10-Q 1 hkni_10q93014.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

 

or

 

[_]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ____ to ____

 

Commission file number 1-10262

 

HKN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

95-2841597

 

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

 

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

   
180 State Street, Suite 200  

 

Southlake, Texas

76092

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (817) 424-2424

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X]   No [_]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer   [_] Accelerated filer   [_]
Non-accelerated filer   [_] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company   [X]

   

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

 

The number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of November 4, 2014 was 390,916.

 
 

HKN, INC.

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT

September 30, 2014

 

      Page
       
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
       
  Item 1. Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements  
       
    Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) 3
       
    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) 4
       
    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) 5
       
    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) 6
       
    Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) 7
       
  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 21
       
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures   35
       
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION  
       
  Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 36
       
  Item 6. Exhibits 37
       
SIGNATURES 38

 

2
 

HKN, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

          

   September 30,  December 31,
   2014  2013
       
Assets      
       
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $8,876   $14,302 
Accounts receivable   268    334 
Assets of discontinued operations, net of allowance of $158 thousand at September 30, 2014          
and December 31, 2013   3    6 
Short term note receivable - related party, net of deferred transaction fees of $65 thousand          
at September 30, 2014   7,435    —   
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   339    214 
Total Current Assets   16,921    14,856 
           
Oil and gas property, using the successful efforts method of accounting   4,395    4,450 
Construction in progress - plant   14,673    8,833 
Weathered lagoon plant   6,230    6,236 
Capital leases - equipment   844    —   
Office equipment and other   382    305 
Accumulated depreciation and depletion   (1,089)   (781)
Total Property and Equipment, net   25,435    19,043 
           
Intangible assets, net   1,513    1,667 
Long term note receivable - related party, net of deferred transaction fees of $177 thousand          
at December 31, 2013   —      11,823 
Investment in Global   9,450    19,312 
Other assets   413    259 
Total Assets  $53,732   $66,960 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          
           
Current Liabilities:          
Trade payables  $390   $838 
Liabilities of discontinued operations   3,283    160 
Capital lease obligation - short term   392    —   
Accrued liabilities and other   816    1,583 
Preferred stock dividends   4    —   
Total Current Liabilities   4,885    2,581 
           
Asset retirement obligation   2    2 
Capital lease obligation - long term   282    —   
BWI contingency   800    800 
Total Liabilities   5,969    3,383 
           
Contingencies (Note 2 and 12)          
           
Stockholders’ Equity:          
Series G1 convertible preferred stock, $1.00 par value; $100,000 liquidation value;          
700,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares outstanding   1    1 
Series G2 convertible preferred stock, $1.00 par value; $100,000 liquidation value;          
100,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares outstanding   1    1 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized;          
390,916 and 401,943 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   4    4 
Additional paid-in capital   449,706    450,394 
Accumulated deficit   (400,486)   (395,643)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (1,463)   8,820 
Total Stockholders' Equity   47,763    63,577 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $53,732   $66,960 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are

an integral part of these Statements.

 

3
 

HKN, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited, in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

          

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30,
   2014  2013  2014  2013
             
Revenues:                    
Oil and gas operations  $339   $309   $794   $823 
        Total revenues   339    309    794    823 
                     
Operating costs and expenses:                    
Oil and gas operating   58    60    170    126 
Selling, general and administrative   821    827    2,810    2,475 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   176    211    503    555 
        Total operating costs and expenses   1,055    1,098    3,483    3,156 
                     
Loss from operations   (716)   (789)   (2,689)   (2,333)
                     
Other income and expenses:                    
Interest and other expenses   (54)   (35)   (117)   (35)
Interest and other income - related party   323    528    1,119    1,773 
Interest and other income   1    4    93    41 
        Total other income   270    497    1,095    1,779 
                     
Loss from continuing operations   (446)   (292)   (1,594)   (554)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations   —      —      41    —   
Loss from discontinued operations   (3,300)   (69)   (3,286)   (340)
Net loss   (3,746)   (361)   (4,839)   (894)
   Accrual of dividends related to preferred stock   (4)   (4)   (12)   (12)
   Gain on payments of dividends of preferred stock   —      —      8    8 
Net loss attributed to common stock  $(3,750)  $(365)  $(4,843)  $(898)
Loss per common share from continuing operations  $(1.15)  $(0.74)  $(4.05)  $(1.36)
Loss per common share from discontinued operations   (8.44)   (0.17)   (8.23)   (0.83)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted  $(9.59)  $(0.91)  $(12.28)  $(2.19)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
   Basic and diluted   390,916    401,941    394,367    410,266 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are

an integral part of these Statements.

 

4
 

HKN, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30,
   2014  2013  2014  2013
             
Net loss  $(3,746)  $(361)  $(4,839)  $(894)
                     
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (652)   963    (137)   (331)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (7,089)   4,903    (10,146)   (3,501)
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (7,741)   5,866    (10,283)   (3,832)
Comprehensive income (loss)  $(11,487)  $5,505   $(15,122)  $(4,726)

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

are an integral part of these Statements.

 

5
 

HKN, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)

      

   Nine Months Ended September 30,
   2014  2013
       
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss  $(4,839)  $(894)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash          
       used in operating activities:          
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   503    555 
Stock-based compensation expense   159    30 
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations   (41)   —   
Loss contingency on discontinued operations   3,100    —   
Gain on sale of assets   (47)   —   
Amortization of note receivable - related party transaction fee   (112)   (236)
Other   —      (16)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable and accounts receivable - related party   28    (255)
Prepaid assets and other   (89)   (210)
Trade payables and other   (704)   309 
    Net cash used in operating activities - continuing operations   (2,042)   (717)
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations   67    (163)
    Net cash used in operating activities   (1,975)   (880)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Capital expenditures   (6,781)   (3,730)
Purchase of Global shares   (422)   (32)
Net proceeds from sales of assets   271    55 
Origination fee from note receivable - related party restructuring   —      340 
Repayment of note receivable - related party   4,500    3,500 
Change in restricted cash   (50)   —   
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (2,482)   133 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Principal payments on capital lease obligations   (122)   —   
Purchase of treasury stock   (847)   (2,966)
    Net cash used in financing activities   (969)   (2,966)
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (5,426)   (3,713)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   14,302    19,286 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $8,876   $15,573 
           
Supplemental cash disclosures:          
Cash paid for interest  $89   $—   
Noncash financing activities:          
Equipment acquired through capital lease obligations  $844   $—   

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

are an integral part of these Statements.

 

6
 

HKN, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2014 and 2013

(unaudited)

  

(1)          BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Our accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to these rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading. In our opinion, these consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the results of our operations for the three and nine months presented as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 and changes in our cash flows for the nine months presented as of September 30, 2014 and 2013. The December 31, 2013 consolidated condensed balance sheet information is derived from audited financial statements. All adjustments represent normal recurring items. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of all companies that we, through our direct or indirect ownership or shareholding, were provided the ability to control their operating policies and procedures. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

As a result of the sales of our Gulf Coast oil and gas properties and the abandonment of our coalbed methane projects during 2011, any remaining Gulf Coast oil and gas and coalbed methane activities are included as discontinued operations on the consolidated condensed balance sheets, consolidated condensed statements of operations and consolidated condensed statements of cash flows for all periods presented.

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income includes changes in stockholders’ equity during the periods that do not result from transactions with stockholders. Changes in our accumulated other comprehensive income during the period are as follows (in thousands):

 

7
 

   Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments  Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                
Balance as of December 31, 2013  $1,215   $7,605   $8,820 
Current period other comprehensive loss   (137)   (10,146)   (10,283)
Balance as of September 30, 2014  $1,078   $(2,541)  $(1,463)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Financial instruments are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by management. Factors considered in valuing individual investments include, without limitation, available market prices, reported net asset values, marketability, restrictions on disposition, current financial position and operating results, and other pertinent information (see Note 7 – “Fair Value Measurements”).

 

We carry our financial instruments, which include cash, restricted cash, our common stock investment in Global Energy Development PLC (“Global”) and our Global note receivable, at their estimated fair values. Our investment in ordinary shares of Global has been designated as available for sale rather than a trading security. The associated unrealized gains and losses on our available for sale investment are recorded to other comprehensive income until realized and reclassified into earnings using specific identification. The fair value of our investment in the ordinary shares of Global is based on prices quoted in an active market. Our investment in Global is classified as a non-current asset in our accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets.

 

Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts Our investment in Global is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk as Global’s ordinary shares are denominated in British pounds sterling. Translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income until the investment is sold.

 

Property and Equipment – We recorded depreciation expense related to other property and equipment of $21 thousand and $14 thousand for the three months and $62 thousand and $43 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for oil and gas producing properties and related equipment was $104 thousand and $146 thousand for the three months and $287 thousand and $358 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Capital Leases – During the second quarter 2014, we leased equipment for the Arctic Star plant under two separate capital leases which each have two year minimum lease terms. These leases include options to renew and/or purchase the leased property. These assets are included in plant, property and equipment in our consolidated condensed balance sheets. At September 30, 2014, total assets acquired under capital leases were $844 thousand. There was no amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as the assets had not been placed into service as of September 30, 2014.

 

At September 30, 2014, the total capital lease obligation was $674 thousand, of which $392 thousand was classified as a short-term liability and $282 thousand was classified as a long-term liability in our consolidated condensed balance sheets. Capital lease interest expense was $54 thousand for the three months and $117 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The following is a schedule of remaining future minimum lease payments under capital leases (in thousands):

 

8
 

 

Year Ending December 31,   
 2014   $137 
 2015    544 
 2016    173 
 Total minimum lease payments    854 
 Less: Amount representing interest (1)    (180)
 Present value of minimum lease payments   $674 

__________________________

(1) Amount to reduce minimum lease payments to fair value as calculated by the imputed interest rate at lease inception since the present value of the minimum lease payments as calculated by the incremental borrowing rate exceeded fair value at inception of the leases.

 

Intangible Assets – Our intangible assets consist of patents acquired in connection with our investment in BriteWater International, Inc. (“BWI”). Our patents were valued at $2.6 million on their acquisition date and are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 6-21 years, based on their respective contractual lives. Accumulated amortization in the amount of $1.1 million has been recorded on these patents to date. We have recorded amortization expense related to these patents of $51 thousand for both the three months and $154 thousand for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Patent annuity fees and legal fees related to the renewal of our existing patents are expensed as incurred and recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

 

Investment in Global – Our policy is to review our investment in Global semi-annually or more often if any indicators of impairment become known. We continuously monitor macroeconomic indicators and track Global’s stock price volatility for any downward trends in the market. We also review public financial information including Global’s issued financial statements and investor presentations, as well as financial analysts’ reviews and recommendations for any indicators of an other than temporary impairment in our carrying value. Additionally, we monitor public reports regarding the reserves in Colombia’s Middle Magdalena basin in which Global operates. We also assess internally our ability and intent to hold our investment in Global should the fair value drop below our cost. Any resulting other than temporary impairment would be immediately recognized in earnings. We have not recognized any such impairment as of September 30, 2014. See Note 4 – “Investment in Global” for further discussion.

 

Other Assets – At September 30, 2014, other assets included $346 thousand in prepaid drilling costs related to the drilling and completion of wells held by HKN Bakken, Inc. (“HBI”), $17 thousand in deposits related to the Arctic Star site lease and facility and restricted cash of $50 thousand for a Letter of Credit required for the Arctic Star plant site lease.

 

Accrued Liabilities and OtherAt September 30, 2014, accrued liabilities and other included approximately $572 thousand in accrued capital costs related to the construction, installation and commissioning of the Arctic Star plant and approximately $122 thousand in accrued capital costs related to the drilling and completion of HBI wells under development.

 

Stock-Based Compensation – We measure all stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method on the date of grant and recognize such expense in our consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. We use the Black-Scholes formula to determine the fair value of stock-based compensation awards on the date of grant. The Black-Scholes formula requires management to make assumptions regarding the option lives, expected volatility, and risk free interest rates. Total stock-based compensation recognized within selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated condensed statements of operations was $53 thousand and $19 thousand for the three months and $159 thousand and $30 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

9
 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In April 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard revises the definition of a discontinued operation to limit the circumstances under which a disposal or classification as held for sale qualifies for presentation as a discontinued operation. Amendments in this standard require expanded disclosures concerning a discontinued operation and the disposal of an individually-material component of an entity not qualifying as a discontinued operation. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and should be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. We currently do not expect this standard to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 on revenue from contracts with customers. Under this new standard, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the amount of consideration received for that specific good or service. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 16, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. Adoption is allowed by either the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating which approach we will apply and the impact, if any, that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)          BRITEWATER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

Our wholly-owned BWI subsidiary owns a patented oilfield emulsion breaking technology. This is a continuous process technology that can purify oilfield emulsions by breaking and separating the emulsions into oil, water and solids, thereby reducing the environmental impact and disposal costs of these waste materials while recovering valuable oil. BWI has completed the design, construction and installation of its first set of standardized modules which can be used for both upstream and downstream applications in the oil and gas industry, including processing oilfield and refinery emulsions to recover valuable oil and oil spill remediation.

 

BWI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Arctic Star Alaska, Inc. (“Arctic Star”) is in the process of commissioning these modules and establishing operations as a mobile waste processing plant on the North Slope of Alaska. Arctic Star currently holds contracts which grant Arctic Star the option to take title to oilfield waste generated in certain fields on the North Slope at no cost and sell any recovered crude volumes at market prices. The Company continues negotiations to enter into additional feedstock supply agreements, one of which was obtained in April 2014. Arctic Star also entered into an agreement for the sale of 100% of its product on the North Slope during April 2014.

 

BWI also has a completed purpose-built plant which was designed to break emulsions found in weathered lagoon pits.

 

BWI Contingency – BWI has a contingent liability of $800 thousand which may be payable upon the conclusion of certain performance events related to its weathered lagoon plant. There were no changes to the BWI liability recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

(3)          HKN BAKKEN, INC.

 

HBI holds non-operated working interests in properties strategically located in the Bakken and Niobrara shale oil plays. We invested in these assets because we believe they present significant near-term growth potential and align well with our long term investment goals. We continue to invest in HBI on a non-operated basis, in all phases of the oil and gas business, including participation in the drilling, completion, operation and maintenance of oil and gas wells. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we invested approximately $209 thousand in drilling and completion costs.

 

10
 

During April 2014, we executed and closed on an agreement for the final dissolution of Gerrity Oil, LLC. In conjunction with this agreement, HBI sold its interest in four Bakken wells and a six acre parcel of land in Colorado for proceeds of approximately $271 thousand and recognized a gain on this sale of $47 thousand within interest and other income in our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

 

(4)          INVESTMENT IN GLOBAL

 

Our non-current available for sale investment consists of our ownership of approximately 35% of Global’s outstanding ordinary shares. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our investment in Global was equal to the market value of Global’s ordinary shares as follows (in thousands, except for closing price and exchange rate amounts):

 

   September 30, 2014  December 31, 2013
           
Shares of Global Stock Held by HKN   12,805    12,462 
           
Closing Price of Global Stock  £0.46   £0.94 
           
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate   1.6220    1.6574 
           
Market Value of Investment in Global  $9,450   $19,312 

  

The foreign currency translation adjustment of approximately $137 thousand and the unrealized loss on investment of $10.1 million for the changes in market value between the two periods were recorded to other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we purchased an additional 343 thousand shares of Global for approximately $422 thousand, increasing our ownership from 34.51% to 35.46%.

 

As of September 30, 2014, we had a cumulative unrealized loss position on our investment in Global of $1.5 million. Therefore, we assessed the decline in market value to determine whether it was considered a temporary or other than temporary impairment. After reviewing Global’s published operational updates and plans and considering our intent and ability to hold the investment, the recent nature of the decline and analyzing the historical price volatility and increases in share price subsequent to this reporting date, we determined the impairment to be temporary as of September 30, 2014. However, we will continue to evaluate whether this investment is impaired in each subsequent reporting period until either the investment experiences a recovery of fair value up to its cost or the decline is considered to be other than temporary impairment loss. The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values for investments in an unrealized loss position, deemed to be temporary, and the length of time they have been in the position as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2014
   Less Than 12 Months  12 Months or Greater  Total
   Fair Value  Unrealized Loss  Fair Value  Unrealized Loss  Fair Value  Unrealized Loss
Available for sale securities:                              
Investment in Global  $9,450   $(1,463)  $—     $—     $9,450   $(1,463)
Total  $9,450   $(1,463)  $—     $—     $9,450   $(1,463)

 

No unrealized loss position existed at December 31, 2013.

 

11
 

(5)          NOTES RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY

 

In March 2013, we entered into a new loan agreement (the “Global 2013 Note”) with Global to refinance the outstanding $5 million Global Note Receivable and the $12 million Global Loan into one $17 million note. The Global 2013 Note extended the maturity date to June 15, 2015 and increased the interest rate from 12.5% to 12.75%. Principal payments are required quarterly and began on March 31, 2013. To date, we have received $9.5 million in principal payments from Global. As of September 16, 2014, pursuant to provisions of the Global 2013 Note agreement, the interest rate charged was increased from 12.75% up to 13.5% per annum due to Global’s nonconformity with performance conditions as of June 30, 2014. The new stated interest rate will remain in effect until the maturity of the loan agreement. Accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance is due on each quarterly principal payment date.

 

We have received interest payments from Global of approximately $290 thousand and $478 thousand for the three months and $1 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Payment of the Global 2013 Note is guaranteed by Global’s principal operating subsidiary. In connection with the new loan agreement, Global paid us a transaction fee of $340 thousand, of which $65 thousand was deferred and presented net of our long term notes receivable at September 30, 2014. The remaining deferred transaction fee will be recognized over the life of the loan. The remaining payments due to us under the new Global 2013 Note are as follows: $1.5 million due quarterly from December 31, 2014 through March 31, 2015 and $4.5 million due June 15, 2015.

 

Beginning June 30, 2014, the Global 2013 Note was classified as current because all quarterly payments on the Global 2013 Note had been received in accordance with the stated repayment terms, and we believe the remaining payments will also be made as scheduled. Previously, our related party loans were classified as long-term due to the historic uncertainty around the timing of collection in spite of the stated repayment terms in the agreements. We assess the collectability of our related party loan with Global on a semi-annual basis based on review of their publicly disclosed financial information. Additionally, we continually monitor all Global disclosures for any events that could adversely affect their liquidity or results of operations. As of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q we do not have any reason to believe that our Global 2013 Note is not collectible or is impaired. Accordingly, we did not record any allowance for doubtful accounts related to our related party notes receivable at September 30, 2014.

 

(6)          ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

 

We recognize the present value of asset retirement obligations beginning in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. A summary of our asset retirement obligations as of September 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):

 

   Asset Retirement    
Asset Category  Obligation   Estimated Life
          
Oil and gas producing properties  $2 (1)  27.5 years

  __________________________

(1) This is a recurring Level 3 fair value measurement. See Note 7 - “Fair Value Measurements” for further discussions of Level 3 valuation definitions.

 

12
 

The following table describes all changes to our asset retirement obligation liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

 

   2014
      
Asset retirement obligation at beginning of period  $2 
Additions during the period   —   
Revisions of estimates   —   
Accretion expense   —   
Asset retirement obligation at end of period  $2 

 

(7)          FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The accounting guidance establishes a framework for measuring fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability. Classification within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy contains three levels:

 

  • Level 1 – Valuation inputs are unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

  • Level 2 – Valuation inputs are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and other observable inputs directly or indirectly related to the asset or liability being measured.

  • Level 3 – Valuation inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The following tables present recurring financial assets which are carried at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

   September 30, 2014
    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3 
                
Investment in Global (1)  $9,450   $—     $—   
                
    December 31, 2013 
    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3 
                
Investment in Global (1)  $19,312   $—     $—   

____________________________________________________

(1) Global’s ordinary shares are publicly traded on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”), a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, with quoted prices in active markets. Accordingly, the fair value measurements of these securities have been classified as Level 1.

 

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(8)          DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

As a result of the sales of our Gulf Coast oil and gas properties and the abandonment of our coalbed methane projects during 2011, all related activities are included as discontinued operations on the consolidated condensed balance sheets and consolidated condensed statements of operations for all periods presented.

 

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities for our discontinued oil and gas operations are summarized below (in thousands):

 

   September 30,  December 31,
   2014  2013
       
Current Assets:      
 Accounts receivable, net  $3   $6 
 Total Current Assets   3    6 
 Total Assets of Discontinued Operations  $3   $6 
           
Current Liabilities:          
Trade payables  $64   $29 
Revenues and royalties payable   18    18 
Accrued EPA contingency   3,100    —   
Accrued liabilities and other   101    113 
 Total Current Liabilities   3,283    160 
 Total Liabilities of Discontinued Operations  $3,283   $160 

  

Our Accrued Liabilities and Other at September 30, 2014 consist of legal fees related to the XPLOR Energy Litigation and Main Pass Environmental Investigations (see Note 12 – “Contingencies”).

 

Cash used by discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is mainly related to legal costs resulting from the sale of the oil and gas properties net of any related insurance recoveries. Upon resolution of the XPLOR Energy litigation and regulatory matters, no significant activities are expected related to these discontinued operations.

 

The revenues and net loss before income tax associated with our discontinued oil and gas operations are as follows (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30,
   2014  2013  2014  2013
             
Revenues and other:                    
Oil and gas operations  $—     $—     $—     $—   
Oil and gas processing and handling income   —      —      —      —   
        Total revenues from discontinued operations  $—     $—     $—     $—   
                     
Loss from discontinued operations before taxes  $(3,300)  $(69)  $(3,286)  $(340)

 

We recognized a gain of $41 thousand on the 2011 disposal of our Gulf Coast oil and gas properties during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to a refund of a drilling prepayment related to retained plugging and abandonment costs. No losses were recognized on this disposal in the first nine months of 2013.

 

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The loss from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 is primarily due to a $3.1 million contingency recorded in the third quarter 2014 related to the Main Pass Environmental Investigations (see Note 12 – “Contingencies”).

 

(9)          SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

We currently have one reportable segment consisting of our investment in BWI which is managed separately. Our BWI operating segment owns a patented oilfield emulsion breaking technology. This is a continuous process technology that can purify oilfield emulsions by breaking and separating the emulsions into oil, water and solids, thereby reducing the environmental impact and disposal costs of these waste materials while recovering valuable oil. See Note 2 – “BriteWater International, Inc.” for further discussion.

 

We have included activity of our parent company, HKN, in our disclosure to reconcile to our consolidated operating loss and total assets. HKN includes our investment in Global, our non-operated working interests in properties held by HBI, mineral interests leased in Texas, performance of general corporate activities such as corporate reporting and governance, financing, management and growth of current operations and the evaluation of new investment opportunities. Our accounting policies for each of our operating segments are the same as those for our consolidated condensed financial statements. Intersegment interest income and intersegment expenses between our parent company and BWI have been eliminated in consolidation. There were no material intersegment sales or transfers for the periods presented.

 

At September 30, 2013, we reported our investment in Gerrity Oil as a reportable segment. In January 2013, we made the decision to dissolve the joint venture and obtain a direct ownership interest in our 50% portion of the Gerrity Oil assets and properties under a newly formed corporation, HBI. After this decision, the oil and gas operations of the newly formed HBI entity were absorbed by HKN personnel throughout 2013 and no additional resources were allocated to the management of those operations. Therefore, we did not consider our investment in HBI to be a separate operating segment as of December 31, 2013. Since Gerrity Oil was previously reported as a separate reportable segment at September 30, 2013, that period has been restated to be included with the HKN parent company activity in order to be consistent with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Our financial information, expressed in thousands, for each of our operating segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
             
   HKN   BWI   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                     
Oil and gas revenues  $339   $—     $—     $339 
Oil and gas expenses   (58)   —      —      (58)
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (571)   (250)   —      (821)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (118)   (58)   —      (176)
Interest and other expenses   —      (119)   65    (54)
Interest and other income - related parties   388    —      (65)   323 
Interest and other income   1    —      —      1 
Segment loss from continuing operations  $(19)  $(427)  $—     $(446)
Capital Expenditures  $348   $1,331   $—     $1,679 
Total Assets  $39,326   $23,615   $(9,209)  $53,732 

 

15
 

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
             
   HKN   BWI   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                     
Oil and gas revenues  $309   $—     $—     $309 
Oil and gas expenses   (60)   —      —      (60)
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (661)   (166)   —      (827)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (157)   (54)   —      (211)
Interest and other expenses   (33)   (174)   172    (35)
Interest and other income - related parties   700    —      (172)   528 
Interest and other income   3    1    —      4 
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations  $101   $(393)  $—     $(292)
Capital Expenditures  $227   $1,527   $—     $1,754 
Total Assets  $62,828   $16,273   $(10,787)  $68,314 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
             
   HKN   BWI   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                     
Oil and gas revenues  $794   $—     $—     $794 
Oil and gas expenses   (170)   —      —      (170)
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (2,131)   (679)   —      (2,810)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (330)   (173)   —      (503)
Interest and other expenses   —      (295)   178    (117)
Interest and other income - related parties   1,297    —      (178)   1,119 
Interest and other income   93    —      —      93 
Segment loss from continuing operations  $(447)  $(1,147)  $—     $(1,594)
Capital Expenditures  $351   $6,430   $—     $6,781 
Total Assets  $39,326   $23,615   $(9,209)  $53,732 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
             
   HKN   BWI   Eliminations   Consolidated 
                     
Oil and gas revenues  $823   $—     $—     $823 
Oil and gas expenses   (126)   —      —      (126)
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (1,985)   (490)   —      (2,475)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   (391)   (164)   —      (555)
Interest and other expenses   (35)   (436)   436    (35)
Interest and other income - related parties   2,209    —      (436)   1,773 
Interest and other income   41    —      —      41 
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations  $536   $(1,090)  $—     $(554)
Capital Expenditures  $553   $3,177   $—     $3,730 
Total Assets  $62,828   $16,273   $(10,787)  $68,314 

 

(10)        STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY`

 

No changes in the number of preferred shares occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The changes in the number of common and treasury shares held during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:

 

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   Number of Shares
    Description   Preferred G1    Preferred G2    Common    Treasury 
                     
Balance as of December 31, 2013   1,000    1,000    401,943    —   
Shares issued for preferred stock dividends   —      —      2    —   
Treasury stock repurchase   —      —      —      11,029 
Treasury stock retirements   —      —      (11,029)   (11,029)
Balance as of September 30, 2014   1,000    1,000    390,916    —   

 

Treasury Stock – At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we held no shares of treasury stock. In January 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the cancellation of our amended September 2005 stock repurchase plan and authorized a new stock repurchase program which allows us to buy back up to 45 thousand shares of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we purchased and retired 11,029 shares of our common stock for approximately $847 thousand. As of September 30, 2014, 582 shares remained available for repurchase under our repurchase program.

 

Additional Paid in Capital – Additional paid in capital decreased by approximately $688 thousand during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to the purchase and retirement of our common stock partially offset by BWI stock compensation.

 

(11)        EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   Three Months Ended September 30, 2014  Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
   Net Loss Attributed to Common Stock 

Weighted-

Average Shares

  Per Share
Loss
  Net Loss Attributed to Common
Stock
 

Weighted-

Average Shares

  Per Share
Loss
Basic EPS:                              
Loss from continuing operations (1)  $(450)       $(1.15)  $(296)       $(0.74)
Loss from discontinued operations   (3,300)        (8.44)   (69)        (0.17)
Net loss attributed to common stock  $(3,750)   391   $(9.59)  $(365)   402   $(0.91)
Effect of dilutive securities                              
Preferred stock (2)   —      —      —      —      —      —   
Diluted loss per share  $(3,750)   391   $(9.59)  $(365)   402   $(0.91)

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
   Net Loss Attributed to Common Stock  Weighted-
Average Shares
  Per Share
Loss
  Net Loss Attributed to Common
Stock
  Weighted-
Average Shares
  Per Share
Loss
Basic EPS:                              
Loss from continuing operations (3)  $(1,598)       $(4.05)  $(558)       $(1.36)
Loss from discontinued operations   (3,245)        (8.23)   (340)        (0.83)
Net loss attributed to common stock  $(4,843)   394   $(12.28)  $(898)   410   $(2.19)
Effect of dilutive securities                              
Preferred stock (4)   —      —      —      —      —      —   
Diluted loss per share  $(4,843)   394   $(12.28)  $(898)   410   $(2.19)

 

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__________________________

(1)Includes accrual of dividends, net of the gain on dividends paid with common shares, related to preferred stock of $4 thousand for both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

(2)Includes 11 shares of our common stock related to our Series G1 preferred and Series G2 preferred stock for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These shares were issuable upon their conversion in the period presented and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

(3)Includes accrual of dividends, net of the gain on dividends paid with common shares, related to preferred stock of $4 thousand for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

(4)Includes 35 shares of our common stock related to our Series G1 preferred and Series G2 preferred stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These shares were issuable upon their conversion in the period presented and were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

(12)        CONTINGENCIES

 

XPLOR Energy Litigation – Pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) dated as of November 17, 2011 between our subsidiary XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. (“XPLOR”) and Texas Petroleum Investment Company (“TPIC”), XPLOR sold to TPIC its oil and gas production assets and related operations at its Main Pass 35 field.  The closing of the transaction occurred on November 17, 2011 but was effective as of October 1, 2011.  On November 21, 2011, TPIC informed XPLOR that they had discovered defects in the salt water disposal system at Main Pass resulting in a salt water spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which had been reported to regulatory authorities. 

 

TPIC has filed a lawsuit against XPLOR in the 236th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County, Texas. The case is styled: Texas Petroleum Investment Company vs. XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc., Richard Cottle, Sarah Gasch, and John Hewitt. In the lawsuit, TPIC has asserted claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, and indemnity related to its purchase of a production platform and associated assets from XPLOR. TPIC’s claims focus on alleged salt water system defects, related repairs to the facilities, and purported representations regarding the condition of the platform and associated assets. TPIC is seeking an unstated amount of alleged actual and exemplary damages as well as costs and fees. Although litigation is inherently uncertain, based upon the information known to date, we do not believe TPIC’s civil, contractual and fraud claims have merit. We intend to vigorously defend any assertions related to the above lawsuit. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to TPIC’s allegations. Based upon information known to date, the range of estimated loss if TPIC were to prevail on its claims is currently estimated not to exceed $2.5 million in damages, costs, and fees.

 

BWI Contingencies – See Note 2 – “BriteWater International, Inc.” for further discussion of BWI contingencies.

 

Main Pass Environmental Investigations – In January 2013, we were notified by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) of an investigation and potential penalty related to the TPIC allegations of improper salt water disposal at the Main Pass 35 field previously owned by our subsidiary XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. In October 2014, a telephone status conference was held with the LDEQ and the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) handling this matter. Counsel for XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. reported to the ALJ that the parties had agreed to pursue settlement discussions and requested additional time for settlement discussions to proceed. The ALJ agreed to pass the matter to allow for settlement discussions. The ALJ set another status conference for January 2015.

 

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In March 2013, we were advised that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) was undertaking a criminal investigation of the salt water disposal incident. In June 2014, we began discussions with the U. S. Attorney’s Office in New Orleans, Louisiana with regard to resolving any potential allegations against XPLOR. On September 15, 2014, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a Bill of Information with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (the “Court”) alleging that XPLOR knowingly violated The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the “Clean Water Act”) at its Main Pass operations. Subject to the Court’s acceptance and to avoid the risks, uncertainties, costs and other burdens of litigation, we have agreed with the U. S. Attorney’s Office to submit a plea agreement reflecting a payment of $3.1 million in settlement of one felony count of a knowing violation of the Clean Water Act. The Court has scheduled a plea hearing on this matter for November 19, 2014. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2014, we recorded a $3.1 million contingency within liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated condensed balance sheets related to these investigations.

 

Point Au Fer Lawsuit – During the second quarter 2013, we learned HKN, Inc. was named in a lawsuit filed in the 32nd Judicial District Court for the Parish of Terrebonne, Louisiana by Point Au Fer, L.L.C., and The Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  The case is styled: Point Au Fer, L.L.C., and The Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans v. ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, et al, No. 169160. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs have alleged that real property they own in Terrebonne Parish has been environmentally damaged as a result of oil and gas exploration activities of twenty different defendants.  The plaintiffs seek damages for testing and remediation of the property, property stigma, loss of use of land and lost profits, civil fruits for defendants trespass, land loss and subsidence, punitive or exemplary damages and attorney’s fees. Per Louisiana law, no actual dollar amount of damages has been alleged in the Petition. With specific regard to HKN, Inc., out of over one hundred wells identified in the Petition, HKN, Inc. only drilled one well, the MA Smythe Nelson #1, which was a dry hole. The MA Smythe Nelson #1 was drilled on June 2, 1980 and plugged and abandoned on July 12, 1980.  We have and intend to continue to vigorously defend any assertions related to the above lawsuit. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the lawsuit at this time, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter. Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter.

 

Point a la Hache Lawsuit – During the second quarter 2013, we learned XPLOR Energy Operating Company and XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. were named in a lawsuit filed in the 25th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Plaquemines, Louisiana. The case is styled: Catherine P. Alford et al. v. BP America Production Company, et al., Docket No. 60-479. In the lawsuit, eight plaintiffs have sued 25 defendants, alleging that they own and/or use a certain 4,480 acres located in the Pointe a la Hache oil and gas field.  Plaintiffs further allege that the property has been contaminated or otherwise damaged by oil and gas exploration and production activities.  Per Louisiana law, no actual dollar amount of damages has been alleged in the Petition. On March 18, 2014, prior to the hearing on defendants’ exceptions, plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety. The court signed the order dismissing all claims against the defendants on March 27, 2014, and the case is now closed. Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter.

 

SLFPA-E Litigation – Plaintiffs South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—East (“SLFPA-E”) filed this lawsuit in Louisiana state court against over 90 oil and gas and pipeline companies. Generally the lawsuit alleges that activities by defendants—primarily but not exclusively the dredging of canals—have made it more difficult for the SLFPA-E to protect the New Orleans metropolitan area from flooding. Defendants removed the case to federal court and the plaintiff filed a motion to remand the case back to state court. On June 27, 2014, the Judge issued an Order denying remand to state court. A status conference was held on August 6, 2014. At that conference, the Court set a hearing date of November 12, 2014 for all Rule 12(b) defense motions and plaintiffs’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The Court further stated that another status conference will be held two (2) weeks after her ruling on the Motions that are filed. Until that time, there will be no discovery or, other than the motions that have been specifically allowed to be filed, any other activity in the case. The petition alleges that HKN, Inc. is "by virtue of [one or more of] mergers, acquisitions, name changes, etc., responsible for" the actions of Tejas Power Corporation, which is alleged to have obtained in the 1980s certain dredging permits and rights of way.  HKN, Inc. disputes that it is responsible for any actions of Tejas Power Corporation.  The public record appears to suggest that Tejas Power Corporation may have been a subsidiary of Harken Oil and Gas, Incorporated (a previous name of HKN, Inc.) for a few years in the 1980s and 1990s.  However, there appears to be nothing to indicate that HKN, Inc. would have liability for the actions of Tejas Power Corporation, which continued to exist after HKN, Inc. no longer had any interest in Tejas Power Corporation. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the lawsuit at this time, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter.  Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter. 

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Louisiana Limited Scope Audit – In April 2012, we received notice from the State of Louisiana’s Department of Revenue that our discontinued oil and gas subsidiary, XPLOR Energy Operating Company, was the subject of a limited scope sales tax audit focused on the company’s on-site use and consumption of lease gas in connection with its lease, gathering and pipeline operations from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. The Louisiana Department of Revenue issued a preliminary assessment, or “Notice of Proposed Tax Due,” preliminarily assessing sales tax of $194 thousand and related penalties and interest of $154 thousand, resulting in a total assessment of $348 thousand. In July 2012, we filed an audit protest with the Louisiana Department of Revenue challenging the preliminary assessment, as we do not agree with the legal basis of the assessment or the methodology in which the taxes were calculated and plan to vigorously defend our position. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the audit protest and preliminary assessment, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter. Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter. In the event of a negative outcome, the potential loss related to the audit and preliminary assessment is currently estimated not to exceed $348 thousand.

 

(13)        RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Our related party transactions at September 30, 2014 include our $7.5 million note receivable from Global. Our CEO, Mikel Faulkner, serves as Chairman of Global. Please see Note 5 - “Notes Receivable – Related Party” for additional information on our note receivable from Global.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion is intended to assist you in understanding our business and the results of our operations. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated condensed financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain statements made in our discussion may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and a number of factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from our expectations. Unless the context requires otherwise, when we refer to “we,” “us” and “our,” we are describing HKN, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Our business strategy is focused on enhancing value for our shareholders through the development of a well-balanced portfolio of assets in the energy industry. Currently, the majority of the value of our assets is derived from our wholly-owned subsidiaries, BriteWater International, Inc. (“BWI”) and HKN Bakken, Inc. (“HBI”), our investment in publicly-traded ordinary shares of Global Energy Development PLC (“Global”) and our note receivable extended to Global. Our objective in 2014 is to continue to build the value of our portfolio of assets through:

 

·Identifying, developing, operating and marketing applications for the BWI emulsion-breaking technology,
·Pursuing opportunities to invest in or acquire undervalued assets or companies in the energy industry which we believe present significant near-term growth potential,
·Providing management expertise and/or additional capital for our assets to enhance their value and accelerate growth and
·Managing our capital expenditures and selling, general and administrative costs.

 

Management continues to evaluate additional potential projects and opportunities within the energy and related industries.

 

BriteWater International, Inc.

 

BWI owns a patented oilfield emulsion breaking technology. This is a continuous process technology that can purify oilfield emulsions by breaking and separating the emulsions into oil, water and solids, thereby reducing the environmental impact and disposal costs of these waste materials while recovering valuable oil. This technology has been successfully tested in multiple refineries as well as in a demonstration in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, all of which confirmed the effectiveness of the emulsion breaking technology to recover valuable hydrocarbons and reduce wastes. BWI has completed the design, construction and installation of standardized modules which can be used for both upstream and downstream applications in the oil and gas industry, including processing oilfield and refinery emulsions to recover valuable oil and oil spill remediation. BWI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Arctic Star Alaska, Inc. (“Arctic Star”), has substantially completed commissioning this set of modules as a mobile waste processing plant which is located on the North Slope of Alaska and is currently performing test runs.

 

BWI also has an existing purpose-built plant which was designed to break emulsions found in weathered lagoon pits. Although its primary focus currently is to make the Arctic Star plant operational, BWI will develop a business plan to deploy this plant or parts of the plant once the Arctic Star plant is commissioned in the fourth quarter 2014. Should we determine that this plant is not deployable or that only parts of the plant are deployable, we could incur a write down of the book value of this asset.

 

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Domestic Energy Investment – HKN Bakken, Inc.

 

HBI currently holds non-operated oil and gas leases and mineral interests in properties strategically located in the Bakken and Niobrara shale oil plays. We invested in these assets because we believe they represent significant near-term growth potential and align well with our long term investment goals. We plan to continue to strategically invest, on a non-operated basis, in all phases of the oil and gas business including the acquisition of oil and gas leases, fee mineral interests, overriding royalty interests, participating and non-participating royalty interests and production payments, and participating in the drilling, completion, operation and maintenance of oil and gas wells.

 

Colombian Energy Investment – Global Energy Development PLC

 

At September 30, 2014, we held an investment in Global through our ownership of approximately 35% of Global’s ordinary shares and notes receivable. Global is a petroleum exploration and production company focused on Latin America. Global’s shares are traded on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”), a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. In addition to financing opportunities, we continue to monitor our investment in Global in order to identify opportunities for divesting of shares or making additional investments in the company. Global’s asset base continues to be strong; therefore we intend to hold our shares of Global until we believe the market price more accurately reflects the value of its operations and asset base.

 

Ordinary Shares - We account for our ownership of Global shares as an available for sale investment. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our investment in Global was equal to the market value of Global’s ordinary shares as follows (in thousands, except for closing price and exchange rate amounts):

 

   September 30, 2014  December 31, 2013
           
Shares of Global Stock Held by HKN   12,805    12,462 
           
Closing Price of Global Stock  £0.46   £0.94 
           
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate   1.6220    1.6574 
           
Market Value of Investment in Global  $9,450   $19,312 

  

The foreign currency translation adjustment of approximately $137 thousand and the unrealized loss on investment of $10.1 million for the changes in market value between the two periods were recorded to other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

2013 Note Receivable - In March 2013, we entered into a new loan agreement (the “Global 2013 Note”) with Global to refinance the outstanding $5 million Global Note Receivable and the $12 million Global Loan into one $17 million note. The Global 2013 Note extended the maturity date to June 15, 2015 and increased the interest rate from 12.5% to 12.75%. Principal payments are required quarterly and began on March 31, 2013. To date, we have received $9.5 million in principal payments from Global. As of September 16, 2014, pursuant to provisions of the Global 2013 Note agreement, the interest rate charged was increased from 12.75% up to 13.5% per annum due to Global’s nonconformity with performance conditions as of June 30, 2014. The new stated interest rate will remain in effect until the maturity of the loan agreement. Accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance is due on each quarterly principal payment date.

 

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We have received interest payments from Global of approximately $290 thousand and $478 thousand for the three months and $1 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Payment of the Global 2013 Note is guaranteed by Global’s principal operating subsidiary. In connection with the new loan agreement, Global paid us a transaction fee of $340 thousand, of which $65 thousand was deferred and presented net of our long term notes receivable at September 30, 2014. The remaining deferred transaction fee will be recognized over the life of the loan.

 

In October 2014, Global announced it has entered into a conditional share purchase agreement for the disposal of its contract areas within the Llanos Basin. Upon completion of this transaction, the net proceeds will be used, in part, to eliminate this outstanding debt.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Current Year Investments

 

Throughout the first nine months of 2014, we continued to focus our resources on the development of our emulsions-breaking technology through the construction, installation and commissioning of the Arctic Star plant, our participation in the development of the Bakken and Niobrara shale plays through HBI, and support of our investments in Global.

 

Continued Investment in BWI

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we invested approximately $6 million in the Arctic Star plant, BWI’s initial project to commercialize its emulsions-breaking technology. During the first quarter 2014, Arctic Star executed a lease for a site in Deadhorse, Alaska to install and operate its plant. Construction was completed during the first quarter 2014 and the modules were shipped to the North Slope and installed during the second quarter 2014. Commissioning of the plant was substantially completed in October 2014, with operations expected to begin upon successful completion of test runs during the fourth quarter 2014. Arctic Star currently holds contracts which grant Arctic Star the option to take title to oilfield waste generated in certain fields on the North Slope at no cost and sell any recovered crude volumes at market prices. The Company continues negotiations to enter into additional feedstock supply agreements, one of which was obtained in April 2014. Arctic Star also entered into an agreement for the sale of 100% of its product on the North Slope during April 2014.

 

Additional Investment in Global

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we purchased an additional 343 thousand shares of Global for approximately $422 thousand, increasing our ownership from 34.51% to 35.46%.

 

Continued Investment in HBI

 

We continue to strategically invest in HBI, on a non-operated basis, in all phases of the oil and gas business, including participation in the drilling, completion, operation and maintenance of oil and gas wells. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we invested approximately $209 thousand in drilling and completion costs related to our interests in 72 gross wells in the Bakken. As of September 30, 2014, we held interests in 81 gross Bakken wells and 11 gross Niobrara wells.

 

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HKN Texas Holdings

 

We hold rights to acreage in the Permian Basin of Texas related to certain properties which were not conveyed during sales and merger activities of former subsidiaries which were subsequently discontinued or sold. We leased mineral interests for properties in Reeves County, Texas and Pecos County, Texas for development by third parties in October 2013 and March 2014, respectively. We recognized the related lease bonus payments of $121 thousand and $38 thousand, respectively, within interest and other income within our consolidated condensed statement of operations. Both these leases have a three year term and provide for a 25% royalty interest of all production. During the third quarter 2014, one well in Reeves County, Texas began producing, resulting in oil and gas revenues of $93 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2014. In October 2014, we created a newly formed entity HTH, Inc. (“HTH”) and assigned any mineral interest held in Texas to HTH.

 

Other Matters

 

Share Repurchases

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we purchased and retired 11,029 shares of our common stock for approximately $847 thousand.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

 

Our consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP which requires us to use estimates and make assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience, industry conditions and various other factors which we believe are appropriate. Actual results could vary significantly from our estimates and assumptions as additional information becomes known. We have identified the following accounting estimates and assumptions critical to our financial statements:

 

Investment in Global – We do not account for our investment in Global as an equity method investment in spite of our 35% ownership. We are unable to obtain U.S. GAAP financial statements quarterly to perform equity method accounting due to the semi-annual reporting requirements Global follows under the AIM exchange rules. As a result, we account for Global as an available for sale investment.

 

We review our investment in Global at least semi-annually and more often if any indicators of impairment become known. We continuously monitor macroeconomic indicators and track Global’s stock price volatility for any downward trends in the market. We also review public financial information including Global’s issued financial statements, investor presentations, as well as financial analysts’ reviews and recommendations for any indicators of an other than temporary impairment in our carrying value. Additionally, we monitor public reports regarding the reserves in Colombia’s Middle Magdalena basin in which Global operates. In addition to these external indicators, we also assess internally our ability and intent to hold our investment in Global should the fair value drop below our cost. Any resulting other than temporary impairment would be immediately recognized in earnings.

 

As of September 30, 2014, we had a cumulative unrealized loss position on our investment in Global of $1.5 million. Therefore, we assessed the decline in market value to determine whether it was considered a temporary or other than temporary impairment. After reviewing Global’s published operational updates and plans and considering our intent and ability to hold the investment, the recent nature of the decline and analyzing the historical price volatility and increases in share price subsequent to this reporting date, we determined the impairment to be temporary as of September 30, 2014. However, we will continue to evaluate whether this investment is impaired in each subsequent reporting period until either the investment experiences a recovery of fair value up to its cost or the decline is considered to be other than temporary impairment loss. We have not recognized any impairment losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

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Oil and Gas Properties – We use the successful efforts method of accounting for our HKN Bakken, Inc. oil and gas activities. The significant principles for this method are:

 

  · Geological and geophysical evaluation costs are expensed as incurred;
  · Costs incurred to drill and equip all successful wells are capitalized;
  · Dry holes for exploratory wells are expensed;
  · Dry holes for development wells are capitalized;
  · Capitalized costs related to proved oil and gas property leasehold costs are depleted over total proved oil and gas reserves; and
  · Capitalized costs related to wells and related equipment and facilities costs are depreciated over proved developed reserves.

 

Estimates of proved oil and gas reserves directly impact financial accounting estimates including depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, evaluation of impairment of properties and the calculation of plugging and abandonment liabilities. Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and 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. The process of estimating quantities of proved reserves is very complex, requiring significant subjective decisions in the evaluation of all geological, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. The data for any reservoir may change substantially over time due to results from operational activity.

 

Capital amounts attributable to proved oil and gas properties are depleted by the unit-of-production method over proved reserves using the unit conversion ratio for gas of six Mcf of gas to one barrel of oil equivalent (“BOE”), and one barrel of NGLs to one BOE for each geological formation (Bakken and Niobrara).

 

Our HTH oil and gas activities have no remaining capitalized costs allocated to these properties since these properties are legacy holdings from former subsidiaries that were discontinued or sold.

 

Stock-Based Compensation – We measure all stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method on the date of grant and recognize such expense in our consolidated condensed financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. We use the Black-Scholes formula to determine the fair value of stock-based compensation awards on the date of grant. The Black-Scholes formula requires management to make assumptions regarding the option lives, expected volatility, forfeiture rate and risk free interest rates.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In April 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard revises the definition of a discontinued operation to limit the circumstances under which a disposal or classification as held for sale qualifies for presentation as a discontinued operation. Amendments in this standard require expanded disclosures concerning a discontinued operation and the disposal of an individually-material component of an entity not qualifying as a discontinued operation. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and should be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted. We currently do not expect this standard to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 on revenue from contracts with customers. Under this new standard, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the amount of consideration received for that specific good or service. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 16, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. Adoption is allowed by either the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating which approach we will apply and the impact, if any, that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following is our discussion and analysis of significant components of our operations which have affected our operating results and balance sheet during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 included in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.

 

Results of Operations for the Quarterly Periods Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to September 30, 2013

 

Our loss from continuing operations increased approximately 53% from $292 thousand in the third quarter 2013 to $446 thousand in the third quarter 2014. The increase was primarily due to decreased interest income due to lower outstanding principal balances on our related party notes receivable during 2014.

 

Oil and Gas Revenues and Expenses

 

Oil and gas revenues increased by $30 thousand from $309 thousand for the third quarter 2013 to $339 thousand for the third quarter 2014. The increase was due to higher oil and gas volumes, partially offset by lower oil and gas prices. Assuming stable oil and gas pricing and continued drilling activity by the operators, future revenues from HBI and HTH are expected to increase as additional wells are drilled and begin producing to offset decline rates of existing wells.

 

Oil revenues increased $22 thousand to $306 thousand and comprised 90% of our total revenues for the third quarter 2014. We realized an 11% decrease in oil prices received, decreasing from an average of $97.53 per barrel in the third quarter 2013 to $87.18 per barrel in the third quarter 2014. Oil production for the third quarter 2014 increased 21% compared to the prior year period to approximately 4 thousand barrels. This production increase is primarily the result of recognizing royalties from mineral interests in HTH. Our non-operated Bakken properties represented 69% of our oil production for the quarter.

 

Gas revenues increased $8 thousand to $33 thousand and comprised 10% of our total revenues for the third quarter 2014. We realized an 8% decrease in gas prices received, decreasing from an average of $6.31 per mcf in the third quarter 2013 to $5.79 per mcf in the third quarter 2014. This average price is mainly a result of natural gas produced in the Bakken formation having a higher dollar value than other natural gas production areas due to its higher wet gas content. Gas production for the third quarter 2014 increased 44% compared to the prior year period to approximately 6 thousand mcf. This production increase is primarily the result of recognizing royalties from mineral interests in HTH. Our non-operated Bakken properties represented 51% of our gas production for the quarter.

 

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Oil and gas operating expenses decreased slightly to $58 thousand for the third quarter 2014 despite an increase of 24 gross producing wells compared to the prior year period due to a decrease in expenses related to well repairs. Oil and gas operating expenses are expected to increase as new wells are drilled in the near term.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses remained consistent, decreasing slightly from $827 thousand for the third quarter 2013 to $821 thousand for the third quarter 2014. We anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses may increase in future periods as we dedicate additional resources to the marketing efforts of BWI and managing operations at Arctic Star. However, we continue to monitor and minimize our controllable costs.

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased approximately 17% from $211 thousand for the third quarter 2013 to $176 thousand for the third quarter 2014. The decrease is primarily due to a lower depletion rate on oil and gas properties resulting from property sales in April 2014. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses are expected to increase in the near term as new wells are drilled and begin producing and the Arctic Star plant is placed into service.

 

Interest and Other Income

 

Interest and other income decreased approximately 39% from $532 thousand in the third quarter 2013 to $324 thousand in the third quarter 2014, primarily as a result of lower principal balances outstanding on the Global notes during the period.

 

Loss from Discontinued Operations

 

Our loss from discontinued operations increased from $69 thousand in the third quarter 2013 to $3.3 million in the third quarter 2014. This is primarily a result of the $3.1 million contingency recorded during the third quarter 2014 related to the Main Pass Environmental Investigations. In addition, we continued to incur additional legal costs related to litigation and regulatory matters during the third quarter 2013 and the third quarter 2014 related to the oil and gas properties we sold in 2011.

 

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to September 30, 2013

 

Our loss from continuing operations increased approximately 188% from $554 thousand in the first nine months of 2013 to $1.6 million in the first nine months of 2014. The increase was primarily due to decreased interest income from our related party notes receivable and increased general and administrative costs.

 

Oil and Gas Revenues and Expenses

 

Oil and gas revenues decreased by $29 thousand from $823 thousand for the first nine months of 2013 to $794 thousand for the first nine months of 2014. The decrease was due to lower oil volumes and decreased oil prices, partially offset by increased gas volumes and higher gas prices. Assuming stable oil and gas pricing and continued drilling activity by the operators, future revenues from HBI and HTH are expected to increase as additional wells are drilled and begin producing to offset decline rates of existing wells.

 

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Oil revenues decreased $64 thousand to $689 thousand and comprised 87% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We realized a 7% decrease in oil prices received, decreasing from an average of $93.83 per barrel in the 2013 period to $87.70 per barrel in the 2014 period. Oil production for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased 2% from the prior year period to approximately 8 thousand barrels. Production decreases in the Bakken area resulting from natural decline and significant downtime on one of our top producing wells were nearly offset by additional production from new Bakken wells and from mineral interests in HTH. Our non-operated Bakken properties represented 83% of our oil production for the period.

 

Gas revenues increased $35 thousand to $105 thousand and comprised 13% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We realized an 18% increase in gas prices received, increasing from an average of $6.85 per mcf in the 2013 period to $8.10 per mcf in the 2014 period. This average price is mainly a result of natural gas produced in the Bakken formation having a higher dollar value than other natural gas production areas due to its higher wet gas content. Gas production for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased approximately 27% compared to the prior year period to approximately 13 thousand mcf. Increased gas production resulted from newly producing Bakken wells and from mineral interests in HTH partially offset by natural declines. Our non-operated properties located in the Bakken represented approximately 63% of our gas production for the period.

 

Oil and gas operating expenses increased $44 thousand to $170 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as a result of expenses related to well repairs, as well as an increase of 24 gross producing wells compared to the prior year period. Oil and gas operating expenses are expected to increase as new wells are drilled in the near term.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately 14% from $2.5 million for the first nine months of 2013 to $2.8 million for the first nine months of 2014 primarily due to increased personnel and related costs and management and administrative activities related to establishing operations at the Arctic Star Plant. We anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses may increase in future periods as we dedicate additional resources to the marketing efforts of BWI management of Arctic Star operations. However, we continue to monitor and minimize our controllable costs.

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased approximately 9% from $555 thousand for the first nine months of 2013 to $503 thousand for the first nine months of 2014. This decrease is primarily due to a lower depletion rate on oil and gas properties as a result of property sales in the April 2014. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses are expected to increase in the near term as new wells are drilled and begin producing and the Arctic Star plant is placed into service.

 

Interest and Other Income

 

Interest and other income decreased approximately 33% from $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2013 to $1.2 million in the first nine months of 2014, primarily as a result of lower principal balances outstanding on the Global notes during the period. Additionally, we recognized $86 thousand in unamortized origination fees related to our old Global notes as a result of entering into our new Global 2013 Note in the first quarter 2013.

 

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Gain on Disposal of Discontinued Operations

 

We recognized an additional gain on the 2011 disposal of our Gulf Coast oil and gas properties of $41 thousand in the first nine months of 2014 primarily as a result a refund of a drilling prepayment related to retained plugging and abandonment costs. No gain or losses were recognized on this disposal in the first nine months of 2013.

 

Loss from Discontinued Operations

 

Our loss from discontinued operations increased from $340 thousand in the first nine months of 2013 to $3.3 million in the first nine months of 2014. This is primarily a result of the $3.1 million contingency recorded during the third quarter 2014 related to the Main Pass Environmental Investigations. In addition, we continue to incur additional legal costs related to litigation and regulatory matters during both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the oil and gas properties we sold in 2011.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

Financial Condition

       
   September 30,  December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)  2014  2013
           
Current ratio   3.46 to 1    5.76 to 1 
Working capital (1)  $12,036   $12,275 
Total debt (2)  $—     $—   
Total cash less debt  $8,876   $14,302 
Total stockholders' equity  $47,763   $63,577 
Total liabilities to equity   0.12 to 1    0.05 to 1 

(1)Working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities.
(2)Excludes capital lease obligations.

 

Cash on hand was primarily generated from proceeds from our oil and gas property divestitures and the rights offering to our stockholders, both of which occurred during 2011. These proceeds have been used to develop our BWI and HBI assets as well as to support our Global investment. The slight decrease in our working capital as of September 30, 2014 as compared to December 31, 2013 is primarily due to cash used by operations of approximately $2 million, $6.7 million in capital expenditures for BWI and HBI, the repurchase of approximately 11 thousand shares of treasury stock for approximately $847 thousand and the purchase of additional Global shares for $422 thousand. This decrease was partially offset by increases due to the reclassification of the Global 2013 Note receivable to current as well as $4.5 million in principal repayments received on this Note.

 

We used approximately $6.4 million for capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2014 for Arctic Star plant construction, installation and commissioning. We anticipate it will cost a total of approximately $15.5 million to complete the construction and commissioning of the Arctic Star plant, of which approximately $14.2 million has been spent through September 30, 2014.

 

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We anticipate our cash balance on hand will adequately fund our 2014 operating cash flow. We also anticipate that we will have access to other capital resources, if needed, to fund our planned capital expenditures and other investing activities.

 

We may continue to deploy cash to acquire or invest in other energy-related businesses, to acquire securities, or for discretionary capital expenditures. We may also decide to pay dividends to our common shareholders, subject to our ability to pay dividends and to a determination by management and our Board of Directors that dividends are in our best interests and those of our shareholders.

 

We may also seek to raise financing through the issuance of equity, debt and convertible debt instruments, if needed, for utilization of acquisition, development or investment opportunities as they arise. Additionally, we may reduce our ownership interests in any of our investments through strategic sales under certain conditions.

 

Capital Structure

 

At September 30, 2014, if our remaining convertible preferred stock were converted we would be required to issue the following amounts of our common stock:

 

      Shares of Common
      Stock Issuable at
Instrument  Conversion Price (1)  September 30, 2014
           
Series G1 Preferred  $11,200    8 
Series G2 Preferred  $2,688    37 
Common Stock Potentially Issued Upon Conversion        45 
_______________________
(1) Certain conversion prices are subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.

 

Significant Ownership of our Stock

 

As of September 30, 2014, Everest Hill Group, Inc. (“Everest Hill”) beneficially owned approximately 68% of the combined voting power of our outstanding common stock. Everest Hill was formerly known as Brean Murray Carret Group, Inc., which changed its name during 2013. This entity is beneficially owned by Wayne Quasha through the AQ, JQ and WQ Trusts. Mr. Alan Quasha, Chairman of the Board of Directors of HKN, is the brother of Wayne Quasha, who is deemed the beneficial owner of Everest Hill, but Mr. Alan Quasha disclaims any beneficial ownership of these shares. Everest Hill is in a position to exercise significant influence over the election of our Board of Directors and other matters.

 

Cash Flows

 

Net cash used by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $2 million, as compared to $880 thousand in the prior year period. Net cash used by continuing operations increased from $717 thousand to $2 million. This increase was primarily as a result of a $3.9 million increase in net loss and an approximate $609 thousand increase in cash used for operating capital as a result of decreased revenues from our HBI asset, decreased interest income on our Global notes and increases in our general and administrative costs, offset by the $3.1 million accrued contingency related to the Main Pass Environmental Investigations. Cash from discontinued operations increased from cash used of $163 thousand in the prior year period to cash provided of $67 thousand in the first nine months of 2014.

 

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Net cash used by investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $2.5 million, as compared to cash provided of $133 thousand in the prior year period. Cash used by investing activities for the first nine months of 2014 is primarily comprised of $6.4 million in capital expenditures for BWI, $319 thousand in capital expenditures for HBI and $422 thousand for the purchase of shares of Global, partially offset by $4.5 million in repayments on the Global 2013 Note and proceeds of $271 thousand from the final dissolution of Gerrity Oil. Cash provided by investing activities during the first nine months of 2013 was primarily the result of $3.5 million in repayments and the $340 thousand origination fee on the Global 2013 Note, partially offset by $3.2 million in capital expenditures for BWI and $471 thousand for HBI.

 

We used cash for financing activities of $969 thousand and $3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily to repurchase and retire approximately 11 thousand and 33 thousand, respectively, of our outstanding common shares.

 

Obligations, Contingencies and Commitments

 

XPLOR Energy Litigation – Pursuant to a PSA dated as of November 17, 2011 between our subsidiary XPLOR and TPIC, XPLOR sold to TPIC its oil and gas production assets and related operations at its Main Pass 35 field.  The closing of the transaction occurred on November 17, 2011 but was effective as of October 1, 2011.  On November 21, 2011, TPIC informed XPLOR that they had discovered defects in the salt water disposal system at Main Pass resulting in a salt water spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which had been reported to regulatory authorities. 

 

TPIC has filed a lawsuit against XPLOR in the 236th Judicial District Court, Tarrant County, Texas. The case is styled: Texas Petroleum Investment Company vs. XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc., Richard Cottle, Sarah Gasch, and John Hewitt. In the lawsuit, TPIC has asserted claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, and indemnity related to its purchase of a production platform and associated assets from XPLOR. TPIC’s claims focus on alleged salt water system defects, related repairs to the facilities, and purported representations regarding the condition of the platform and associated assets. TPIC is seeking an unstated amount of alleged actual and exemplary damages as well as costs and fees. Although litigation is inherently uncertain, based upon the information known to date, we do not believe TPIC’s civil, contractual and fraud claims have merit. We intend to vigorously defend any assertions related to the above lawsuit. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to TPIC’s allegations. Based upon information known to date, the range of estimated loss if TPIC were to prevail on its claims is currently estimated not to exceed $2.5 million in damages, costs, and fees.

 

Main Pass Environmental Investigations – In January 2013, we were notified by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) of an investigation and potential penalty related to the TPIC allegations of improper salt water disposal at the Main Pass 35 field previously owned by our subsidiary XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. In October 2014, a telephone status conference was held with the LDEQ and the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) handling this matter. Counsel for XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. reported to the ALJ that the parties had agreed to pursue settlement discussions and requested additional time for settlement discussions to proceed. The ALJ agreed to pass the matter to allow for settlement discussions. The ALJ set another status conference for January 2015.

 

In March 2013, we were advised that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) was undertaking a criminal investigation of the salt water disposal incident. In June 2014, we began discussions with the U. S. Attorney’s Office in New Orleans, Louisiana with regard to resolving any potential allegations against XPLOR. On September 15, 2014, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a Bill of Information with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (the “Court”) alleging that XPLOR knowingly violated The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the “Clean Water Act”) at its Main Pass operations. Subject to the Court’s acceptance and to avoid the risks, uncertainties, costs and other burdens of litigation, we have agreed with the U. S. Attorney’s Office to submit a plea agreement reflecting a payment of $3.1 million in settlement of one felony count of a knowing violation of the Clean Water Act. The Court has scheduled a plea hearing on this matter for November 19, 2014. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2014, we recorded a $3.1 million contingency within liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated condensed balance sheets related to these investigations.

 

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Point Au Fer Lawsuit – During the second quarter 2013, we learned HKN, Inc. was named in a lawsuit filed in the 32nd Judicial District Court for the Parish of Terrebonne, Louisiana by Point Au Fer, L.L.C., and The Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  The case is styled: Point Au Fer, L.L.C., and The Roman Catholic Church of the  Archdiocese of New Orleans v. ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, et al, No. 169160. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs have alleged that real property they own in Terrebonne Parish has been environmentally damaged as a result of oil and gas exploration activities of twenty different defendants.  The plaintiffs seek damages for testing and remediation of the property, property stigma, loss of use of land and lost profits, civil fruits for defendants trespass, land loss and subsidence, punitive or exemplary damages and attorney’s fees. Per Louisiana law, no actual dollar amount of damages has been alleged in the Petition. With specific regard to HKN, Inc., out of over one hundred wells identified in the Petition, HKN, Inc. only drilled one well, the MA Smythe Nelson #1, which was a dry hole. The MA Smythe Nelson #1 was drilled on June 2, 1980 and plugged and abandoned on July 12, 1980.  We have and intend to continue to vigorously defend any assertions related to the above lawsuit. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the lawsuit at this time, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter. Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter.

 

Point a la Hache Lawsuit – During the second quarter 2013, we learned XPLOR Energy Operating Company and XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. were named in a lawsuit filed in the 25th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Plaquemines, Louisiana. The case is styled: Catherine P. Alford et al. v. BP America Production Company, et al., Docket No. 60-479. In the lawsuit, eight plaintiffs have sued 25 defendants, alleging that they own and/or use a certain 4,480 acres located in the Pointe a la Hache oil and gas field.  Plaintiffs further allege that the property has been contaminated or otherwise damaged by oil and gas exploration and production activities.  Per Louisiana law, no actual dollar amount of damages has been alleged in the Petition. On March 18, 2014, prior to the hearing on defendants’ exceptions, plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety. The court signed the order dismissing all claims against the defendants on March 27, 2014, and the case is now closed. Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter.

 

SLFPA-E Litigation – Plaintiffs South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority—East (“SLFPA-E”) filed this lawsuit in Louisiana state court against over 90 oil and gas and pipeline companies. Generally the lawsuit alleges that activities by defendants—primarily but not exclusively the dredging of canals—have made it more difficult for the SLFPA-E to protect the New Orleans metropolitan area from flooding. Defendants removed the case to federal court and the plaintiff filed a motion to remand the case back to state court. On June 27, 2014, the Judge issued an Order denying remand to state court. A status conference was held on August 6, 2014. At that conference, the Court set a hearing date of November 12, 2014 for all Rule 12(b) defense motions and plaintiffs’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The Court further stated that another status conference will be held two (2) weeks after her ruling on the Motions that are filed. Until that time, there will be no discovery or, other than the motions that have been specifically allowed to be filed, any other activity in the case. The petition alleges that HKN, Inc. is "by virtue of [one or more of] mergers, acquisitions, name changes, etc., responsible for" the actions of Tejas Power Corporation, which is alleged to have obtained in the 1980s certain dredging permits and rights of way.  HKN, Inc. disputes that it is responsible for any actions of Tejas Power Corporation.  The public record appears to suggest that Tejas Power Corporation may have been a subsidiary of Harken Oil and Gas, Incorporated (a previous name of HKN, Inc.) for a few years in the 1980s and 1990s.  However, there appears to be nothing to indicate that HKN, Inc. would have liability for the actions of Tejas Power Corporation, which continued to exist after HKN, Inc. no longer had any interest in Tejas Power Corporation. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the lawsuit at this time, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter.  Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter.

 

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Louisiana Limited Scope Audit – In April 2012, we received notice from the State of Louisiana’s Department of Revenue that our discontinued oil and gas subsidiary, XPLOR Energy Operating Company, was the subject of a limited scope sales tax audit focused on the company’s on-site use and consumption of lease gas in connection with its lease, gathering and pipeline operations from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. The Louisiana Department of Revenue issued a preliminary assessment, or “Notice of Proposed Tax Due,” preliminarily assessing sales tax of $194 thousand and related penalties and interest of $154 thousand, resulting in a total assessment of $348 thousand. In July 2012, we filed an audit protest with the Louisiana Department of Revenue challenging the preliminary assessment, as we do not agree with the legal basis of the assessment or the methodology in which the taxes were calculated and plan to vigorously defend our position. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the audit protest and preliminary assessment, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter. Accordingly, at September 30, 2014, we did not record a contingency related to this matter. In the event of a negative outcome, the potential loss related to the audit and preliminary assessment is currently estimated not to exceed $348 thousand.

 

BWI Contingency – BWI has a contingent liability of $800 thousand related to an obligation which may be payable upon the conclusion of certain performance events related to its weathered lagoon plant. There were no changes to the BWI liability recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements - As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities ("SPEs"), which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of September 30, 2014, we were not involved in any unconsolidated SPE transactions and we have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Treasury Stock – At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we held no shares of treasury stock. In January 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the cancellation of our September 2005 stock repurchase plan and authorized a new stock repurchase program which allows us to buy back up to 45 thousand shares of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we purchased and retired 11,029 shares of our common stock for approximately $847 thousand. As of September 30, 2014, 582 shares remained available for repurchase under our repurchase program.

 

Adequacy of Capital Sources and Liquidity

 

We believe that we will have the ability to provide for our operational needs, our planned capital expenditures, estimated contingencies and possible investments through projected operating cash flow and cash on hand. Our operating cash flow has been adversely affected by the sale of our oil and gas properties, slower than anticipated development of our HBI oil and gas assets by their operators, and delays in the construction and commissioning of the Arctic Star project for BWI. To address this challenge, we continue to minimize our controllable costs and generate low-risk interest income until BWI begins revenue generation. We also continue to seek operating assets which will generate cash from operations such as HBI. We expect that revenues from HBI will increase sufficiently to offset production declines as the operators further develop the Bakken shale properties, and we anticipate operating revenues from our BWI segment to begin in the fourth quarter 2014. Should projected operating cash flow not materialize, we may reduce BWI capital expenditures and future investments and/or consider the issuance of debt, equity and convertible debt instruments, if needed, for utilization in planned capital expenditures and new energy-based investment opportunities. All of our HBI and BWI capital expenditures are purely discretionary and may be curtailed or delayed at any time. We may also reduce our ownership interest in any of our investments through strategic sales.

 

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Our only debt outstanding at September 30, 2014 consists of two capital lease obligations for a total of $674 thousand. Both of these capital leases carry a minimum two year lease period. If we seek to raise other equity or debt financing to fund capital expenditures or other acquisition and development opportunities, those transactions may be affected by the market value of our common stock. If the price of our common stock declines, our ability to utilize our stock either directly or indirectly through convertible instruments for raising capital could be negatively affected. Further, raising additional funds by issuing common stock or other types of equity securities could dilute our existing stockholders, and dilution could be substantial if the price of our common stock decreases. Any securities we issue may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to our existing equity securities. Borrowing money may also involve pledging some or all of our assets.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its filings with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including its Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As of the end of the period covered by this report, and under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation was based on the framework in the “Internal Control - Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in 1992. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

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

 

(c)      The following table provides information about purchases by us during the three months ended September 30, 2014, of our common stock.

 

   (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)
Period  Total Number of Shares Purchased  Average Price
Paid per Share
  Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs  Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
                       
 July 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014    —     $—      —      582 
 August 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014    —     $—      —      582 
 September 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014    —     $—      —      582 
 Total    —     $—      —      582 

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

*31.1 Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of HKN, Inc. pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“S.O. Act”)
   
*31.2 Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of HKN, Inc. pursuant to section 302 of the S.O. Act
   
*32.1 Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of HKN, Inc. pursuant to section 906 of the S.O. Act
   
*32.2 Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of HKN, Inc. pursuant to section 906 of the S.O. Act
   
*101.INS** XBRL Instance
   
*101.SCH** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   
*101.CAL** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
   
*101.DEF** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
   
*101.LAB** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
   
*101.PRE** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

 

* Filed herewith

 

** XBRL 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.

 

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HKN, INC.

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

  HKN, Inc.
  (Registrant)
   
   
   
Date: November 12, 2014 By: /s/ Kristina M. Humphries
  Kristina M. Humphries
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

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