UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
[ ] Registration Statement Pursuant To Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
OR
[ X ] Annual
Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
OR
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
OR
[ ] Shell company Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission file number 000-24027
NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
(Exact Name
of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Alberta,
Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Suite 1400,
505 – 3rd Street SW
Calgary Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6
(Address of principal executive offices)
Greg Leavens
Phone: 403-206-0805
Facsimile: 403-264-6442
Suite 1400,
505 – 3rd Street SW
Calgary Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Shares
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: NONE
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
39,554,959 common shares and 10,000,000 preferred shares outstanding as of December 31, 2012
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes _____ | No X |
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes _____ | No X |
Note-Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X | No _____ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes X | No ______ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer _____ | Accelerated filer _____ | Non-accelerated filer X |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.
U.S. GAAP X | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ____ | Other ____ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 ____ | Item 18 ____ |
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes ____ | No X |
2 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||
GENERAL INFORMATION | ||
PART I | ||
ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS | 4 |
ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE | 5 |
ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION | 5 |
ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY | 15 |
ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | 23 |
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS | 23 |
ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES | 32 |
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 41 |
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 44 |
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING | 45 |
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 47 |
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 59 |
ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES | 59 |
PART II | ||
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES | 60 |
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 60 |
ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 60 |
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT | 61 |
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS | 61 |
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 61 |
ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES | 62 |
ITEM 16E. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS | 62 |
ITEM 16F. | CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT | 62 |
ITEM 16G. | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 62 |
ITEM 16H | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE | 62 |
PART III | ||
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 62 |
ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 62 |
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS | 63 |
3 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 20‑F contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business. These statements relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “will” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including current trend information, projections for deliveries and other trend projections, that may cause our actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those suggested or described in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
These risks include:
· | our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to raise adequate capital to allow us to continue as a going concern; |
· | conducting operations in international markets; |
· | the availability, on a charter-hire basis, of suitable aircraft used in conducting our operations; |
· | the emergence of alternative competitive technologies; |
· | protection of our intellectual property and rights to our SFD® technology; |
· | the loss of key personnel; |
· | our dependence on a limited number of clients; |
· | foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations may affect our financial position; |
· | volatility in oil and natural gas commodity prices may reduce demand for our services; and |
· | other factors described herein under “Risk Factors” (see Item 3 D). |
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Given these uncertainties, users of the information included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including investors and prospective investors, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update the forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, except as specified otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, “we”, “our”, “us”, the “company”, and “NXT” refer to NXT Energy Solutions Inc. and its subsidiaries. All references to “fiscal” in connection with a year shall mean the year ended December 31.
All financial information contained herein is expressed in Canadian dollars (“Cdn$”) unless otherwise stated.
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
4 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. Selected financial data
The following historical financial information should be read in conjunction with the section entitled “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” (see Item 5 herein) and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included elsewhere in this document. The consolidated statements of income (loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 are derived from, and qualified by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 and the consolidated statements of income (loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is derived from our previous audited financial statements (that are not included in this Form 20-F).
INCOME (LOSS) & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | ||||||
Expressed in Canadian Dollars | ||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||
Survey revenues | $ 10,937,575 | $ 144,650 | $ 443,011 | $ 3,683,326 | $ 2,944,470 | |
Operating expenses | ||||||
Survey costs | 3,633,645 | 46,713 | 466,428 | 1,587,120 | 211,237 | |
General and administrative | 4,508,506 | 3,218,143 | 3,678,806 | 3,569,079 | 3,025,761 | |
Stock based compensation expense | 265,000 | 344,800 | 577,815 | 672,060 | 653,042 | |
Amortization, depreciation & depletion | 125,015 | 160,478 | 164,065 | 175,900 | 171,613 | |
8,532,166 | 3,770,134 | 4,887,114 | 6,004,159 | 4,061,653 | ||
2,405,409 | (3,625,484) | (4,444,103) | (2,320,833) | (1,117,183) | ||
Other expense (income) | ||||||
Interest expense (income) | 2,744 | (16,353) | (9,923) | (80,633) | (234,007) | |
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange | 14,686 | (28,209) | 16,509 | 150,958 | (20,242) | |
Oil & natural gas operations | 15,273 | 3,679 | 665 | 15,004 | 208,682 | |
Other expense (income) | 51,700 | - | 1,074 | (1,037) | 69,675 | |
Change
in fair value of derivative instruments |
(168,143) |
- |
- |
- |
- | |
(83,740) | (40,883) | 8,325 | 84,292 | 24,108 | ||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 2,489,149 | (3,584,601) | (4,452,428) | (2,405,125) | (1,141,291) | |
Income tax expense | 426,421 | - | - | - | - | |
Net
income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the year |
2,062,728 | (3,584,601) | (4,452,428) | (2,405,125) | (1,141,291) | |
Net
income (loss) per share - Basic |
$0.05 |
($0.10) |
($0.14) |
($0.07) |
($0.04) | |
Diluted | $0.04 | ($0.10) | ($0.14) | ($0.07) | ($0.04) | |
Weighted average # common shares | ||||||
Basic | 40,453,392 | 35,696,620 | 32,774,974 | 32,690,426 | 32,369,586 | |
Diluted | 48,790,462 | 35,696,620 | 32,774,974 | 32,690,426 | 32,369,586 |
5 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Balance Sheet Data | ||||||||
Expressed in Canadian Dollars | ||||||||
As at December 31, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
Working capital (deficiency) | $ 4,948,556 | $(336,520) | $ 831,974 | $ 4,630,036 | $ 6,325,055 | |||
Current assets | 7,130,383 | 2,796,492 | 1,419,246 | 5,369,813 | 6,971,898 | |||
Restricted cash | - | 74,135 | 101,856 | - | - | |||
Oil and natural gas properties, net | - | - | - | 5,000 | 7,315 | |||
Property and equipment, net | 327,839 | 404,301 | 525,804 | 630,827 | 621,396 | |||
Total assets | 7,458,222 | 3,274,928 | 2,046,906 | 6,005,640 | 7,600,609 | |||
Current liabilities | 2,181,827 | 3,133,012 | 587,272 | 739,777 | 646,843 | |||
Long-term liabilities | 61,813 | 57,953 | 62,597 | 232,546 | 53,808 | |||
Total liabilities | 2,243,640 | 3,190,965 | 649,869 | 972,323 | 700,651 | |||
Shareholders’ equity | 5,214,582 | 83,963 | 1,397,037 | 5,033,317 | 6,899,958 | |||
Throughout the history of the company there have been no dividends declared.
The following table sets forth certain exchange rates between our financial reporting currency, the Canadian dollar, and the United States dollar (“US$”) based on the noon rate of exchange for the US$, expressed in Canadian dollars, as reported by the Bank of Canada (ie. multiply by these rates to convert Cdn$ to US$).
Date | US$ per Cdn$ Exchange Rates | |
Month ended | High | Low |
March 31, 2013 | 0.9846 | 0.9696 |
February 28, 2013 | 1.0040 | 0.9723 |
January 31, 2013 | 1.0164 | 0.9923 |
December 31, 2012 | 1.0162 | 1.0048 |
November 30, 2012 | 1.0074 | 0.9972 |
Quarter / Year ended | Average | |
March 31, 2013 | 0.9917 | |
December 31, 2012 | 1.0004 | |
December 31, 2011 | 1.0111 | |
December 31, 2010 | 0.9709 | |
December 31, 2009 | 0.8757 | |
December 31, 2008 | 0.9381 | |
December 31, 2007 | 0.9304 | |
Ending | ||
April 16, 2013 | 0.9775 |
B. Capitalization and indebtedness
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
6 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
C. Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
D. Risk factors
Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included in this document, you should carefully consider the risks described below before purchasing our common shares. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could materially suffer. As a result, the trading price of our common shares could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.
Our ability to continue operating is not certain.
The company is in the early stage of commercializing its SFD® technology. Its ability to generate cash flow from operations will depend on its ability to service its existing clients and develop new clients to purchase its SFD® services. Management recognizes that this early commercialization phase can last for several years. Consistent with this early stage of commercialization the company has a significant economic dependency on a limited number of clients. While the company is in this early stage of commercialization, the company’s financial position is materially impacted by the loss or gain of any one client. The company's ability to continue operations is dependent on attracting future customers through demonstrating the value that the company can bring to the customer’s exploration activities, and on obtaining financing (if and when needed).
Until we can demonstrate our ability to continue to service existing clients and develop new clients for our SFD® services over a longer period of time, we cannot be certain that we are in a position to continue operating indefinitely. The company’s ability to continue as a going concern is discussed within Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements that are incorporated by reference within this Form 20-F.
As the company is in the early commercialization phase, SFD® surveys have not been tested over all potential geological conditions. Some geological conditions may subsequently be proven to be unsuited for SFD® surveys thereby creating unforeseen limitations to the application of SFD® surveys.
Any limitation to the application of SFD® surveys has the potential of restricting future revenue opportunities and if not properly disclosed to industry clients, such limitations may impact the reputation of the company with these clients.
The financial statements rely upon estimates and assumptions that could be incorrect.
The preparation of financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as well as revenues and expenses recorded in our financial statements. Estimates made relate to allowances for doubtful accounts, estimated useful lives of assets, provisions for contingent liabilities, measurement of stock-based compensation expense, valuation of derivative instruments and equity and future income tax assets, estimates for asset retirement obligations, and the valuation of preferred shares (which may include estimates of the likelihood that the conversion feature of the preferred shares will be achieved in future).
The estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and are based upon the best information available to management, however, we cannot provide assurance that future events will not prove that these estimates and assumptions are inaccurate. Any revisions to our estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on our future reported net income or loss, and assets or liabilities.
7 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
We may engage in transactions with related parties.
NXT may periodically enter into related party transactions with its officers and directors. The most significant transaction was a “Technical Transfer Agreement” (the “TTA”) that was executed on December 31, 2006 between NXT and Mr. George Liszicasz, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), president and director, wherein NXT issued 10,000,000 convertible preferred shares in exchange for the acquisition of the SFD® technology for use in hydrocarbon exploration. See also item 7B.
Although NXT manages this conflict of interest risk through maintenance of a strong independent board of directors (the “board”), all related party transactions have the potential for conflicts of interest that may compromise the ability of board members to exercise their fiduciary responsibility to NXT shareholders.
Volatility in oil and natural gas price commodity prices may affect demand for our services.
We incur a risk of market changes in oil and natural gas prices. Prospective revenues from the sale of our services can be impacted by oil and natural gas prices changes. The impact of price changes on our ability to enter into SFD® survey contracts cannot be readily determined; however, in general if commodity prices decline significantly, our opportunity to obtain and execute SFD® survey contract will also likely decline.
Our financial position is affected by foreign currency fluctuations.
We currently conduct cash transactions, and have holdings in Canadian dollars, U.S. dollars and Colombian pesos. We currently earn revenues in U.S. dollars, and potentially may earn revenues in Canadian dollars and other foreign currencies. Our reporting currency is in Canadian dollars. We currently do not engage in currency hedging activities. Our cash positions and potential foreign currency revenue streams in currencies other than Canadian dollars exposes us to exchange rate fluctuations between the Canadian dollar and foreign currencies. See Item 11.
Our financial position will be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. We may earn revenue and incur expenses denominated in foreign currencies, yet report our financial results in Canadian dollars. Furthermore we intend to enter into contracts to provide services in foreign countries and may conduct business in other currencies such as the Euro. Changes in currency exchange rates could have an adverse effect on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our net income or loss is impacted by interest rate fluctuations.
We periodically invest available cash in short term investments that generate interest income that will be affected by any change in interest rates. See Item 11.
We rely upon the availability of charter aircraft to conduct our survey operations.
NXT currently does not currently own any aircraft, and relies upon the availability of aircraft which is operated under charter hire arrangements. Charter operators provide the aircraft used in SFD® survey operations on an as required basis in exchange for an hourly charter fee (plus fuel and other direct operating costs). NXT is not required to make a capital investment in chartered aircraft, but in order to guarantee aircraft availability and rate certainty, it currently commits to a one year contract, with a minimum number of charter hours. NXT is thus exposed to potential financial penalty in the event that it fails to fulfill the minimum annual charter hours commitment.
In 2009 we entered into a charter agreement with Air Partners Corp., a Calgary, Alberta based international aircraft charter operator, to supply aircraft services for our survey requirements. This agreement is being renewed on an annual basis and now covers a period expiring January 11, 2014. This original agreement has been included in this Form 20-F as Exhibit No. 4.43.
8 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Although various charter operators have provided aircraft charter services since the disposal in 2003 of a previously owned aircraft, there is a risk that suitable aircraft may not be available from charter operators when needed.
If a chartered aircraft is not available then NXT may have no option but to purchase a company owned aircraft and then engage a third party to operate the aircraft. A future requirement to acquire an aircraft would place significant strain on the financial and operational resources of the company. There is a risk that the company would not have the financial resources or operational capacity to acquire an aircraft within an acceptable time frame to meet operational requirements.
In the future, should we be unable to receive aircraft services from a suitable charter operator and should we be unable to acquire an alternative suitable aircraft in a timely fashion, we would be unable to conduct SFD® surveys for clients and this inability would have a material adverse effect on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are a small business with limited personnel and our inability to segregate duties between administrative staff is an internal control weakness.
Certain duties that are most appropriately segregated between different employees are, due to our current limited staff, assigned to one individual.
Standard internal control methodology involves the separation of incompatible functions by assigning these functions to separate individuals, and in larger organizations, to separate departments. We often cannot allocate these functions to separate individuals because our administrative staff is too small.
Although the company has adopted alternative control methods designed to compensate for the reduced ability to separate incompatible functions these alternative controls are not effective and there is more than a remote likelihood that our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect material misstatements if they should exist in our financial statements. This lack of separation of duties exposes the company to potential misappropriation of funds, embezzlement and other forms of fraud and could have a material adverse effect on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See also Item 15 included herein.
Our rights to SFD® technology may be challenged and we may need to defend our rights to the technology in the courts.
Our rights to ownership and use of SFD® technology depends on Mr. Liszicasz ,our President & CEO and a director, having the lawful right to sell to NXT the exclusive rights to exploit the SFD® technology for the exploration of hydrocarbons as agreed to in the Technical Transfer Agreement (“TTA”). (For a full history of the TTA see Item 4.A Information on the Company - History and development of the company included herein).
On December 31, 2006 we executed the TTA with Mr. Liszicasz whereby Mr. Liszicasz transferred to NXT all his rights to the SFD® technology for the purpose of hydrocarbon exploration.
A risk does exist that an unknown party may claim some legal entitlement to Mr. Liszicasz’ intellectual property, NXT’s rights to commercialize this intellectual property or NXT’s right to create SFD® devices and processes. However, we believe that such a claim would be without merit.
The SFD® technology is an essential component of our business plan. If a third party challenged our lawful entitlement to this technology, the legal defense of our right to the technology may be expensive and could cause a loss of our right to the SFD® technology, or a protracted legal process to assert our right to the technology would have a material adverse effect on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
9 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
We rely on specialized equipment, including a limited number of SFD® sensors, and this limitation may affect our ability to conduct business.
We rely on specialized data acquisition equipment, including a limited number of SFD® sensor devices, to conduct our aerial SFD® survey operations. The company would be at risk if these survey sensors were to become damaged, destroyed, worn out, stolen or in any way became unavailable for use in operations prior to us creating and testing additional sensors. Should the sensors become unavailable for any reason, our ability to conduct surveys could be delayed for several months as we built new sensors. During this period we may become unable to satisfy contractual obligations, which may jeopardize future revenue opportunities and may potentially result in a client drawing on a performance bond posted or otherwise making claims against the company for breach of contract. In addition, an inability to satisfy contractual obligations may have an adverse effect on our developing reputation within the oil and gas community.
Unless we pursue ongoing technological improvement and development we may be unable to respond to changes in customer requirements or new competitive technologies.
We must continue to refine and develop our SFD® survey system to make it scalable for growth and to respond to potential future competitive pressures. These improvements require substantial time and resources. Furthermore, even if resources are available, there can be no assurance that the company will be commercially or technically successful in enhancing the technology. The company’s inability to keep pace with new technologies and evolving industry standards and demands could have a material adverse effect on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of any of these key persons will impact our ability to conduct business.
The company's future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service of its key technical and management personnel and on its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified employees. The loss of the services of the company's employees or the company's failure to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on the company's business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not have “key man” insurance on any of our personnel.
The company puts in place employment agreements with all of its executive officers, including George Liszicasz, its president and CEO.
We have a dependence on Mr. Liszicasz to interpret the SFD® data and to enhance our technology. The company is working to minimize this dependency on one individual. Mr. Liszicasz has trained and continues to train a team of signal interpreters to minimize the company’s reliance on him to perform these functions. Currently a total of six persons, two of which are highly experienced, are trained to interpret SFD® signals.
Although the company has engaged employees with suitable credentials to work with Mr. Liszicasz to enhance our interpretation process and further develop the SFD® technology, if the company is unable to reduce dependence on Mr. Liszicasz and he becomes incapable of performing or unwilling to perform these functions, then there may be an adverse affect on our ability to interpret the data from SFD® surveys or to enhance our technology.
We rely on a limited number of employees and contractors who collectively possess the knowledge and skills to conducted SFD® surveys, interpret SFD® data and provide other services required to meet contract obligations. Additional or replacement personnel cannot be found and trained quickly. The loss of any of these key persons or increased demand for our services from clients could impair our ability to meet contract obligations, thereby adversely impacting our reputation and our ability to earn future revenue from clients.
Within the province of Alberta the skilled personnel that we require are in short supply and in addition there is specialized training required that can take several months in order for a new employee to become effective. If we cannot hire these key personnel, we have inadequate time to train them or should we lose current personnel, then our ability to accept contracts or meet contract commitments may be adversely affected thereby restricting our ability to earn revenue.
10 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
A single major shareholder who is also a board member and an officer of the company retains the ability to influence or control the company and this influence or control may result in a conflict of interest.
Mr. George Liszicasz, our principal executive officer and largest shareholder, as of April 16, 2013, owns, approximately 13% of the common shares outstanding and therefore has a substantial influence in all shareholder matters. Additionally, he holds 10,000,000 convertible preferred shares, which are convertible on a one-to-one basis into NXT common shares. Of this total, 2,000,000 are currently convertible at the discretion of Mr. Liszicasz, and formal conversion has been requested to occur effective April 30, 2013. The remaining 8,000,000 preferred shares are convertible into common shares on or before December 31, 2015 subject to conditions including NXT meeting cumulative revenue milestones. If all 10,000,000 of the preferred shares were to be converted and there was no other change in our share structure he would own 31% of the then outstanding common shares. See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements or Item 4.B Information on the Company – Technical Transfer Agreement, for additional information relating to the preferred shares.
Controls do exist to mitigate any potential risks associated with this conflict of interest. Mr. Liszicasz adheres to a code of conduct which includes a fiduciary responsibility to the company and its shareholders and this conduct is governed by the independent board of directors who collectively represent a majority of the board. Furthermore all material related party transactions are disclosed publicly.
However, should these conflict of interest controls not be effective, decisions could be made by the company that may advantage Mr. Liszicasz and negatively impact other shareholders.
There is no certainty that an investor can trade our common shares on public markets at a stable market price.
There is a limited public market for our common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX-V”), and the United States ("U.S.") Over the Counter Exchange Bulletin Board (the “OTCBB”) and there is a risk that a broader or more active public trading market for our common shares will not develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will not be sustained.
The market price for the common shares on the exchanges where our stock is listed has been, and we anticipate will continue to be, extremely volatile and subject to significant price and volume fluctuations in response to a variety of external and internal factors. This is especially true with respect to emerging companies such as ours. Examples of external factors, which can generally be described as factors that are unrelated to the operating performance or financial condition of any particular company, include changes in interest rates and worldwide economic and market conditions, as well as changes in industry conditions, such as changes in oil and natural gas prices, oil and natural gas inventory levels, regulatory and environment rules, and announcements of technology innovations or new products by other companies. Examples of internal factors, which can generally be described as factors that are directly related to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations, would include release of reports by securities analysts and announcements we may make from time to time relative to our operating performance, clients exploration results, financing, advances in technology or other business developments.
Because we have a limited operating history and a limited history of profitability to date, the market price for the common shares is more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer. Changes in the market price of the common shares, for example, may have no connection with our operating results or the quality of services provided to clients. No predictions or projections can be made as to what the prevailing market price for the common shares will be at any time, or as to what effect, if any, that the sale of shares or the availability of common shares for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price. Given the relatively low historic trading volumes, small trades of the company’s common shares can adversely and potentially dramatically affect the market prices for those shares.
11 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Accordingly investors in the company’s common stock should anticipate both volatile stock price and poor liquidity unless these conditions change.
You will be subject to the penny stock rules to the extent our stock price on the OTCBB is less than $5.00.
Since the common shares are not listed on a national stock exchange within the United States, trading in the common shares on the OTCBB is subject, to the extent the market price for the common shares is less than $5.00 per share, to a number of regulations known as the "penny stock rules". The penny stock rules, subject to certain exemptions, require a broker‑dealer to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), to provide the customer with additional information including current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker‑dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account, and to make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and to receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. To the extent these requirements may be applicable they will reduce the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the common shares and may severely and adversely affect the ability of broker‑dealers to sell the common shares.
You should not expect to receive dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid any cash dividends on our common shares and we do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Our current business plan is to retain any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and will be dependent upon our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant at that time.
Our right to issue additional capital stock at any time could have an adverse effect on your proportionate ownership and voting rights.
We are authorized under our Articles of Incorporation to issue an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares. We may issue these shares under such circumstances and in such manner and at such times, prices, amounts and purposes as our board of directors may, in their discretion, determine to be necessary and appropriate, subject to compliance with all applicable exchange regulations and corporate and securities laws. Proportionate ownership and voting rights of common shareholders could be adversely affected by the issuance of additional common shares which may result in common share value dilution.
We may not be able to protect our trade secrets and intellectual property from competitors who would use this knowledge to eliminate or reduce our technological advantage.
The company's success and future revenue growth will depend, in part, on its ability to protect its intellectual property (“IP”). We have commenced an IP strategy process, and intend to obtain patents related to the SFD® technology. The patent protection process would require disclosure of at least some aspects of our SFD® technology to third parties and ultimately public disclosure. This disclosure could significantly increase the risk of unlawful use of our technology by third parties. Furthermore we have no assurance that, even if we seek patent protection, a patent could be registered to protect our IP in all or any jurisdictions within North America or other countries throughout the world. If registered, there can be no assurance that it would be sufficiently broad to protect the company's technology or that any potential patent would not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that any right granted thereunder would provide meaningful protection or a competitive advantage to the company. Finally, protection afforded by patents is limited by the financial resources available to legally defend intellectual property rights. NXT currently does not possess the required financial resources to fund a lengthy defense of our rights if challenged by a much larger competitor or an oil and gas company.
12 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
We do enjoy common and contract law protection of our technology and trade secrets. Employees and contractors are governed by confidentiality agreements as well as a fiduciary responsibility to protect our technology, supporting documentation and other proprietary information.
Our strongest protection of the SFD® technology comes from restricting access to knowledge concerning the technology. Only a very limited number of NXT personnel have access to or knowledge of the underlying SFD® technology and no one employee and only one officer has access or knowledge of all aspects of the SFD® system. Currently no third party has any significant knowledge of the technology. As further protection, SFD® equipment does not leave the direct control of NXT employees, thereby preventing unauthorized replication of the equipment.
The company reassesses the appropriateness of its IP protection strategy on an ongoing basis and seeks advice from IP advisors as necessary.
It is possible that a third party will copy or otherwise obtain and use the company's technology without authorization, develop a similar technology independently or design around the company's secrets. Accordingly there can be no assurance that the steps taken by the company to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our IP will be successful.
An inability to protect our IP would make it possible for competitors to offer similar products and services that could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
We experience operational hazards in our flight operations that may subject us to potential claims in the event that an incident or accident occurs.
The flight operations of SFD® surveys are subject to the hazards associated with general flight operations. An aircraft accident may cause personal injury and loss of life, as well as severe damage to and destruction of property, or the SFD® sensors and related equipment.
Independent third parties provide all the services required to maintain and operate the aircraft; they bear the primary risks of flight operations. These services are provided by an organization accredited by Transport Canada to operate aircraft in accordance with Transport Canada approved and audited operating procedures. The aircraft operator employs the required pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and support personnel and ensures that they operate within their Transport Canada operating certificate. Our employees do not perform any airworthiness or flight safety operations.
We require the flight contractor to maintain appropriate insurance coverage for the risks associated with aircraft operations, and we obtain insurance coverage to provide us with additional risk protection. In addition, we maintain general business insurance coverage, and believe that this insurance and the policy limits are appropriate for the operational risks that we incur.
Despite our policy to not operate the aircraft directly and our insurance coverage, we cannot avoid or alternatively be insured for all risks of flight operations. In the event of an incident or accident we may be sued by injured parties in excess of our policy limits or for damages that are not covered by our insurance policy. The magnitude of a law suit of this nature is not determinable. Furthermore to the extent that our SFD® equipment is damaged we may be unable to conduct SFD® surveys for several months following an accident.
We are a Canadian company and our nationality may impair the enforceability of a judgment for any person resident outside Canada.
Since we are a Canadian company and most of our assets and key personnel are located in Canada, you may not be able to enforce a U.S. judgment for claims you may bring against us, our assets, our key personnel or many of the experts named in this document. This may prevent you from receiving compensation to which you may otherwise have a claim.
13 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
We are organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada and substantially all of our assets are normally located in Canada. In addition, virtually all of our board of directors and our officers are residents of Canada. As a result, it may be impossible for you to affect service of process upon us or these individuals within the U.S. or to enforce any judgments in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, a Canadian court may not permit you to bring an original action in Canada or to enforce in Canada a judgment of a U.S. court based upon civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.
We currently operate in countries such as Colombia and expect to perform services in other foreign countries in the future. Foreign operations expose us to several risks that may have a material adverse effect on the company.
Criminal Activity and Social Instability - Colombia over the past two decades has experienced significant social upheaval and criminal activity relating to drug trafficking, kidnapping and terrorist acts. While the situation has improved dramatically in recent years, there can be no guarantee that the situation will not deteriorate again nor are these risks eliminated as yet. Furthermore other potential international survey locations may have similar or other indeterminate criminal or social instability risks.
Systemic criminal activity in a country or isolated criminal acts may disrupt operations, impact the company's ability to earn revenue, dramatically add to our cost of operations or potentially prevent us from earning any survey revenue in a country.
In addition, foreign markets may be susceptible to a higher risk of corruption and bribery. All of NXT’s employees, contractors, and independent sales agents are required to adhere to the company’s code of conduct and business ethics, which prohibits illegal activities, including any acts of bribery or corruption.
Political Instability - Any changes in regulations or shifts in political attitudes are beyond the control of the company and may adversely affect its business. Exploration may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations which have the effect of restricting exploration and production activities. These changes may adversely impact the laws and policies governing price controls, export controls, foreign exchange controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation, site safety or other areas.
Currently there are no restrictions on the repatriation of our earnings in Colombia back to Canada; however, there can be no assurance that restrictions on repatriation of earnings from Colombia to Canada will not be imposed in the future.
Our operations may also be adversely affected by changes in laws and policies in Canada impacting foreign travel and immigration, foreign trade, taxation and investment.
Commercial Disputes – While operating in a foreign country we are subjected to local commercial laws which often involve executing contracts in a foreign language. Although every effort is made to ensure we have access to an accurate English translation, misunderstanding and potential disputes between parties may arise.
In the event of a dispute arising in connection with our foreign operations for any reason, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdictions of the courts of Canada or enforcing Canadian judgments in such other jurisdictions. We may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing our rights with respect to a government instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity.
14 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Accordingly, these risk factors have the potential of adversely reducing the level of survey revenue from our clients, our ability to operate effectively or our ability to be paid for our services and may have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial position.
We rely upon the right to conduct airborne surveys in foreign countries. These foreign operations expose us to the risks that we will be prevented from conducting surveys when requested by clients.
The operation of our business, namely conducting aerial SFD® surveys and interpreting SFD® data, is not subject to material governmental or environmental regulation in Canada and the United States with the exception of flight rules issued by Transport Canada and the FAA governing the use of commercial aircraft, including rules relating to low altitude flights. The requirements in other countries vary greatly and may require permits and/or provide other restrictions to conducting flight operations in the country that may restrict our ability to perform SFD® surveys.
For example, in Colombia SFD® surveys must comply with additional requirements not encountered in Canada and the United States, including customs obligations and bonds related to the importation and exportation of the aircraft into Colombia, obtaining permits from the local aviation authority, and obtaining permits from the Colombian Air Force. NXT has successfully operated in Colombia in accordance with these requirements.
With our North America and International experience to date, we do not anticipate any government controls or regulations that will prevent timely completion of SFD® surveys. However, we may encounter government restriction in other countries that may impact or restrict our ability conduct surveys.
If we encounter government regulation and restrictions that impact or prevent us from conducting surveys in any country then we will not be able to earn revenue in the country and we may be exposed to forfeiting any performance bonds.
We caution that the factors referred to above and those referred to as part of particular forward-looking statements may not be exhaustive and that new risk factors emerge from time to time in our rapidly changing business environment.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and development of the company
We are a technology company focused on providing a service to oil and natural gas exploration clients using our proprietary SFD® survey system. The SFD® system is a remote sensing airborne survey system for the oil and gas exploration industry. SFD® and NXT® are both registered trademarks of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
NXT was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on September 27, 1994 and continued from the State of Nevada to the Province of Alberta, Canada on October 24, 2003.
Our registered office is located at Suite 1400, 505 - 3rd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada and our telephone number is (403) 264‑7020. In the United States our authorized agent is Parasec at: 318 North Carson Street, Suite 208, Carson City, NV and their telephone number is (888) 972-7273.
We are a reporting issuer in Alberta and British Columbia and are principally governed by the Alberta Securities Commission in accordance with the Securities Act (Alberta) and the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the “ABCA”). We are a foreign private issuer under United States securities laws and are subject to the regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States ("SEC") in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
The underlying technology employed by our SFD® survey system was invented by George Liszicasz, our President and CEO, chairman and largest shareholder. The technology was initially licensed to the company by Mr. Liszicasz until December 31, 2006 through a series of consecutive license agreements. On December 31, 2006 the company acquired the technology from Mr. Liszicasz pursuant to the TTA.
15 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Upon execution of the TTA, Mr. Liszicasz transferred to the company all his rights and entitlements to the SFD® technology for use in the field of hydrocarbon exploration. Mr. Liszicasz has retained the rights to the technology for use in all other applications.
SFD® technology for the purposes of the TTA is defined as the theories of quantum physics and engineering which are utilized in the operation of stress field detectors used by NXT for the reception, collection and recording of subsurface geological stresses for hydrocarbon exploration. See also Item 4.B “Summary information on dependence on patents, licenses and contracts" for more information on this TTA agreement.
On February 9, 2010 the company registered a branch with both the Chamber of Commerce in Bogota, Colombia and with the office of Direction of Taxes and National Customs, the Colombian tax administration. The formation of this branch became a Colombian legal requirement following the company commencing permanent activity in Colombia in 2010 while conducting commercial survey operations.
The company’s business does not rely on significant capital expenditures. The company has made capital expenditures for property and equipment of $48,553, $38,975, and $55,516, respectively for the last three fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010. These expenditures relate largely to upgrades to office computer equipment and SFD® survey equipment.
The company does not currently have any significant capital expenditures in progress, or planned for the short term, for Canada or other international operations.
B. Business overview
Description of the nature of the company’s operations and principle activities
NXT utilizes its proprietary Stress Field Detection ("SFD®") survey system to provide a service for the oil and gas industry. SFD® is an airborne tool used for oil and gas exploration. We provide a fast and cost-effective method for our clients in the oil and natural gas industry to evaluate large land areas for their exploration potential.
SFD® sensors remotely respond to changes in subsurface stress regimes that are meaningful for oil and gas exploration. These responses are captured as raw data that, when interpreted, can provide an indirect method to detect the presence of geological features such as structure, faults, fractures and reefs that are often associated with traps and reservoir accumulations. SFD® is effective over wide areas where surveys often exceed 5,000 square kilometers. The SFD® survey system has been shown effective by clients to quickly focus exploration resources, offering the benefit of reducing the risk, time and expense associated with frontier exploration.
Following completion of the aerial surveys, NXT delivers to its clients a detailed report and maps of the surveyed area that identifies, ranks and recommends areas with SFD® indications of reservoir potential.
In 2006 the company commenced its current business model and began providing SFD® survey services to clients on a fee-for-service basis. In accordance with this model NXT will not invest either directly or indirectly in exploration or development wells or engage in other exploration or production activities. Our current business model minimizes our capital requirements thereby conserving cash, minimizes perceived or real conflicts between the interests of NXT and its survey clients and we believe will generate a higher return on capital for shareholders than if we adopted an oil and gas exploration and production business model.
Within our chosen business model our primary business is to earn revenues by conducting SFD® surveys for clients on a fee-for-service basis. Secondly, the company may negotiate to earn revenue from gross overriding royalty income and/or other incentive fees from clients should they generate production on areas recommended by SFD® surveys. Finally, in the future, the company may earn a fee by providing other related geological and geophysical integration services to clients.
16 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Our objective with this business model is to obtain broad industry acceptance and appreciation of the value of our SFD® survey system. The main obstacle in achieving this objective is the oil and gas industry’s skepticism related to any early-stage technology. The industry has long memories of promising, but ultimately disappointing, technologies. Accordingly industry professionals are seldom prepared to devote resources or stake their professional reputation on an early stage technology. This reluctance is particularly acute when the fundamental science related to the technology is complex and not easily understood, as is the case with SFD®.
NXT’s strategy to overcome skepticism in order to gain industry acceptance of SFD® and maximize survey revenue fall into four general categories; maximizing client endorsement opportunities, providing industry education and support, targeting the most appropriate markets (i.e. where SFD® provides the maximum benefits) plus adopting an attractive and fair pricing structure. Our specific tactics are:
1. | Focus the majority of sales resources on high profile primary markets which offer NXT the maximum opportunity for success (ex. Colombia); |
2. | Build upon success in this initial market, and step out to other markets (ex. Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Mexico) in Latin America; |
3. | Be opportunistic by responding selectively to requests of interest from qualified potential client "bluebirds" from all other locations in the world. The bluebird model is defined as an opportunity that arises, not from deliberate targeted sales initiatives, but in response to unsolicited client enquiries; |
4. | Capitalize on any bluebird sales by further soliciting sales opportunities within the bluebird market; |
5. | Continue to conduct small pilot surveys to expand our knowledge base and provide documentation to support the use of SFD® in new applications. Each new application opens more market opportunities and provides valuable case studies to support our sales initiatives; and |
6. | Respond to opportunities to present at technical conferences, publish papers in periodicals and generally maximize our opportunities to educate the industry on SFD® capabilities and document case study successes. |
Description of the principle markets in which the company competes
Overview of markets
The company has an opportunity to provide its services to any region in the world that conducts oil and gas exploration activities. However, the company chooses to be strategic and focus its limited sales resources in its early stages of commercialization into just a few carefully selected markets.
North America Market
NXT began marketing of its SFD® survey system in 2006 largely in Canada and continued with this market focus until the end of 2008. Solely in Canada the company earned survey revenue of $1.2 million, $5.6 million, and $2.9 million respectively in the fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008.
There were no revenues generated in North America for 2009, 2010 or 2012.
In the second quarter of 2011 we completed a U.S. $150,000 contract to conduct a pilot SFD® survey in Montana for a Calgary based client. The purpose of the pilot survey is to utilize SFD® to provide indicators of trap and reservoir potential in a complex geological environment. The survey area contained both large blanket gas and small oil fields.
17 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Colombian Market
In 2008 exploration activity seriously diminished in Canada as a result of the world-wide credit crisis and falling natural gas commodity prices. In response, the company looked to international markets for new revenue opportunities, which resulted in the company entering into the Colombian market in 2009. The company has now earned survey revenue in Colombia of $2.9 million in 2012, $0.4 million in 2010, and $3.7 million in 2009.
Colombia has many characteristics desirable for achieving market success for our SFD® survey system. With a business friendly approach and practical resource policies, Colombia attracts a large number of exploration and production companies from around the world. In Colombia there are obstacles to acquire geological and geophysical data as required to properly evaluate unexplored land. Obstacles include rain forests, environmental and community restrictions, security concerns and the high cost and time required to shoot seismic programs, particularly on-shore. SFD® can be a very effective tool to help overcome these obstacles.
Colombia has been primary international market focus in recent years. NXT is becoming well known in Colombia and we believe that it can continue to offer strong revenue opportunities.
South America and Central American Markets
NXT has been pursuing many countries within South America as attractive potential markets. Many of the companies active in Colombia are also active in other areas of South America, such as Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil. Many of these countries share a number of the same community, remote access and environmental issues that make SFD® an attractive solution.
In 2012, SFD® surveys were conducted in several new markets, including Argentina, Guatemala, Belize and most importantly Mexico. Our first contract with the National Oil Company of Mexico (PEMEX) was for U.S. $4.7 million, which was subsequently expanded before its completion to a total of U.S. $5.8 million. This was a significant milestone for the company, as it was our single largest contract to date, and it was able to be delivered in roughly 4 months.
South Asia Market
In late 2010 we started to negotiate a U.S. $2.66 million contract to conduct a survey in Pakistan. This opportunity arose through established prior relationships between our geophysical staff and key decision makers in the client’s exploration management. However, the contract was closed largely based upon case studies and client endorsements received from Colombian clients. Due to lengthy delays in securing approvals from all the relevant government bodies, the survey was not able to be commenced until late 2012, and was completed in the first quarter of 2013.
Description of seasonality of the company’s main business
There is no seasonality to the company’s business. It is however, a very cyclical business, as revenue activity is dependent upon the size and timing of a limited number of survey contracts each year.
Description of the source of raw material
We do not foresee any constraints upon materials or equipment that will impede our ability to execute our business plan or affect the company’s ability to conduct and/or expand its business. In order to conduct our survey operations we require the following:
In early 2009, in preparation for serving an international client base, we entered into a charter agreement with Air Partners Corp. (“Air Partners”), a Calgary based air-charter operator, to provide aircraft, crew and maintenance services for our survey operations worldwide. The current charter agreement with Air Partners has been extended for one year to January 11, 2014 whereupon the company anticipates that the agreement will likely be renewed on similar terms. Air Partners is a subsidiary of Morgan Air Services which has been providing aviation services worldwide since 1983. This agreement gives us priority access, on an as-needed basis, to at least two Citation 560 series jet aircraft that have been modified to meet our survey requirements. These jets are well suited for international operations.
18 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
We are not dependent upon any other third party contract manufacturers or suppliers to satisfy our technology requirements. We currently rely on Air Partners as a key supplier of the aircraft which we use in SFD® survey operations (see discussion below).
Description of marketing channels
The company largely uses direct sales methods with some use of commissioned sales representatives.
Summary information on dependence on patents, licenses and contracts
Patents
We have not yet patented our SFD® technology, however, we understand that we may be able to obtain worldwide patents in the future. In May 2012 the company commenced a “provisional” patent application process in the U.S, and intends to continue expanding this process into formal patent filings in the near term. We understand that our right to patent the SFD® technology in the future is not compromised by our ongoing commercial use of the technology, as the SFD® technology has never been disclosed to third parties (except under very limited confidential terms) or released in any manner into the public domain. See also Item 3.D Key Information – Risk factors.
Technical Transfer Agreement
Upon execution of the TTA on December 31, 2006 Mr. Liszicasz sold all his rights and entitlements to SFD® technology for use in the field of hydrocarbon exploration to the company in exchange for receiving 10,000,000 preferred shares. The preferred shares carry no voting rights.
2,000,000 of these preferred shares became immediately convertible on a one-to-one basis into common shares of the company at the discretion of the holder. In April, 2013, Mr. Liszicasz gave notice to NXT to formally convert (effective April 30, 2013) these 2,000,000 preferred shares into 2,000,000 common shares.
19 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
The remaining 8,000,000 preferred shares are convertible on a one-to-one basis into common shares should the company achieve the following cumulative revenue thresholds prior to the expiration of the TTA on December 31, 2015:
· | 2,000,000 should cumulative gross revenue reach US $50 million, |
· | an additional 2,000,000 should cumulative gross revenue reach US $100 million, |
· | an additional 2,000,000 should cumulative gross revenue reach US $250 million, and |
· | an additional 2,000,000 should cumulative gross revenue reach US $500 million. |
At December 31, 2015 the SFD® technology can be retained by the company by either:
· | if the company earned cumulative aggregate gross revenue of US $500 million or more in the 9-year period ended December 31, 2015 then the company can choose to retain the SFD® technology by issuing Mr. Liszicasz an additional 1,000,000 common shares and converting all of the then outstanding preferred shares; or |
· | if the company did not earn cumulative aggregate gross revenue of US $500 million or more in the 9-year period ended December 31, 2015 then the company can choose to retain the SFD® technology by immediately converting all of the then outstanding preferred shares. |
The Company has the option at December 31, 2015 to redeem any remaining unconverted preferred shares for a price of $0.001 per share and forfeit its rights to the SFD® technology, at which point it can be reacquired by Mr. Liszicasz for $10.00.
As at the current date April 16, 2013 the company has earned approximately US $26 million of cumulative gross revenue as defined in the TTA.
The following schedule provides a summary of the ownership of the preferred shares as of April 16, 2013:
Owner of Preferred Share | Preferred Shares Owned | Percent of Class of Share |
George
Liszicasz, President & CEO, and a Director |
10,000,000 | 100.0% |
See “Item 10.B – Memorandum and articles of association – Rights Attached to Preferred Shares – Conversion” below.
Second Amended and Restated Technical Services Agreement
This agreement was executed on December 31, 2006 outlining the terms of Mr. Liszicasz employment agreement with the company and establishes Mr. Liszicasz’ entitlement to normal employee remuneration such as salary, benefits, bonus and stock options and identifies grounds for termination of this agreement. This agreement has a term ending December 31, 2015 unless terminated by the company or Mr. Liszicasz. The Second Amended Services Agreement is included as Exhibit 4.36 to this Form 20-F.
Air Partners Aircraft Charter Agreement
On May 8, 2009, the company executed an aircraft charter agreement with Air Partners Corp. to provide aircraft, services for SFD® survey operations utilizing Air Partners’ fleet of Cessna Citation 560 series jet aircraft. The original term of this agreement was for a term of one year which has been extended through successive contract renewals. The current extension expires on January 11, 2014.
20 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Under the terms of this agreement Air Partners shall provide aircraft charter services to meet NXT’s aircraft survey requirements both domestic and internationally. Specifically, Air Partners shall provide on a non-exclusive but preferential basis three Cessna Citation 560 aircraft, specifically modified to meet SFD® survey mission requirements. The Air Partners’ service shall include providing all aircraft personnel (including pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and administration), insurance, aircraft maintenance, servicing and grooming all in accordance with Transport Canada and other regulatory standards.
NXT’s minimum aircraft charter commitment during the annual contract extension to January 11, 2014 has a value of approximately $317,000. The company’s commitment is based upon chartering in aggregate a minimum of 100 aircraft hours. Any flight hours that may become required in excess of this 100 hour minimum shall be made available to NXT for survey operations subject to aircraft and crew availability. As at April 16, 2013 the company has not yet met its annual 2013 charter hire commitment under this agreement.
The Air Partners Aircraft Charter Agreement dated January 11, 2011 is included as Exhibit 4.43 to this Form 20-F.
Basis for statements made regarding competitive position
Our SFD® airborne survey service is based upon a proprietary technology, which is capable of remotely identifying, from a survey aircraft, subsurface anomalies associated with potential hydrocarbon traps with a resolution that we believe is technically superior to other airborne survey systems. To our knowledge there is no other company employing technology similar or comparable to our SFD® survey system for oil and natural gas exploration.
Seismic is the standard technology used by the industry to image subsurface structures. It is our view that the SFD® survey system is a complementary technique to seismic. Our system may reduce the need for seismic in wide‑area reconnaissance but will not replace the role of seismic in verifying structure, closure and selecting drilling locations. The seismic industry is very competitive with many international and regional service providers.
The SFD® system can be used as a focusing tool for seismic. With an SFD® survey a large tract (i.e. over 5,000 square kilometers) of land can be evaluated quickly to identify locations with indications of reservoir potential. Seismic surveys, although effective in identifying these locations, are much more expensive, require significantly more time and impose a much greater negative impact on local communities and the environment. An SFD® survey deployed first can provide necessary information to target a seismic program over a limited area of locations selected by SFD®. This approach can result in a more effective seismic program and reduce the overall cost, time, community resistance and environmental impact required to locate and qualify a prospect.
The industry uses other technologies for wide area oil and natural gas reconnaissance exploration such as aeromagnetic and gravity surveys. These systems can provide regional geological information such as basement depth, sedimentary thickness and major faulting and structural development; however, these other airborne techniques are not as suitable for identifying areas with reservoir potential as the SFD® system.
Description of material effects of governmental & environmental regulation
SFD® Survey Flight Operations
The operation of our business, namely conducting aerial SFD® surveys and interpreting SFD® data, is not subject to material governmental or environmental regulation in Canada and the United States with the exception of flight rules issued by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) governing the use of commercial aircraft, including rules relating to low altitude flights. The requirements in other countries vary greatly and may require permits and/or provide other restrictions to conducting flight operations in the country that may restrict our ability to perform SFD® surveys as freely as in Canada and the United States.
21 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
In Colombia SFD® surveys must comply with three requirements not encountered in Canada and the United States. These requirements are: customs obligations and bonds related to the importation and exportation of the aircraft into Colombia; obtaining permits from the local aviation authority; and obtaining permits from the Colombian Air Force. NXT has successfully operated in Colombia in accordance with these requirements.
With our experience in Canada, the United States, Colombia and other countries, we do not anticipate any unanticipated government controls or regulations that will prevent timely completion of SFD® surveys. However, we may encounter government restrictions in other countries that may impair or restrict our ability conduct surveys.
If we encounter government regulation and restrictions that impact or prevent us from conducting surveys in any country then we will not be able to earn revenue and this may potentially expose the company to forfeiture of performance bonds.
C. Organizational structure
The following table provides a list of all subsidiaries and other companies controlled by the company:
|
Date and Manner of Incorporation |
Authorized Share Capital |
Issued and Outstanding Shares |
Nature |
% of each Class of Shares owned by NXT |
NXT Energy USA, Inc. | October 20, 1995 by Articles of Incorporation – State of Nevada | 20,000,000 common | 5,000,000 common | Inactive | 100% |
NXT Aero USA, Inc. | August 28, 2000 by Articles of Incorporation – State of Nevada | 1,000 common 4,000 preferred |
100 common
|
Inactive | 100% |
Survey Services International Inc. | September
6, 2011 by Articles of Incorporation – Province of Alberta |
Unlimited
number of common shares |
100 common | Active | 100% |
NXT Energy Services (SFD) Inc. | December
2008 by Federal Articles of Incorporation – Canada |
Unlimited
number of common shares |
100 common | Inactive | 100% |
D. Property, plant and equipment
Oil and Gas Properties
The company has minor interests in a limited number of acreage holdings of undeveloped lands in the western Canadian sedimentary basin. These assets are not a material asset of the company and have been written down a nominal value in our financial statements. Additionally the company is entitled to receive royalty interests on production from certain lands which were previously surveyed by clients. Royalty revenue is not significant at this time but may increase in the future if these lands, on which NXT holds royalty interests, become developed and commence to produce significant volumes of hydrocarbons prior to the expiry of the landowners related mineral leases.
Facilities
The company’s head office is a 7,087 square foot leased office space located at Suite 1400, 505-3rd Street SW, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The original six year lease was entered into on November 1, 2006 and was to expire on October 31, 2012. In March, 2012 the lease was extended for an additional 2.5 year term expiring April 30, 2015. The monthly minimum lease payment (including the company's share of estimated building operating costs) is currently $26,138 to April 30, 2015.
22 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Equipment
Our SFD® technology is comprised of three main components, detailed below, which we collectively refer to as our SFD® survey system. This system is generally stored at our Calgary office facility unless deployed during survey operations when this equipment would travel with the aircraft or be stored in a locked facility at the survey location when not in use. In addition, there is extensive Interpretation equipment located in Calgary. The main categories of equipment used by the company are:
· | Stress Field Detector - the stress field detector, or SFD® including a unit which houses the SFD® sensors, is the principal component of our technology. SFD® sensors respond to changes in subsurface stress. These responses are transformed through a passive transducer into electronic digital signals. Airborne surveys are conducted with an array of 22 SFD® sensors, consisting of 6 primary, 8 secondary and 8 development sensors, allowing multiple SFD® signals responses at all points of a survey.
|
· | Data Acquisition System—used in conjunction with the SFD® sensor array on surveys, our data acquisition system is a compact, portable computer system which concurrently acquires the electronic digital signals from the SFD® sensor array and other pertinent client data, including the GPS location information of the data.
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· | SFD® Signal Conditioning Unit - this self-contained unit contains electronic circuits for stabilizing and conditioning electronic signals. All sensor output is directly connected to this unit and after signal conditioning is completed, all output is forwarded to the computer system.
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· | Interpretation Theatre - once returned to our home base, the SFD® data collected is processed and converted into a format that can be used by our interpretation staff using systems consisting of generally off-the-shelf computer equipment, high definition monitors, projectors and screens. This equipment is generally permanently set up at our Calgary office facility. A remote interpretation theater is available and may be deployed during survey operations and would be set up in a facility at the survey clients city.
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The company is not affected by any significant environmental concerns nor is there any planned significant capital additions contemplated.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes to those statements referenced elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report, particularly under the caption “Risk Factors”.
A. Operating results
Overall Operational Performance
23 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Selected Annual Information | For the year ended December 31 | |||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||
SFD® survey revenue | $ 10,937,575 | $ 144,650 | $ 443,011 | |
Net comprehensive income (loss) | 2,062,728 | (3,584,601) | (4,452,428) | |
Net income (loss) per common share - basic | $0.05 | ($0.10) | ($0.14) | |
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted | $0.04 | ($0.10) | ($0.14) | |
Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities | 792,992 | (1,756,515) | (2,692,776) | |
Cash and short term investments | 5,107,594 | 1,518,946 | 1,370,234 | |
Total assets | 7,458,222 | 3,274,928 | 2,046,906 | |
Long term liabilities | 61,813 | 57,953 | 62,597 |
Financial Highlights for 2012
· | The company realized a significant expansion in survey activity in 2012, completing projects in a total of 4 different countries (Colombia, Argentina, Guatemala, and Mexico), and generated revenues of $10,937,575. |
· | Net income for the year was $2,062,728 for 2012, compared to a loss of $3,584,601 in 2011. |
· | Operating activities generated net cash of $792,992 in 2012, compared to a $1,756,515 net use of cash in 2011. |
· | Cash and cash equivalents increased by $3,543,648 to $5,052,594 as at the end of 2012 and total net working capital increased by $5,285,076 to $4,948,556 at the end of 2012. |
· | Net proceeds of $2,886,024 was raised in 2012 from the completion of a private placement equity financing. |
Financial Highlights for 2011
· | We completed one SFD® survey in the United States for a new client, generating $144,650 of revenue for 2011 and a net loss of $3,584,601. A significant survey project commenced in Colombia in late 2011, but the related revenues did not become recognized until the contract became completed in Q1-2012. |
· | $1,756,515 was used to fund operating activities in the year. |
· | Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2011 increased by $1,044,363 to $1,508,946. The Company had a working capital deficiency of $336,520 at the end of 2011, compared to a surplus of $831,974 at the end of 2010. |
Financial Highlights for 2010
· | We completed one SFD® survey for one new client earning $443,011 of revenue and incurred a net loss of $4,452,428 in 2010. All of all the survey revenue in 2010 was earned in Colombia. |
· | $2,692,776 was used in operating activities in the year. |
· | Cash and short-term investments held at the end of 2010 was $1,370,234; a decrease of $2,803,911 from the beginning of the year. Working capital at year end was $831,974 as compared with $4,649,393 at the end of 2009. |
24 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Net Income (Loss) | ||||
For the year ended December 31, | ||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||
SFD® survey revenue | $ 10,937,735 | $ 144,650 | $ 443,011 | |
Operating expenses | 8,532,166 | 3,770,134 | 4,887,114 | |
Income (loss) before other expenses | 2,405,409 | (3,625,484) | (4,444,103) | |
Other expense (income), net | (83,740) | (40,883) | 8,325 | |
Income tax expense | 426,421 | - | - | |
Net income (loss) for the year | 2,062,728 | (3,584,601) | (4,452,428) | |
Expenses | ||||
For the year ended December 31, | ||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||
SFD® survey costs | $ 3,633,645 | $ 46,713 | $ 466,428 | |
General and administrative (“G&A”) | 4,508,506 | 3,218,143 | 3,678,806 | |
Stock based compensation expense (“SBCE”) | 265,000 | 344,800 | 577,815 | |
Amortization of property and equipment | 125,015 | 160,478 | 164,065 | |
8,532,166 | 3,770,134 | 4,887,114 |
Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
SFD® survey costs – the increase in direct survey costs in 2012 is due the significant expansion in survey activity in 2012. As noted previously, surveys were completed in a total of four countries in 2012, whereas both 2011 and 2010 reflected a single, small scale survey. Survey costs include aircraft charter, fuel, and related permits and logistics, plus local travel and accommodations incurred. Survey costs as a percentage of revenue is not directly comparable each year, as costs can be a function of non-controllable factors such as weather and permitting delays, and if the project was subject to sales commissions or local sales taxes. For example, survey costs includes sales commissions of US$ 696,977 for projects completed in 2012 (and $nil in 2011, and $13,662 in 2010).
Also, there will be inherent cost differences between operating in Colombia or elsewhere in Latin America as compared with Canada and the United States. Costs incurred to mobilize and demobilize the survey aircraft and crews will vary, depending on the distance travelled to the survey location. In addition, in some foreign countries NXT may incur many delays related to obtaining permits and approvals not required in Canada that can result in surveys taking several additional weeks to fly them. These delays result in additional aircraft, crew and accommodation costs.
General and administrative (“G&A”) – G&A can vary year to year due to changes in administrative and interpretation and operations staffing headcounts required to service the expected levels of contract activity. Survey costs do not reflect a charge (other than out of country per diem allowances) for interpretation or operations staff payroll and benefits, which is included in G&A.
G&A increased significantly in 2012, rising by $1,290,363 or 40%, due largely to the increase in survey activity, and the requirement to increase the company’s headcount of operations and administration staff. In addition, with an increase in financial resources, the company expanded its efforts in the areas of investor relations and market awareness as well as client prospecting.
25 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
For 2011, the $460,663 net decrease in G&A costs from 2010 to 2011 was primarily due to a reduced number of staff in 2011, and a high level of start-up costs which were incurred in 2010 in establishing a branch office presence in Bogota, to service the Colombia and Latin America markets.
For 2010, G&A increased marginally, rising by 3% or $109,727 to $3,678,806 compared to $3,569,079 for 2009. The increase was partly due to a higher level of sales and marketing activities.
G&A is a major component of NXT's total expenses, and includes the following categories of costs:
For the year ended December 31 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
Salaries, benefits and consulting charges | $ 2,397,859 | $ 1,725,237 | $ 1,840,743 |
Board, professional fees, and public company costs | 779,346 | 560,416 | 496,299 |
Premises and administrative overhead | 632,058 | 520,689 | 589,609 |
Business development | 464,262 | 274,454 | 240,759 |
Colombia office | 234,981 | 195,679 | 511,396 |
Other | - | (58,332) | - |
Total G&A | 4,508,506 | 3,218,143 | 3,678,806 |
Stock Based Compensation Expense (“SBCE”) – this expense can vary widely each year, as it is a function of many factors, such as the number of stock options granted in a year, the length of the related vesting period of the options, and inputs used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model, such as the trailing volatility in the company’s share price.
The high SBCE in 2010 compared to 2011, for example, was primarily due to recognizing a significant expense total in Q4-2010 upon a re-pricing of all outstanding stock options to a revised price of Cdn $0.63 per share.
Amortization expense – most of our capital investment in property and equipment is in computer hardware, which is amortized on a 30% declining balance basis, such that amortization is high in the initial year of capital investment. In the last 3 years, capital spending has been minimal, resulting in a lower cost base subject to amortization in 2012, and thus a reduced level of amortization expense.
Other Expense (Income)
For the year ended December 31 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
Interest income, net | $ 2,744 | $ (16,353) | $ (9,923) |
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange | 14,686 | (28,209) | 16,509 |
Oil and natural gas operations, net | 15,273 | 3,679 | 665 |
Other expense | 51,700 | - | 1,074 |
Change in fair value of derivative instruments | (168,143) | - | - |
(83,740) | (40,883) | 8,325 |
Interest income - Interest income, generated by short term investments, is offset by interest expense incurred on such items as capital lease obligations for office equipment.
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange – gains and losses on foreign exchange are caused by changes in the relative exchange values of the US dollar, Canadian dollar and Colombian peso ("COP"). For example, when the Canadian dollar trades higher relative to the US$ or COP, cash held in US$ or COP will decline in value and this decline will be reflected as a foreign exchange loss in the period. NXT normally holds its cash and short-term investments in Canadian dollars to reduce the effect of market volatility; however, we currently are contractually obligated to hold certain restricted cash funds in US$ instruments to support performance bond commitments in certain foreign countries.
26 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Oil and natural gas operations, net – since prior to 2009, the company has had minor interests in some oil and gas properties in Canada. This category includes minor amounts of revenues from gross over-riding royalties (“GORR”) on two producing properties, net of costs related to these and other properties.
NXT holds GORR entitlements on potential future production on much of the land where we have conducted past surveys for clients in Canada, such as in the Horn River shale gas basin in British Columbia. There is no certainty, however, that wells on these lands will become placed on production, or that future royalty revenues will be earned from these entitlements. No asset value has been recorded in the financial statements for these GORRs.
In addition, the company has continuing asset abandonment and reclamation obligations (“ARO”) related to its minority working interests in various oil and gas wells in which it had a historical participation prior to 2005. At December 31, 2012, the ARO is estimated to be $61,813 (December 31, 2011 – $57,953), based on obligations which are estimated to be settled in the next three years. The net present value of the ARO is estimated based on inflation of 3.4% and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 10%.
Other expense – other expense of $51,700 in 2012 includes primarily costs related to intellectual property filings and new R&D activity related to the SFD® technology.
Change in fair value of derivative instruments - the derivative instruments relate to the estimated fair value of the common share purchase warrants (which have a US$ exercise price) which were issued in the company’s private placement equity financing in early 2012. As these warrants are denominated in a currency other than the Company's Canadian $ functional currency, they are classified as "derivative instruments" under US GAAP, and are recorded on a fair value basis (a total of $241,000 as at December 31, 2012). This balance is adjusted to its estimated fair value at each period end (until expiry of the warrants in March and May, 2014), based on the number of warrants outstanding. These derivative instruments are classified as a liability balance, but do not require any ongoing outlay of cash.
NXT currently has no other outstanding financial instruments, such as foreign currency hedges.
Summary of Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
A summary of operating results for each of the trailing 8 quarters (including a comparison to each respective prior quarter) follows. The extent of the profit or loss each quarter is mainly due to the timing and the number of survey contracts that are underway, and variances in such non-cash items as SBCE, which can occasionally be a significant expense in any given quarter. In addition, in Q3-12, NXT commenced to recognize significant adjustments to the fair value of "derivative instruments", which include US$ denominated warrants to purchase NXT common shares.
Q4-12 | Q3-12 | Q2-12 | Q1-12 | |
Dec 31, 2012 | Sep 30, 2012 | Jun 30, 2012 | Mar 31, 2012 | |
Survey revenue | $5,727,392 | $ - | $ 2,394,863 | $2,815,320 |
Net income (loss) | 3,087,323 | (1,393,183) | 30,660 | 337,928 |
Income (loss) per share - basic | 0.07 | (0.03) | - | 0.01 |
Income (loss) per share - diluted | 0.06 | (0.03) | - | 0.01 |
27 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Q4-11 | Q3-11 | Q2-11 | Q1-11 | |||||||
Dec 31, 2011 | Sep 30, 2011 | Jun 30, 2011 | Mar 31, 2011 | |||||||
Survey revenue | $ - | $ - | $ 144,650 | $ - | ||||||
Net loss | (1,072,560) | (1,026,814) | (692,510) | (792,717) | ||||||
(Loss) per share - basic and diluted | (0.03) | (0.03) | (0.02) | (0.02) | ||||||
Q4-12 to Q3-12 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $5,727,392 ($nil in Q3-12), SBCE of $59,000 ($78,000 in Q3-12) and survey costs of $1,277,768 ($24,170 net recovery in Q3-12). In addition, a non-cash income amount of $336,000 ($158,000 expense in Q3-12) was recognized in relation to adjusting the fair value of derivative instruments and income taxes of $216,807 ($nil in Q3-12) were recognized. Due primarily to the completion of the large Mexico contract in Q4-12, a net profit of $3,087,323 arose, as compared to a net loss of $1,393,183 for Q3-12.
Q3-12 to Q2-12 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($2,394,863 in Q2-12), SBCE of $78,000 ($61,000 in Q2-12) and a survey cost recovery of $24,170 (expense of $1,205,654 in Q2-12). In addition, a non-cash expense of $158,000 was recognized in relation to adjusting the fair value of derivative instruments. As no contract revenue was recognized in the Q3-12 period, a net loss of $1,393,183 arose, as compared to a profit of $30,660 for Q2-12.
Q2-12 to Q1-12 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $2,394,863 ($2,815,320 in Q1-12), SBCE of $61,000 ($67,000 in Q1-12) and survey costs of $1,205,654 ($1,174,393 in Q1-12). With the completion of the Argentina and Guatemala surveys in Q2-12, NXT recognized a profit of $30,660 as compared to a net profit of $337,928 for Q1-12, which reflected the completion of the Colombia survey.
Q1-12 to Q4-11 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $2,815,320 ($nil in Q4-11), SBCE of $67,000 ($50,015 in Q4-11) and survey costs of $1,174,393 ($nil in Q4-11). Due to the completion of the large Colombia survey in Q1-12, NXT recognized a net profit of $337,928 for Q1-12 as compared to a loss of $1,072,560 for Q4-11.
Q4-11 to Q3-11 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil in Q3-11), SBCE of $50,015 ($246,000 in Q3-11) and $nil survey costs ($nil in Q3-11).
Q3-11 to Q2-11 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($144,650 in Q2-11), SBCE of $246,000 ($18,843 in Q2-11) and $nil survey costs ($43,990 in Q2-11). The high total SBCE recorded in Q3-11 was due to the large number of stock options granted in Q3-11, and the fact that 42% of such had immediate vesting.
Q2-11 to Q1-11 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $144,650 ($nil in Q1-11), SBCE of $18,843 ($29,942 in Q1-11) and survey costs of $43,990 ($nil in Q1-11).
Q1-11 to Q4-10 comparison - NXT recognized $nil survey revenue ($nil in Q4-10) and SBCE of $29,942 ($404,053 in Q4-10). The $374,111 decrease in SBCE from Q4-10 is attributed to nearly all stock options held by contractors becoming fully vested in Q1-11 and the large expense that was recognized in Q4-10 upon re-pricing of stock options to $0.63 per share.
Q4-10 to Q3-10 comparison - NXT recognized $nil in survey revenue ($nil in Q3-10) and SBCE of $404,053 ($72,899 in Q3-10). The increase in SBCE was due to a one-time valuation adjustment that occurred when 2,113,204 stock options were re-priced in December 2010 to a new exercise price of $0.63 per share.
Q3-10 to Q2-10 comparison - in Q3-10 NXT had $nil survey revenue ($443,011 in Q2-10) and SBCE of $72,899 ($31,507 in Q2-10).
Q2-10 to Q1-10 comparison - in Q2-10 NXT recognized survey revenue of $443,011 ($nil for Q1-10), SBCE of $31,507 ($69,356 for Q1-10) and survey costs of $342,959 ($118,056 for Q1-10).
28 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Q1-10 to Q4-09 comparison - in Q1-10 NXT had $nil survey revenue ($1,044,766 in Q4-09), SBCE of $69,356 ($187,343 for Q4-09) and $118,056 survey costs ($508,308 for Q4-09). The survey costs in Q1-10 were for non-revenue projects.
B. Liquidity and capital resources
The company’s sources of liquidity include cash flow from operations, and the use of equity financings as needed. At present, there are no bank debt facilities available to the company. The company expects that its current working capital is sufficient to meet its present requirements.
The company does not presently have any legal or economic restrictions that would affect the ability of any subsidiaries to transfer funds to the company. As of the last fiscal year end, and the present date, the company does not have any material outstanding commitments for capital expenditures that require funding.
NXT's cash and cash equivalents plus short-term investments at the end of Q4-12 was $5,107,594. This excludes a total of $433,369 which is classified on the Balance Sheet as restricted cash, which is required primarily as security for contract performance bonds. The net increase in restricted cash in 2012 is related to security which was required to be posted for letters of credit (often for a term of 12 to 15 months) that were issued to undertake the Guatemala survey in Q2-12, and to undertake the survey in Pakistan, which commenced in Q4-12. All of these funds are scheduled to be released back to NXT when the related letters of credit expire in 2013.
Significant progress was made by NXT in 2011 and 2012 in securing new revenue contracts and expanding our working capital. NXT's ability to continue as a going concern, however, remains dependent upon our success in being able to continue to attract new client projects and expand the revenue base to a level sufficient to far exceed G&A expenses, and generate excess net cash flow from operations. Equity financings have been used on a limited basis in recent years to supplement working capital as the Company has changed its strategy to focus its efforts on the international oil and gas exploration markets. Private placement financings totaling US $3.2 million (US $3.0 million net of finder’s fees incurred) were conducted in early 2012 (as further detailed below) to enhance NXT's financial strength and fund its expansion plans. Risks related to having sufficient ongoing working capital to execute survey project contracts are mitigated through our normal practice of obtaining progress payments from clients throughout the course of the projects.
We are encouraged that acceptance of NXT's technology in the oil & gas exploration industry is expanding - customer success in using SFD® to reduce their exploration time, cost, and risk is growing, and starting to yield repeat business. In 2011 NXT secured two significant new contracts to conduct SFD® survey projects in Colombia and Guatemala (total of US $4.6 million, of which US $2.9 million was completed in Q1-12 and US $0.7 million was completed in Q2-12) and in Argentina (US $1.65 million, completed in Q2-12). In Q3-12, NXT commenced its largest project ever, a US $5.8 million survey project in Mexico, which was completed and delivered to PEMEX in only 4 months.
In addition, in December 2012 NXT commenced a US $2.7 million (contract value prior to 15% in-country with-holding taxes) survey project in Pakistan for a major National Oil Company. This contract was originally awarded in late 2010, and took an extensive period of time to obtain all necessary government approvals and flight permits. Data acquisition for the project was efficiently completed by mid January 2013, and the SFD® survey recommendations report was then delivered to our client in March 2013.
In order to enhance financial resources, and give flexibility to expand and conduct new contracts, in Q1-12 NXT commenced a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") of “Units” (at $0.75 per Unit), with each Unit consisting of one common share plus one common share purchase warrant.
A total of US $3.2 million (US $3.0 million net of finder’s fees) was raised through four separate closings which occurred from March 7 through May 4, 2012. This resulted in the issue of 4,258,005 common shares and a total of 4,502,821 warrants (which have an exercise price of US $1.20 and a two year term to expiry in 2014) to purchase NXT common shares.
29 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
NXT has no secured debt, and following the private placement financing and completion of several survey revenue contracts in 2012, net working capital increased significantly in 2012 as follows:
December 31, | December 31, | net change | |
2012 | 2011 | in 2012 | |
Current assets (current liabilities): | |||
Cash and short term investments | $ 5,107,594 | $ 1,518,946 | $ 3,588,648 |
Restricted cash | 433,369 | - | 433,369 |
Accounts receivable | 472,308 | 122,231 | 350,077 |
Prepaid expenses and other | 140,649 | 43,105 | 97,544 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (1,623,724) | (1,347,925) | (275,799) |
Current portion of capital lease obligation | - | (8,591) | 8,591 |
Net working capital before the undernoted items | 4,530,196 | 327,766 | 4,202,430 |
Additional asset (liability) amounts: | |||
Work-in-progress | 976,463 | 1,112,210 | (135,747) |
Deferred revenue | (317,103) | (1,776,496) | 1,459,393 |
Fair value of derivative instruments | (241,000) | - | (241,000) |
418,360 | (664,286) | 1,082,646 | |
Net total | 4,948,556 | (336,520) | 5,285,076 |
The derivative instruments relate to the estimated fair value of the common share purchase warrants (which have a US$ exercise price) which were issued in the private placement financings in March and May 2012. This balance is adjusted to its estimated fair value at each period end (until expiry of the warrants in March and May, 2014), based on the number of warrants outstanding. These derivative instruments are classified as a liability, but do not require any ongoing outlay of cash.
NXT applies the "completed contract" method of revenue recognition - revenues and related project costs are deferred until the period in which the survey contract is completed. Deferred revenue (a current liability) represents progress billing amounts that are to be recognized in revenue in future periods. Similarly, work-in-progress ("WIP", a current asset) relates to deferred survey costs which will be expensed in future periods upon completion of the related contracts. The WIP balance at December 31, 2012 relates to the Pakistan survey which commenced in December, and was completed in March, 2013.
Also, deferred revenue represents only the portion of progress billings that were issued to the quarter end for the uncompleted contracts. At December 31, 2012, the deferred revenue balance relates almost entirely to the Pakistan project.
The comparative totals for WIP and deferred revenue balances as at December 31, 2011 were related primarily to the four block Colombia survey project, which commenced in late 2011, and was completed in January 2012.
The increased total of accounts payable and accrued liabilities at Q4-12 as compared to Q4-11 is largely due to the timing of survey projects, and the related timing of payment of the related costs incurred. Most of the costs related to the Mexico survey were paid by December 31, 2012, whereas most costs related to the Pakistan survey were paid in Q1-13. The total at Q4-12 also includes a slightly higher total for accrued bonuses, wages and director fees payable as compared to Q4-11.
30 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
The following table, and the narrative below, summarizes the company’s net cash flows for the last three fiscal years:
For the year ended December 31 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
Cash provided by (used in): | |||
Operating activities | 792,992 | (1,756,515) | (2,692,776) |
Financing activities | 3,203,443 | 1,916,481 | 45,837 |
Investing activities | (452,787) | 884,397 | (1,062,623) |
Net cash inflow (outflow) | 3,543,648 | 1,044,363 | (3,709,562) |
Cash, start of the year | 1,508,946 | 464,583 | 4,174,145 |
Cash, end of the year | 5,052,594 | 1,508,946 | 464,583 |
Operating Activities
Net cash flow from operating activities listed above is a function of net income (loss) for the year, an add back of the net non-cash revenue and expense items (such as SBCE), and the net change in year-end working capital items (ex. a net decrease in working capital in the year gives rise to a source of cash), with these components each year as follows:
For the year ended December 31 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
Net income (loss) for the year | 2,062,728 | (3,584,601) | (4,452,428) |
Add back net non-cash items | 225,732 | 508,787 | 746,144 |
2,288,460 | (3,075,814) | (3,706,284) | |
Change in non-cash working capital balances | (1,495,468) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 |
Total cash provided by (used in) in operations | 792,992 | (1,756,515) | (2,692,776) |
Financing Activities
2012 – the net cash source of $3,203,443 reflects $2,886,024 net proceeds from a private placement equity financing which closed in early 2012, plus $326,010 from the exercise of warrants which were issued in the February 2011 financing, $47,250 proceeds from the exercise of stock options, less a $8,591 reduction in a capital lease obligation.
In order to enhance our financial position, in 2012 the company completed a large non-brokered private placement of units (the “Units”) for aggregate proceeds of US $3,193,505 (US $3,009,893 net of related finder’s fees paid) including $40,000 received from two officers of the company.
Each Unit was issued at a price of US $0.75 and consisted of one common share of the company and one warrant (the “Warrants”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional NXT common share at a price of US $1.20 for a two year period to expiry (which ranges from March 8 to May 4, 2014). The expiry date may become accelerated at the discretion of the company if the shares trade on the US OTCBB at a price greater than US $1.50 for 20 consecutive trading days. The company also issued a total of 244,816 finder's warrants (as part of finder’s fees paid) with the same terms as the Warrants noted above.
2011 – the net cash source of $1,916,481 reflects $1,487,827 net proceeds from a private placement equity financing which closed in February 2011, plus $420,000 from the exercise of warrants which were issued on that financing, $18,900 proceeds from the exercise of stock options, less a $10,246 reduction in the capital lease obligation.
2010 – the net cash source of $45,837 reflects $54,518 proceeds from the exercise of stock options, less capital lease repayments of $8,681.
31 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Investing Activities
2012 - the overall net cash use of $452,787 reflects a $45,000 funds outflow arising from an increase in short-term investments, $359,234 cash used to increase restricted cash balances, and $48,553 invested in purchases of property and equipment. Restricted cash balances relate primarily to balances used as security for bank letters of credit, which are often required to be issued to foreign survey clients as performance guarantees.
2011 - the overall net cash source of $884,397 reflects a $895,651 funds inflow arising from the net redemption of short-term investments (which was primarily used to fund ongoing operating expenses, and a temporary increase in restricted cash balances in the first half of 2011) plus a $27,721 net decrease in restricted cash balances, less $38,975 invested in purchases of property and equipment.
2010 - $905,651 was invested in short-term investments and $55,516 was invested in capital assets.
C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
There was no separate research and development (“R&D”) expense reported in 2012, 2011 and 2010. In these three years any expenditures related to R&D were not significant and were included within general and administrative expense.
D. Trend information
The company has historically conducted a limited number of service contracts each year, the dollar value and timing of securing and ultimate delivery of which are subject to numerous external factors. As at April 16, 2013 the company currently does not have any committed “backlog” or order book of contracts to be performed.
E. Off-balance sheet arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
F. Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012:
Payments Due by Period | ||||
Total | Less Than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | Over 3 years | |
Premises rent / operating lease | $ 710,225 | $ 304,382 | $ 405,843 | - |
Aircraft charter commitment | 317,000 | 317,000 | - | - |
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. | Directors and senior management |
NXT’s articles of incorporation provide for a minimum of one director and a maximum of 15 directors comprising our board of directors. At present, our board of directors consists of six members.
Our directors are elected by our shareholders at our annual meeting of shareholders and hold the position either until the next annual shareholders’ meeting or until a successor is appointed.
32 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
The following table sets forth information, including directorships in other reporting issuers, as of April 16, 2013, for our directors, executive officers and key employees:
Mickey Abougoush Age 66 |
Mr. Abougoush is a professional engineer with over 40 years of experience in the petroleum industry, largely in technical and executive positions. He is currently the chairman of Teknica Overseas Ltd., an international consulting company. He previously was chairman of SQFive Intelligent Oilfield Solutions Ltd., an international consulting and software development company and also served as president of Teknica Petroleum Services Ltd., an international consulting and software development company. He was formerly a director of both CCR Technologies Ltd. and WellPoint Systems, Inc., both of which were public companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Mr. Abougoush is a member of NXT's Audit and Governance Committees.
|
John Agee Age 64 |
Mr. Agee recently retired following a 25+ year career in senior executive positions with various prominent US families, including the Carlson Family in Minneapolis, MN (owners of Radisson, Country Inns and Suites, and TGI Friday's) from 2010 through February 2011, and the Steve Case Family in Washington, DC from 2002 through 2009 (Steve Case is the co-founder of America Online). Mr. Agee also served on numerous private, public, and non-profit Boards, and currently consults part-time in matters related to wealth management and is a CPA (inactive). He is a former director of Maui Land and Pineapple, a New York Stock Exchange listed company.
Mr. Agee is the Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation and Governance Committees.
|
George Liszicasz
Age 59 Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since January 1996; President since July 2002 |
Mr.
Liszicasz is the inventor of the company’s SFD®
technology and has been our Chairman and CEO since the company’s inception. Mr. Liszicasz' primary responsibilities,
as the President and CEO, are to ensure oversee all operations and to further develop the
SFD® technology. Mr. Liszicasz studied electronics and general sciences at the University of British Columbia and obtained a High Voltage Controls and Station Operations degree in Electronics from the Landler Jeno Technitken in Hungary in 1973.
|
Charles Selby
Age 56 Director since |
Mr. Selby holds a B. Sc. (Hons) in Chemical Engineering, a J.D. degree and is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Alberta. Mr. Selby is also the Chairman and CEO of Montana Exploration Corp. He is the president of Caledonian Royalty Corporation and Caledonian Global Corporation. He is a former officer of Pengrowth Corporation, which administered Pengrowth Energy Trust, a large North American energy royalty trust.
Mr. Selby was also previously a director of Idaho Natural Resources Corp., Vecta Energy Corp., and Qwest Investment Management Corp., all of which are reporting issuers in Canada.
Mr. Selby is a member of the Audit, Compensation and Disclosure Committees.
|
Thomas E. Valentine
Age 51 |
Mr. Valentine is a Partner with Norton Rose LLP, where he has practiced law, both as a Barrister and a Solicitor, since his call to the Bar in 1987. He is a member of the firm’s Global Resources Practice Group and is involved in energy and energy related matters throughout the Middle East, North Africa, the CIS, Asia and South America. Mr. Valentine is a member of the Board of Directors of three other Canadian public companies, Calvalley Petroleum Inc., Veraz Petroleum Ltd., and Touchstone Exploration Inc.
Mr. Valentine holds a BA from the University of British Columbia, a LLB from Dalhousie University, and a LLM from the London School of Economics.
Mr. Valentine is the Chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.
|
Krishna Vathyam
Age 49 |
Mr. Vathyam is the Chairman and CEO of Petrodorado Energy Ltd. (“Petrodorado”) and has extensive experience in international markets; having spent 23 years with Schlumberger, a leading global oilfield services company. Petrodorado is a strongly funded Colombia focused junior E&P which Mr. Vathyam founded in early 2009.
Mr. Vathyam is a member of the Compensation and Governance Committees.
|
Greg Leavens
Age 48 V-P Finance and CFO |
Mr. Leavens joined NXT in July 2011 as Vice-President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Leavens is a Chartered Accountant with over 24 years of financial reporting, treasury, regulatory and risk management experience.
Mr. Leavens’ experience has included senior financial roles within the oil and gas exploration and production, as well as services sectors. Mr. Leavens was Chief Financial Officer of Result Energy Inc. (a public exploration and production company which traded on the TSX Venture Exchange) from 2003 until November 2009, after which he was involved in a variety of consulting roles prior to joining NXT. Mr. Leavens obtained a B.A. and M.Acc from the University of Waterloo, subsequent to which he articled with KPMG LLP, and was a Senior Manager in the Toronto audit services practice.
Mr. Leavens is the Chair of NXT’s Disclosure Committee.
|
Andrew Steedman
Age 52 V-P Operations since |
Mr. Steedman joined NXT in December 2005 as Vice President of Operations. Mr. Steedman holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Calgary.
Prior to joining NXT, Mr. Steedman was the president of his own management consulting firm. From 2001 to 2003 he was President and CEO of Wireless Networks and was responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company. From 1999 to 2001, he was Senior Manager of Business Development with Nortel Networks. In this role he was responsible for developing Nortel’s unlicensed wireless strategy, identifying strategic partners, developing relationships with key customers and negotiating OEM agreements with key partners. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Steedman held various positions within Nortel including product management, project management, international business development and marketing. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Steedman consulted in Bangkok to the Telephone Organization of Thailand (“TOT”). He was responsible for the construction of a network management center that would monitor the TOT’s national network.
|
Atul Nautiyal
Age 52 V-P Geosciences |
Mr. Nautiyal recently joined NXT in April 2013 as Vice-President, Geosciences. Mr. Nautiyal is a professional geophysicist with over 25 years of exploration and development experience in Western Canada and numerous international areas including South America, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to experience gained with major, intermediate and start-up energy companies, he also provided consulting expertise to exploration firms and investment banks. Mr. Nautiyal was a founder and the CEO of TerraWRX, a Calgary based geophysical and exploration strategy consulting firm. A proven explorationist, he has been directly involved in projects resulting in the discovery of an estimated 10 trillion cubic feet of gas and 300 million barrels of oil in conventional and unconventional reservoirs worldwide. Mr. Nautiyal received an M.Sc. in geophysics from the University of British Columbia in 1987 and a B.A.Sc. in engineering from the University of Toronto in 1984. He holds professional memberships in Canada with APEGA and CSEG.
|
Grafton Withers
Age 59 V-P Marketing & Sales |
Mr. Withers joined NXT in December 2011 as Vice-President, Marketing & Sales. Mr. Withers has extensive experience in managing international operations, having had a 23 year, senior management career with the Schlumberger group and with its joint venture with Dow Chemical. While there, he assumed increasingly important management positions over his career working in 15 countries. Mr. Withers managed numerous operational entities, the logistics, procurement and manufacturing and the international sales group for Schlumberger's Dowell company. He later went on to become Vice President with general management responsibility for all aspects of another of the company’s six major divisions. Mr. Withers earned his MBA at Syracuse University and received a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a AB in Physics from Duke University.
Mr. Withers has recently resigned,
and will be leaving the company effective
|
Suzanne Loov
Age 43 Corporate Secretary |
Ms. Loov is a lawyer with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia which she obtained in 1993. From May 1994 to July 2002 Ms. Loov practiced law with Armstrong Perkins Hudson LLP (“APH”) (formerly Ogilvie & Company LLP), a boutique securities law firm, first as an associate and later as a partner. Following the merger of APH and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (“BLG”), Ms. Loov joined BLG as a partner in the firm’s corporate finance group and worked there until October 2005. While practicing law Ms. Loov has been an officer and director of several public and private companies.
Ms. Loov is a member of the Disclosure Committee. |
33 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
None of our executive officers or directors have been involved in any bankruptcy proceedings within the last five years, been convicted of or have pending any criminal proceeding, been subject to any order, judgment or decree enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activity or been found to have violated any federal, state or provincial securities or commodities laws.
Messrs. Abougoush, Agee, Selby, Valentine, Vathyam, as well as Ms. Loov are considered "independent" within the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 58-101.
B. Compensation
Executive Compensation
The following table sets out certain information regarding the annual and long‑term compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the other two of the four most highly compensated executive officers serving as executive officers at December 31, 2012, as well as any additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to the above criteria except that the individual was not serving as an officer of the company at the end of 2012. All officers of the company are based in the Calgary, Canada head office and are paid in Canadian dollars.
34 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Summary compensation table for the year ended December 31, 2012:
Name & Principal Position | salary | bonus (1) | retro-pay (2) | vacation (3) | other (4) | total |
George Liszicasz, President & CEO (5) | $ 218,000 | $ 98,100 | $ 47,670 | $ 27,065 | $ 14,550 | $ 405,385 |
Andrew Steedman, V-P Operations | 180,000 | 81,000 | 42,767 | 30,371 | 4,433 | 338,571 |
Greg Leavens, Chief Financial Officer | 180,000 | 81,000 | 12,150 | - | 6,058 | 279,208 |
Grafton Withers, V-P Marketing & Sales | 180,000 | - | - | - | 6,000 | 186,000 |
(1) annual bonus amounts, based on
such factors as NXT’s profitability and growth, are subject to the approval of NXT’s Compensation (2) in the period October 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011, NXT staff and executive were subject to a 15% salary roll-back reduction. Based upon a subsequently improved financial situation, these amounts were retroactively re-paid in early 2012. (3) “vacation” represents a cash payout in the year of a portion of unused vacation entitlements carried forward. (4) “other” consists of the taxable portion of company paid amounts for group health benefits, wellness, and parking. (5) total excludes fees earned as Chairman of the board, which were $15,000 for 2012 (which were paid to Mr. Liszicasz in early 2013) and $39,229 for 2011 (which were paid to Mr. Liszicasz in early 2012).
|
(See Item 6.E “Share Ownership” for details regarding stock options granted to officers).
No amount is set aside or accrued by the company or its subsidiaries to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to officers or directors.
Director Compensation
We compensate directors for serving on our board by paying a combination of a cash retainer as well granting common stock options. In 2011 and 2010 each director received $30,000 per annum and the chairman of the board and the chairman of the audit committee both received an additional $5,000 per annum. For 2012, the five directors who were in place in December 2012 were paid (in early 2013) a maximum cash retainer of $15,000 per director (one director elected to instead receive no cash, and a total of 30,000 stock options, as compared to the 15,000 stock options as were granted to the other four directors).
In addition directors receive common share stock options as compensation for their services. The amount and terms of stock option grants are determined by the board. We do not provide additional compensation for committee participation or special assignments of the board. (See Item 6.E “Share ownership” for details regarding stock options granted to directors).
The company reimburses directors for out-of-pocket expenses for attending board and committee meetings. We do not provide termination benefits for directors.
C. Board practices
Expiration Dates
No director or member of our administrative, supervisory or management bodies has an expiration date for their current term of office. Directors are elected by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders and hold the position either until the next annual shareholders’ meeting or until a successor is appointed. The period during which each individual has served as a director is set out in the table under Item 6.A – “Directors and senior management”.
Service Contracts
No directors have service contracts with the company or any of its subsidiaries that provide benefits upon termination of employment.
Board of Directors Mandate
The principal role of the board is stewardship of the company through the creation of shareholder value, including the protection and enhancement of the value of its assets, as the fundamental objective. The stewardship responsibility means that the board oversees the general operation of the business and management, which is responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the business. The board must assess and ensure systems are in place to manage the risks of the company’s business with the objective of preserving the company’s assets. The board, through the CEO, sets the attitude and disposition of the company towards compliance with applicable laws, environmental, safety and health policies, financial practices and reporting. In addition to its primary accountability to shareholders, the board is also accountable to employees, government authorities, other stakeholders and the public. The Mandate of the board of directors is posted on the company website and may viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 1400, 505 – 3rd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6.
35 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Board Committees
Corporate Governance Committee
The company and the board recognize the importance of corporate governance to the effective management of the company and to its shareholders. The company’s approach to significant issues of corporate governance is designed with a view to ensuring that the business and affairs of the company are effectively managed so as to enhance shareholder value. The Mandate of the Corporate Governance Committee is posted on the company website and may be viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 1400, 505 – 3rd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6.
The board and management endorse the need to establish forward-looking governance policies and to continuously evaluate and modify them to ensure their effectiveness.
Composition of the Corporate Governance Committee
Messrs. Valentine (Chair), Abougoush, Agee and Vathyam are members of the Corporate Governance Committee, and are all independent.
Responsibilities of the Corporate Governance Committee
The Corporate Governance Committee’s duties, as outlined in its charter, are to deal with the company’s approach to corporate governance and the promotion of compliance with industry and regulatory standards. The committee is responsible for overseeing and assessing the functioning of the board and the committees of the board and for the development, recommendation to the board, implementation and assessment of effective corporate governance principles and guidelines. The Committee’s responsibilities also include identifying new candidates for director and recommending that the board select qualified director candidates for election at the next annual meeting of shareholders.
Disclosure Committee
Composition of the Disclosure Committee
The Disclosure Committee consists of Messrs. Selby, Vathyam and Leavens (Chair), and Ms. Loov. Messrs. Selby , Vathyam and Ms. Loov are independent.
Responsibilities of the Disclosure Committee
The Disclosure Committee’s duties are to ensure that the company provides timely, accurate and balanced disclosure of all material information about the company and to provide fair and equal access to such information. All news releases, including but not limited to releases of material information, are managed by the Disclosure Committee. If the information has been determined by the Disclosure Committee to be material, news releases will be prepared, reviewed and then disseminated through a news-wire service that provides simultaneous service to widespread news services and financial media. Additionally, the Committee is responsible for ensuring public disclosure through filing these news releases on SEDAR, EDGAR as well as the company’s webpage.
36 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Composition of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Agee (Chair), Abougoush and Selby. All members of the Audit Committee are independent and each member is financially literate. The company’s Audit Committee Charter is posted on the company website and may be viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 1400, 505 – 3rd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6.
John Agee
Mr. Agee received a BA in Economics and Accounting from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a MBA from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Agee received his CPA from the State of Minnesota in 1975 and he worked early in his career at Arthur Andersen & Co. His current CPA status is inactive. Mr. Agee has served on the audit committees of several private and public company Boards of Directors, most recently with Maui Land and Pineapple Company, a New York Stock Exchange Company. Mr. Agee has also served as Chairman of the Board of several private companies.
For the bulk of his career, Mr. Agee worked as head of private investment operations for a number of prominent US family offices. In this capacity Mr. Agee invested in a wide spectrum of asset classes including private equity and in public companies. In these executive positions, the CFO of the investment offices reported directly to Mr. Agee along with other senior members of his staff. Mr. Agee has a sound understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and the application of those principles, the ability to perform analysis of financial statements and an understanding of the internal controls necessary to prepare timely and accurate financial statements. Mr. Agee has a strong knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors and committees.
M. S. (Mickey) Abougoush
Mr. Abougoush holds a B.Sc. Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Alberta and has completed the director’s education program sponsored by the Institute of Corporate Directors. He has previously served as audit committee chair of a publicly traded company.
Charles Selby
Mr. Selby is both a lawyer and Professional Engineer, holding B.Sc. (Hons) and LL.B degrees. He is the president of Caledonian Royalty Corporation and Caledonian Global Corporation. He was also formerly the Chairman and CEO of Canadian Star Energy Limited. Mr. Selby was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of AltaCanada Energy Corp., an oil and gas company listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange, and was formerly the Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Pengrowth Corporation, the administrator of Pengrowth Energy Trust.
All members of the Audit Committee have the educational background and experience that provides them with the knowledge and ability to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as an Audit Committee member.
Audit Committee Oversight - The company’s board has adopted all recommendations by the Audit Committee with respect to the nomination and compensation of the external auditor.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures - The Audit Committee has adopted a formal policy requiring the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit related services to be provided by the company’s principal auditor prior to the commencement of the engagement, subject to the following:
· | the Audit Committee will review annually a list of audit, audit related, recurring tax and other non-audit services and recommend pre-approval of those services for the upcoming year. Any additional requests will be addressed on a case-by-case specific engagement basis; |
· | for engagements not on the pre-approved list, the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Committee the authority to pre-approve individual non-audit service engagements with expected costs of up to $10,000 subject to reporting to the Audit Committee, at its next scheduled meeting; and |
37 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
· | for engagements not on the pre-approved list and with expected costs greater than $10,000, the entire Audit Committee must approve this service, generally at its next scheduled meeting. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Composition of the Compensation Committee
Messrs. Selby (Chair), Agee, Valentine and Vathyam are members of the Compensation Committee, and are all independent. The charter or mandate of the Compensation Committee is posted on the company website and may viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 1400, 505 – 3rd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6.
Responsibilities of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee's duties, as outlined in its charter, are to deal with the assessment of management and succession to key positions and compensation within the company. The Committee shall assist the board in discharging the board’s oversight responsibilities relating to the compensation and retention of key senior management employees, and in particular the CEO, with the skills and expertise needed to enable the company to achieve its goals and strategies at fair and competitive compensation and appropriate performance incentives. In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee will report and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the board in respect of the matters identified in the charter.
D. Employees
As of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 we had a total of 14 employees and 2 part-time contractors. There are no employees of the company that are members of a labor union. The following summarizes the number of employees and independent contractors by main job function as at December 31, 2012:
Function | employees | contractors | total |
Senior management team | 4 | - | 4 |
Finance and administration | 4 | - | 4 |
Operations and technical development | 6 | 2 | 8 |
Total | 14 | 2 | 16 |
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
As noted above, as at December 31, 2012 we had a staff of 16, all of which are based in Calgary, Canada except for one who is in Bogota, Colombia. Our staff consists of a 4 member senior management team, 4 finance and administrative persons, including one senior administrator in Colombia, and 8 operations staff (including one on short-term maternity leave) which includes one research scientist holding a Ph.D. and one consulting geophysicist. We periodically engage other technical and administrative contract personnel as required on a project basis. Additional staff were added in early 2012 as survey contract activity started to expand significantly.
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
As noted above, as at December 31, 2011 we had a staff of 14, all of which are based in Calgary, Canada except for one in Bogota, Colombia. Our staff consisted of a 4 member senior management team, 4 finance and administrative persons, including one senior administrator in Colombia, and 6 operations staff. Additional full time and contract staff were added late in 2011 as survey contract activity expanded.
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
As at December 31, 2010 we had a staff of 11 (10 in Calgary and 1 in Colombia) consisting of 9 full-time employees and 2 contractors. Our staff consisted of a 3 member senior management team, 4 finance and administrative per sons, and 4 operations staff. A reduction of total number of staff in 2010 as compared with 2009 (total of 15 at the 2009 year-end) was the result of the company’s cost cutting measures in response to reduced revenue in 2010.
38 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
E. Share ownership
Information on the ownership of our common shares is given under Item 7, Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.
Summary of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Granted To Executive Officers and Directors
All stock options have been granted pursuant to the Option Plan (the “Plan”) of the company or predecessor plans with substantially the same terms. The Plan is approved and ratified by shareholders annually at the company’s annual general meeting (“AGM”). The Plan, as was re-approved and ratified at the company’s last AGM held on November 27, 2012 is incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibit No. 2.18. Pursuant to this Plan, all option grants must be approved by the board of directors of the company. Stock options may be granted to the directors, officers and employees of NXT and to consultants retained by the company. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, and any other plan of the Corporation, shall not, at the time of the stock option grant, exceed ten percent of the total number of issued and outstanding shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis) unless the company receives the permission of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the shares are then listed to exceed such threshold. No option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding five (5) years from the date the option is granted unless the company receives the permission of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the shares are then listed and as specifically provided by the board and as permitted under the rules of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the shares are then listed, and in any event, no option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding ten (10) years from the date the option is granted. Options are generally issued with a three year vesting period wherein entitlement to exercise one third of the options granted shall vest at the end of each of the first three years following the grant date. The exercise price for an option grant is set at the last trade price on the date of grant or some higher price at the discretion of the board.
The following stock options were granted to our executive officers and directors in the three prior fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and to date to April 16, 2013:
To date in 2013, the company has granted:
· | 150,000 options with an exercise price of $0.76 to a new director who joined NXT in January 2013 |
· | 150,000 options with an exercise price of $0.66 to its V-P Geosciences who joined the company in April 2013 |
In 2012 the company granted:
· | 150,000 options with an exercise price of $0.89 to its new V-P Marketing & Sales in January 2012. |
· | a total of 410,000 options were granted to five of the directors of the company, and a total of 420,000 options were granted to five officers of the company in July 2012, all with an exercise price of $0.86 per share. |
· | a total of 90,000 options were granted to five directors of the company in December 2012, all with an exercise price of $0.76 per share. |
In 2011 the company granted:
· | a total of 150,000 options with an exercise price of $0.53 (to replace the same number of options which had expired) and 80,000 options with an exercise price of $1.16 to its V-P Operations. |
39 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
· | 150,000 options with an exercise price of $1.16 to its new V-P Finance and CFO. |
· | 120,000 options with an exercise price of $1.16 to a new member of the board of directors. |
In 2010, no options were issued to our executive officers.
In 2010 the company re-priced to Cdn$ 0.63 the exercise price of a total of 1,615,000 options that were previously issued to director and officer insiders. This re-pricing was approved by disinterested shareholders at the company’s AGM held on December 8, 2010 and subsequently approved by the TSX Venture Exchange. All other existing terms of these options remained unchanged.
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding stock options which have been granted to our directors and officers as of April 16, 2013. All options are issued at an exercise price set at the last trade price on the date of grant except for the 2010 re-pricing of options as noted above. Each option entitles the option holder to acquire one common share of the company.
Issued and outstanding stock options held by directors and officers of the company
(as of April 16, 2013)
Name and Position |
Exercise Price |
Option Grant Date |
Option Expiry Date |
# of held |
%
of total outstanding options |
George Liszicasz | $0.63 | 2-Dec-09 | 2-Dec-14 | 50,000 | |
CEO & Director | $0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 100,000 | |
$0.76 | 24-Dec-12 | 24-Dec-17 | 15,000 | ||
165,000 | 5.2% | ||||
Andrew Steedman | $0.63 | 2-Dec-09 | 2-Dec-14 | 60,000 | |
V-P Operations | $0.53 | 12-Jan-11 | 12-Jan-14 | 150,000 | |
$1.16 | 22-Jul-11 | 22-Jul-16 | 80,000 | ||
$0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 100,000 | ||
390,000 | 12.4% | ||||
Greg Leavens | $1.16 | 22-Jul-11 | 22-Jul-16 | 150,000 | |
V-P Finance & CFO | $0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 100,000 | |
250,000 | 7.9% | ||||
Suzanne Loov | $0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 20,000 | 0.6% |
Corporate Secretary | |||||
Grafton Withers | $0.89 | 26-Jan-12 | 26-Jan-17 | 150,000 | |
V-P Marketing & Sales | $0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 100,000 | |
250,000 | 7.9% | ||||
Atul Nautiyal | $0.66 | 1-Apr-13 | 1-Apr-18 | 150,000 | 4.8% |
V-P Geosciences | |||||
John Agee | $1.16 | 22-Jul-11 | 22-Jul-16 | 120,000 | |
Director | $0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 30,000 | |
$0.76 | 24-Dec-12 | 24-Dec-17 | 30,000 | ||
180,000 | 5.7% | ||||
Mickey Abougoush | $0.63 | 14-Apr-09 | 14-Apr-14 | 50,000 | |
Director | $0.63 | 2-Dec-09 | 2-Dec-14 | 30,000 | |
$0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 70,000 | ||
$0.76 | 24-Dec-12 | 24-Dec-17 | 15,000 | ||
165,000 | 5.2% |
40 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Charles Selby | $0.63 | 2-Dec-09 | 2-Dec-14 | 30,000 | |
Director | $0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 23-Jul-17 | 120,000 | |
$0.76 | 24-Dec-12 | 24-Dec-17 | 15,000 | ||
165,000 | 5.2% | ||||
Thomas Valentine | $0.63 | 14-Apr-09 | 14-Apr-14 | 50,000 | |
Director | $0.63 | 2-Dec-09 | 2-Dec-14 | 30,000 | |
$0.86 | 23-Jul-12 | 2-Dec-14 | 70,000 | ||
$0.76 | 24-Dec-12 | 24-Dec-17 | 15,000 | ||
165,000 | 5.2% | ||||
Krishna Vathyam | $0.76 | 25-Jan-13 | 25-Jan-19 | 150,000 | 4.8% |
Director | |||||
Total number of stock options held by officers and directors | 2,050,000 |
65.1% |
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. | Major shareholders |
The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of April 16, 2013 by persons who beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding common shares of the company, each person who is a director of our company, each executive officer named in this Form 20-F, each individual referenced in Item 6.D above and all directors and executive officers as a group. For the purposes of this Form 20-F, a person is considered to be a “beneficial owner” of common shares in the company if that person has, or shares with another person, the power to direct the vote or disposition of the common shares or to receive the economic benefit of ownership of the common shares. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of a common share if that person has the right to acquire the share within 60 days by option or other agreement (whether or not, in the case of a stock option, the current market price of the underlying common share is below the stock option exercise price). Therefore, the table below also reflects, for each such beneficial owner, the number of options, warrants and preferred shares either exercisable or convertible into common shares within 60 days of April 16, 2013 that are owned by each beneficial owner, but, in determining the percentage ownership and general voting power of such person, does not assume the exercise of options or the conversion of securities owned by any other person. We believe the beneficial owners of common shares listed below, based on information they furnished, have sole voting and investment power over the number of shares listed opposite their names. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 39,554,959 common shares issued and outstanding as of April 16, 2013. This total of 39,554,959 excludes all outstanding options and warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of April 16, 2013 (see also footnote 5 below).
41 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Officers (“D&O”) | Beneficially
Owned as at April 16, 2013 5,6 |
Percent of Common Shares 5 | |||
Directors and Officers: | |||||
George Liszicasz 1 & 2 | 7,246,490 | 15 % | |||
Charles Selby 1 | 408,161 | * 3 | |||
John Agee 1 | 243,000 | * 3 | |||
Mickey S. Abougoush 1 | 80,000 | * 3 | |||
Thomas E. Valentine 1 | 80,000 | * 3 | |||
Krishna Vathyam 1 | - | - | |||
Andrew Steedman 2 | 561,200 | 1 % | |||
Greg Leavens 2 | 108,168 | * 3 | |||
Suzanne Loov 2 | - | - | |||
Atul Nautiyal 2 | - | - | |||
Grafton Withers 2 | 133,000 | * 3 | |||
Total D & O Common Shares | 8,860,019 | 21 % | |||
Major Shareholders (> 5%): | |||||
Mork Capital Management, MCAPM, L.P., and Michael Mork 4 | 2,431,434 | 6 % | |||
1 Director of NXT | |||||
2 Officer of NXT | |||||
3 Beneficially owns less than one percent of total common shares 4 Information based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on November 4, 2011 by Mork Capital Management, MCAPM, L.P. and Michael Mork 5 For each beneficial owner’s percent of common shares calculation, any options or warrants that they hold which are or become exercisable within 60 days of April 16, 2013 have been included in both the numerator and denominator for purposes of their individual calculation. |
|||||
6 the “beneficially owned” totals listed above are derived as follows: |
common shares held |
exerciseable portion of convertible preferred shares |
vested & exerciseable options |
common share purchase warrants |
total |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Liszicasz |
5,196,490 |
2,000,000 |
50,000 |
- |
7,246,490 |
||||||
|
Abougoush |
- |
- |
80,000 |
- |
80,000 |
||||||
|
Agee |
203,000 |
- |
40,000 |
- |
243,000 |
||||||
|
Selby |
378,161 |
- |
30,000 |
- |
408,161 |
||||||
|
Valentine |
- |
- |
80,000 |
- |
80,000 |
||||||
|
Leavens |
44,834 |
- |
50,000 |
13,334 |
108,168 |
||||||
|
Steedman |
324,534 |
- |
236,666 |
- |
561,200 |
||||||
|
Withers |
43,000 |
- |
50,000 |
40,000 |
133,000 |
||||||
|
|
6,190,019 |
2,000,000 |
616,666 |
53,334 |
8,860,019 |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Major changes in percentage ownership of persons who beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding common shares of NXT in the last 3 years:
· | Michael Mork acquired 200,000 common shares through participation in the company’s private placement financing that closed in February 2011, and acquired 200,000 common shares upon exercise of common share purchase warrants in November 2011. |
· | George Liszicasz acquired 20,000 common shares through participation in the company’s private placement financing that closed in February 2011. |
The following information is taken from the records of Olympia Trust Company located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the company's transfer agent for its common shares. As of April 16, 2013 there were 168 registered holders of record of the company's common shares including 87 in the United States who collectively held 19,705,502 common shares, representing 49.8% of the 39,554,959 total issued and outstanding common shares of the company.
42 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
The company is a foreign private issuer for its current fiscal year. The majority of the company’s executive officers and directors are Canadian citizens who reside in Canada and the majority of the company’s assets are in Canada. The company’s major shareholders in common shares have the same voting rights as other holders of common shares. The company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation, a foreign government or any other natural or legal persons severally or jointly. There are no arrangements known to the company which may result in a change of control of the company.
B. | Related party transactions |
Summarized below are certain other transactions and business relationships between NXT and persons who are related parties, since January 1, 2010 through April 16, 2013:
Details of stock options which have been granted to related parties during the above noted period are included with Item 6.E above.
The company retains as legal counsel a law firm of which one of its directors is a partner. In 2012, the company incurred legal expenses of $80,550 (2011 - $52,234) with this firm, for which a total of $11,112 is included in accounts payable as at December 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011 - $8,719).
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2012 includes a total of $63,820 (December 31, 2011 - $4,681) related to re-imbursement of expenses owing to persons who are directors and officers of the company.
Two officers of the company subscribed for a total of U.S. $40,000 of the private placement financing which closed in 2012.
In February 2012, an officer of the company exercised 75,000 stock options to acquire common shares of the company at an exercise price of $0.63 per share.
In November 2011, a director of the company exercised warrants (which were acquired in February 2011, prior to him becoming a director of the company) to acquire 100,000 common shares of the company at an exercise price of $0.60 per share.
On March 31, 2011, the company entered into a U.S. $150,000 SFD® survey contract with a client which has a board member who also serves on the NXT board.
On February 17, 2011, two officers of the company acquired in aggregate 80,000 common shares and 80,000 warrants through participation in the company’s private placement on the same terms as all other participants in the private placement.
On December 8, 2010, the company re-priced 1,615,000 options that were previously issued to insiders. This re-pricing was approved by disinterested shareholders at the Company’s AGM held on December 8, 2010 and subsequently the Company’s submission was accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange. All re-priced options are now exercisable at a price of Cdn. $0.63 per share. All other terms of these option grants remain unchanged.
On January 22, 2010, 50,000 shares were issued to officers of the company pursuant to the exercise of options at a strike price of U.S. $0.40.
C. | Interests of experts and counsel |
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
43 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Consolidated statements and other financial information
The company’s consolidated financial statements are stated in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The financial statements and notes thereto as required under Item 8 are attached as Exhibit 15.1 to this annual report and are incorporated by reference herein. The audit report of KPMG LLP is included therein immediately preceding the consolidated financial statements and is also incorporated by reference herein.
Legal Proceedings
To the best of the company's knowledge, there are no legal or arbitration proceedings existing or pending which have had or may have, significant effects on the company's financial position or profitability and no such proceedings are pending or known to be contemplated by governmental authorities.
Dividend Policy
The company does not pay dividends.
44 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and listing details
The following tables set forth the price history of the company’s common shares listed on the OTCBB in the United States and on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”) in Canada.1
45 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
OTC BB | TSX-V | ||||
Period | High | Low | High | Low | |
(in US$) | (in US$) | (in Cdn$) | (in Cdn$) | ||
Prior fiscal years | |||||
Year ended | December 31, 2012 | $ 1.16 | $ 0.60 | $ 1.13 | $ 0.59 |
Year ended | December 31, 2011 | $ 1.29 | $ 0.40 | $ 1.20 | $ 0.32 |
Year ended | December 31, 2010 | $ 1.30 | $ 0.23 | $ 1.35 | $ 0.31 |
Year ended | December 31, 2009 | $ 1.39 | $ 0.30 | $ 1.48 | $ 0.41 |
Year ended | December 31, 2008 | $ 4.87 | $ 0.35 | $ 4.90 | $ 0.49 |
Prior Quarters | |||||
Quarter ended | Q1 - March 31, 2013 | $ 0.87 | $ 0.63 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.63 |
Quarter ended | Q4 - December 31, 2012 | $ 1.08 | $ 0.75 | $ 1.03 | $ 0.70 |
Quarter ended | Q3 - September 30, 2012 | $ 1.16 | $ 0.60 | $ 1.13 | $ 0.59 |
Quarter ended | Q2 - June 30, 2012 | $ 1.05 | $ 0.71 | $ 1.05 | $ 0.65 |
Quarter ended | Q1 - March 31, 2012 | $ 0.98 | $ 0.62 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.66 |
Quarter ended | Q4 - December 31, 2011 | $ 0.89 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.95 | $ 0.56 |
Quarter ended | Q3 - September 30, 2011 | $ 1.29 | $ 0.43 | $ 1.20 | $ 0.53 |
Quarter ended | Q2 - June 30, 2011 | $ 1.19 | $ 0.43 | $ 1.05 | $ 0.32 |
Quarter ended | Q1 - March 31, 2011 | $ 0.66 | $ 0.40 | $ 0.60 | $ 0.40 |
Last 6 months | |||||
Month ended | March 31, 2013 | $ 0.78 | $ 0.63 | $ 0.81 | $ 0.63 |
Month ended | February 28, 2013 | $ 0.81 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.81 | $ 0.70 |
Month ended | January 31, 2013 | $ 0.87 | $ 0.70 | $ 0.86 | $ 0.70 |
Month ended | December 31, 2012 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.75 | $ 0.85 | $ 0.75 |
Month ended | November 30, 2012 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.75 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.71 |
Month ended | October 31, 2012 | $ 1.08 | $ 0.85 | $ 1.03 | $ 0.86 |
B. Plan of distribution
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
C. Markets
Our common shares are quoted in the United States on the OTCBB under the symbol “NSFDF.OB”, in Canada on the TSX-V under the symbol “SFD.V” and in Europe on the Frankfurt and Berlin Exchanges (both of these listings are inactive) under the symbol “EFW”. The company’s common shares commenced trading on the OTCBB pursuant to a reverse takeover transaction in 1996, and were approved for listing on the Frankfurt and Berlin Exchanges in January 2004 and on the TSX-V in December 2007.
D. Selling shareholders
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
46 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
E. Dilution
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
F. Expenses of the issue
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share capital
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
B. Memorandum and articles of association
NXT was incorporated in the State of Nevada. With respect to the foregoing items, the law applicable to NXT in the Province of Alberta is not significantly different from that in the State of Nevada. NXT was established in Alberta pursuant to a Certificate of Continuance issued October 24, 2003 by the Registrar of Corporations of the Province of Alberta. NXT’s Alberta Corporate Access Number is 2010730915. The Articles of Continuance of NXT were amended to create the Series 1 Preferred Shares on December 28, 2006, and provide that there are no restrictions on the nature of the business that may be carried on by NXT. On September 19, 2008, pursuant to Articles of Amendment, the name of the company was changed from Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. to NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
Quorum
The board of directors of NXT may fix the quorum for meetings of the board or of a committee of the board, but unless so fixed, a majority of the directors or of a committee of directors holding office at the time of the meeting constitutes a quorum provided that no business may be transacted unless at least half of the directors present are resident Canadians. Business cannot be transacted without a quorum. A quorum of directors may vote on any matter of business properly brought before the meeting provided that where a director is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract or is a director or an officer of or has a material interest in any person who is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with NXT, such director must disclose his or her interest at the earliest possible date, request the conflict be noted in the minutes of the meeting and, with few exceptions, refrain from voting on the matter in which the director has a conflict of interest. There is no limitation on the board of directors to vote on matters of their remuneration as a director, officer, employee or agent of NXT or of an affiliate of NXT.
Borrowing Powers
The board of directors may, without authorization of the shareholders of NXT:
(a) | borrow money on the credit of NXT; |
(b) | issue, reissue, sell or pledge debt obligations of NXT; |
(c) | subject to restrictions respecting financial assistance prescribed in the ABCA, guarantee, on behalf of NXT, the performance of an obligation of any person; and |
(d) | mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any property of NXT, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation of NXT. |
The board of directors of NXT may, by resolution, delegate to a director, a committee of directors or an officer all or any of the foregoing borrowing powers.
Directors
A person is qualified to be or stand for election as a director provided such person is at least 18 years of age, is not bankrupt and is not mentally incapacitated pursuant to applicable mental health legislation of the Province of Alberta or pursuant to an order of the courts of the Province of Alberta. There is no provision in NXT’s Articles or By-Laws relating to the retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement. There is also no requirement in NXT’s Articles or By-Laws for a director to hold securities of NXT.
47 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Pursuant to the ABCA, a director or officer shall not be disqualified by his office, or be required to vacate his office, by reason only that he is a party to, or is a director or officer or has a material interest in any person who is a party to, a material contract or proposed material contract with NXT or subsidiary thereof. Such a director or officer shall, however, disclose the nature and extent of his interest in the contract at the time and in the manner provided by the ABCA. Any such contract or proposed contract shall be referred to the board of directors of NXT or shareholders for approval even if such contract is one that in the ordinary course of NXT's business would not require approval by the board or shareholders. Subject to the provisions of the ABCA, a director shall not by reason only of his office be accountable to NXT or to its shareholders for any profit or gain realized from such a contract or transaction, and such contract or transaction shall not be void or voidable by reason only of the director's interest therein, provided that the required declaration and disclosure of interest is properly made, the contract or transaction is approved by the directors or shareholders, and it is fair and reasonable to NXT at the time it was approved and, if required by the ABCA, the director refrains from voting as a director on the contract or transaction and absents himself from the director's meeting at which the contract is authorized or approved by the directors, except attendance for the purpose of being counted in the quorum.
Rights Attached to Common Shares
The holders of the common shares are entitled to dividends as and when declared by the directors of NXT, to one vote per share at meetings of shareholders of NXT, and upon liquidation, subject to the rights of the holders of preferred shares, are entitled to share rateably with the holders of the common shares in all distributions of assets of NXT.
Rights Attached to Preferred Shares
Preferred shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The board of directors of NXT is expressly authorized to provide by resolution duly adopted prior to issuance, for the creation of each such series and to fix the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each such series, including the rate or amount of dividends or the method of calculating dividends, the dates of payment of dividends, the redemption, purchase and/or conversion prices and terms and conditions of redemption, purchase and/or conversion, and any sinking fund or other provisions.
The preferred shares of each series shall, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of NXT, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other return of capital or distribution of the assets of NXT among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, rank on a parity with the preferred shares of every other series and be entitled to preference over the common shares and over any other shares of NXT, if any, ranking junior to the preferred shares. The preferred shares of any series may also be given other preferences, not inconsistent with the articles of continuance of NXT (the "Articles"), over the common shares and any other shares of NXT ranking junior to the preferred shares of a series as may be fixed by the board of directors of NXT.
If any cumulative dividends or amounts payable on the return of capital in respect of a series of preferred shares are not paid in full, all series of preferred shares shall participate rateably in respect of accumulated dividends and return of capital.
Unless the board of directors of NXT otherwise determine in the articles of amendment designating a series of preferred shares, the holder of each share of a series of preferred shares shall not, as such, be entitled to receive notice of or vote at any meeting of shareholders, except as otherwise specifically provided in the ABCA.
48 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Rights Attached to Preferred Shares - Series 1
NXT is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 preferred shares - Series 1. In 2006 10,000,000 preferred shares - Series 1 (the “Series 1 Shares”) were issued and are outstanding as at December 31, 2012, with the following material attributes:
Voting Rights
Subject to applicable law, the holders of the Series 1 Shares shall not be entitled to any voting rights or to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of NXT.
Dividends
The holders of the Series 1 Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends on the Series 1 Shares.
Conversion
The Series 1 Shares are convertible as follows:
(a) | as to 20% of the total issued Series 1 Shares on December 31, 2006; |
(b) | as
to
an
additional
20%
of
the
total
issued
Series
1
Shares
on
the
date
that
gross
cumulative
aggregate revenues of NXT reach $50 million; |
(c) | as
to
an
additional
20%
of
the
total
issued
Series
1
Shares
on
the
date
that
gross
cumulative
aggregate revenues of NXT reach $100 million; |
(d) | as
to
an
additional
20%
of
the
total
issued
Series
1
Shares
on
the
date
that
gross
cumulative
aggregate revenues of NXT reach $250 million; and |
(e) | as
to
an
additional
20%
of
the
total
issued
Series
1
Shares
on
the
date
that
gross
cumulative
aggregate revenues of NXT reach $500 million. |
Upon a change of control of NXT, as to the amount of Series 1 Shares not yet expired, converted or redeemed, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms thereof, the Series 1 Shares shall become convertible as follows:
(a) | as to all of the total issued Series 1 Shares if the sale price per common share paid by an acquirer on transaction constituting a change of control of NXT or the per share amount received by the holders of common shares on a liquidation of the assets of NXT or the winding-up or re-arrangement of NXT's business is equal to or exceeds $10; |
(b) | as to 60% of the total issued Series 1 Shares if the sale price per common share paid by an acquirer on a transaction constituting a change of control of NXT or the per share amount received by the holders of common shares on a liquidation of the assets of NXT or the winding-up or re-arrangement of NXT's business is equal to or exceeds $5; and |
(c) | as to 20% of the total issued Series 1 Shares regardless of the sale price per common share paid by an acquirer on transaction constituting a change of control of NXT or the per share amount received by the holders of common shares on a liquidation of the assets of NXT or the winding-up or re-arrangement of NXT's business. |
The Series 1 Shares specified above held by the holder shall be convertible at the option of the holder, subject to the terms and provisions hereof, into common shares at the rate of one common share per each Series 1 Share, without payment of any additional consideration.
Upon a change of control, a holder shall be entitled to convert, in full or in part, the Series 1 Shares specified above, until the expiration of ninety (90) days after the date on which the holder of the Series 1 Shares gives or receives notice that such holder will no longer be providing services to NXT, or the date on which such holder is terminated by NXT.
The conversion of Series 1 Shares into common shares shall be evidenced by the holder delivering at any time during usual business hours at the head office of NXT:
49 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
(a) | written notice, signed by the holder, specifying the number of Series 1 Shares to be converted; and |
(b) | the certificate or certificates representing the Series 1 Shares to be converted. |
The rights of the holder of such Series 1 Shares, as the holder thereof, shall cease at the date of conversion into common shares and the person or persons entitled to receive common shares upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as having become the holder or holders of record of such common shares at such time.
The registered holder of any common shares resulting from any such conversion shall be entitled to rank equally with the registered holders of all other common shares in respect of all dividends declared payable to holders of common shares of record on any date after the date of conversion into common shares.
The board of directors shall have the right at any time to cause the conversion of all or a portion of the Series 1 Shares in the discretion of the board.
NXT shall be entitled to make all tax withholdings, if any, as required by law, with respect to a conversion of Series 1 Shares for common shares.
Redemption
Subject to applicable law and subject to NXT's right to force the conversion of the Series 1 Shares, NXT shall be required to redeem and shall be deemed to have redeemed all of the Series 1 Shares held by the holder on December 31, 2015 at a price of $0.001 per Series 1 Share (the “Redemption Price”).
On any redemption of Series 1 Shares, NXT shall give a notice in writing of its redemption of the Series 1 Shares (the "Redemption Notice") to each person who at the date of giving of such notice is a registered holder of Series 1 Shares to be redeemed, setting out the date the Series 1 Shares are to be redeemed or are deemed to have been redeemed (the "Redemption Date") and the number of Series 1 Shares which are to be redeemed or are deemed to have been redeemed.
Liquidation
The holders of Series 1 Shares shall not be entitled in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NXT, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of NXT among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs to any return of capital other than payment of the Redemption Price for each Series 1 Share in preference to the holders of common shares.
After payment to the holders of the Series 1 Shares of the amounts so payable to them, the holders of Series 1 Shares shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the property or assets of NXT.
Alteration of the Rights of Shareholders
Under the ABCA, any substantive change to the Articles (including, but not limited to, change of any maximum number of shares that NXT is authorized to issue, creation of new classes of shares, add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions in respect of all or any of its shares, whether issued or unissued, change the shares of any class or series, whether issued or unissued, into a different number of shares of the same class or series or into the same or a different number of shares of other classes or series) or other fundamental changes to the capital structure of NXT, including a proposed amalgamation or continuance of NXT out of the jurisdiction, requires shareholder approval by not less than 2/3 of the votes cast by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a shareholders’ meeting called for that purpose. In certain prescribed circumstances, holders of shares of a class or of a series are entitled to vote separately as a class or series on a proposal to amend the Articles whether or not shares of a class or series otherwise carry the right to vote. The holders of a series of shares of a class are entitled to vote separately as a series only if the series is affected by an amendment in a manner different from other shares of the same class.
50 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Meetings of Shareholders
NXT’s By-Laws provide that the board of directors shall call an annual meeting of shareholders to be held not later than eighteen months after the date of incorporation and subsequently, not later than fifteen months after holding the last preceding annual meeting. NXT’s By-Laws provide that the board of directors may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders. Only the registered holders of shares are entitled to receive notice of and vote at annual and special meetings of shareholders, except to the extent that:
(a) | if a record date is fixed, the person transfers ownership of any of the person’s shares after the record date; or |
(b) | if no record date is fixed, the person transfers ownership of any of the person’s shares after the date on which the list of shareholders is prepared; and |
(c) | the transferee of those shares; |
§ | produces properly endorsed share certificates; or |
§ | otherwise establishes ownership of the shares; and |
§ | demands, not later than ten (10) days before the meeting, that the transferee’s name be included in the list before the meeting; |
in which case the transferee is entitled to vote the shares.
The ABCA also permits the holders of not less than 5% of the issued voting securities of NXT to give notice to the board of directors requiring them to call and hold a meeting of NXT.
The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders are:
(a) | the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting; |
(b) | the board of directors of NXT; |
(c) | the external auditor of NXT; and |
(d) | any others who, although not entitled or required under the provisions of the ABCA, any unanimous shareholder agreement, or the Articles or the By-Laws, are allowed to be present at the meeting. |
Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the Chairperson of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.
There are no restrictions in NXT’s Articles or By-Laws as to the number of shares that may be held by non-residents other than restrictions set out in the Investment Canada Act (the “ICA”) (Canada), as further described under Item 10.D – “Exchange Controls” below.
Change of Control
There are no specific provisions in the Articles or By-Laws of NXT that have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of NXT and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving NXT (or any of its subsidiaries). Notwithstanding this, the board of directors, under the general powers conferred to it under NXT’s By-Laws, have the authority to approve and invoke a shareholders rights plan that will protect shareholders from unfair, abusive or coercive take-over strategies, including the acquisition or control of NXT by a bidder in a transaction or series of transactions that does not treat all shareholders equally or fairly or that does not afford all shareholders an equal opportunity to share in any premium paid upon an acquisition of control. NXT has not adopted such a plan.
Shareholder Ownership Disclosure
There are no provisions in NXT’s By-Laws regarding public disclosure of individual shareholdings.
51 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
C. Material contracts
Each material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the company has been a party, for the two years immediately preceding publication of this annual report, is listed as an exhibit to this annual report and is summarized elsewhere herein.
D. Exchange controls
There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada relating to restrictions on the export or import of capital, or affecting the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-residents. Dividends paid to U.S. residents, however, are subject to a 15% withholding tax or a 5% withholding tax for dividends if the shareholder is a corporation owning at least 10% of the outstanding voting shares of NXT pursuant to Article X of the reciprocal tax treaty between Canada and the U.S.
Except as provided in the ICA, which has provisions that restrict the holding of voting shares by non-Canadians, there are no limitations specific to the rights of non-Canadians to hold or vote the common shares under the laws of Canada or the Province of Alberta, or in the charter documents of NXT or its subsidiaries.
Management of NXT believes that the following summary fairly describes those provisions of the ICA pertinent to an investment in NXT by a person who is not a Canadian resident (a “non-Canadian”).
The ICA requires a non-Canadian making an investment which would result in the acquisition of control of a Canadian business (i.e. the gross value of the assets of which exceed a certain monetary threshold) to identify, notify, or file an application for review with the Investment Review Division of Industry Canada (“IRD”).
The notification procedure involves a brief statement of information about the investment on a prescribed form which is required to be filed with the IRD by the investor at any time up to 30 days following implementation of the investment. It is intended that investments requiring only notification will proceed without government intervention unless the investment is in a specific type of business activity related to Canada’s cultural heritage and national identity.
If an investment is reviewable under the ICA, an application for review in the form prescribed is normally required to be filed with the IRD prior to the investment taking place and the investment may not be implemented until the review has been completed and the Minister of Industry Canada (the “Minister”) (the Minister responsible for Investment Canada) is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. The Minister has up to 75 days to make this determination. If the Minister is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, the non-Canadian must not implement the investment or, if the investment has been implemented, may be required to divest himself of control of the business that is the subject of the investment.
The following investments by non-Canadians are subject to notification under the ICA:
1. | An investment to establish a new Canadian business; and |
2. | An investment to acquire control of a Canadian business that is not reviewable pursuant to the Act. |
The following investments by a non-Canadian are subject to review under the ICA:
1. | An investment is reviewable if there is an acquisition of a Canadian business and the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired equals or exceeds the following thresholds: |
(a) | For non-World Trade Organization (“WTO”) investors, the threshold is $5 million for a direct acquisition and $50 million for an indirect acquisition; the $5 million threshold will apply however for an indirect acquisition if the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired exceeds 50% of the asset value of the global transaction; |
52 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
(b) | Except as specified in paragraph (c) below, a threshold is calculated annually for reviewable direct acquisitions by or from WTO investors. The threshold for 2012 was $330 million. Pursuant to Canada’s international commitments, indirect acquisitions by or from WTO investors are not reviewable; |
(c) | The limits set out in paragraph (a) apply to all investors for acquisitions of a Canadian business that: |
(i) engages in the production of uranium and owns an interest in a producing uranium property in Canada; |
(ii) provides any financial service; |
(iii) provides any transportation services; or |
(iv) is a cultural business. |
Notwithstanding the above, any investment which is usually only notifiable, including the establishment of a new Canadian business, and which falls within a specific business activity, including the publication and distribution of books, magazines, newspapers, film or video recordings, audio or video music recordings, or music in print or machine-readable form may be reviewed if an Order-in-Council directing a review is made and a notice is sent to the investor within 21 days following the receipt of a certified complete notification.
Generally speaking, an acquisition is direct if it involves the acquisition of control of the Canadian business or of its direct or indirect Canadian parent and an acquisition is indirect if it involves the acquisition of control of a non-Canadian direct or indirect parent of an entity carrying on the Canadian business. No change of voting control will be deemed to have occurred if less than one-third of the voting control of a Canadian corporation is acquired by an investor.
A WTO investor, as defined in the ICA, includes an individual who is a national of a member country of the WTO or who has the right of permanent residence in relation to that WTO member, a government or government agency of a WTO investor-controlled corporation, a limited partnership, trust or joint venture that is neither WTO-investor controlled or Canadian controlled of which two-thirds of its board of directors, general partners or trustees, as the case may be, are any combination of Canadians and WTO investors.
The ICA exempts certain transactions from the notification and review provisions of ICA, including, among others, (a) an acquisition of voting shares if the acquisition were made in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities; (b) an acquisition of control of the company in connection with the realization of a security interest granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the ICA; (c) the acquisition of voting interests by any person in the ordinary course of a business carried on by that person that consists of providing, in Canada, venture capital on terms and conditions not inconsistent with such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Minister; and (d) acquisition of control of the company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged.
E. Taxation
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares of the company.
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
53 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, U.S. court decisions, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this document. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of common shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
· | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; |
· | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
· | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
a trust that (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of common shares that is not a U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. Holders arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. Accordingly, a non-U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences (including the potential application of and operation of any income tax treaties) relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including the following U.S. Holders: (a) U.S. Holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) U.S. Holders that are dealers in securities or currencies or U.S. Holders that are traders in securities that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) U.S. Holders that own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) U.S. Holders that acquired common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) U.S. Holders that hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) partnerships and other pass-through entities (and investors in such partnerships and entities); or (i) U.S. Holders that own or have owned (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the company. This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; (b) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”); (c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold common shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”); or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
54 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
If an entity that is classified as a partnership (or pass-through entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners of such partnership generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners. This summary does not discuss the U.S. federal tax consequences to partners of entities that are classified as partnerships. Partners of entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not fully address all of the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences to U.S. Holders related to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the company's common shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Acquisition, Ownership, and Disposition of Our Common Shares
The following discussion is subject to the rules described below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Distributions on Common Shares
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a common share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated “earnings and profits” of the company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A dividend generally will be taxed to a U.S. Holder at ordinary income tax rates. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated “earnings and profits” of the company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares (see “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below). However, the company does not intend to maintain the calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the company with respect to the common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on common shares generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction.”
55 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Subject to applicable limitations and provided that the company is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, dividends paid by the company to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the company not be classified as a PFIC (as defined below) in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, such common shares are held for more than one year.
Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares generally will be treated as “U.S. source” for purposes of applying the U.S. foreign tax credit rules unless the gain is subject to tax in Canada and is sourced as “foreign source” under the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention and such U.S. Holder elects to treat such gain or loss as “foreign source.”
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.
Additional Tax on Passive Income
Individuals, estates and certain trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on "net investment income" including, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in certain trades or businesses). U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of common shares.
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid in foreign currency to a U.S. Holder in connection with the ownership of common shares, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). A U.S. Holder that receives foreign currency and converts such foreign currency into U.S. dollars at a conversion rate other than the rate in effect on the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss, which generally would be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss. If the foreign currency received is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who receives payment in foreign currency and engages in a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the foreign currency may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on common shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.
56 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source”. Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. However, the amount of a distribution with respect to the common shares that is treated as a “dividend” may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. Dividends paid by the company generally will constitute “foreign source” income and generally will be categorized as “passive income.”
The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Information Reporting; Backup Withholding Tax for Certain Payments
Under U.S. federal income tax law and regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, recently enacted legislation generally imposes new U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) on U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U. S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders of common shares should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirements to file IRS Form 8938.
Payments made within the U.S., or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, common shares generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the current rate of 28%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons, such as corporations, generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding tax rules. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If the company were to constitute a PFIC (as defined below) for any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, then certain different and potentially adverse rules will effect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. In addition, in any year in which the company is classified as a PFIC, such holder would be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidelines may require.
57 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
The company generally will be a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) under Section 1297 of the Code if, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the company for such tax year is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the value of the assets held by the company either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, based on quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets (the “asset test”). “Gross income” generally includes sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions. Active business gains arising from the sale of commodities generally are excluded from passive income if substantially all (85% or more) of a foreign corporation’s commodities are stock in trade or inventory, depreciable property used in a trade or business or supplies regularly used or consumed in the ordinary course of its trade or business, and certain other requirements are satisfied.
In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, if the company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, the company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, “passive income” does not include any interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by the company from a “related person” (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code), to the extent such items are properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income.
Under certain attribution rules, if the company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will be deemed to own their proportionate share of any subsidiary of the company which is also a PFIC (a ‘‘Subsidiary PFIC’’), and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on (i) a distribution on the shares of a Subsidiary PFIC or (ii) a disposition of shares of a Subsidiary PFIC, both as if the holder directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC.
The company does not believe that it was a PFIC during the tax year ending December 31, 2012. The determination of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a tax year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on the assets and income of such corporation over the course of each such tax year and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this document. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge any determination made by the company (or a Subsidiary PFIC) concerning its PFIC status or that the company (and each Subsidiary PFIC) was not, or will not be, a PFIC for any tax year. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the PFIC status of the company and each Subsidiary PFIC.
If the company were a PFIC in any tax year and a U.S. Holder held common shares, such holder generally would be subject to special rules with respect to “excess distributions” made by the company on the common shares and with respect to gain from the disposition of common shares. An “excess distribution” generally is defined as the excess of distributions with respect to the common shares received by a U.S Holder in any tax year over 125% of the average annual distributions such U.S. Holder has received from the company during the shorter of the three preceding tax years, or such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares. Generally, a U.S. Holder would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of the common shares ratably over its holding period for the common shares. Such amounts allocated to the year of the disposition or excess distribution would be taxed as ordinary income, and amounts allocated to prior tax years would be taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year and an interest charge at a rate applicable to underpayments of tax would apply.
While there are U.S. federal income tax elections that sometimes can be made to mitigate these adverse tax consequences (including, without limitation, the “QEF Election” and the “Mark-to-Market Election”), such elections are available in limited circumstances and must be made in a timely manner. U.S. Holders should be aware that, for each tax year, if any, that the company is a PFIC, the company can provide no assurances that it will satisfy the record keeping requirements of a PFIC, or that it will make available to U.S. Holders the information such U.S. Holders require to make a QEF Election under Section 1295 of the Code with respect of the company or any Subsidiary PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to the ownership and disposition of common shares, and the availability of certain U.S. tax elections under the PFIC rules.
58 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
F. Dividends and paying agents
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.
G. Statement by experts
Not applicable – The company is filing this form 20-F as an annual report.
H. Documents on display
We will furnish our shareholders with annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. We intend, although we are not obligated to do so, to furnish when requested by our shareholders quarterly reports by mail with the assistance of a corporate services provider, which will include unaudited interim financial information prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP for each of the three quarters of each fiscal year following the end of each such quarter. We may discontinue providing quarterly reports at any time without prior notice to our shareholders. For additional information on the company, please consult our web page www.nxtenergy.com, or the SEDAR webpage http://sedar.com.
Our reports and other information, including this annual report and the exhibits hereto, as filed with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, copies of such reports and other information filed with the SEC can be obtained from www.sec.gov.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Currency Fluctuations
We currently hold our cash in both Canadian and U.S. currency, yet we may earn revenue in U.S. currency and hold certain monetary assets and liabilities in other foreign currencies. Any transaction in a currency other than the Canadian dollar exposes us to the impact of exchange rate fluctuations between the Canadian and the foreign currencies. We do not currently engage in hedging activities to mitigate the effects of foreign currency fluctuation.
At December 31, 2012 we held U.S dollar cash, short term investments and restricted cash balances totaling US $5,276,619. Accordingly, a hypothetical 10% change in the value of one U.S. dollar expressed in Canadian dollars during the year ended December 31, 2012 would have had a $527,662 effect on the unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss.
Interest Fluctuations
At December 31, 2012 we held $5,540,963 in cash, cash equivalents, short term investments and restricted cash. If all this cash was held in an interest bearing account for a full year, an actual 1% change in interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2012 would have resulted in approximately a $55,410 change in interest income for the year.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable – The company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report and does not have any American Depository Receipts outstanding.
59 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
There have not been any defaults, dividend arrears or delinquencies.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There have been no material modifications to the rights of security holders except as outlined in Item 4.B “Summary information on dependence on patents, licenses and contracts” within this Form 20-F.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports is accumulated and communicated to management, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the "Responsible Officers") are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures, or causing them to be designed under their supervision, for the company to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the company is made known to the Responsible Officers by others within the organization, particularly during the period in which the company's quarterly and year-end financial statements, Form 20-F and Canadian MD&A are being prepared.
As of December 31, 2012 we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Responsible Officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).
Our management, under the supervision of the Responsible Officers, is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our Responsible Officers assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, they used the criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
Our internal controls over financial reporting were not required to be independently audited. Accordingly, no independent audit was performed over the effectiveness of internal controls as at December 31, 2012 and this annual report does not include an attestation report of the company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
During this process, we identified the following material weaknesses in the company’s internal controls:
60 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
· | The company does not retain staff with the specialized expertise required to prepare, nor does the company employ sufficient staff, to adequately review some complex or highly judgmental accounting issues. These complex areas include accounting for income taxes, stock based compensation expense, and other complex matters. The company mitigates this deficiency by preparing financial statements with their best judgments and estimates of the complex accounting matters and relies on reviews by management, external consultants and the Audit Committee for quality assurance. |
Based upon this review the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that due to the foregoing material weakness, the company’s internal control over financial reporting are not effective as at December 31, 2012 and as a result its disclosure controls and procedures are not effective as at December 31, 2012. The company reached this conclusion based upon their assessment that there is more than a remote likelihood that its internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect material misstatements if they should exist in our financial statements.
Changes in Internal Controls
During the period ended December 31, 2012, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that we have at least one audit committee financial expert (as defined under Item 16.A of Form 20-F) serving on our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee financial expert is John Agee, a retired Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”). Mr. Agee is an “independent” director, as that term is defined under the listing standards of NASDAQ.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. This Code of Ethics is incorporated in our Employee Handbook which forms an integral part of the employee contract. The Handbook contains sections on Business Ethics, Employee Practices and Conflicts of Interest.
During 2012 the company did not amend its Code of Ethics or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code of Ethics to any of its directors, officers or employees. Copies of NXT’s Code of Ethics are available without charge to any person upon request from NXT’s Chief Financial Officer at nxt_info@nxtenergy.com or at NXT’s headquarters at Suite 1400, 505 – 3rd Street SW, Calgary Alberta, Canada, T2P 3E6.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees of our principal accountants and all other fees billed for products and services provided by our principal accountants for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
61 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Year ended December 31, | ||
2012 | 2011 | |
Audit fees | $126,480 | $124,950 |
Audit related fees (Colombian branch) | 26,976 | 36,370 |
Tax related fees | 16,449 | - |
Total fees | $169,905 | $ 161,320 |
Audit Committee’s Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee nominates and engages our independent auditors to audit our financial statements. Our Audit Committee also requires management to obtain the Audit Committee’s approval on a case-by-case basis before engaging our independent auditors to provide any audit or permitted non-audit services to the company or any of our subsidiaries. All fees shown have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
The company did not directly or through an affiliate purchaser, purchase shares or other units of any class of the issuer’s equity securities that is registered by the issuer pursuant to section 12 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 781).
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and included in Item 8 to this annual report.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable as the company has filed its consolidated financial statements and related notes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
62 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description |
1.1(1) | Articles of Incorporation of Auric Mining Corporation as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on September 27, 1994 |
1.2(1) | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Auric Mining Corporation as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on February 23, 1996 |
1.3(1) | Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on April 1, 1998 |
1.4(3) | Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on June 13, 2000 |
1.5(1) | Amended By-laws for Energy Exploration Technologies |
1.6(4) | Amended By-laws of Energy Exploration Technologies, - Amended September 20, 2002 |
1.8(11) | Articles of Amendment of Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. as filed with the province of Alberta, Canada on September 22, 2008 |
2.1(1) | Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. specimen common stock certificate |
2.3(3) | Energy Exploration Technologies specimen common stock certificate |
2.5(1) | 1997 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Stock Plan |
2.5.1(2) | Amendment No. 1 to 1997 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Stock Plan |
2.6(2) | Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants to employees under the 1997 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Stock Plan |
2.8(2) | 1999 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Executive Stock Option Plan |
2.9(2) | Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants under the 1999 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Executive Stock Option Plan |
2.10(8) | 2000 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Directors' Stock Plan |
2.11(8) | Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants to directors under the 2000 Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. Directors' Stock Plan |
2.13(6) | 2004 Stock Award and Stock Option Plan |
2.14(9) | 2006 Stock Option Plan |
2.15(7) | Schedule of Series Provisions, Preferred Shares, Series I |
2.16(12) | 2006 Stock Option Plan, Revision 1 |
2.17(12) |
NXT Energy Solutions Inc. specimen common stock certificate |
2.18(14) | Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, dated October 26, 2012 |
4.19(1) | Form of Indemnification Agreement between Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. and each Director and Executive Officer |
4.36(7) | Second Amended and Restated Technical Services Agreement dated December 31, 2006 |
4.37(7) | SFD® Technology Ownership Agreement dated December 31, 2006 |
4.39(7) | Technology Transfer Agreement dated December 31, 2006 |
4.40(11) | Air Partners Corp. contract dated May 8, 2009 |
4.42(15) | Form of Indemnity Agreement between NXT Energy Solutions Inc. and Directors and Officers |
4.43 (13) | Air Partners Corp. contract dated January 11, 2011 |
8.1 (10) | List of Subsidiaries |
11.1(5) | Code of Business Code and Ethics |
12.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President |
12.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
13.1 | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President |
13.2 | Section 1350 Certification of VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
15.1 | Consolidated Financial Statements and Audit report of KPMG LLP for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
15.2 | Consent of KPMG LLP |
63 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
__________________
1 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on June 29, 1998 (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 0-24027). |
2 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission File No. 333-89251) as filed on October 18, 1999. |
3 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our year ended December 31, 1999 as filed on July 28, 2000. |
4 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed on March 31, 2003. |
5 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as filed on April 14, 2004. |
6 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 as filed on May 23, 2005. |
7 | Previously filed as an Exhibit to Form 6-K as filed on January 12, 2007. |
8 | Previously filed as an Exhibit to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed on April 2, 2001. |
9 | Previously filed as Schedule “A” to the Information Circular as at August 28, 2006 furnished on Form 6-K on August 31, 2007. |
10 | See Item 4.C – Organizational Structure. |
11 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Form 20-F for our year ended December 31, 2008 as filed on June 29, 2009. |
12 | Previously filed by our company as a Exhibit to our Form 20-F for our year ended December 31, 2010 as filed on June 30, 2011. |
13 | Previously filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Form 20-F for our year ended December 31, 2010 as filed on June 30, 2011.
|
14 | Previously filed as Schedule “A” to the Information Circular furnished on Form 6-K on November 2, 2012. |
15 | Filed by our company as an Exhibit to our Form 20-F for our year ended December 31, 2012 as filed on April 29, 2012. |
64 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
By: /s/ George Liszicasz
George Liszicasz
Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
Dated: April 30, 2013
65 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION
I, George Liszicasz, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: April 30, 2013
/s/ George Liszicasz
George Liszicasz,
Chief Executive Officer and President
66 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Greg Leavens, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: April 30, 2013
/s/ Greg Leavens
Greg Leavens,
V-P Finance and Chief Financial Officer
67 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Exhibit 13.1
Certification
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 1350(a) and (b)), the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (the “company”) that the Annual Report of the company on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company at the end of and for the periods covered by such Report.
Dated: April 30, 2013
/s/ George Liszicasz
George Liszicasz,
Chief Executive Officer and President
A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906 HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND WILL BE RETAINED BY NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.
68 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Exhibit 13.2
Certification
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 1350(a) and (b)), the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (the “company”) that the Annual Report of the company on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company at the end of and for the periods covered by such Report.
Dated: April 30, 2013
/s/ Greg Leavens
Greg Leavens,
V-P Finance and Chief Financial Officer
A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906 HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND WILL BE RETAINED BY NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.
69 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
Exhibit 15.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors
NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 333-89251, 333-108465, 333-129803 and 333-146890) on Form S-8 of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. of our report dated April 16, 2013, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, which report is incorporated by reference in the December 31, 2012 annual report on Form 20-F of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.
Our report dated April 16, 2013, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that NXT Energy Solutions Inc. has uncertainty about the timing and magnitude of future revenues, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Calgary, Canada
April 30, 2013
70 | 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 |
As at December 31
|
||||||||
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Assets
|
||||||||
Current assets
|
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$ | 5,052,594 | $ | 1,508,946 | ||||
Short term investments
|
55,000 | 10,000 | ||||||
Restricted cash [note 3]
|
433,369 | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable
|
472,308 | 122,231 | ||||||
Work-in-progress
|
976,463 | 1,112,210 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other
|
140,649 | 43,105 | ||||||
7,130,383 | 2,796,492 | |||||||
Long term assets
|
||||||||
Restricted cash [note 3]
|
- | 74,135 | ||||||
Property and equipment [note 4]
|
327,839 | 404,301 | ||||||
$ | 7,458,222 | $ | 3,274,928 | |||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
|
||||||||
Current liabilities
|
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities [note 5]
|
$ | 1,623,724 | $ | 1,347,925 | ||||
Deferred revenue
|
317,103 | 1,776,496 | ||||||
Capital lease obligation
|
- | 8,591 | ||||||
Fair value of derivative instruments [note 12]
|
241,000 | - | ||||||
2,181,827 | 3,133,012 | |||||||
Long term liabilities
|
||||||||
Asset retirement obligation [note 6]
|
61,813 | 57,953 | ||||||
2,243,640 | 3,190,965 | |||||||
Future operations [note 1]
|
||||||||
Commitments and contingencies [note 15]
|
||||||||
Subsequent events [note 18]
|
||||||||
Shareholders' equity
|
||||||||
Preferred shares [note 8]: - authorized unlimited
|
||||||||
Issued: 10,000,000 Preferred shares
|
3,489,000 | 3,489,000 | ||||||
Common shares [note 7]: - authorized unlimited
|
||||||||
Issued: 39,554,959 common shares (2011 - 34,757,396)
|
56,623,686 | 53,756,687 | ||||||
Contributed capital
|
5,406,193 | 5,205,301 | ||||||
Deficit
|
(61,015,232 | ) | (63,077,960 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
710,935 | 710,935 | ||||||
5,214,582 | 83,963 | |||||||
$ | 7,458,222 | $ | 3,274,928 |
Signed "George Liszicasz"
|
Signed "John Agee"
|
|||
Director
|
Director
|
For the year ended December 31
|
||||||||||||
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Revenue
|
||||||||||||
Survey revenue [note 16]
|
$ | 10,937,575 | $ | 144,650 | $ | 443,011 | ||||||
Expense
|
||||||||||||
Survey costs
|
3,633,645 | 46,713 | 466,428 | |||||||||
General and administrative
|
4,508,506 | 3,218,143 | 3,678,806 | |||||||||
Stock based compensation expense [note 10]
|
265,000 | 344,800 | 577,815 | |||||||||
Amortization of property and equipment
|
125,015 | 160,478 | 164,065 | |||||||||
8,532,166 | 3,770,134 | 4,887,114 | ||||||||||
2,405,409 | (3,625,484 | ) | (4,444,103 | ) | ||||||||
Other expense (income)
|
||||||||||||
Interest expense (income), net
|
2,744 | (16,353 | ) | (9,923 | ) | |||||||
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange
|
14,686 | (28,209 | ) | 16,509 | ||||||||
Oil and natural gas operations
|
15,273 | 3,679 | 665 | |||||||||
Other expense
|
51,700 | - | 1,074 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments [note 12]
|
(168,143 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
(83,740 | ) | (40,883 | ) | 8,325 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
2,489,149 | (3,584,601 | ) | (4,452,428 | ) | |||||||
Income tax expense [note 13]
|
426,421 | - | - | |||||||||
Income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
|
$ | 2,062,728 | $ | (3,584,601 | ) | $ | (4,452,428 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) per share [note 9]
|
||||||||||||
$ | 0.05 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | |||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.04 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) |
For the year ended December 31
|
||||||||||||
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Operating activities
|
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) for the year
|
$ | 2,062,728 | $ | (3,584,601 | ) | $ | (4,452,428 | ) | ||||
Items not affecting cash:
|
||||||||||||
Amortization and depreciation
|
125,015 | 160,478 | 164,065 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense
|
265,000 | 344,800 | 577,815 | |||||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation
|
3,860 | 3,509 | 4,092 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments [note 12]
|
(168,143 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligations paid
|
- | - | (902 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on sale of property
|
- | - | 1,074 | |||||||||
225,732 | 508,787 | 746,144 | ||||||||||
2,288,460 | (3,075,814 | ) | (3,706,284 | ) | ||||||||
Changes in non-cash working capital balances [note 14]
|
(1,495,468 | ) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 | ||||||||
Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities
|
792,992 | (1,756,515 | ) | (2,692,776 | ) | |||||||
Financing activities
|
||||||||||||
Repayment of capital lease obligation
|
(8,591 | ) | (10,246 | ) | (8,681 | ) | ||||||
Issue of common shares and warrants, net of issue costs
|
2,886,024 | 1,487,827 | - | |||||||||
Exercise of stock options and warrants
|
326,010 | 438,900 | 54,518 | |||||||||
Net cash generated by financing activities
|
3,203,443 | 1,916,481 | 45,837 | |||||||||
Investing activities
|
||||||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment
|
(48,553 | ) | (38,975 | ) | (55,516 | ) | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
|
(359,234 | ) | 27,721 | (101,856 | ) | |||||||
Decrease (increase) in short term investments
|
(45,000 | ) | 895,651 | (905,651 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
|
- | - | 400 | |||||||||
Net cash generated by (used in) investing activities
|
(452,787 | ) | 884,397 | (1,062,623 | ) | |||||||
Net cash inflow (outflow)
|
3,543,648 | 1,044,363 | (3,709,562 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
|
1,508,946 | 464,583 | 4,174,145 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
|
$ | 5,052,594 | $ | 1,508,946 | $ | 464,583 | ||||||
Supplemental information
|
||||||||||||
Cash interest paid (received), net
|
2,744 | (16,353 | ) | (9,923 | ) | |||||||
Cash taxes paid
|
$ | 426,421 | $ | - | $ | - |
For the year ended December 31
|
||||||||||||
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Common Shares
|
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of the year
|
$ | 53,756,687 | $ | 52,031,435 | $ | 51,934,360 | ||||||
Issued upon exercise of warrants
|
278,760 | 420,000 | - | |||||||||
Issued upon exercise of stock options
|
47,250 | 18,900 | 54,518 | |||||||||
Issued through private placement, net of issue costs [note 7]
|
2,886,024 | 1,487,827 | - | |||||||||
Value attributed to derivative instruments related to warrants
|
||||||||||||
issued in private placement financings [note 8 and 12]
|
(409,143 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
Value attributed to warrants issued in
|
||||||||||||
private placement financing [note 7]
|
- | (329,386 | ) | - | ||||||||
Transfer from contributed capital upon exercise
|
||||||||||||
of stock options and warrants
|
64,108 | 127,911 | 42,557 | |||||||||
Balance at end of the year
|
56,623,686 | 53,756,687 | 52,031,435 | |||||||||
Preferred Shares
|
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning and end of the year
|
3,489,000 | 3,489,000 | 3,489,000 | |||||||||
Contributed Capital
|
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of the year
|
5,205,301 | 4,659,026 | 3,939,953 | |||||||||
Recognition of stock based compensation expense
|
265,000 | 344,800 | 761,630 | |||||||||
Contributed capital transferred to common shares pursuant
|
||||||||||||
to exercise of options and warrants
|
(64,108 | ) | (127,911 | ) | (42,557 | ) | ||||||
Value attributed to warrants issued in private placement financing
|
- | 329,386 | - | |||||||||
Balance at end of the year
|
5,406,193 | 5,205,301 | 4,659,026 | |||||||||
Deficit
|
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of the year
|
(63,077,960 | ) | (59,493,359 | ) | (55,040,931 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the year
|
2,062,728 | (3,584,601 | ) | (4,452,428 | ) | |||||||
Balance at end of the year
|
(61,015,232 | ) | (63,077,960 | ) | (59,493,359 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
|
||||||||||||
Balance at beginning and end of the year
|
710,935 | 710,935 | 710,935 | |||||||||
Total Shareholders' Equity at end of the year
|
$ | 5,214,582 | $ | 83,963 | $ | 1,397,037 |
Computer hardware
|
30% declining balance
|
Computer software
|
100% declining balance
|
Furniture and other equipment
|
20% declining balance
|
Leasehold improvements
|
over the remaining term of the lease
|
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Total restricted cash
|
$ | 433,369 | $ | 74,135 | ||||
Less current portion, amounts scheduled to be released to NXT within 12 months
|
(433,369 | ) | - | |||||
$ | - | $ | 74,135 |
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Survey equipment
|
$ | 623,081 | $ | 610,230 | ||||
Furniture and other equipment
|
528,420 | 526,105 | ||||||
Computers and software
|
1,080,302 | 1,046,915 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements
|
382,157 | 382,157 | ||||||
2,613,960 | 2,565,407 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment
|
(2,286,121 | ) | (2,161,106 | ) | ||||
$ | 327,839 | $ | 404,301 |
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Cost
|
$ | - | $ | 35,000 | ||||
Accumulated amortization
|
- | (22,028 | ) | |||||
$ | - | $ | 12,972 |
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Accrued liabilities related to:
|
||||||||
Consultants and professional fees
|
$ | 114,640 | $ | 167,500 | ||||
Commissions payable on survey contracts
|
- | 122,400 | ||||||
Survey expenses
|
29,686 | 18,508 | ||||||
Board of Directors' fees
|
60,000 | 98,612 | ||||||
Wages and bonuses payable
|
351,780 | 183,198 | ||||||
Vacation pay
|
51,078 | 81,042 | ||||||
607,184 | 671,260 | |||||||
Trade payables, payroll withholdings and other
|
1,016,540 | 676,665 | ||||||
$ | 1,623,724 | $ | 1,347,925 |
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Asset retirement obligation, beginning of the year
|
$ | 57,953 | $ | 54,444 | $ | 51,254 | ||||||
Accretion expense
|
3,860 | 3,509 | 4,092 | |||||||||
Costs incurred
|
- | - | (902 | ) | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligation, end of the year
|
$ | 61,813 | $ | 57,953 | $ | 54,444 |
7. Common shares
|
|||||
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, of which the following are issued and outstanding:
|
# of Shares
|
$ Amount
|
|||||||
As at December 31, 2009
|
30,726,796 | $ | 51,934,360 | |||||
Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2010
|
||||||||
Issued on exercise of stock options
|
100,000 | 54,518 | ||||||
Transfer from contributed surplus upon exercise of stock options
|
- | 42,557 | ||||||
As at December 31, 2010
|
30,826,796 | 52,031,435 | ||||||
Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2011
|
||||||||
Issued through private placement, net of issue costs (i)
|
3,200,600 | 1,487,827 | ||||||
Value attributed to warrants issued in the private placement financing (i)
|
- | (329,826 | ) | |||||
Issued on exercise of stock options
|
30,000 | 18,900 | ||||||
Issued on exercise of warrants
|
700,000 | 420,000 | ||||||
Transfer from contributed surplus upon exercise of stock options and warrants
|
- | 127,911 | ||||||
As at December 31, 2011
|
34,757,396 | 53,756,247 | ||||||
Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2012
|
||||||||
Issued through private placement financings, net of issue costs (ii)
|
4,258,005 | 2,886,024 | ||||||
Value attributed to warrants issued in the private placement financings (ii)
|
- | (409,143 | ) | |||||
Issued on exercise of stock options
|
75,000 | 47,250 | ||||||
Issued on exercise of warrants
|
464,558 | 278,760 | ||||||
Transfer from contributed surplus upon exercise of stock options and warrants
|
- | 64,108 | ||||||
As at December 31, 2012
|
39,554,959 | $ | 56,623,246 | |||||
March,
|
May 4,
|
|||||||||||
2012
|
2012
|
total
|
||||||||||
Proceeds (in US dollars)
|
$ | 2,216,005 | $ | 977,500 | $ | 3,193,505 | ||||||
Number of common shares issued
|
2,954,672 | 1,303,333 | 4,258,005 | |||||||||
Number of Warrants issued
|
2,954,672 | 1,303,333 | 4,258,005 | |||||||||
Number of finder's warrants issued
|
162,416 | 82,400 | 244,816 | |||||||||
3,117,088 | 1,385,733 | 4,502,821 |
●
|
2,000,000 of the Preferred Shares became convertible into common shares upon issue. In April 2013, the holder gave notice to NXT to formally convert (effective April 30, 2013) these 2,000,000 Preferred Shares into 2,000,000 common shares.
|
||||
●
|
The remaining 8,000,000 Preferred Shares are subject to conditions related to potential future conversion. They may become convertible into common shares in four separate increments of 2,000,000 Preferred Shares each, should NXT achieve specified cumulative revenue thresholds of US $50 million, US $100 million, US $250 million and US $500 million prior to December 31, 2015.
|
||||
●
|
An additional bonus of 1,000,000 Preferred Shares are issuable in the event that cumulative revenues exceed US $500 million.
|
||||
●
|
Cumulative revenue is defined as the sum of total revenue earned plus proceeds from the sale of assets accumulated since January 1, 2007, all denominated in United States dollars, and calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
|
||||
●
|
In the event that the final cumulative revenue threshold of US $500 million is not achieved by December 31, 2015, NXT has the option to either redeem any remaining unconverted Preferred Shares for a price of $0.001 per share and forfeit its rights to the SFD® technology, or elect to retain the ownership of the SFD® technology by converting all of the remaining Preferred Shares into common shares.
|
# of Preferred
|
recorded
|
|||||||
Shares
|
value
|
|||||||
convertible upon issue effective December 31, 2005
|
2,000,000 | $ | 3,256,400 | |||||
conditionally convertible on or before December 31, 2015
|
8,000,000 | 232,600 | ||||||
10,000,000 | 3,489,000 |
9. Income (loss) per share
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Net income (loss) for the year
|
$ | 2,062,728 | $ | (3,584,601 | ) | $ | (4,452,428 | ) | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
||||||||||||
Basic
|
40,453,392 | 35,696,620 | 32,774,974 | |||||||||
Additional shares related to assumed exercise of
|
||||||||||||
stock options under treasury stock method
|
337,070 | - | ||||||||||
Contingently issuable preferred shares
|
8,000,000 | - | ||||||||||
Diluted
|
48,790,462 | 35,696,620 | 32,774,974 | |||||||||
Income (loss) per share - Basic
|
$ | 0.05 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) per share - Diluted
|
$ | 0.04 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) |
exercise
|
# of
stock options |
# of
stock options |
average
remaining |
||||||||||||
price
|
outstanding
|
exercisable
|
life (years)
|
||||||||||||
$ | 0.45 | 105,600 | 105,600 | 2.8 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.53 | 150,000 | 100,000 | 1.0 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.63 | 450,000 | 450,000 | 1.6 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.75 | 395,000 | - | 4.5 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.76 | 90,000 | - | 5.0 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.86 | 815,000 | - | 4.6 | |||||||||||
$ | 0.89 | 150,000 | - | 4.1 | |||||||||||
$ | 1.16 | 435,000 | 255,000 | 3.6 | |||||||||||
$ | 1.20 | 300,000 | 60,000 | 4.6 | |||||||||||
2,890,600 | 970,600 | 3.7 |
A continuity of the number of stock options outstanding at the end of each of the last three years ended December 31 is as follows:
|
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||||||||||
# of
|
weighted
|
# of
|
weighted
|
|||||||||||||
stock
|
average
|
stock
|
average
|
|||||||||||||
options
|
exercise price
|
options
|
exercise price
|
|||||||||||||
Outstanding at beginning of the year
|
2,473,100 | $ | 1.02 | 2,134,804 | $ | 0.62 | ||||||||||
Granted
|
1,900,000 | $ | 0.89 | 1,054,800 | $ | 1.58 | ||||||||||
Forfeited
|
(390,268 | ) | $ | 1.72 | (398,300 | ) | $ | 0.65 | ||||||||
Expired unexercised
|
(877,232 | ) | $ | 1.05 | (288,204 | ) | $ | 0.63 | ||||||||
Cancelled
|
(140,000 | ) | $ | 0.63 | - | - | ||||||||||
Exercised
|
(75,000 | ) | $ | 0.63 | (30,000 | ) | $ | 0.63 | ||||||||
Options outstanding as at end of the year
|
2,890,600 | $ | 0.86 | 2,473,100 | $ | 1.02 | ||||||||||
Options exercisable as at end of the year
|
970,600 | $ | 0.86 | 1,538,100 | $ | 0.68 |
2010
|
||||||||
# of
|
weighted
|
|||||||
stock
|
average
|
|||||||
options
|
exercise price
|
|||||||
Outstanding at beginning of the year
|
2,757,204 | $ | 1.76 | |||||
Granted
|
248,900 | $ | 0.62 | |||||
Forfeited
|
(431,300 | ) | $ | 1.48 | ||||
Expired unexercised
|
(340,000 | ) | $ | 0.66 | ||||
Cancelled
|
(2,113,204 | ) | $ | 1.94 | ||||
Granted on re-pricing in 2010
|
2,113,204 | $ | 0.63 | |||||
Exercised
|
(100,000 | ) | $ | 0.55 | ||||
Options outstanding as at end of the year
|
2,134,804 | $ | 0.62 | |||||
Options exercisable as at end of the year
|
1,737,637 | $ | 0.61 |
●
|
A total of 300,000 stock options were granted in August, 2012, with an average exercise price of $1.20, expiring August 2017, and with 20% of the options vesting after each 3 month period.
|
●
|
In July 2012 a total of 830,000 stock options with an exercise price of $0.86 were granted to Directors and Officers of NXT. In addition, two Directors of NXT surrendered for cancellation a total of 140,000 vested stock options, which had an exercise price of $0.63 per share, and an expiry date of December 12, 2012.
|
●
|
A total of 400,000 stock options were granted in December, 2011, at an average exercise price of $2.50, expiring June 1, 2013, and with 25% of the options vesting after each 3 month period. In 2012, a total of 200,000 of these options were forfeited and the remaining 200,000 expired.
|
●
|
A total of 214,800 of the 504,800 stock options which were granted in July, 2011 at an exercise price of $1.16 per share had immediate vesting.
|
●
|
In January, 2011 an Officer of the Company was granted 150,000 options at an excise price of $0.53 per share, and with one third of the options vesting at the date of grant and one-third vesting at the end of each of the following two years. These options will expire three years from the date of grant.
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Stock based compensation expense for the period
|
$ | 265,000 | $ | 344,800 | $ | 577,815 | ||||||
Expected dividends paid per common share
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|||||||||
Expected life in years
|
4.0 | 2.8 | 1.8 | |||||||||
Expected volatility in the price of common shares
|
79 | % | 111 | % | 92 | % | ||||||
Risk free interest rate
|
1.0 | % | 1.5 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||
Weighted average fair market value per share at grant date
|
$ | 0.52 | $ | 0.57 | $ | 0.27 | ||||||
Intrinsic (or "in-the-money") value per share of options exercised
|
$ | 0.13 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.53 |
11. Warrants to purchase common shares
|
|||||
The following is a summary of outstanding warrants to purchase common shares:
|
Exercise
|
||||||||||||||
Exercise
|
# of
|
proceeds
|
||||||||||||
price
|
warrants
|
received
|
||||||||||||
Outstanding as at January 1, 2009 and 2010
|
- | $ | - | |||||||||||
Issued on February, 2011 private placement (i)
|
$ | 0.60 | 3,345,920 | - | ||||||||||
Exercised in 2011
|
(700,000 | ) | 420,000 | |||||||||||
Outstanding as at December 31, 2011
|
2,645,920 | 420,000 | ||||||||||||
Exercised in 2012
|
(464,558 | ) | 278,760 | |||||||||||
Expired on February 16, 2012
|
(2,181,362 | ) | - | |||||||||||
- | 698,760 | |||||||||||||
Issued on March and May, 2012 private placement financings (ii)
|
$ | US 1.20 | 4,502,821 | |||||||||||
Outstanding as at December 31, 2012
|
4,502,821 | |||||||||||||
These warrants expire in 2014 as follows:
|
March 7, 2014
|
2,096,175 | ||||||||||||
March 19, 2014
|
415,000 | |||||||||||||
March 30, 2014
|
605,913 | |||||||||||||
May 4, 2014
|
1,385,733 | |||||||||||||
4,502,821 |
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Balance, start of the year
|
$ | - | $ | - | ||||
Value attributed to US$ common share purchase warrants issued
|
||||||||
in 2012 Financings (see note 7(ii))
|
409,143 | - | ||||||
Change in fair value during the year
|
(168,143 | ) | - | |||||
$ | 241,000 | $ | - |
2012
|
2011
|
|||||||
Expected dividends paid per common share
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
||||||
Expected life in years
|
1 | 0.8 | ||||||
Expected volatility in the price of common shares
|
66 | % | 94 | % | ||||
Risk free interest rate
|
1.0 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||
Weighted average fair market value per warrant issued
|
$ | US 0.05 | $ | 0.14 |
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes
|
$ | 2,489,149 | $ | (3,584,601 | ) | $ | (4,452,428 | ) | ||||
Canadian statutory income tax rate
|
25.0 | % | 26.5 | % | 28.0 | % | ||||||
Income tax (recovery) at statutory income tax rate
|
622,287 | (949,919 | ) | (1,246,680 | ) | |||||||
Effect of non- deductible expenses and other items:
|
||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other expenses
|
12,149 | 100,736 | 161,788 | |||||||||
Non-capital losses expiring in the year
|
- | 373,240 | 205,156 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange adjustment
|
42,389 | (42,965 | ) | 103,007 | ||||||||
Tax rate reduction
|
- | 48,066 | 842,818 | |||||||||
Other
|
(2,148 | ) | (2,715 | ) | 12,226 | |||||||
674,677 | (473,557 | ) | 78,315 | |||||||||
Change in valuation allowance
|
(674,677 | ) | 473,557 | (78,315 | ) | |||||||
Income taxes paid in foreign jurisdictions
|
426,421 | - | - | |||||||||
Current income tax expense
|
$ | 426,421 | $ | - | $ | - |
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Net operating losses carried forward:
|
||||||||||||
USA (expiration dates 2020 to 2026)
|
$ | 1,908,285 | $ | 2,014,577 | $ | 1,970,205 | ||||||
Canada (expiration dates 2014 to 2031)
|
3,269,542 | 3,805,274 | 3,410,240 | |||||||||
Timing differences on property and equipment and financing costs
|
2,132,545 | 2,177,153 | 2,051,012 | |||||||||
7,310,372 | 7,997,004 | 7,431,457 | ||||||||||
Less valuation allowance
|
(7,310,372 | ) | (7,997,004 | ) | (7,431,457 | ) | ||||||
- | - | - |
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Accounts receivable
|
(350,077 | ) | (119,160 | ) | 1,139,309 | |||||||
Work-in-progress
|
135,747 | (1,112,210 | ) | - | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses
|
(97,544 | ) | 2,836 | 7,347 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
275,799 | 771,337 | (133,148 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred revenue
|
(1,459,393 | ) | 1,776,496 | - | ||||||||
(1,495,468 | ) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 | |||||||||
Portion attributable to:
|
||||||||||||
Operating activities
|
(1,495,468 | ) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 | ||||||||
Financing activities
|
- | - | - | |||||||||
Investing activities
|
- | - | - | |||||||||
(1,495,468 | ) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 |
15. Commitments and contingencies
|
|||||
NXT has an operating lease commitment on its Calgary office space for a term through April 30, 2015 at a minimum monthly lease payment of $26,138 (including estimated operating costs). As at December 31, 2012, the estimated remaining minimum annual lease commitment is as follows:
|
for the
|
total minimum
|
|||||
year ending
|
lease
|
|||||
December 31
|
payments
|
|||||
2013
|
$ | 304,382 | ||||
2014
|
304,382 | |||||
2015
|
101,461 | |||||
710,225 | ||||||
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
||||||||||
Colombia
|
$ | 2,858,221 | $ | - | $ | 443,011 | ||||||
Argentina
|
1,675,820 | - | - | |||||||||
Mexico
|
5,727,392 | - | - | |||||||||
Guatemala
|
676,142 | - | - | |||||||||
United States of America
|
- | 144,650 | - | |||||||||
10,937,575 | 144,650 | 443,011 |
date
|
exercise
|
# of stock
|
||||||||
issued
|
price
|
options
|
||||||||
NXT Director
|
January 25, 2013
|
$ | 0.76 | 150,000 | ||||||
NXT Officer
|
April 1, 2013
|
$ | 0.66 | 150,000 | ||||||
300,000 |
Commitments and contingencies (Tables)
|
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commitments And Contingencies Tables | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated remaining minimum annual lease commitment |
|
Stock options (Details 2) (CAD)
|
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
Stock Options Details 2 | |||
Stock based compensation expense for the period | 265,000 | 344,800 | 577,815 |
Expected dividends paid per common share | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Expected life in years | 4 years | 2 years 9 months 18 days | 1 year 9 months 18 days |
Expected volatility in the price of common shares | 79.00% | 111.00% | 92.00% |
Risk free interest rate | 1.00% | 1.50% | 1.50% |
Weighted average fair market value per share at grant date | 0.52 | 0.57 | 0.27 |
Intrinsic (or "in-the-money") value per share of options exercised | 0.13 | 0.22 | 0.53 |
Common shares (Details 1) (CAD)
|
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
|
Proceeds (in US dollars) | 3,193,505 |
Number of common shares issued | 4,258,005 |
Number of Warrants issued | 4,258,005 |
Number of finder's warrants issued | 244,816 |
Total number of warrants issued | 4,502,821 |
March 2012
|
|
Proceeds (in US dollars) | 2,216,005 |
Number of common shares issued | 2,954,672 |
Number of Warrants issued | 2,954,672 |
Number of finder's warrants issued | 162,416 |
Total number of warrants issued | 3,117,088 |
May 04, 2012
|
|
Proceeds (in US dollars) | 977,500 |
Number of common shares issued | 1,303,333 |
Number of Warrants issued | 1,303,333 |
Number of finder's warrants issued | 82,400 |
Total number of warrants issued | 1,385,733 |
Stock options (Details Narrative) (CAD)
|
12 Months Ended | |
---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
|
Stock Options Details Narrative | ||
Number of Options Forfieted | 200,000 | |
Number of Options Expired | 200,000 | |
Unamortized stock based compensation expense | 338,000 | 967,000 |
Asset retirement obligation (Details) (CAD)
|
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
Asset Retirement Obligation Details | |||
Asset retirement obligation, beginning of the year | 57,953 | 54,444 | 51,254 |
Accretion expense | 3,860 | 3,509 | 4,092 |
Costs incurred | (902) | ||
Asset retirement obligation, end of the year | 61,813 | 57,953 | 54,444 |
Income (loss) per share (Tables)
|
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Loss Per Share Tables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) per share |
|
Financial instruments (Details) (CAD)
|
12 Months Ended | |
---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
|
Financial Instruments Details | ||
Balance, start of the year fair value of derivative instruments | ||
Value attributed to US$ common share purchase warrants issued in 2012 Financings | 409,143 | |
Change in fair value during the year | (168,143) | |
Net fair value of derivative instruments | 241,000 |
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Significant Accounting Policies Policies | |||||||||
Basis of presentation | These consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been prepared by management in accordance with US GAAP and by applying the same accounting policies and methods as used in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. |
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Consolidation | These consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions among NXT and its subsidiaries have been eliminated and are therefore not reflected in these consolidated financial statements. |
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Estimates and Assumptions | The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of these consolidated financial statements as well as revenues and expenses recorded during the reporting periods.
Estimates made relate to allowances for doubtful accounts, estimated useful lives of assets, provisions for contingent liabilities, measurement of stock-based compensation expense, valuation of deferred tax assets, estimates for asset retirement obligations, the valuation of derivative and equity instruments and the preferred shares (which may include estimates of the likelihood that the conversion feature of the preferred shares will be achieved in future). The estimates and assumptions used are based upon management's best estimate. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period when determined. Actual results may differ from those estimates. |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and short term securities with an original maturity less than 90 days from the date of acquisition. |
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Short Term Investments | Short term investments are recorded at fair value, and include short term securities, held by a major Canadian chartered bank, with original maturity dates greater than 90 days but less than one year. |
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Revenue Recognition | Revenue from SFD® survey contracts (net of any related foreign sales tax) is recognized on a completed contract basis. Amounts received or invoiced in advance of completion of the contract is reflected as deferred revenue and classified as a current liability. All related survey expenditures and obligations related to uncompleted contracts are reflected as work-in-progress and classified as current assets. Upon completion of the related contract, unearned revenue and the related work-in-progress are reflected in the statement of income (loss) as either revenue or survey cost. Sales commissions incurred on the contracts are included in survey costs. Survey cost does not include any amortization or depreciation of property and equipment. |
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Derivative Instruments | Derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value with realized and unrealized gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Statement of income (loss). Any outstanding derivatives are required to be included into one of three categories based on a fair value hierarchy (which in 2012 was Level III - based on valuation techniques that refer to both observable and unobservable market data). NXT does not apply hedge accounting to any of its derivatives. |
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Property and Equipment | Property and equipment is recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, which is recorded over the estimated service lives of the assets using the following annual rates and methods:
Management periodically reviews the carrying values of property and equipment to ensure that any impairment in value is recognized and reflected in results of operations. |
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Research and Development Expenditures | Research and development ("R&D") expenditures incurred to develop, improve and test the SFD® survey system and related components are expensed as incurred. Any intellectual property that is acquired for the purpose of enhancing research and development projects, if there is no alternative use for the intellectual property, is expensed in the period acquired. No significant R&D was incurred in the years ended 2010, 2011 and 2012. |
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Foreign Currency Translation | The Company's functional currency is the Canadian dollar. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into Canadian dollars at the average exchange rate for the applicable period. Shareholders' equity accounts are translated into Canadian dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities are translated into Canadian dollars at the exchange rate in affect at the end of the applicable period. Non monetary assets and liabilities (including work-in-progress and deferred revenue balances) are recorded at the relevant exchange rates for the period in which the balances arose. Any related foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from these translations are included in the determination of net income (loss) for the year.
Prior to 2010, NXT had active subsidiaries which had the US dollar as their functional currency. Foreign currency translation adjustments related to the consolidation of these subsidiaries is the only component of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included in shareholders' equity. |
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Income Taxes | NXT follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. This method recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences in reported amounts for financial statement and income tax purposes, at the income tax rates expected to apply in the future periods when the temporary differences are expected to be reversed or realized. The effect of a change in income tax rates on deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities is recognized in income in the period when the tax rate change is enacted. Valuation allowances are provided when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. |
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Stock based compensation expense | NXT follows the fair value method of accounting for stock options that are granted to acquire common shares under NXT's stock option plan. Under this method, an estimate of the fair value of the cost of stock options that are granted to employees, directors and consultants is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and charged to income over the future vesting period of the options, with a corresponding increase recorded in contributed capital. Upon exercise of the stock options, the consideration received by NXT, and the related amount which was previously recorded in contributed capital, is recognized as an increase in the recorded value of common shares of the Company.
Stock-based compensation related to options granted to non-employees is periodically re-measured until the earlier of the completion of their service period or when the vesting period is completed. Changes to the re-measured compensation are recognized in the period of change and amortized over the remaining life of the vesting period in the same manner as the original option. |
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Income (loss) per share | Basic income (loss) per share amounts are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares that are outstanding for the fiscal period. Shares issued during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that the shares were outstanding. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed using the treasury stock method, whereby the weighted average number of shares outstanding is increased to include any additional shares that would be issued from the assumed exercise of stock options and common share purchase warrants. The incremental number of shares added under the treasury stock method assumes that outstanding stock options and warrants that are exercisable at exercise prices below the Company's average market price (or in-the-money) for the applicable fiscal period are exercised and then that number of incremental shares is reduced by the number of shares that could have been repurchased by the Company from the issuance proceeds, using the average market price of the Companys shares for the applicable fiscal period.
No addition to the basic number of shares is made when calculating the diluted number of shares if the diluted per share amounts become anti-dilutive (such as occurs in the case of a net loss for the period). |
Preferred shares (Details Narrative) (USD $)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Preferred Shares Details Narrative | ||
Cumulative revenue (in US dollars) | $ 23,100,000 | $ 12,200,000 |
Restricted cash (Details) (CAD)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Restricted Cash Details | ||
Total restricted cash | 433,369 | 74,135 |
Less current portion, amounts scheduled to be released to NXT within 12 months | (433,369) | |
Restricted cash non current portion | 74,135 |
Income tax expense (Tables)
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Income Tax Expense Tables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | Income tax expense is different from the expected amount that would be computed by applying the statutory Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates to NXT's income (loss) before income taxes as follows:
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Unrecorded deferred income tax assets | The Company has significant unrecorded deferred income tax assets for which a full valuation allowance has been provided due to uncertainty regarding their potential utilization, as follows:
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Other related party transactions (Details Narrative) (CAD)
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12 Months Ended | ||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Other Related Party Transactions Details Narrative | |||
Legal fees and share issuance costs | 80,550 | 52,234 | 15,219 |
Accounts payable from legal fees and share issuance costs | 11,112 | 8,719 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 63,820 | 4,681 | |
SFD survey contract (in US dollars) | 150,000 |
Income tax expense (Details Narrative)
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12 Months Ended | ||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Canada
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Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates | expiration dates 2014 to 2031 | expiration dates 2014 to 2031 | expiration dates 2014 to 2031 |
US
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Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates | expiration dates 2020 to 2026 | expiration dates 2020 to 2026 | expiration dates 2020 to 2026 |
Restricted cash
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12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Restricted Cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | Restricted cash consists of US dollar money market securities (plus accrued interest) which have been deposited by NXT with financial institutions as security in order for these institutions to issue bank letters of credit for the benefit of third party clients. These letters of credit include contractual performance bonds related to conducting certain SFD® surveys.
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Changes in non-cash working capital (Details) (CAD)
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12 Months Ended | ||
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Changes In Non-Cash Working Capital Details | |||
Accounts receivable | (350,077) | (119,160) | 1,139,309 |
Work-in-progress | 135,747 | (1,112,210) | |
Prepaid expenses | (97,544) | 2,836 | 7,347 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 275,799 | 771,337 | (133,148) |
Deferred revenue | (1,459,393) | 1,776,496 | |
Portion attributable to: | |||
Operating activities | (1,495,468) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 |
Financing activities | |||
Investing activities | |||
Change in non-cash working capital | (1,495,468) | 1,319,299 | 1,013,508 |