ITEM 1. BUSINESS AND 2. PROPERTIES
Business Development
Citadel Exploration, Inc. (“Citadel”) was formed as a Nevada corporation in December 2009. On March 2, 2011, Citadel changed its name from Subprime Advantage, Inc. to Citadel Exploration, Inc. Effective May 3, 2011, Citadel completed the acquisition of the Indian Shallow Oil Development Project, located in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin in California, consisting of 689 acres of leased property from Vintage Petroleum, LLC (Vintage), then a division of Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), through the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding membership interest of Citadel Exploration, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company (“CEL”) pursuant to the Membership Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (“Membership Purchase Agreement”).
As a result of our acquisition of CEL, we have a broad portfolio of capital investment opportunities that arise from CEL’s extensive knowledge of the geology and the history of oil and gas exploration and development in California as well as long-term presence and familiarity and relationships with other companies engaged in the oil and gas industry in California.
Business of Citadel
Citadel is an energy company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties. Our primary focus is on properties are located in the San Joaquin Basin of California. Subject to availability of capital, we strive to implement an accelerated development program utilizing capital resources, a regional operating focus, an experienced management and technical team, and enhanced recovery technologies to attempt to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Our corporate strategy is to build value in the Company through acquisition of gas and oil leases with significant upside potential, successful exploration and exploitation and the efficient development of these assets.
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Our Projects
KERN BLUFF OIL FIELD
In July of 2015, Citadel purchased approximately 1,100 acres encompassing the Kern Bluff Oil Field in Kern County, California for $2,000,000 in cash and 6,000,000 shares of its common stock valued at $480,000. The seller also retained a royalty that varies on a lease by lease basis; Citadel has 100% working interest in the field with an 80% net revenue interest. In 2015, Citadel re-entered 7 idle well bores, and began to return those wells to production. Production as of December 31, 2015 was approximately 30 barrels of oil per day (BOPD). The field had 29 idle well bores upon acquisition, Citadel plans to re-enter each of these well bores in 2016 and attempt to return them to production.
In December of 2015, Citadel shifted its CAPEX focus to remediation of the existing acquired facilities. At the time of purchase, the oil at Kern Bluff was being processed by temporary facilities installed by the previous owner. As production increased in September, it quickly became apparent that these facilities were not capable of processing the additional volumes of oil and water being produced. The existing permanent facilities were built in the 1970’s by Gulf Oil and require extensive remediation including new pipe, valves, flanges and tank repair. In order to facilitate the remediation, Citadel elected to shut down the eight producing wells in early January. Citadel expects the facility remediation to be completed in May of 2016, at which time the facilities are estimated to have production capability of 500 BOPD. Citadel then plans to resume its return to production (RTP) program, and then begin drilling new wells in the third or fourth quarter of 2016.
PROJECT YOWLUMNE
In May 2013, we leased approximately 2,800 acres from AERA Energy, LLC (“Aera”). This acreage has been mapped using a combination of both 2D and 3D seismic, and is in close proximity to the Yowlumne oil field in Kern County, California. The Company is obligated to pay a 20% royalty to Aera. In August of 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 55% of the interest in the Yowlumne lease, recouping approximately 85% of its cost, while retaining a 25% interest in the lease and operatorship. In July of 2014 the Company ended its joint venture with Sojitz Energy Ventures retaining Sojitz’s 55% interest in the Yowlumne lease, therefore increasing Citadel’s ownership to 75% in the Yowlumne lease.
Additionally, as part of this transaction, the Company retained 100% interest in the Yowlumne #2-26 well, and the 160 acres surrounding the well bore. The Yowlumne #2-26 was first drilled in 2008 under supervision of Citadel CEO, Armen Nahabedian, during his previous tenure with his family’s oil company. Although the well tested oil at that time, the well was left idle for 5 years as lease issues prevented operations on the well until the appropriate curative measures could be taken.
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In December of 2014, Citadel began a work-over on the Yowlumne #2-26 well including installation of a new pump in February of 2015. The well has been producing approximately 20- 25 barrels per day (32 degree API quality) since March of 2015. In June the well’s pump had a mechanical issue, the company performed well maintenance operations on the #2-26 well in August, which returned the well to production at approximately 20-25 barrels per day. During December of 2015, extremely cold weather forced the shut-down of the #2-26 well. Citadel plans to return the well to production in the second quarter of 2016. Citadel is in the final stages of the CEQA process to permit two additional exploration wells on the Yowlumne acreage. Recent regulatory changes, including SB4 the State of California’s bill on fracking have delayed the final approval of our CEQA application. As such we do not expect to have these prospects permitted until the end of 2016, at which time we will determine when to drill. Both of these exploration wells will be targeting the Stephens Sands at a depth of 12,000 to 15,000 feet. Citadel currently has a 75% working interest in these exploration prospects and is the operator.
PROJECT INDIAN
Project Indian is located in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin, north of the giant San Ardo Field. Citadel currently owns a 100% working interest at Project Indian. In July of 2014 Citadel ended its prior joint venture with Sojitz Energy Ventures. There is a 20% royalty on the property owned by Vintage Petroleum which is now a part of California Resources Corporation (CRC). CRC is now the mineral owner at Project Indian.
In January of 2014, Citadel drilled and completed the first well at Project Indian, the Indian #1-15, and conducted a successful steam cycle in June of 2014. The Indian #1-15 then produced 3 to 7 BOPD over several weeks before production halted because the well was shut-in by an order of the Superior Court of the State of California-County of Monterey entitled Center for Biological Diversity v. San Benito County Case no. M123956 (hereinafter the “Case”).
In the Case, the Center for Biological Diversity, a non-governmental entity, petitioned the Court over the approval of Project Indian by the County of San Benito on a unanimous, 5-0 vote. Specifically, it argued that Project Indian required an Environmental Impact Report and not a Mitigated Negative Declaration which was the standard of environmental due diligence required by the County before its unanimous approval of the Project. The Court approved the petition in a judgment entered on September 4, 2014, and ruled that Citadel was required to obtain an environmental impact report before commencing further work at Project Indian .
Then, on November 4, 2014 Measure J was passed by a majority of participating, registered voters in the County of San Benito. Measure J bans hydraulic fracturing and other stimulation techniques defined as “high intensity petroleum operations” by the Measure, including cyclic steam injection. Citadel believes the passing of Measure J constitutes a regulatory taking of property and is preempted by the State of California. At this time there is no certainty that we will be able to develop Project Indian.
Based on the uncertainty of the project, management impaired $1,420,574 of value on Project Indian in the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company maintains its lease rights, takings claims, and no waiver of any right is intended by taking the foregoing impairment. Any action taken by the Company with respect to Project Indian in the near future, if any, will likely only be taken to preserve or advance the Company’s aforementioned legal rights and interests.
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Proved Reserves
Evaluation and Review of Proved Reserves: Our proved reserve estimates as of December 31, 2015 were prepared based on reports by MHA Petroleum Consultants (“MHA”). MHA does not own an interest in any of our properties, nor is it employed by us on a contingent basis. Within MHA, the technical person primarily responsible for preparing the estimates set forth in the MHA letter dated March 25, 2016, filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report, was Mr. Alan Burzlaff. Mr. Burzlaff, Managing Partner at MHA and a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of California, has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at MHA since 2009 and has over 35 years of prior industry experience.
We do not maintain an internal staff of petroleum engineers or geoscience professionals although our management team did meet with our independent reserve engineers to provide as accurate data as reasonable for use in calculating our proved reserves relating to our assets.
Estimation of Proved Reserves: Under SEC rules, proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible-from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations-prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. If deterministic methods are used, the SEC has defined reasonable certainty for proved reserves as a “high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered.” All of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2015 were estimated using a deterministic method. The estimation of reserves involves two distinct determinations. The first determination results in the estimation of the quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas and the second determination results in the estimation of the uncertainty associated with those estimated quantities in accordance with the definitions established under SEC rules. The process of estimating the quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves relies on the use of certain generally accepted analytical procedures. These analytical procedures fall into four broad categories or methods: (1) production performance-based methods; (2) material balance-based methods; (3) volumetric-based methods; and (4) analogy. These methods may be used singularly or in combination by the reserve evaluator in the process of estimating the quantities of reserves. As our Kern Bluff property is new to the Company in 2015 and we had limited current production history, our reserves were forecast using a combination of production performance and analogy to similar production, both of which are considered to provide a relatively high degree of accuracy.
To estimate economically recoverable proved reserves and related future net cash flows, MHA considered many factors and assumptions, including the use of reservoir parameters derived from geological and engineering data which cannot be measured directly, economic criteria based on current costs and the SEC pricing requirements and forecasts of future production rates. The current pricing environment could impact future economics.
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Under SEC rules, reasonable certainty can be established using techniques that have been proven effective by actual production from projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir or by other evidence using reliable technology that establishes reasonable certainty. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation. To establish reasonable certainty with respect to our estimated proved reserves, the technologies and economic data used in the estimation of our proved reserves have been demonstrated to yield results with consistency and repeatability, and include production and well test data, downhole completion information, geologic data, electrical logs, radioactivity logs, core analyses, current or estimated well cost and operating expense data.
Summary of Oil, NGLs, and Natural Gas Reserves. The following table presents our estimated net proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves as of the periods indicated:
(1)
One Boe is equal to six Mcf of natural gas or one Bbl of oil or NGLs based on an approximate energy equivalency. This is an energy content correlation and does not reflect a value or price relationship between the commodities.
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Reserve engineering is and must be recognized as a subjective process of estimating volumes of economically recoverable oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation. As a result, the estimates of different engineers often vary. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production may justify revisions of such estimates. Accordingly, reserve estimates often differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas and of future net revenues are based on a number of variables and assumptions, all of which may vary from actual results, including geologic interpretation, prices and future production rates and costs. Please read “Item 1A.
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Drilling wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than our estimates, and may not result in any addition to our production or reserves. Any material inaccuracies in drilling costs, estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect our business.
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Developing and exploring for natural gas and oil involves a high degree of operational and financial risk, which precludes definitive statements as to the time required and costs involved in reaching certain objectives. The budgeted costs of drilling, completing and operating wells are often exceeded and can increase significantly when drilling costs rise due to a tightening in the supply of various types of oilfield equipment and related services. Drilling may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including title problems, weather, cost overruns, equipment shortages and mechanical difficulties. Moreover, the successful drilling of a natural gas or oil well does not ensure a profit on investment. Exploratory wells bear a much greater risk of loss than development wells. A variety of factors, both geological and market-related, can cause a well to become uneconomical or only marginally economic. Our initial drilling and development sites, and any potential additional sites that may be developed, require significant additional exploration and development, regulatory approval and commitments of resources prior to commercial development. Any success that we may have with these wells or any future drilling operations will most likely not be indicative of our current or future drilling success rate, particularly, because we intend to emphasize on exploratory drilling. If our actual drilling and development costs are significantly more than our estimated costs, we may not be able to continue our business operations as proposed and would be forced to modify our plan of operation.
Development of our reserves, when established, may not occur as scheduled and the actual results may not be as anticipated. Drilling activity may result in downward adjustments in reserves or higher than anticipated costs. Our estimates will be based on various assumptions, including assumptions required by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to natural gas and oil prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating our natural gas and oil reserves is anticipated to be extremely complex, and will require significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Due to our inexperience in the oil and gas industry, our estimates may not be reliable enough to allow us to be successful in our intended business operations. Our actual production, revenues, taxes, development expenditures and operating expenses will likely vary from those anticipated. These variances may be material.
Gas and Oil prices are volatile. This volatility may occur in the future, causing negative change in cash flows which may result in our inability to cover our capital expenditures.
Our future revenues, profitability, future growth and the carrying value of our properties is anticipated to depend substantially on the prices we may realize for our natural gas and oil production.
Our realized prices may also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital.
Natural gas and oil prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in or perceptions regarding supply and demand. Historically, the markets for natural gas and oil have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. For example, oil prices declined significantly in late 2014 and 2015 and have remained lower for an extended period of time, Among the factors that can cause this volatility are:
worldwide or regional demand for energy, which is affected by economic conditions;
the domestic and foreign supply of natural gas and oil;
weather conditions;
domestic and foreign governmental regulations;
political conditions in natural gas and oil producing regions;
the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree upon and maintain oil prices and production levels; and
the price and availability of other fuels.
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It is impossible to predict natural gas and oil price movements with certainty. Lower natural gas and oil prices may not only decrease our future revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of natural gas and oil that we can produce economically. A substantial or extended decline in natural gas and oil prices may materially and adversely affect our future business enough to force us to cease our business operations. In addition, our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to finance planned capital expenditures will also suffer in such a price decline. Further, natural gas and oil prices do not necessarily move together.
We may incur substantial write-downs of the carrying value of our gas and oil properties, which would adversely impact our earnings.
We periodically review the carrying value of our gas and oil properties under the successful effort method accounting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under these rules, capitalized costs of proved gas and oil properties may not exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at an annual rate of 10%. Application of this “ceiling” test requires pricing future revenue at the un-escalated prices in effect as of the end of each fiscal quarter and requires a write-down for accounting purposes if the ceiling is exceeded, even if prices were depressed for only a short period of time. We may be required to write down the carrying value of our gas and oil properties when natural gas and oil prices are depressed or unusually volatile, which would result in a charge against our earnings. Once incurred, a write-down of the carrying value of our natural gas and oil properties is not reversible at a later date.
Competition in our industry is intense. We are small and have an extremely limited operating history as compared to the vast majority of our competitors, and we may not be able to compete effectively.
We intend to compete with major and independent natural gas and oil companies for property acquisitions. We will also compete for the equipment and labor required to operate and to develop natural gas and oil properties. The majority of our anticipated competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. In addition, larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of any changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. These competitors may be able to pay more for natural gas and oil properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and acquire a greater number of properties than we can. Our ability to acquire additional properties and develop new and existing properties in the future will depend on our ability to conduct operations, to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. In addition, some of our competitors have been operating in our core areas for a much longer time than we have and have demonstrated the ability to operate through industry cycles.
The natural gas and oil business involves numerous uncertainties and operating risks that can prevent us from realizing profits and can cause substantial losses.
Our development, exploitation and exploration activities may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including weather, cost overruns, equipment shortages and mechanical difficulties. Moreover, the successful drilling of a natural gas and oil well does not ensure a profit on investment. A variety of factors, both geological and market-related, can cause a well to become uneconomical or only marginally economical. In addition to their cost, unsuccessful wells can hurt our efforts to replace reserves.
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The natural gas and oil business involves a variety of operating risks, including:
fires;
explosions;
blow-outs and surface cratering;
uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, and formation water;
natural disasters, such as hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions;
pipe, cement, or pipeline failures;
casing collapses;
embedded oil field drilling and service tools;
abnormally pressured formations; and
environmental hazards, such as natural gas leaks, oil spills, pipeline ruptures and discharges of toxic gases.
If we experience any of these problems, it could affect well bores, gathering systems and processing facilities, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations. We could also incur substantial losses as a result of:
injury or loss of life;
severe damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment;
pollution and other environmental damage;
clean-up responsibilities;
regulatory investigation and penalties;
suspension of our operations; and
repairs to resume operations.
Because we intend to use third-party drilling contractors to drill our wells, we may not realize the full benefit of worker compensation laws in dealing with their employees. Our insurance does not protect us against all operational risks. We do not carry business interruption insurance at levels that would provide enough funds for us to continue operating without access to other funds. For some risks, we may not obtain insurance if we believe the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance, it could impact our operations enough to force us to cease our operations.
The high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and other services could adversely affect our ability to execute on a timely basis our development, exploitation and exploration plans within our budget.
Shortages or an increase in cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or personnel could delay or interrupt our operations, which could impact our financial condition and results of operations. Drilling activity in the geographic areas in which we conduct drilling activities may increase, which would lead to increases in associated costs, including those related to drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel and the services and products of other vendors to the industry. Increased drilling activity in these areas may also decrease the availability of rigs. We do not have any contracts with providers of drilling rigs and we cannot assure you that drilling rigs will be readily available when we need them. Drilling and other costs may increase further and necessary equipment and services may not be available to us at economical prices.
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Our lease ownership may be diluted due to financing strategies we may employ in the future due to our lack of capital or due to our focus on producing leases.
To accelerate our development efforts we plan to take on working interest partners that will contribute to the costs of drilling and completion and then share in revenues derived from production. In addition, we may in the future, due to a lack of capital or other strategic reasons, establish joint venture partnerships or farm out all or part of our development efforts. These economic strategies may have a dilutive effect on our lease ownership and will more than likely reduce our operating revenues.
In addition, our lease ownership is subject to forfeiture in the event we are unwilling or unable to continue making lease payments. Our leases vary in price per acre and on the term period of the lease. Each lease requires payment to maintain an active lease, or have a producing well to hold the lease. In the event we are unable or unwilling to make our lease payments or renew expiring leases, then we will forfeit our rights to such leases. Such forfeiture would prevent us from pursuing development activity on the leased property and could have a substantial impact on our gross leased acreage.
We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations, which can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
Development, production and sale of natural gas and oil in the United States are subject to extensive laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply with environmental and other governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include:
location and density of wells;
the handling of drilling fluids and obtaining discharge permits for drilling operations;
accounting for and payment of royalties on production from state, federal and Indian lands;
bonds for ownership, development and production of natural gas and oil properties;
transportation of natural gas and oil by pipelines;
operation of wells and reports concerning operations; and
taxation.
Under these laws and regulations, we could be liable for personal injuries, property damage, oil spills, discharge of hazardous materials, remediation and clean-up costs and other environmental damages. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in the suspension or termination of our operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws and regulations could change in ways that substantially increase our costs. Accordingly, any of these liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations enough to possibly force us to cease our business operations.
Our oil and gas operations may expose us to environmental liabilities.
Any leakage of crude oil and/or gas from the subsurface portions of our wells, our gathering system or our storage facilities could cause degradation of fresh groundwater resources, as well as surface damage, potentially resulting in suspension of operation of the wells, fines and penalties from governmental agencies, expenditures for remediation of the affected resource, and liabilities to third parties for property damages and personal injuries. In addition, any sale of residual crude oil collected as part of the drilling and recovery process could impose liability on us if the entity to which the oil was transferred fails to manage the material in accordance with applicable environmental health and safety laws.
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Estimates of proved reserves and related future net cash flows are not precise. The actual quantities of our proved reserves and future net cash flows may prove to be lower than estimated.
Many uncertainties exist in estimating quantities of proved reserves and related future net cash flows. Our estimates are based on various assumptions, which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate.
Tax law changes may adversely affect our operations.
In California, there have been proposals for tax increases for the past several years including a severance tax as high as 12.5% of the value of petroleum production in California. Although the proposals have not become law, campaigns by various interest groups could lead to future oil and gas severance taxes. The imposition of such a tax could severely reduce our profit margins and cash flow and could ultimately result in lower oil and natural gas production, which may reduce our capital investments and growth plans.
In addition, President Obama’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2017 recommended the elimination of certain federal income tax preferences currently available to oil and gas exploration and production companies as well as new taxes, all of which could harm us. The elimination of tax preferences includes (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas properties, (ii) the elimination of expensing intangible drilling costs, (iii) an increase in the amortization period from two years to seven years for geological and geophysical costs paid or incurred by independent producers and (iv) repealing the domestic manufacturing deduction for income derived from the production of oil and gas in the United States. The new taxes on oil companies proposed by President Obama include (i) a $10.25 per Boe tax and (ii) a reinstatement of the Superfund excise tax. If enacted, the new oil tax would be collected on domestically produced crude oil. The oil tax would be phased in over a five-year period beginning October 1, 2016. The reinstatement of the Superfund excise tax would be for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2026.
Restrictions on our ability to obtain, use, manage or dispose of water may have an adverse effect on our operations.
Water management is an essential component of our operations. We treat and re-use water for a substantial portion of our needs related to activities such as steamflooding, waterflooding, pressure management, well completion and stimulation, including limited hydraulic fracturing, and we provide reclaimed water for agricultural use in certain areas. We also use supplied water from various local and regional sources , particularly for power plants and to support operations like steam injection in certain fields. Due to severe drought in California, some local and regional water districts and the state government are implementing regulations and policies that restrict water usage and increase the cost of water. Existing laws and regulations restrict our ability and increase our cost to manage and dispose of water and other fluids. The federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls on the discharge of and injection of fluids, including produced water. We must obtain permits or waivers for certain surface discharges and subsurface injection, as well as for construction activities that may affect regulated water resources. Certain government agencies have investigated and continue to study whether the discharge or injection of produced water could affect water quality or induce ground movement or seismicity, which may result in additional regulations under federal and state laws. Our enhanced production operations or fluid disposal could give rise to litigation over claims related to alleged damage to the environment or private or public property. The laws, regulations, policies and attendant liabilities relating to the use, disposal and injection of water and other fluids could increase our costs and negatively affect our development and production activities.
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Concerns about climate change and other air quality issues may affect our operations or results.
Concerns about climate change and regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) may affect our business in many ways, including increasing the costs to provide our products and services, and reducing demand for, and consumption of, our products and services. In addition, legislative and regulatory responses to climate change may increase our operating costs. California has led other states in adopting GHG emission reduction requirements as well as mandates for renewable fuel sources. In 2006, California adopted AB 32, which established a statewide cap on GHG emissions, including on the oil and natural gas production industry, and a “cap-and-trade” program. Since 2012, California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations have required us to obtain GHG emissions allowances corresponding to reported GHG emissions from operations and, starting in 2015, from the sale of certain products to customers for use in California. The EPA has also adopted regulations requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from certain onshore oil and natural gas production facilities on an annual basis. In 2015, the EPA expanded the scope of the GHG monitoring and reporting rule to include gathering and compression facilities as well as completions and workovers from wells that have undergone hydraulic fracturing. The EPA also proposed regulations in 2015 that would require emission controls for methane from certain equipment and processes in the oil and natural gas source category, including production, processing, transmission and storage activities. These additional regulations could increase our costs.
In addition, other current and proposed international agreements and federal and state laws, regulations and policies seek to restrict or reduce the use of petroleum products in transportation fuels and electricity generation, impose additional taxes and costs on producers and consumers of petroleum products and require or subsidize the use of renewable energy, which could increase our costs and reduce demand for our products and services. Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties for non-compliance with air permits or other requirements of the federal Clean Air Act and associated state laws and regulations.
Risks Relating To Our Common Stock
Because our common stock is deemed a low-priced “Penny” stock, an investment in our common stock should be considered high risk and subject to marketability restrictions.
Since our common stock is currently under $5 per share, it is considered a penny stock, as defined in Rule 3a51-1 under the Securities Exchange Act, it will be more difficult for investors to liquidate their investment even if and when a market develops for the common stock. Until the trading price of the common stock rises above $5.00 per share, if ever, trading in the common stock is subject to the penny stock rules of the Securities Exchange Act specified in rules 15g-1 through 15g-10. Those rules require broker-dealers, before effecting transactions in any penny stock, to:
Deliver to the customer, and obtain a written receipt for, a disclosure document;
Disclose certain price information about the stock;
Disclose the amount of compensation received by the broker-dealer or any associated person of the broker-dealer;
Send monthly statements to customers with market and price information about the penny stock; and
In some circumstances, approve the purchaser’s account under certain standards and deliver written statements to the customer with information specified in the rules.
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Consequently, the penny stock rules may restrict the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell the common stock and may affect the ability of holders to sell their common stock in the secondary market and the price at which such holders can sell any such securities. These additional procedures could also limit our ability to raise additional capital in the future.
FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder's ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer's financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
If we fail to remain current on our reporting requirements, we could be removed from the OTC Markets QB (OTCQB), which would limit the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market.
Companies trading on the OTC Markets QB (OTCQB), such as us, generally must be reporting issuers under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and must be current in their reports under Section 13, in order to maintain price quotation privileges on the OTCQB. More specifically, FINRA has enacted Rule 6530, which determines eligibility of issuers quoted on the OTCQB by requiring an issuer to be current in its filings with the Commission. Pursuant to Rule 6530(e), if we file our reports late with the Commission three times in a two-year period or our securities are removed from the OTCQB for failure to timely file twice in a two-year period, then we will be ineligible for quotation on the OTCQB. As a result, the market liquidity for our securities could be severely adversely affected by limiting the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market. As of the date of this filing, we have one late filing reported by FINRA.
Our internal controls may be inadequate, which could cause our financial reporting to be unreliable and lead to misinformation being disseminated to the public.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. As defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the principal executive and principal financial officer and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Citadel; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of Citadel are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of Citadel, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Citadel’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
We have two individuals performing the functions of all officers and directors. These individuals developed our internal control procedures and are responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with those procedures. As a result, our internal controls may be inadequate or ineffective, which could cause our financial reporting to be unreliable and lead to misinformation being disseminated to the public. Investors relying upon this misinformation may make an uninformed investment decision.
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ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We received notice on or about July 10, 2013 that the Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) had filed a law suit against the County of San Benito regarding the approval of Project Indian which is described more fully, above, as the “Case”. The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 in favor of our application to drill 15 exploration wells on our Project Indian lease. The Court approved the petition in a judgment entered on September 4, 2014, and ruled that Citadel was required to obtain an environmental impact report before commencing Project Indian. Thereafter, the Court awarded the petitioner $347,969 as attorney’s fees and costs against the County of San Benito and Citadel, jointly and severally. The Company has requested a dismissal of its appeal of this decision which was granted as the Court required the Company to post a bond in which it was unable to qualify for. In October of 2015, the company paid $92,693 to the Center for Biological Diversity for a share of the attorney’s fees and costs outstanding which satisfied the judgment for attorney’s fees and costs in full. Currently, the County of San Benito and Company are engaged in litigation concerning the responsibility for the full-amount of the judgment for attorney’s fees and costs.
On November 4, 2014 voters in the County of San Benito passed Measure J which bans hydraulic fracturing and other stimulation techniques defined as “high intensity petroleum operations” by the Measure, including steam injection. The initiative was passed by a count of 8,034 to 5,605. In advance of the initiative passing, the County preemptively passed an ordinance allowing for exemptions from the application of the Measure in the event the Measure would result in a taking. A regulatory taking is a situation in which a government regulation limits the uses of private property to such a degree that the regulation effectively deprives the property owners of economically reasonable use or value of their property right to such an extent that it deprives them of utility or value of that property right, even though the regulation does not formally divest them of title to it. Accordingly, Citadel Exploration Inc. will provide the County of San Benito the ability to compensate the company for the diminished value at the Indian Oil Field based on the reasonable Unrisked Resource Potential the property would ultimately yield, or allow Citadel to proceed with full field development and steam injection under the exemption ordinance. At this time Citadel has reserved its rights, with respect to the Indian Oil Field, including claims for inverse condemnation.	
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None
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PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets QB (OTCQB), under the symbol “COIL.” Historically, there has not been an active trading market for our common stock. We have been eligible to participate on the OTCQB since November 2010.
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low bid prices for our common stock during our last two fiscal years, as reported by a Quarterly Trade and Quote Summary Report of the OTC Bulletin Board. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Holders of Common Stock
As of April 15, 2016, we had approximately 81 stockholders of record of the 38,814,000 shares outstanding.
Dividends
The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition, and other relevant factors. We have not paid or declared any dividends upon our common stock since our inception and, by reason of our present financial status and our contemplated financial requirements, do not anticipate paying any dividends upon our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We intend to reinvest any earnings in the development and expansion of our business. Any cash dividends in the future to common stockholders will be payable when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, based upon the Board’s assessment of:
our financial condition;
earnings;
need for funds;
capital requirements;
prior claims of preferred stock to the extent issued and outstanding; and
other factors, including any applicable laws.
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Therefore, there can be no assurance that any dividends on the common stock will ever be paid.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
On September 1, 2012, we adopted the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. We have reserved for issuance an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. To date, 9,500,000 options and no shares of common stock have been granted under this plan.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
In December 2014, the Company approved the issuance of 500,000 common stock shares for engineering, legal, accounting and marketing services performed in the fourth quarter of 2014.
In March of 2015, the Company approved the issuance of 1,400,000 common stock shares and issued 25,000 shares recorded as a stock payable at December 31, 2014, for the conversion of a $100,000 promissory note, plus accrued interest of $2,164 and an additional capital investment of $107,835, all at $0.15 per share.
In March of 2015, the Company approved issued 25,000 shares of common stock to settle the stock payable of $2,250 recorded as of December 31, 2014.
In July of 2015, the Company approved the issuance of 6,000,000 common stock shares as partial consideration for the purchase of the Kern Bluff Oil Field.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company did not repurchase any of its equity securities during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
This item is not applicable, as we are considered a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK
Background
Citadel Exploration, Inc. is a development stage company which was incorporated in the State of Nevada in December of 2009. On February 28, 2011, we entered into an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the membership interest of Citadel Exploration, LLC (“CEL”), a California limited liability company.
On March 2, 2011, we changed our name from Subprime Advantage, Inc. to Citadel Exploration, Inc. in anticipation of the completion of the acquisition of 100% of all of the outstanding membership interest of CEL. The acquisition of 100% of the outstanding membership interest of CEL was completed on May 3, 2011. As a result of the completion of the acquisition, we became an oil and gas exploration company with operations in the Salinas and San Joaquin Basins of California. We have since expanded our focus to be an oil and gas exploration, development and production company.
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Our Operations
Our principal strategy is to focus on the acquisition of oil and natural gas mineral leases that have known hydrocarbons or are in close proximity to known hydrocarbons that have been underdeveloped. Once acquired, we strive to implement an accelerated development program utilizing capital resources, a regional operating focus, an experienced management and technical team, and enhanced recovery technologies to attempt to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Our oil and natural gas acquisition and development activities are currently focused in the State of California.
In December of 2014, Citadel began a work-over on the Yowlumne #2-26 well including installation of a new pump in February of 2015. The well has been producing approximately 20- 25 barrels per day (32 degree API quality) since the beginning of March. In June the well’s pump had a mechanical issue, the company performed well maintenance in August returning the well to its previous production level. During December of 2015, extremely cold weather forced the shut-down of the #2-26 well. Citadel plans to return the well to production in the second quarter of 2016. Citadel is in the final stages of the CEQA process to permit two additional exploration wells on the Yowlumne acreage. Recent regulatory changes, including SB4 the State of California’s bill on fracking have delayed the final approval of our CEQA application. As such we do not expect to have these prospects permitted until the end of 2016, at which time we will determine when to drill. Both of these exploration wells will be targeting the Stephens Sands at a depth of 12,000 to 15,000 feet. Citadel currently has a 75% working interest in these exploration prospects and is the operator.
On July 31, 2015 Citadel acquired approximately 1,100 acres of leases, production facilities and equipment that encompassed the Kern Bluff Oil Field. As consideration for this acquisition Citadel issued 6,000,000 shares of common stock and paid $2,000,000 in cash. The transaction was financed via a $3,500,000 one year term loan from Cibolo Creek Partners, of Midland Texas
In December of 2015, Citadel shifted its CAPEX focus to remediation of the existing acquired facilities. At the time of purchase, the oil at Kern Bluff was being processed by temporary facilities installed by the previous owner. As production increased in September, it quickly became apparent that these facilities were not capable of processing the additional volumes of oil and water being produced. The existing permanent facilities were built in the 1970’s by Gulf Oil and require extensive remediation including new pipe, valves, flanges and tank repair. In order to facilitate the remediation, Citadel elected to shut down the eight producing wells in early January. Citadel expects the facility remediation to be completed in May of 2016, at which time the facilities are estimated to have production capability of 500 BOPD. Citadel then plans to resume its return to production (RTP) program, and then begin drilling new wells in the third or fourth quarter of 2016.
Going Concern
The financial statements included in this filing have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles that contemplate the continuance of the Company as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the Company is in the exploration stage and, accordingly, has not generated any significant revenues from operations. As shown on the accompanying financial statements, the Company has incurred a net loss of $1,628,409 for the year ending December 31, 2015. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The future of the Company is dependent upon its ability to obtain financing and upon future profitable operations from the development of its oil and gas business opportunities.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
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For accounting purposes, the acquisition of Citadel Exploration, LLC by the Company has been recorded as a reverse acquisition of a public company and recapitalization of Citadel Exploration, LLC based on the factors demonstrating that Citadel Exploration, LLC represents the accounting acquirer. The historic financial statements of Citadel Exploration, LLC and related entities, while historically presented as an LLC equity structure, have been retroactively presented as a corporation for comparability purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2015 we generated $118,327 in revenue from oil sales. During the year ended December 31 2014, we generated minimal revenue.
Operating expenses totaled $2,833,697 during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to $1,522,508 in the prior year ended December 31, 2014. Operating expenses primarily consisted of lease operating expenses, executive compensation, and general and administrative expenses in the year ended December 31, 2015. Operating expenses increased in 2015 as a result of the Kern Bluff acquisition.
General and administrative fees decreased $20,520 from the year ended December 31, 2014 to the year ended December 31, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to insurance, marketing and meals and entertainment expenses.
Professional fees decreased $187,763 from the year ended December 31, 2014 to the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in services provided to the Company for accounting, consulting and legal.
Executive compensation decreased $9,766 from the year ended December 31, 2014 to the year ended December 31, 2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has established a capital budget for 2016 of $4,000,000 to complete facility remediation, return to production up to 20 wells and drill up to 5 vertical wells and 1 horizontal well. Given the current state of depressed oil prices, the Company’s ability to complete this capital budget will be highly dependent on higher oil prices and access to capital.
As of December 31, 2015, we had $200,647 of current assets; of this amount $146,555 was cash. The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for all financial statement periods presented in this Annual Report. To date, we have financed our operations through the issuance of stock and borrowings.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
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Investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $2,943,623 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of payments for the acquisition of Kern Bluff Oil Field and drilling expenses on oil and gas properties.
Financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $3,625,936. The net cash provided by financing activities substantially consisted of proceeds from a $3,000,000 and a $500,000 note, note repayments totaling $113,308, and common stock proceeds, net of offering costs, of $239,244.
As of December 31, 2015, we continue to use traditional and/or debt financing as well as through the issuance of stock to provide the capital we need to run our business.
Without cash flow from operations we will require additional cash resources, including the sale of equity or debt securities, to meet our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the next 12 months. We will require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions, implementation of our strategy to successfully develop our projects, or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our own financial resources and then current cash-flows from operations are insufficient to satisfy our capital requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain additional credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities will result in dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness will result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that could restrict our operations or modify our plans to grow the business. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, will limit our ability to expand our business operations and could harm our overall business prospects.
Our ability to obtain additional capital through additional equity and/or debt financing, and Joint Venture or Working Interest partnerships will also be important to our expansion plans. In the event we experience any significant problems assimilating acquired assets into our operations or cannot obtain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan, we may have to reduce the growth of our operations. This may materially impact our ability to increase revenue and continue our growth.
Contractual Obligations
An operating lease for rental office space was entered into beginning March 1, 2013 for two years at $2,150 per month. The original lease was amended to include additional space at a price of $1,100 per month for the same term. The original term of the lease expired on March 1, 2015. As such our office lease is now on a month to month basis at a rate of $3,000 per month.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of the date of this Report, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
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Operation Plan
Our plan is to focus on the acquisition and drilling of prospective oil and natural gas mineral leases. Once we have tested a prospect as productive, subject to availability of capital, we will implement a development program with a regional operating focus in order to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Exploration, acquisition and development activities are currently focused in California. Depending on availability of capital, and other constraints, our goal is to increase stockholder value by finding and developing oil and natural gas reserves at costs that provide an attractive rate of return on our investments.
We expect to achieve these results by:
• Investing capital in exploration and development drilling and in secondary and tertiary recovery of oil as well as natural gas;
• Using the latest technologies available to the oil and natural gas industry in our operations;
• Finding additional oil and natural gas reserves on the properties we acquire.
In addition to raising additional capital we plan to take on Joint Venture (JV) or Working Interest (WI) partners who may contribute to the capital costs of drilling and completion and then share in revenues derived from production. This economic strategy may allow us to utilize our own financial assets toward the growth of our leased acreage holdings, pursue the acquisition of strategic oil and gas producing properties or companies and generally expand our existing operations.
Because of our limited operating history we have only generated minimal revenue from the sale of oil or natural gas. Our activities have been limited to raising capital, negotiating WI agreements, becoming a publicly traded company and preliminary analysis of reserves and production capabilities from our exploratory test wells.
Our future financial results will depend primarily on: (i) the ability to continue to source and screen potential projects; (ii) the ability to discover commercial quantities of natural gas and oil; (iii) the market price for oil and natural gas; and (iv) the ability to fully implement our exploration and development program, which is dependent on the availability of capital resources. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in any of these respects, that the prices of oil and gas prevailing at the time of production will be at a level allowing for profitable production, or that we will be able to obtain additional funding to increase our currently limited capital resources.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
This item in not applicable as we are currently considered a smaller reporting company.
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ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
PAGES
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
We have had no disagreements with our independent auditors on accounting or financial disclosures.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Principal Executive Officer, Armen Nahabedian and Principal Financial Officer, Philip McPherson, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on their evaluation, they concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not designed at a reasonable assurance level and are not effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control, as is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the reported financial information is presented fairly, that disclosures are adequate and that the judgments inherent in the preparation of financial statements are reasonable. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal controls, including the possibility of human error and overriding of controls. Consequently, an effective internal control system can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to reporting financial information.
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Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the receipts and expenditures of company assets are made and in accordance with our management and directors authorization; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Management has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based upon this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2015.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to the temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
The names of our directors and executive officers and their ages, positions, and biographies are set forth below. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
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Armen Nahabedian, 37, President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director: Mr. Nahabedian is a fourth generation oil and gas explorer in the state of California. In 1999, Mr. Nahabedian joined the United States Marine Corp as an infantryman and reached the rank of Corporal (E-4) before serving in operation Iraqi Freedom and receiving an honorable discharge in 2003. Mr. Nahabedian immediately thereafter went to work in the oil fields of the South San Joaquin Valley for his family’s oil company, The Nahabedian Exploration Group. After early success in his exploration efforts Mr. Nahabedian became a regional supervisor and managed the drilling operations for some of the deepest exploratory wells drilled in the state of California from 2004 through 2007. In 2007, Mr. Nahabedian then joined The Nahabedian Exploration Group as a partner and supervised land acquisition efforts (over 750,000 acres leased or optioned) and prospect generation. Mr. Nahabedian continued to act as an operational supervisor and in 2009; he became involved in business development and finance. Acting as the company’s primary fund raiser Mr. Nahabedian educated himself in public financing and securities and with the assistance of an experienced legal team formed Citadel Exploration, Inc. in 2011.
Daniel L. Szymanski, 53, Director: Dan Szymanski comes to the board of Citadel Exploration, Inc. with over 20 years of industry experience, including exploration and production assignments with Tenneco and Chevron, and worldwide exploration with Occidental. Dan served as Manager of Business Development, then Manager-Financial Planning and Analysis at Oxy's Headquarters in LA. His final role at Oxy was Asset Manager for 42 oil and gas fields producing in California’s San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Since 2008, Dan has been a consultant to the oil and gas industry and partner in a seismic data firm. Mr. Szymanski has a Bachelors degree in Geology from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters in Geophysics from Purdue.
Philip J. McPherson, 41, Chief Financial Officer and Director: Mr. McPherson joined Citadel Exploration in September of 2012 with nearly two decades of experience in the capital markets and financial services sectors. He started his career as a retail stock broker with Mission Capital in 1997 and became partner before it was acquired by oil and gas boutique C. K. Cooper & Company. At C.K. Cooper, Mr. McPherson was a research analyst specializing in small cap exploration & production companies. In 2007, he joined Global Hunter Securities as a partner and managing director of the energy research group. During his Wall Street career, Mr. McPherson was presented the Wall Street Journal “Best on the Street” Award was named a Zack’s 5-Start Analyst for three consecutive years. He is a recognized expert on California E&P firms. Mr. McPherson received his Bachelors in Economics from East Carolina University.
James Walesa, 55 Chairman of the Board: Mr. Walesa has more than three decades of experience in financial services with an emphasis on the energy industry. He started in 1982 with First Investors (FIC) as a registered representative in Chicago and became the youngest vice president in firm history at age 26. He left FIC to form Asset Management & Protection Corporation (AMPC) in May 1988. AMPC started from scratch and today manages over $500 million. Mr. Walesa entered the energy industry in 1992 in the Permian Basin. He and some of his clients were original investors in Basic Energy Services (BAS: NYSE) and Southwest Royalties, now part of Clayton Williams Energy (CWE: NYSE). He is also a founding member of the Offshore Energy Center in Galveston, Texas. Mr. Walesa and AMPC clients continue to provide startup capital for energy related companies and was an original investor in Citadel’s first offering. Mr. Walesa previously served on the board of NASDAQ-traded Financial Assurance and several private companies. He was the Chicago Chairman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and is a member of the Alzheimer’s Alois Society in recognition of his leadership and support of the Alzheimer’s Association to prevent and cure dementia related disease.
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James Borgna, 37, Director: Mr. Borgna is a third generation oil and gas industry supplier and producer. Mr. Borgna currently owns and operates Grey Energy LLC which supplies production facilities and process equipment in California. Mr. Borgna specializes in scalable facilities that are fabricated work in-house. Mr. Borgna has supervised the fabrication of oil and gas facilities for many of the major operators in the San Joaquin Basin. Mr. Borgna gained valuable experience with project management, facilities design, and gained familiarity with permitting guidelines and restrictions. Prior to joining his family in the oil and gas industry Mr. Borgna served six years in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of E-5.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws both provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law.
Limitation of Liability of Directors
Pursuant to the Nevada General Corporation Law, our Articles of Incorporation exclude personal liability for our Directors for monetary damages based upon any violation of their fiduciary duties as Directors, except as to liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or any transaction from which a Director receives an improper personal benefit. This exclusion of liability does not limit any right which a Director may have to be indemnified and does not affect any Director’s liability under federal or applicable state securities laws. We have agreed to indemnify our directors against expenses, judgments, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim against a Director if he acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be in our best interests.
Election of Directors and Officers
Directors are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our executive officers and directors, we believe that as of the date of this filing they were current in their filings.
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Code of Ethics
A code of ethics relates to written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
(1) Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2) Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that are filed with, or submitted to, the Commission and in other public communications made by an issuer;
(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
(4) The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.
We have not adopted a corporate code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
Our decision to not adopt such a code of ethics results from our having a small management for the Company. We believe that the limited interaction which occurs having such a small management structure for the Company eliminates the current need for such a code, in that violations of such a code would be reported to the party generating the violation.
Corporate Governance
We currently do not have standing audit, nominating and compensation committees of the board of directors, or committees performing similar functions. Until formal committees are established, our entire board of directors, perform the same functions as an audit, nominating and compensation committee.
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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past five years:
been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);
had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;
been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Overview of Compensation Program
We currently have not appointed members to serve on the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Until a formal committee is established, our entire Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing, implementing and continually monitoring adherence with the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Board of Directors ensures that the total compensation paid to the executives is fair, reasonable and competitive.
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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Board of Directors believes that the most effective executive compensation program is one that is designed to reward the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals by the Company and that aligns executives’ interests with those of the stockholders by rewarding performance above established goals, with the ultimate objective of improving stockholder value. As a result of the size of the Company, the Board evaluates both performance and compensation on an informal basis. Upon hiring additional executives, the Board intends to establish a Compensation Committee to evaluate both performance and compensation to ensure that the Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly-situated executives of peer companies. To that end, the Board believes executive compensation packages provided by the Company to its executives, including the named executive officers, should include both cash and stock-based compensation that reward performance as measured against established goals.
Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
The Board of Directors makes all compensation decisions for, and approves recommendations regarding equity awards to, the executive officers and Directors of the Company. Decisions regarding the non-equity compensation of other employees of the Company are made by management.
Summary Compensation
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we entered into new employment contracts with both our CEO and CFO on September 1, 2015. The contract calls for each to receive a base salary of $20,000 per month for the first 12 months. The base salary shall increase to $25,000 per month for the next 12 month period and then increase to $30,000 per month for the final 12 months of the three year contract. As of the date of the salary increase, the CEO and CFO have deferred payment of approximately $10,000 per month of salary during the first year of the contract. The CEO and CFO are also entitled to quarterly and annual bonuses upon reaching mutually agreeable objectives set by Employer and Employee. The CEO and CFO shall be entitled to receive and or participate in all benefit plans and programs of Employer currently existing or hereafter made available to executives and or senior management of the Employer.
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation earned by our Executive Officers but does not account for deferred compensation as discussed above, for the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
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(1) Mr. Nahabedian was appointed Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of the Company on August 9, 2011.
(2) Mr. McPherson was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Director of the Company on September 1, 2012.
Termination of Employment
Pursuant to the terms of the employment contracts for the company’s CEO and CFO, in the event of a change of control the CEO and CFO are entitled to five years of current monthly salary and five years of medical insurance. Additionally all unvested stock options immediately vest.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
On July 29, 2015 the Board of Directors approved the granting of 4,700,000 stock options at $0.15 per share for a term of seven years to three of the five board members and to the newly appointed General Counsel. These stock options were granted under the current 2012 Stock Incentive Plan for up to 10,000,000 shares. Currently the Company has granted 9,500,000 shares under this plan.
Director Compensation
As a result of having limited capital resources we do not currently have an established compensation package for our board members. Therefore the Board of Directors approved issuing 800,000 stock options at $0.55 per share in 2014 as compensation.
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ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information, to the best of our knowledge, about the beneficial ownership of our common stock on April 15, 2016 relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by those persons known to beneficially own more than 5% of our capital stock and by our directors and executive officers. The percentage of beneficial ownership for the following table is based on 38,814,000 shares of common stock outstanding.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes those shares of common stock over which the stockholder has sole or shared voting or investment power. The percentage ownership of the outstanding common stock, however, is based on the assumption, expressly required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that only the person or entity whose ownership is being reported has converted options or warrants into shares of our common stock.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
(1) As used in this table, “beneficial ownership” means the sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, or the sole or shared investment power with respect to a security (i.e., the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, a security). Each Parties’ address is care of the Company at 417 31st St. Unit A, Newport Beach, CA 92663
(2) Includes 1,425,000 shares owned by Cibolo Creek Partners of which Mr. Walesa is a member.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Transactions with Related Persons
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company made the following purchases from entities considered related parties; $227,903 for oil field equipment and services from Grey Energy. Grey Energy is owned by James Borgna, who is a member of our Board of Directors.
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In December 2014, we entered an agreement with Jim Walesa and Cibolo Creek Partners to fund $300,000 towards the Yowlumne #2-26 recompletion. In this agreement Mr. Walesa and Cibolo Creek will receive 75% of the net revenue after expenses, until they have received $300,000 in payment. Upon full repayment, Mr. Walesa and Cibolo Creek will receive a 3% royalty on the well. Mr. Walesa is currently on the Board of Directors of Citadel and a member of Cibolo Creek Partners.
Promoters and Certain Control Persons
We did not have any promoters at any time since our inception in December 2009.
Director Independence
We currently have three independent directors, as the term “independent” is defined in Section 803A of the NYSE Amex LLC Company Guide. Since the OTCQB does not have rules regarding director independence, the Board makes its determination as to director independence based on the definition of “independence” as defined under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and American Stock Exchange (“Amex”).
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
(1) AUDIT FEES
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table sets forth the fees paid or accrued by us for the audit and other services provided by Anton and Chia, LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the re-audit for year ended December 31, 2014:
(1) Audit Fees: This category represents fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our financial statements and review of our quarterly financial statements.
(2) AUDIT-RELATED FEES
None.
(3) TAX FEES
None.
(4) ALL OTHER FEES
None.
(5) AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
We do not have an audit committee.
(6) If greater than 50 percent, disclose the percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.
Not applicable.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) We have filed the following documents as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1. The financial statements listed in the "Index to Financial Statements" at page are filed as part of this report.
2. Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits included or incorporated herein: See index to Exhibits.
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Exhibit Index
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**
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused the report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
By: /s/Armen Nahabedian
Armen Nahabedian, President
Date: April 15, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
/s/Armen Nahabedian Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), President, and Director April 15, 2016
Armen Nahabedian
/s/Philip J. McPherson Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Secretary, Treasurer, and Director April 15, 2016
Philip J. McPherson
/s/Daniel L. Szymanski Director April 15, 2016
Daniel L. Szymanski
/s/James Walesa Chairman of the Board April 15, 2016
James Walesa
/s/James Borgna Director April 15, 2016
James Borgna
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Citadel Exploration, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Citadel Exploration, Inc. and subsidiary (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Citadel Exploration, Inc. and subsidiary of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred losses from operations, which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Anton & Chia, LLP
Newport Beach, CA
April 14, 2016
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.	
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
Citadel Exploration, Inc. ("Citadel Inc") was incorporated on December 17, 2009 in the State of Nevada originally under the name Subprime Advantage, Inc. On March 2, 2011, the Company changed its name from Subprime Advantage, Inc. to Citadel Exploration, Inc.
On May 3, 2011, Citadel Inc completed the acquisition of 100% interest in Citadel Exploration, LLC, a California limited liability company, ("Citadel LLC") pursuant to a Membership Purchase Agreement (the "MPA"). Under the MPA, Citadel Inc issued 14,000,000 shares of its common stock to an individual in exchange for a 100% interest in Citadel LLC. Additionally under the MPA, the former officers and directors of Citadel Inc agreed to cancel 7,696,000 shares of its common stock. For accounting purposes, the acquisition of the Citadel LLC by Citadel Inc has been accounted for as a recapitalization, similar to a reverse acquisition except no goodwill is recorded, whereby the private company, Citadel LLC, in substance acquired a non-operational public company (Citadel Inc) with nominal assets and liabilities for the purpose of becoming a public company. Accordingly, Citadel LLC are considered the acquirer for accounting purposes and thus, the historical financials are primarily that of Citadel LLC. As a result of this transaction, Citadel Inc changed its business direction and is now involved in the acquisition and development of oil and gas resources in California. Citadel LLC was incorporated on November 6, 2006 (Date of Inception) and accordingly, the accompanying financial statements are from the Date of Inception of Citadel LLC through ending reporting periods reflected.
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to exploration stage enterprises, and are expressed in U.S. dollars. The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31.
Principles of consolidation
For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Citadel Exploration, Inc. and Citadel Exploration, LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Citadel Exploration, Inc. and Citadel Exploration, LLC will be collectively referred herein to as the “Company”.
Nature of operations
Currently, the Company is focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas resources in California.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Assumptions, Judgments, and Estimates
In the course of preparing the financial statements, management makes various assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and in the disclosures of commitments and contingencies. Changes in these assumptions, judgments, and estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events and, accordingly, actual results could differ from amounts previously established. The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments, and estimates include: (1) oil and natural gas reserves; (2) cash flow estimates used in impairment tests of long-lived assets; (3) depreciation, depletion and amortization; (4) asset retirement obligations; (5) assigning fair value and allocating purchase price in connection with business combinations; (6) income taxes; (7) valuation of derivative instruments; and (8) accrued revenue and related receivables. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. See Footnote No. 13, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” for further information. The respective carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values. These financial instruments include cash, prepaid expenses and accounts payable. Fair values were assumed to approximate carrying values for payables because they are short term in nature and their carrying amounts approximate fair values or they are payable on demand.
Level 1: The preferred inputs to valuation efforts are “quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities,” with the caveat that the reporting entity must have access to that market. Information at this level is based on direct observations of transactions involving the same assets and liabilities, not assumptions, and thus offers superior reliability. However, relatively few items, especially physical assets, actually trade in active markets.
Level 2: FASB acknowledged that active markets for identical assets and liabilities are relatively uncommon and, even when they do exist, they may be too thin to provide reliable information. To deal with this shortage of direct data, the board provided a second level of inputs that can be applied in three situations.
Level 3: If inputs from levels 1 and 2 are not available, FASB acknowledges that fair value measures of many assets and liabilities are less precise. The board describes Level 3 inputs as “unobservable,” and limits their use by saying they “shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.” This category allows “for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date”. Earlier in the standard, FASB explains that “observable inputs” are gathered from sources other than the reporting company and that they are expected to reflect assumptions made by market participants.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Inventories
Materials and supplies are valued at weighted-average cost and are reviewed periodically for obsolescence. Finished goods include oil and natural gas products, which are valued at the lower of cost or market.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Effective, January 1, 2013, the Company changed its policy to account for its oil and natural gas exploration and development costs using the successful efforts method. The Company evaluated the impact on the prior periods and there were no material changes to the balance sheet as a result of the change in accounting policy. Exploratory well costs are capitalized pending further evaluation of whether economically recoverable reserves have been found. If economically recoverable reserves are not found, exploratory well costs are expensed as dry holes. All exploratory wells are evaluated for economic viability within one year of well completion, and the related capitalized costs are reviewed quarterly. Exploratory wells that discover potentially economic reserves in areas where a major capital expenditure would be required before production could begin and where the economic viability of that major capital expenditure depends upon the successful completion of further exploratory work in the area remain capitalized if the well finds a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and the Company is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. The costs of development wells are capitalized whether productive or nonproductive. We review our oil and natural gas producing properties for impairment on a field-by-field basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such properties may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded based on the fair value of the asset. This may occur if a field contains lower than anticipated reserves or if commodity prices fall below a level that significantly effects anticipated future cash flows on the field. The fair value measurement used in the impairment test is generally calculated with a discounted cash flow model using several Level 3 inputs which are based upon estimates, the most significant of which is the estimate of net proved reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and in projecting future rates of production and timing of development expenditures, including many factors beyond our control. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. The quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered, production and operating costs, the amount and timing of future development expenditures and future oil and natural gas sales prices may all differ from those assumed in these estimates.
Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company records all property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 30 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements include the cost of the Company’s internal development and construction department. The Company capitalizes the costs associated with the development of the Company’s website pursuant to ASC Topic 350.
Stock-based compensation
The Company records stock based compensation in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 505 and 718 which requires the Company to recognize expenses related to the fair value of its employee stock option awards. This eliminates accounting for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic value and requires instead that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. The Company recognizes the cost of all share-based awards on a graded vesting basis over the vesting period of the award.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from other than employees in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10 and the conclusions reached by the FASB ASC 505-50. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earliest of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by FASB ASC 505-50.
Earnings per share
The Company follows ASC Topic 260 to account for the earnings per share. Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) calculations are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding. During periods when common stock equivalents, if any, are anti-dilutive they are not considered in the computation.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash equivalents.
Concentrations of credit risk
Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk could consist of cash balances maintained in excess of federal depository insurance limits. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances with high credit quality financial institutions. At times, cash and cash equivalent balances may be in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. To date, the Company has not experienced any such losses.
Restricted cash
The Company has three bonds at financial institutions to meet financial bonding requirements in the state of California. As of December 31, 2015, restricted cash totaled $245,000.
Debt discount
The Company records debt discount as a contra liability account and is presented net of the associated note payable. The discount is amortized over the life on the note payable using the straight line method because the straight line method approximates the effective interest method.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues associated with sales of oil are recognized when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if the collectability of the revenue is probable.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Asset Retirement Obligation
The Company's asset retirement obligations (AROs) relate to future costs associated with plugging and abandonment of oil wells, removal of equipment and facilities from leased acreage and returning such land to its original condition. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recorded in the period in which it is incurred (typically when the asset is installed at the production location), and the cost of such liability increases the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. The liability is accreted each period through charges to depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, and the capitalized cost is depleted on a units-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves of the related asset. Revisions to estimated AROs result in adjustments to the related capitalized asset and corresponding liability.
Revenue & Expense Recognition
The Company utilizes accrual basis of accounting when measuring financial position and operating results. The accrual basis recognizes revenues and expenses in the accounting period in which those transactions, events, or circumstances occur (goods or services are received) and become measurable.
The Company recognizes oil revenues from our interests in producing wells when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable.
The Company recognizes its expenses when the expenses are incurred, not necessarily when they are paid. Expenses are generally incurred when the company receives tangible goods or services are provided.
Lease operating expense
Operating expenses include field operating expenses, transportation expenses, compression charges, and an allocation of overhead that directly relates to production activities.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
The provision for DD&A-oil and natural gas production is calculated on a field-by-field basis using the unit-of-production method. Projected future production rates, the timing of future capital expenditures as well as changes in commodity prices, may significantly impact estimated reserve quantities. Depreciation, depletion and amortization -oil and natural gas production is dependent upon our estimates of total proved and proved developed reserves, which estimates incorporate various assumptions and future projections. These estimates are subject to change as additional information and technologies become available. Accordingly, oil and natural gas quantities ultimately recovered and the timing of production may be substantially different than projected. Reduction in reserve estimates may result in increased depreciation, depletion and amortization oil and natural gas production, which in turn reduces net earnings. Changes in reserve estimates are applied on a prospective basis. Such a decline in reserves may result from lower commodity prices, which may make it uneconomic to drill for and produce higher costs fields.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Income taxes
The Company follows ASC Topic 740 for recording the provision for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate applicable when the related asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the asset or liability each period. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future changes in such valuation allowance are included in the provision for deferred income taxes in the period of change.
Deferred income taxes may arise from temporary differences resulting from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The net operating loss carryforward for the year ended December 31, 2015 is $6,879,492 and the deferred tax asset is $1,330,049. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset of $1,330,049.
The Company applies a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties. ASC Topic 740 only allows the recognition of those tax benefits that have a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company reviewed its tax positions and determined there were no outstanding, or retroactive tax positions with less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, therefore this standard has not had a material effect on the Company.
The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
The Company classifies tax-related penalties and net interest as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, no income tax expense has been recorded.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Long-lived Assets
In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounts Standard Codification (ASC) ASC 360-10, "Property, Plant and Equipment," the carrying value of intangible assets and other long-lived assets is reviewed on a regular basis for the existence of facts or circumstances that may suggest impairment. Proved oil properties are reviewed for impairment on a field-by-field basis, annually or when events and circumstances indicate a possible decline in the recoverability of the carrying amount of such property. The Company estimates the expected future cash flows of its oil properties and compares these undiscounted cash flows to the carrying amount of the oil properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company will write down the carrying amount of the oil properties to fair value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, estimates of reserves, future commodity prices, future production estimates, estimated future capital expenditures, and discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with realizing the projected cash flows.
Unproved oil and natural gas properties are periodically assessed for impairment on a project-by-project basis. The impairment assessment is affected by the results of exploration activities, commodity price outlooks, planned future sales or expiration of all or a portion of such projects. If the quantity of potential reserves determined by such evaluations is not sufficient to fully recover the cost invested in each project, the Company will recognize an impairment loss at that time.
Recent pronouncements
The Company has evaluated the recent accounting pronouncements through March 2016 and believes that none of them will have a material effect on the company’s financial statements.
NOTE 2 - GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the recoverability of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As noted above, the Company is in the exploration stage and, accordingly, has not yet generated significant revenues from operations. Since its inception, the Company has been engaged substantially in financing activities and developing its business plan and incurring startup costs and expenses. As a result, the Company incurred a net loss since inception through the period ended December 31, 2015 of $6,885,086. In addition, the Company’s exploration activities since inception have been financially sustained through debt and equity financing.
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise additional capital from the sale of common stock and, ultimately, the achievement of significant operating revenues. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from this uncertainty.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 3 -PREPAID EXPENSES
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had prepaid insurance totaling $29,870 and $35,886 respectively. The prepaid insurance will be expensed on a straight line basis over the remaining life of the insurance policies. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded $125,801 and $54,702 of insurance expenses. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had a prepaid deposit of $5,000 and $5,000 respectively for leased office space.
NOTE 4 - OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT
Oil and natural gas properties, buildings and equipment consist of the following:
Project Indian
Project Indian is located in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin, north of the giant San Ardo Field. Citadel currently owns a 100% working interest at Project Indian. In July of 2014 Citadel ended its prior joint venture with Sojitz Energy Ventures. There is a 20% royalty on the property owned by Vintage Petroleum, a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Inc. In November of 2014 Occidental Petroleum Inc. spun off its California assets into a new public company called California Resources Corporation, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CRC. CRC is now the mineral owner at Project Indian. In January of 2014, Citadel drilled and completed the first well at Project Indian, the Indian #1-15, and conducted a successful steam cycle in June of 2014. The Indian #1-15 then produced 3 to 7 barrels per day over several weeks before production halted because the well was shut-in by an order of the Superior Court of the State of California-County of Monterey entitled Center for Biological Diversity v. San Benito County Case no. M123956 (hereinafter the “Case”). In the Case, the Center for Biological Diversity, a non-governmental entity, petitioned the Court over the approval of Project Indian by the County of San Benito on a unanimous, 5-0 vote. Specifically, it argued that Project Indian required an Environmental Impact Report and not a Mitigated Negative Declaration which was the standard of environmental due diligence required by the County before its unanimous approval of the Project. The Court approved the petition in a judgment entered on September 4, 2014, and ruled that Citadel was required to obtain an environmental impact report before commencing further at Project Indian.
Then, on November 4, 2014 Measure J was passed by a majority of participating, registered voters in the County of San Benito. Measure J bans hydraulic fracturing and other stimulation techniques defined as “high intensity petroleum operations” by the Measure, including cyclic steam injection. Citadel believes the passing of Measure J constitutes a regulatory taking of property and is preempted by the State of California. At this time there is no certainty that we will be able to develop Project Indian.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 4 - OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)
Management has determined to shift capital resources to concentrate on drill ready projects that will immediately produce revenue. Consequently, the Company has suspended future capital expenditures related to Project Indian. Management impaired Project Indian in the fourth quarter of 2014 with a value of $1,420,574. The Company maintains its lease rights, takings claims, and no waiver of any right is intended by taking the foregoing impairment. Any action taken by the Company with respect to Project Indian in the near future, if any, will likely only be taken to preserve or advance the Company’s aforementioned legal rights and interests.
Yowlumne
In May 2013, we leased approximately 2,800 acres from AERA Energy, LLC (“Aera”). This acreage has been mapped using a combination of both 2D and 3D seismic, and is in close proximity to the Yowlumne oil field in Kern County, California. The Company is obligated to pay a 20% royalty to Aera. In August of 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 55% of the interest in the Yowlumne lease, recouping approximately 85% of its cost, while retaining a 25% interest in the lease and operatorship. In July of 2014 the Company ended its joint venture with Sojitz Energy Ventures retaining Sojitz’s 55% interest in the Yowlumne lease, therefore increasing Citadel’s ownership to 75% in the Yowlumne lease.
Additionally, as part of this transaction, the Company retained 100% interest in the Yowlumne #2-26 well, and the 160 acres surrounding the well bore. The Yowlumne #2-26 was first drilled in 2008 under supervision of Citadel CEO, Armen Nahabedian, during his previous tenure with his family’s oil company. Although the well tested oil at that time, the well was left idle for 5 years as lease issues prevented operations on the well until the appropriate curative measures could be taken.
In December of 2014, Citadel began a work-over on the Yowlumne #2-26 well including installation of a new pump in February of 2015. The well has been producing approximately 20- 25 barrels per day (32 degree API quality) since the beginning of March. In June the well’s pump had a mechanical issue, the company performed well maintenance operations on the #2-26 well in August, which returned the well to production at approximately 20-25 barrels per day. Citadel anticipates returning the well to production in the second quarter of 2016. Citadel is in the final stages of the CEQA process to permit two additional exploration wells on the Yowlumne acreage. Recent regulatory changes, including SB4 the State of California’s bill on fracking have delayed the final approval of our CEQA application. As such we do not expect to have these prospects permitted until 2016, at which time we will determine when to drill. Both of these exploration wells will be targeting the Stephens Sands at a depth of 12,000 to 15,000 feet. Citadel currently has a 75% working interest in these exploration prospects and is the operator.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 4 - OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)
Kern Bluff Oil Field
The following table summarizes the consideration paid to the sellers and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Kern Bluff Acquisitions:
In July of 2015, Citadel purchased approximately 1,100 acres encompassing the Kern Bluff Oil Field for $2,000,000 in cash and 6,000,000 shares of its common stock valued at $480,000, based on price per share on date of sale. The seller also retained a royalty that varies on a lease by lease basis; Citadel has 100% working interest in the field with an 80% net revenue interest. This field was discovered in 1944 by Gulf Oil. Gulf drilled approximately 169 wells in the field in the 1970’s and 1980’s recovering twelve million barrels of oil, primarily from the Santa Margarita formation located at depths in the 900 to 1,100 foot range. Analogous fields in the area have achieved recovery levels in the 40-90% range. Citadel believes it can recover 20-40% of the remaining OOIP, through down spacing, horizontal development, cyclic steam injection and exploitation of shallower by passed zones.
In December of 2015, Citadel shifted its CAPEX focus to remediation of the existing acquired facilities. At the time of purchase, the oil at Kern Bluff was being processed by temporary facilities installed by the previous owner. As production increased in September, it quickly became apparent that these facilities were not capable of processing the additional volumes of oil and water being produced. The existing permanent facilities were built in the 1970’s by Gulf Oil and require extensive remediation including new pipe, valves, flanges and tank repair. In order to facilitate the remediation, Citadel elected to shut down the eight producing wells in early January. Citadel expects the facility remediation to be completed in May of 2016, at which time the facilities are estimated to have production capability of 500 barrels per day of oil. Citadel then plans to resume its return to production (RTP) program, and then begin drilling new wells in the third or fourth quarter of 2016.
Upon the execution of purchase agreements of Kern Bluff Oil Field, the Company committed to invest $5,000.000 (the ''Work Commitment'') in development capital over a period of 18 months from the July 31, 2015 to be used for such activities including, but not limited to, engineering, environmental work, facilities, and other expenses incurred to drill at least five 5 new vertical wells, and to drill at least one horizontal well to target either the Transition or Santa Margarita sands with an attempted lateral length of at least 500 feet, all subject to obtaining appropriate and sufficient permits and approvals from applicable governing agencies. If the Company does not perform the Work Commitment during the required time period and assuming no breach of this Agreement by the selling party (the “Seller”) prior to the end of the 18 months period, then liquidated damages of $5,000.000 minus any money expended that is short of the Work Commitment will be due to the Seller. In addition to monetary commitment, the Company is committed to certain reporting obligations regarding the aforementioned expenditure to Seller on a quarterly basis.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 5 - INCOME TAXES
The (benefit) provision for income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately $5,977,000 in net operating loss carryforwards for each federal and state income tax purposes. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management has concluded that there is no assurance that the company will have taxable income in the future; therefore 100% of the deferred income tax assets is not recognized. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax assets, the level of historical taxable income and tax planning strategies in making the assessment of the realizability of deferred tax assets. We have identified the U.S. federal and California as our "major" tax jurisdiction. With limited exceptions, we remain subject to IRS examination of our income tax returns filed within the last three (3) years, and to California Franchise Tax Board examination of our income tax returns filed within the last four (4) years.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 6 - FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $12,067 and $14,976.
NOTE 7 - NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable consists of the following:
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $220,833. Of that amount $209,168 relates to notes payable and insurance financing and $11,665 is amortization of debt discount. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $202,902. Of that amount $43,819 relates to notes payable and insurance financing and $159,083 is amortization of debt discount.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 8 - PRODUCTION PAYMENT LIABILITY
In December 2014, the company entered into a financing agreement with two related party entities. The company received $300,000 in total from both entities to fund costs of the Yowlumne 2-26 well recompletion. In return for the funds received, the two entities will receive a combined 75% of the net revenue from the well until the $300,000 is repaid. At the time of repayment, the entities will own a total 3% overriding royalty on the well. This liability is completely dependent on the well generating revenue. If the well fails to generate enough revenue to repay the $300,000, Citadel is not responsible for the unpaid amount. According to ASC 932-470-25 Section B, “Funds advanced to an operator that are repayable in cash out of the proceeds from a specified share of future production of a producing property, until the amount advanced $300,000 is paid in full, shall be accounted for as a borrowing. The advance is a payable for the recipient of the cash invested. Given the wells current production of approximately 20 barrels per day, coupled with the current oil price of approximately $30.00 per barrel, we believe it will take more than two years for payback to occur; therefore this has been classified as a long-term payable.
NOTE 9 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
The Company's ARO relates to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and natural gas wells, removal of equipment facilities from leased acreage and land restoration in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws. The discounted fair value of an ARO liability is required to be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, with the associated asset retirement cost capitalized as part of the carrying cost of the oil and natural gas asset. In periods subsequent to the initial measurement of the ARO, the Company must recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows. The increases in the ARO liability due to the passage of time impact net earnings as accretion expense. The related capital cost, including revisions thereto, is charged to expense through depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and natural gas production over the life of the oil and natural gas field.
The following table summarizes the activity for the Company's abandonment obligations:
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 10 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of its $0.001 par value common stock.
In January 2014, the Company issued 205,085 shares of common stock for third party services rendered and prepaid expenses with a value of $114,338.
In January 2014, the Company issued 559,092 shares of common stock to settle three notes payable and accrued interest totaling $306,849. The shares were recorded at fair value of $273,304, resulting in a gain of $33,545.
In March of 2014, the Company closed on a $500,000 bridge loan from two individuals. These notes have a 180 day term and bear interest of 10%. Additionally investors received 500,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s stock at $1.00 per share for a term of two years, valued at $147,102 in total. In September of 2014, the maturity date of this bridge loan was extended by 30 days; in return the exercise price of the warrant was reduced to $0.34 per share, with the original two year term remaining. Due to the change in the terms of the warrants, the Company recalculated the value of the warrants to be $85,325. Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain on the extinguishment of $73,573.
In July of 2014, investors owning warrants for the company’s stock, converted early at a reduced price. The first tranche of warrants equaled 500,000 shares at $0.55, which were reduced to $0.34 resulting in the issuance of 500,000 common stock shares for $170,000 or $0.34 per share. Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain of $47,330. The second tranche of warrants equaled 100,000 warrants at $1.00 per share. These warrants were exchanged for the issuance of 300,000 shares at $0.34 for $102,000 in cash, which resulted in a $22,283 gain.
In August of 2014, the Company issued 400,000 shares of common stock valued at $136,000 to various parties for accounting, legal and marketing services.
At December 2014, the company was obligated to issue 25,000 shares of common stock in connection with a note payable. On the date the agreement was executed, the price per share of the Company’s stock was $0.09. As the shares have not been issued as of December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a stock payable with a value of $2,250.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued 875,000 shares of common stock valued at $183,500 to various parties for accounting, legal, and marketing services.
In March of 2015, the Company approved the issuance of 1,400,000 common stock shares for the conversion of a $100,000 promissory note, plus accrued interest of $2,164 and an additional capital investment of $107,836, all at fair value of $0.15 per share.
In March of 2015, the Company issued 25,000 shares of common stock to settle the stock payable of $2,250 recorded as of December 31, 2014.
In July of 2015, the Company issued 6,000,000 shares of common stock at fair value and paid $1,900,000 in cash for the Kern Bluff Oil Field. The Company had paid a $100,000 deposit on the property in May of 2015, upon execution of a letter of intent (LOI) on the field.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 11 - STOCK OPTION PLAN
On September 1, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company ratified, approved, and adopted a Stock Option Plan for the Company allowing for the grant of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock or stock options to acquire common shares. In the event an optionee ceases to be employed by or to provide services to the Company for reasons other than cause, any Stock Option that is vested and held by such optionee may be exercisable within up to thirty days after the effective date that his position ceases. No Stock Option granted under the Stock Option Plan is transferable. Any Stock Option held by an optionee at the time of his death may be exercised by his estate within six months of his death or such longer period as the Board of Directors may determine.
As approved by the Board of Directors, on September 4, 2012, the Company granted 4,000,000 stock options to two officers of the Company at $0.20 per share for terms of seven years. Of the total stock options, 1,000,000 vested immediately and the remaining vest equally over the next 3 years at the anniversary date of the employment agreements. The total fair value of these options at the date of grant was estimated to be $599,974 and was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 7 years, a risk free interest rate of 1.01%, a dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 254%. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, $149,995 and $113,888, respectively, was recorded as a stock based compensation expense.
On June 18, 2014 as approved by the Board of Directors, the Company granted 800,000 stock options to four members of the Board of Directors, which vested immediately, at $0.55 for terms of seven years. The total fair value of these options at the date of grant was estimated to be $264,495 and was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 7 years, a risk free interest rate of 0.45%, dividend yield of 0%, and expected volatility of 235%. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $264,494 was recorded as a stock based compensation expense.
On July 29, 2015 as approved by the Board of Directors, the Company granted 4,700,000 stock options to three members of management and to three members of the Board of Directors. These options vest over a three year period, at $0.15 per share for a term of seven years. The total fair value of these options at the date of grant was estimated to be $376,490 and was determined using the Black Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 7 years, risk free interest rate of 1.872%, dividend yield of 0%, and expected volatility of 333%. During the year ended December 31, 2015, $152,198 was recorded as a stock based compensation expense.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 11 - STOCK OPTION PLAN (CONTINUED)
The following is a summary of the status of all of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2015 and changes during the period ended on that date:
NOTE 12 - WARRANTS
In September 2013, we closed on a $200,000 90-day bridge loan with two investors. The loans bear interest of 10%. Additionally each investor was granted 100,000 stock warrants to purchase stock at $1.00 per share for a period of one year. The total fair value of these warrants at the date of grant was estimated to be $56,283 and was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 2 years, a risk free interest rate of 0.1%, a dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 197%. An additional $100,000 note payable with the same terms and warrants which were issued in October 2013. The total fair value of these warrants at the date of grant was estimated to be $37,467 and was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 2 years, a risk free interest rate of 0.1%, a dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 197%. During the year ended December 31, 2013, $21,297 was recorded as amortization of debt discount and included in interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $63,892 was recorded as amortization of debt discount and included in interest expense.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 12 - WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
In March 2014, the Company closed on a $500,000 180-day bridge loan with two investors. The loans bear interest of 10%. Additionally, the investors were granted a total of 500,000 stock warrants to purchase stock at $1.00 per share for a period of two years valued at $147,102. The total fair value of these warrant at the date of grant was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 2 years, a risk free interest rate of 0.45%, a dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 333%. In September of 2014, the maturity date of this bridge loan was extended by 30 days, in return the exercise price of the warrant was reduced to $0.34 per share, with the original two year term remaining. Due to the change in the terms of the warrants, the Company recalculated the value of the warrants to be $85,325. Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain on the extinguishment of $73,573. In December of 2015, the maturity date of this bridge loan was extended until September 30, 2016, in return the exercise price of the warrant was reduced to $0.20 and the term of the warrants also extended to until September 30, 2016.
In September of 2014, the 500,000 warrants issued on November 15, 2012, valued at $217,330, and 100,000 warrants issued in September 2013, valued at $56,283, were exercised early at a reduced price of $0.34 per share, resulting in a gain of $69,613.
The following is a summary of the status of all of the Company’s stock warrants as of December 31, 2015 and changes during the period ended on that date:
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 13 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company's net derivative liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The table below includes a rollforward of amounts included in the Company's Balance Sheet (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources).
(1)During the first quarter of 2015, the derivative liability was converted into shares of stock and these instruments were transferred to level 1. The inputs used to value common stock are defined as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 14 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On September 15, 2012, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with its CEO. The annual salary for the first year is $120,000, then in the second year it increases to $180,000, and in the third year it increases to $240,000.
Additionally, the officer received 2,000,000 stock options. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded executive compensation totaling $216,302 and $114,997, respectively.
On September 1, 2012, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with its CFO. The annual salary for the first year is $120,000, then in the second year increases to $180,000 and in the third year it increases to $240,000. Additionally, the officer received 2,000,000 stock options. During the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recording executive compensation totaling $256,944 and $214,997, respectively.
As of the second year of the employment agreement from September 2013 to September 2014, the CEO and CFO have deferred payment of approximately $5,000 per month of salary. As of the third year of the employment from September 2014 to present, the CEO and CFO have deferred payment of approximately $10,000 per month of salary.
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, $578,042 and $203,042 is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to the employment agreements with the CEO and CFO.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company made the following purchases from KVOS, an oil field service company owned by James Borgna a member of Citadel Exploration’s Board of Directors; $39,199.43 of oil field equipment and services.
In December 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Jim Walesa and Cibolo Creek Partners to fund $300,000 towards the Yowlumne #2-26 recompletion. In this agreement Mr. Walesa and Cibolo Creek will receive 75% of the net revenue after expenses, until they have received $300,000 in payment. Upon full repayment, Mr. Walesa and Cibolo Creek will receive a 3% royalty on the well. Mr. Walesa is currently on the Board of Directors of Citadel and a member of Cibolo Creek Partners.
In July of 2015, the Company entered into a $3,500,000 one year term loan with Cibolo Creek Partners for the purchase and development of the Kern Bluff Oil Field. Mr. Walesa is currently on the Board of Directors of Citadel and a member of Cibolo Creek Partners.
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CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
Notes to CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements
NOTE 14 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
On September 1, 2015, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with its CEO. The annual salary for the first year is $240,000, then in the second year it increases to $300,000, and in the third year it increases to $360,000.
Additionally, the officer received 1,500,000 stock options recorded at a fair value of $120,156. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded executive compensation totaling $240,000.
On September 1, 2015, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with its CFO. The annual salary for the first year is $240,000, then in the second year it increases to $300,000, and in the third year it increases to $360,000.
Additionally, the officer received 1,500,000 stock options recorded at a fair value of $120,156. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded executive compensation totaling $240,000.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company made the following purchases from entities considered related parties; $227,903 for oil field equipment and services from Grey Energy. Grey Energy is owned by James Borgna, who is a member of our Board of Directors.
NOTE 15 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In connection with our acquisition of Kern Bluff Oil Field (see Note 4), the Company committed to invest $5,000.000 (the ''Work Commitment'') in development capital over a period of 18 months from the July 31, 2015 to be used for such activities including, but not limited to, engineering, environmental work, facilities, and other expenses incurred to drill at least five 5 new vertical wells, and to drill at least one horizontal well to target either the Transition or Santa Margarita sands with an attempted lateral length of at least 500 feet, all subject to obtaining appropriate and sufficient permits and approvals from applicable governing agencies. If the Company does not perform the Work Commitment during the required time period and assuming no breach of this Agreement by the selling party (the “Seller”) prior to the end of the 18 months period, then liquidated damages of $5,000.000 minus any money expended that is short of the Work Commitment will be due to the Seller. In addition to monetary commitment, the Company is committed to certain reporting obligations regarding the aforementioned expenditure to Seller on a quarterly basis.
NOTE 16 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On March 31, 2016 Cibolo Creek Partners converted a $3,500,000 one year term loan into a newly issued Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock. The Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock (Series A) is convertible into shares of Citadel Exploration’s common stock at $0.20 per share. The Series A has a three year term, carries a 10% coupon and has a 2% overriding royalty (ORRI) on the Kern Bluff Oil Field. Citadel can force convert the Series A if Citadel’s common stock trades over $1.00 per share for 90 days. At such time of conversion the ORRI will be reduced to 1% in perpetuity.
In addition to the $3,500,000 converted into the Series A, Citadel has also received an additional $775,000 in commitments bringing the total amount invested into the Series A to $4,375,000. Citadel plans to use these funds for the continued development of the Kern Bluff Oil Field and for working capital.
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
The Company’s oil and natural gas reserves are attributable solely to properties within the United States.
Capitalized Costs
Costs Incurred for Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities
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Reserve Quantity Information
The following information represents estimates of the Company’s proved reserves as of December 31, 2015, which have been prepared and presented under SEC rules. These rules require SEC reporting companies to prepare their reserve estimates using specified reserve definitions and pricing based on a 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month pricing. The pricing that was used for estimates of the Company’s reserves as of December 31, 2015 was based on an unweighted average 12-month average WTI posted price per Bbl for oil as set forth in the following table:
Subject to limited exceptions, proved undeveloped reserves may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years of the date of booking. This requirement has limited, and may continue to limit, the Company’s potential to record additional proved undeveloped reserves as it pursues its drilling program. Moreover, the Company may be required to write down its proved undeveloped reserves if it does not drill on those reserves within the required five-year timeframe. The Company does not have any proved undeveloped reserves which have remained undeveloped for five years or more.
The Company’s proved oil reserves are located in the United States in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Proved reserves were estimated in accordance with the guidelines established by the SEC and the FASB.
Oil reserve quantity estimates are subject to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. The accuracy of such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of subsequent drilling, testing and production may cause either upward or downward revision of previous estimates.
Further, the volumes considered to be commercially recoverable fluctuate with changes in prices and operating costs. The Company emphasizes that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise and that estimates of new discoveries are more imprecise than those of currently producing oil and natural gas properties. Accordingly, these estimates are expected to change as additional information becomes available in the future.
The following table provides a roll forward of the total proved reserves for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, as well as proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves at the beginning and end of each respective year:
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Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
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The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows does not purport to be, nor should it be interpreted to present, the fair value of the oil and natural gas reserves of the property. An estimate of fair value would take into account, among other things, the recovery of reserves not presently classified as proved, the value of unproved properties, and consideration of expected future economic and operating conditions.
The estimates of future cash flows and future production and development costs as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 are based on the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for the preceding 12-month period. Estimated future production of proved reserves and estimated future production and development costs of proved reserves are based on current costs and economic conditions. All wellhead prices are held flat over the forecast period for all reserve categories. The estimated future net cash flows are then discounted at a rate of 10%.
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves is as follows:
In the foregoing determination of future cash inflows, sales prices used for oil and natural gas for December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, were estimated using the average price during the 12-month period, determined as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month. Prices were adjusted by lease for quality, transportation fees and regional price differentials. Future costs of developing and producing the proved gas and oil reserves reported at the end of each year shown were based on costs determined at each such year-end, assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions. Future income tax expenses are computed by applying the appropriate year-end statutory income tax rates to the estimated future pre-tax net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves, less the tax bases of the properties involved. The future income tax expenses give effect to income tax deductions, credits, NOL’s and allowances relating to the proved oil and gas reserves. All cash flow amounts, including income taxes, are discounted at 10%.
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It is not intended that the FASB’s standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows represent the fair market value the Company’s proved reserves. The Company cautions that the disclosures shown are based on estimates of proved reserve quantities and future production schedules which are inherently imprecise and subject to revision, and the 10% discount rate is arbitrary. In addition, costs and prices as of the measurement date are used in the determinations, and no value may be assigned to probable or possible reserves.
Changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves are as follows: