in the Company. Plan awards are administered by the Compensation, Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committee, who has substantial discretion to determine which persons, amounts, time, price, exercise terms, and restrictions, if any.

From time to time we issue non-compensatory warrants, such as warrants issued to investors.

Stock Options

The fair value of stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. For market-based pricing of stock option awards, those options where vesting terms are dependent on achieving a specified stock price, the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with inputs adjusted for the probability of the vesting criteria being met and the median expected term for each award as determined by utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation. Expected volatility is based solely on historical volatility of our common stock over the period commensurate with the expected term of the stock options. We rely solely on historical volatility because we do not have options that are traded. The expected term calculation for stock options is based on the simplified method as described in the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107.

We use this method because we do not have sufficient historical information on exercise patterns to develop a model for expected term. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U. S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of award for an instrument with a maturity that is commensurate with the expected term of the stock options. The dividend yield rate of 0% is based on the fact that we have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and we do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock during the expected term of the options.

The following table provides information about options during the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

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The following table details the significant assumptions used to compute the fair values of employee and director stock options awarded during the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

Summary information regarding employee and director stock options issued and outstanding under all plans as of March 31, 2017 is as follows:

At March 31, 2017, there were $137 thousand of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share based compensation arrangements awarded to employees and directors under the plans. During the nine months ended March 31, 2017, a total of 76,404 options, with a weighted average award date fair value of $0.85 per share, vested in accordance with the underlying agreements. Unvested options March 31, 2017 totaled 219,705 with a weighted average award date fair value of $0.42, an amortization period of one year and a weighted average remaining life of 1 year.

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Restricted Stock

The fair value of restricted stock awards classified as equity awards is based on the Company’s stock price as of the date of grant. During the year ended June 30, 2015, all such awards were forfeited. No new grants have been issued, and none are outstanding at March 31, 2017.

5. INCOME TAXES

Federal income taxes are not due as we have had losses since inception. Our effective tax rate for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is 0%. This rate is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the valuation allowance applied against our net deferred tax assets.

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL MATTERS

While there are currently no pending legal proceedings to which we are a party (or that are to our knowledge contemplated by governmental authorities) that we believe will have individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results, from time to time we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business or otherwise. We review the status of on-going proceedings and other contingent matters with legal counsel.  Liabilities for such items are recorded if and when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. If we are able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is disclosed for such matters in excess of the accrued liability, if any. Liabilities are periodically reviewed for adjustments based on additional information.

Iroquois Lawsuit

On May 9, 2012, a lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against us and all of our directors. The plaintiffs, five hedge funds, including Iroquois Master Fund Ltd., that invested in us in early 2012, alleged that we breached an agreement with the plaintiffs, and that we and the directors made certain negligent misrepresentations relating to our drilling operations. Among other claims, the plaintiffs alleged that we misrepresented the status of our drilling operations and the speed with which the drilling would be completed. The plaintiffs advanced claims for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation and sought damages in the amount of $18.5 million plus pre-judgment interest. On June 19, 2013, the court dismissed the negligent misrepresentation claim, but declined to dismiss the breach of contract claim. On August 12, 2013, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. That complaint named only us and sought recovery for alleged breaches of contract.

On December 31, 2016 we entered into a settlement agreement with the five hedge funds in this lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Hyperdynamics would issue to the plaintiffs a total of 600,000 new shares of common stock, and it would cause a payment to be made of $1.35 million in cash that would be covered under our directors’ and officers’ insurance policy. The plaintiffs are restricted from selling the shares of common stock before April 1, 2017 under the terms of the agreement.   On January 11, 2017, a payment of $1.35 million was made by the insurance underwriters of the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policy to the hedge funds in the Iroquois lawsuit on behalf of the Company. On January 26, 2017, an order to approve the settlement agreement was entered in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County and subsequently approved by the Court on the same day.

On February 2, 2017, the Company issued 600,000 shares of its common stock to the hedge funds named in the settlement agreement.

Shareholder Lawsuits

Beginning on March 13, 2014, two lawsuits styled as class actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against us and several then-current officers of the Company alleging that the Company made false and misleading statements that artificially inflated the Company’s stock prices.  The lawsuits alleged, among other things, that the Company misrepresented its compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-money laundering statutes and that it lacked adequate internal controls.  The lawsuits sought damages based on Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, although the specific amount of damages was not specified.

Both of the March 2014 lawsuits were dismissed voluntarily.  One was dismissed during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and the second on October 6, 2016.

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Tullow and Dana Legal Actions

On January 11, 2016, we filed legal actions against members of the Consortium under the Joint Operating Agreement governing the oil and gas exploration rights offshore Guinea (“JOA”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) against Tullow for their failure to meet their obligations under the JOA. On January 28, 2016, the action in the Federal District Court was voluntarily dismissed by us and refiled in District Court in Harris County, Texas. On February 8, 2016 Tullow and Dana removed the case to Federal District Court.

On February 2, 2016, SCS filed an Application for Emergency Arbitrator and Interim Measures of Protection and requested the following relief: (a) expedite discovery prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal; (b) provide that the time period permitted by the parties’ arbitration agreement for the selection of the arbitrators and the filing of any responsive pleadings or counterclaims be accelerated; (c) require Tullow, as the designated operator under the JOA, to maintain existing “well-planning activities”; (d) require Tullow to undertake and complete certain planning activities; and (e) require Tullow and Dana to join with SCS in completing the negotiation of an acceptable amendment to the PSC and to agree to a process that will result in the execution of the amendment.

With the exception of limited relief regarding discovery and agreement by Tullow to maintain certain well plan readiness, the Emergency Arbitrator ruled on February 17, 2016, that SCS was not entitled to the emergency injunctive relief it requested.  Further, the Emergency Arbitrator enjoined all parties to the dispute from pursuing parallel District Court proceedings. On February 12, 2016, the case was voluntarily stayed by us.

The AAA action sought (1) a determination that Tullow and Dana was in breach of their contractual obligations and (2) the damages caused by the repeated delays in well drilling caused by the activities of Tullow and Dana.  We determined to bring the legal actions only after it became apparent that Tullow and Dana would not move forward, despite many opportunities to do so, with petroleum operations.   SCS believed that it had exhausted all of its options for the pursuit of legal measures to require Tullow and Dana to drill the planned exploration well.

On August 15, 2016, we entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with Tullow and Dana (“Settlement and Release”) with respect to our dispute in arbitration. Under the Settlement and Release, we released all claims against Tullow and Dana and Tullow and Dana (i) issued to the Government of Guinea a notice of withdrawal from the Concession and PSC effective immediately, (ii) transferred their interest in the long lead items of well construction material previously purchased in preparation for the initial drilling of the Fatala well, and agreed to pay net cash of $686,570 to us. The net cash received was recorded as a part of the gain on the legal settlement. We also agreed to pay Dana a success fee based upon the certified reserves of the Fatala well if it results in a discovery of commercially producible oil and gas reserves.

The $4.8 million gain on legal settlement also includes the estimated fair value of $4.1 million for the well construction material we received from Tullow as a part of our Settlement and Release Agreement.

Operating Leases

We lease office space under long-term operating leases with varying terms. Most of the operating leases contain renewal and purchase options. We expect that in the normal course of business, most of the operating leases will be renewed or replaced by other similar leases.

During the nine-month period ended March 31, 2017 and as a part of our program to begin drilling operations in Guinea, we entered into a lease for in-country offices and nearby apartments.  The leases are for six months with options to renew as necessary and collectively cost about $30 thousand per month.

The following is a schedule by years of minimum future rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year (in thousands):

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Rent expense included in loss from operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $ 0 .3 million and $0.1 million respectively.  Rent expense included in loss from operations for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.5 million and $0.3 million respectively.

7. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Series A Preferred Stock

On March 17, 2017 we held the closing of a private placement offering (the “Offering”) of 680 Units of preferred stock securities, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit and on March 28, 2017, we consummated a second closing of the Offering and issued and sold an additional 511 Units of its securities, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit.  Each “Unit” consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s 1% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, with a Stated Value of $1,040 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), and (ii) a warrant (the “Investor Warrant”) to purchase 223 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), exercisable from issuance until two years after the date of the initial closing of March 17, 2017 at an exercise price of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).

We entered into subscription agreements for the Units (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain accredited investors (as such term is defined in the Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) (the “Subscribers”).  The Subscription Agreements contained customary representations and warranties of the Company and the Subscribers, and indemnification of the Company and the Placement Agent (as defined below) by the Subscribers.

The Company received an aggregate of $1,191,000 in gross cash proceeds, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses, and legal, accounting and other fees and expenses, in connection with the sale of the Units. The Company expects to use the net proceeds of $981,737 from the sale of the Units for general corporate purposes and to further its business interests in the Republic of Guinea, including, but not limited to the drilling of an exploration well on the Company’s offshore Concession.

At the March 17, 2017 closing, we issued to the Subscribers an aggregate of: (i) 680 units of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 151,640 shares of Common Stock and at the March 28, 2017 closing we issued to the Subscribers (as defined below) an aggregate of (i) 511 units of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 113,953 shares of Common Stock.

Subscribers in the Offering have an option (the “Subscriber Option”) to purchase their pro rata share of up to an aggregate of $3,000,000 in additional Units following the effective date of the registration statement registering for resale the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and exercise of the Investor Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants (as defined below), which we filed on May 1, 2017 and amended on May 18, 2017.

On March 17, 2017, the Company filed a Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, authorizing, and establishing the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of, the Series A Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Designations was adopted by resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, which vests in the Company’s Board of Directors with the authority to provide for the authorization and issuance of one or more series of preferred stock of the Company within the limitations and restrictions set forth therein.   The Certificate of Designations contains the following key terms:

·                  Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to receive dividends payable on the Stated Value of such Series A Preferred Stock at the rate of 1% per annum, which shall be cumulative and be due and payable in Common Stock on the applicable conversion date or in cash in the case of a redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock by the Company.

·                  Shares of Series A Preferred Stock are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, in cash, at a price per share equal to 115% of the Stated Value plus 115% of accrued but unpaid dividends.

·                  In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, out of assets available therefor, an amount equal to 115% of the Stated Value of their shares plus 115% of any accrued but unpaid dividends.

·                  The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, into shares of Common Stock at any time after the earlier of (i) the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC or (ii) six months after the date of the closing.  If no conversion has taken place within nine months after the date of the closing, the Series A Preferred Stock, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends, will automatically convert into shares of Common Stock.

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·                  The conversion price per share of Common Stock in either event is the lesser of (i) $2.75 per share (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances), or (ii) 80% of the lowest closing price during 21 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the conversion date, subject to a floor of $0.25 per share (which floor is subject to “full ratchet” adjustment in certain circumstances if we issue Common Stock (or Common Stock equivalents) in the aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 at a price below $0.25 per share of Common Stock, and to proportionate adjustment in certain other circumstances).

·                  Except in certain limited circumstances affecting the rights of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock or as required by law, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will not have voting rights.

·                  Until the date that is six months following the date of the closing, the Company will not authorize or create any class of stock ranking as to dividends, redemption or distribution of assets upon a liquidation senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, without the consent of holders of no less than 66 2 / 3 % of the then-outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

We also agreed in the Subscription Agreements that until the date that is 12 months following the closing, we will not create or allow to be created any security interest, lien, charge or other encumbrance on any of our or our subsidiaries’ rights under or interests in the Hydrocarbon Production Sharing Contract between SCS Corporation Ltd. and the Republic of Guinea, dated September 22, 2006, as amended to date or hereafter, that secures the repayment of indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for money borrowed.

Katalyst Securities, LLC (the “Placement Agent”), a U.S. registered broker-dealer, was engaged by the Company as placement agent for the Offering, on a reasonable best effort basis.  We agreed to pay to the Placement Agent (and any sub agent) a cash commission of 9% of the gross purchase price paid by the Subscribers for the Units (including for Units that may be issued upon exercise of the Subscriber Option), and to issue to the Placement Agent (and any sub agent) warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 7% of the number of shares of Common Stock initially issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a fixed price of $2.75 per share contained in the Units sold in Offering (including Units that may be issued upon exercise of the Subscriber Option), at the exercise price of $3.00 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”).

We also agreed to reimburse the Placement Agent for certain expenses related to the Offering.  At the March 17, 2017 closing, we paid the Placement Agent $61,200 of cash fees and issued to the Placement Agent or its designees Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 18,002 shares of Common Stock as well as $45,990 of cash fees and issued to the Placement Agent or its designees Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 13,528 shares of Common Stock for the March 28, 2017 closing.  The Placement Agency Agreement between the Company and the Placement Agent contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of and indemnifications by the parties.

Investor Warrants

As part of its Series A convertible preferred stock financing , on March 17, 2017 closing, we issued to the Subscribers an aggregate of: (i) 680 units of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 151,640 shares of Common Stock and at the March 28, 2017 closing we issued to the Subscribers (as defined below) an aggregate of (i) 511 units of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 113,953 shares of Common Stock. The exercise price is subject to weighted average anti-dilution provisions. The investor warrants are exercisable at any time at the option of the holder until the second annual anniversary of the first closing of the financing which was March 17, 2017.

The combined fair value of the investor warrants at first and second closing of the financing was estimated to be $181,931, which also approximates fair value as of March 31, 2017.The following are weighted average assumptions:

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The fair value of the investor warrants of $181,931 was recorded as warrants derivative liability in the accompanying balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016. Change in the fair value of the warrants is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The change in fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was immaterial.

Placement Agent Warrants

As part of the placement agent’s fees, Katalyst Securities, received warrants to purchase 31,529 shares of the Company’s stock at the exercise price of $3.00 per share. The exercise price is subject to weighted average anti-dilution provisions. The placement agent warrants are exercisable at any time at the option of the holder until the second annual anniversary of the first closing of the financing which was March 17, 2017.

The Company estimated the aggregate fair value of the warrants issued to the placement agent to be $22,985, which also approximates its fair value at March 31, 2017. This value was considered part of total equity issuance cost of $232,078 and allocated between reduction to additional paid-in capital and a charge to general administrative and other operating costs of $35,451 based on relative values of investor warrants and preferred stock relative to proceeds from issuance.

The placement agent warrants were valued using the following weighted average assumptions:

The Investor Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants have provisions for the “weighted average” adjustment of their exercise price in the event that we issue shares of Common Stock (or Common Stock equivalents) for a consideration per share less than the exercise price then in effect, subject to certain exceptions.

In connection with the Offering, we also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with each of the Subscribers and the holders of the Placement Agent Warrants, which requires the Company to file a Registration Statement with the SEC within 45 days after the closing, registering for resale (i) all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock (including any shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the Subscriber Option described above), and (ii) all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the Investor Warrants (including any Investor Warrants issued pursuant to the Subscriber Option described above) and the Placement Agent Warrants (including any that may be issued upon exercise of the Subscriber Option), and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective no later than 135 days after the closing.  We also granted to the holders of the registrable shares certain “piggyback” registration rights until two years after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

If the Registration Statement is not filed with, or declared effective by, the SEC within the specified deadlines set forth above, or the Registration Statement ceases to be effective or otherwise cannot be used for a period specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, or trading of the Common Stock on the Company’s principal market is suspended or halted for more than three consecutive trading days (each, a “Registration Event”),  monetary penalties payable by the Company to the holders of registrable shares that are affected by such Registration Event will commence to accrue at a rate equal to 12% per annum of the purchase price paid for each Unit purchased, for the period that such Registration event continues, but not exceeding in the aggregate 5% of such purchase price.

On March 28, 2017, we also entered into an amendment to the Subscription Agreements (the “Amendment”) with Subscribers that purchased the Units in the initial closing of the Offering on March 17, 2017, and with the Subscribers in this closing, to expand the scope of a right of first refusal contained in the Subscription Agreement.  As so amended, the Subscription Agreement provides that if, following the termination of the Offering and prior to December 17, 2017, the Company determines to offer for sale or to accept an offer to purchase any additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock (subject to certain limitations and adjustments described therein) for consideration consisting of cash and/or outstanding debt of the Company, each Subscriber who previously purchased Units in the Offering will have an option to purchase such Subscriber’s pro rata share of such securities on the same terms and conditions on which such securities are proposed to be issued, exercisable on the terms set forth in the Subscription Agreement.

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Beneficial Conversion Feature

The Company determined that the conversion feature in the Preferred Stock represented a beneficial conversion feature. The fair value of the common stock ranging from $ 1.60 to 1.75 per share on the Commitment Dates was greater than the effective conversion price of $ 0.47 per share of common stock, representing a beneficial conversion feature of $ 2.6 million in aggregate. Since the intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature is greater than the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument, the amount of the discount assigned to the beneficial conversion feature was limited to the amount of the proceeds allocated to the convertible instrument.  Accordingly, $1,009,069 was recorded as a reduction (the discount) to the additional paid-in capital. The Discount resulting from the allocation of value to the beneficial conversion feature is required to be amortized on a non-cash basis from the issuance date over a six-month period, or fully amortized upon an accelerated date of redemption or conversion, and recorded as a preferred dividend. The preferred dividend was immaterial to this quarter ended March 31, 2017.  The preferred dividend when recorded will be charged against additional paid-in capital since no retained earnings were available.

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Third PSC Amendment and Presidential Decree

On April 12, 2017 SCS, SAPETRO and Guinea executed a Third Amendment to the PSC (the “Third PSC Amendment”) that was subject to the receipt of a Presidential Decree and the closing of the Farmout Agreement. We received a Presidential Decree on April 21, 2017 approving the assignment of 50% of our participating interest in the Guinea concession to SAPETRO, and it confirms the two companies’ rights to explore for oil and gas on our 5,000-square-kilometer Concession offshore the Republic of Guinea. The contract requires that drilling operations in relation to the obligation well Fatala-1 (the “Extension Well”) are to begin no later than May 30, 2017 and provides that additional exploration wells may be drilled within the exploration period at the companies’ option.

The Third PSC Amendment further reaffirms clear title of SAPETRO and SCS to the Concession as well as amends the security instrument requirements under the PSC. SCS and SAPETRO agreed to a US $5 million security instrument to be put in place within 30 days from the date of the Presidential Decree.

In addition on April 12, 2017 SCS and SAPETRO separately agreed that SCS’s “sufficient financing for the Obligation Well Costs” as defined in the Farmout Agreement was to be set at $15 million in “cash and committed financing to the satisfaction of SAPETRO acting reasonably” in addition to costs already incurred. Further, SAPETRO and SCS agreed that, subject to Closing, SAPETRO may elect to pay for a portion of SCS’s Fatala-1 well costs so long as SCS is not in default of either the PSC or the Farmout Agreement and requires credit support. In case SAPETRO makes such payments for a share of SCS’s costs of, SCS shall assign to SAPETRO 2% of its participating interest in the Concession for each $1 million of SCS’s costs paid by SAPETRO.

The Pacific Sirocco drillship entered Guinea shelf waters as provided by the terms of the Third PSC Amendment on May 21, 2017, which is within the 30 days from the Presidential Decree signing date. It relieves SAPETRO and SCS from an obligation to place a $5 million security instrument with the Government of Guinea. Subsequent to arrival of the Pacific Scirocco in Guinea waters, SCS begins mobilization of additional equipment, materials and supplies on the rig to prepare for spudding the Fatala 1 well, which constitutes the commencement of the drilling operations before May 30, 2017 as required by the Third PSC Amendment.

Prior to that, on May 20, 2017 we entered into Amendment No.1 to the Offshore Drilling Contract with a subsidiary of Pacific Operations Drilling Limited (“Pacific Amendment”).  The Pacific Amendment clarifies the use of the Pacific Scirocco drill ship for the upcoming drilling program offshore Guinea and provides for Special Mobilization and Standby Rate (“SMSR”) of $100,000 per day  to apply at moment the drill ship enters Guinea territorial waters.  It further provides that SMSR ends the later of when Pacific Sirocco receives from SCS a 28 day notice for drilling commencement or  July 17, 2017. In consideration for the extension of the Pacific Sirocco Contract and reduction of the costs associated with it, we agreed with Pacific Scirocco Limited (“Pacific”) to issue and deliver to Pacific a number of shares of our Common Stock equal to $1,000,000 at a 10 day average market price preceding the date of the agreement to issue the shares.

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Closing of Additional Private Placement Offering

On April 18, 2017, we consummated a third closing of a private placement offering (the “Offering”) and issued and sold additional 710 Units of securities, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit. On April 26, 2017, we consummated a fourth closing of the Offering and issued and sold additional 50 Units of securities at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit.   (See Note 7 — Shareholders’ Equity — Series A Preferred Stock) Each “Unit” consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s 1% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, with a Stated Value of $1,040 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), and (ii) a warrant (the “Investor Warrant”) to purchase 223 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), exercisable from issuance until two years after the date of the initial closing of March 17, 2017, at an exercise price of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).  At the April 18, 2017 closing, we issued to the Subscribers an aggregate of (i) 710 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 158,330 shares of Common Stock. At the April 26, 2017 closing, we issued to the Subscribers an aggregate of (i) 50 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,150 shares of Common Stock.

We received an aggregate of $760,000 in gross cash proceeds, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses, and legal, accounting and other fees and expenses, in connection with the April 18, 2017 and April 26, 2017 sale of the Units.   We expect to use the net proceeds of $661,441 from the sale of the Units for general corporate purposes and to further our business interests in the Republic of Guinea, including, but not limited to, the drilling of an exploration well on our offshore Concession.

In conjunction with the April 18, 2017 and April 26, 2017 closing, we paid Katalyst Securities $68,400 of cash fees and issued to the Placement Agent or its designees Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 20,120 shares of Common Stock.

Investor Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants will be recorded as additional derivative liabilities.

We filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2017 in connection with common shares that preferred stock is convertible into and warrants exercisable for. On May 18, 2017, we filed an amended Registration Statement on Form S-1/A.

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

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, expectations, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts.  Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” or “think.” Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  We assume no duty to update or revise our forward-looking statements based on changes in plans or expectations or otherwise.

As used herein, references to “Hyperdynamics,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Hyperdynamics Corporation and our subsidiaries.

Overview

Our corporate mission is to provide energy for the future by exploring for, developing new, and re-establishing pre-existing sources of energy.  Our primary focus is the advancement of exploration work in Guinea.  We have no source of operating revenue, and there is no assurance when we will, if ever.  Our operating cash flows are negative, and we will require substantial additional funds, through additional participants, securities offerings, or through other means, to fulfill our business plans.

Our operating plan within the next twelve months includes the following:

·                                          Drill the exploration well in Guinea.

·                                          Consider financing alternatives and other measures to raise funds to pursue our exploration objectives offshore Guinea.

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Following the execution of Amendment No. 1 to the PSC in March 2010 (the “First PSC Amendment”) and the receipt of a Presidential Decree in May 2010, we sold a 23% gross interest in the Concession to Dana Petroleum, PLC (“Dana”), a subsidiary of the Korean National Oil Corporation. In December 2012, we closed a sale of a 40% gross interest to Tullow Guinea Ltd. (“Tullow”), and Tullow became the Operator on April 1, 2013. A planned exploration well in 2014 was initially delayed by Tullow and thereafter by the Ebola epidemic. Continued failure to resume petroleum operations by both Tullow and Dana in 2015 forced us to file legal actions under our Joint Operating Agreement. On August 15, 2016, we entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with Tullow and Dana (“Settlement Agreement”) that returned to us 100% of the interest under the PSC, long-lead item property useful in the drilling of an exploratory well, and $0.7 million in cash, in return for a mutual release of all claims. We also agreed to pay Dana a success fee based upon the certified reserves of the Fatala-1 well if it results in a discovery.

We executed a Second Amendment to the PSC (“Second PSC Amendment”) on September 15, 2016, and received a Presidential Decree that gave us a one year extension to the second exploration period of the PSC to September 22, 2017 (“PSC Extension Period”) and became the designated Operator of the Concession.

In addition to clarifying certain elements of the PSC, we agreed in the Second PSC Amendment to drill one exploratory well to a minimum depth of 2,500 meters below the seabed within the PSC Extension Period (the “Extension Well”) with the option of drilling additional wells. Fulfillment of the work obligations exempts us from the expenditure obligations during the PSC Extension Period.In turn, we retained an area equivalent to approximately 5,000 square kilometers in the Guinea offshore waters and agreed to provide the Government of Guinea: (1) A parent company guarantee for the Extension Well obligation, (2) monthly progress reports and a reconciliation of budget to actual expenditures, (failure to provide the reports and assurances on a timely basis could result in a notice of termination with a 30 day period to cure), and (3) certain guarantees.

Additionally, we agreed to limit the cost recovery pool to date to our share of expenditures in the PSC since 2009 (estimated to be approximately $165,000,000 net to our interest) and began to move into the territory of Guinea the long lead items we received in the Settlement Agreement that are currently stored in Takoradi, Ghana. The movement of approximately $1.6 million of the $4.1 million of equipment was started on January 29, 2017 and was completed on February 5, 2017. The balance of the material still in Ghana will be moved at a later date. Finally, we agreed to allocate and administer a training budget during the PSC Extension Period for the benefit of the Guinea National Petroleum Office of $250,000 in addition to any unused portion of the training program under Article 10.3 of the PSC. The unused portion of the training program is now estimated to be approximately $400,000.

On March 10, 2017, we entered into a Tri Party Protocol (“Protocol”) with South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (“SAPETRO”), a privately held Nigerian oil and gas exploration and production company, and the Government of Guinea agreeing to commence operations for the Fatala-1 well no later than May 30, 2017, and that SAPETRO and SCS will make all reasonable efforts to negotiate and finalize all transaction documents for SAPETRO’s entry into the project in conformity with the PSC and submit for the approval of the Government of Guinea no later than April 10, 2017. The Government of Guinea in turn agreed to provide adequate assurances in relation to the validity of the existing PSC and amendments to enable SCS and SAPETRO to enter into the transaction documents and obtain all necessary Government approvals and to mobilize the requisite resources in the form of contracts, funds and personnel to spud and accomplish drilling operations in respect of the Fatala well and subsequent exploration wells. It was further agreed that upon completion of the transaction documents and receipt of the requisite approvals by the Government of Guinea, SAPETRO will provide the $5 million Security Instrument as required by the terms of the Second PSC Amendment.

On March 30, 2017, SCS entered into a Farmout Agreement (the “Farmout Agreement”) with SAPETRO, pursuant to the terms of which, and subject to certain conditions therein, SCS will assign and transfer to SAPETRO 50% of its 100% gross participating interest in the PSC and the joint operating agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Farmout Agreement, upon closing, SAPETRO will (i) reimburse SCS its proportional share of past costs associated with the preparations for the drilling of the Fatala-1 well, and (ii) pay its participating interest’s share of future costs in the Concession. Currently the total amount of costs spent by SCS after the date of the Second PSC Amendment in relation to the preparation of drilling of the Fatala-1 well is estimated at $8-10 million depending on the timing of the completion of the Farmout Agreement and upon approval of the Guinea government.

The closing of the Farmout Agreement with SAPETRO is subject to several conditions, including, but not limited to: (i) the receipt of the requisite approvals and consents of the government of the Republic of Guinea, (ii) if required by the Government of Guinea, security in respect of each party’s participating share of the drilling costs, and (iii) subject to the satisfaction of SAPETRO acting reasonably, SCS having obtained cash or committed financings in the amount of up to $ 15 million to enable it to meet its obligations related to the Fatala-1 well. At closing, SAPETRO and SCS will deliver mutual parent guarantees to secure the obligations under the Farmout Agreement and a joint operating agreement governing the conduct of operations. Each party to the Farmout Agreement may waive certain conditions in whole or in part at any time.

The parties have agreed to close on or before May 31, 2017, unless the Farmout Agreement is previously terminated due to parties’ failure to satisfy the closing conditions, by mutual agreement of the parties, or if either party receives final, unappealable written notice from the Government of Guinea stating that it will not approve the transfer of the farm-in interest, or on certain other conditions.

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On April 12, 2017 SCS, SAPETRO and Guinea executed a Third Amendment to the PSC (the “Third PSC Amendment”) that was subject to the receipt of a Presidential Decree and the closing of the Farmout Agreement. We received a Presidential Decree on April 21, 2017 approving the assignment of 50% of SCS’ participating interest in the Guinea concession to SAPETRO, and it confirms the two companies’ rights to explore for oil and gas on our 5,000-square-kilometer Concession offshore the Republic of Guinea.

The Third PSC Amendment further reaffirmed clear title of SAPETRO and SCS to the Concession as well as amended the security instrument requirements under the PSC. SCS and SAPETRO agreed to a US $5 million security instrument to be put in place within 30 days from the date of the Presidential Decree. The security instrument is to be released at such time that the drilling rig to be used in the drilling of the extension well is located in the shelf waters of the Republic of Guinea, including its territorial waters. Pursuant to the terms of the Protocol, SAPETRO agreed to provide the $5 million security instrument upon Government of Guinea approval to enter the Concession and completion of the Farmout Agreement. SCS and SAPETRO agreed to joint and several liability to the Government of Guinea in respect to the PSC.

The Third Amendment requires that drilling operations in relation to the obligation well Fatala-1 (the “Extension Well”) are to begin no later than May 30, 2017 and provides that additional exploration wells may be drilled within the exploration period at the companies’ option. The Pacific Sirocco drillship entered Guinea shelf waters as provided by the terms of the Third PSC Amendment on May 21, 2017. Subsequent to arrival of the Pacific Sirocco in Guinea waters, SCS begins mobilization of, additional equipment, material and supplies of on the rig to prepare for spudding the Fatala 1 well, which constitutes the commencement of the drilling operations before May 30, 2017 as required by the Third PSC Amendment.

In addition on April 12, 2017 SCS and SAPETRO separately agreed that SCS’s “sufficient financing for the Obligation Well Costs” as defined in the Farmout Agreement was to be set at $15 million in “cash and committed financing to the satisfaction of SAPETRO acting reasonably” in addition to costs already incurred. Further, SAPETRO and SCS agreed that, subject to Closing, SAPETRO may elect to pay for a portion of SCS’s Fatala-1 well costs so long as SCS is not in default of either the PSC or the Farmout Agreement and requires credit support. In case SAPETRO makes such payments for a share of SCS’s costs of, SCS shall assign to SAPETRO 2% of its participating interest in the Concession for each $1 million of SCS’s costs paid by SAPETRO.

Between March 17 and April 26, 2017, we held four closings of a private placement offering (the “Series A Offering”) of an aggregate of 1,951 Units of our securities, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit. Each “Unit” consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, with a Stated Value of $1,040 per share, and (ii) a warrant (the “Investor Warrant”) to purchase 223 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable from issuance until March 17, 2019, at an exercise price of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances). At the closings, we issued to the subscribers an aggregate of: (i) 1,951 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 435,073 shares of common stock.

The Company received an aggregate of $1,951,000 in gross cash proceeds, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses, and legal, accounting and other fees and expenses, in connection with the sale of the Units. We paid the Placement Agent a total of $175,555 of cash fees and issued to the Placement Agent or its designees Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 51,650 shares of common stock.

On May 20, 2017 we entered into Amendment No.1 to the Offshore Drilling Contract with a subsidiary of Pacific Operations Drilling Limited (“Pacific Amendment”) on May 20, 2017.  The Pacific Amendment clarifies the use of the Pacific Scirocco drill ship for the upcoming drilling program offshore Guinea and provides for Special Mobilization and Standby Rate (“SMSR”) of $100,000 per day  to apply at moment the drill ship enters Guinea territorial waters.  It further provides that SMSR ends the later of when Pacific Sirocco receives from SCS a 28 day notice for drilling commencement or  July 17, 2017. In consideration for the extension of the Pacific Sirocco Contract and reduction of the costs associated with it, we agreed with Pacific Scirocco Limited (“Pacific”) to issue and deliver to Pacific a number of shares of our Common Stock equal to $1,000,000 at a 10 day average market price preceding the date of the agreement to issue the shares.

Our current capital resources are not sufficient to cover our financial commitments required to meet the exploration activity in the Concession. We are working to close the Farmout Agreement with SAPETRO as well as seeking funding through additional sales of interest in the Concession, from equity or debt or other financial instruments.

As a result and absent cash inflows, we do not have adequate capital resources to meet our current obligations as they become due. Our ability to meet our current obligations as they become due over the next quarter and twelve months and to be able to continue with our operations will depend on obtaining additional resources through sales of additional interests in the Concession, issuing equity or debt securities, or through other means, and the resumption of petroleum operations.

Failure to comply with  any material obligations of the PSC subjects us to risk of loss of the Concession.

No assurance can be given that any of these actions can be completed.

Results of Operations

Based on the factors discussed below the net loss attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $14.2 million to a net loss of $3.4 million, or $0.16 per share, from a net loss of $17.6 million, or $0.84 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Net loss attributable to common shareholders for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 decreased $12.4 million to a net loss of $9.0 million, or $0.42 per share, from a net loss of $21.4 million, or $1.02 per share for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.

The decrease in net loss attributable to common shareholders for the current fiscal year three-month period is primarily the result of the full-cost ceiling test write-down of $14.3 million recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

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The decrease in net loss attributable to common shareholders for the current fiscal year nine-month period is primarily the result of the full-cost ceiling test write-down of $14.3 million recorded during the nine-month period ended March 31, 2016 and partially offset by an increase in general and administrative costs incurred on resuming operatorship of our Guinea Concession.

Series A Preferred Stock Offering

Subscribers in the Series A Offering have an option (the “Subscriber Option”) to purchase, at the same purchase price of $1,000 per Unit, their pro rata share of up to an aggregate of $3,000,000 in additional Units following the effective date of the registration statement registering for resale the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and exercise of the Investor Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants (as defined below), which we have agreed to file as described below (the “Registration Statement”).

We also agreed in the Subscription Agreements that until March 17, 2018, we will not create or allow to be created any security interest, lien, charge or other encumbrance on any of our or our subsidiaries’ rights under or interests in the PSC that secures the repayment of indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for money borrowed.

Katalyst Securities, LLC (the “Placement Agent”), a U.S. registered broker-dealer, was engaged by the Company as placement agent for the Series A Offering, on a reasonable best effort basis. We agreed to pay to the Placement Agent (and any sub agent) a cash commission of 9% of the gross purchase price paid by the Subscribers for the Units (including for Units that may be issued upon exercise of the Subscriber Option), and to issue to the Placement Agent (and any sub agent) warrants to purchase a number of shares of common stock equal to 7% of the number of shares of common stock initially issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (convertible at a fixed price of $2.75 per share) contained in the Units sold in Series A Offering (including Units that may be issued upon exercise of the Subscriber Option), at the exercise price of $3.00 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). We also agreed to reimburse the Placement Agent for certain expenses related to the Series A Offering. We paid the Placement Agent a total of $175,555 of cash fees and issued to the Placement Agent or its designees Placement Agent Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 51,650 shares of common stock in connection with closings between March 17 and April 26, 2017.

The Investor Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants have provisions for the “weighted average” adjustment of their exercise price in the event that we issue shares of common stock (or common stock equivalents) for a consideration per share less than the exercise price then in effect, subject to certain exceptions.

In connection with the Series A Offering, we also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with each of the Subscribers and the holders of the Placement Agent Warrants.

Reportable segments

We have one reportable segment: our international operations in Guinea conducted through our subsidiary SCS. SCS is engaged in oil and gas exploration activities pertaining to offshore Guinea.

Three months ended March 31, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

Revenues .  There were no revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Depreciation .   Depreciation on property and equipment decreased 74% or $20 thousand from the fiscal 2016 period to the fiscal 2017 period. Depreciation expense was $7,400 and $27,700 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease is primarily attributed to assets in service in the prior year became fully depreciated early in the current year.

General, Administrative and other Operating Expenses .  Our general, administrative and other operating expenses were $3.4 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This represents an increase of 3.5% or $0.1 million from the fiscal 2016 period to the fiscal 2017 period. The general and administrative costs remained steady.

Full-cost ceiling test write-down. There were no full-cost ceiling write-downs in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the $14.3 million write-down in the three months ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, based on our impairment

assessment, we fully impaired the $14.3 million of unproved oil and gas properties. This impairment assessment was based on the

continued impasse by our members of the Consortium to resume petroleum operations and drill the next exploration obligation

well, which needed to be commenced by the end of September 2016, and our inability to get interim injunctive relief from the

American Arbitration Association requiring Tullow and Dana to join with SCS in the negotiation of an acceptable amendment to the

PSC and to agree to a process that would result in the execution of the amendment which we hoped would have led to the

resumption of petroleum operations. Thus, we believed all legal measures to require Tullow and Dana to drill the planned exploration

well have been exhausted. Despite this impairment, we continued to pursue any avenues with the members of the Consortium and

the Government of Guinea in order to begin drilling activities in our Concession prior to the end of the Concession in

September 2016.

Loss from Operations .  As a result of the factors discussed above, our loss from operations decreased by $14.2 million from $17.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

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Nine months ended March 31, 2017 Compared to Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016

Revenues .  There were no revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Depreciation.  Depreciation on property and equipment decreased 49% or $41 thousand from the fiscal 2016 period to the fiscal 2017 period. Depreciation expense was $42 thousand and $83 thousand in the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease is primarily attributed to only a small amount of asset additions and related modest depreciation in the current year whereas a large portion of the assets in service in the prior year became fully depreciated early in the current year.

General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses.  Our general, administrative and other operating expenses were $11.6 million and $7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This represents an increase of 67% or $4.6 million from the fiscal 2016 period to the fiscal 2017 period. The increase in expense was attributable to an increase in general and administrative costs incurred on resuming operatorship of our Guinea Concession. An increase of approximately $3.8 million was related to contract and professional services needed for the resumption of becoming operator on the Guinea Concession.  In addition, salaries and benefits increased approximately $700 thousand due to staff additions.

Full-cost ceiling test write-down. During the period ended March 31, 2017 we impaired $0.8 million of unproved oil and gas property costs capitalized. That impairment assessment was based on our liquidity position, and the possibility that we may not reach an agreement with the Government of Guinea regarding the requirement under the PSC to provide a mutually acceptable security of $5.0 million and the possibility that the Government of Guinea may at any time and without prior notice terminate our Concession.

Gain and cost on legal settlements.  The $4.8 million gain on legal settlement with Tullow and Dana includes a cash payment from Tullow to us of $686,570 and the fair value of $4.1 million for the well construction material we received from Tullow as a part of our Settlement and Release Agreement.

We recognized a $1.3 million cost of the Iroquois legal case based on a settlement agreement at the end of December whereby we would issue 600,000 shares of company stock which we valued based on the settlement date at $2.18 per share.  The common stock was issued on February 2, 2017.

In deciding to settle we considered the possibility that the plaintiffs’ claims for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation could have result in a judgment that could have awarded damages in amounts ranging from $4.0 million to $18.5 million plus pre-judgment interest. Because we are seeking equity investment and project partners among many oil companies management decided to pursue the settlement option, eliminate this legal risk for the Company and thus improve the Company’s attractiveness as a joint venture partner or as an investment in its stock.

Loss from Operations.  As a result of the factors discussed above, our loss from operations decreased by $9.0 million from $21.4 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2016 to $12.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 was $8.2 million compared to $5.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in cash used in operating activities is primarily attributable to the increase in general, administrative and other operating costs, partially offset by changes in working capital during the periods, and the $0.7 million in cash received from the legal settlement with Tullow and Dana.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 was $2.6 million compared to $21 thousand used in

the nine months ended March 31, 2016. The increase primarily relates to oil and gas property costs incurred by the Company in

resumption of the prospect development as operator of the Guinea Concession.

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Financing Activities

There were $64 thousand of cash proceeds provided by financing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2017 as a result of the exercise of stock options. 

Between March 17 and April 26, 2017, we held four closings of a private placement offering (the “Series A Offering”) of an aggregate of 1,951 Units of our securities, at a purchase price of $1,000 per Unit. Each “Unit” consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, with a Stated Value of $1,040 per share, and (ii) a warrant (the “Investor Warrant”) to purchase 223 shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable from issuance until March 17, 2019, at an exercise price of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances). At the closings, we issued to the subscribers an aggregate of: (i) 1,951 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and (ii) Investor Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 435,073 shares of common stock.   The Company received an aggregate of $1,951,000 in gross cash proceeds, before deducting placement agent fees and expenses, and legal, accounting and other fees and expenses, in connection with the sale of the Units.

There was no cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2016.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2017 and the date of this filing, the Company’s trade accounts payable and accrued expenses exceeded its cash balances.

Our current capital resources are not sufficient to cover our financial commitments required to meet the exploration activity in the Concession. We are working to close the Farmout Agreement with SAPETRO as well as seeking funding through additional sales of interest in the Concession, from equity or debt or other financial instruments.

As a result, and absent cash inflows, we do not have adequate capital resources to meet our current obligations as they become due, and therefore there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to meet our current obligations as they become due over the next quarter and twelve months and to be able to continue with our operations will depend on obtaining additional resources through sales of additional interests in the Concession, issuing equity or debt securities, or through other means, and the resumption of petroleum operations.

No assurance can be given that any of these actions can be completed.

Capital Expenditures

During the first nine months of fiscal 2017, we incurred an additional $2.6 million on unproved oil and gas properties and $45 thousand for property, plant and equipment. This compares to the first nine months of fiscal 2016, where we spent $20 thousand on unproved oil and gas properties.

In the legal settlement with Tullow and Dana, we also received long lead items of well construction material previously purchased by the Consortium in preparation for the initial drilling of the Fatala-1 well. The fair market value at the date of settlement, taking into account the condition of the material and then current pricing among other factors, was determined to be $4.1million. This part of the settlement was a non-cash transaction and was recorded as an oil and gas property asset addition and a gain on legal settlement.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market

Our functional currency is the US dollar. Prior to the closure of our office in the United Kingdom, we had some foreign currency exchange rate risk related to the Pound Sterling. Subject to the receipt of adequate funding, we are in the process of opening an office in Conakry, Guinea to supervise drilling activities. US dollars are accepted in Guinea and many of our purchases and purchase obligations, such as our office lease in Guinea, are denominated in US dollars. However, our costs for labor, supplies, and fuel could increase if the Guinea Franc significantly appreciates against the US dollar. We did not hedge the exposure to currency rate changes. We do not believe our exposure to market risk to be material.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and Principal Financial Officer (“PFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

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Disclosure controls and procedures also include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017 our PEO and PFO concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Our management, including the PEO and PFO, identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The departure of our previous Principal Accounting Officer had a material adverse impact on our quarterly financial close process and reporting causing our filing of this Form 10-Q to be late. The Company is in the process of remedying this weakness by adding additional accounting personnel.

Part II Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are involved in business disputes. We are unable to predict the outcome of such matters when they arise. Currently pending proceedings, in our opinion, will not have a material adverse effect upon our consolidated financial statements. The following are the only legal proceedings with material developments during the three and nine-month periods ended March 31, 2017.

Iroquois and Shareholder Lawsuits

On December 31, 2016, we entered into a settlement agreement with the five hedge funds in the Iroquois lawsuit.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we issued to the plaintiffs a total of 600,000 new shares of common stock, and it would cause a payment to be made of $1.35 million in cash covered under our directors’ and officers’ insurance policy. The plaintiffs are restricted from selling the shares of common stock before April 1, 2017 under the terms of the agreement.

On January 26, 2017, an order to approve the settlement agreement was entered in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County and subsequently approved by the Court on the same day.

On January 11, 2017, a payment of $1.35 million was made by the insurance underwriters of the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policy to the hedge funds in the Iroquois lawsuit on behalf of the Company.  On February 2, 2017, we issued 600,000 shares of our common stock to the hedge funds named in the settlement agreement.

Beginning on March 13, 2014, two lawsuits styled as class actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against the Company and several then-current officers of the Company alleging that the Company made false and misleading statements that artificially inflated its stock prices. The lawsuits alleged, among other things, that the Company misrepresented its compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-money laundering statutes and that it lacked adequate internal controls.  The lawsuits sought damages based on Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, although the specific amount of damages was not specified.

Both of the March 2014 lawsuits were dismissed voluntarily. One was dismissed during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and the second was dismissed on October 6, 2016.

Tullow and Dana Legal Actions

On January 11, 2016, we filed legal actions against members of the Consortium under the Joint Operating Agreement governing the oil and gas exploration rights offshore Guinea (“JOA”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) against Tullow for their failure to meet their obligations under the JOA. On January 28, 2016, the action in the Federal District Court was voluntarily dismissed by us and refiled in District Court in Harris County, Texas. On February 8, 2016 Tullow and Dana removed the case to Federal District Court.

On February 2, 2016, SCS filed an Application for Emergency Arbitrator and Interim Measures of Protection and requested the following relief: (a) expedite discovery prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal; (b) provide that the time period permitted by the parties’ arbitration agreement for the selection of the arbitrators and the filing of any responsive pleadings or counterclaims be accelerated; (c) require Tullow, as the designated operator under the JOA, to maintain existing “well-planning activities”; (d) require Tullow to undertake and complete certain planning activities; and (e) require Tullow and Dana to join with SCS in completing the negotiation of an acceptable amendment to the PSC and to agree to a process that will result in the execution of the amendment.

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With the exception of limited relief regarding discovery and agreement by Tullow to maintain certain well plan readiness, the Emergency Arbitrator ruled on February 17, 2016, that SCS was not entitled to the emergency injunctive relief it requested.  Further, the Emergency Arbitrator enjoined all parties to the dispute from pursuing parallel District Court proceedings. On February 12, 2016, the case was voluntarily stayed by us.

The AAA action sought (1) a determination that Tullow and Dana was in breach of their contractual obligations and (2) the damages caused by the repeated delays in well drilling caused by the activities of Tullow and Dana.  We determined to bring the legal actions only after it became apparent that Tullow and Dana would not move forward, despite many opportunities to do so, with petroleum operations.   SCS believed that it had exhausted all of its options for the pursuit of legal measures to require Tullow and Dana to drill the planned exploration well.

On August 15, 2016, we entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with Tullow and Dana (“Settlement and Release”) with respect to our dispute in arbitration. Under the Settlement and Release, we released all claims against Tullow and Dana and Tullow and Dana (i) issued to the Government of Guinea a notice of withdrawal from the Concession and PSC effective immediately, (ii) transferred their interest in the long lead items of well construction material previously purchased in preparation for the initial drilling of the Fatala well, and agreed to pay net cash of $686,570 to us. The net cash received was recorded as a part of the gain on the legal settlement. We also agreed to pay Dana a success fee based upon the certified reserves of the Fatala well if it results in a discovery of commercially producible oil and gas reserves.

The $4.8 million gain on legal settlement also includes the estimated fair value of $4.1 million for the well construction material we received from Tullow as a part of our Settlement and Release Agreement.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We executed a Farmout Agreement with SAPETRO that includes a number of conditions that must be met prior to closing.

Our Farmout Agreement contains a number of financial and other conditions that must be met prior to closing. While SCS and SAPETRO separately agreed on April 12, 2017 that SCS’s “sufficient financing for the Obligation Well Costs” as defined in the Farmout Agreement is $15 million in “cash and committed financing to the satisfaction of SAPETRO acting reasonably” in addition to costs already incurred, we are uncertain of our ability to raise those funds in order to close on the Farmout Agreement. Should closing on the Farmout Agreement not occur in the near future, we risk being unable to meet our obligations under the PSC and a loss of the Concession.

We require additional financing to meet our general and administrative obligations and in order to fulfill our PSC commitments. We are currently not in a position to predict when, if ever, we will be able to meet those obligations.

Absent cash inflows, we will not have adequate capital resources to meet our current obligations as they become due and therefore there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to meet our obligations will depend on obtaining additional funding through sales of additional interests in the Concession, issuing equity or debt securities, or through other means, which we currently pursue.  No assurance can be given that any of these actions can be completed.

The Concession offshore Guinea is our principal asset and we do not have the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations under the PSC, as amended, and our ability to obtain additional financing is likely dependent upon raising funds through the issuance of corporate equity or debt instruments and/or reaching farm-in agreements with prospective partner(s) who will share the costs of the exploration program for the Concession area.  There is no assurance that we will be successful in raising the funds or acquiring the partners in the time needed to execute the program required in the PSC Second Amendment.

We operate in the Republic of Guinea, a country which is a high-risk jurisdiction for corruption that could impair our ability to do business in the future or result in significant fines or penalties.

Following the settlements with Tullow and Dana, we resumed the role of operator of the prospect in the Republic of Guinea a country where corruption has been known to exist.  There is a risk of violating either the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, laws or legislation promulgated pursuant to the 1997 OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or Guinea anti-corruption regulations that generally prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business.

The Republic of Guinea is largely a cash-based society and that creates additional internal control and related risks.  We have been subject to FCPA investigations by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission into how we obtained or retained the original Concession and spent approximately $12.8 million in legal fees in working with the US Government. Those matters were resolved in 2015, but should the DOJ, the SEC, or the Republic of Guinea open additional investigations regarding prior or current activities in the Republic Guinea or elsewhere, we do not have the financial ability to bear the cost of additional investigations and are unable to predict whether we will be able to raise the funds to properly defend the Company.

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Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

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