Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-192251
This prospectus supplement relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 but is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
We are offering shares of our common stock.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol EOX. The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on February 4, 2015 was $1.04 per share.
We have granted the underwriter an option to purchase up to additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions.
Investing in our common stock involves risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement.
Price to Public |
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions |
Proceeds to Emerald Oil, Inc. |
||||||||||
Per Share | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ |
Delivery of the shares of common stock is expected to be made on or about February , 2015.
White Deer Energy L.P., or White Deer, has indicated an interest in purchasing, through certain of its affiliates, up to $15,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. Because this indication of interest is not a binding agreement or commitment to purchase, White Deer may elect to purchase fewer shares than they have indicated an interest in purchasing or may elect not to purchase shares in this offering. In addition, the underwriters may elect not to sell to White Deer some or all of the shares that White Deer has indicated an interest in purchasing. The underwriters will receive the same discounts and commissions from any shares of our common stock so sold as they will from any other shares of our common stock sold to the public in this offering.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus supplement is , 2015.
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This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, provides more general information regarding us and our common stock, some of which may not apply to this offering. The accompanying prospectus was filed as part of our registration statement on Form S-3 (registration no. 333-192251) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) which was declared effective on December 27, 2013, as part of a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer to sell common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, and units, from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $500,000,000. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus supplement, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement, the information incorporated by reference, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you before buying any of the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may supplement, update, or change information contained in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in any written communication from us or the underwriter, including any free writing prospectus. We and the underwriter have not authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. We and the underwriter are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer to sell is not permitted. You should not assume that the information provided by this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates.
Before you invest in our common stock, you should carefully read the registration statement described in the accompanying prospectus (including the exhibits thereto) of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part, as well as this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The incorporated documents are described in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus under Information Incorporated by Reference.
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This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus includes, and the documents we incorporate by reference herein and therein contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as believe, expect, may, should, seek, plan, project, forecast, intend, or anticipate or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of vision, strategy, or outlook, including statements related to our beliefs and intentions with respect to our growth strategy, including our expectations regarding our operational, exploration and development plans; our expectations regarding the nature and amount of our reserves, our production, cash flows and recoveries; the amount we may invest, the location, and the scale of the drilling projects in which we intend to participate; our beliefs with respect to the potential value of drilling projects; our beliefs with regard to the impact of environmental and other regulations on our business; our beliefs with respect to the strengths of our business model; our assumptions, beliefs, and expectations with respect to future market conditions; our plans for future capital expenditures; and our capital needs, the adequacy of our capital resources, and potential sources of capital. You are cautioned that our business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and, consequently, our actual results may differ materially from those projected by any forward-looking statements. You should consider carefully the risks discussed under the Risk Factors section of this prospectus supplement, as well as those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, and the other disclosures contained or incorporated by reference herein and therein, which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following factors:
| volatility in commodity prices for oil and natural gas; |
| our ability to successfully acquire additional properties, to discover reserves, to participate in exploration opportunities, and to identify and enter into commercial arrangements with customers; |
| our ability to diversify our operations in terms of both the nature and geographic scope of our business; |
| our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, borrowings, or other sources to enable us to fully develop our undeveloped acreage positions; |
| competition, including competition for acreage in resource play areas; |
| our ability to retain key members of management; |
| our ability to replace oil and natural gas reserves; |
| drilling and operating risks; |
| exploration and development risks; |
| the possibility that our industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions (including any additional taxes and changes in environmental regulation); |
| the presence or recoverability of estimated oil and natural gas reserves and the actual future production rates and associated costs; |
| ability to obtain permits and government approvals; |
| the timing of and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; |
| substantial impairment write-downs; |
| environmental risks; |
| effects of governmental regulation; |
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| the possibility that general economic conditions, whether internationally, nationally, or in the regional and local market areas in which we do business, may be less favorable than expected, including the possibility that the economic conditions in the United States will worsen and that capital markets are disrupted, which could adversely affect demand for oil and natural gas and make it difficult to access financial markets; |
| the amount of our indebtedness and ability to maintain compliance with debt covenants; |
| effect of seasonal weather conditions and wildlife restrictions on our operations; |
| effect of local and regional factors on oil and natural gas prices; |
| our inability to control operations on properties we do not operate; and |
| other economic, competitive, governmental, legislative, regulatory, geopolitical, and technological factors that may negatively impact our business, operations, or pricing. |
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.
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This summary provides a brief overview of information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Because it is abbreviated, this summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus distributed by us before making an investment decision, including the information presented under the headings Risk Factors and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this prospectus supplement and the financial statements and other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In this prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms we, us, our, and the company refer to Emerald Oil, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
We are a Denver-based independent exploration and production company that is focused on acquiring acreage and developing wells in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana. We believe the location, size and concentration of our acreage in our core project areas create an opportunity for us to achieve cost, recovery and production efficiencies through the large-scale development of our project inventory.
As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 122,000 net acres in the Williston Basin. We operate approximately 98,000 net acres, or 80% of our total net acreage. We have identified approximately 890 net potential drilling locations on this acreage prospective for oil in the Bakken, Three Forks and Pronghorn Sand formations, based on industry accepted well down-spacing assumptions.
Our acreage holdings are comprised of the operating areas below:
| 72,000 net acres in the Low Rider area of McKenzie County, North Dakota; |
| 8,000 net acres in the Richland area of Richland County, Montana; |
| 6,000 net acres in the Pronghorn Sand formation in Stark and Billings Counties, North Dakota in the core of the Pronghorn field; and |
| 36,000 net acres in the Lewis & Clark area of McKenzie County, North Dakota south of the Low Rider area. |
Our goal is to increase stockholder value by growing production, cash flows, estimated proved reserves and our leasehold position to generate attractive rates of return on capital. Key elements of our business strategy include:
| Focus on Developing Our Williston Basin Leasehold Position. We intend to continue developing our acreage position in the Williston Basin in order to maximize the value of our resource potential. Due to the results from our operated producing wells to date and current commodity prices, we intend to concentrate substantially all of our capital expenditures in the Williston Basin. As a result of the recent decrease in commodity prices, we intend to operate a variable one-rig drilling program during 2015, which rig will be held on standby while it is not drilling. We believe that our experience in the application of advanced drilling and completion techniques along with modern fracture stimulation design provide us with a competitive advantage in developing our approximate 122,000 net acres prospective in the Bakken, Three Forks and Pronghorn Sand formations. |
| Retain Operational Control. In our principal development targets, we seek to maintain operational control of our development and drilling activities. As operator of approximately 80% of our net acreage, we retain more control over the timing, selection and process of drilling prospects and completion design, which enhances our ability to maximize our return on invested capital and gives us greater control over the timing, allocation and amounts of our capital expenditures. Retaining operational control also gives us the ability to control the financing, construction and operation of infrastructure related to our production operations. |
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| Adopt and Employ Leading Drilling and Completion Techniques. Our management team is focused on enhancing our drilling and completion techniques to maximize overall well economics. We continuously evaluate our internal drilling and completion results and monitor the results of other operators to improve our operating practices. We believe this continued evolution will continue to enhance our initial production rates, ultimate recovery factors and rates of return on invested capital. |
| Evaluate and Pursue Strategic Acquisitions in the Williston Basin. We intend to continue to evaluate both asset and corporate acquisition opportunities and remain focused on acquiring additional acreage and producing assets in the Williston Basin in areas near our core acreage. By focusing on the Williston Basin, we intend to maximize the efficiency of our drilling and exploration activities, and further leverage our knowledge and experience. Such focus provides us with the opportunity to capture economies of scale, including the ability to drill multiple wells from a single drilling pad, thereby reducing the time and cost of rig mobilization. |
| Maintain Financial Liquidity and Capacity to Capitalize on Growth Opportunities. We are committed to maintaining a conservative financial strategy by managing our liquidity position and leverage levels. As of December 31, 2014, we had $75.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $187.0 million of liquidity available, including approximately $12.0 million in unrestricted cash and short-term investments and $175.0 million available under our revolving credit facility. We expect that our liquidity position, along with internally generated cash flows, will provide financial flexibility as we continue to develop our acreage position in the Williston Basin. |
We believe we possess a range of competitive strengths, including:
| Substantial Leasehold Position with Multi-Year Inventory of Identified Drilling Locations in the Williston Basin, Targeting the Bakken, Three Forks and Pronghorn Sand Formations. We have assembled approximately 122,000 net acres in the oil-producing core of the Williston Basin. We have identified an inventory of approximately 890 net potential drilling locations across our acreage position. We expect that the scale and concentration of our acreage will enable us to lower our drilling and completion costs and leverage operational efficiencies. |
| Oil-Weighted Reserves. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 86% of our 26.3 MMBoe net proved reserves were comprised of oil, with a vast majority of all of our natural gas reserves coming from associated natural gas. |
| High Degree of Operational Control. We are the operator of approximately 80% of our Williston Basin acreage. This operating control allows us to better execute on our strategies of enhancing returns through operational and cost efficiencies and increasing ultimate hydrocarbon recovery by seeking to continually improve our drilling techniques, completion methodologies and reservoir evaluation processes. Additionally, as the operator of a significant majority of our acreage, we retain the ability to adjust our capital expenditure program based on commodity price outlooks. This operating control also enables us to obtain data needed for efficient exploration of horizontal prospects. |
| Experienced Management Team with Proven Operational, Technical and Financial Expertise. Our management team has extensive expertise in all areas of the oil and gas industry. Our operational and technical teams have an average of more than 20 years of industry experience in multiple North American resource plays. We believe our management and technical team is one of our principal competitive strengths due to our teams proven track record in the identification, acquisition and execution of resource conversion opportunities. In addition, our technical team possesses substantial expertise in horizontal drilling techniques and acquiring and managing large development programs in the Williston Basin. |
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| Our Size Allows Us to Evaluate a Broader Range of Acquisitions. Our size provides us with the opportunity to acquire smaller acreage blocks that may be less attractive to larger operators in the Williston Basin. We believe that our acquisition of smaller acreage blocks around our core operating areas should continue to facilitate our objective of expanding our acreage position in our core areas of the Williston Basin. |
Our Williston Basin acreage is located primarily in McKenzie, Billings and Stark Counties of North Dakota and Richland County of Montana. Our primary geologic target is the Bakken Pool where our primary objective is the dolomitic, sandy interval between the two Bakken Shales at an approximate vertical depth of 10,600 11,300 feet and the Three Forks that is present immediately below the lower Bakken Shale. We also target the Pronghorn Sand formation, located primarily in Billings and Stark Counties of North Dakota and run along the Bakken shale pinch-out in the Southern Williston Basin. Our operations are in an area that we believe has high reservoir pressure and a high degree of thermal maturity, which is prospective for both the Middle Bakken and multiple benches within the Three Forks.
Our operations are in an area that we believe has higher reservoir pressure and a high degree of thermal maturity, which is prospective for both the Middle Bakken and multiple benches within the Three Forks. Based on recent drilling results, along with internal and third party reserve engineering analysis, we expect wells in this area to have economic ultimate recoveries (EURs) that range from approximately 450 to over 600 MBoe.
In December 2014, we decided to reduce our 2015 development program given the lower commodity price environment. We released two of our three operated rigs in December 2014. Our 2015 production and capital expenditure estimates are now based upon a variable one-rig drilling program. We plan to drill and complete five wells over the next 12 months. Four of these wells are expected to be spud before the end of the first quarter of 2015, and the fifth well will be spud in the second half of 2015. As we have a backlog of permits in hand, additional wells will be added to our 2015 development schedule if commodity prices improve. The one-rig will be held on standby during 2015 while it is not drilling. In Low Rider, we have a current inventory of nine wells remaining to be completed over the remainder of 2015.
Our capital expenditures budget for 2015 is $75.0 million, of which $72.0 million is expected to fund the drilling of 7.5 net wells operating one drilling rig, and $3.0 million to fund leasehold acquisitions, all in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana. We expect to fund our 2015 capital program through existing cash on hand, our expected cash flows from operations, and borrowing capacity expected to be available under our revolving credit facility.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1600 Broadway, Suite 1360, Denver, Colorado 80202, our telephone number at these offices is (303) 595-5600 and our website is www.emeraldoil.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not incorporated by reference into or otherwise a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
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Common stock offered by us |
shares, or shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full. |
Issue price |
$ per share |
Common stock outstanding immediately after this offering |
shares, or shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full. |
Use of proceeds |
We estimate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $23.6 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, or approximately $27.2 million if the underwriters option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full. |
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and for general corporate purposes. |
Dividend policy |
We have not declared or paid any cash or other dividends on our common stock, and do not expect to declare or pay any cash or other dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. |
Risk factors |
You should consider carefully the risks discussed under the Risk Factors beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, as well as those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, and the other disclosures contained or incorporated by reference herein and therein. |
NYSE MKT symbol |
EOX |
White Deer has indicated an interest in purchasing, through certain of its affiliates, up to $15,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. Because this indication of interest is not a binding agreement or commitment to purchase, White Deer may elect to purchase fewer shares than they have indicated an interest in purchasing or may elect not to purchase shares in this offering. In addition, the underwriters may elect not to sell to White Deer some or all of the shares that White Deer has indicated an interest in purchasing. The underwriters will receive the same discounts and commissions from any shares of our common stock so sold as they will from any other shares of our common stock sold to the public in this offering.
The number of shares to be outstanding after this offering is based on 80,179,993 shares of our common stock outstanding as of February 4, 2015 and excludes 8,036,131 shares that may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock units, 17,264,957 shares that may be issued upon the conversion of our 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes and 1,651,579 shares available for issuance under our 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. The exercise price of the warrant to purchase 5,114,633 shares of our common stock held by White Deer is subject to adjustment in the event we issue common stock at a price lower than the exercise price of the warrant, which is currently $3.02 per share. Assuming an offering price of $1.04 per share, which is the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on February 4, 2015, the exercise price of the warrant would be reduced to $2.03 per share as a result of this offering, regardless of whether White Deer participates in this offering.
Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriter will not exercise its option to purchase additional shares of our common stock.
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An investment in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and the risk factors contained in the accompanying prospectus and all other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference in evaluating our business and prospects. The risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, other than those we describe in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, that are not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial, may also impair our business operations. If any of those risks occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed.
Oil and natural gas are commodities, the prices of which are determined based on world demand, supply and other factors, all of which are beyond our control. These factors include:
| the domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas; |
| the current level of prices and expectations about future prices of oil and natural gas; |
| the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production; |
| the cost of exploring for, developing, producing and delivering oil and natural gas; |
| the price of foreign oil and natural gas imports; |
| political and economic conditions in oil producing regions, including the Middle East, Africa, South America and Russia; |
| the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls; |
| speculative trading in oil and natural gas derivative contracts; |
| the level of consumer product demand; |
| weather conditions and other natural disasters; |
| risks associated with operating drilling rigs; |
| technological advances affecting energy consumption; |
| domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes; |
| the continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other action, including U.S. military operations in the Middle East; |
| the availability, proximity and capacity of oil and natural gas transportation, processing, storage and refining facilities; |
| the price and availability of alternative fuels; and |
| overall domestic and global economic conditions. |
Oil prices and natural gas prices do not necessarily fluctuate in direct relation to each other. Because approximately 86% of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2014 were oil, our financial results are more sensitive to movements in oil prices. The price of oil has been extremely volatile and we expect this volatility to continue. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the daily NYMEX WTI oil spot price ranged from a high of $107.26 per Bbl to a low of $53.27 per Bbl and the NYMEX natural gas Henry Hub spot price ranged from a high of $6.15 per MMBtu to a low of $2.89 per MMBtu.
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Further, world prices for oil and natural gas have fluctuated widely in recent years, and we expect that prices will fluctuate in the future. Price fluctuations will have a significant impact upon our revenue, the return from our reserves and on our financial condition generally. Price fluctuations for oil and natural gas commodities may also impact the investment market for companies engaged in the oil and natural gas industry. Prices may not remain at current levels. Decreases in the prices of oil and natural gas may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, the future results of our operations and quantities of reserves recoverable on an economic basis. A significant decrease in oil and natural gas prices could also adversely impact our ability to raise additional capital to pursue future drilling activities.
Lower oil and natural gas prices have reduced and may further reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically and may cause the value of our proved reserves at future reporting dates to decline. Specifically, a decline in the value of our reserves may reduce the borrowing base available to us under our senior secured revolving credit facility, and, should the value of our reserves decline below our recorded costs as measured by the ceiling test, we would be required to record a non-cash impairment charge in our financial statements. Additionally, an extended decline in commodity process could lead us to reduce our capital expenditure budget and scale back our exploration and development activities.
As of December 31, 2014, we had commodity price derivative agreements on approximately 2,077 Bbls/d of oil hedged with fixed price swaps during the first quarter of 2015. These hedges may be inadequate to protect us from continuing and prolonged declines in the price of oil and natural gas. To the extent that the price of oil and natural gas remains at current levels or declines further, we will not be able to hedge future production at the same level as our current hedges and our results of operations and financial condition would be negatively impacted.
We use the full cost method of accounting to account for our oil and natural gas operations. Accordingly, we capitalize the cost to acquire, explore for and develop oil and natural gas properties. Under full cost accounting rules, the net capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties may not exceed a full cost ceiling which is based upon the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, including the effect of hedges in place, discounted at 10%, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties. If at the end of any fiscal period we determine that the net capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties exceed the full cost ceiling, we must charge the amount of the excess to earnings in the period then ended. This is called a ceiling test write-down. This charge does not impact cash flow from operating activities, but does reduce our net income and shareholders equity.
As a result of currently prevailing low commodity prices, we anticipate that our 2014 fourth quarter and year end financial reporting will reflect a non-cash impairment primarily as a result of previously announced acquisitions made during 2014. The anticipated impairment charge will affect our reported net income but will not result in any reduction to our cash flow. We may recognize write-downs in the current year and in future years if commodity prices decline or if we experience substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves.
Generally, oil produced from the Bakken formation in North Dakota is high quality (characterized by an American Petroleum Institute gravity, or API gravity, between 36 to 44 degrees, which is comparable to West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, oil). However, due to takeaway constraints, oil prices in the Williston Basin ranged from $6.00 to $17.00 less per Bbl than prices for other areas in the United States during 2014. This discount, or differential, may widen in the future, which would reduce the price we would receive for our production.
Drilling and completion costs for the wells we drill in the Williston Basin are comparable to other areas where there is no price differential. As a result of this reverse leverage effect, a significant, prolonged
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downturn in oil prices on a national basis could result in a ceiling limitation write-down of the oil and natural gas properties we hold. Such a price downturn also could reduce cash flow from our Williston Basin properties and adversely impact our ability to participate fully in other drilling. Our production in other areas could also be affected by adverse changes in differentials. In addition, changes in differentials could make it more difficult for us to effectively hedge our exposure to changes in commodity prices.
We may not be able to drill on a substantial portion of our acreage for various reasons. We may not generate or be able to raise sufficient capital to do so. Future deterioration in commodities pricing may also make drilling some acreage uneconomic. Our actual drilling activities and future drilling budget will depend on drilling results, oil and natural gas prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and equipment, lease expirations, gathering system and pipeline transportation constraints, regulatory approvals and other factors. In addition, any drilling activities we are able to conduct may not be successful or add additional proved reserves to our overall proved reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on our future business, financial condition and results of operations.
A large portion of our acreage is not currently held by production. Unless production in paying quantities is established on units containing these leases during their terms, these leases will expire. If our leases expire, we will lose our right to develop the related properties. Our drilling plans for these areas are subject to change based upon various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including drilling results, oil and natural gas prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and equipment, gathering system and pipeline transportation constraints, and regulatory approvals. Further, some of our acreage is located in sections where we do not hold the majority of the acreage and therefore it is likely that we will not be named operator of these sections. On our acreage that we do not operate, we have less control over the timing of drilling and there is therefore additional risk of expirations occurring in those sections.
If the amount of oil or natural gas being produced by us and others exceeds the capacity of the various transportation pipelines and gathering systems currently available in our operating areas, it will be necessary for new transportation pipelines and gathering systems to be built. In the case of oil and condensate, it may be necessary for us to rely more heavily on trucks to transport our production, which is more expensive and less efficient than transportation via pipeline. Currently, we anticipate that additional pipeline capacity will be required in the Williston Basin to transport oil and condensate production, which increased substantially during 2014 and is expected to continue to increase. The construction of new pipelines and gathering systems is capital intensive and construction may be postponed, interrupted or cancelled in response to changing economic conditions and the availability and cost of capital. In addition, capital constraints could limit our ability to build gathering systems to transport our production to transportation pipelines. In such event, costs to transport our production may increase materially or we might have to shut in our wells awaiting a pipeline connection or capacity and/or sell our production at much lower prices than market or than we currently project, which would adversely affect our results of operations. A portion of our production may also be interrupted, or shut in, from time to time for numerous other reasons, including as a result of weather conditions, accidents, loss of pipeline or gathering system access, field labor issues or strikes, or we might voluntarily curtail production in response to market conditions.
We have been dependent on debt and equity financing to fund our cash needs that are not funded from operations or the sale of assets, and we will continue to incur additional indebtedness to fund our operations. Low commodity prices, production problems, disappointing drilling results and other factors beyond our
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control could reduce our funds from operations and may restrict our ability to obtain additional financing or to pay interest and principal on our debt obligations. Furthermore, we have incurred losses in the past that may affect our ability to obtain financing. Quantifying or predicting the likelihood of any or all of these occurring is difficult in the current domestic and world economy. For these reasons, financing may not be available to us in the future on acceptable terms or at all. In the event additional capital is required but not available on acceptable terms, we would curtail our acquisition, drilling, development and other activities or could be forced to sell some of our assets on an untimely or unfavorable basis.
Our revolving credit facility limits our borrowings to the lesser of the borrowing base and the total commitments. Our borrowing base was $250.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Our borrowing base is determined semi-annually, and may also be redetermined at the election of us or the banks between the scheduled redeterminations. Lower oil and natural gas prices may result in a reduction in our borrowing base at the next redetermination, which is scheduled to occur in April 2015. A reduction in our borrowing base could require us to repay any indebtedness in excess of the borrowing base. Additionally, our revolving credit facility contains covenants limiting our ability to incur additional indebtedness and requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios.
Future acquisitions and future exploration, development, production and marketing activities, as well as our administrative requirements (such as salaries, insurance expenses and general overhead expenses, as well as legal compliance costs and accounting expenses) will require a substantial amount of capital and cash flow.
We may pursue sources of additional capital through various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means. We may not be successful in identifying suitable financing transactions in the time period required or at all, and we may not obtain the capital we require by other means. If we do not succeed in raising additional capital, our resources may not be sufficient to fund our operations in the future.
Any additional capital raised through the sale of equity will dilute the ownership percentage of our shareholders. Raising any such capital could also result in a decrease in the fair market value of our equity securities because our assets would be owned by a larger pool of outstanding equity. The terms of securities we issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable to our new investors, and may include preferences, superior voting rights and the issuance of other derivative securities. In addition, we have granted and will continue to grant equity incentive awards under our equity incentive plans, which may have a further dilutive effect.
Our ability to obtain financing, if and when necessary, may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets (both generally and in the oil and natural gas industry in particular), our limited operating history, the location of our oil and natural gas properties and prices of oil and natural gas on the commodities markets (which will impact the amount of asset-based financing available to us) and the departure of key employees. Further, if oil or natural gas prices decline, our revenues will likely decrease and such decreased revenues may increase our requirements for capital. If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our revenues from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital needs (even to the extent that we reduce our operations), we may be required to cease our operations, divest our assets at unattractive prices or obtain financing on unattractive terms.
We may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, which may adversely impact our financial condition.
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Our credit facility contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict or limit our ability to:
| pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock; |
| make certain loans and investments; |
| enter into certain transactions with affiliates; |
| create or assume certain liens on our assets; |
| merge or to enter into other business combination transactions; |
| enter into transactions that would result in a change of control of us; or |
| engage in certain other corporate activities. |
Also, our credit facility requires us to maintain compliance with specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests. Our ability to comply with these ratios and financial condition tests may be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet these ratios and financial condition tests. These financial ratio restrictions and financial condition tests could limit our ability to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general or otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations that the restrictive covenants under our bank credit facility impose on us.
A breach of any of these covenants or our inability to comply with the required financial ratios or financial condition tests could result in a default under our credit facility. A default, if not cured or waived, could result in all indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility becoming immediately due and payable. If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders could accelerate the maturity of the debt or proceed against any collateral granted to them to secure such defaulted debt.
As of February 4, 2014, White Deer beneficially owns approximately 16.9% of our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis, consisting of 8,528,452 shares of our common stock, a warrant to purchase 5,114,633 shares of our common stock and convertible notes that are presently convertible into 472,706 shares of our common stock. White Deer has also indicated an interest in purchasing, through certain of its affiliates, up to $15,000,000 of shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price. White Deer owns 5,114,633 shares of our Series B Voting Preferred Stock, which have one vote per share and vote together with shares of our common stock. In addition, Ben A. Guill, a principal of White Deer is a member of our board of directors. As a result, White Deer is able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, the adoption or amendment of provisions in our charter and bylaws, the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. The exercise price of the warrant to purchase 5,114,633 shares of our common stock held by White Deer is subject to adjustment in the event we issue common stock at a price lower than the exercise price of the warrant, which is currently $3.02 per share. Assuming an offering price of $1.04 per share, which is the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on February 4, 2015, the exercise price of the warrant would be reduced to $2.03 per share as a result of this offering, regardless of whether White Deer participates in this
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offering. The interests of White Deer with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us, such as future acquisitions, financings and other corporate opportunities, may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders.
Although our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT, we cannot assure you that an active public market will continue for our common stock. If an active public market for our common stock does not continue, the trading price and liquidity of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected. If there is a thin trading market or float for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the sales price of our stock ranged from a low of $0.83 per share (on December 16, 2014) to a high of $8.55 per share (on August 29, 2014). Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, you may not be able to sell your shares of common stock at or above the public offering price, or at all. The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. For instance, if our financial results are below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, the market price of our common stock could decrease, perhaps significantly. Other factors that may affect the market price of our common stock include:
| actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations; |
| liquidity; |
| sales of common stock by our stockholders; |
| changes in oil and natural gas prices; |
| changes in our cash flow from operations or earnings estimates; |
| publication of research reports about us or the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry generally; |
| increases in market interest rates which may increase our cost of capital; |
| changes in applicable laws or regulations, court rulings, and enforcement and legal actions; |
| changes in market valuations of similar companies; |
| adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we incur in the future; |
| additions or departures of key management personnel; |
| actions by our stockholders; |
| commencement of or involvement in litigation; |
| adverse environmental incidents, such as uncontrollable flows of natural gas, oil, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution into the environment, including groundwater contamination; |
| news reports relating to trends, concerns, technological or competitive developments, regulatory changes, and other related issues in our industry; |
| speculation in the press or investment community regarding our business; |
| general market and economic conditions; and |
| domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance. |
In addition, the U.S. securities markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations often have been unrelated to the operating performance of companies in these markets. Market fluctuations and broad market, economic, and industry factors may negatively affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. Any volatility or a significant decrease in the market price of
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our common stock could also negatively affect our ability to make acquisitions using common stock. Further, if we were to be the object of securities class action litigation as a result of volatility in our price or for other reasons, it could result in substantial costs and diversion of our managements attention and resources, which could negatively affect our financial results.
After this offering, we will have shares of common stock outstanding, which amount excludes the underwriters option to purchase up to an additional shares of common stock, additional shares that may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock units, shares that shares that may be issued upon the conversion of our 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes and shares available for issuance under our 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. We may issue additional shares without any action or approval by our stockholders. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other equity securities, whether issued in connection with the exercise of stock options, the payment of dividends or otherwise, would dilute the percentage ownership held by the investors who purchase our common stock in this offering.
Sales by us or our stockholders of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public markets following this offering, or the perception that these sales might occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline or could impair our ability to raise capital through a future sale of, or pay for acquisitions using, our equity securities. All of the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable. Our directors and executive officers and certain entities controlled by White Deer are subject to agreements that limit their ability to sell our common stock held by them. These holders cannot sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written approval of the underwriter. However, these lock-up agreements are subject to certain specific exceptions, including the exercise of outstanding options and other equity-based awards granted pursuant to certain equity incentive and other plans, entry into new trading plans in compliance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and sales pursuant to existing Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. The lock-up restrictions will also permit transfers of common stock as a bona fide gift or by will or intestate succession and transfers to such persons immediate family or to a trust or to an entity controlled by such holder, provided that the recipient of such shares agrees to be bound by the same restrictions on sales. In the event that one or more of our stockholders sells a substantial amount of our common stock in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the price of our stock could decline.
We may issue common stock or other equity securities senior to our common stock in the future for a number of reasons, including to finance our operations and growth plans, to adjust our ratio of debt-to-equity, to satisfy our obligations upon the exercise of options, or for other reasons. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales or issuances of shares of our common stock or other equity securities, or the availability of shares of common stock or such other equity securities for future sale or issuance, will have on the trading price of our common stock.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.
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The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrade our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
Our charter authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. Our board of directors has currently has designated one series of preferred stock, the Series B Voting Preferred Stock. The terms of these or any additionally authorized series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. The Series B Voting Preferred Stock has one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock. These terms could affect the residual value of the common stock.
As a relatively small company with a limited market capitalization, even if our shares are more widely disseminated, we are uncertain as to whether a more active trading market in our common stock will develop. As a result, relatively small trades may have a significant impact on the price of our common stock. In addition, because of the limited trading volume in our common stock and the price volatility of our common stock, you may be unable to sell your shares of common stock when you desire or at the price you desire. The inability to sell your shares in a declining market because of such illiquidity or at a price you desire may substantially increase your risk of loss.
We currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In addition, the terms of our credit facility prohibit us from paying dividends and making other distributions. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.
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We estimate that the net proceeds to be received by us from this offering will be approximately $23.6 million after deducting underwriters discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, or approximately $27.2 million if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of common stock in full. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and for general corporate purposes.
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The following table presents a summary of our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2014:
| on an actual basis; and |
| on an as adjusted basis, giving further effect to the sale of shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed price of $1.04 per share, which is the last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT on February 4, 2015, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. |
You should read the following table in conjunction with our historical financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
September 30, 2014 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents(1) | $ | 12,561 | $ | |||||
Debt |
||||||||
Revolving Credit Facility | 20,000 | |||||||
Convertible Senior Notes | 172,500 | |||||||
Preferred Stock (par value $0.001 per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized) |
||||||||
Series B Voting Preferred Stock 5,114,633 issued and outstanding; liquidation preference value of $5,115 | 5 | |||||||
Stockholders Equity |
||||||||
Common Stock (par value $0.001 per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized); 42,458,258 shares issued and outstanding (actual) and 62,103,360 shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)(2) | 67 | |||||||
Additional Paid-in Capital | 423,337 | |||||||
Accumulated Deficit | (70,995 | ) | ||||||
Total Stockholders Equity | 352,409 | |||||||
Total Capitalization | $ | 544,914 | $ |
(1) | As of December 31, 2014, unrestricted cash was approximately $12.0 million, and we had approximately $175.0 million available under our revolving credit facility. |
(2) | As of February 4, 2015, we had 80,179,993 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. |
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We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock, and the current policy of our board of directors is to retain any earnings to provide for our growth. The payment of cash dividends on our common stock in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, our overall financial condition and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol EOX. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices since January 1, 2013.
Price Range | ||||||||
High | Low | |||||||
2015 |
||||||||
First Quarter (through February 4, 2015) | $ | 1.20 | $ | 0.72 | ||||
2014 |
||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 6.37 | 0.83 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 8.63 | 6.15 | ||||||
Second Quarter | 7.78 | 6.00 | ||||||
First Quarter | 8.40 | 6.34 | ||||||
2013 |
||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 9.20 | 6.54 | ||||||
Third Quarter | 8.09 | 6.36 | ||||||
Second Quarter | 7.20 | 5.81 | ||||||
First Quarter | 7.49 | 5.17 |
The reported last sales price for our common stock on the NYSE MKT on February 4, 2015 was $1.04 per share. As of February 4, 2015, there were 80,179,993 shares of common stock outstanding, and our outstanding shares of common stock were held by approximately 571 stockholder accounts of record.
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The following is a summary of the material United States federal income and, to a limited extent, estate tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock. Except where noted, this summary deals only with common stock that is held as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment) by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below).
A non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of common stock (other than a partnership or entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) that is not for United States federal income tax purposes any of the following:
| an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or who meets the substantial presence test under Section 7701(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code; |
| a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
This summary is based upon provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be subject to different interpretations or changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not address all aspects of United States federal income and estate taxation and does not deal with foreign, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances, including the impact of the unearned income Medicare contribution tax. In addition, this summary does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws such as (without limitation):
| certain United States expatriates; |
| persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or the tax on net investment income; |
| stockholders that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction; |
| persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; |
| stockholders that acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan; |
| stockholders that are partnerships or entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes, or other pass-through entities, or owners thereof; |
| financial institutions; |
| insurance companies; |
| tax-exempt entities; |
| controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax; |
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| dealers in securities or foreign currencies; and |
| traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. |
If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partner of a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor.
We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions. INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
We do not presently expect to declare or pay any dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that is applied against and reduces the non-U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in our common stock, but not below zero. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock and will be treated as described below under Gain on Disposition of Common Stock. Any dividend paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock that is not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a rate of 30%, or such lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide us with IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, properly certifying eligibility for the reduced rate. A non-U.S. holder that does not timely furnish the required certification, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.
Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base of the non-U.S. holder) generally will be exempt from the withholding tax described above and instead will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated United States federal income tax rates in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a United States person. In such case, we will not have to withhold United States federal income tax if the non-U.S. holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. In order to obtain this exemption from withholding tax, a non-U.S. holder must provide us with an IRS Form W-8ECI properly certifying eligibility for such exemption. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.
Any gain realized on the disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:
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| the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment or fixed base of the non-U.S. holder); |
| the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or |
| our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest, or USRPI, by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for United States federal income tax purposes. |
A non-U.S. holder who has gain that is described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the disposition under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates in the same manner as if it were a United States person. In addition, a non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above that is a corporation may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, as adjusted for certain items.
A non-U.S. holder who meets the requirements described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax (or a lower tax rate specified by an applicable tax treaty) on the gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by certain United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States, provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.
With respect to our status as a USRPHC, we believe that we currently are, and expect to remain for the foreseeable future, a USRPHC for United States federal income tax purposes. However, so long as our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, a non-U.S. holder will be taxable on gain realized on the disposition of our common stock only if the non-U.S. holder actually or constructively holds or held more than 5% of such common stock at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or, if shorter, the non-U.S. holders holding period for our common stock. If our common stock were not considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market, all non-U.S. holders would be subject to United States federal income tax on a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock, and a purchaser of the stock may be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the purchase price, unless an exception applies.
Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the foregoing rules to their ownership and disposition of our common stock and regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.
If you are an individual, common stock owned or treated as owned by you at the time of your death will be included in your gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to United States federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and any tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding also may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement.
A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is not a United States person (as defined in the Code), and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless such non-U.S. holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is not a United States person (as defined in the Code), and the payor does not have
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actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. holder is a United States person, or such non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holders United States federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the regulations thereunder (generally referred to as FATCA) generally impose a withholding tax of 30 percent on any dividends on our common stock paid to a foreign financial institution, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or is otherwise exempt. FATCA also imposes a withholding tax of 30 percent on any dividends on our common stock paid to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with either certification that such entity does not have any substantial United States owners or identification of the direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. Finally, beginning January 1, 2017, withholding of 30 percent also generally will apply to the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a non-financial foreign entity unless the reporting and certification requirements described above have been met. Withholding under FATCA is imposed on payments foreign financial institutions and other applicable payees whether they receive such payments in the capacity of an intermediary or for their own account. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder of our common stock might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Foreign financial institutions and other entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock and the entities through which they hold our stock.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT VIEWED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND TREATIES.
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We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement through Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C., as sole underwriter. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement between us and the underwriter, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, shares of common stock.
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters obligation to purchase our common stock is subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The conditions contained in the underwriting agreement include the conditions that the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriter are true, that there has been no material adverse change to our condition or in the financial markets, and that we deliver to the underwriter customary closing documents. The underwriter is obligated to purchase all of the shares of common stock (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares of common stock.
We have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to additional shares of common stock at the public offering price per share less the underwriting discount and commissions shown on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriter may exercise this option solely to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering.
The underwriter proposes to offer the common stock to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. The underwriter may offer the common stock to securities dealers at the price to the public less a concession not in excess of $ per share of common stock. After the common stock is released for sale to the public, the underwriter may vary the offering price and other selling terms from time to time.
The following table summarizes the compensation to be paid to the underwriter by us:
Total | ||||||||||||
Per Share |
No Option Exercise | Full Option Exercise | ||||||||||
Public offering price | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | $ | $ |
We estimate our expenses associated with the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $500,000.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws, or to contribute to payments that may be required to be made in respect of these liabilities.
We and our officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of the underwriter (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the underwriter), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract, or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer, or establish an open put equivalent position within the meaning of the Exchange Act or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any shares of our common stock, options, or warrants to acquire shares of our common stock or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of
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our common stock. In addition, our officers and directors may not enter into a swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, the economic benefits or risk of ownership in our common stock, or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock, options or warrants or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of our common stock currently or later owned either of record or beneficially, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing.
The restrictions above do not apply to (i) our issuance of shares of our common stock or options to purchase shares of our common stock, or shares of our common stock upon exercise of options, pursuant to any stock option, stock bonus, or other stock plan or arrangement described in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or any amendment to or replacement of such plan and (ii) the filing of one or more registration statements on Form S-8 or amendments thereto relating to the issuance of shares of our common stock or the issuance and exercise of options to purchase shares of our common stock granted under our employee benefit plans existing on the date of this prospectus supplement or any amendment to or replacement of such plan. Our officers and directors may transfer shares of our common stock or such other convertible, exercisable or exchangeable securities without the prior written consent of the underwriter if: (a) the underwriter receives a signed lock-up agreement for the balance of the 90-day restricted period from each donee, trustee, distributee, or transferee, as the case may be; (b) any such transfer does not involve a disposition for value; (c) such transfers are not publicly reportable under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and their related rules and regulations; (d) the transferor does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers; and (e) such transfer is (i) a bona fide gift or gifts; (ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the transferor or the immediate family of the transferor; or (iii) to the transferors affiliates or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the transferor.
If (A) during the last 17 days of the 90-day period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (B) prior to the expiration of the 90-day period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day period, then in each case the 90-day period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, except that such extension will not apply under certain circumstances if we certify to the underwriter that our common stock is an actively traded security as defined in Regulation M and that we meet certain other requirements.
The underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, penalty bids, and passive market making in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriter under their over-allotment option. The underwriter may close out a covered short sale by exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. Naked short sales are sales made in an amount in excess of the number of shares available under the over-allotment option. The underwriter must close out any naked short sale by purchasing shares in the open market. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of shares of common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the shares of common stock originally sold by such syndicate member is purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids may have the effect of deterring syndicate members from selling to people who have a history of quickly selling their shares. In passive market making, market makers in our common stock who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to certain limitations, make bids for or purchases of the common stock until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made. These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of these transactions. In connection with this offering, the underwriter may engage in passive market making transactions in the shares of common stock in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act during the period before the commencement of offers or sales of common stock and extending through the completion of distribution.
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A passive market maker must display its bids at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid of the security. However, if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market makers bid that bid must be lowered when specified purchase limits are exceeded.
The underwriter is not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriter. The underwriter may agree to allocate a number of shares of common stock for sale to their online brokerage account holders. In addition, common stock may be sold by the underwriter to securities dealers who resell common stock to online brokerage account holders.
Other than this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference in electronic format, information contained in any website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference or registration statement of which the prospectus supplement forms a part, has not been endorsed by us and should not be relied on by investors in deciding whether to purchase common stock. The underwriter is not responsible for information contained in websites that they do not maintain.
From time to time, the underwriter has provided, and may continue to provide, investment banking services to us in the ordinary course of their businesses, and has received, and may continue to receive, compensation for such services.
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Certain legal matters with respect to the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mayer Brown LLP. Certain legal matters with respect to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriter by Porter Hedges LLP.
The financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The information relating to our oil and natural gas reserves, as of December 31, 2013, incorporated into this prospectus supplement by reference, including all statistics and data, was derived from a reserve report dated February 20, 2014 evaluating our oil and natural gas properties, prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., our independent petroleum engineer, in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in the oil and gas industry.
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We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its Washington, D.C. address. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information. Our filings are also available to the public at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed by us can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE MKT, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10002. We maintain a website at www.emeraldoil.com. On the Investors page of that site, we provide access to our SEC filings free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus by reference and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed (other than information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed under the Exchange Act):
| our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2014; |
| our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC on May 5, 2014, the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014, as filed with the SEC on August 4, 2014, and the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014, as filed with the SEC on November 3, 2014; |
| our current reports on Form 8-K and 8-K/A, as filed with the SEC on January 10, 2014, March 12, 2014, March 24, 2014, May 5, 2014, June 12, 2014, August 4, 2014, September 4, 2014, September 12, 2014, October 7, 2014, December 12, 2014, December 24, 2014 and January 30, 2015; and |
| a description of our capital stock contained in our Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on June 12, 2014. |
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus supplement is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, other than exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at Emerald Oil, Inc., 1600 Broadway, Suite 1360, Denver, Colorado 80202 or by calling us at (303) 595-5600.
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We may offer and sell from time to time shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, and debt securities, or units consisting of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, warrants or any combination of such securities. Any debt securities we offer pursuant to this prospectus may be guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
Our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, guarantees, warrants and units may be offered separately or together, in multiple series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements to this prospectus. For general information about the distribution of securities, please see Plan of Distribution in this prospectus.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer and the general manner in which we may offer the securities. Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities we actually offer, including the offering prices. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we offer the securities. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any document we incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.
We may sell these securities to or through underwriters, to other purchasers, through agents, or through a combination of these methods. The names of any underwriters will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is quoted on the NYSE MKT under the symbol EOX. On December 10, 2013, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE MKT was $6.92.
Investing in our securities involves risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page 4 of this prospectus, as well as those contained or referenced in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our periodic reports and other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for a description of the various risks you should consider in evaluating an investment in our securities.
Our principal offices are located at 1600 Broadway, Suite 1360, Denver, Colorado 80202, and our telephone number is (303) 323-0008.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is December 27, 2013.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) using a shelf registration process or continuous registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time in one or more offerings sell debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, or units comprised of one or more of the other securities, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $500,000,000. Any debt securities we offer pursuant to this prospectus may be guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
We have provided to you in this prospectus a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities under this shelf registration process, we will, to the extent required by law, provide one or more supplements to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We may also add, update or change in any accompanying prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you any of the information contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or the related free writing prospectus, provided that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date for example, a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
The information contained in this prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein, are accurate only as of the date such information is presented. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference (as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date), even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.
As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, includes additional information not contained in this prospectus. You may read the registration statement and the other reports we file with the SEC at the SECs web site or at the SECs offices described below under the heading Where You Can Find Additional Information.
The distribution of this prospectus may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. You should inform yourself about and observe any of these restrictions. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make the offer or solicitation.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references in this prospectus to Emerald, we, our, us, or the company refer to Emerald Oil, Inc., unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the documents to which we have referred you or information that is contained in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus to be delivered to you. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to provide you with information that is different from such information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of each document regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of these securities. In case there are any differences or inconsistencies between this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference, you should rely on the information in the document with the latest date.
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This registration statement includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and are subject to risks and uncertainties.
All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this registration statement regarding our financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, industry conditions, and indebtedness covenant compliance are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as estimate, project, predict, believe, expect, anticipate, target, plan, budget, intend, seek, goal, will, should, may or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about, actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond our companys control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following: general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which our company conducts business, changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements, conditions of the securities markets, our ability to raise capital, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, financial or political instability, acts of war or terrorism, other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting our companys operations, products, services and prices.
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.
Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this registration statement. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this registration statement, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with the SEC which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.
Additional factors that could cause actual results to vary from expected results are discussed in the Risk Factors section, beginning on page 4 of this prospectus, and any supplement to this prospectus and in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
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Emerald Oil, Inc. is an independent exploration and production operator that is focused on acquiring acreage and developing wells in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana, targeting the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil formations and Pronghorn sand oil formation. Emerald Oil, Inc. is a Montana corporation, and our principal offices are located at 1600 Broadway, Suite 1360, Denver, Colorado 80202. Our telephone number is (303) 323-0008.
The guarantors of the debt securities may include the following companies, each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerald Oil, Inc.:
| Emerald Oil North America, Inc. |
| Emerald WB LLC |
| Emerald GRB LLC |
| Emerald Heath, LLC |
| Emerald TR LLC |
If so provided in a prospectus supplement or term sheet, each of the guarantors will fully and unconditionally guarantee on a joint and several basis our obligations under the debt securities, subject to certain limitations. Additional information concerning our subsidiaries and us is included in reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See Where You Can Find More Information below.
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An investment in our securities involves risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and those that may be set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the other documents we incorporate by reference. If any of these risks were to materialize, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In that case, our ability to pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities, may be reduced, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or a part of your investment. For more information, see Where You Can Find More Information.
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The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown. You should read these ratios of earnings to fixed charges in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to the financial statements, incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
From Inception on April 18, 2008 Through December 31, 2008 |
2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1) | N/A | N/A | | (2) | | (2) | | (2) | 1.17x | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges plus preferred stock dividends(1) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.03x |
(1) | For the purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges plus preferred stock dividends, earnings are defined as net income before income taxes, amortization of capitalized interest, rent expense, and interest expense. Fixed charges consist of interest incurred (expensed and capitalized) and rent expense. From our inception in 2008 and during 2009, we did not have any fixed charges or preferred stock dividends. Preferred stock dividends are dividends paid on our Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock issued on February 19, 2013, the remaining shares of which were redeemed in full on October 15, 2013. |
(2) | Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $4.2 million, $1.3 million and $62.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. |
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Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities by us in order to accelerate development growth plans; refinance, in whole or in part, existing indebtedness; finance, in whole or in part, the costs of acquisitions; finance capital expenditures; and/or general corporate purposes. Until we apply the proceeds from a sale of securities to their intended purposes, we may invest the proceeds in short-term investments. The specific allocations of the proceeds we receive from the sale of our securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to one or more purchasers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The accompanying prospectus or prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:
| the name or names of any underwriters; |
| the purchase price of securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
| any over-allotment options pursuant to which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
| any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents or underwriters compensation; and |
| any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. |
Unless otherwise set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, if underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions in accordance with the rules of the NYSE MKT or any other stock exchange on which our securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale:
| at a fixed price or prices that may be changed; |
| at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| at negotiated prices. |
If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of the sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered by the prospectus or prospectus supplement. We may change from time to time the public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe such relationships in the prospectus supplement.
We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agents involved in the offering and sale of the securities, and we will describe any commissions paid to the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus or prospectus supplement states otherwise, the agent will act on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities related to this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
Rules of the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters to bid for or purchase securities before the distribution of the securities is completed. However, underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:
Stabilizing transactions. Underwriters may make bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Over-allotments and syndicate covering transactions. Underwriters may sell more securities than the number that they have committed to purchase in any underwritten offering. This over-allotment creates a short position for the underwriters. This short position may involve either covered short sales or naked short sales. Covered short sales are short sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters over-allotment option to purchase additional securities in any underwritten offering. The underwriters may close out any
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covered short position either by exercising their over-allotment option or by purchasing securities in the open market. To determine how they will close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market, as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. Naked short sales are short sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that, in the open market after pricing, there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities that could adversely affect investors who purchase securities in the offering.
Penalty bids. If underwriters purchase securities in the open market in a stabilizing transaction or syndicate covering transaction, they may reclaim a selling concession from other underwriters and selling group members who sold those securities as part of the offering.
Similar to other purchase transactions, an underwriters purchases to cover the syndicate short sales or to stabilize the market price of our securities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or mitigating a decline in the market price of our securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of securities if it discourages resales of the securities.
If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the NYSE MKT may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the NYSE MKT in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market makers bid, however, the passive market makers bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.
In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
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The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus or prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus or prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus or prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.
We may offer and sell from time to time shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, and debt securities, or units consisting of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, warrants or any combination of such securities. Any debt securities we offer pursuant to this prospectus may be guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
Our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, guarantees, warrants and units may be offered separately or together, in multiple series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements to this prospectus.
In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, guarantees, warrants and units collectively as securities.
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The following is a summary description of the rights of our common stock and preferred stock and related provisions of our articles of incorporation and our bylaws. The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the applicable provisions of Montana law.
Our articles of incorporation authorize 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of December 10, 2013, we had 65,387,350 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by the shareholders. Except for the election of directors, which is determined by a plurality vote, and unless otherwise required by Montana law, all matters to be voted on by shareholders must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy, voting as a single class. Except as otherwise provided by law or in our articles of incorporation, and subject to any voting rights granted to holders of any then outstanding preferred stock and the powers of our board of directors to amend our bylaws, amendments to our articles of incorporation and our bylaws must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of our common stock, voting as a single class. Holders of our common stock are entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Each of our directors will be elected annually by our shareholders voting as a single class. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights, and our common stock is not subject to redemption or conversion. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available at the time if, as and when declared by our board of directors. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the company, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share in all assets remaining after payment of all our debts and other liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any then outstanding preferred stock. All shares of our common stock currently outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable.
Our articles of incorporation authorize 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of December 10, 2013, we had 5,114,633 shares of Series B Voting Preferred Stock (the Series B Preferred Stock) issued and outstanding. We issued the Series B Preferred Stock in a private offering to affiliates of White Deer Energy L.P. on February 19, 2013. The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to vote, until January 1, 2020, in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of the holders of common stock as a single class. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock has one vote. The Series B Preferred Stock has no dividend rights and a liquidation preference of $0.001 per share. On and from time to time after January 1, 2020 we may redeem, in whole or in part, the then-outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, at a redemption price per share equal to $0.001. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock was issued as part of a unit with a warrant to purchase one share of common stock and will be surrendered to us upon exercise of each such warrant. See Description of Warrants.
Our board of directors has the authority, without action by our shareholders, to designate and issue our preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. Other than our Series B Preferred Shares, it is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of our preferred stock upon the rights of holders of our common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of our preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things, restricting dividends on our common stock, diluting the voting power of our common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of our common stock, or delaying or preventing a change in control of the company without further action by our shareholders.
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The provisions of Montana law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws we summarize below may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in his or her best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the common stock.
Written Consent of Shareholders. Our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders may be taken at a duly called meeting of shareholders or by the written consent of 100% of the outstanding voting power.
Special Meetings of Shareholders. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called by our board of directors or at the written demand of 10% of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
Advance Notice Procedure for Shareholder Proposals. Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for the nomination of candidates for election as directors as well as for shareholder proposals to be considered at annual meetings of shareholders. These procedures may operate to limit the ability of shareholders to bring business before a shareholders meeting, including with respect to the nomination of directors or considering any transaction that could result in a change of control.
Limitation of Liability of Directors. Our articles of incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to the company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted under Montana law. The effect of these provisions is to eliminate ours and our shareholders rights, through derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Shareowner Services.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol EOX.
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Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indentures and the subordinated indentures are called indentures. The indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will be described in a prospectus supplement.
We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does not restate those agreements in their entirety. Our forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.
Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this prospectus.
The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our senior debt.
The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following, among others:
| the title and type of the debt securities; |
| the total principal amount of the debt securities; |
| the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated; |
| the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; |
| the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities; |
| any conversion or exchange features; |
| any optional redemption periods; |
| any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt securities; |
| any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs; |
| any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; |
| any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and |
| any other terms of the debt securities. |
Neither of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.
Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered or global form.
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Under the indentures, we:
| will pay the principal of, and interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due; |
| will maintain a place of payment; |
| will deliver a certificate to the trustee each fiscal year reviewing our compliance with our obligations under the indentures; |
| will preserve our corporate existence; and |
| will segregate or deposit with any paying agent sufficient funds for the payment of any principal, interest or premium on or before the due date of such payment. |
Each of the indentures will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on a consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:
| the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of our obligations under such indenture and the debt securities governed thereby pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, which may include a supplemental indenture; |
| we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and |
| we deliver an officers certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and any supplemental indenture comply with such indenture and that all conditions precedent set forth in such indenture have been complied with. |
Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be discharged from all obligations under such indenture.
As used in the indenture and in this description, the word Person means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Event of default, when used in the indentures with respect to debt securities of any series, will mean any of the following:
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default thereunder;
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(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 120 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default thereunder;
(5) we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commence a voluntary case, (ii) consent to the entry of any order for relief against us in an involuntary case, (iii) consent to the appointment of a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iv) make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;
(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that (i) is for relief against us in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of us, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
(7) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
(8) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures, the debt securities issued thereunder or any subsidiary guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).
Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not, among other things:
(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon
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the redemption thereof, reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, change the coin or currency in which any debt security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the applicable indenture;
(3) modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holders unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities or (ii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture;
(4) waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt securities;
(5) release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
(6) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of the applicable indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt security affected thereby.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we, any guarantors and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued thereunder to:
(1) cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;
(2) evidence the succession of another Person to us and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants therein and, to the extent applicable, of the debt securities;
(3) provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4) add a guarantee and cause any Person to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt securities of any series;
(5) secure the debt securities of any series;
(6) add to the our covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as we shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein, or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon us; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such an event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;
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(7) make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;
(8) provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture on the date of such indenture;
(9) add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;
(10) add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(11) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;
(12) establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder, including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;
(13) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of such indenture;
(14) conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering circular to the extent that such provision appears on its face to have been intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder; or
(15) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act), or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment with the consent of the holders under an indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
Each indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees (Legal Defeasance), except for:
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2) our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and our and any guarantors obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.
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In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions described in any prospectus supplement (such release and termination being referred to as Covenant Defeasance), and thereafter any failure to comply with such obligations or provisions will not constitute a default or event of default. In addition, in the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, any defeasible event of default will no longer constitute an event of default.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date of the debt securities, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(5) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which we are, or any guarantor is, a party or by which we are, or any guarantor is, bound;
(6) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture) to which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, a party or by which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, bound;
(7) we must deliver to the trustee an officers certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over our other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding our creditors or the creditors of others;
(8) we must deliver to the trustee an officers certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph have been complied with; and
(9) we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (6) of this paragraph have been complied with.
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Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities and certain rights of the trustee, as expressly provided for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities issued thereunder and the guarantees issued thereunder when:
(1) either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to us or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the name, and at the expense, of us, and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee funds, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with instructions from us irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(2) we have paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by us; and
(3) we have delivered to the trustee an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.
No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, partner, member or shareholder of us or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any of our obligations or those of any guarantors under the debt securities, the indentures, the guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities, upon our issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt securities, and we may act as paying agent or registrar.
A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and we may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption. In addition, we are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt securities to be redeemed.
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The payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities and any of our other payment obligations in respect of subordinated debt securities (including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior debt.
We also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from a trust described under Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance, if:
| a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any designated senior debt (payment default) occurs that has not been cured or waived; or |
| any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated (non-payment default) and, solely with respect to this clause, the trustee for the subordinated debt securities receives a notice of the default (a payment blockage notice) from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt. |
Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived, and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earliest of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived, the termination of the payment blockage period by written notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt, the payment in full of such designated senior debt or 179 days after the date on which the applicable payment blockage notice is received. No new payment blockage period may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default in respect of designated senior debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less than 90 consecutive days.
Upon any payment or distribution of our assets or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by or on behalf of us on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, us on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of our assets or securities, to which the holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled, shall be made by us or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the holders or the trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the our liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of our creditors or a marshalling of our assets or liabilities, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.
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Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement.
Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
| by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary; |
| by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or |
| by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the successor. |
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (participants). Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
| will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their names; |
| will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying debt securities in definitive form; and |
| will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt securities. |
Payments of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit
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participants accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in street name. Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any authorized denominations.
Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90 days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.
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The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus or prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus or prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
As of September 30, 2013, we had issued warrants to purchase 6,230,783 shares of our common stock, consisting of (i) 5,114,633 warrants with an initial exercise price of $5.77 per share exercisable until December 31, 2013 issued to affiliates of White Deer Energy L.P. in connection with the issuance of our Series B Preferred Stock on February 19, 2013; (ii) 223,293 warrants with an exercise price of $6.86 per share and (iii) 892,857 warrants with an exercise price of $49.70.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.
We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address and other information regarding the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
We will describe in an applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:
| the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
| the currency for which the warrants may be purchased; |
| if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security; |
| if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the number of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which such securities may be purchased upon exercise; |
| in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants; |
| the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
| any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; |
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| the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
| the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified; |
| a discussion on any material or special United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; |
| the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
| any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants. |
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5 p.m., Eastern time, on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
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We may issue units comprised of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock and warrants in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including, but not limited to:
| the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and |
| any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under Description of Debt Securities, Description of Capital Stock, and Description of Warrants will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security or warrant included in each unit, respectively.
We may issue units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.
Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
We, the unit agents and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
The validity of the securities offered hereby has been passed upon for us by Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, Texas, and Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Missoula, Montana. We filed these opinions as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In connection with particular offerings of securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities will be passed on for any underwriters or agents by such counsel named in the prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements of Emerald Oil, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2013 and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2010, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
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2012, have been so incorporated in reliance on reliance on the report of Mantyla McReynolds LLC, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The information relating to our oil and natural gas reserves, as of December 31, 2012, incorporated into this prospectus by reference, including all statistics and data, was derived from an audit letter dated March 12, 2013 evaluating our oil and natural gas properties, prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., our independent petroleum engineer, in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in the oil and gas industry.
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, which means that we are required to file reports, proxy statements, and other information, all of which are available for review and copying at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F. Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov where you can access reports, proxy information and registration statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC through the EDGAR system.
We also maintain an Internet website at http://www.emeraldoil.com, which provides additional information about our company through which you can also access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our website is not part of this prospectus.
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This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. The information in the documents incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Statements contained in documents that we file with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus, including information in previously filed documents or reports that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, to the extent the new information differs from or is inconsistent with the old information. The following documents filed by us under the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference into this prospectus as of their respective dates of filing:
| our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on March 18, 2013, and Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013; |
| our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on May 9, 2013, the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013, as filed with the SEC on August 6, 2013 and the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013, as filed with the SEC on November 5, 2013; |
| our current reports on Form 8-K and 8-K/A, as filed with the SEC on January 8, 2013, January 10, 2013, February 1, 2013, February 6, 2013, February 19, 2013, March 14, 2013, April 3, 2013, May 8, 2013, May 15, 2013, May 17, 2013, June 4, 2013, July 12, 2013, August 13, 2013, September 12, 2013, September 18, 2013, September 23, 2013, September 27, 2013 and October 17, 2013; and |
| the description of our common stock in our registration statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2011 (File No. 001-35097) as that description may be updated from time to time. |
We are also incorporating by reference all documents filed with the SEC by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus (except information furnished on a current report on Form 8-K). All filings filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document, which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement.
Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding all exhibits, unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone, Emerald Oil, Inc., Attn.: Secretary, 1600 Broadway, Suite 1360, Denver, Colorado 80202; telephone number (303) 323-0008.
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