As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2022.

Registration No. 333-266143

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 4

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

Nevada	1311	87-2538731
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 950

Fort Worth, TX 76116

(817) 438-1937

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive office)

Corporate Secretary

Lucas T. Hawkins

6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 950

Fort Worth, TX 76116

(817) 438-1937

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With copies to:

Mark Fitzgerald Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 28 State Street, 37 Floor Boston, MA 02109 617-598-7800 Jack E. Jacobsen Jason A. Schumacher O’Melveny & Myers LLP 2501 N. Harwood Street, 17 Floor Dallas, TX 75201 214-647-9270

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

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

Large Accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging Growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED NOVEMBER 9, 2022

Prospectus

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

165,523,363 shares of Common Stock

(par value $0.0001)

This prospectus (“Prospectus”) is being furnished to you as a Series A Preferred stockholder of Meta Materials, Inc. (“Meta”) in connection with the planned distribution (the “Spin-Off” or the “Distribution”) by Meta to its Series A Preferred stockholders of all the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. (the “Company,” “Next Bridge,” “we,” “us” or “our”) held by Meta immediately prior to the Spin-Off. As of immediately prior to the time of the Distribution, Meta holds 165,523,363 shares of Common Stock, which is 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company.

At the time of the Spin-Off, Meta will distribute all the outstanding shares of Common Stock held by it on a pro rata basis to holders of Meta’s Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock. Each one share of Meta’s Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock outstanding as of             , New York City time, on                     , 2022, the record date for the Spin-Off (the “Record Date”), will entitle the holder thereof to receive one share of Common Stock. The Distribution will be made in book-entry form by a distribution agent. Fractional shares of Common Stock will not be distributed in the Spin-Off.

The Spin-Off will be effective as of             , New York City time, on                     , 2022. Immediately after the Spin-Off, the Company will be an independent public reporting company, provided, the Common Stock is not and will not be publicly traded and will not be eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company book-entry system or any other established clearing corporation.

None of the Series A Preferred Stockholders are required to vote on or take any other action in connection with the Spin-Off. We are not asking you for a proxy, and we request that you do not send us a proxy. The Series A Preferred stockholders will not be required to pay any consideration for the Common Stock they receive in the Spin-Off; immediately after the Spin-Off, all shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock of Meta shall be cancelled.

Meta currently owns all the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, and we have not sought to have the shares of Common Stock traded on any exchange. Accordingly, there is currently no public market for the Common Stock, and there is no current expectation for a public market to develop for the Common Stock.

In reviewing this Prospectus, you should carefully consider the matters described in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this Prospectus.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

This Prospectus is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

The date of this Prospectus is                     , 2022

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	i
DEFINITIONS	iii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY	1
RISK FACTORS	7
THE SPIN-OFF	26
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS	29
USE OF PROCEEDS	36
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE	36
CAPITALIZATION	36
BUSINESS	37
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	47
MANAGEMENT	58
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	65
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT	69
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	70
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK	74
LEGAL MATTERS	78
EXPERTS	78
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	79
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	80

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to our business that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. When used in this communication, the words “may,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecasts,” “projections,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding our strategy, future plans for development and production and other strategic options, future expenses and costs and future liquidity and capital resources. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in this Prospectus. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this Prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including, among others:

• general competitive conditions, including actions our competitors may take to grow their businesses;

• changes to payment terms, the discount or margin on products or other terms with our suppliers;

• risks associated with data privacy, information security and intellectual property;

• work stoppages or increases in labor costs;

• our ability to attract and retain employees;

• development costs of our current or future properties;

• timing and success of our drilling activities;

• amount and timing of future production of oil and natural gas;

• our ability to successfully implement our strategic initiatives, including amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures;

• the usual hazards associated with the oil and natural gas industry, including fires, well blowouts, pipe failure, spills, explosions and other unforeseen hazards;

• the numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and actual future production rates and associated costs;

• operating costs including lease operating expenses, administrative costs and other expenses;

• the volatility of prices and supply of, and demand for, oil and natural gas;

• changes in regulatory requirements and legislation governing our business, including sustainability;

• the amount of our indebtedness and ability to comply with covenants applicable to any future debt financing;

• our ability to access the credit and capital markets to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements on acceptable terms;

• if we are not able to successfully execute on our future operating plans, we may not be able to continue as a going concern;

• adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or tax-related proceedings or audits;

• changes in accounting standards;

• impact and cost of energy conservation and other sustainability efforts;

• exploration and development risks, which could lead to environmental damage, injury and loss of life or the destruction of property;

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• proximity and capacity of oil, natural gas and other pipelines, transportation and support infrastructure to production facilities;

• availability of consumables and raw materials and drilling and processing equipment;

• adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or other events;

• the ability to successfully estimate the impact of litigation matters;

• our ability to initiate and maintain discussions with third parties regarding strategic options;

• the potential adverse impact on our business resulting from the Spin-Off; and

• the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this Prospectus except to the extent required by law.

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DEFINITIONS

The following are abbreviations and definitions of terms commonly used in the oil and gas industry and in this prospectus. Natural gas equivalents and crude oil equivalents are determined using the ratio of six Mcf to one barrel. All references to “us”, “our”, “we”, or “Next Bridge” mean Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries.

“Bbl” means a barrel of U.S. 42 gallons of oil.

“BOE” means one barrel of oil equivalent.

“Completion” means the installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or gas.

“Condensate” means natural gas in liquid form produced in connection with natural gas wells.

“Exploratory well” means a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new productive reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or natural gas in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.

“Gross” when used with respect to acres or wells, production or reserves refers to the total acres or wells in which we or another specified person has a working interest.

“MBbls” means one thousand barrels of oil.

“Mcf” means one thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

“Net” when used with respect to acres or wells, refers to gross acres of wells multiplied, in each case, by the percentage working interest owned by us.

“NGL” refers to natural gas liquids, which is composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen.

“Oil” means crude oil or condensate.

“Operator” means the individual or company responsible for the exploration, development, and production of an oil or gas well or lease.

“Proved developed reserves” means reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment or operating methods.

“Proved developed non-producing” means reserves (i) expected to be recovered from zones capable of producing but which are shut-in because no market outlet exists at the present time or whose date of connection to a pipeline is uncertain or (ii) currently behind the pipe in existing wells, which are considered proved by virtue of successful testing or production of offsetting wells.

“Proved developed producing” means reserves expected to be recovered from currently producing zones under continuation of present operating methods. This category includes recently completed shut-in gas wells scheduled for connection to a pipeline in the near future.

“Proved reserves” means the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided by contractual arrangements.

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“Proved undeveloped reserves” means reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those drilling locations offsetting productive wells that are reasonably certain of production when drilled or where it can be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing productive formation.

“Recompletion” means the completion for production of an existing well bore in another formation from which the well has been previously completed.

“Royalty” means an interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to receive a portion of the production from the leased acreage (or of the proceeds of the sale thereof), but generally does not require the owner to pay any portion of the costs of drilling or operating the wells on the leased acreage. Royalties may be either landowner’s royalties, which are reserved by the owner of the leased acreage at the time the lease is granted, or overriding royalties, which are usually reserved by an owner of the leasehold in connection with a transfer to a subsequent owner.

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Working interest” means an interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to drill for and produce oil and gas on the leased acreage and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations. The share of production to which a working interest owner is entitled will always be smaller than the share of costs that the working interest owner is required to bear, with the balance of the production accruing to the owners of royalties. For example, the owner of a 100% working interest in a lease burdened only by a landowner’s royalty of 12.5% would be required to pay 100% of the costs of a well but would be entitled to retain 87.5% of the production.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand fully and for a more complete description of the terms and conditions of the Distribution, you should read this Prospectus in its entirety, including the information presented under the section titled “Risk Factors” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes, and the documents to which you are referred. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” Except where the context otherwise requires, or where otherwise indicated, references to the “Company,” “Next Bridge,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Torchlight Hazel, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, a Texas corporation, Hudspeth Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and Torchlight Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation. “Meta” refers to Meta Materials, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company

We were incorporated in Nevada on August 31, 2021, as OilCo Holdings, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta, and changed our name to Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. pursuant to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed on June 30, 2022.

Background

On December 14, 2020, Meta (formerly known as Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., “Torchlight”) and its subsidiaries, Metamaterial Exchangeco Inc. (formerly named 2798832 Ontario Inc., “Exchangeco”) and 2798831 Ontario Inc. (“Callco”), both Ontario corporations, entered into an Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Metamaterial Inc., an Ontario corporation headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada, to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Metamaterial, Inc. by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), on and subject to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement, as amended. On June 28, 2021, following the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, the Arrangement was completed.

In furtherance of the Arrangement, Torchlight (which subsequently changed its name to Meta Materials, Inc.) declared a dividend, on a one-for-one basis, of shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock of Meta (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) to holders of record of Torchlight’s common stock as of June 24, 2021. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive certain dividends based on the net proceeds of the sale of any assets that are used or held for use in Meta’s oil and natural gas exploration business and may also receive a pro rata dividend of equity in a spin-off entity to which Meta will transfer any remaining assets of such business. Meta has not sold to a third party any assets related to the historical oil and natural gas business and has transferred the subsidiary companies, the holders of the oil and natural gas assets, to us prior to the Spin-Off.

Business Overview

We are an energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Our primary focus has been the development of interests in an oil and gas project we hold in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas in Hudspeth County, Texas (the “Orogrande Project”). In addition, we have minor interests in the Eastern edge of the Midland Basin in Texas (the “Hazel Project”), and two minor well interests in Oklahoma.

We plan to operate our business through our wholly owned subsidiaries transferred to us from Meta, Torchlight Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, a Texas corporation, Torchlight Hazel, LLC, a

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Texas limited liability company, and Hudspeth Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company. In addition, we may consider strategic options, including partnering with, or the possible sale of any or all of our assets to, third parties; however, we are not currently engaged in any negotiations or discussions with third parties in respect of any strategic options. We currently have six full-time employees, and we employ consultants for various roles as needed.

As of December 31, 2021, we had interests in three oil and gas projects: the Orogrande Project in Hudspeth County, Texas, the Hazel Project in Sterling, Tom Green, and Irion Counties, Texas, and the Hunton wells in partnership with Kodiak in Central Oklahoma. (the “Oklahoma Properties”). See the description under “Current Projects” below under Note 4, “Oil & Natural Gas Properties,” of the financial statements included with this Prospectus for information and disclosure regarding these projects, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”). As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable, in general, to public reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include:

• Exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting; and

• Reduced disclosure of certain financial information requirements related to executive compensation, including the requirements to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and to provide information relating to the ratio of total compensation of its Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees.

We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenues as of the end of a fiscal year, if we are deemed to be a large-accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC, or if we issue more than $1.235 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year-period.

The JOBS Act permits emerging growth companies to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public reporting companies. Following the consummation of the Spin-Off, we will elect to avail ourselves of the extended transition period. During the extended transition period, it may be difficult to compare our financial results with the financial results of a public reporting company that complies with accounting pronouncements when effective.

Smaller Reporting Company

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). As a “smaller reporting company,” the disclosure we will be required to provide in our SEC filings are less than it would be if we were not considered a “smaller reporting company.” Specifically, “smaller reporting companies” are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; if annual revenue is less than $100 million, may be exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, being permitted to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports rather than three years. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a “smaller reporting company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

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Market Opportunity

The market for oil and natural gas that we will produce depends on factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and imports of oil and natural gas, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, demand for oil and natural gas, the marketing of competitive fuels, and the effects of state and federal regulation. The oil and natural gas industry also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel requirements of industrial, commercial, and individual consumers.

Our oil production is expected to be sold at prices tied to the spot oil markets. Our natural gas production is expected to be sold under short-term contracts and priced based on first of the month index prices or on daily spot market prices. We will rely on our operating partners to market and sell our production.

Regulatory Framework

Our oil and natural gas development operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state, tribal, regional and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other factors, worker safety and health, the discharge and disposal of substances into the environment, and the protection of the environment and natural resources. Numerous governmental entities, including the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and analogous state and local agencies, (and, under certain laws, private individuals) have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and any permits issued under them. These laws and regulations may, among other things: (i) require permits to conduct exploration, drilling, water withdrawal, wastewater disposal and other production related activities; (ii) govern the types, quantities and concentrations of substances, including emissions of CO₂, methane and certain other greenhouse gases (“GHG”), that may be disposed or released into the environment or injected into formations in connection with drilling or production activities, and the manner of any such disposal, release, or injection; (iii) limit or prohibit construction or drilling activities or require formal mitigation measures in sensitive areas such as wetlands, wilderness areas or areas inhabited by endangered or threatened species; (iv) require investigatory and remedial actions to mitigate pollution conditions arising from the Company’s operations or attributable to former operations; (v) impose safety and health restrictions designed to protect employees and others from exposure to hazardous or dangerous substances; and (vi) impose obligations to reclaim and abandon well sites and pits.

Certain existing environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations to which our business operations are subject including, the Clean Air Act, as amended (the “CAA”), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, EPA rules to reduce methane emissions from new, modified or reconstructed sources in the oil and natural gas sector, including implementation of a leak detection and repair (“LDAR”) program under the CAA’s New Source Performance Standards in 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart OOOOa (“Quad Oa”), the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and other state equivalent laws and regulations. For further discussion of the risks to our results of operations arising out of our environmental regulatory compliance, see “Risks Related to Our Business”, including the following risk factors “—Our operations are heavily dependent on current environmental regulation, changes in which we cannot predict,” “—Government regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays,” and “—Climate change laws and regulations restricting emissions of GHGs could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce”.

Corporate Information

Our executive office is located at 6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 950, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, and our telephone number is (817) 438-1937. We intend to have an internet website, nextbridgehydrocarbons.com. Information contained on or accessible through our website, when available, shall not be deemed a part of this prospectus and shall not be incorporated by reference herein.

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Summary of the Spin-Off

Distributing Company Meta Materials, Inc., a Nevada corporation, which holds all of our Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Distribution. After the Distribution, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will own all of our Common Stock and Meta Materials, Inc. will not own any shares of our Common Stock.

Distributed Company Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta immediately prior to the Distribution. At the time of the Distribution, we will hold, directly or through our wholly owned subsidiaries, the assets and liabilities of the oil and natural gas business of Meta. After the Spin-Off, we will be an independent non-trading public reporting company.

Distributed Securities 165,523,363 shares of our Common Stock owned by Meta, which will be 100% of our Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Distribution.

Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will receive one share of our Common Stock for every one (1) share of Series A Preferred Stock held on the Record Date. The distribution agent will distribute only whole shares of our Common Stock in the Distribution. Shares of Common Stock that remain held by Meta following the Distribution, if any, shall be cancelled immediately after the Spin-Off.

Record Date The Record Date is the close of business on                     , 2022.

Distribution Date The Distribution Date is                     , 2022.

The Distribution On the Distribution Date, Meta will release the shares of our Common Stock to the distribution agent to distribute to Series A Preferred stockholders. The distribution agent will distribute our shares in book-entry form, and thus we will not issue any physical stock certificates, other than upon request. We expect that it will take the distribution agent up to two weeks to electronically issue shares of our Common Stock to you or your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of Series A Preferred Stock or take any other action to receive your shares of our Common Stock, although your shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be cancelled as of the Distribution Date.

Conditions to the Spin-Off The Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction, or the Meta board of directors’ waiver, of the following conditions:

• the Meta board of directors shall have authorized and approved the Spin-Off and not withdrawn such authorization and approval, and shall have declared the dividend of our Common Stock to the holders of Meta’s Series A Preferred Stock;

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• the Distribution Agreement and the ancillary agreements contemplated by the Distribution Agreement shall have been executed by each party thereto;

• the SEC shall have declared effective our Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of our Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC;

• no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the Spin-Off shall be in effect, and no other event outside the control of Meta shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of the Spin-Off;

• all necessary actions and filings with regard to applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws shall have been taken; and

• any material third party consents necessary to consummate the Spin-Off shall have been obtained or waived.

The fulfillment of the foregoing conditions will not create any obligation on the part of Meta to effect the Spin-Off. We are not aware of any material federal, foreign or state regulatory requirements with which we must comply, other than SEC rules and regulations, state “blue sky” laws, or any material approvals that we must obtain, other than the SEC’s declaration of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and applicable filings or notices required in compliance with applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws, in connection with the Spin-Off. Meta has the right not to complete the Spin-Off if, at any time, the Meta board or directors determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the Spin-Off is not in the best interests of Meta or its stockholders or is otherwise not advisable.

Trading Market All of our outstanding shares of Common Stock are currently beneficially owned by Meta and our Common Stock is currently not listed for trading on any stock exchange or market and we have not sought to be traded on any exchange or market. The shares of Common Stock will not be eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or any other established clearing corporation. Accordingly, there currently is no public trading market for the Common Stock and there is no current expectation for a public market to develop.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Series A Preferred Stockholders U.S. federal income tax treatment of the issuance of our Common Stock to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will not qualify for non-recognition of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and U.S. and non-U.S. holders could be subject to tax as a result of the Spin-Off and the cancellation all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock. Accordingly, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are

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encouraged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the Distribution to such stockholders.

Transfer Agent American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC.

Risk Factors Our business faces both general and specific risks and uncertainties. Our business also faces risks relating to the Spin-Off. Following the Spin-Off, we will also face risks associated with being an independent company. Accordingly, you should read carefully the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.”

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider all of the information in this Prospectus and each of the risks described below, which we believe are the principal risks that we face. Some of the risks relate to our business, others to the Spin-Off and the ownership of our Common Stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones faced by us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that are currently deemed immaterial also may impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows and the value of our Common Stock could be materially adversely affected.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have a limited operating history relative to larger companies in our industry and may not be successful in developing profitable business operations.

We have a limited operating history relative to larger companies in our industry. Our business operations must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in establishing a business in the oil and natural gas industry. As of the date of this Prospectus, we have generated limited revenues and have limited assets. We have an insufficient history at this time on which to base an assumption that our business operations will prove to be successful in the long-term. Our future operating results will depend on many factors, including:

• our ability to raise adequate working capital;

• the success of our development and exploration;

• the demand for oil and natural gas;

• the level of our competition;

• our ability to attract and maintain key management and employees; and

• our ability to efficiently explore, develop, produce or acquire sufficient quantities of marketable oil or natural gas in a highly competitive and speculative environment while maintaining quality and controlling costs.

To achieve profitable operations in the future, we must, alone or with others, successfully manage the factors stated above, as well as continue to develop ways to enhance our production efforts. Despite our best efforts, we may not be successful in our exploration or development efforts or obtain required regulatory approvals. There is a possibility that some, or all, of the wells in which we obtain interests may never produce oil or natural gas.

We have limited capital and will need to raise additional capital in the immediate future.

Following the Spin-Off, we will require additional capital to maintain operations and to expand our exploration and development programs. We may be unable to obtain additional capital when required or on favorable terms. Future acquisitions, 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 additional 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 planned operations.

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

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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, if any) and the departure of key employees. Further, if oil or natural gas prices on the commodities markets decline, our future revenues, if any, 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), third parties may be reluctant to provide the services we need in order to operate and we may be required to cease our operations, divest our assets at unattractive prices or obtain financing on unattractive terms.

Any additional capital raised through the sale of equity may dilute the ownership percentage of our stockholders. 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, and issuances of incentive awards under equity employee incentive plans, which may have a further dilutive effect.

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.

We may not achieve or maintain profitable operations, and therefore, may not be able to continue as a going concern.

The Company has a history of net losses from operations and negative cash flow from operating activities. We will need to raise additional working capital to continue our normal and planned operations. We will also need to generate and sustain significant revenue levels in future periods in order to become profitable, and, even if we do, we may not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we incurred a net loss of $2,164,187 and $4,764,293, respectively, and used cash of $6,067,015 for operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. At September 30, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $72,951,809 and had a working capital deficit of $19,385,284 compared with a working capital deficit of $13,307,453 as of December 31, 2021. These factors raise doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Because we have incurred significant net losses, our auditors have issued a “going concern” audit qualification. A “going concern” qualification indicates that the financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets, or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result if we do not continue as a going concern. Therefore, you should not rely on our consolidated balance sheet as an indication of the amount of proceeds that would be available to satisfy claims of creditors, and potentially be available for distribution to stockholders, in the event of liquidation.

There can be no assurance that our financing strategy or strategic alternatives will result in a transaction satisfactory to holders of our Common Stock.

After the Spin-Off, we may consider various strategic alternatives, including partnering with third parties, a potential sale of some or all of our assets, a merger transaction, and potential financing alternatives. Even if a partnering transaction, sale, merger or financing transaction were to be consummated, it may not return any value to holders of our Common Stock. Regardless of whether we execute a partnership, sale, merger or financing transaction, the adverse pressures negatively impacting our business that we have been or are currently experiencing may continue or intensify, including the risk that we may not be able to continue as a going concern. We are not currently engaged in any negotiations or discussions with third parties in respect of any strategic options.

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We are mainly concentrated in one geographic area, which increases our exposure to many of the risks enumerated herein.

Operating in a concentrated area increases the potential impact that many of the risks stated herein may have upon our ability to perform. For example, we have greater exposure to regulatory actions impacting Texas, natural disasters in the geographic area, competition for equipment, services and materials available in the area and access to infrastructure and markets. In addition, the effect of fluctuations on supply and demand may become more pronounced within specific geographic oil and natural gas producing areas such as the Permian Basin, which may cause these conditions to occur with greater frequency or magnify the effect of these conditions. Due to the concentrated nature of our portfolio of properties, a number of our properties could experience any of the same conditions at the same time, resulting in a relatively greater impact on our results of operations than they might have on other companies that have a more diversified portfolio of properties. Such delays or interruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Because of the speculative nature of oil and natural gas exploration, there is risk that we will not find commercially exploitable oil and natural gas and that our business will fail.

The search for commercial quantities of oil and natural gas as a business is extremely risky. We cannot provide investors with any assurance that any properties in which we obtain a mineral interest will contain commercially exploitable quantities of oil and/or natural gas. The exploration expenditures to be made by us may not result in the discovery of commercial quantities of oil and/or natural gas. Problems such as unusual or unexpected formations or pressures, premature declines of reservoirs, invasion of water into producing formations and other conditions involved in oil and natural gas exploration often result in unsuccessful exploration efforts. If we are unable to find commercially exploitable quantities of oil and natural gas, and/or we are unable to commercially extract such quantities, we may be forced to abandon or curtail our business plan, and as a result, any investment in us may become worthless.

Litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Certain of our subsidiaries are subject and from time to time in the normal course of our business operations, may become subject to litigation that may result in liability material to our financial statements as a whole or may negatively affect our operating results if changes to our business operations are required. The cost to defend such litigation may be significant and may require a diversion of our resources. There also may be adverse publicity associated with litigation that could negatively affect customer perception of our business, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. Insurance may not be available at all or in sufficient amounts to cover any liabilities with respect to these or other matters. A judgment or other liability in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims could adversely affect our business and the results of our operations. For additional discussion of pending litigation matters, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Legal Proceedings.”

Strategic relationships upon which we may rely are subject to change, which may diminish our ability to conduct our operations.

Following the Spin-Off, our ability to successfully acquire oil and natural gas interests, to build our reserves, to participate in drilling opportunities and to identify and enter into commercial arrangements with customers will depend on developing and maintaining close working relationships with industry participants and our ability to select and evaluate suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. These realities are subject to change and our inability to maintain close working relationships with industry participants or continue to acquire suitable property may impair our ability to execute our business plan.

To continue to develop our business, we will endeavor to use the business relationships of our management to enter into strategic relationships, which may take the form of joint ventures with other private parties and contractual

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arrangements with other oil and natural gas companies, including those that supply equipment and other resources that we will use in our business. We may not be able to establish these strategic relationships, or if established, we may not be able to maintain them. In addition, the dynamics of our relationships with strategic partners may require us to incur expenses or undertake activities we would not otherwise be inclined to in order to fulfill our obligations to these partners or maintain our relationships. If our strategic relationships are not established or maintained, our business prospects may be limited, which could diminish our ability to conduct our operations.

Our acreage must be drilled before lease expiration in order to hold the acreage by production. In the highly competitive market for acreage, failure to drill sufficient wells in order to hold acreage will result in a substantial lease renewal cost, or if renewal is not feasible, loss of our lease and prospective drilling opportunities.

Our leases on oil and natural gas properties typically have a primary term of four to five years, after which they expire unless, prior to expiration, drilling obligations are fulfilled or production is established within the spacing units covering the undeveloped acres. As of September 30, 2022, we had leases representing approximately 134,066 net acres in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas expiring in 2022 if we fail to drill five wells as obligated. Unless we are able to negotiate an extension on these leases, these leases in the Orogrande Basin are also subject to expiration in 2023 in the event we fail to drill an additional five wells during the 2023 calendar year. We will require additional capital to drill these wells, and we may not be able to obtain additional capital when required in order to drill these wells, or on favorable terms. As of September 30, 2022, we have leases representing 645 net acres in the Eastern edge of the Midland Basin in West Texas, which are currently held by production by active wells. In the event that we fail to meet our drilling obligations in the Orogrande Basin, whether because we are unable to obtain additional capital when required or otherwise, or if production ceases in the Midland Basin, our leases will expire. If we have to renew such leases on new terms, we could incur significant cost increases, and we may not be able to renew such leases on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, on certain portions of our acreage, third-party leases may become immediately effective if our leases expire. As such, our actual drilling activities may materially differ from our current expectations, which could adversely affect our business.

The price of oil and natural gas has historically been volatile. If it were to decrease substantially, our projections, budgets, and revenues would be adversely affected, potentially forcing us to make changes in our operations.

Following the Spin-Off, our future financial condition, results of operations and the carrying value of any oil and natural gas interests we acquire will depend primarily upon the prices paid for oil and natural gas production. Oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and likely will continue to be volatile in the future, especially given current world geopolitical conditions. Cash flows from operations are highly dependent on the prices that we receive for oil and natural gas. This price volatility could affect the amount of our cash flows available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital. The prices for oil and natural gas are subject to a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control. These factors include:

• the level of consumer demand for oil and natural gas;

• the domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas;

• the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls;

• the price of foreign oil and natural gas;

• domestic governmental regulations and taxes;

• the price and availability of alternative fuel sources;

• weather conditions;

• market uncertainty due to political conditions in oil and natural gas producing regions, including the Middle East; and

• worldwide economic conditions.

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These factors as well as the volatility of the energy markets generally make it extremely difficult to predict future oil and natural gas price movements with any certainty. Declines in oil and natural gas prices affect our revenues and could reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. Accordingly, such declines could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, oil and natural gas reserves and the carrying values of our oil and natural gas properties. If the oil and natural gas industry experiences significant price declines, we may be unable to make planned expenditures, among other things. If this were to happen, we may be forced to abandon or curtail our business operations, which would cause the value of an investment in us to decline or become worthless.

In early March 2020, the market experienced a precipitous decline in oil prices in response to concerns about oil demand due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and anticipated increases in supply from Russia and OPEC, particularly Saudi Arabia. Generally, demand for oil declined substantially following the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but has recovered over the past year. These trends materially, adversely affected our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition during the last two years.

If oil or natural gas prices reverse again and go on a downward trend or drilling efforts are unsuccessful, we could be required to record additional write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties. Write-downs may occur when oil and natural gas prices are low, or if we have downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, increases in our estimates of operating or development costs, deterioration in drilling results or mechanical problems with wells where the cost to redrill or repair is not supported by the expected economics.

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and natural gas property costs less accumulated depletion and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves plus the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment would be recognized.

The Company recognized an impairment charge of $2,108,301 in 2020 due to an adjustment required by this ceiling test.

Because of the inherent dangers involved in oil and natural gas operations, there is a risk that we may incur liability or damages as we conduct our business operations, which could force us to expend a substantial amount of money in connection with litigation and/or a settlement.

The oil and natural gas business involves a variety of operating hazards and risks such as well blowouts, pipe failures, casing collapse, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires, spills, pollution, releases of toxic gas and other environmental hazards and risks. These hazards and risks could result in substantial losses to us from, among other things, injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, cleanup responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. In addition, we may be liable for environmental damages caused by previous owners of property purchased and leased by us. In recent years, there has also been increased scrutiny on the environmental risk associated with hydraulic fracturing, such as underground migration and surface spillage or mishandling of fracturing fluids including chemical additives. This technology has evolved and continues to evolve and become more aggressive. We believe that recent designs have seen improvement in, among other things, proppant per foot, barrels of water per stage, fracturing stages, and clusters per fracturing stage. Nonetheless, substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities may be incurred, the payment of which could reduce or eliminate the funds available for exploration, development or acquisitions or result in the loss of our properties and/or force us to expend substantial monies in connection with cleanup, litigation or settlements. In addition, we will need to quickly adapt to the evolving technology, which could take time and divert our attention to other business matters. We currently have no insurance to cover such losses and liabilities, and even if insurance is obtained, it may not be adequate to cover any losses or liabilities. We cannot predict the

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availability of insurance or the availability of insurance at premium levels that justify our purchase. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations. We may elect to self-insure if management believes that the cost of insurance, although available, is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The market for oil and natural gas is intensely competitive, and competition pressures could force us to abandon or curtail our business plan.

The market for oil and natural gas exploration services is highly competitive, and we only expect competition to intensify in the future. Numerous well-established companies are focusing significant resources on exploration and are currently competing with us for oil and natural gas opportunities. Other oil and natural gas companies may seek to acquire oil and natural gas leases and properties that we have targeted. Additionally, other companies engaged in our line of business may compete with us from time to time in obtaining capital from investors. Competitors include larger companies which, in particular, may have access to greater resources, may be more successful in the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and may conduct their own refining and petroleum marketing operations, which may give them a competitive advantage. Actual or potential competitors may be strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests. Additionally, there are numerous companies focusing their resources on creating fuels and/or materials which serve the same purpose as oil and natural gas but are manufactured from renewable resources.

As a result, we may not be able to compete successfully and competitive pressures may adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If we are not able to successfully compete in the marketplace, we could be forced to curtail or even abandon our current business plan, which could cause any investment in us to become worthless.

Inflation may adversely affect us by increasing costs beyond what we can recover through price increases and limit our ability to enter into future traditional debt financing.

Inflation can adversely affect us by increasing costs of critical materials, equipment, labor, and other services. In addition, inflation is often accompanied by higher interest rates. Continued inflationary pressures could impact our profitability. Inflation may also affect our ability to enter into future traditional debt financing, as high inflation may result in an increase in cost.

We may not be able to successfully manage growth, which could lead to our inability to implement our business plan.

Any growth of the Company may place a significant strain on our managerial, operational and financial resources, especially considering that we currently only have a small number of executive officers, employees and advisors. Further, as we enter into additional contracts, we will be required to manage multiple relationships with various consultants, businesses and other third parties. These requirements will be exacerbated in the event of our further growth or in the event that the number of our drilling and/or extraction operations increases. Our systems, procedures and/or controls may not be adequate to support our operations or that our management will be able to achieve the rapid execution necessary to successfully implement our business plan. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected, which could lead to us being forced to abandon or curtail our business plan and operations.

Developing oil and natural gas wells and producing oil and natural gas are costly and high-risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect future production from our oil and natural gas properties. Any delays, reductions or cancellations in development and producing activities could materially, adversely impact the value of your shares of Common Stock.

Recovery of undeveloped reserves and the development of developed non-producing reserves requires substantial capital expenditures and successful drilling operations of our oil and natural gas properties. All of the recent

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development costs related to our Hazel Project were paid by Masterson Hazel Partners LP (“MHP”). We granted MHP the option to acquire the Hazel Project in exchange for it conducting, and paying for, development activity sufficient to maintain the Hazel mineral leases in good standing (the “Option Agreement”). The Option Agreement provided that if MHP declined to exercise the option to acquire the property, we would be obligated to reimburse them for their cost of the development activity to the extent that the wells produced revenues beyond the date of the option’s lapse until the total amount of development expenses are reimbursed. MHP declined to exercise the option effective September 30, 2021. The 2021 reserve data included in the reserve report of our independent petroleum engineer assumes a certain amount of capital expenditures will be made to develop such reserves, and the present value of such reserves was adjusted based on our obligation to assign revenue from the Hazel Project to MHP. Additionally, 33.5% of the development expenses for the Orogrande Project are borne by the non-operating working interest owners of such properties.

The development of such reserves may in the future take a long period of time and may require higher levels of capital expenditures than anticipated, which, for the Orogrande Project, are borne in part by the non-operating working interest owners of such properties. Delays in the development of the reserves, increases in drilling and development costs (including expenses related to secondary and tertiary recovery techniques) of such reserves or decreases or continued volatility in commodity prices will reduce the future net revenues of the estimated possible reserves and may result in some projects becoming uneconomic. In addition, delays in the development of reserves could force us to reclassify certain of the proved reserves as unproved reserves.

In addition, the process of developing oil and natural gas wells and producing oil and natural gas from our properties is subject to numerous risks beyond our control. The ability to carry out operations or to finance planned development expenses could be materially and adversely affected by any factor that may curtail, delay, reduce or cancel development and production, including:

• delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with environmental and other governmental or regulatory requirements, including permitting requirements, limitations on or resulting from wastewater discharge and disposal of exploration and production wastes, including, subsurface injections, as well as additional regulation with respect to GHG emissions;

• pressure or irregularities in geological formations;

• restricted access to land for drilling or to existing pipeline infrastructure;

• lack of available gathering, transportation and processing facilities, including availability on commercially reasonable terms, or delays in construction of gathering facilities;

• lack of available capacity on interconnecting transmission pipelines;

• equipment failures or accidents;

• failure of secondary recovery operations to perform as expected;

• unexpected operational events and drilling conditions;

• declines in oil or natural gas prices;

• limitations in the market for oil or natural gas;

• pipe or cement failures;

• casing collapses;

• shortages, unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, tubular materials, equipment, supplies, personnel and services;

• lost or damaged drilling and service tools;

• loss of drilling fluid circulation;

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• uncontrollable flows of oil and natural gas, water or drilling fluids;

• blowouts, explosions fires and natural disasters;

• environmental hazards, such as oil and natural gas leaks, pipeline and tank ruptures, encountering naturally occurring radioactive materials, and unauthorized discharges of brine, well stimulation and completion fluids, toxic gases or other pollutants into the surface and subsurface environment;

• adverse weather conditions, such as drought, floods, blizzards, tornados and ice storms; and

• title problems or legal disputes regarding leasehold rights.

Our operations are heavily dependent on current environmental regulation, changes in which we cannot predict.

Oil and natural gas activities that we will engage in, including production, processing, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, such as hydrocarbons and naturally occurring radioactive materials (if any), are subject to stringent regulation. We could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs resulting from a release of hazardous material, third-party claims for property damage and personal injuries fines and sanctions, as a result of any violations or liabilities under environmental or other laws. Changes in or more stringent enforcement of environmental laws could force us to expend additional operating costs and capital expenditures to stay in compliance.

Various federal, state and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, directly impact oil and natural gas exploration, development and production operations, and consequently may impact our operations and costs. These regulations include, among others, (i) regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency and various state agencies regarding approved methods of disposal for certain hazardous and non-hazardous wastes; (ii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and analogous state laws which regulate the removal or remediation of previously disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators), property contamination (including groundwater contamination), and remedial plugging operations to prevent future contamination; (iii) the Clean Air Act and comparable state and local requirements which regulate air emissions; (iv) the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 which contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention of and response to oil spills into waters of the United States; (v) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act which is the principal federal statute governing the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes; (vi) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and comparable state and local requirements which regulate discharges to federal and state waters; and (vii) state regulations and statutes governing the handling, treatment, storage and disposal of naturally occurring radioactive material.

We believe that we will be in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations in reliance on our contractual relationship with Maverick Operating LLC, who operates our oil and natural gas properties and is primarily responsible for compliance with applicable environmental regulatory with respect to the operating activities of our oil and natural gas properties. We cover all costs associated with the related insurance coverage for such environmental regulatory compliance. To date, other than the cost of insurance, we have not expended any amounts to comply with such regulations, and we do not currently anticipate that future compliance will have a materially adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, if we are deemed to not be in compliance with applicable environmental laws, we could be forced to expend significant funds to be in compliance, which would have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition.

Government regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.

Several states, including Texas, and local jurisdictions, have adopted, or are considering adopting, regulations that could restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances, impose more stringent operating

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standards and/or require the disclosure of the composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids. The Texas Legislature adopted legislation, effective September 1, 2011, requiring oil and natural gas operators to publicly disclose the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. The Texas Railroad Commission adopted rules and regulations implementing this legislation that apply to all wells for which the Texas Railroad Commission issues an initial drilling permit after February 1, 2012. The law requires that the well operator disclose the list of chemical ingredients subject to the requirements of OSHA for disclosure on an internet website and also file the list of chemicals with the Texas Railroad Commission with the well completion report. The total volume of water used to hydraulically fracture a well must also be disclosed to the public and filed with the Texas Railroad Commission. Also, in May 2013, the Texas Railroad Commission adopted rules governing well casing, cementing and other standards for ensuring that hydraulic fracturing operations do not contaminate nearby water resources. The rules took effect in January 2014. Additionally, on October 28, 2014, the Texas Railroad Commission adopted disposal well rule amendments designed, among other things, to require applicants for new disposal wells that will receive non-hazardous produced water and hydraulic fracturing flowback fluid to conduct seismic activity searches utilizing the U.S. Geological Survey. The searches are intended to determine the potential for earthquakes within a circular area of 100 square miles around a proposed new disposal well. The disposal well rule amendments, which became effective on November 17, 2014, also clarify the Texas Railroad Commission’s authority to modify, suspend or terminate a disposal well permit if scientific data indicates a disposal well is likely to contribute to seismic activity. The Texas Railroad Commission has used this authority to deny permits and temporarily suspend operations for waste disposal wells and, in September 2021, the Texas Railroad Commission curtailed the amount of water companies were permitted to inject into some wells in the Permian Basin, and has since indefinitely suspended some permits there and expanded the restrictions to other areas. These restrictions on use of produced water and a moratorium on new produced water disposal wells could result in increased operating costs, requiring us or our service providers to truck produced water, recycle it or pump it through the pipeline network or other means, all of which could be costly. We or our service providers may also need to limit disposal well volumes, disposal rates and pressures or locations, or require us or our service providers to shut down or curtail the injection of produced water into disposal wells. These factors may make drilling and completion activity in the affected parts of the Permian Basin less economical and adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Climate change laws and regulations restricting emissions of GHGs could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce.

The EPA previously published its findings that emissions of GHGs present a danger to public health and the environment because such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. Based on these findings, the EPA has adopted various rules to address GHG emissions under existing provisions of the CAA. For example, the EPA has adopted rules requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from various oil and natural gas operations on an annual basis, which includes certain of our operations. In addition, in June 2016, the EPA finalized rules to reduce methane emissions from new, modified or reconstructed sources in the oil and natural gas sector, including implementation of an LDAR program to minimize methane emissions, under the CAA’s New Source Performance Standards Quad Oa. However, the EPA has taken several steps to delay implementation of the Quad Oa standards. The agency proposed a rulemaking in June 2017 to stay the requirements for a period of two years and in October 2018, the EPA proposed revisions to Quad Oa, such as changes to the frequency for monitoring fugitive emissions at well sites and changes to requirements that a professional engineer certify when meeting certain Quad Oa requirements is technically infeasible. In September 2020, the EPA finalized amendments to Quad Oa that rescind requirements for the transmission and storage segment of the oil and natural gas industry and rescind methane-specific limits that apply to the industry’s production and processing segments, among other things. On June 30, 2021, Congress issued a joint resolution pursuant to the Congressional Review Act disapproving the September 2020 rule, and on November 15, 2021, EPA issued a proposed rule to revise the Quad Oa regulations that, if finalized, would require methane emissions reductions and implementation of a fugitive emissions monitoring and repair program. EPA has also announced its intention to issue a supplemental proposal in 2022 that may expand on or modify the 2021 proposal in response to public input. It is possible that these rules will continue to require oil and natural gas operators to expend material sums.

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In addition, in November 2016, the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) issued final rules to reduce methane emissions from venting, flaring, and leaks during oil and natural gas operations on public lands that are substantially similar to the EPA Quad Oa requirements. However, on December 8, 2017, the BLM published a final rule to temporarily suspend or delay certain requirements contained in the November 2016 final rule until January 17, 2019, including those requirements relating to venting, flaring and leakage from oil and natural gas production activities. Further, in September 2018, the BLM published a final rule to revise or rescind certain provisions of the 2016 rule. On July 21, 2020, a Wyoming federal court vacated almost all of the 2016 rule, including all provisions relating to the loss of gas through venting, flaring, and leaks, and on July 15, 2020, a California federal court vacated the 2018 rule. While, as a result of these developments, future implementation of the EPA and BLM methane rules is uncertain, given the long-term trend towards increasing regulation, future federal GHG regulations of the oil and natural gas industry remain a possibility. We may be required to expend significant costs to obtain the necessary equipment (pollution control equipment and optical gas imaging equipment for LDAR inspections) and personnel trained to assist with inspection and reporting requirements to ensure we are in compliance with these rules.

We may incur increasing attention to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters that may impact our business.

Businesses across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from stakeholders related to their ESG practices. If we do not adapt to or comply with investor or stakeholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or if we are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition and/or the value of our Common Stock could be materially and adversely affected. Increasing attention to climate change, increasing societal expectations on businesses to address climate change, and potential consumer use of substitutes to energy commodities may result in increased costs, reduced demand for our hydrocarbon products, reduced profits, increased investigations and litigation, and negative impacts on our ability to access capital markets.

In addition, organizations that provided information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed rating processes for evaluating business entities on their approach to ESG matters. Currently, there are no universal standards for such scores or ratings, but the importance of sustainability evaluations is becoming more broadly accepted by investors and shareholders. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Additionally, certain investors use these scores to benchmark businesses against their peers. If we are perceived as lagging, our investors may engage with such third party organizations to require improved ESG disclosure or performance.

Our estimates of the volume of reserves could have flaws, or such reserves could turn out not to be commercially extractable. As a result, our future revenues and projections could be incorrect.

Estimates of reserves and of future net revenues prepared by different petroleum engineers may vary substantially depending, in part, on the assumptions made and may be subject to adjustment either up or down in the future. Our actual amounts of production, revenue, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses, and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves may vary substantially from the estimates. Oil and natural gas reserve estimates are necessarily inexact and involve matters of subjective engineering judgment. In addition, any estimates of our future net revenues and the present value thereof are based on assumptions derived in part from historical price and cost information, which may not reflect current and future values, and/or other assumptions made by us that only represent our best estimates. If these estimates of quantities, prices and costs prove inaccurate, we may be unsuccessful in expanding our oil and natural gas reserves base with our acquisitions. Additionally, if declines in and instability of oil and natural gas prices occur, then write downs in the capitalized costs associated with any oil and natural gas assets we obtain may be required. Because of the nature of the estimates of our reserves and estimates in general, reductions to our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves and estimated future net revenues may not be required in the future, and/or that our estimated

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reserves may not be present and/or commercially extractable. If our reserve estimates are incorrect, we may be forced to write down the capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties.

Decommissioning costs are unknown and may be substantial. Unplanned costs could divert resources from other projects.

We may become responsible for costs associated with abandoning and reclaiming wells, facilities and pipelines which we use for production of oil and natural gas reserves. Abandonment and reclamation of these facilities and the costs associated therewith is often referred to as “decommissioning.” We accrue a liability for decommissioning costs associated with our wells but have not established any cash reserve account for these potential costs in respect of any of our properties. If decommissioning is required before economic depletion of our properties or if our estimates of the costs of decommissioning exceed the value of the reserves remaining at any particular time to cover such decommissioning costs, we may have to draw on funds from other sources to satisfy such costs. The use of other funds to satisfy such decommissioning costs could impair our ability to focus capital investment in other areas of our business.

We may have difficulty distributing production, which could harm our financial condition.

In order to sell the oil and natural gas that we are able to produce, if any, the operators of the wells we obtain interests in may have to make arrangements for storage and distribution to the market. We will rely on local infrastructure and the availability of transportation for storage and shipment of our products, but infrastructure development and storage and transportation facilities may be insufficient for our needs at commercially acceptable terms in the localities in which we operate. This situation could be particularly problematic to the extent that our operations are conducted in remote areas that are difficult to access, such as areas that are distant from shipping and/or pipeline facilities. These factors may affect our and potential partners’ ability to explore and develop properties and to store and transport oil and natural gas production, increasing our expenses.

Furthermore, weather conditions or natural disasters, actions by companies doing business in one or more of the areas in which we will operate, or labor disputes may impair the distribution of oil and/or natural gas and in turn diminish our financial condition or ability to maintain our operations.

The marketability of any future production will be dependent upon transportation and other facilities, certain of which we do not control. When these facilities are unavailable, our operations can be interrupted and any revenues reduced.

The marketability of any future production depends in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of transportation facilities owned by third parties. The oil produced will be transported from the wellhead to our tank batteries by our gathering system. Our purchasers would then transport the oil by truck to a pipeline for transportation. Our natural gas production will generally be transported by our gathering lines from the wellhead to an interconnection point with the purchaser. We do not control these trucks and other third-party transportation facilities and our access to them may be limited or denied. Insufficient production from our wells to support the construction of pipeline facilities by our purchasers or a significant disruption in the availability of our or third-party transportation facilities or other production facilities could adversely impact our ability to deliver to market or produce our production and thereby cause a significant interruption in our operations.

We may be required to flare a portion of our natural gas production for a number of reasons, including the fact that (i) our well is not yet tied into the third-party gathering system, (ii) the pressures on the third-party gathering system are too high to allow additional production from our well to be transported or (iii) our production is prorated due to high demand on the third-party gathering system. We may flare additional gas from time to time.

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Also, the transfer of our oil and natural gas through third-party pipelines may be curtailed or delayed if it does not meet the quality specifications of the pipeline owners. Our access to transportation options, including trucks owned by third parties, can also be affected by U.S. federal and state regulation of oil and natural gas production and transportation, general economic conditions and changes in supply and demand. If, in the future, we are unable, for any sustained period, to implement acceptable delivery or transportation arrangements or encounter production-related difficulties, we may be required to shut in or curtail production. Any such shut in or curtailment, or an inability to obtain favorable terms for delivery of our production, would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business will suffer if we cannot obtain or maintain necessary licenses.

Our operations will require licenses, permits and in some cases renewals of licenses and permits from various governmental authorities. Our ability to obtain, sustain or renew such licenses and permits on acceptable terms is subject to change in regulations and policies and to the discretion of the applicable governments, among other factors. Our inability to obtain, or our loss of or denial of extension of, any of these licenses or permits could hamper our ability to produce revenues from our operations.

Challenges to our properties may impact our financial condition.

Title to oil and natural gas interests is often not capable of conclusive determination without incurring substantial expense. While we have made and intend to make appropriate inquiries into the title of properties and other development rights we have acquired and intend to acquire, title defects may exist. In addition, we may be unable to obtain adequate insurance for title defects, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all. If title defects do exist, it is possible that we may lose all or a portion of our right, title and interests in and to the properties to which the title defects relate. If our property rights are reduced, our ability to conduct our exploration, development and production activities may be impaired. To mitigate title problems, common industry practice is to obtain a title opinion from a qualified oil and natural gas attorney prior to the drilling operations of a well.

We rely on technology to conduct our business, and our technology could become ineffective or obsolete.

We rely on technology, including geographic and seismic analysis techniques and economic models, to develop any reserve estimates and to guide our exploration, development and production activities. We and our operator partners will be required to continually enhance and update our technology to maintain its efficacy and to avoid obsolescence. The costs of doing so may be substantial and may be higher than the costs that we anticipate for technology maintenance and development. If we are unable to maintain the efficacy of our technology, our ability to manage our business and to compete may be impaired. Further, even if we are able to maintain technical effectiveness, our technology may not be the most efficient means of reaching our objectives, in which case we may incur higher operating costs than we would were our technology more efficient.

The loss of key personnel would directly affect our efficiency and profitability.

Our future success is dependent, in a large part, on retaining the services of our planned management team. Our executive officers possess a unique and comprehensive knowledge of our industry and related matters that are vital to our success within the industry. The knowledge, leadership and technical expertise of these individuals would be difficult to replace. The loss of one or more of our officers could have a material adverse effect on our operating and financial performance, including our ability to develop and execute our long-term business strategy. We do not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to any employees. We have entered into employment agreements with certain of our executive officers effective immediately following the Spin-Off. Three of our executives were party to prior employment agreements with one of our subsidiaries, which have been terminated and superseded by the agreements as described in more detail under the heading “Executive Compensation” elsewhere in this Prospectus.

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We have limited management and staff and are dependent upon partnering arrangements and third-party service providers.

After the Spin-Off we plan to have six full-time employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The loss of these individuals would have an adverse effect on our business, as we have very limited personnel. We leverage the services of other independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, including engineering, oil and natural gas well planning and supervision, and land, legal, environmental and tax services. We also pursue alliances with partners in the areas of geological and geophysical services and prospect generation, evaluation and prospect leasing. Our dependence on third-party consultants and service providers create a number of risks, including but not limited to:

• the possibility that such third parties may not be available to us as and when needed; and

• the risk that we may not be able to properly control the timing and quality of work conducted with respect to our projects.

If we experience significant delays in obtaining the services of such third parties or they perform poorly, our results of operations and stock price could be materially adversely affected.

Certain of our directors and officers have significant duties with, and spend significant time serving, entities that may compete with us in seeking acquisitions and business opportunities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating time or pursuing business opportunities.

Certain of our directors and officers, who are responsible for managing the direction of our operations and acquisition activities, hold positions of responsibility with other entities that are in the business of identifying and acquiring oil and natural gas properties. The existing positions held by these directors and officers may give rise to fiduciary or other duties that are in conflict with the duties they owe to us. These directors and officers may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as to the other entities with which they are or may become affiliated. Due to these existing and potential future affiliations, they may present potential business opportunities to other entities prior to presenting them to us, which could cause additional conflicts of interest. They may also decide that certain opportunities are more appropriate for other entities with which they are affiliated, and as a result, they may elect not to present those opportunities to us. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor. For additional discussion of our management’s business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest of which our stockholders should be aware, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Our business and operations may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may be adversely affected by other similar outbreaks.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or other adverse public health developments, including voluntary and mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and other restrictions, we have experienced delays, disruptions and temporary suspensions of our operations. In addition, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the future.

The timeline and potential magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak continue to be unknown. The continuation or amplification of the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to more broadly affect the United States and global economy, including our business and operations, and the demand for oil and natural gas. Other contagious diseases in the human population could have similar adverse effects. The potential impact from COVID-19 is difficult to predict, therefore, the extent to which it will negatively affect our operating results, or the duration of any potential business disruption is uncertain. The magnitude and duration of any impact will depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the duration of COVID-19 pandemic, the severity of any variants thereof, rate of vaccinations and other actions taken by authorities to contain its impact or otherwise treat the disease, all of which are beyond our control.

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Terrorist attacks or cyber-incidents could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.

Like most companies, we have become increasingly dependent upon digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, to operate our businesses, to process and record financial and operating data, communicate with our business partners, analyze mine and mining information, estimate quantities of coal reserves, as well as other activities related to our businesses. Strategic targets, such as energy-related assets, may be at greater risk of future terrorist or cyber-attacks than other targets in the United States. Deliberate attacks on, or security breaches in, our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third parties, or cloud-based applications could lead to corruption or loss of our proprietary data and potentially sensitive data, delays in production or delivery, difficulty in completing and settling transactions, challenges in maintaining our books and records, environmental damage, communication interruptions, other operational disruptions and third-party liability. Our insurance may not protect us against such occurrences. Consequently, it is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, as cyber incidents continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents. We plan to adopt plans and policies to address precautions with respect to data security and appropriate responses in case of a reported breach.

Risks Relating to the Spin-Off

The Spin-Off could result in significant tax liability to Meta and its stockholders.

The Spin-Off and cancellation of all shares of Meta’s Series A Preferred Stock together will not qualify for non-recognition of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Series A Preferred stockholders could be subject to tax as a result of the Spin-Off and such cancellation. The treatment of the Spin-Off and cancellation of all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock together for U.S. federal income tax purposes for a U.S. holder (as defined further below) will depend on whether the Spin-Off and such cancellation qualify as a sale or exchange of the Series A Preferred Stock under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If the Spin-Off and cancellation of all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock together qualify as a sale or exchange of the Series A Preferred Stock, the U.S. holder will be treated as recognizing capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the Spin-Off and such cancellation together, and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Series A Preferred Stock surrendered in the Spin-Off and such cancellation. The treatment of the Spin-Off and cancellation of all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes for a non-U.S. holder (as defined further below) likewise will depend on whether the Spin-Off and such cancellation together qualify as a sale or exchange of the Series A Preferred Stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the Spin-Off and such cancellation together qualify as a sale or exchange of the Series A Preferred Stock, gain recognized from the Spin-Off by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation. If the Spin-Off and such cancellation together do not qualify as a sale or exchange of Series A Preferred Stock, a non-U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a distribution from Meta, which distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent the distribution is paid out of Meta’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) and will be subject to any applicable withholding. If a Series A Preferred stockholder is subject to withholding tax in connection with the Spin-Off (including nonresident withholding tax or backup withholding tax, each as described further under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below), Meta has the right to reduce the amount of Common Stock deliverable to such stockholder in the Spin-Off in order to pay such withholding tax.

Meta will generally recognize gain equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock in excess of Meta’s adjusted tax basis in such Common Stock at the time of the Spin-Off. To the extent such gain gives rise to unreimbursed federal, state or other tax liabilities, such liabilities could adversely affect Meta’s liquidity or capital reserves.

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See below under the headings “Notes to Unaudited Pro-Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for more information.

We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the Spin-Off.

We believe that, as an independent company, we will be able to, among other things, better focus our financial and operational resources on our specific business, implement and maintain a capital structure designed to meet our specific needs, design and implement corporate strategies and policies that are targeted to our business, more effectively respond to industry dynamics and create effective incentives for our management and employees that are more closely tied to our business performance. However, by separating from Meta, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and have less leverage with suppliers, and we may experience other adverse events. In addition, we may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as an independent company in the time we expect, if at all. The completion of the Spin-Off will also require significant amounts of our management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating and growing our business.

We may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as an independent company, and we may experience increased costs after the Spin-Off.

Meta has provided us with various corporate services. Following the Spin-Off, Meta will have no obligation to provide us with assistance other than as described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Meta.” These arrangements do not account for every service that we have received from Meta in the past. Accordingly, following the Spin-Off, we will need to provide internally or obtain from unaffiliated third parties the services we currently receive from Meta. We may be unable to replace these services in a timely manner or on terms and conditions as favorable as those we receive from Meta. We may be unable to successfully establish the infrastructure or implement the changes necessary to operate independently or may incur additional costs. If we fail to obtain the services necessary to operate effectively or if we incur greater costs in obtaining these services, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

We have limited operating history as an independent company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as an independent company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

We derived the historical financial information included in this Prospectus from Meta’s consolidated financial statements, and this information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations and financial position we would have achieved as an independent company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future. This is primarily because of the following factors:

• Prior to the Spin-Off, we operated as part of Meta’s broader corporate organization, and Meta performed various corporate functions for us. Our historical financial information reflects allocations of corporate expenses from Meta for these and similar functions. These allocations may not reflect the costs we will incur for similar services in the future as an independent company.

• We will enter into certain transactions with Meta that did not exist prior to the Spin-Off, such as the Tax Matters Agreement, which may cause us to incur new costs.

• Our historical financial information does not reflect changes that we expect to experience in the future as a result of our separation from Meta, including changes in our cost structure, personnel needs, tax structure, financing and business operations. As part of Meta, we enjoyed certain benefits from Meta’s operating diversity, size, purchasing power, borrowing leverage and available capital for investments, and we will lose these benefits after the Spin-Off. As an independent entity, we may be unable to purchase goods, services and technologies, such as insurance and health care benefits and computer software licenses or access capital markets on terms as favorable to us as those we obtained as part of Meta prior to the Spin-Off.

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Following the Spin-Off, we will also be responsible for the additional costs associated with being an independent company, including costs related to corporate governance, investor and public relations and public reporting. In addition, certain costs incurred by Meta, including executive oversight, accounting, treasury, tax, legal, human resources, occupancy, procurement, information technology and other shared services, have historically been allocated to us by Meta; but these allocations may not reflect the future level of these costs to us as we begin to provide these services ourselves. Therefore, our historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance as an independent company. We cannot assure you that our operating results will continue at a similar level when we are an independent company. For additional information about our past financial performance and the basis of presentation of our financial statements, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

Our contracts may contain provisions requiring the consent of third parties in connection with the Spin-Off. If these consents are not obtained, we may be unable to enjoy the benefit of these contracts in the future.

Our contracts may contain provisions that require the consent of third parties to the Spin-Off. Failure to obtain such consents on commercially reasonable and satisfactory terms may impair our entitlement to the benefit of these contracts in the future.

The 2021 Note with Meta contains restrictive covenants that limit our operations.

In 2021, we borrowed $15 million pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Note (defined below). If we are not in compliance with the covenants of the 2021 Note, or if we are in default under the 2021 Note, it is unlikely that Meta will offer to extend any additional loans or debt financing under the 2021 Note or otherwise, which may affect our business as a going concern. The 2021 Note includes a restrictive covenant that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restricts our ability to merge or consolidate with another person or entity, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets, unless we are the surviving entity or the successor entity assumes all of obligations under the 2021 Note. This restriction may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to certain changes in our business or industry or take future actions. See the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information.

The 2021 Note is secured by a security interest in shares of common stock of Meta and a 25% working interest in the Orogrande Prospect as defined in the Security Agreement (defined below), each held by the Pledgor (defined below) or the Pledgor’s affiliate. Any default that is not waived could permit Meta, as lender, to exercise rights and remedies with respect to all of the collateral that is securing the 2021 Note, and/or other rights and remedies under applicable law.

Our ability to meet these restrictive covenants or to avoid defaults can be impacted by events beyond our control. The 2021 Note provides that our breach or failure to satisfy certain covenants constitutes an event of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, Meta as our lender could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the 2021 Note to be immediately due and payable. If the outstanding debt under the 2021 Note was to be accelerated, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay it, which would have an immediate adverse effect on our business and operating results. This could potentially cause us to cease operations and result in a complete loss of your investment in our Common Stock.

Our Loan Agreement with Meta contains restrictive covenants that limit our operations.

As of August 2022, we borrowed an aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement (defined below), which is the maximum principal balance available under the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement contains various restrictive covenants and other restrictions, which include, among other things, restrictions on:

• our ability to transfer all or part of our business or property, except for inventory in the ordinary course of business, surplus or obsolete equipment, permitted liens, and transfers of cash permitted by the agreement;

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• our ability to liquidate or dissolve or merge or consolidate with another entity, or acquire another entity;

• our ability to incur additional debt beyond certain limits or encumber our assets; and

• our ability to pay dividends or make investments, other than permitted investments.

These restrictions may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to certain changes in our business or industry or take future actions. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information.

Our ability to meet these restrictive covenants can be impacted by events beyond our control. The Loan Agreement provides that our breach or failure to satisfy certain covenants constitutes an event of default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, Meta as the lender could elect to (i) declare all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Loan Agreement immediately due and payable, (ii) terminate any remaining commitment to make loans under the Loan Agreement, and/or (iii) exercise certain other rights and remedies anticipated under the Loan Agreement. The events of default under the Loan Agreement include, among other things (subject to grace periods in certain instances), payment defaults, breaches of covenants or representations and warranties, a change in control or certain material adverse effects as defined in the Loan Agreement, material judgments and attachments, cross defaults with certain of our other material indebtedness, and bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to us and our subsidiaries. If the outstanding debt under the Loan Agreement was to be accelerated, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay it, which would have an immediate adverse effect on our business and operating results. This could potentially cause us to cease operations and result in a complete loss of your investment in our Common Stock.

We may have been able to receive better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we receive in our agreements with Meta.

We have negotiated agreements with Meta including the 2021 Note, Loan Agreement, Distribution Agreement and Tax Matters Agreement, while we are still part of Meta. Accordingly, these agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arms-length negotiations between unaffiliated parties. The terms of the agreements being negotiated relate to, among other things, loans for working capital, allocations of assets, liabilities, rights, indemnifications and other obligations between Meta and us. We may have received better terms from third parties because third parties may have competed with each other to win our business. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for more information.

Risks Relating to our Common Stock

Our Common Stock is not eligible with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), which may result in brokerage firms being unwilling to hold or trade the stock.

A significant number of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock hold such shares in “street name” brokerage accounts. Our shares of Common Stock will not become eligible with DTC to permit our shares of Common Stock to trade electronically. If an issuer is not “DTC-eligible,” then its capital stock cannot be electronically transferred between brokerage accounts, which means that brokerage firms may be unwilling to hold or trade our Common Stock, restricting all trades by holders of our Common Stock following the Spin-Off, and the brokerage firms may return all such shares from the brokerage accounts to the beneficial holders.

The price per share of Meta’s Series A Preferred Stock traded on the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market under the symbol MMTLP may not accurately reflect the value of a share of our Common Stock that you will receive in the Distribution.

Before the Distribution, Meta’s Series A Preferred Stock was traded on the OTC market under the trading symbol “MMTLP”, although such shares of MMTLP were not eligible for broker-dealer quotations. The OTC

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market does not constitute an established stock exchange, and as a result, the historical trading prices for the shares of MMTLP may not be a reliable benchmark on which to determine the value of the shares of our Common Stock you will receive in the Distribution.

Additionally, securities of certain companies have recently experienced significant and extreme volatility in stock price due to short sellers of shares of securities, known as a “short squeeze.” These short squeezes have caused extreme volatility in both the stock prices of those companies and in the market and have led those companies’ securities to trade at a significantly inflated price per share that is disconnected from the underlying value of the company. In particular, if any investors have sold shares of MMTLP short, then in connection with the Distribution such investors may feel compelled to buy shares of MMTLP to cover such sales before the Distribution. If this were to occur, given the potential high demand from buyers with a relatively low supply of MMTLP shares available for sale on the OTC market, the MMTLP price per share as shown on the OTC market may rise significantly but not be representative of the value of the underlying shares of our Common Stock that you will receive in the Distribution.

No trading market for our Common Stock is expected to develop.

There is presently no public market for our shares of Common Stock and our shares are not expected to become DTC eligible for electronic trading to third parties. There is no expectation that a trading market will develop or be sustained. Accordingly, you may have to hold the shares of Common Stock indefinitely.

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our Common Stock must come from increases in the fair market value of the Common Stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We expect to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in our business. Also, any credit agreements, which we may enter into, may restrict our ability to pay dividends. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors (the “Board”) and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects and any other factors our Board deems relevant. Therefore, any return on your investment in our Common Stock must come from increases in the fair market value of the Common Stock.

Your percentage ownership in the Company may be diluted in the future, including in our plan to issue our Common Stock for the working interests in our Orogrande Project.

Your percentage ownership in the Company may be diluted in the future because of equity awards that we expect to grant to our directors, officers and other employees and current holders of working interests in our Orogrande Project. Prior to the Spin-Off, we approved an incentive plan that will provide for the grant of Common Stock-based equity awards to our directors, officers and other employees. In addition, we may issue equity as all or part of the consideration paid for acquisitions and strategic investments that we may make in the future or as necessary to finance our ongoing operations.

We may issue preferred stock with terms that could adversely affect the voting power or value of our Common Stock.

Our Board has the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights and terms of redemption, redemption price or prices and liquidation preferences of such series. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our Common Stock. For example, we might afford holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or upon the occurrence of specified events or the right to vote on specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of our Common Stock.

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Risks Relating to Our Status as a Public Reporting Company

We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company, subject to less stringent reporting and regulatory requirements of other publicly reporting companies and this status may have an adverse effect on our ability to attract interest in our Common Stock.

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act. As long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting and regulatory requirements that are applicable to other public reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions.

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined under the Exchange Act. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company provided: (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million as of the end of the prior June 30th, or (2) our annual revenues are less than $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million as of the prior June 30th. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public reporting companies difficult or impossible.

We may be required to file reports with the SEC only for the fiscal year in which the registration statement for the Spin-Off becomes effective and may no longer be subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act thereafter.

By registering the shares of Common Stock in connection with the Spin-Off, we become subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, which includes filings of Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K for reporting periods ending on or before December 31, 2022. We would be obligated to continue these reporting obligations for subsequent reporting periods if on the last day of our fiscal year in which the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part becomes effective we have more than $10 million in assets and either 2,000 or more record holders or 500 or more record holders who are not “accredited investors.” It is unclear whether the number of our record holders following the Spin-Off will meet one or both of these thresholds, in which case, we may become exempt from such reporting requirements after the year ending December 31, 2022. If we were to decide not to continue reporting, you will not have access to updated information regarding our business, financial condition and results of operation. Although we may and intend to continue to file such reports with the SEC, such filings will be voluntary.

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THE SPIN-OFF

Background

In June 2020 the board of directors of Torchlight began to pursue strategic alternatives for Torchlight due to the permeating financial climate of the oil and gas industry in 2020. In July 2020 Torchlight engaged Roth Capital Partners, LLC as its financial advisor in connection with a strategic transaction. After discussions with various companies, Torchlight began discussions with Metamaterial, Inc. in September 2020 concerning a potential strategic transaction.

After several months of negotiations, in December 2020 Torchlight and Metamaterial, Inc. entered into the Arrangement Agreement. Within the Arrangement Agreement, the oil and gas properties of Torchlight (the “O&G Assets”) were effectively allocated to the legacy Torchlight stockholders, which became the Series A Preferred stockholders of Torchlight (which was subsequently renamed “Meta Materials, Inc.”). Concurrent with the negotiation and execution of the Arrangement Agreement was the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, upon a sale of the O&G Assets, the proceeds from any such transaction are to be distributed to the Series A Preferred stockholders, or Meta was to pursue a spin-off. In lieu of a sale of the O&G Assets, the Meta board has now determined to pursue the Spin-Off.

Reasons for the Spin-Off

The Meta board of directors considered the Spin-Off to be strategic so that Meta can concentrate on its core business.

When and How You Will Receive Shares of Common Stock

Meta will distribute to the holders of its Series A Preferred Stock, as a pro rata dividend, one share of our Common Stock for every share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of                     , 2022 (the “Record Date”).

Prior to the Spin-Off, Meta will deliver all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock to the distribution agent. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC (the “Transfer Agent”) will serve as distribution agent in connection with the Distribution and as transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock.

If you own Series A Preferred Stock of Meta as of the close of business on                     , 2022, the shares of our Common Stock that you are entitled to receive in the Distribution will be issued to your account as follows:

• Registered stockholders. If you own your shares of Series A Preferred Stock directly through Meta’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, you are a registered stockholder. In this case, the distribution agent will credit the whole number of shares of our Common Stock you receive in the Distribution by way of direct registration in book-entry form to a new account with the Transfer Agent. Registration in book-entry form refers to a method of recording share ownership where no physical stock certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in the Distribution. You will be able to access information regarding your book-entry account holding our shares at the Transfer Agent.

Commencing on or shortly after the Distribution Date, the Transfer Agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of whole shares of our Common Stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name. We expect it will take the Transfer Agent up to two weeks after the Distribution Date to complete the distribution of the shares of our Common Stock and mail statements of holdings to all registered stockholders. You or your bank, broker or other nominee may request that the Transfer Agent issue to you a physical stock certificate representing your shares of Common Stock.

• “Street name” or beneficial stockholders. Most Meta stockholders own their shares of Series A Preferred Stock beneficially through a bank, broker or other nominee. In these cases, the bank, broker

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or other nominee holds the shares in “street name” and records your ownership on its books. If you own your shares of the Series A Preferred Stock through a bank, broker or other nominee, your bank, broker or other nominee will credit your account with the whole shares of our Common Stock that you receive in the Distribution on or shortly after the Distribution Date; however, our shares of Common Stock will not be eligible for electronic trading through DTC or any other established clearing corporation. Therefore, we encourage you to contact your bank, broker or other nominee to instruct such bank, broker or other nominee to transfer the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to our transfer agent on or prior to the Record Date such that each such holder of Series A Preferred Stock is the registered holder of the distributed shares of Common Stock in book-entry form in a new account with our Transfer Agent.

If you sell shares of Series A Preferred Stock on or before the Distribution Date, you will not be entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock in the Distribution in respect of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock sold. We expect all trading of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be suspended as of the Distribution Date.

We are not asking holders of Meta Series A Preferred Stock to take any action in connection with the Spin-Off. No approval of any holders of Meta’s capital stock is required for the Spin-Off. We are not asking you for a proxy and request that you not send us a proxy. We are also not asking you to make any payment or surrender or exchange any of your shares of Meta Series A Preferred Stock for shares of our Common Stock. As of the Distribution Date, all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be automatically cancelled and the holders of such Series A Preferred Stock will cease to have any rights with respect to such shares.

Number of Shares You Will Receive

On the Distribution Date, you will receive one share of our Common Stock for every share of Meta Series A Preferred Stock you hold on the Record Date. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued.

Results of the Spin-Off

After the Spin-Off, we will be an independent company. Immediately following the Spin-Off, we expect to have approximately 64,000 holders of shares of our Common Stock. In computing the number of holders of record, all broker-dealers and clearing corporation holding shares on behalf of its customers, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, is counted as a single shareholder. A significant number of shares of our Common Stock are held in either nominee name or street name brokerage accounts, and consequently, we are unable to determine the exact number of beneficial owners of our Common Stock.

We have entered into a Distribution Agreement and certain other agreements with Meta related to the Spin-Off. These agreements will govern the relationship between us and Meta up to and after completion of the Spin-Off and allocate between us and Meta various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations, including employee benefits, intellectual property and tax-related assets and liabilities. We describe these arrangements in greater detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Meta.”

Conditions to the Spin-Off

We expect that the separation will be effective on the Distribution Date, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived by Meta:

• the Meta board of directors shall have authorized and approved the Distribution and not withdrawn such authorization and approval, and shall have declared the dividend of our Common Stock to Meta stockholders;

• the Distribution Agreement and the ancillary agreements contemplated by the Distribution Agreement shall have been executed by each party to those agreements;

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• the SEC shall have declared effective our Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of our Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC;

• no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the Distribution shall be in effect, and no other event outside the control of Meta shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of the Distribution;

• all necessary actions and filings with regard to applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws shall have been taken; and

• any material third party consents necessary to consummate the Spin-Off shall have been obtained or waived.

Reasons for Furnishing this Prospectus

We are furnishing this Prospectus solely to provide information to Meta Series A Preferred Stockholders who will receive shares of our Common Stock in the Distribution. You should not construe this Prospectus as an inducement or encouragement to buy, hold or sell any of our securities or any securities of Meta. We believe that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this Prospectus may occur after that date, and neither we nor Meta undertake any obligation to update the information except in the normal course of our and Meta’s public disclosure obligations and practices and except as required by applicable law.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of our separation from Meta, and in particular the distribution by Meta of our Common Stock to the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stockholders”) and the cancellation of all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock. For purposes of this section under the heading “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off”: (i) any references to the “Spin-Off” shall mean only the distribution of shares of our Common Stock by Meta to Series A Preferred Stockholders and the cancellation of all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken together; (ii) references to “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean only Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated; and (iii) references to Meta refer to Meta Materials, Inc. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury Regulations”), rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought and do not intend to seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein. The summary is also based upon the assumption that Meta, the Company and their respective subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with their applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements and the agreements and other documents applicable to our separation from Meta. This summary is for general information purposes only, does not address all possible tax considerations that may be material to an investor and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Moreover, this summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances, or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

• financial institutions;

• insurance companies;

• broker-dealers;

• regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;

• partnerships and trusts;

• persons who hold our stock on behalf of another person as a nominee;

• persons who receive our stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

• persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;

• tax-exempt organizations;

and, except to the extent discussed below:

• foreign investors.

This summary assumes that investors hold their Series A Preferred Stock as a capital asset and will hold their Common Stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.

For purposes of this discussion under the heading “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off,” a U.S. holder is a Series A Preferred Stockholder that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

• a citizen or resident of the United States,

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• a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any of its states, or the District of Columbia,

• an estate, whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or

• a trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.

A “non-U.S. holder” is a Series A Preferred Stockholder that is not a U.S. holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership, entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Series A Preferred Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Spin-Off.

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE SPIN-OFF TO STOCKHOLDERS OF META DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPIN-OFF TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER OF META WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDER’S PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE SPIN-OFF IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES.

Tax Classification of the Spin-Off in General

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Spin-Off will not be eligible for treatment as a tax-deferred distribution by Meta with respect to its stock. Accordingly, the Spin-Off will generally be treated as a fully taxable transaction. The discussion below describes the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. holder and a non-U.S. holder upon the receipt of our Common Stock in the Spin-Off.

Although Meta will ascribe a value to the Common Stock distributed in the Spin-Off, this valuation is not binding on the IRS or any other taxing authority. These taxing authorities could ascribe a higher valuation to the distributed Common Stock, particularly if, following the Spin-Off, those shares of Common Stock trade at prices significantly above the value ascribed to those shares by Meta. Such a higher valuation may affect the Spin-Off distribution amount and thus the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Spin-Off to Meta’s Series A Preferred stockholders. Fractional shares of Common Stock will not be distributed.

Meta will be required to recognize any gain, but will not be permitted to recognize any loss, with respect to the Common Stock that it distributes in the Spin-Off equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock in excess of Meta’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock.

Tax Basis and Holding Period of Company Shares Received by Holders of Meta Stock

A Series A Preferred stockholder’s tax basis in shares of our Common Stock received in the Spin-Off generally will equal the fair market value of such shares on the date of the Spin-Off, and the holding period for such shares will begin the day after the date of the Spin-Off.

Tax Treatment of the Spin-Off to U.S. Holders

The following discussion describes the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. holder of Meta stock upon the receipt of our Common Stock in the Spin-Off.

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The treatment of the Spin-Off for U.S. federal income tax purposes for a U.S. holder will depend on whether the Spin-Off qualifies as a sale of the Series A Preferred Stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the Spin-Off qualifies as a sale of the Series A Preferred Stock, a U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss as described below under “—Gain or Loss on the Spin-Off Treated as a Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock” below. If the Spin-Off does not qualify as a sale of the Series A Preferred Stock, a U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution subject to tax as described below under “—Taxation of the Spin-Off Treated as a Distribution.” Whether a distribution qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of shares of Meta stock treated as held by a U.S. holder (including any shares constructively owned by a U.S. holder) relative to all of the Meta stock outstanding both before and after the Spin-Off. The Spin-Off generally will be treated as a sale of Series A Preferred Stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the Spin-Off: (i) results in a “complete termination” of a U.S. holder’s interest in Meta, (ii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to such U.S. holder or (iii) is a “substantially disproportionate redemption” with respect to such U.S. holder. These tests are explained more fully below.

In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. holder must take into account not only shares of Meta stock actually owned by such U.S. holder, but also shares of Meta stock that are constructively owned by such U.S. holder. A U.S. holder may constructively own, in addition to shares owned directly, shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which such U.S. holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. holder, as well as any shares such U.S. holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of Meta stock actually and constructively owned by such U.S. holder are exchanged or (ii) all of the shares of Meta stock actually owned by such U.S. holder are exchanged and such U.S. holder is eligible to waive, and does waive, the attribution of shares owned by certain family members and such U.S. holder does not constructively own any other shares. The Spin-Off of Series A Preferred Stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if the Spin-Off results in a “meaningful reduction” of a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in Meta. Whether the Spin-Off will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in Meta will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over its corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” In order to meet the “substantially disproportionate” test, the percentage of outstanding shares of Meta voting stock actually and constructively owned by a U.S. holder immediately following the Spin-Off must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of the outstanding shares of Meta voting stock actually and constructively owned by such U.S. holder immediately before the Spin-Off. Because the Class A Preferred Stock is not voting stock, it is not expected that the “substantially disproportionate” test will be satisfied in respect of the Spin-Off. U.S. holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of the Spin-Off.

If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the Spin-Off will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “—Taxation of the Spin-Off Treated as a Distribution,” below.

Meta currently intends to report the Spin-Off as a corporate distribution (including a determination of the portion of the distribution pursuant to the Spin-Off constituting a taxable dividend, assuming that the Spin-Off is treated as a corporate distribution) on IRS Form 1099-DIV after its earnings and profits for the taxable year in which the distribution occurs are calculated. This information may not be available until after U.S. holders file their U.S. federal and state income tax returns for that taxable year, and such U.S. holders may need to file amended tax returns to reflect the amount of the taxable dividend as finally determined. Meta reporting the Spin-Off as a corporate distribution will not preclude a U.S. holder from treating the Spin-Off as a sale of Series A Preferred Stock, if one of the tests described above is satisfied.

Taxation of the Spin-Off Treated as a Distribution

If the Spin-Off of a U.S. holder’s Series A Preferred Stock does not qualify as a sale of Series A Preferred Stock, such U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a distribution from Meta. A U.S. holder generally will be required to

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include in gross income as dividends the amount received in connection with the Spin-Off to the extent the distribution is paid out of Meta’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of such current and accumulated earnings and profits generally will be treated as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock (but not below zero), with any remaining excess treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares as described below under “—Gain or Loss on the Spin-Off Treated as a Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock.”

If a U.S. holder is a corporate U.S. holder, dividends paid by Meta to such U.S. holder generally will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations so long as such U.S. holder satisfies the holding period requirement for the dividends-received deduction.

If a U.S. holder is a non-corporate U.S. holder, under tax laws currently in effect, dividends generally will be taxed at the preferential applicable long-term capital gains rate so long as such U.S. holder satisfies the holding period requirement (i.e., more than sixty (60) days of ownership, without protection from the risk of loss, during the 121-day period that begins sixty (60) days before the ex-dividend date) and certain other requirements are met (see “—Gain or Loss on the Spin-Off Treated as a Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock” below).

Gain or Loss on the Spin-Off Treated as a Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock

If the Spin-Off qualifies as a sale of Series A Preferred Stock, such U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of our Common Stock received by such U.S. holder in the Spin-Off and (ii) such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Series A Preferred Stock surrendered in the Spin-Off.

Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. holder’s holding period for the Series A Preferred Stock so disposed of exceeds one (1) year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders generally will be eligible for taxation at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Tax Treatment of the Spin-Off to Non-U.S. Holders

For non-U.S. holders of Series A Preferred Stock, the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the Spin-Off of such non-U.S. holder’s Series A Preferred Stock generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of the Spin-Off of a U.S. holder’s Series A Preferred Stock, as described above under “Treatment of the Spin-Off for U.S. Holders” with respect to whether the Spin-Off is a sale or exchange of Series A Preferred Stock or is treated as a distribution.

Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to whether the Spin-Off will be treated as a distribution, or as a sale or exchange, under the Code.

Taxation of the Spin-Off Treated as a Distribution

If the Spin-Off of a non-U.S. holder’s Series A Preferred Stock does not qualify as a sale or exchange of Series A Preferred Stock, such non-U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a distribution from Meta, which distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent the distribution is paid out of Meta’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). The gross amount of such dividends will be subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 30% unless a non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of such non-U.S. holder’s eligibility for such reduced rate. Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct by a non-U.S. holder of a trade or

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business in the United States (and are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment if an applicable treaty so requires) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. holder and, if such non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty.

Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits generally will be treated as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce a non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such non-U.S. holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock (but not below zero), with any remaining excess treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares as described under “—Gain or Loss on the Spin-Off Treated as a Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock” below.

Gain or Loss on the Spin-Off Treated as a Sale or Exchange of Series A Preferred Stock

Subject to the discussions of backup withholding and FATCA withholding below, if the Spin-Off of a non-U.S. holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock qualifies as a sale or exchange of such shares, such non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized on such Spin-Off unless:

• such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such non-U.S. holder maintains in the United States), in which case such non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. holder and, if such non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty;

• such non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case such non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% tax on such non-U.S. holder’s net capital gain for the year (or lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty); or

• Meta is or has been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five (5) year period ending on the date of the Spin-Off or the period during which such non-U.S. holder held Series A Preferred Stock, and, in the case where shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are traded on an established securities market, such non-U.S. holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of the Series A Preferred Stock at any time within the shorter of the five (5) year period or such non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the Series A Preferred Stock. Meta does not believe that it is or has been a U.S. real property holding corporation.

Because it may not be certain at the time a non-U.S. holder’s Series A Preferred Stock is exchanged whether the Spin-Off will be treated as a sale or exchange or as a distribution, and because such determination will depend in part on such non-U.S. holder’s particular circumstances, the applicable withholding agent may not be able to determine whether (or to what extent) such non-U.S. holder is treated as receiving a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the applicable withholding agent may withhold tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gross amount of any consideration paid to a non-U.S. holder in exchange for such non-U.S. holder’s Series A Preferred Stock, unless (i) the applicable withholding agent has established special procedures allowing non-U.S. holders to certify that they are exempt from such withholding tax and (ii) such non-U.S. holder is able to certify that such non-U.S. holder meets the requirements of such exemption (e.g., because such non-U.S. holder is not treated as receiving a dividend under the Section 302 tests described above). However, there can be no assurance that any applicable withholding agent will establish such special certification procedures. Thus, the applicable withholding agent may withhold some portion of our Common Stock otherwise distributable to a non-U.S. holder to satisfy its obligation to withhold tax, except to the extent it estimates that the amount of the proceeds from the Spin-Off will exceed Meta’s

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current and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent it is required to withhold tax, the applicable withholding agent may sell the portion of our Common Stock otherwise distributable to non-U.S. holders needed to pay that tax, together with associated expenses. If an applicable withholding agent withholds excess amounts from the amount payable to a non-U.S. holder, such non-U.S. holder generally may obtain a refund of any such excess amounts by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rules in light of such non-U.S. holder’s particular facts and circumstances and any applicable procedures or certification requirements.

Tax Considerations to U.S. Holders in Respect of Ownership and Disposition of Our Common Stock

Dividends. Any dividends paid by the Company out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary dividend income. Corporate U.S. holders should generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction and non-corporate U.S. holders should generally qualify for reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income, assuming, in each case, that a minimum holding period and certain other generally applicable requirements are satisfied. Dividends in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s basis in our Common Stock and thereafter as capital gain. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the appropriate U.S. federal income tax treatment of any dividend received from the Company. Dividends received by a non-corporate U.S. holder may be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income.

Sales or Other Dispositions of Our Common Stock. A U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of our Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock and the amount realized from the disposition. Any gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of our Common Stock generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held our Common Stock for more than one year. Deductions for capital losses are subject to limitations. Any gain recognized by a non-corporate U.S. holder may be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income.

Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders in Respect of Ownership and Disposition of Our Common Stock

Dividends. Any dividends paid on our Common Stock that are characterized as dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be provided by an applicable income tax treaty. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to the Company or its paying agent a valid IRS Form W-8 (or applicable successor form) certifying such holder’s qualification for the reduced rate. This certification must be provided to the Company or its paying agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. If a non-U.S. holder who qualifies for a reduced treaty rate but does not timely provide the Company or the payment agent with the required certification, such non-U.S. holder may be entitled to a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability or a refund of the tax withheld, which the non-U.S. holder may claim by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Dividends that are treated as “effectively connected” with a trade or business conducted by a non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, are also attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of such non-U.S. holder) are not subject to withholding tax, provided the non-U.S. holder satisfies certain certification and disclosure requirements. Instead, such dividends, net of specified deductions and credits, are taxed at the same graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons. To the extent a dividend is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, non-corporate non-U.S. holders may be eligible for taxation at reduced U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

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Sales or Other Dispositions of Our Common Stock. Subject to the discussions under “Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” and “FATCA,” below, a non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon such holder’s sale or other disposition of our Common Stock. Gain on the sale of our Common Stock may be subject to U.S. net income tax (and in respect of corporate non-U.S. holders, branch profits tax) if the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base of the non-U.S. holder within the United States). Additionally, a non-U.S. holder that is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain other requirements will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the amount of gain derived from the sale that, together with certain other U.S. source capital gains realized during such year exceed certain U.S. source capital losses realized during such year.

FATCA. Pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, foreign financial institutions (which include most foreign hedge funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, securitization vehicles and any other investment vehicles) and certain other foreign entities must comply with registration and information reporting rules with respect to their U.S. account holders and investors or be subject to a withholding tax on U.S.-source payments made to them (whether received as a beneficial owner or as an intermediary for another party). A foreign financial institution or other foreign entity that does not comply with the FATCA registration and reporting requirements will generally be subject to a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments.” For this purpose, withholdable payments generally include U.S.-source payments (including U.S.-source dividends), and (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) the gross proceeds from a sale of equity or debt instruments of issuers who are considered U.S. issuers under the FATCA rules. The FATCA withholding tax applies even if the payment would otherwise not be subject to U.S. nonresident withholding tax (e.g., because it is capital gain). While withholding under FATCA would also have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations which, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds of a disposition of Series A Preferred Stock or our Common Stock entirely. Taxpayers may generally rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. We will not pay additional amounts in respect of amounts withheld. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding possible implications of FATCA.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts paid to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders, unless an exemption applies. Backup withholding tax may apply to amounts subject to reporting if the holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or fails to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns. A U.S. holder or non-U.S. holder can claim a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability for the amount of any backup withholding tax and a refund of any overpayment of taxes, provided that all required information is timely provided to the IRS. U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for establishing an exemption.

THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS A GENERAL SUMMARY. IT DOES NOT COVER ALL TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE TO A PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER. EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF THE SPIN-OFF IN LIGHT OF THE STOCKHOLDER’S OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the Distribution of the Common Stock in the Spin-Off and any expenses incurred in connection with the Distribution shall be borne by us.

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

Currently, there is no public trading market for our Common Stock and no consideration will be paid for the shares of Common Stock distributed in the Spin-Off.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and capitalization as of September 30, 2022 on (i) an actual basis; and (ii) on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Distribution. The following table should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

	September 30, 2022
	Actual As Reported			Pro Forma Adjustments for Distribution
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,108,866		$	2,108,866
Short-term debt	$	21,156,988		$	21,156,988
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 1 share issued and outstanding as reported; 165,523,363 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted		16,552			16,552
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid in capital		100,846,643			100,846,643
Accumulated deficit		(72,951,809	)		(73,951,809	)
Total stockholders’ equity		27,911,386			27,911,386
Total capitalization	$	49,068,374		$	48,068,374

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BUSINESS

General

We are an energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Our primary focus has been the development of interests in an oil and natural gas project we hold in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas. In addition, we may consider various strategic options, including partnering with, or the possible sale of any or all of our assets to, third parties. We operate our business through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Torchlight Energy, Inc., Hudspeth Oil Corporation, Torchlight Hazel, LLC, and Hudspeth Operating, LLC.

Presently, our primary interests include the oil and natural gas leases for properties of the Orogrande Basin in Hudspeth County, Texas (the “Orogrande Project”). In addition, we have minor interests in the Eastern edge of the Midland Basin in West Texas (the “Hazel Project”) and two minor well interests in Oklahoma (the “Oklahoma Properties”).

Rich Masterson, our consulting geologist, originated our Orogrande Project, as discussed below, based on his tenure as a geologist since 1974. He is credited with originating the Wolfbone shale play in the Southern Delaware Basin of West Texas and has prepared prospects totaling over 150,000 acres that have been leased, drilled and are currently being developed by Devon Energy Corp., Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Noble Energy, and Samson Oil & Gas Ltd., among others.

The Company has drilled 14 test wells in the Orogrande Project in the basin in order to stay in compliance with the continuous drilling clause under the University Lands D&D Unit Agreement, as well as, to test for potential shallow pay zones and deeper pay zones that may be present on structural plays. Development of the wells continued through the year ended December 31, 2021 to further capture and document the scientific base in support of demonstrating the production potential of the Orogrande Project properties. Two of the wells were successfully completed for hydrocarbons, while the remaining wells serve as fresh water supply wells, wells we maintain for salt water disposal or wells we expect to be plugged and abandoned.

We satisfied the 2021 drilling obligations in the Orogrande play and, in satisfying our 2021 drilling obligations, we identified new potential pay zones not yet discovered in the Orogrande play.

In addition to the Orogrande Project, we also have an interest in our Hazel Project in Tom Green County and Sterling County, Texas. In August 2020, our subsidiaries entered into the Option Agreement with MHP, under which, in exchange for satisfying certain drilling obligations, MHP had the option to purchase the entire Hazel Project. The option to purchase the entire acreage block was extended to September 30, 2021 and at such time MHP determined not to exercise the purchase option; however, MHP is entitled to receive, as its sole recourse for the recoupment of drilling costs, the revenue from production of the well attributable to our interest until such time as it has recovered its reasonable costs and expenses for drilling, completing and operating the well. Operations continue under the Option Agreement until such time as the revenue from the project equates to the dollars spent by, and shall be reimbursed to, MHP. At such time, any acreage held by production and all wells will revert back to our subsidiary, Torchlight Hazel, LLC.

Our principal executive offices are located at 6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 950, Fort Worth, Texas 76116. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is (817) 438-1937.

Key Business Attributes

Experienced People. Upon completion of the Distribution, we will have six full-time employees and we expect to engage consultants for various roles as needed including high quality exploration and technical partners. We will build on the expertise and experiences of our management team and seek guidance from outside advisors as well as our Board.

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Project Focus. We are focusing primarily on exploitation projects. We may pursue high risk exploration prospects which may appear less favored than low risk exploration. We will, however, consider these high risk-high reward exploration prospects in connection with exploitation opportunities in a project that would reduce the overall project economic risk. We will consider such high risk-high reward prospects on their individual merits.

Lower Cost Structure. We will attempt to maintain the lowest possible cost structure, enabling the greatest margins and providing opportunities for investment that would not be feasible for higher cost competitors.

Limit Capital Risks. Limited capital exposure is planned initially to add value to a project and determine its economic viability. Management has experience in successfully managing risks of projects, finance, and value.

Business Processes

We believe there are three principal business processes that we must follow to enable our operations to be profitable. Each major business process offers the opportunity for a distinct partner or alliance as we grow. These processes are:

• Investment Evaluation and Review;

• Operations and Field Activities; and

• Administrative and Finance Management.

Investment Evaluation and Review. This process is the key ingredient to our success. Recognition of quality investment opportunities is the fuel that drives our engine. Broadly, this process includes the following activities: prospect acquisition, regional and local geological and geophysical evaluations, data processing, economic analysis, lease acquisition and negotiations, permitting, and field supervision. We expect these evaluation processes to be managed by our management team. Expert or specific technical support will be outsourced as needed.

Operations and Field Activities. This process begins following management approval of an investment. Well site supervision, construction, drilling, logging, product marketing, and transportation are examples of some activities. We will prefer to be the operator where possible.

Administrative and Finance Management. This process coordinates our initial structuring and capitalization, general operations and accounting, reporting, audit, banking and cash management, regulatory agencies reporting and interaction, timely and accurate payment of royalties, taxes, leases rentals, vendor accounts and performance management that includes budgeting and maintenance of financial controls, and interface with legal counsel and tax and other financial and business advisors.

Current Projects

As of September 30, 2022, we had interests in three oil and natural gas projects: the Orogrande Project in Hudspeth County, Texas, the Hazel Project in Sterling, Tom Green, and Irion Counties, Texas and the Oklahoma Properties. See the description under “Current Projects” below under Note 4, “Oil & Natural Gas Properties,” of the financial statements included with this Prospectus for information and disclosure regarding these projects, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

Our Properties

Our principal executive office is located at 6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 950, Fort Worth, Texas 76116. We currently sublease this office space and believe that the condition and size of our offices are adequate for our current needs.

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The Orogrande Project consists of unevaluated and undeveloped properties in progress of development for future production.

	Total Acres				Developed Acres				Undeveloped Acres
	Gross		Net		Gross		Net		Gross		Net
Texas—
Orogrande Project		134,000		89,110		—		—		134,000		89,110
Hazel Project		645		516		645		516		—		—
Oklahoma—
Viking		640		192		640		192		—		—
Total		135,285		89,818		1,285		708		134,000		89,110

Investments to support our oil and natural gas properties during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $14.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020
Property acquisition costs	$	—	$	—
Development costs		14,664,463		3,472,281
Exploratory costs		—		—
Totals	$	14,664,463	$	3,472,281

Property development costs presented above exclude interest capitalized into the full cost pool of $141,048 in 2021 and $2,353,700 in 2020.

The development costs for 2020 include work in the Orogrande and Hazel Projects in West Texas and for 2021 the development costs include work solely in the Orogrande Project. We made progress during 2021 to develop proved producing reserves in the Orogrande Project in the Permian Basin in West Texas, which has not yet resulted in hydrocarbon production. We incurred costs of $14.7 million in relation to certain drilling activity carried out to remain in compliance with all aspects of our lease obligations and to satisfy the continuous drilling clause under the agreement with University Lands, whereby we are obligated to satisfy certain minimum yearly requirements that may be exceeded if desired. No development costs were incurred in 2020 or 2021 for the Oklahoma Properties. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we drilled development and exploratory net wells as set forth in the table below.

Drilling Activities

	September 30, 2022		December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Hazel Project (Texas)
Dry		0.00		1.60			0.80
Productive		0.00		0.00			0.00
Orogrande Project (Texas)
Dry		0.00		0.67	(1)		0.00
Productive		0.00		2.66			0.00

(1) Represents drilling re-entry to explore more of the formation.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, investments were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022		2021
Property acquisition costs	$	—	$	—
Development costs		1,630,137		2,502,800
Exploratory costs		—		—
Totals	$	1,630,137	$	2,502,800

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a portion of the costs from development activities were cost carryover related to satisfaction of our drilling obligations for the fiscal year 2021 under the terms of the Purchase Agreement (defined below) at a cost of $1,084,285. Additionally, during the first nine months of 2022, we completed some pre-drilling activity for our upcoming 2022 drilling program, including surveying, permitting, road and pad site work at an aggregate cost of $545,852. We have not yet conducted any drilling activities, but expect to commence drilling activities in November 2022 to satisfy our obligations for the 2022 fiscal year.

	September 30, 2022				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
	Gross		Net		Gross		Net		Gross		Net
Productive Wells
Oil		5.00		2.67		5.00		2.67		5.00		2.67
Gas		4.00		2.66		4.00		2.66		1.00		0.67
Test Wells
Salt Water Disposal		3.00		2.13		3.00		2.13		2.00		1.33
Fresh Water Supply		3.00		2.00		3.00		2.00		2.00		1.33
Plug & Abandon		5.00		3.87		5.00		3.87		4.00		3.07

With the principal goal of gathering scientific data from a strategy of drilling test wells, all wells were drilled with the intent of being completed and productive for hydrocarbons. We attempted completions on every well, however we were unable to effectuate a successful completion on all of the vertical wells due to various problems. This is not uncommon with early wells of frontier exploration projects. Two horizontal wells were successfully completed for hydrocarbons, however both wells are currently shut-in waiting for hook-up to a gas pipeline. The remaining wells serve as fresh water supply wells, wells we maintain for salt water disposal or wells we expect to be plugged and abandoned. Pipeline hook-ups will occur after we have achieved additional successful wells to justify the cost of tapping into the gas lines.

Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

No reserve report was prepared for 2020. Other than the Producing Hazel Wells (defined below), the only producing properties owned by us were the Oklahoma Properties, which were marginally producing and were uneconomic for reserve calculation purposes. At the end of 2021 and 2020, reserves did not include any value for proved undeveloped properties.

We currently have two producing wells located on the Hazel Project, the Flying B Ranch #3H well and the Flying B Ranch #4H well (the “Producing Hazel Wells”). Production is from the Wolfcamp formation. At December 31, 2021, there were no proved reserves or proved developed nonproducing reserves related to these properties after giving effect to the obligation to reimburse drilling costs incurred by MHP. The properties of the Hazel Project and Orogrande Project are operated by Maverick Operating LLC.

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The operating expenses reflect a substantial reduction from previous years as electric power is available and water is now disposed of on location after we drilled or converted a well to be used for saltwater disposal. Initial gross oil production from the Flying B Ranch #3H well reached 8,319 Bbl per month and 31,613 Bbl per month of water. The initial gross monthly production rate for the Flying B Ranch #4H was estimated to be 4,200 Bbl, although we will receive no future revenue from these wells until their estimated depletion because all of such revenue, after deducting expenses to produce the oil, is to be received by MHP directly and credited toward the recoupment of drilling costs incurred by MHP.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our proved developed nonproducing reserves related to the Producing Hazel Wells totaled 0 and 0 BOE, respectively, and 0 BOE for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 after giving effect to the obligation to reimburse drilling costs incurred by MHP.

Production, Price, and Production Cost History

Oklahoma Properties

During the year ended December 31, 2020, we produced and sold 278 barrels of oil net to our interest at an average sale price of $16.13 per Bbl. We produced and sold 2,012 Mcf of gas net to our interest at an average sales price of $1.20 per Mcf. Our average production cost including lease operating expenses and direct production taxes was $30.02 per BOE. Our depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense was $130.68 per BOE.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we produced and sold 85 barrels of oil net to our interest at an average sale price of $55.00 per Bbl. We produced and sold 3,586 Mcf of gas net to our interest at an average sales price of $3.17 per Mcf. Our average production cost including lease operating expenses and direct production taxes was $18.54 per BOE. Our depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense was $0 per BOE.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we produced and sold 85.10 Bbls net to our interest at an average sale price of $54.93 per Bbl. We produced and sold 2,363.44 Mcf of natural gas net to our interest at an average sale price of $1.80 per Mcf. Our average production cost including lease operating expenses and direct production taxes was $14.13 per BOE. Our depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense was $0 per BOE.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we produced and sold 139.57 Bbls net to our interest at an average sale price of $102.62 per Bbl. We produced and sold 2,153 Mcf of natural gas net to our interest at an average sales price of $7.45 per Mcf. Our average production cost including lease operating expenses and direct production taxes was $12.50 per BOE. Our depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense was $0 per BOE.

Hazel Project

During the year ended December 31, 2021, 23,422 barrels of oil net to our interest were sold at an average sale price of approximately $60.00 per Bbl, although we received none of this revenue because all of it, after deducting expenses to produce the oil, was either received by MHP directly during the time that the Option Agreement was in effect or credited towards the recoupment of drilling costs incurred by MHP. We produced and sold Nil Mcf of natural gas net to our interest.

	December 31, 2021 Reserves						December 31, 2021 Future Net Revenue (M$)
Category	Oil (Bbls)		Gas (Mcf)		Total (BOE)		Total		Present Value Discounted at 10%
Net Proved Producing		0		0		0	$	0	$	0
Net Proved Nonproducing		0		0		0	$	—	$	—
Total Net Proved		0		0		0	$	—	$	—
Standardized Measure of Future Net Cash Flows Related to Proved Oil and Gas Properties									$	—
Probable Undeveloped		0		0		0	$	—	$	—

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	December 31, 2020 Reserves						December 31, 2020 Future Net Revenue (M$)
Category	Oil (Bbls)		Gas (Mcf)		Total (BOE)		Total		Present Value Discounted at 10%
Net Proved Producing		0		0		0	$	—	$	—
Net Proved Nonproducing		0		0		0	$	—	$	—
Total Net Proved		0		0		0	$	—	$	—
Standardized Measure of Future Net Cash Flows Related to Proved Oil and Gas Properties									$	—
Probable Undeveloped							$	—	$	—

The net producing reserves from 2020 and 2021 were 0 BOE related to the Producing Hazel Wells due to the obligation to pass revenue through to MHP under the terms of the Option Agreement effective during both periods. There was no reserve value at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, Standardized Measure is not presented.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 65.82 barrels of oil net to our interest were sold at an average sale price of approximately $104.78 per Bbl, although we received none of this revenue because all of it, after deducting expenses to produce the oil, was credited towards the recoupment of drilling costs incurred by MHP. We produced and sold Nil Mcf of gas net to our interest. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Nil barrels of oil net to our interest were sold and we sold Nil Mcf of gas net to our interest.

Due to the inherent uncertainties and the limited nature of reservoir data, both proved and probable reserves are subject to change as additional information becomes available. The estimates of reserves, future cash flows, and present value are based on various assumptions, including those prescribed by the SEC, and are inherently imprecise.

Intent to Acquire Additional Interests

Following the Spin-Off, we intend to make offers and enter into agreements with one or more of the other current working interest owners in the Orogrande Project (each an “Orogrande Owner” and collectively, the “Orogrande Owners”). We anticipate offering the Orogrande Owners shares of Common Stock in exchange for their respective working interest in the Orogrande Project. We intend to offer the number of shares of Common Stock necessary such that each participating Orogrande Owner would own the percentage of Common Stock then outstanding in proportion to the percentage owned in the working interest of the Orogrande Project. For illustration purposes, if an Orogrande Owner owns ten percent (10%) of the working interest of the Orogrande Project, and such Orogrande Owner elects to participate and accept our offer of shares of Common Stock, then such Orogrande Owner will be offered ten percent (10%) of the aggregate amount of outstanding shares of Common Stock. Our decision to enter into these transactions will depend on us and each Orogrande Owner to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements related to such transaction and our Board receiving an industry-standard fairness opinion from an investment banking firm. One of the Orogrande Owners is Wolfbone Investments LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, who will own, directly and indirectly through entities he owns or controls, over 11% of the Common Stock following the Spin-Off, which would increase if the proportionate exchange of working interest for shares of our Common Stock is consummated.

Industry and Business Environment

We are experiencing a time of fluctuating, but higher oil prices caused by higher demand, lower U.S. supply, turmoil on the world stage and OPEC’s policies on production. Unfortunately, this is the cyclical nature of the oil

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and natural gas industry. We experience highs and lows that seem to come in cycles. Fortunately, there exists plenty of demand for US onshore oil and natural gas. We believe advances in technology drive the US market and we feel this will drive the development costs down on our exploration and drilling programs while maintaining favorable economics.

Competition

The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we will compete with numerous other companies engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Some of these companies have substantially greater resources than we have. Not only do they explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also many carry on midstream and refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national, or worldwide basis. The operations of other companies may be able to pay more for exploratory prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties. They may also have more resources to define, evaluate, bid for, and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit.

Our larger or integrated competitors may have the resources to be better able to absorb the burden of current and future federal, state, and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to locate reserves and acquire interests in properties in the future will be dependent upon our ability and resources to evaluate and select suitable properties and consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. In addition, we may be at a disadvantage in producing oil and natural gas properties and bidding for exploratory prospects because we have fewer financial and human resources than other companies in our industry. Should a larger and better financed company decide to directly compete with us, and be successful in its efforts, our business could be adversely affected.

Marketing and Customers

The market for oil and natural gas that we will produce depends on factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and imports of oil and natural gas, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, demand for oil and natural gas, the marketing of competitive fuels, and the effects of state and federal regulation. The oil and natural gas industry also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel requirements of industrial, commercial, and individual consumers.

Our oil production is expected to be sold at prices tied to the spot oil markets. Our natural gas production is expected to be sold under short-term contracts and priced based on first of the month index prices or on daily spot market prices. We will rely on our operating partners to market and sell our production.

Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to various rules, regulations, and limitations impacting the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry as a whole.

Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Production

Our oil and natural gas exploration, production, and related operations, when developed, will be subject to extensive rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state, tribal, and local authorities and agencies. Certain states may also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells, and the regulation of spacing, plugging, and abandonment of such wells. We contract with Maverick Operating LLC who operates our oil and natural gas properties and is primarily responsible for compliance with applicable environmental regulatory with respect to the operating activities of our oil and natural gas properties. We cover all costs associated with the related insurance coverage for such environmental regulatory compliance. Failure to comply with any such rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry will most likely increase our cost of doing business and may affect our

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profitability. Although we believe we are currently in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, because such rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with such laws. Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental Matters

Our operations and properties are and will be subject to extensive and changing federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation, and discharge of materials into the environment, and relating to safety and health. In the future, environmental legislation and regulation may trend toward stricter standards. These laws and regulations may, for example:

• require the acquisition of a permit or other authorization before construction or drilling commences and for certain other activities;

• limit or prohibit construction, drilling, and other activities on certain lands lying within wilderness and other protected areas;

• impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from operations; or

• restrict certain areas from fracking and other stimulation techniques.

The permits required for our operations may be subject to revocation, modification, and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce their regulations, and violations are subject to fines or injunctions, or both. In the opinion of management, we are and will be in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and have no material commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements. Nevertheless, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on our company, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general.

The Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and comparable state statutes impose strict, joint, and several liability on owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances released into the environment. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes govern the disposal of “solid waste” and “hazardous waste” and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” state laws affecting our operations may impose clean-up liability relating to petroleum and petroleum related products. In addition, although RCRA classifies certain oil field wastes as “non-hazardous,” such exploration and production wastes could be reclassified as hazardous wastes thereby making such wastes subject to more stringent handling and disposal requirements.

The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) seeks to ensure that activities do not jeopardize endangered or threatened animal, fish, and plant species, nor destroy or modify the critical habitat of such species. Under the ESA, exploration and production operations, as well as actions by federal agencies, may not significantly impair or jeopardize protected species or habitat. The ESA provides for criminal and civil penalties for violations. Other statutes that provide protection to animal and plant species and that may apply to our operations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Although we believe that our operations are and will be in substantial compliance with such statutes, any change in these statutes or any reclassification of a species as endangered could subject us to significant expenses to modify our operations or could force us to discontinue certain operations altogether.

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Hydraulic fracturing is regulated by state and federal environmental and oil and gas regulatory authorities, including specifically the requirement to disclose certain information related to hydraulic fracturing operations. Operators must follow applicable legal requirements for groundwater protection and are subject to supervision by state and federal regulators (including the Bureau of Land Management on federal acreage). Furthermore, well construction practices require the installation of multiple layers of protective steel casing surrounded by cement that are specifically designed and installed to protect freshwater aquifers by preventing the migration of fracturing fluids into aquifers. Regulatory proposals in some states and local communities have been initiated to require or make more stringent the permitting and compliance requirements for hydraulic fracturing operations. Federal and state agencies have continued to assess the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, which could spur further action toward federal and/or state legislation and regulation of hydraulic fracturing activities. In addition, in light of concerns about seismic activity being triggered by the injection of produced waters into underground wells and hydraulic fracturing, certain regulators are also considering additional requirements related to seismic safety for hydraulic fracturing activities. Further restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could make it prohibitive to conduct our operations, and also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we or our operators are ultimately able to produce from our properties.

Climate Change

Significant studies and research have been devoted to climate change and global warming, and climate change has developed into a major political issue in the United States and globally. Certain research suggests that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and pose a threat to the environment. Recent scientific research and political debate has focused in part on carbon dioxide and methane incidental to oil and natural gas exploration and production. Many states and the federal government have enacted legislation directed at controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and future legislation and regulation could impose additional restrictions or requirements in connection with our drilling and production activities and favor use of alternative energy sources, which could affect operating costs and demand for oil products. As such, our business could be materially adversely affected by domestic and international legislation targeted at controlling climate change.

Legal Proceedings

On April 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hudspeth Oil Corporation (“Hudspeth”), filed suit against Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies (“Cordax”). The suit, Hudspeth and Wolfbone Investments, LLC v. Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies, was filed in the 189th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. The suit seeks the recovery of approximately $1.4 million in costs incurred as a result of a tool failure during drilling activities on the University Founders A25 #2 well that is located in the Orogrande Field. Working interest owner Wolfbone Investments, LLC, a company owned by Meta’s former Chairman Gregory McCabe, is a co-plaintiff in that action. After the suit was filed, Cordax filed a mineral lien in the amount of $104,500 against the Orogrande Field and has sued the operator and counterclaimed against Hudspeth for breach of contract, seeking the same amount as the lien. Meta has added the manufacturer of one of the tool components that we contend was one of the causes of the tool failure. It was recently disclosed that Cordax is the subsidiary of a Canadian parent company, Cordax who has also been added to the case. Cordax’s current Chairman of the Board filed a special appearance after being served with a citation, alleging that he was a Canadian citizen with no meaningful ties to Texas. After discovery was conducted on this issue, a nonsuit without prejudice for this defendant was filed, dismissing him from the case. The remaining parties attended mediation on June 15, 2022, that was unsuccessful in resolving the case. The parties are now engaged in discovery and plan to take depositions of fact and expert witnesses, with counsel for the Company currently identifying and vetting potential expert witnesses. The case is set for trial in April 2023.

On March 18, 2021, Cordax filed a lawsuit in Hudspeth County, Texas seeking to foreclose its mineral lien against the Orogrande Field in the amount of $104,500.01 and recover related attorney’s fees. The foreclosure action, Datalog LWT Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies v. Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., was filed in the 205th Judicial District Court of Hudspeth County, Texas. We are contesting the lien in good faith and filed a Plea in Abatement on May 10, 2021, seeking a stay in the Hudspeth County lien foreclosure case pending final

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disposition of the related case currently pending in Harris County, Texas. We are required to indemnify Meta in connection with this matter pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement.

In September 2021, Meta received a subpoena from the SEC Division of Enforcement, in a matter captioned In the Matter of Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. The subpoena requests that Meta produce certain documents and information related to, among other things, the merger involving Torchlight and Metamaterial Inc. Meta is cooperating and intends to continue to cooperate with the SEC’s investigation. While neither we nor any of the individuals who will serve as directors and officers following the Spin-Off have been named or otherwise involved in the SEC enforcement action, in the event we incur any loss with respect to such action we will be entitled to seek recovery from Meta pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth under the Distribution Agreement.

On January 3, 2022, a putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned Maltagliati v. Meta Materials Inc., et al., No. 1:21-cv-07203, against Meta, Meta’s former Chief Executive Officer, and Meta’s former Chief Financial Officer, Torchlight’s former Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Torchlight’s former Chief Executive Officer. On January 26, 2022, a similar putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned McMillan v. Meta Materials Inc., et al., No. 1:22-cv-00463. The McMillan complaint names the same defendants and asserts the same claims on behalf of the same purported class as the Maltagliati complaint. The complaints, purportedly brought on behalf of all purchasers of our publicly traded securities from September 21, 2020 through and including December 14, 2021, assert claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act arising primarily from a short-seller report and statements related to our business combination with Torchlight. The complaints seek unspecified compensatory damages and reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. On April 11, 2022, the Court held a hearing on motions to consolidate the two actions and to appoint a lead plaintiff or lead plaintiffs, but has not yet ruled on the motions. In regards to any loss incurred by us in connection with this matter, we will be entitled to seek recovery from Meta pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth under the Distribution Agreement.

On January 14, 2022, a shareholder derivative action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned Hines v. Palikaras, et al., No. 1:22-cv-00248. The complaint names as defendants certain of Meta’s current officers and directors, certain former Torchlight officers and directors, and us (as nominal defendant). The complaint, purportedly brought on behalf of Meta, asserts claims under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, contribution claims under Sections 10(b) and 21D of the Exchange Act, and various state law claims such as breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages in favor of Meta, certain corporate governance related actions, and an award of costs and expenses to the derivative plaintiff, including attorneys’ fees. On March 9, 2022, the Court entered a stipulated order staying this action until there is a ruling on a motion to dismiss in the Securities Class Action. In regards to any loss incurred by us in connection with this matter, we will be entitled to seek recovery from Meta pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth under the Distribution Agreement.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited and unaudited financial statements and related notes, respectively, beginning on page F-1 below of this Prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis constitutes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Prospectus, particularly under the section titled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. (formerly known as OilCo Holdings, Inc.) was incorporated in the State of

Nevada on August 31, 2021 and established a fiscal year end of December 31st.

In connection with the Arrangement, Torchlight (which subsequently changed its name to Meta Materials, Inc.) and Metamaterial, Inc. contemplated a sale of the O&G Assets or, alternatively, a complete legal and structural separation of the Company, holding the O&G Assets, from Meta following the Arrangement. Meta determined to pursue the structural separation and will distribute all of its equity interest in us, consisting of all of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, to the Meta Series A Preferred Stockholders on a pro rata basis. Following the Spin-Off, Meta will not own any equity interest in us, and we will operate independently from Meta.

The Spin-Off is subject to the satisfaction, or the Meta board of directors’ waiver, of a number of conditions. In addition, subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, Meta has the right not to complete the Spin-Off if, at any time, the Meta Board determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the Spin-Off is not in the best interests of Meta or its stockholders or is otherwise not advisable.

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and are derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Meta. Our consolidated financial statements reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows as we were historically managed, in conformity with GAAP. Our financial statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the Meta corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to us.

All intercompany transactions between us and Meta have been included in our financial statements. The intercompany transactions are reflected in our consolidated statements of cash flow as a financing activity and in our consolidated balance sheets as “Notes Payable, Related Party.”

The historical costs and expenses reflected in our financial statements include an allocation for certain corporate shared service functions historically provided by Meta including executive oversight, accounting, treasury, tax, legal, human resources, occupancy, procurement, information technology and other shared services. These expenses have been allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis based on sales, headcount, tangible assets or other measures considered to be a reasonable reflection of the historical utilization levels of these services.

Our management believes the assumptions underlying our financial statements, including the assumptions regarding the allocation of general corporate expenses from Meta are reasonable. Nevertheless, our financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had we operated as a stand- alone company during the periods presented and may not reflect what our actual results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been if we had operated as a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if we had operated as a stand-alone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. Following the Spin-Off, we will perform these functions using our own resources or purchased services.

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Income Taxes

Judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, tax issues may arise where the ultimate outcome is uncertain. Additionally, our tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Consequently, changes in our estimates for contingent tax liabilities may materially impact our results of operations or financial position.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Historical Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had a net loss of $8,238,808 compared to a net loss of $5,749,006 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The difference is primarily due to an increased general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, offset by an impairment loss and a loss on sale of oil and gas property for the year ended December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2021, we had current assets of $2,229,762 and total assets of $47,918,232. As of December 31, 2021, we had current liabilities of $15,537,215. Stockholders’ equity was $32,359,080 at December 31, 2021.

Revenue and Gross Profit

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2021			Change			%
Product sales	$	6,906		$	15,904		$	8,998			130.3	%
Total Revenue		6,906			15,904			8,998			130.3	%
Cost of revenue		87,486			76,331			(11,155	)		(12.7	)%
Gross Profit (Loss)		(80,580	)		(60,427	)		(20,153	)		25.0	%
Gross Profit (Loss) percentage		(1,166.8	)%		(379.9	)%		223.97	%

Production Revenues and Cost of Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had production revenue of $15,904 compared to $6,906 of production revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. The change in revenue was primarily due to the increase in oil and natural gas production from 613 BOE for the 2020 period to 683 BOE for the 2021 period, from the Oklahoma Properties, an increase in the average price of oil from $34.48 in 2020 to $55.01 in 2021 and an increase in the average price of natural gas from $1.13 in 2020 to $3.13 in 2021, marginally offset by a decrease in production due to the sale of our Warwink Project in November 2020. Our cost of revenue, consisting of lease operating expenses and production taxes, was $76,331 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared with $87,486 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Production and revenue are detailed as follows:

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Property	Quarter		Oil Production {BBLS}		Gas Production {MCF}		Oil Revenue			Gas Revenue			Total Revenue
Oklahoma		Q1 - 2021		28		711	$	1,166		$	1,305		$	2,471
Hazel (TX)		Q1 - 2021		0		0		—			—			—
Total Q1-2021				28		711	$	1,166		$	1,305		$	2,471
Oklahoma		Q2 - 2021		28		1,212	$	1,692		$	1,814		$	3,506
Hazel (TX)		Q2 - 2021		0		0		—			—		$	—
Total Q2-2021				28		1,212	$	1,692		$	1,814		$	3,506
Oklahoma		Q3 - 2021		29		441	$	1,818		$	1,146		$	2,964
Hazel (TX)		Q3 - 2021		0		0		—			—			—
Total Q3-2021				29		441	$	1,818		$	1,146		$	2,964
Oklahoma		Q4 - 2021		0		1,222	$	—		$	6,963		$	6,963
Hazel (TX)		Q4 - 2021		0		0		—			—			—
Total Q4-2021				0		1,222	$	—		$	6,963		$	6,963
Total 2021				85		3,586	$	4,676		$	11,228		$	15,904
Average Commodity Price							$	55.01		$	3.13
Oklahoma		Q1 - 2020		181		468	$	583		$	1,000		$	1,583
Hazel (TX)		Q1 - 2020		0		0		—			—			—
MECO (TX)		Q1 - 2020		1,863		1,559	$	81,530		$	1,507		$	83,037
Total Q1-2020				2,044		2,027	$	82,113		$	2,507		$	84,620
Oklahoma		Q2 - 2020		28		448	$	774		$	156		$	930
Hazel (TX)		Q2 - 2020		0		0		—			—			—
MECO (TX)		Q2 - 2020		1,389		747	$	44,223		$	324		$	44,547
Total Q2-2020				1,417		1,195	$	44,997		$	480		$	45,477
Oklahoma		Q3 - 2020		69		1,096	$	2,084		$	494		$	2,578
Hazel (TX)		Q3 - 2020		0		0		—			—			—
MECO (TX)		Q3 - 2020		1,480		680	$	57,774		$	1,370		$	59,144
Total Q3-2020				1,549		1,776	$	59,858		$	1,864		$	61,722
Oklahoma		Q4 - 2020		0		0	$	1,042		$	773		$	1,815
Hazel (TX)		Q4 - 2020		0		0		—			—			—
MECO (TX)		Q4 - 2020		435		0	$	9,837		$	5,519		$	15,356
MECO (Sold)		YTD ADJ		0		0	$	(10,092	)	$	(5,519	)	$	(15,611	)
Total Q4-2020				435		0	$	787		$	773		$	1,560
Sub Total 2020				5,445		4,998	$	187,755		$	5,624		$	193,379
Exclude MECO		Sold		-5,167		-2,986	$	(183,272	)	$	(3,201	)	$	(186,473	)
		11/20
Total 2020				278		2,012	$	4,483		$	2,423		$	6,906
Average Commodity Price							$	34.48		$	1.13

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Expenses for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2022

We recorded depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of $4,642 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $820,814 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Impairment expense recognized was $2,108,301 in 2020 with none for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Operating Expenses

	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		Change		%
Operating Expenses
General & Administrative	$	8,050,443	$	2,557,975	$	5,472,468		214.7	%
Total operating expenses	$	8,050,443	$	2,557,975	$	2,557,975		214.7	%

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $8,050,443 compared with $2,557,975 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our general and administrative expenses consisted of consulting and compensation expense, substantially all of which were non-cash or deferred, accounting and administrative costs, professional consulting fees, and other general corporate expenses. The change in general and administrative expenses in 2021, compared to 2020, is primarily due to employee bonus compensation and expenses related to the Arrangement Agreement including consulting fees, filing fees, legal fees, director and officer liability insurance, and investor relations expenses.

Historical Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net loss of $2,164,187 compared to a net loss of $895,675 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The difference is primarily due to increased general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 offset with an increase in interest expense. At September 30, 2022, we had current assets of $2,331,695 and total assets of $49,650,302. As of September 30, 2022, we had current liabilities of $21,716,979. Stockholders’ equity was $27,911,386 at September 30, 2022.

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			Change			%
Product sales	$	12,810		$	2,963		$	9,847			332	%
Total Revenue		12,810			2,963			9,847			332	%
Cost of revenue		15,659			41,774			(26,115	)		(63	)%
Gross Profit (Loss)	$	(2,849	)	$	(38,811)		$	35,962			93	%
Gross Profit (Loss) percentage		(22	)%		(1,310	)%		1,288	%

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For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had production revenue of $12,810 compared to $2,963 of production revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Our cost of revenue, consisting of lease operating expenses and production taxes, was $15,659 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $41,774 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The change in revenue was impacted by an increase in production from the Oklahoma Properties and commodity prices. Production and revenue are detailed as follows:

Property	Quarter	Oil Production {BBLS}		Gas Production {MCF}		Oil Revenue		Gas Revenue		Total Revenue
Oklahoma	Q3 - 2022		43		887	$	4,635	$	8,175	$	12,810
Hazel (TX)	Q3 - 2022		0		0	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total Q3-2022			43		887	$	4,635	$	8,175	$	12,810
Average Commodity Price						$	107.79	$	9.22
Oklahoma	Q3 - 2021		29		441	$	1,817	$	1,146	$	2,963
Hazel (TX)	Q3 - 2021		0		0		—		—	$	—
Total Q3-2021			29		441	$	1,817	$	1,146	$	2,963
Average Commodity Price						$	62.66	$	2.60

Expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2022		2021		Change			%
Operating Expenses
General & Administrative	$	1,800,472	$	861,316	$	(939,156	)		109	%
Total operating expenses	$	1,800,472	$	861,316	$	(939,156	)		109	%

The change in general & administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021 is related to increases in legal fees, consulting services and investor relations expenses.

As described in “Our Properties—Intent to Acquired Additional Interests” one of the Orogrande Owners, an entity we intend to make an offer to acquire its working interest in the Orogrande Project, is Wolfbone Investments LLC, which is an affiliate of Gregory McCabe, who is also an affiliate of the Company.

Historical Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net loss of $4,764,293 compared to a net loss of $6,088,889 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The difference is primarily due to decreased general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 offset with a change in interest expense. At September 30, 2022, we had current assets of $2,331,695 and total assets of $49,650,302. As of September 30, 2022, we had current liabilities of $21,716,979. Stockholders’ equity was $27,911,386 at September 30, 2022.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			Change			%
Product sales	$	30,214		$	8,936		$	21,278			238	%
Total Revenue		30,214			8,936			21,278			238	%
Cost of Revenue		57,733			80,509			(22,776	)		(28	)%
Gross Profit (Loss)	$	(27,519	)	$	(71,573	)	$	44,054			62	%
Gross Profit (Loss) percentage		(91	)%		(801	)%		710	%

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had production revenue of $30,214 compared to $8,936 of production revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Our cost of revenue, consisting of lease operating expenses and production taxes, was $57,733 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared with $80,509 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The change in revenue was impacted by an increase in production from the Oklahoma Properties. Production and revenue are detailed as follows:

Property	Quarter		Oil Production {BBLS}		Gas Production {MCF}		Oil Revenue		Gas Revenue		Total Revenue
Oklahoma		Q1 - 2022		0		0	$	—	$	—	$	—
Hazel (TX)		Q1 - 2022		0		0		—		—		—
Total Q1-2022				0		0	$	—	$	—	$	—
Oklahoma		Q2 - 2022		97		1,267	$	9,688	$	7,716	$	17,404
Hazel (TX)		Q2 - 2022		0		0		—		—		—
Total Q2-2022				97		1,267	$	9,688	$	7,716	$	17,404
Oklahoma		Q3 - 2022		43		887	$	4,635	$	8,175	$	12,810
Hazel (TX)		Q3 - 2022		0		0		—		—		—
Total Q3-2022				43		887	$	4,635	$	8,175	$	12,810
Nine Months ended September 2022				140		2,154	$	14,323	$	15,891	$	30,214
Average Commodity Price							$	102.31	$	7.38
Oklahoma		Q1 - 2021		28		711	$	1,166	$	1,305	$	2,471
Hazel (TX)		Q1 - 2021		0		0		—		—		—
Total Q1-2021				28		711	$	1,166	$	1,305	$	2,471
Oklahoma		Q2 - 2021		28		1,212	$	1,692	$	1,810	$	3,502
Hazel (TX)		Q2 - 2021		0		0		—		—		—
Total Q2-2021				28		1,212	$	1,692	$	1,810	$	3,502
Oklahoma		Q3 - 2021		29		441	$	1,817	$	1,146	$	2,963
Hazel (TX)		Q3 - 2021		0		0		—		—		—
Total Q3-2021				29		441	$	1,817	$	1,146	$	2,963
Nine Months ended September 2021				85		2,364	$	4,675	$	4,261	$	8,936
Average Commodity Price							$	55.00	$	1.80

Expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022		2021		Change			%
Operating Expenses
General & Administrative	$	3,789,166	$	6,097,917	$	(2,308,751	)		(38	)%
Total operating Expenses	$	3,789,166	$	6,097,917	$	(2,308,751	)		(38	)%

The change in general & administrative expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021 is related to reductions in directors fees, consulting services and investor relations expenses.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not meet our financial obligations as they become due after use of currently available cash. We have a planning and budgeting process to monitor operating cash requirements, including amounts projected for capital expenditures, which are adjusted as input variables change. These variables include, but are not limited to, our ability to generate revenue from operations, general and administrative requirements and the availability of equity or debt capital. As these variables change, we may be required to issue equity or obtain debt financing.

At December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $1,989,419 compared to $130,504 as of December 31, 2020.

Cash from operating activities for the for the year ended December 31, 2021, was $(7,050,541) compared to $(3,300,589) for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 can be attributed principally to net loss from operations of $8,238,808 adjusted for $4,642 in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, a decrease in accrued liabilities, and an increase in accounts payable.

Cash used in operating activities during 2020 can be attributed principally to net loss from operations of $5,749,006 adjusted for $820,814 in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, and $2,108,301 in impairment expense.

Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for year ended December 31, 2020 was $14,805,511 compared to $2,271,968. Cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of investments in oil and natural gas properties in 2021 offset by proceeds from the sale of property in 2020.

Cash from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for year ended December 31, 2020 was $23,714,967 compared to $1,128,451 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Cash from financing activities consisted primarily of contributions from, and a note payable to, Meta.

At September 30, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $2,108,866 compared to $1,989,419 as of December 31, 2021.

Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $(6,067,015) compared to $(6,701,090) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $634,075. Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 can be primarily attributed to net loss from operations and a decrease in accounts payable.

Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 can be primarily attributed to net loss from operations of $6,088,889 and a decrease in accrued expenses.

Reference the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in the financial statements for additional detail of the components that comprise the net use of cash in operations. We expect to continue to use cash flow in operating activities until such time as we achieve sufficient commercial oil and gas production to cover our operating costs.

Cash flows from investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $(1,630,137) compared to $(2,502,799) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Cash flows from investing activities principally consists of investment in oil and natural gas properties in Texas.

Cash flows from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $7,816,599 as compared to $17,405,166 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

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Cash flows from financing activities consists of intercompany loans from Meta for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, cash flows from financing activities also consisted of intercompany loans from Meta. We expect to continue to have cash flow provided by financing activities as we seek new rounds of financing and continue to develop our oil and natural gas investments. We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

On October 1, 2021, we issued a secured, revolving promissory note in an original principal amount of up to $15 million in favor of Meta (as amended to date, the “2021 Note”). The 2021 Note bears interest at 8% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year, and matures March 31, 2023 (the “2021 Note Maturity Date”); provided, however, if we raise $30 million or more in capital through debt or equity or a combination thereof by the 2021 Note Maturity Date, the 2021 Note Maturity Date will be extended to September 30, 2023. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, interest on the 2021 Note may accrue at the default rate of 12% per annum. The outstanding principal of the 2021 Note, together with all accrued interest thereon, becomes due on the 2021 Note Maturity Date. While the revolving commitment under the 2021 Note expires on 2021 Note Maturity Date, as of the date hereof, the full $15 million available under the 2021 Note has been fully drawn.

The 2021 Note is secured by a security interest in (a) pursuant to a Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of September 30, 2021 between Gregory McCabe (the “Pledgor”) and Meta (the “Stock Pledge Agreement”), 1,515,000 shares of common stock of Meta that are owned directly and beneficially by the Pledgor, and (b) pursuant to a Deed of Trust, Mortgage, Security Agreement, Fixture Filing, Financing Statement and Assignment of Production dated as of September 30, 2021 made by Wolfbone Investments, LLC (an affiliate of the Pledgor) for the benefit of Meta (the “Security Agreement”), a 25% working interest beneficially owned by the Pledgor in the Orogrande Prospect as defined in the Security Agreement.

The 2021 Note includes a restrictive covenant that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restricts our ability to merge or consolidate with another person or entity, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets, unless we are the surviving entity or the successor entity assumes all of obligations under the 2021 Note.

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default under the 2021 Note, Meta as the lender may declare all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2021 Note immediately due and payable, may terminate any remaining commitment to make advances under the 2021 Note, and may exercise the other rights and remedies provided for under the 2021 Note and related security documents. The events of default under the 2021 Note include among other things, subject to grace periods in certain instances, payment defaults, breaches of covenants, an event of default under the Stock Pledge Agreement or the Security Agreement, bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect us or our subsidiaries, cross defaults with certain of our other material indebtedness, and material judgments against us.

On June 28, 2022 and in August 2022, we borrowed $1.9 million and $2.7 million as an advance from Meta to be treated as an unsecured term loan, in addition to the $441,000 previously advanced, under a Loan Agreement with Meta as the lender (the “Loan Agreement”), the proceeds of which are available for our working capital and general corporate purposes. As of the date of this prospectus, we had an aggregate principal amount outstanding of $5.0 million, which is the maximum amount available under the Loan Agreement. The loans are due and payable on March 31, 2023 (the “Maturity Date”), unless extended as described below. Loans under the Loan Agreement bear interest at a fixed rate of 8% per annum if no event of default exists, and at a fixed rate of 12% per annum if an event of default exists. Under the Loan Agreement, if we raise $30 million or more in capital through debt or equity or a combination thereof by the Maturity Date, the Maturity Date will be extended to October 3, 2023 and the 2021 Note plus the loans under the Loan Agreement would be amortized in six equal monthly installments.

We have the right to prepay the loans under the Loan Agreement in whole or in part at any time without penalty. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. We will be required to prepay the loans upon an asset disposition (other than permitted asset sales), certain equity issuances (other than permitted equity), debt issuances (other than permitted debt), and certain extraordinary receipts. We are required to prepay the loans from our annual excess cash flow, if any.

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The Loan Agreement includes customary representations and covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restrict our ability to do certain things, such as: incur additional indebtedness; incur liens; engage in mergers, acquisitions, and asset sales; make loans and investments; declare dividends or redeem or repurchase equity interests; transact with affiliates on a non-arm’s length basis; and enter into certain restrictive agreements. In addition, the Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants, including covenants regarding the payment of taxes and other obligations, maintenance of insurance, maintenance of our existence and material properties, customary visitation rights, reporting requirements, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and formation or acquisition of new subsidiaries.

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, Meta as the lender has the right to declare all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Loan Agreement immediately due and payable and exercise certain other rights and remedies. The events of default under the Loan Agreement include among other things, subject to grace periods in certain instances, payment defaults, breaches of covenants or representations and warranties, a change in control or a material adverse change defined in the Loan Agreement, material judgments and attachments, cross defaults with certain other material indebtedness, and bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to the Company and our subsidiaries.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

Our most significant contractual obligations relate to the Loan Agreement, the 2021 Note and drilling and development commitments and other lease operating expenses under certain leases for the Orogrande Project.

Our debt obligations include the $15 million principal balance outstanding under the 2021 Note with Meta, which incurs interest at 8% per annum and matures on March 31, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we incurred an interest of $948,099 that is paid in kind. On September 2, 2022, we entered into a Loan Agreement that governs the term loans advanced to us from Meta on April 14, 2022, May 4, 2022, May 12, 2022, May 26, 2022, June 1, 2022, June 13, 2022, June 28, 2022, August 11, 2022 and August 29, 2022, for an aggregate principal balance outstanding of $5 million, which is the maximum amount of Meta’s commitment under the Loan Agreement. The term loans incur interest at a per annum rate equal to 8% and mature on March 31, 2023. Under both the 2021 Note and the Loan Agreement, if we raise additional capital through debt or equity, or any combination thereof, of at least $30,000,000 before the respective maturity dates, we will be entitled to extend maturity to October 3, 2023 and repay the outstanding balances in six equal monthly installments beginning in April 2023 up to such extended maturity date. In addition, we may be obligated to pay Meta approximately $1 million for costs associated with the Spin-Off. See the discussion under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Meta—Distribution Agreement—Settlement of Expenses.” As of the date of this Prospectus, we do not have any long-term debt obligations.

In addition to our debt commitments, the Orogrande Project leases representing approximately 134,066 net acres in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas are subject to expiration in 2022 if we fail to drill five wells as obligated by the end of the 2022 calendar year. Unless we are able to negotiate an extension on these leases, these leases in the Orogrande Basin are also subject to expiration in 2023 in the event we fail to drill an additional five wells during the 2023 calendar year. In order to fulfill our drilling commitments for 2022, we currently estimate that our capital expenditures needs may be up to $10 million, and to the extent Meta pays any of these capital expenditures on our behalf, our indebtedness to Meta will increase. As such, we will require additional capital, and may not be able to obtain such additional capital when or in the amount necessary to fulfill our commitments under, and maintain our interest in, the leases. We do not yet know what our capital expenditure needs will be to satisfy our drilling commitments for the calendar year 2023. For a discussion of the risks relating to our drilling obligations, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business”, including the risk factor “—Our acreage must be drilled before lease expiration in order to hold the acreage by production. In the highly competitive market for acreage, failure to drill sufficient wells in order to hold acreage will result in a substantial lease renewal cost, or if renewal is not feasible, loss of our lease and prospective drilling opportunities”. See also Note 4 of the notes to our financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

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Management believes that currently available resources may not provide sufficient funds to enable us to meet our financing and drilling obligations for the remainder of the 2022 fiscal year and for the 2023 fiscal year. We anticipate that we will continue to incur operating losses and generate negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future. As a result, we will need additional capital resources to fund our operations both in the short term and in the long term, prior to achieving break even or positive operating cash flow. While we do not have any committed sources of capital, we expect to continue to opportunistically seek access to additional funds through public or private equity offerings or debt financings, through partnering or other strategic arrangements, including credit application arrangements with our third party servicers, or a combination of the foregoing. We may also seek additional credit support from Meta. Despite our efforts, we may face obstacles in continuing to attract new financing due to industry conditions and our history and current record of net losses. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain the financing required to meet our stated objectives or even to continue as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Oil and natural gas properties—The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for exploration and development activities as defined by the SEC. Under this method of accounting, the costs of unsuccessful, as well as successful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as properties and equipment. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to property acquisition, exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and gas properties is not recognized, unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.

Oil and natural gas properties include costs that are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. Oil and natural gas property costs excluded represent investments in unevaluated properties and include non-producing leasehold, geological, and geophysical costs associated with leasehold or drilling interests and exploration drilling costs. The Company allocates a portion of its acquisition costs to unevaluated properties based on relative value. Costs are transferred to the full cost pool as the properties are evaluated over the life of the reservoir. Unevaluated properties are reviewed for impairment at least annually and are determined through an evaluation considering, among other factors, seismic data, requirements to relinquish acreage, drilling results, remaining time in the commitment period, remaining capital plan, and political, economic, and market conditions.

Gains and losses on the sale of oil and natural gas properties are not generally reflected in income unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves. Sales of less than 100% of the Company’s interest in the oil and gas property are treated as a reduction of the capital cost of the field, with no gain or loss recognized, as long as doing so does not significantly affect the unit-of-production depletion rate. Costs of retired equipment, net of salvage value, are usually charged to accumulated depreciation.

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization—The depreciable base for oil and natural gas properties includes the sum of all capitalized costs net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”), estimated future development costs and asset retirement costs not included in oil and natural gas properties, less costs excluded from amortization. The depreciable base of oil and natural gas properties is amortized on a unit-of-production method.

Ceiling test—Future production volumes from oil and gas properties are a significant factor in determining the full cost ceiling limitation of capitalized costs. Under the full cost method of accounting, the Company is required to periodically perform a “ceiling test” that determines a limit on the book value of oil and gas properties. If the net capitalized cost of proved oil and gas properties, net of related deferred income taxes, plus the cost of unproved oil and gas properties, exceeds the present value of estimated future net cash flows discounted at 10 percent, net of related tax affects, plus the cost of unproved oil and gas properties, the excess is charged to expense and reflected as additional accumulated DD&A. The ceiling test calculation uses a commodity price assumption which is based on

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the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month for each month within the prior 12-month period and excludes future cash outflows related to estimated abandonment costs.

The determination of oil and gas reserves is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the application of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net cash flows depend on a number of variable factors and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may vary considerably from actual results. In particular, reserve estimates for wells with limited or no production history are less reliable than those based on actual production. Subsequent re-evaluation of reserves and cost estimates related to future development of proved oil and gas reserves could result in significant revisions to proved reserves. Other issues, such as changes in regulatory requirements, technological advances, and other factors which are difficult to predict could also affect estimates of proved reserves in the future.

Asset retirement obligations—The fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation (“ARO”) is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, with the corresponding charge capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then-present value each subsequent period, and the capitalized cost is depleted over the useful life of the related asset. Abandonment costs incurred are recorded as a reduction of the ARO liability.

Inherent in the fair value calculation of an ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance. Settlements greater than or less than amounts accrued as ARO are recorded as a gain or loss upon settlement.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Our audited financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto found elsewhere in this Prospectus contain a description of recent accounting pronouncements.

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Non-Employee Directors Following the Spin-Off

The following sets forth information regarding individuals who are currently expected to serve as executive officers and non-employee directors immediately after the Spin-Off, including their positions.

Name	Age		Position
Executive Officers
Clifton DuBose, Jr.		40	Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Joseph DeWoody		40	President, Director
Lucas T. Hawkins		36	Chief Financial Officer
Delvina Oelkers		36	Chief Operating Officer
Key Employees
Kyle Bradford		42	Executive Vice President, Drilling & Construction
Daren Rader		38	Executive Vice President, Completions & Production
Non-Employee Directors
Robert Lance Cook		65	Director
Mia Pitts		38	Director
Kristin Whitley		38	Director

Executive Officers

Clifton DuBose, Jr. has successfully acquired, managed, and/or sold thousands of royalty acres and non-operated working interests in the Permian Basin. Since April 2018, Mr. DuBose has served as co-founder and member of Valor Mineral Management LLC (“Valor”). Valor is a mineral and working interest management firm which uses a proprietary software platform it has developed, known as “mineral.tech.” Since August 2016 Mr. DuBose has also served as President of Imperial Royalty Management I, LLC, which is the general partner of a company that owns certain mineral interests, and since August 2016 as the managing member of Korban Resources LLC, a company which invests in oil and gas interests. Mr. DuBose is also an attorney, licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. He earned his law degree from Georgetown Law, in Washington D.C.in 2009 and a BS in Agribusiness from Abilene Christian University in 2004.

Joseph DeWoody has served as the founder and partner of several successful minerals-rights companies, including Clear Fork Royalty, since April 2010, and Valor since May 2018. Mr. DeWoody implemented strategic initiatives at Valor, managing 80,000 oil and gas interests in over 2,000,000 gross acres across 32 States, with strong revenue growth since inception developing full P&L, strategy, and business operations. He also developed Valor’s proprietary mineral and working interest management software, known as “mineral.tech.” Mr. DeWoody has also structured and participated in multiple complex transactions in both operated and non-operated assets. He has managed reporting to partners, including quarterly compilations, annual audit, and contractual calculations and payments. Mr. DeWoody was the 2021 D CEO Energy Services and Technology Executive of the Year and is a life member of American Mensa. He received his BBA and MBA from Baylor University, where he played football. He was appointed to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, and he serves as director of the National Association of Royalty Owners—Texas. He was named one of Oil and Gas Investor Magazine’s “Top 20 Under 40” and was featured in the Dallas Business Journal’s “Who’s Who in Energy.”

Lucas T. Hawkins is the Co-Founder and has served as Chief Financial Officer of Mammoth Exploration LLC, a private equity backed upstream oil and gas company, since June 2016. Since July 2013, Mr. Hawkins has served as VP—Business Development of Hawkins Exploration, Inc. (“HEI”). HEI is an independently owned oil and gas exploration company focused on the Permian Basin. Mr. Hawkins led, managed and executed numerous acquisitions and subsequent development of oil and gas properties across the Permian Basin. From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Hawkins served as an Associate with The Sterling Group, a middle market private equity group focusing on

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industrial, manufacturing and distribution businesses. From 2011 to 2013 Mr. Hawkins served as an Associate with Natural Gas Partners, an energy private equity firm. Mr. Hawkins has a background in energy investment banking and private equity and earned his BBA in Finance and Business Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

Delvina Oelkers served as Asset Manager from March 2016 to March 2019 at Eclipse Resources and as Completions Manager from March 2019 to November 2020 at Montage Resources, in each position where she managed engineering teams, achieving cost and efficiency improvements while implementing innovative technology for substantial reserve recovery. She led her operations team through several successful M&A transactions. Ms. Oelkers designed completions for the Eclipse and Montage Resources Super Lateral Program, including the design and execution of the first world-record-setting “Purple Hayes 1H” Well. As an Asset Manager at Eclipse Resources, Ms. Delvina was responsible for leading the multidisciplinary team to prove-up the asset. By utilizing innovative technologies in design, the first exploratory well produced 35% higher than type curve.

Key Employees

Kyle Bradford has served as general manager of our subsidiary, Hudspeth Operating LLC, since September 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bradford in the roles of Director, from February 2019 to November 2020 and VP of Drilling and Completions January 2014 to February 2019 for Eclipse Resources and Montage Resources. He led the drilling and operational teams through the development of the super-lateral program highlighted by the drilling and completion of the world record setting “Purple Hayes 1H”. He has a proven track record of implementing technological advancements to reduce costs and increasing operational efficiencies. He previously worked at Chesapeake Energy holding various positions including Senior Operations Engineer Utica Business Unit from April 2012 to January 2014, and Asset Manager of the Appalachian North Business Unit from October 2010 to April 2012. His career started in May 2002 at CNX Gas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Marietta College.

Daren Rader has 16 years of experience across the MidCon and Appalachian Basins as an engineer and operations leader. From March 2016 to November 2020, Mr. Rader served as a Senior Operations Manager for Montage Resources, and from February 2017 to February 2019, served as an Operations Manager for Blue Ridge Mountain Resources. He was instrumental in creating synergy amongst the field teams through multiple mergers and acquisition transactions. Mr. Rader is highly experienced both in prolific unconventional condensate and natural gas production and completion operations. Mr. Rader has a proven track record as a team leader with a focus on optimizing and streamlining field operations to reduce cost and minimize cycle times. Mr. Rader has been with the Company since September 2021.

Non-Employee Directors

Robert Lance Cook spent 36 years at Shell Oil with final positions of Vice President of Wells Technology and Chief Scientist. Mr. Cook has extensive experience in Deepwater, Arctic, and Unconventional Research & Development and Operations. Mr. Cook is the founder and CEO of Enventure Global Technology, a joint venture between Shell and Halliburton. Mr. Cook has served as the COO of Sirius Well Manufacturing, a joint venture between Shell and CNPC and is a technologist with an extensive patent portfolio. Since retiring from Shell in 2016, Mr. Cook has served as Vice President of Production Operations for WellsX Inc. from 2017 to 2020 and in 2020, he founded and continues to serves as president and chief technology officer of Sage Geosystems Inc.

Mia Pitts is currently serving as Senior Counsel at Marsh McLennan Companies (February 2018-current) and previously was a litigator and regulatory compliance lawyer at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (March 2010-March 2016), one of the world’s largest and oldest law firms. Ms. Pitts has represented corporate and individual clients in internal, regulatory, civil, and criminal investigations before the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, and state attorney generals as well as in shareholder securities litigation, class action litigations, and other private civil allegations and suits. She has also represented independent

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corporate oversight authorities appointed by the federal government, including the DOJ-appointed monitor of a global financial institution and the federal court-appointed receiver of a multi-national firm in an SEC securities fraud matter. Ms. Pitts graduated from Georgetown University Law Center and Barnard College of Columbia University.

Kristin Whitley, CPA, began her career in June 2006 as a public accounting with Whitley Penn where she worked for 10 years. While at Whitley Penn she served a variety of clients within the energy and mining industries. In August 2016, Mrs. Whitley joined Vista Minerals, a leading in-basin regional provider of sand to industrial, oil and gas companies, in the role of Chief Accounting Officer and less than a year later was named Chief Financial Officer. While at Vista Minerals, Mrs. Whitley has managed the finance and accounting, human resources, and information technology functions, participating in numerous capital raises, strategic initiatives, contract negotiations, and risk management exercises. Mrs. Whitley is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with her BBA and from Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business with her MBA. In 2019, Mrs. Whitley was named one of Oil and Gas Investor’s Forty Under 40 in Energy.

Conflicts of Interest

Nevada law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its directors, officers or stockholders. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Nevada law, renounce any interest or expectancy that we have in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to our directors, officers or stockholders or their respective affiliates. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law neither any director or officer nor his or her affiliates will have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which we or our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with us or our affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that any director or officer acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for such director or officer or such person’s affiliates or for us or our affiliates, such person will have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and they may take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it to another person or entity. We do not believe, however, that any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our directors or officers arising in the future would materially undermine our ability to operate our business. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation do not renounce our interest in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to a director or officer solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no business opportunity will be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for us unless we would be permitted to undertake the opportunity under our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, we have sufficient financial resources to undertake the opportunity and the opportunity would be in line with our business.

Director Independence

It is anticipated that after the Distribution a majority of the members of our Board will meet the criteria for independence as defined by the corporate governance guidelines to be adopted by our Board.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted written corporate governance guidelines that serve as a flexible framework within which our Board and its committees operate. The guidelines will be available on our website at www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com, and are available upon written request to our corporate secretary.

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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board has adopted a written code of ethics that is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote, among other things:

• honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

• the protection of the confidentiality of our non-public information;

• the responsible use of and control over our assets and resources;

• full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with the SEC and other regulators and in our other public communications;

• compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; and

• accountability for adherence to the code and prompt internal reporting of any possible violation of the code.

The code of conduct and ethics will be available on our website at www.nextbridgehydrocarbons.com, and is available upon written request to our corporate secretary.

While the Board oversees risk management, company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the Board and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.

Our Board administers its risk oversight function as a whole by making risk oversight a matter of collective consideration. Much of this work has been delegated to committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full Board.

Committees of Our Board

We have established an audit committee, a compensation committee, a nominating and governance committee and an ESG committee, each of which operate under a written charter that will be available on our website.

In addition, our Board may, from time to time, designate one or more additional committees, which shall have the duties and powers granted to it by our Board.

Audit Committee

Upon their appointment to the Board, the members of the Audit Committee will consist of Kristin Whitley, as the chairperson, Mia Pitts and Robert L. Cook, each of whom meet the independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and our Audit Committee Charter. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, and Ms. Whitley has accounting and related financial management expertise and satisfies the criteria to be an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules and regulations of the SEC, as those qualifications are interpreted by our Board in its business judgment.

The functions of the Audit Committee include:

• oversee the quality and integrity of our financial statements, accounting practices and financial information we provide to the SEC or the public;

• review our annual and interim financial statements, the report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our annual financial statements, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the disclosures under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

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• select and appoint an independent registered public accounting firm;

• pre-approve all services to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm;

• review related party transactions;

• review with our independent registered public accounting firm and our management the accounting firm’s significant findings and recommendations upon the completion of the annual financial audit and quarterly reviews;

• review and evaluate the qualification, performance, fees and independence of our registered public accounting firm;

• meet with our independent registered public accounting firm and our management regarding our internal controls, critical accounting policies and practices and other matters;

• discuss with our independent registered public accounting firm and our management earnings releases prior to their issuance;

• oversee our internal audit function; and

• oversee our compliance program, response to regulatory actions involving financial, accounting and internal control matters, internal controls and risk management policies.

Compensation Committee

Upon their appointment to the Board, the members of the Compensation Committee will consist of Mia Pitts, as the chairperson, Kristin Whitley and Robert L. Cook, each of whom are independent, “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act).

The functions of our Compensation Committee include:

• setting and reviewing our general policy regarding executive compensation;

• determining the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers;

• approving employment agreements for our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers;

• reviewing the benefits provided to our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers;

• overseeing our overall compensation structure, practices and benefits plans;

• administering our executive bonus and equity-based incentive plans; and

• assessing the independence of compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors to the Compensation Committee and hiring, approving the fees and overseeing the work of, and terminating the services of such advisors.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

Upon their appointment to the Board, the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consist of Robert L. Cook, as the chairperson, Kristin Whitley and Mia Pitts, each of whom are independent, “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act).

The functions of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee include:

• overseeing our corporate governance practices;

• reviewing and recommending to our Board amendments to our committee charters and other corporate governance guidelines;

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• reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding the structure of our various board committees;

• identifying, reviewing and recommending to our Board individuals for election to the Board;

• adopting and reviewing policies regarding the consideration of board candidates proposed by stockholders and other criteria for Board membership; and

• overseeing our Board’s annual self-evaluation.

ESG Committee

Upon their appointment to the Board, the members of the ESG Committee will consist of Joseph DeWoody, as the chairperson, Kristin Whitley and Robert L. Cook.

The functions of our ESG Committee include:

• provide oversight with respect to ESG matters;

• advise and assist the Board with its responsibilities for the oversight of ESG matters; and

• provide oversight with respect to our annual sustainability report, which we plan to make available through our website.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Governance Structure

The position of Board chairman is filled by our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”). We believe this combined leadership structure is appropriate for us because our Chairman and CEO (i) conveys a singular, cohesive message to our stockholders, employees, industry partners and the investment community, (ii) eliminates any ambiguity as to who is accountable for our performance and (iii) is able to draw on his knowledge of our operations to provide the Board with leadership and properly focus discussions on the issues of greatest importance to the Company and our stockholders. Our directors and management team engage frequently and directly in the flow of information and ideas and we believe our combined leadership structure facilitates the quality, quantity and timeliness of the information flow and communication.

Since our Board chairman is also a member of management, our Board has designated Robert L. Cook, a non-management director, as “Lead Director.” The responsibilities of the Lead Director include:

• Coordinating the scheduling of board meetings and preparation of agenda material for board meetings and executive sessions;

• Defining the scope, quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information between management and the Board;

• Chairing all meetings of non-management directors and of the executive committee;

• Overseeing the process of hiring, firing, evaluating and compensating the CEO;

• Approving the retention of consultants who report directly to the Board;

• Facilitating communication between the directors and the CEO, and communicating the directors’ perspectives and consensus view to the CEO; provided, that the Lead Director may not, in his sole discretion, override the CEO on any matters without majority approval of the Board;

• Assisting the Board and officers in assuring compliance with and implementation of our governance principles;

• Leading the annual evaluation of the chairman;

• Serving as an independent point of contact for stockholders wishing to communicate with the Board;

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• Acting as principal liaison between the independent directors and the CEO on sensitive issues; and

• Leading the Board in anticipating and responding to crises.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board oversees that the assets of the Company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that our business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the Board’s oversight of the various risks facing our company. In this regard, our board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. The Board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of our business strategy. The Board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for the Company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.

Related Party Transactions

The Board has adopted a written policy regarding the approval of related party transactions. At regularly scheduled audit committee meetings, management will recommend any related party transactions that are contemplated, and such transactions will require the audit committee’s approval. Generally, a “related party” is each of our executive officers, directors, nominees for director, any stockholder owning greater than five percent of our outstanding shares, including any immediate family member of each of the foregoing, and any entity owned or controlled by any of the foregoing. Transactions that are available to all of our employees generally or totaling less than $5,000 when aggregated with all similar transactions are excluded from the policy.

Legal Proceedings

None of our current and future directors and executive officers has been involved in legal proceedings that would be material to an evaluation of our management team.

Director Compensation

We are currently in the process of developing the details regarding the compensation packages of only those directors who are considered independent directors. Following the Spin-Off, we expect to grant each of our directors who are not employed by us or any of our subsidiaries (“non-employee directors”) an option to purchase approximately 412,500 shares of our Common Stock. The vesting of these options will be subject to achievement of certain performance-based conditions on substantially the same terms as the options expected to be granted to our named executive officers described below under “Performance-Based Options.”

We did not pay any compensation or grant any equity or other incentive awards to any of non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, nor did any of our non-employee directors receive any such compensation or awards from Meta or any of our other affiliates for their services during such fiscal year.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are currently in the process of determining the philosophy and design of our compensation plans and programs to be offered to our senior management team, which we expect will incorporate elements of compensation to attract, retain and motivate highly talented individuals of our management team, align the interests of management with the interests of our stockholders and incentivize behaviors that we believe are necessary to enable us to succeed in our mission while upholding our values in a highly competitive marketplace. All decisions with respect to management compensation are made by the Board (and after the Spin-Off, will be made by the Compensation Committee).

Incentive Compensation Awards

Our executive officers have not historically been paid bonuses or received equity awards, and our Board and Compensation Committee has not yet established a formal compensation policy for the determination of such awards. If our revenue grows and bonuses become affordable and justifiable, we expect to use the following parameters in justifying and quantifying bonuses for our executive officers: (1) the growth in our revenue, (2) the growth in our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (“EBITDA”), and (3) the value of our Common Stock. The Board and Compensation Committee has not adopted specific performance goals and target bonus amounts for any of its fiscal years, but may do so in the future. Subject to approval by the sole stockholder, we also expect that our executive officers will be granted performance-based stock options under our 2022 Plan (described below) in connection with or immediately following the Spin-Off and may be granted additional equity awards in future years under the 2022 Plan or a successor plan. The Compensation Committee will recommend to the Board the size, type and other terms of such equity awards.

Employment Agreements

In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into new employment agreements with certain of our named executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table below to be effective immediately following the Spin-Off. These agreements do not have a specified term and provide for the executive to receive an annual base salary as follows: Mr. DuBose – $400,000; Mr. DeWoody - $395,000; Mr. Hawkins - $390,000 and Ms. Oelkers - $385,000. Each executive is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee, with a target bonus equal to 50% of the executive’s base salary, and to participate in our benefit plans to be made available to employees generally. If the executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” (as defined in the agreement), the executive will receive severance of 12 months base salary, payable in installments over a 12-month period, a pro-rated amount of the executive’s target bonus for the year of termination, payment of the executive’s COBRA premiums for 12 months, and 12 months’ accelerated vesting of the executive’s then-outstanding and unvested equity awards granted by the Company (except that, in the case of Mr. DuBose the cash severance and pro-rated target bonus will be payable only if such termination occurs following the initial 12 months after the Spin-Off). However, if such a termination of the executive’s employment occurs in connection with or within 12 months following a change in control of the Company, the executive’s cash severance will equal 18 months of base salary (paid in a lump sum together with the pro-rated target bonus), the executive will be entitled to payment of COBRA premiums for 18 months, and the executive’s then-outstanding equity awards granted by the Company will be fully vested. In each case, the executive’s right to receive these severance benefits is subject to the executive’s providing a release of claims to the Company and continued compliance with confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and other covenants in favor of the Company set forth in the employment agreement. Mr. DuBose, Mr. DeWoody and Ms. Oelkers were each party to an employment agreement with Hudspeth Operating, LLC, one of our subsidiaries (as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table below). The agreements between Hudspeth Operating, LLC and Mr. DuBose, Mr. DeWoody and Ms. Oelkers have been superseded by their new employment agreements with us.

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Performance-Based Options

In connection with the Spin-Off, we expect to grant each of the following executive officers a performance-based stock option under the 2022 Plan described below with respect to the following number of shares: for Mr. DuBose and Ms. Oelkers, an amount equal to three percent (3%) of outstanding shares; and for Mr. DeWoody and Mr. Hawkins, an amount equal to one percent (1%) of outstanding shares (the “Option Percentage”). The exercise price of each of these options will be established at grant based on an implied fair market value of $199,500,000 for the Company’s working interest in the Orogrande Project (which is significantly higher than the estimated fair market value of the Company’s interest as of the date of the Spin-Off and is intended to create an additional incentive for the executives to increase the value of the Company’s working interest above that threshold amount). If the Company increases its working interest in the Orogrande Project while the option is outstanding and subject to compliance with applicable tax laws, the option agreement will provide that the exercise price will increase proportionally based on an implied fair market value of $300,000,000 if the Company’s working interest were to increase to 100%. If the executive’s interest represented by the option is diluted by an increase in the Company’s working interest, the executive may be entitled to an additional option grant to restore their Option Percentage. The vesting of the option will generally be contingent on the optionee’s continued employment or service for at least one year following the Spin-Off (or such longer period as provided in the option agreement). Each of these options will have a maximum term of 10 years and will be granted under, and subject to the terms of, the 2022 Plan described below.

Equity Incentive Plan

Our Board adopted the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) to provide an additional means through the grant of awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons. Meta, as the current sole stockholder, approved the 2022 Plan prior to the Spin-Off. The summary of the 2022 Plan below is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the plan document, which is being filed with the SEC as an exhibit to this amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this prospectus is a part and is available through the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

Employees, officers, directors and consultants that provide services to us or one of our subsidiaries may be selected to receive awards under the 2022 Plan. Our Compensation Committee will administer the 2022 Plan. The Compensation Committee has broad authority to:

• select participants and determine the types of awards that they are to receive;

• determine the number of shares that are to be subject to awards and the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares or the award and establish the vesting conditions (if applicable) of such shares or awards;

• cancel, modify or waive our rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consents;

• construe and interpret the terms of the 2022 Plan and any agreements relating to the plan;

• accelerate or extend the vesting or exercisability or extend the term of any or all outstanding awards subject to any required consent;

• subject to the other provisions of the 2022 Plan, make certain adjustments to an outstanding award and authorize the termination, conversion, substitution or succession of an award; and

• allow the purchase price of an award or shares of our Common Stock to be paid in the form of cash, check or electronic funds transfer, by the delivery of previously-owned shares of our Common Stock or by a reduction of the number of shares deliverable pursuant to the award, by services rendered by the recipient of the award, by notice and third party payment or cashless exercise on such terms as the administrator may authorize or any other form permitted by law.

The number of shares of our Common Stock initially reserved for issuance with respect to awards granted under the 2022 Plan is 50,000,000. The share limit will automatically increase on the first trading day in January of

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each year (commencing with January 2023). Any shares subject to awards that are not paid, delivered or exercised before they expire or are canceled or terminated, fail to vest, as well as shares used to pay the purchase or exercise price of awards or related tax withholding obligations, will become available for other award grants under the 2022 Plan. As of the date of this prospectus, no awards have been granted under the 2022 Plan, and the full number of shares reserved under the 2022 Plan is available for award purposes.

Awards under the 2022 Plan may be in the form of incentive or nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock bonuses, restricted stock, stock units and other forms of awards including cash awards. Awards under the plan generally will not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except that the plan administrator may authorize certain transfers.

Nonqualified and incentive stock options may not be granted at prices below the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Incentive stock options must have an exercise price that is at least equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant (or 110% of the fair market value of our Common Stock for incentive stock option grants to any 10% owner of our Common Stock). The maximum term of options and stock appreciation rights granted under the plan is 10 years (or five years for incentive stock option grants to any 10% owner of our Common Stock). These and other awards may also be issued solely or in part for services. Awards are generally paid in shares of our Common Stock or in cash. The plan administrator may provide for the deferred payment of awards and may determine the terms applicable to deferrals.

As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, the number and type of shares available under the 2022 Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase prices of awards, will be subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the stockholders. In no case (except due to an adjustment referred to above or any repricing that may be approved by our stockholders) will any adjustment be made to a stock option or stock appreciation right award under the 2022 Plan (by amendment, cancellation and regrant, exchange or other means) that would constitute a repricing of the per-share exercise or base price of the award.

Generally, and subject to limited exceptions set forth in the 2022 Plan, if we dissolve or undergo certain corporate transactions such as a merger, business combination or other reorganization, or a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, all awards then-outstanding under the 2022 Plan will become fully vested or paid, as applicable, and will terminate or be terminated in such circumstances, unless the plan administrator provides for the assumption, substitution or other continuation of the award. The plan administrator also has the discretion to establish other change in control provisions with respect to awards granted under the 2022 Plan. For example, the administrator could provide for the acceleration of vesting or payment of an award in connection with a corporate event that is not described above and provide that any such acceleration shall be automatic upon the occurrence of any such event.

Our Board will have the ability to amend or terminate the 2022 Plan at any time, but no such action will affect any outstanding award in any manner materially adverse to a participant without the consent of the participant. Plan amendments will be submitted to stockholders for their approval as required by applicable law or any applicable listing agency. The 2022 Plan will not be exclusive – our Board and Compensation Committee may grant stock and performance incentives or other compensation, in stock or cash, under other plans or authority.

The 2022 Plan terminates on the tenth anniversary date of the adoption. However, the plan administrator will retain its authority under the 2022 Plan until all outstanding awards are exercised or terminated.

Benefits

At this stage of our business, we provide no benefits or prerequisites for our employees other than health insurance and vacation benefits that we believe are generally comparable to those offered by other small private

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and public companies or as may be required by applicable state employment laws. We do not have a 401(k) retirement plan or any other retirement plan for our employees NEOs. We may adopt these plans and confer other fringe benefits for our executive officers in the future.

Summary Compensation Table—Fiscal Year 2021

As an emerging growth company, we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” as such term is defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which require compensation disclosure for our principal executive officer and up to two other executive officers who were employed by our wholly owned subsidiary Hudspeth Operating, LLC as of December 31, 2021 (also referred to as our “named executive officers” or “NEOs”). The table below sets forth the annual compensation for services rendered during 2021 by our named executive officers.

Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)		Bonus ($)		Stock Awards ($)		Option Awards ($)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)		Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)		All Other Compensation ($)			Total ($)
Clifton DuBose, Jr.(2)		2021		126,667		—		—		—		—		—		11,300	(1)		137,967
Chief Executive Officer
Joseph DeWoody(2)		2021		63,333		—		—		—		—		—		11,300	(1)		74,633
President
Delvina Oelkers(2)		2021		121,915		—		—		—		—		—		11,300	(1)		133,215
Chief Operating Officer

(1) The amount includes insurance reimbursements paid to Mr. DuBose, Mr. DeWoody and Ms. Oelkers.

(2) Mr. DuBose, Mr. DeWoody and Ms. Oelkers each commenced employment with one of our subsidiaries, Hudspeth Operating, LLC, on September 7, 2021 each as a general manager.

Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2021

As of December 31, 2021, our NEOs did not hold any outstanding equity awards with respect to our equity securities or equity securities of Meta or any of its affiliated companies.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

All of the Common Stock is currently beneficially owned by Meta. After the Spin-Off, Meta will not own any of the Common Stock. The following table provides information with respect to the expected beneficial ownership of the Common Stock after giving effect to the Spin-Off by (i) each person who we believe will be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of our directors and our NEOs, and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. We based the share amounts on each person’s beneficial ownership of Series A Preferred Stock as of                     , 2022, unless we indicate some other basis for the share amounts, and assuming a distribution ratio of one share of our Common Stock for each share of Meta’s Series A Preferred Stock.

To the extent our directors and officers own Series A Preferred Stock at the time of the Spin-Off, they will participate in the Spin-Off on the same terms as other holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

Except as otherwise noted in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified below has sole voting and investment power with respect to such securities. Following the Spin-Off, we will have outstanding an aggregate of shares of Common Stock based upon shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding on                     , 2022 and applying the distribution ratio of one share of our Common Stock for each share of Series A Preferred Stock held as of the Record Date.

Name of Beneficial Owner	Number of Series A Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned Before Distribution			Percentage of Series A Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned Before Distribution			Number of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After Distribution		Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After Distribution
5% or More Stockholders
Gregory McCabe 6015 Green Hill Ct. Midland, TX 79707		19,605,348	(1)		11.84	%		19,605,348		11.84	%
Directors and Executive Officers
Robert L. Cook		300,000			0.18	%		300,000		0.18	%
Clifton DuBose Jr.		—			—			—		—
Joseph DeWoody		—			—			—		—
Lucas T. Hawkins		—			—			—		—
Delvina Oelkers		—			—			—		—
Mia Pitts		—			—			—		—
Kristin Whitley		—			—			—		—
Kyle Bradford		—			—			—		—
Daren Rader		—			—			—		—
All officers and directors as a group (9 persons)		300,000			0.18	%		300,000		0.18	%

(1) Represents shares of Series A Preferred Stock owned personally by Mr. McCabe and further includes 797,099 shares out of 19,605,348 shares owned by G MC Exploration, LLC, an entity that is owned 50% by Mr. McCabe.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

With respect to the standards applied by the audit committee when deciding whether to approve a related party transaction, the audit committee shall approve or ratify the transaction if it is on terms believed to be comparable to those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third party. We believe that the transactions and agreements discussed below (including renewals of any existing agreements) between us and related third parties are at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained from unrelated parties at the time they were entered into.

Transactions with Stockholder Gregory McCabe

On August 7, 2014, our predecessor entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Hudspeth Oil Corporation (“Hudspeth”), McCabe Petroleum Corporation (“MPC”), and Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman. Mr. McCabe was the sole owner of both Hudspeth and MPC. Mr. McCabe has, at his option, a 10% working interest back-in after payout and a reversionary interest if drilling obligations are not met, all under the terms and conditions of a participation and development agreement among Hudspeth, MPC and Mr. McCabe that was entered into as a part of the Purchase Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”). As of December 31, 2021, leases covering approximately 134,000 acres remain in effect that are subject to the Participation Agreement. As of September 30, 2022, we had a balance of $165,238 for an account receivable due from McCabe Petroleum Corporation for amounts advanced related to the Orogrande Project pursuant to the terms of the Participation Agreement.

Mr. McCabe also owns a controlling interest in Wolfbone Investments, LLC (“Wolfbone”), the owner of certain properties in the Orogrande Project. On August 6, 2018, we and Hudspeth entered into a Purchase & Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with Founders Oil & Gas Operating, LLC, Wolfbone and MPC, which agreement provided for Founders assigning its 50% working interest in the oil and gas leases of the Orogrande Project to Hudspeth and Wolfbone equally, with each entity receiving 25% working interest.

Under that certain Farmout Agreement, by and among Hudspeth, Pandora Energy LP, Founders Oil & Gas, LLC, MPC and Mr. McCabe dated as of September 23, 2015, as amended, future well capital spending obligations remained the same 50% contribution from Hudspeth and 50% from Wolfbone until such time as the $40.5 million to be spent on the project. Cumulative capital spending did not exceed $40.5 million until after the closing of the Arrangement. With such $40.5 MM threshold being met, Wolfbone will bear 25% of the costs of the wells being drilled in the Orogrande acreage going forward provided that Wolfbone elects to participate in drilling such wells.

Additionally, Mr. McCabe owns a controlling interest in Magdalena Royalties, LLC (“Magdalena”), an entity that holds a 4.5% overriding royalty interest in the Orogrande acreage. Magdalena’s overriding royalty interest in the Orogrande acreage, which was obtained prior to, and was not a part of any of the transactions with us or subsidiaries.

Effective April 4, 2016, Torchlight Energy, Inc. (“TEI”) acquired from MPC a 66.66% working interest in approximately 12,000 acres in the Midland Basin. As part of that transaction, MPC, TEI, and Imperial Exploration, LLC entered into Participation Agreement effective as of May 1, 2016. MPC and another unrelated working interest owner retained a back-in after payout working interest of 25% in that same acreage, and the interest will be triggered back to MPC upon the proceeds from production equal the costs of developing the project area.

Lastly, on August 13, 2020, our subsidiaries TEI and Torchlight Hazel, LLC (collectively, “Torchlight Subs”) entered into the Option Agreement with MHP and MPC. Under the Option Agreement, MHP was obligated to satisfy certain drilling obligations on the Hazel Project. Further, under the terms of the Option Agreement (which was amended in September 2020), MHP had the option to purchase the entire Hazel Project no later than May 31, 2021. The Option Agreement provided that if MHP declined to exercise the option to acquire the property, we

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would be obligated to reimburse MHP for its cost of the development activity to the extent that the wells produced revenues beyond the date of the option’s lapse until the total amount of development expenses are reimbursed. MHP declined to exercise the option in 2021. Additionally, MPC holds a reversionary interest burdening our proportionate interest in the Hazel Project of 20%.

For a discussion regarding prior transactions and our ongoing relationship with Mr. McCabe and certain entities controlled by Mr. McCabe with respect to the Orogrande Project and Hazel Project, please refer to Note 4 of the notes accompanying the financial statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

Transactions with Meta

Following the Spin-Off, we and Meta will operate independently, and neither will have any ownership interest in the other. In order to govern the ongoing relationship between us and Meta after the Spin-Off, we and Meta have entered into certain agreements, and under which we and Meta have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses. The following summarizes the material terms of these agreements.

Assignment of Company Interests

Pursuant to an Assignment of Company Interests and Stock Power dated as of June 28, 2022 between Meta and us, Meta assigned and conveyed to us one hundred percent (100%) of the equity interest of each of Torchlight Energy, Inc., Torchlight Hazel, LLC and Hudspeth Oil Corporation, such that following such assignment and conveyance, each of such entities became our wholly-owned subsidiaries.

2021 Note

In 2021, we entered into a note payable with Meta to borrow up to $15 million. On October 1, 2021, the Company issued the 2021 Note, which bears interest at 8% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year, and matures March 31, 2023 (the “2021 Note Maturity Date”); provided, however, if we raise $30 million or more in capital through debt or equity or a combination thereof by the 2021 Note Maturity Date, the 2021 Note Maturity Date will be extended to September 30, 2023, and the outstanding principal of the 2021 Note will amortize in six equal monthly installments. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the 2021 Note, interest on the 2021 Note may accrue at the default rate of 12% per annum. The outstanding principal of the 2021 Note, together with all accrued interest thereon, becomes due on the 2021 Note Maturity Date. The 2021 Note includes a restrictive covenant that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restricts the Company’s ability to merge or consolidate with another person or entity, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of its assets, unless the Company is the surviving entity or the successor entity assumes all of obligations under the 2021 Note. The 2021 Note is secured by a security interest in 1,515,000 shares of common stock of Meta beneficially owned by Mr. McCabe and by a lien on Wolfbone’s 25% working interest in the Orogrande Project.

Loan Agreement

We entered into the Loan Agreement with Meta as the lender which governs the unsecured term loans previously advanced to us on April 14, 2022, May 4, 2022, May 12, 2022, May 26, 2022, June 1, 2022, June 13, 2022, June 28, 2022, August 11, 2022 and August 29, 2022, for an aggregate principal balance outstanding of $5 million, each bearing interest at 8% per annum. For additional discussion regarding the terms of the Loan Agreement, see the discussion under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

Distribution Agreement

We have entered into a Distribution Agreement with Meta. The Distribution Agreement sets forth our agreements with Meta regarding the principal actions to be taken in connection with the Spin-Off. It also sets forth other agreements that govern aspects of our relationship with Meta following the Spin-Off.

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Intercompany Arrangements. All agreements, arrangements, commitments and understandings, including most intercompany accounts payable or accounts receivable, between us, on the one hand, and Meta, on the other hand, will terminate effective as of the Distribution, except specified agreements and arrangements that are intended to survive the Distribution.

The Distribution. The Distribution Agreement governs Meta’s and our respective rights and obligations regarding the Distribution. Prior to the Distribution, Meta will deliver all the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock to the distribution agent. Following the Distribution Date, the distribution agent will distribute the shares of our Common Stock to Meta stockholders in book-entry form based on the distribution ratio and will not issue any physical stock certificates, other than upon request. The Meta Board will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the Distribution.

Settlement of Expenses. Within 90 days after consummation of the Spin-Off, we and Meta have agreed to negotiate the settlement and agreement regarding (i) advances made to us by Meta or expenses paid by Meta on our behalf, whether before or after the Spin-Off and (ii) costs related to the Spin-Off that are to be borne by us. In addition, to the extent Meta signs or guaranties any credit applications with trade creditors on our behalf to allow us to meet our drilling obligations, any amounts drawn under such credit applications would be included in the settlement. All the above mentioned amounts owed by us to Meta are expected to become payable pursuant to a promissory note on terms to be negotiated.

Conditions. The Distribution Agreement provides that several conditions must be satisfied or waived by Meta in its sole and absolute discretion before the Distribution can occur. For further information about these conditions, see “The Spin-Off—Conditions to the Spin-Off.” The Meta Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the Record Date and the Distribution Date and may at any time prior to the completion of the Spin-Off decide to abandon or modify the Spin-Off.

Exchange of Information. We and Meta have agreed to provide each other with information reasonably necessary to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements of any national securities exchange or governmental authority, for use in judicial, regulatory, administrative and other proceedings and to satisfy audit, accounting, litigation and other similar requests. We and Meta have also agreed to use reasonable best efforts to retain such information in accordance with our respective record retention policies as in effect on the date of the Distribution Agreement. Until the end of the first full fiscal year following the Distribution, each party has also agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to assist the other with its financial reporting and audit obligations.

Termination. The Meta Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may terminate the Distribution Agreement at any time prior to the Distribution.

Release of Claims. We and Meta have each agreed to release the other and its affiliates, successors and assigns, and all persons that prior to the Distribution have been the other’s stockholders, directors, officers, members, agents and employees, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from certain claims against any of them that arise out of or relate to events, circumstances or actions occurring or failing to occur or any conditions existing at or prior to the time of the Distribution other than certain claims against current and former directors and officers of Meta and its predecessor Torchlight.

Indemnification. We and Meta have each agreed to indemnify the other and each of the other’s current, former and future directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns of any of them, against certain liabilities incurred in connection with the Spin-Off and our and Meta’s respective businesses. The Distribution Agreement also specifies procedures regarding claims subject to indemnification, including our entitlement to indemnification with respect to the matters described under “Legal Proceedings” in this Prospectus.

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Tax Matters Agreement

The Tax Matters Agreement governs Meta’s and our respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes incurred as a result of the Spin-Off), tax attributes, tax returns, tax contests and certain other tax matters.

The Tax Matters Agreement allocates responsibility for the preparation and filing of certain tax returns (and the

payment of taxes reflected thereon), including Meta’s consolidated federal income tax return, tax returns

associated with both the Meta business and our business, and tax returns associated with either the Meta business

or our business, and provides for certain reimbursements by the parties.

Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we are liable for taxes of Meta attributable to us or our subsidiaries or arising or resulting from the Spin-Off. We will bear liability for any transfer taxes incurred on the Spin-Off.

Each of Meta and the Company agree to indemnify each other against certain taxes allocated to such party under the Tax Matters Agreement, and related out-of-pocket costs and expenses.

We encourage you to read the Tax Matters Agreement carefully.

Related Party Transactions

Policy and Procedures Governing Related Person Transactions

Our audit committee of the Board will adopt written procedures in evaluating the terms and provisions of proposed related party transactions or agreements in accordance with the Exchange Act, and the fiduciary duties of directors under Nevada law. Our related party transaction procedures will contemplate audit committee review and approval of all new agreements, transactions or courses of dealing with related parties, including any modifications, waivers or amendments to existing related party transactions. We will ensure that the terms of related party transactions are at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained from unrelated parties at the time of the transaction. The audit committee will consider, at a minimum, the nature of the relationship between us and the related party, the history of the transaction (in the case of modifications, waivers or amendments), the terms of the proposed transaction, our rationale for entering into the transaction and the terms of comparable transactions with unrelated third parties. In addition, management and internal audit will annually analyze all existing related party agreements and transactions and review them with the audit committee.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

General

Prior to the Distribution Date, Meta, as our sole stockholder, approved and adopted our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, and our Board approved and adopted our Amended and Restated By-laws. The following summarizes information concerning our capital stock, including material provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, our Amended and Restated By-laws and certain provisions of Nevada law. You are encouraged to read our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated By-laws, which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part, for greater detail with respect to these provisions.

The Company was incorporated on August 31, 2021, and 1 share of Common Stock was issued to Meta. Subsequent to the formation of the Company, we have not sold any securities of the Company; provided, that as of July 2022, the Company issued 165,523,362 additional shares of Common Stock to Meta.

Authorized Capital Stock

Immediately following the Spin-Off, our authorized capital stock will consist of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Common Stock

Shares Outstanding. Immediately following the Spin-Off, we estimate that approximately 165.5 million shares of our Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, based on the approximate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of August 30, 2022. The actual number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Spin-Off will depend on the actual number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding on the Record Date.

Voting Rights. The holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Holders of shares of our Common Stock will not have cumulative voting rights.

Other Rights. Subject to the preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock that may be outstanding, upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders.

Fully Paid. The issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional shares of Common Stock that we may issue in the future will also be fully paid and non-assessable.

The holders of our Common Stock will not have preemptive rights or preferential rights to subscribe for shares of our capital stock.

Preferred Stock

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize our Board to designate and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. If we offer a new series of preferred stock, a more specific description may be filed with the SEC, and the designations and rights of such preferred stock will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement, including the following terms:

• the series, the number of shares offered, and the liquidation value of the preferred stock;

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• the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

• the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable, and other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock;

• the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;

• the voting rights of the preferred stock;

• whether the preferred stock is redeemable, or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;

• whether the preferred stock is convertible, or exchangeable for any other securities, and the terms of any such conversion or exchange; and

• any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the preferred stock.

The description of the terms of the preferred stock that will be set forth in an applicable prospectus will not be complete and will be subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the certificate of designation relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. The registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, will include the certificate of designation as an exhibit or incorporate it by reference.

Undesignated preferred stock may enable our Board to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger, or otherwise and to thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our Common Stock. For example, any preferred stock issued may:

• rank senior to our common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference, or both;

• have full or limited voting rights; and

• be convertible into shares of common stock or another series of preferred stock.

The issuance of additional preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, conversion or other rights of holders of Common Stock.

Certain Provisions of Nevada Law

Combination with Interested Stockholders Statute

Sections 78.411 to 78.444 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (N.R.S.), which apply to any Nevada corporation with more than 200 stockholders, prohibits an “interested stockholder” from entering into a “combination” with the corporation for two years, unless certain conditions are met. A “combination” includes:

• any merger of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation with an “interested stockholder,” or any other entity, whether or not itself an “interested stockholder,” which is, or after and as a result of the merger would be, an affiliate or associate of an “interested stockholder,”

• any sales, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition in one transaction, or a series of transactions, to or with an “interested stockholder” or any affiliate or associate of an “interested stockholder,” of assets of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation:

• having an aggregate market value equal to more than 5% of the aggregate market value of the corporation’s assets, determined on a consolidated basis;

• having an aggregate market value equal to more than 5% of the aggregate market value of all of the outstanding shares of the corporation; or

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• representing more than 10% of the earning power or net income, determined on a consolidated basis, of the corporation; or

• the issuance or transfer by the corporation or any subsidiary, of any shares of the corporation or any subsidiary to an “interested stockholder” or any affiliate or associate of an “interested stockholder,” having an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, except under the exercise of warrants or rights to purchase shares offered, or a dividend or distribution paid or made, pro rata to all stockholders of the resident domestic corporation;

• the adoption of any plan, or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation, under any agreement, arrangement or understanding, with the “interested stockholder.” or any affiliate or associated of the “interested stockholder;”

• if any of the following actions occurs:

• a reclassification of the corporation’s securities, including, without limitation, any splitting of shares, share dividend, or other distribution of shares with respect to other shares, or any issuance of new shares in exchange for a proportionately greater number of old shares;

• recapitalization of the corporation;

• merger of consolidation of the corporation with any subsidiary; or

• any other transaction, whether or not with or into or otherwise involving the interested stockholder, under any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, with the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, which has the immediate and proximate effect of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class or series of voting shares or securities convertible into voting shares of the corporation or any subsidiary of the corporation which is beneficially owned by the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder;

• any receipt by an “interested stockholder” or any affiliate or associate of an “interested stockholder” except proportionately as a stockholder of the corporation, of the benefit of any loan, advance, guarantee, pledge or other financial assistance or any tax credit or other tax advantage provided by or through the corporation

An “interested stockholder” is a person who is:

• directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation; or

• an affiliate or associate of the corporation, which at any time within two years immediately before the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of the corporation.

A corporation to which the Combinations with Interested Stockholders Statute applies may not engage in a “combination” within two years after the interested stockholder first became an interested stockholder, unless the combination meets all of the requirements of the corporation’s articles of incorporation and (i) the combination or the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors before the person first became an interested stockholder, or (ii)(a) the combination is approved by the board of directors and (b) at or after that time, the combination is approved at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of the stockholders representing at least sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding voting power of the corporation not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder or the affiliates or associates of the interested stockholder. If this approval is not obtained, the combination may be consummated after the two year period expires if either (i)(a) the combination or transaction

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by which the person first became an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors before such person first became an interested stockholder, (b) the combination is approved by a majority of the outstanding voting power of the corporation not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, or (c) the combination otherwise meets the requirements of the Combination with Interested Stockholders Statute. Alternatively, a combination with an interested stockholder engaged in more than 2 years after the date the person first became an interested stockholder may be permissible if the aggregate amount of cash and the market value of consideration other than cash to be received by holders of shares of common stock and holders of any other class or series of shares meets the minimum requirements set forth in the statue, and prior to the completion of the combination, except in limited circumstances, the interested stockholder has not become the beneficial owner of additional voting shares of the corporation.

Acquisition of Controlling Interest Statute

In addition, Nevada’s “Acquisition of Controlling Interest Statute,” prohibits an acquiror, under certain circumstances, from voting shares of a target corporation’s stock after crossing certain threshold ownership percentages, unless the acquiror obtains the approval of the target corporation’s stockholders. Sections 78.378 to 78.3793 of the N.R.S. only apply to Nevada corporations with at least 200 stockholders, including at least 100 record stockholders who are Nevada residents, that do business directly or through an affiliated corporation in Nevada and whose articles of incorporation or bylaws in effect 10 days following the acquisition of a controlling interest by an acquiror do not prohibit its application.

We do not intend to “do business” in Nevada within the meaning of the Acquisition of Controlling Interest Statute. Therefore, we believe it is unlikely that this statute will apply to us. The statute specifies three thresholds:

• at least one-fifth but less than one-third;

• at least one-third but less than a majority; and

• a majority or more, of the outstanding voting power. Once an acquiror crosses one of these thresholds, shares which it acquired in the transaction taking it over the threshold (or within ninety days preceding the date thereof) become “control shares” which could be deprived of the right to vote until a majority of the disinterested stockholders restore that right.

A special stockholders’ meeting may be called at the request of the acquiror to consider the voting rights of the acquiror’s shares. If the acquiror requests a special meeting and gives an undertaking to pay the expenses of said meeting, then the meeting must take place no earlier than 30 days (unless the acquiror requests that the meeting be held sooner) and no more than 50 days (unless the acquiror agrees to a later date) after the delivery by the acquiror to the corporation of an information statement which sets forth the range of voting power that the acquiror has acquired or proposes to acquire and certain other information concerning the acquiror and the proposed control share acquisition.

If no such request for a stockholders’ meeting is made, consideration of the voting rights of the acquiror’s shares must be taken at the next special or annual stockholders’ meeting. If the stockholders fail to restore voting rights to the acquiror, or if the acquiror fails to timely deliver an information statement to the corporation, then the corporation may, if so provided in its articles of incorporation or bylaws in effect on the tenth day following the acquisition, call certain of the acquiror’s shares for redemption at the average price paid for such shares by the acquiror.

Our restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws do not currently permit us to redeem an acquiror’s shares under these circumstances, but could be amended to so provide within ten days following the acquisition. The Acquisition of Controlling Interest Statute also provides that in the event the stockholders restore full voting rights to a holder of control shares that owns a majority of the voting stock, then, unless the

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corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws in effect on the tenth day following the acquisition otherwise provide, all other stockholders who do not vote in favor of restoring voting rights to the control shares may demand payment for the “fair value” of their shares as determined by a court in dissenters rights proceeding pursuant to Chapter 92A of the N.R.S.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation contain provisions that limit the liability of our current and former directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law. Nevada law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, unless the presumption that the directors have acted in good faith, on an informed basis, and with a view to the interests of the corporation has been rebutted, in which case directors may be liable for damages resulting from intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law. To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of our company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by any of our directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of that issue.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC.

No Listing

Our Common Stock is not listed on any securities exchange and will not be eligible for electronic trading through DTC or any other established clearing corporation.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the distribution of our Common Stock in the Spin-Off described in this Prospectus will be passed upon for us by O’Melveny & Myers, LLP, Dallas, Texas, and by Woodburn and Wedge, Reno, Nevada, with respect to matters of Nevada law.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the fiscal years then ended, appearing in this Prospectus, have been audited by BF Borgers, CPA, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Estimates of the oil and gas reserves of the Company and related future net cash flows and the present values were based upon reserve reports prepared by PeTech Enterprises, Inc. have been included in this Prospectus. We have included these estimates in reliance on the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act to register the shares of our Common Stock to be distributed in the Spin-Off. The term registration statement means the original registration statement and any and all amendments thereto, including the exhibits and schedules to the original registration statement and any amendments. This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement, along with the exhibits and schedules filed therewith, may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s website. The SEC maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.

The information contained on or accessible through our website shall not be deemed to be a part of this Prospectus or the registration statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part.

You may request a copy of any of our filings with the SEC at no cost by writing us at the following address:

Investor Relations

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

6300 Ridglea Place, Suite 950, Fort Worth, Texas 76116

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the Spin-Off or of the Company that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this Prospectus. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this Prospectus or the solicitation of proxies is unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this Prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this Prospectus speaks only as of the date of this Prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	PAGE
Consolidated Financial Statements (audited)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020		F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December  31, 2021 and 2020		F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020		F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2021 and 2020		F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-6
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021		F-21
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021		F-22
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021		F-24
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021		F-26
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		F-27
Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements (unaudited)
Combined Statements of Operations for the year ended December  31, 2021		F-44
Combined Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022		F-45
Combined Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022		F-46
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements		F-47

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the board of directors of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a significant accumulated deficit. In addition, the Company continues to experience negative cash flows from operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/S/ BF Borgers CPA PC

BF Borgers CPA PC

PCAOB ID: 5041

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022

Lakewood, CO

July 15, 2022

F-1

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	1,989,419		$	130,504
Accounts receivable, related party		163,366			69,056
Grants and other receivables		74,310			161,064
Prepaid expenses		2,667			103,672
Total current assets		2,229,762			464,296
Oil and natural gas properties, net		45,663,470			30,857,959
Property and equipment		—			4,549
Other assets		25,000			—
TOTAL ASSETS	$	47,918,232		$	31,326,804
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,828,326		$	708,260
Accrued liabilities		—			1,213,779
Notes payable, related party		12,708,889			—
Total current liabilities		15,537,215			1,922,039
Asset retirement obligations		21,937			21,844
Total liabilities		15,559,152			1,943,883
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder’s equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 0 issued and outstanding
Common stock, par value $0.0001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 1 issued and outstanding		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		100,546,596			89,331,629
Accumulated deficit		(68,187,516	)		(59,948,708	)
Total stockholder’s equity		32,359,080			29,382,921
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY	$	47,918,232		$	31,326,804

F-2

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

	2021			2020
Oil sales	$	4,675		$	4,484
Natural gas sales		11,229			2,422
Revenue		15,904			6,906
Operating expenses
Lease operating expenses		75,330			86,988
Production and ad valorem tax		1,001			498
General and administrative		8,050,443			2,557,975
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		4,642			820,814
Impairment		—			2,108,301
Total operating expenses		8,131,416			5,574,576
Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(212,201	)		(11,121	)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets		1,000			(170,215	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt		77,477			—
Interest income		10,428			—
Total other income (expense)—net		(123,296	)		(181,336	)
Loss before income taxes		(8,238,808	)		(5,749,006	)
Provision for income tax		—			—
Net loss	$	(8,238,808	)	$	(5,749,006	)

F-3

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

	Common stock shares		Common stock amount		Additional paid-in capital		Accumulated deficit			Total
Balance, December 31, 2019		1	$	—	$	88,203,178	$	(54,199,702	)	$	34,003,476
Contributions from parent		—		—		1,128,451		—			1,128,451
Net loss		—		—		—		(5,749,006	)		(5,749,006	)
Balance, December 31, 2020		1	$	—	$	89,331,629	$	(59,948,708	)	$	29,382,921
Contributions from parent		—		—		11,214,967		—			11,214,967
Net loss		—		—		—		(8,238,808	)		(8,238,808	)
Balance, December 31, 2021		1	$	—	$	100,546,596	$	(68,187,516	)	$	32,359,080

F-4

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

	2021			2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss	$	(8,238,808	)	$	(5,749,006	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		4,642			820,814
Impairment loss		—			2,108,301
Paid in kind interest		208,889			—
Change in:
Accounts receivable, related party		(94,310	)		(27,684	)
Grants and other receivables		86,754			—
Prepaid expenses		101,005			(7,666	)
Accounts payable		2,120,066			(617,952	)
Accrued liabilities		(1,213,779	)		172,603
Other assets		(25,000	)		—
Net cash from operating activities		(7,050,541	)		(3,300,590	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Investment in oil and natural gas properties		(14,805,511	)		(236,807	)
Proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties		—			2,508,775
Net cash from investing activities		(14,805,511	)		2,271,968
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Contributions from parent		11,214,967			1,128,451
Proceeds from notes payable, related party		12,500,000			—
Net cash from financing activities		23,714,967			1,128,451
Net increase in cash		1,858,915			99,829
Cash—beginning of year		130,504			30,675
Cash—end of year	$	1,989,419		$	130,504
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: (Non Cash Items)
Cash paid for interest	$	—		$	—
Cash paid for state franchise tax	$	—		$	—

F-5

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc., formerly OilCo Holdings, Inc., (the “Company”, “we”, “our”) was incorporated in August 2021 under the laws of the State of Nevada. We are engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. We operate our business through our subsidiaries Torchlight Energy Inc., Hudspeth Operating, LLC, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, and Torchlight Hazel LLC.

Prior to the formation of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. (formerly named OilCo Holdings, Inc.), our subsidiaries were consolidated into the financial statements of our parent, Meta Materials Inc. (formerly named Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. (“TERI”)). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements of Meta Materials, Inc.

On June 29, 2021, TERI acquired Metamaterial Inc., an Ontario corporation, and changed its name to Meta Materials, Inc. (with Metamaterial Inc. being the accounting acquiror).

2. GOING CONCERN

At December 31, 2021, the Company had not yet achieved profitable operations. We had a net loss of $8,238,808 for the year ended December 31, 2021. We expect to incur further losses in the development of our business. The Company had a working capital deficit as of December 31, 2021 of $13,307,453. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to generate future profitable operations and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management’s plan to address the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern includes: (1) obtaining debt or equity funding from private placement, institutional, or public sources; (2) obtain loans from financial institutions, where possible; or (3) participating in joint venture transactions with third parties. Although management believes that it will be able to obtain the necessary funding to allow the Company to remain a going concern through the methods discussed above, there can be no assurances that such methods will prove successful.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and therefore, the financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amount and classifications of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company maintains its accounts on the accrual method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accounting principles followed and the methods of applying those principles, which materially affect the determination of financial position, results of operations and cash flows are summarized below:

Use of estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Basis of presentation—The financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis and include all of the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Torchlight Energy, Inc., Hudspeth Operating, LLC,

F-6

Hudspeth Oil Corporation, and Torchlight Hazel LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated between the Company and its subsidiaries.

Risks and uncertainties—The Company’s operations are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including financial, operational, technological, and other risks associated with operating an emerging business, including the potential risk of business failure.

In January 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and the significant risks to the international community and economies as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally, and thereafter, COVID-19 continued to spread throughout the U.S. and worldwide. In addition, actions taken by OPEC members and other exporting nations on the supply and demand in global oil and natural gas markets resulted in significant negative pricing pressure in the first half of 2020, followed by a recovery in pricing and an increase in demand in the second half of 2020 and into 2021. However, multiple variants emerged in 2021 and became highly transmissible, which contributed to additional pricing volatility during 2021 and into 2022. The financial results of companies in the oil and natural gas industry have been impacted materially as a result of changing market conditions. Such circumstances generally increase uncertainty in the Company’s accounting estimates. Although demand and market prices for oil and natural gas have increased, due to the rising energy use and the improvement in U.S. economic activity, we cannot predict events that may lead to future price volatility and the near term energy outlook remains subject to heightened levels of uncertainty.

We are continuing to closely monitor the overall impact and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ongoing spread of any variants, along with future OPEC actions on all aspects of our business, including how these events may impact our future operations, financial results, liquidity, employees, and operators. Additional actions may be required in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on a national, state, and local level by governmental authorities, and such actions may further adversely affect general and local economic conditions, particularly if the 2021 resurgence and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We cannot predict the long-term impact of these events on our liquidity, financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to uncertainties including the severity of COVID-19 or any of the ongoing variants, and the effect the virus will have on the demand for oil and natural gas. These situations remain fluid and unpredictable, and we are actively managing our response.

Concentration of risks—At times the Company’s cash balances are in excess of amounts guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company’s cash is placed with a highly rated financial institution, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which it does business.

Fair value of financial instruments—Financial instruments consist of cash, receivables, convertible note receivable, payables and promissory notes, if any. The estimated fair values of cash, receivables, and payables approximate the carrying amount due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amounts of any promissory notes approximate their fair value giving affect for the term of the note and the effective interest rates.

For assets and liabilities that require re-measurement to fair value the Company categorizes them in a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:

• Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration.

• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on management’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.

F-7

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include certain investments in highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts receivable—Accounts receivable consist of uncollateralized oil and natural gas revenues due under normal trade terms, as well as amounts due from working interest owners of oil and natural gas properties for their share of expenses paid on their behalf by the Company. Management reviews receivables periodically and reduces the carrying amount by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amount that may not be collectible. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no valuation allowance was considered necessary. Bad debt expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0 and $15,606, respectively.

Oil and natural gas properties—The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for exploration and development activities as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Under this method of accounting, the costs of unsuccessful, as well as successful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as properties and equipment. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to property acquisition, exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities.

Oil and natural gas properties include costs that are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. Oil and natural gas property costs excluded represent investments in unevaluated properties and include non-producing leasehold, geological, and geophysical costs associated with leasehold or drilling interests and exploration drilling costs. The Company allocates a portion of its acquisition costs to unevaluated properties based on relative value. Costs are transferred to the full cost pool as the properties are evaluated over the life of the reservoir. Unevaluated properties are reviewed for impairment at least quarterly and are determined through an evaluation considering, among other factors, seismic data, requirements to relinquish acreage, drilling results, remaining time in the commitment period, remaining capital plan, and political, economic, and market conditions.

Gains and losses on the sale of oil and natural gas properties are not generally reflected in income unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves. Sales of less than 100% of the Company’s interest in the oil and natural gas property are treated as a reduction of the capital cost of the field, with no gain or loss recognized, as long as doing so does not significantly affect the unit-of-production depletion rate. Costs of retired equipment, net of salvage value, are usually charged to accumulated depreciation.

Capitalized interest—The Company capitalizes interest on unevaluated properties during the periods in which they are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company capitalized $141,048, and $2,353,700 respectively, of interest on unevaluated properties.

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization—The depreciable base for oil and natural gas properties includes the sum of all capitalized costs net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”), estimated future development costs and asset retirement costs not included in oil and natural gas properties, less costs excluded from amortization. The depreciable base of oil and natural gas properties is amortized on a unit-of-production method.

Ceiling test—Future production volumes from oil and natural gas properties are a significant factor in determining the full cost ceiling limitation of capitalized costs. Under the full cost method of accounting, the Company is required to periodically perform a “ceiling test” that determines a limit on the book value of oil and natural gas properties. If the net capitalized cost of proved oil and natural gas properties, net of related deferred income taxes, plus the cost of unproved oil and natural gas properties, exceeds the present value of estimated future net cash flows discounted at ten percent, net of related realizable tax affects, plus the cost of unproved oil

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and natural gas properties, the excess is charged to expense and reflected as additional accumulated DD&A. The Company recorded an impairment expense of $-0- and $2,108,301 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, to recognize the adjustment required by the ceiling test.

The ceiling test calculation uses a commodity price assumption which is based on the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month for each month within the prior 12-month period and excludes future cash outflows related to estimated abandonment costs.

The determination of oil and natural gas reserves is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the application of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net cash flows depend on a number of variable factors and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may vary considerably from actual results. In particular, reserve estimates for wells with limited or no production history are less reliable than those based on actual production. Subsequent re-evaluation of reserves and cost estimates related to future development of proved oil and natural gas reserves could result in significant revisions to proved reserves. Other issues, such as changes in regulatory requirements, technological advances, and other factors which are difficult to predict could also affect estimates of proved reserves in the future.

Asset retirement obligations—The fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation (“ARO”) is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, with the corresponding charge capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then-present value each subsequent period, and the capitalized cost is depleted over the useful life of the related asset. Abandonment costs incurred are recorded as a reduction of the ARO liability.

Inherent in the fair value calculation of an ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and natural gas property balance. Settlements greater than or less than amounts accrued as ARO are recorded as a gain or loss upon settlement.

Income taxes—Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized.

Authoritative guidance for uncertainty in income taxes requires that the Company recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an examination. Management has reviewed the Company’s tax positions and determined there were no uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the consolidated financial statements. Company tax returns remain subject to Federal and State tax examinations. Generally, the applicable statutes of limitation are three to four years from their respective filings.

Estimated interest and penalties related to potential underpayment on any unrecognized tax benefits are classified as a component of tax expense in the statements of operation. The Company has not recorded any interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits for any periods covered by these financial statements.

Revenue recognition—The Company’s revenue is typically generated from contracts to sell natural gas, crude oil or NGLs produced from interests in oil and natural gas properties owned by the Company. Contracts for the sale

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of natural gas and crude oil are evidenced by (1) base contracts for the sale and purchase of natural gas or crude oil, which document the general terms and conditions for the sale, and (2) transaction confirmations, which document the terms of each specific sale. The transaction confirmations specify a delivery point which represents the point at which control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company elects to treat contracts to sell oil and natural gas production as normal sales, which are then accounted for as contracts with customers. The Company has determined that these contracts represent multiple performance obligations which are satisfied when control of the commodity transfers to the customer, typically through the delivery of the specified commodity to a designated delivery point.

Revenue is measured based on considerations specified in the contract with the customer, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue in the amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring control of those goods to the customer. Amounts allocated in the Company’s price contracts are based on the standalone selling price of those products in the context of long-term contracts. Payment is generally received one or two months after the sale has occurred.

Gain or loss on derivative instruments is outside the scope of ASC 606 and is not considered revenue from contracts with customers subject to ASC 606. The Company may in the future use financial or physical contracts accounted for as derivatives as economic hedges to manage price risk associated with normal sales, or in limited cases may use them for contracts the Company intends to physically settle but do not meet all of the criteria to be treated as normal sales.

Producer Gas Imbalances. The Company applies the sales method of accounting for natural gas revenue. Under this method, revenues are recognized based on the actual volume of natural gas sold to purchasers.

Environmental laws and regulations—The Company is subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. The Company believes that it is in compliance with existing laws and regulations. The Company accrued no liability as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements—

Effective January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU 2019-12 on a prospective basis. The new standard was issued in December 2019 with the intent of simplifying the accounting for income taxes. The accounting update removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 Income Taxes as well as provides simplification by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-09, Debt- Debt (Topic 470): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-10762 (“ASU 2020-09”). The amendments in ASU 2020-09 amend rules focused on the provision of material, relevant, and decision-useful information regarding guarantees and other credit enhancements, and eliminate prescriptive requirements that have imposed unnecessary burdens and incentivized issuers of securities with guarantees and other credit enhancements to offer and sell those securities on an unregistered basis. The adopted amendments relate to the financial disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities registered or being registered in Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, and affiliates whose securities collateralize securities registered or being registered in Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X. The amendments in ASU 2020-09 are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company has evaluated the provisions of ASU 2020-09 and noted no material impact to our consolidated financial statements or disclosures from the adoption of this ASU.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements, which updated various codification topics by clarifying or improving disclosure requirements to align with the SEC’s regulations. The

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amendments in ASU 2020-10 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. The Company adopted ASU 2020-10 on January 1, 2021 and its adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted—

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which adds a new Topic 326 to the Codification and removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables, and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance will remove all recognition thresholds and will require companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for sale debt securities and beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. The guidance is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years, however, the FASB extended the effective date for smaller reporting companies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard on its related disclosures.

Other recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements are not expected to have, or did not have, a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results from operations.

4. OIL & NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES

The following table presents the capitalized costs for oil & natural gas properties of the Company:

	December 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Evaluated costs subject to amortization	$	—	$	15,656,182
Unevaluated costs		45,663,470		29,794,015
Total capitalized costs		45,663,470		45,450,197
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization		—		(15,656,182	)
Total oil and natural gas properties	$	45,663,470	$	30,857,959

Unevaluated costs as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 include cumulative costs on developing projects including the Orogrande and Hazel Projects in West Texas.

The Company periodically adjusts for the separation of evaluated versus unevaluated costs within its full cost pool to recognize the value impairment related to the expiration of, or changes in market value, of unevaluated leases. The impact of reclassifications as they become necessary is to increase the basis for calculation of future period’s depletion, depreciation and amortization which effectively recognizes the impairment on the consolidated statement of operations over future periods. Reclassified costs also become evaluated costs for purposes of ceiling tests and which may cause recognition of increased impairment expense in future periods. The remaining cumulative unevaluated costs which have been reclassified within our full cost pool totals $0 as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, evaluated costs are $-0- since we have no proved reserve value associated with our properties.

Due to the volatility of commodity prices, should oil and natural gas prices decline in the future, it is possible that a further write-down could occur. Proved reserves are estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable from

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known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The independent engineering estimates include only those amounts considered to be proved reserves and do not include additional amounts which may result from new discoveries in the future, or from application of secondary and tertiary recovery processes where facilities are not in place or for which transportation and/or marketing contracts are not in place. Estimated reserves to be developed through secondary or tertiary recovery processes are classified as unevaluated properties.

Current Projects

We are an energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. We are primarily focused on the acquisition of early stage projects, the development and delineation of these projects, and then the monetization of those assets once these activities are completed.

Since 2010, our primary focus has been the development of interests in oil and natural gas projects we hold in the Permian Basin in West Texas. We also hold minor interests in certain other oil and natural gas projects in Central Oklahoma that we are in the process of divesting.

As of December 31, 2021, we had interests in three oil and gas projects: the Orogrande Project in Hudspeth County, Texas, the Hazel Project in Sterling, Tom Green, and Irion Counties, Texas, and two wells in Central Oklahoma.

Orogrande Project, West Texas

On August 7, 2014, our predecessor entered into a Purchase Agreement with Hudspeth Oil Corporation (“Hudspeth”), McCabe Petroleum Corporation (“MPC”), and Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman. Mr. McCabe was the sole owner of both Hudspeth and MPC. Under the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, our predecessor acquired 100% of the capital stock of Hudspeth which held certain oil and natural gas assets, including a 100% working interest in approximately 172,000 predominately contiguous acres in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas. Mr. McCabe has, at his option, a 10% working interest back-in after payout and a reversionary interest if drilling obligations are not met, all under the terms and conditions of a participation and development agreement among Hudspeth, MPC and Mr. McCabe. Mr. McCabe also holds a 4.5% overriding royalty interest in the Orogrande acreage, which he obtained prior to, and was not a part of the August 2014 transaction. As of December 31, 2021, leases covering approximately 134,000 acres remain in effect.

Effective March 27, 2017, the property became subject to a DDU Agreement which allows for all 192 existing leases covering approximately 134,000 net acres leased from University Lands to be combined into one drilling and development unit for development purposes. The term of the DDU Agreement expires on December 31, 2023, and the time to drill on the drilling and development unit continues through December 2023. The DDU Agreement also grants the right to extend the DDU Agreement through December 2028 if compliance with the DDU Agreement is met and the extension fee associated with the additional time is paid.

Our drilling obligations include five wells per year in years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The drilling obligations are minimum yearly requirements and may be exceeded if acceleration is desired.

We believe all drilling obligations through December 31, 2021 have been met.

On July 25, 2018, we and Hudspeth entered into a Settlement & Purchase Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with University Founders (and Founders Oil & Gas Operating, LLC, former Operator), Wolfbone Investments, LLC (“Wolfbone”) and MPC (entities controlled by a related party), which agreement provided for Founders assigning all of its working interest in the oil and gas leases of the Orogrande Project to Hudspeth and Wolfbone equally. Future well capital spending obligations remained the same 50% contribution from Hudspeth

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and 50% from Wolfbone until such time as the $40.5 million to be spent on the project. Cumulative capital spending did not exceed $40.5 million until after the closing of the Arrangement.

The Company has drilled fourteen test wells in the Orogrande Project properties in order to stay in compliance with University Lands D&D Unit Agreement, as well as, to test for potential shallow pay zones and deeper pay zones that may be present on structural plays. Development of the wells continued through the year ended December 31, 2021 to further capture and document the scientific base in support of demonstrating the production potential of the property.

On March 9, 2020, holders of certain notes payable by the Company entered into a Conversion Agreement under which the noteholders elected to convert principal of $6,000,000 and approximately $1,331,000 of accrued interest on the notes, in accordance with their terms, into an aggregate 6% working interest (of all such holders) in the Orogrande Project.

Following the Spin-Off, the Company intends to make offers and enter into agreements with one or more of the other current working interest owners in the Orogrande Project (each an “Orogrande Owner” and collectively, the “Orogrande Owners”). The Company anticipates offering the Orogrande Owners shares of Common Stock in exchange for their respective working interest in the Orogrande Project. The Company intends to offer the number of shares of Common Stock necessary such that each participating Orogrande Owner would own the percentage of Common Stock then outstanding in proportion to the percentage owned in the working interest of the Orogrande Project. For illustration purposes, if an Orogrande Owner owns ten percent (10%) of the working interest of the Orogrande Project, and such Orogrande Owner elects to participate and accept our offer of shares of Common Stock, then such Orogrande Owner will be offered ten percent (10%) of the aggregate amount of outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company’s decision to enter into these transactions will depend on ability of the Company and each Orogrande Owner to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements related to such transaction and the Company’s board of directors receiving an industry-standard fairness opinion from an investment banking firm. One of the Orogrande Owners is Wolfbone Investments LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, who will own, directly and indirectly through entities he owns or controls, over 11% of the Common Stock following the Spin-Off, which would increase if the proportionate exchange of working interest for shares of our Common Stock is consummated.

The Orogrande Project ownership as of December 31, 2021 is detailed as follows:

	Revenue Interest			Working Interest
University Lands—Mineral Owner		20.000	%		n/a
ORRI—Magdalena Royalties, LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman		4.500	%		n/a
ORRI—Unrelated Party		0.500	%		n/a
Hudspeth Oil Corporation, a subsidiary of Torchlight Energy Resources Inc.		49.875	%		66.500	%
Wolfbone Investments LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman		18.750	%		25.000	%
Conversion by Note Holders in March, 2020		4.500	%		6.000	%
Unrelated Party		1.875	%		2.500	%
		100.000	%		100.000	%

Hazel Project in the Midland Basin in West Texas

Effective April 4, 2016, Torchlight Energy, Inc. (“TEI”) acquired from MPC a 66.66% working interest in approximately 12,000 acres in the Midland Basin. A back-in after payout of a 25% working interest was retained by MPC and another unrelated working interest owner.

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In October 2016, the holders of all of Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. then-outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock (which were issued in July 2016) elected to convert into a total 33.33% working interest in our Hazel Project, reducing our ownership from 66.66% to a 33.33% working interest.

Acquisition of Additional Interests in Hazel Project

On January 30, 2017, we entered into and closed an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and a Plan of Merger with an entity which was wholly owned by Mr. McCabe, which resulted in the acquisition of approximately 40.66% working interest in the 12,000 gross acres, 9,600 net acres, in the Hazel Project.

Also, on January 30, 2017, the Company entered into and closed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Wolfbone. Under the agreement, we acquired certain of Wolfbone’s Hazel Project assets, including its interest in the Flying B Ranch #1 well and the 40 acre unit surrounding the well.

Upon the closing of the transactions, our working interest in the Hazel Project increased by 40.66% to a total ownership of 74%.

Effective June 1, 2017, we acquired an additional 6% working interest from unrelated working interest owners increasing our working interest in the Hazel Project to 80%, and an overall net revenue interest of 75%.

The Company has drilled seven test wells on the Hazel Project to capture and document the scientific base in support of demonstrating the production potential of the property.

Option Agreement with Masterson Hazel Partners, LP

On August 13, 2020, our subsidiaries Torchlight Energy, Inc. and Torchlight Hazel, LLC (collectively, “Torchlight Subs”) entered into an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with Masterson Hazel Partners, LP (“MHP”) and McCabe Petroleum Corporation. Under the agreement, MHP was obligated to drill and complete, or cause to be drilled and completed, at its sole cost and expense, a new lateral well (the “Well”) on our Hazel Project, sufficient to satisfy Torchlight’s continuous development obligations on the southern half of the prospect no later than September 30, 2020. MHP has satisfied this drilling obligation. MHP paid to Torchlight Subs $1,000 as an option fee at the time of execution of the Option Agreement. MHP is entitled to receive, as its sole recourse for the recoupment of drilling costs, the revenue from production of the well attributable to Torchlight Subs’s interest until such time as it has recovered its reasonable costs and expenses for drilling, completing, and operating the well.

In exchange for MHP satisfying the above drilling obligations, Torchlight Subs granted to MHP the exclusive right and option to perform operations, at MHP’s sole cost and expense, on the Hazel Project sufficient to satisfy Torchlight Subs’s continuous development obligations on the northern half of the prospect. Because MHP exercised this drilling option and satisfied the continuous development obligations on the northern half of the prospect, under the terms of the Option Agreement (as amended in September 2020) MHP had the option to purchase the entire Hazel Project no later than May 31, 2021. Such purchase would be under the terms of a form of Purchase and Sale Agreement included as an exhibit to the Option Agreement, at an aggregate purchase price of $12,690,704 for approximately 9,762 net mineral acres, and not less than 74% net revenue interest (approximately $1,300 per net mineral acre). MHP declined to exercise the Option in 2021.

Hunton Play, Central Oklahoma

Presently, we are producing from one well in the Viking Area of Mutual Interest and one well in Prairie Grove.

5. RELATED PARTY BALANCES

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, related party payables were $-0- and $98,805, respectively, due to our executive officers and directors included in accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheets. Accrued payroll was $-0- and $1,213,779, respectively, consisting of accrued and unpaid compensation due to our executive officers.

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As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company had a balance of $163,366 and $69,056, respectively, for an account receivable due from McCabe Petroleum Corporation for amounts advanced related to the Orogrande Project participation and development agreement.

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company is subject to a sublease for occupancy of its office premises which requires monthly rent payments of $8,300.

Legal Matters

On January 31, 2020, Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Torchlight Energy, Inc. and Torchlight Energy Operating, LLC were served with a lawsuit brought by Goldstone Holding Company, LLC (Goldstone Holding Company, LLC v. Torchlight Energy, Inc., et al., in the 160th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas). On February 24, 2020, Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., Torchlight Energy, Inc., and Torchlight Energy Operating, LLC timely filed their answer, affirmative defenses, and requests for disclosure. The suit, which sought monetary relief over $1 million, made unspecified allegations of misrepresentations involving a November 2015 participation agreement and a 2016 amendment to the participation agreement. Torchlight denied the allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses including but not limited to, that the suit is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, that the claims had been released, and that the claims were barred because of contractual disclaimers between sophisticated note parties. Torchlight also asserted counterclaims for attorney fees. On January 14, 2021, Goldstone Holding Company, LLC dismissed its claims without prejudice, leaving Torchlight’s counterclaims for attorney fees as the only pending claim in the case. On February 26, 2021, Torchlight filed a non-suit without prejudice on its counterclaims for attorney fees, leaving no claims in the case. The court signed a final order disposing of the entire case on March 5, 2021. However, Goldstone Holding Company, LLC asked the court to re-instate its claims, and a hearing was held on April 13, 2021. On June 16, 2021, the court signed an order denying the motion to reinstate Goldstone Holding Company, LLC’s claims, and the case is closed.

On April 30, 2020, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, filed suit against Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies. The suit seeks the recovery of approximately $1.4 million in costs incurred as a result of a tool failure during drilling activities on the University Founders A25 #2 well that is located in the Orogrande Field. Working interest owner Wolfbone Investments, LLC, a company owned by the Meta’s former Chairman Gregory McCabe, is a co-plaintiff in that action. After the suit was filed, Cordax filed a mineral lien in the amount of $104,500 against the Orogrande Field and has sued the operator and counterclaimed against Hudspeth for breach of contract, seeking the same amount as the lien. The Company has added the manufacturer of one of the tool components that the Company contends was a cause of the tool failure. It was later discovered that Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies forfeited its charter to conduct business in the State of Texas by failing to timely pay its franchise taxes, and the Company added members of the board of directors to the case pursuant to the Texas Tax Code. It was recently disclosed that Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies is the subsidiary of a Canadian parent company, Cordax Evaluation Technologies, Inc., who has also been added to the case. The suit, Hudspeth Oil Corporation and Wolfbone Investments, LLC v. Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies, was filed in the 189^th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman of the Board filed a special appearance after being served with citation, alleging that he was a Canadian citizen with no meaningful ties to Texas. After discovery was conducted on this issue, Meta filed a nonsuit without prejudice for this Defendant, dismissing him from the case. The remaining parties are currently engaged in preliminary discovery and are scheduling mediation.

On March 18, 2021, Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies filed a lawsuit in Hudspeth County, Texas seeking to foreclose its mineral lien against the Orogrande Field in the amount of $104,500 and

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recover related attorney’s fees. The foreclosure action, Datalog LWT Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies v. Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., was filed in the 205th Judicial District Court of Hudspeth County, Texas. We are contesting the lien in good faith and filed a Plea in Abatement on May 10, 2021, seeking a stay in the Hudspeth County lien foreclosure case pending final disposition of the related case currently pending in Harris County, Texas.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to contingencies as a result of environmental laws and regulations. Present and future environmental laws and regulations applicable to the Company’s operations could require substantial capital expenditures or could adversely affect its operations in other ways that cannot be predicted at this time. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no amounts had been recorded because no specific liability has been identified that is reasonably probable of requiring the Company to fund any future material amounts.

7. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. has preferred and common stock both at a par value of $.0001. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has issued 1 share of common stock and 0 shares of preferred stock.

8. INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded no income tax provision for 2021 and 2020 because of losses incurred.

There are no uncertain tax positions accounted for in this tax provision.

The following is a reconciliation between the federal income tax benefit computed at statutory federal income tax rates and actual income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

	Year Ended December 31, 2021			Year Ended December 31, 2020
Federal income tax benefit at statutory rate	$	(1,686,283	)	$	(1,207,291	)
Permanent Differences		390,419			308
Annual reconciling adjustment		(451,708	)		(19,077	)
Change in valuation allowance		1,747,572			1,226,060
Provision for income taxes	$	—		$	—

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

	December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	12,491,191		$	10,335,223
Disallowed interest expense		—			2,404
Other		385			9,824
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investment in oil and gas properties		(2,765,485	)		(2,368,932	)
Net deferred tax assets and liabilities		9,726,091			7,978,519
Less valuation allowance		(9,726,091	)		(7,978,519	)
Total deferred tax assets and liabilities	$	—		$	—

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The Company had a net deferred tax asset related to federal net operating loss carryforwards of $59,481,861 and $49,215,346 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The federal net operating loss carryforward will begin to expire in 2033. Realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent, in part, on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards. The Company has placed a 100% valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset because future realization of these assets is not assured.

9. PROMISSORY NOTES

Certain assets of the Company were used as collateral for promissory notes entered into by TERI.

Promissory Notes Issued in 2017

On April 10, 2017, TERI sold two 12% unsecured promissory notes with a total of $8,000,000 in principal amount to David A. Straz, Jr. Foundation (the “Straz Foundation”) and the David A. Straz, Jr. Irrevocable Trust DTD 11/11/1986 (the “Straz Trust”) in a private transaction. Interest only was due and payable on the notes each month at the rate of 12% per annum, with a balloon payment of the outstanding principal due and payable at maturity on April 10, 2020. The holders of the notes also received annual payments of common stock in TERI at the rate of 2.5% of principal amount outstanding, based on a volume-weighted average price. Both notes were sold at an original issue discount of 94.25% and accordingly, TERI received total proceeds of $7,540,000 from the investors. TERI used the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which includes, without limitation, drilling capital, lease acquisition capital and repayment of prior debt.

The effective interest rate was 16.15%.

On February 20, 2020, TERI extended the maturity on $4 million of the 12% unsecured promissory notes previously due in April 2020. The maturity date of the subject promissory note had been extended for one year, from April 10, 2020, to April 10, 2021.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the notes were retired in full by conversion into TERI’s common stock.

Promissory Notes Issued in 2018

On February 6, 2018, TERI sold to the Straz Trust in a private transaction a 12% unsecured promissory note with a principal amount of $4,500,000. Interest only was due and payable on the note each month at the rate of 12% per annum, with a balloon payment of the outstanding principal due and payable at maturity on April 10, 2020. The holder of the note also received annual payments of common stock in TERI at the rate of 2.5% of principal amount outstanding, based on a volume-weighted average price. TERI sold the note at an original issue discount of 96.27% and accordingly, TERI received total proceeds of $4,332,150 from the investor. TERI used the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which includes, without limitation, drilling capital, lease acquisition capital and repayment of prior debt.

The effective interest rate was 15.88%.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the notes were retired in full by conversion into TERI’s common stock.

Extension of Promissory Notes

On April 24, 2020, TERI entered into a Note Amendment Agreement with each of the Straz Foundation, as a lender, the Straz Trust, as a lender and collateral agent, and The Northern Trust Company and Christopher M. Straz, as co-trustees of the Straz Trust. Under the Note Amendment Agreement, the parties agreed to amend and restate the two promissory notes issued to the Straz Trust on April 10, 2017 and February 6, 2018 that have total principal outstanding of $8,500,000, along with the promissory note issued to the Straz Foundation on April 10,

F-17

2017 which had an outstanding principal amount of $4,000,000. Under the Note Amendment Agreement, the maturity dates of the two promissory notes held by the Straz Trust and the Note held by the Foundation were extended to April 10, 2021. TERI had previously extended the maturity date of the promissory note held by the Straz Foundation to April 10, 2021.

Under the Note Amendment Agreements, we and our subsidiaries provided a first priority lien on certain collateral in favor of the collateral agent for the benefit of the lenders. The collateral includes all assets and property held by Hudspeth Oil Corporation and Torchlight Hazel, LLC, which includes without limitation our working interest in certain oil and gas leases in Hudspeth County, Texas, known as the “Orogrande Project” and our working interest in certain oil and gas leases in the Midland Basin in West Texas, known as the “Hazel Project.” Further, we and TERI, provided guaranty with respect to payment of the three promissory notes. The Note Amendment Agreements also provided restrictions on the use of proceeds if the Orogrande Project or the Hazel Project were sold.

Additionally, the promissory notes, as amended, provided conversion rights whereby the lenders have the right, at each such lender’s option, to convert any portion of principal and interest into shares of common stock of TERI at a conversion price of $1.50 per share.

These notes payable issued in 2017 and 2018 totaling $12,500,000 were retired by conversion into TERI common stock in 2021.

Convertible Notes Issued in October 2018

On October 17, 2018, TERI sold to certain investors in a private transaction 16% Series C Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes with a total principal amount of $6,000,000. Interest and principal were due and payable on the notes in one balloon payment at maturity on April 17, 2020. The notes were convertible, at the election of the holders, into an aggregate 6% working interest in certain oil and gas leases in Hudspeth County, Texas, known as our “Orogrande Project.” After an analysis of the transaction and a review of applicable accounting pronouncements, management concluded that the notes issued on October 17, 2018 which contained a conversion right for holders to convert into a working interest in the Orogrande Project of the Company, meet a specific scope exception to the provisions requiring derivative accounting.

On March 9, 2020, each of the noteholders entered into a Conversion Agreement with us and our subsidiary Hudspeth Oil Corporation (“Hudspeth”), under which the noteholders elected to convert the notes, in accordance with their terms, into an aggregate 6% working interest (of all such holders) in the “Orogrande Project.” Principal of $6,000,000 and approximately $1,331,000 of accrued interest were converted at March 9, 2020.

The Conversion Agreements also provided additional consideration to the noteholders including a limited carry, a top-off obligation of Meta or Hudspeth, and warrants to purchase a total of 750,000 restricted shares of TERI common stock, which warrants will have a term of five years and an exercise price of $0.70 per share. The limited carry provides that for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year, Hudspeth will pay all costs and expenses attributable to the assigned working interests, except where prohibited by law or regulation. The top-off obligation provides that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Conversion Agreements, if (a) Hudspeth sells the entire working interest in the Orogrande Project, (b) as part of such sale, the holders’ entire working interests are sold, and (c) the gross proceeds received by all the holders in such transaction are equal to less than $9,000,000; then Meta or Hudspeth must pay the holders an amount equal to $9,000,000, (i) less gross proceeds the holders received in the transaction, (ii) less the amount of the carry the holders received under the Conversion Agreements, and (iii) less any gross proceeds the holders received in any farmouts occurring prior to the transaction.

The transaction was treated as an extinguishment of debt by TERI.

F-18

Convertible Notes Issued in First Quarter 2019

On February 11, 2019 TERI raised a total of $2,000,000 from investors through the sale of two 14% Series D Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes. Principal was payable in a lump sum at maturity on May 11, 2020 with payments of interest payable monthly at the rate of 14% per annum. Holders of the notes had the right to convert principal and interest at any time into common stock of TERI at a conversion price of $1.08 per share. TERI had the right to redeem the notes at any time, provided that the redemption amount must include all interest that would have been earned through maturity. TERI evaluated the notes for beneficial conversion features and derivative accounting criteria and concluded that derivative accounting treatment was not applicable.

On April 21, 2020, TERI entered into agreements to amend the two 14% Series D Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes that were originally issued on February 11, 2019. Under the amendment agreements, (a) the maturity dates were extended from May 11, 2020 to November 11, 2021, (b) the conversion price under which the noteholders may convert into our common stock was changed from $1.08 to $0.43, and (c) the noteholders were provided the right, at each noteholder’s election, to convert their notes into either (i) a working interest in the Orogrande Project at the rate of one acre per $1,100 of principal and unpaid interest converted, or (ii) a working interest in the Hazel Project at the rate of one acre per $1,300 of principal and unpaid interest converted; provided, that the noteholders’ right to convert into either such working interest is subject to approval of the collateral agent of the Note Amendment Agreement with the Straz parties.

Under the note amendments, the noteholders agreed to forebear demand or collection on all interest payments due and payable under the Note, including any past due interest payments, for 20 days after the execution of the Note Amendment Agreement. Further, we agreed to (a) issue each holder 20,000 restricted shares of common stock immediately and (b) pay each holder a fee of $10,000, at the same time as the payment of past due interest is paid. The past due interest and fee was paid.

These two promissory notes required monthly payments of interest only at the rate of 14% per annum, with a balloon payment of the outstanding principal due and payable at maturity.

These notes payable have been converted into TERI common stock. $1,000,000 was converted in December 2020 and the remaining $1,000,000 was converted in April 2021.

Convertible Notes Issued in Fourth Quarter 2019

Effective October 31, 2019, TERI issued 10% unsecured convertible promissory notes in the amount of $540,000. Principal and interest were due at maturity on December 3, 2020. The principal and accrued interest on the notes were convertible into shares of common stock at $0.75 per common share at any time after the original issue date. The notes were alternatively convertible, at the election of the holders, into an aggregate 0.367% working interest in our Orogrande Project.

These convertible notes were retired by conversion into TERI common stock in December 2020.

10. NOTE PAYABLE, RELATED PARTY

In 2021, the Company entered into a note payable with Meta to borrow up to $15 million. On October 1, 2021, the Company issued a secured, revolving promissory note in an original principal amount of up to $15 million in favor of Meta (the “2021 Note”). The 2021 Note bears interest at 8% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year, and matures March 31, 2023 (the “2021 Note Maturity Date”); provided, however, if we raise $30 million or more in capital through debt or equity or a combination thereof by the 2021 Note Maturity Date, the 2021 Note Maturity Date will be extended to September 30, 2023, and the outstanding principal of the 2021 Note will amortize in six equal, monthly installments. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, interest on the 2021 Note may accrue at the default rate of 12% per annum. The outstanding principal of the 2021

F-19

Note, together with all accrued interest thereon, becomes due on the 2021 Note Maturity Date. The 2021 Note includes a restrictive covenant that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restricts the Company’s ability to merge or consolidate with another person or entity, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of its assets, unless the Company is the surviving entity or the successor entity assumes all of obligations under the 2021 Note. The note payable is collateralized by shares of common stock in Meta held by one of its stockholders, Wolfbone Investments, LLC, and by a lien on a 25% interest in the Orogrande prospect.

The balance on the loan as of December 31, 2021 is $12,500,000 and the Company incurred interest that is paid in kind of $208,889 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company subsequently drew the additional $2,500,000 on the note payable in 2022.

11. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following is a reconciliation of the asset retirement obligations liability through December 31, 2021:

Asset retirement obligations—December 31, 2020	$	21,844
Accretion expense		93
Estimated liabilities recorded		—
Liability reduction at sale of property		—
Asset retirement obligations—December 31, 2021	$	21,937

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In July 2022, the Company issued 165,523,362 shares of its common stock to Meta.

On April 14, 2022, May 4, 2022, May 12, 2022, May 26, 2022, June 1, 2022, June 13, 2022, June 28, 2022, August 11, 2022 and August 29, 2022, respectively, the Company borrowed as advances to be subject to a loan agreement between the Company and Meta an aggregate amount of borrowings equal to $5.0 million, bearing interest at a per annum rate equal to 8% and which become due and payable on March 31, 2023. See Note 12 of the accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

F-20

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	September 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	2,108,866		$	1,989,419
Accounts receivable, related party		165,238			163,366
Grants and other receivables		50,970			74,310
Prepaid expenses		6,621			2,667
Total current assets		2,331,695			2,229,762
Oil and natural gas properties, net		47,293,607			45,663,470
Other assets		25,000			25,000
TOTAL ASSETS	$	49,650,302		$	47,918,232
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	559,991		$	2,828,326
Notes payable, related party		21,156,988			12,708,889
Total current liabilities		21,716,979			15,537,215
Asset retirement obligations		21,937			21,937
Total liabilities		21,738,916			15,559,152
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder’s equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 25,000,000 and 50,000,000 shares authorized; 0 issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, par value $0.001; 250,000,000 and 500,000,000 shares authorized; 1 and 165,523,363 issued and outstanding		16,552			—
Additional paid-in capital		100,846,643			100,546,596
Accumulated deficit		(72,951,809	)		(68,187,516	)
Total stockholder’s equity		27,911,386			32,359,080
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY	$	49,650,302		$	47,918,232

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

F-21

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2022			Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Oil sales	$	4,635		$	1,817
Natural gas sales		8,175			1,146
Revenue		12,810			2,963
Operating expenses
Lease operating expenses		14,880			41,561
Production and ad valorem tax		779			213
General and administrative		1,800,472			861,316
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		—			3,707
Total operating expenses		1,816,131			906,797
Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(360,877	)		—
Interest income		11			8,159
Total other income (expense) – net		(360,866	)		8,159
Loss before income taxes		(2,164,187	)		(895,675	)
Provision for income tax		—			—
Net loss	$	(2,164,187	)	$	(895,675	)

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

F-22

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Oil sales	$	14,323		$	4,675
Natural gas sales		15,891			4,261
Revenue		30,214			8,936
Operating expenses
Lease operating expenses		55,701			79,870
Production and ad valorem tax		2,032			639
General and administrative		3,789,166			6,097,917
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		—			4,642
Total operating expenses		3,846,899			6,183,068
Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(948,099	)		(3,312	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—			77,477
Interest income		491			11,078
Total other income (expense) - net		(947,608	)		85,243
Loss before income taxes		(4,764,293	)		(6,088,889	)
Provision for income tax		—			—
Net loss	$	(4,764,293	)	$	(6,088,889	)

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

F-23

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	Common stock shares		Common stock amount		Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated deficit			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Balance, July 1, 2021		1	$	—	$	99,665,836		$	(65,141,922	)	$	34,523,914
Contributions from parent		—		—		6,007,015			—			6,007,015
Net loss		—		—		—			(895,675	)		(895,675	)
Balance, September 30, 2021		1	$	—	$	105,672,851		$	(66,037,597	)	$	39,635,254
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Balance, July 1, 2022		1	$	—	$	100,863,195		$	(70,787,622	)	$	30,075,573
Contributions from parent		—		—		—			—			—
Net loss		—		—		—			(2,164,187	)		(2,164,187	)
Issuance of common stock		165,523,362		16,552		(16,552	)		—			—
Balance, September 30, 2022		165,523,363	$	16,552	$	100,846,643		$	(72,951,809	)	$	27,911,386

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

F-24

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	Common stock shares		Common stock amount		Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated deficit			Total
Balance, December 31, 2020		1	$	—	$	88,267,685		$	(59,948,708	)	$	28,318,977
Contributions from parent		—		—		17,405,166			—			17,405,166
Net loss		—		—		—			(6,088,889	)		(6,088,889	)
Balance, September 30, 2021		1	$	—	$	105,672,851		$	(66,037,597	)	$	39,635,254
Balance, December 31, 2021		1	$	—	$	100,546,596		$	(68,187,516	)	$	32,359,080
Contributions from parent		—		—		316,599			—			316,599
Net loss		—		—		—			(4,764,293	)		(4,764,293	)
Issuance of common stock		165,523,362		16,552		(16,552	)		—			—
Balance, September 30, 2022		165,523,363	$	16,552	$	100,846,643		$	(72,951,809	)	$	27,911,386

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

F-25

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss	$	(4,764,293	)	$	(6,088,889	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		—			4,642
Paid in kind interest		948,099			—
Change in:
Accounts receivable, related party		(1,872	)		(74,324	)
Grants and other receivables		23,340			110,094
Prepaid expenses		(3,954	)		98,696
Accounts payable		(2,268,335	)		462,470
Accrued liabilities		—			(1,213,779	)
Net cash from operating activities		(6,067,015	)		(6,701,090	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Investment in oil and natural gas properties		(1,630,137	)		(2,502,799	)
Net cash from investing activities		(1,630,137	)		(2,502,799	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Contributions from parent		316,599			17,405,166
Proceeds from notes payable, related party		7,500,000			—
Net cash from financing activities		7,816,599			17,405,166
Net (decrease) increase in cash		119,447			8,201,277
Cash—beginning of period		1,989,419			130,504
Cash—end of period	$	2,108,866		$	8,331,781
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: (Non Cash Items)
Cash paid for interest	$	—		$	—
Cash paid for state franchise tax	$	—		$	—

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

F-26

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. (formerly OilCo Holdings, Inc.) (“the Company”, “we”, “our”) was incorporated in August 2021 under the laws of the State of Nevada. We are engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. We operate our business through our subsidiaries Torchlight Energy Inc., Hudspeth Operating, LLC, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, and Torchlight Hazel LLC.

Prior to the formation our subsidiaries were consolidated into Meta Materials Inc., an affiliated company. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

On June 29, 2021, our former parent, Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. (“TERI”) acquired Metamaterial, Inc., an Ontario corporation, and changed its name to Meta Materials, Inc. (with Metamaterial Inc. being the accounting acquiror).

2. GOING CONCERN

At September 30, 2022, the Company had not yet achieved profitable operations. We had a net loss of $4,764,293 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. We expect to incur further losses in the development of our business. The Company had a working capital deficit as of September 30, 2022 of $19,385,284. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to generate future profitable operations and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management’s plan to address the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern includes: (1) obtaining debt or equity funding from private placement, institutional, or public sources; (2) obtain loans from financial institutions, where possible, or (3) participating in joint venture transactions with third parties. Although management believes that it will be able to obtain the necessary funding to allow the Company to remain a going concern through the methods discussed above, there can be no assurances that such methods will prove successful.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and therefore, the financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amount and classifications of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company maintains its accounts on the accrual method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accounting principles followed and the methods of applying those principles, which materially affect the determination of financial position, results of operations and cash flows are summarized below:

Use of estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Basis of presentation—The financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis and include all of the accounts of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Torchlight Energy, Inc., Hudspeth Operating, LLC, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, and Torchlight Hazel LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

F-27

These interim financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC regarding interim financial reporting. Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein for the year ended December 31, 2021.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly present the financial position as of, and the results of operations for, all periods presented. In preparing the accompanying financial statements, management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the condensed financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

Risks and uncertainties—The Company’s operations are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including financial, operational, technological, and other risks associated with operating an emerging business, including the potential risk of business failure.

In January 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and the significant risks to the international community and economies as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified COVID-19 as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally, and thereafter, COVID-19 continued to spread throughout the U.S. and worldwide. In addition, actions taken by OPEC members and other exporting nations on the supply and demand in global oil and natural gas markets resulted in significant negative pricing pressure in the first half of 2020, followed by a recovery in pricing and an increase in demand in the second half of 2020 and into 2021. However, multiple variants emerged in 2021 and became highly transmissible, which contributed to additional pricing volatility during 2021 to date. The financial results of companies in the oil and natural gas industry have been impacted materially as a result of changing market conditions. Such circumstances generally increase uncertainty in the Partnership’s accounting estimates. Although demand and market prices for oil and natural gas have recently increased, due to the rising energy use and the improvement in U.S. economic activity, we cannot predict events that may lead to future price volatility and the near term energy outlook remains subject to heightened levels of uncertainty.

We are continuing to closely monitor the overall impact and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ongoing spread of any variants, along with future OPEC actions on all aspects of our business, including how these events may impact our future operations, financial results, liquidity, employees, and operators. Additional actions may be required in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on a national, state, and local level by governmental authorities, and such actions may further adversely affect general and local economic conditions, particularly if the 2021 resurgence and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We cannot predict the long-term impact of these events on our liquidity, financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to uncertainties including the severity of COVID-19 or any of the ongoing variants, and the effect the virus will have on the demand for oil and natural gas. These situations remain fluid and unpredictable, and we are actively managing our response.

Concentration of risks—At times the Company’s cash balances are in excess of amounts guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company’s cash is placed with a highly rated financial institution, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which it does business.

Fair value of financial instruments—Financial instruments consist of cash, receivables, convertible note receivable, payables and promissory notes, if any. The estimated fair values of cash, receivables, and payables approximate the carrying amount due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amounts

F-28

of any promissory notes approximate their fair value giving affect for the term of the note and the effective interest rates.

For assets and liabilities that require re-measurement to fair value the Company categorizes them in a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:

• Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration.

• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on management’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Cash and cash equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include certain investments in highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts receivable – Accounts receivable consist of uncollateralized oil and natural gas revenues due under normal trade terms, as well as amounts due from working interest owners of oil and natural gas properties for their share of expenses paid on their behalf by the Company. Management reviews receivables periodically and reduces the carrying amount by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amount that may not be collectible. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no valuation allowance was considered necessary.

Oil and natural gas properties – The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for exploration and development activities as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Under this method of accounting, the costs of unsuccessful, as well as successful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as properties and equipment. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to property acquisition, exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities.

Oil and natural gas properties include costs that are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. Oil and natural gas property costs excluded represent investments in unevaluated properties and include non-producing leasehold, geological, and geophysical costs associated with leasehold or drilling interests and exploration drilling costs. The Company allocates a portion of its acquisition costs to unevaluated properties based on relative value. Costs are transferred to the full cost pool as the properties are evaluated over the life of the reservoir. Unevaluated properties are reviewed for impairment at least quarterly and are determined through an evaluation considering, among other factors, seismic data, requirements to relinquish acreage, drilling results, remaining time in the commitment period, remaining capital plan, and political, economic, and market conditions.

Gains and losses on the sale of oil and natural gas properties are not generally reflected in income unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves. Sales of less than 100% of the Company’s interest in the oil and natural gas property are treated as a reduction of the capital cost of the field, with no gain or loss recognized, as long as doing so does not significantly affect the unit-of-production depletion rate. Costs of retired equipment, net of salvage value, are usually charged to accumulated depreciation.

Capitalized interest – The Company capitalizes interest on unevaluated properties during the periods in which they are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company capitalized $-0, and $141,048 respectively, of interest on unevaluated properties.

F-29

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization – The depreciable base for oil and natural gas properties includes the sum of all capitalized costs net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”), estimated future development costs and asset retirement costs not included in oil and natural gas properties, less costs excluded from amortization. The depreciable base of oil and natural gas properties is amortized on a unit-of-production method.

Ceiling test – Future production volumes from oil and natural gas properties are a significant factor in determining the full cost ceiling limitation of capitalized costs. Under the full cost method of accounting, the Company is required to periodically perform a “ceiling test” that determines a limit on the book value of oil and natural gas properties. If the net capitalized cost of proved oil and natural gas properties, net of related deferred income taxes, plus the cost of unproved oil and natural gas properties, exceeds the present value of estimated future net cash flows discounted at 10 percent, net of related realizable tax affects, plus the cost of unproved oil and natural gas properties, the excess is charged to expense and reflected as additional accumulated DD&A. The Company recorded an impairment expense of $-0- for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, to recognize the adjustment required by the ceiling test.

The ceiling test calculation uses a commodity price assumption which is based on the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month for each month within the prior 12-month period and excludes future cash outflows related to estimated abandonment costs.

The determination of oil and natural gas reserves is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the application of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net cash flows depend on a number of variable factors and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may vary considerably from actual results. In particular, reserve estimates for wells with limited or no production history are less reliable than those based on actual production. Subsequent re-evaluation of reserves and cost estimates related to future development of proved oil and natural gas reserves could result in significant revisions to proved reserves. Other issues, such as changes in regulatory requirements, technological advances, and other factors which are difficult to predict could also affect estimates of proved reserves in the future.

Asset retirement obligations – The fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation (“ARO”) is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, with the corresponding charge capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then-present value each subsequent period, and the capitalized cost is depleted over the useful life of the related asset. Abandonment costs incurred are recorded as a reduction of the ARO liability.

Inherent in the fair value calculation of an ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and natural gas property balance. Settlements greater than or less than amounts accrued as ARO are recorded as a gain or loss upon settlement.

Income taxes – Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized.

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Authoritative guidance for uncertainty in income taxes requires that the Company recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an examination. Management has reviewed the Company’s tax positions and determined there were no uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the consolidated financial statements. Company tax returns remain subject to Federal and State tax examinations. Generally, the applicable statutes of limitation are three to four years from their respective filings.

Estimated interest and penalties related to potential underpayment on any unrecognized tax benefits are classified as a component of tax expense in the statements of operation. The Company has not recorded any interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits for any periods covered by these financial statements.

Revenue recognition – The Company’s revenue is typically generated from contracts to sell natural gas, crude oil or NGLs produced from interests in oil and natural gas properties owned by the Company. Contracts for the sale of natural gas and crude oil are evidenced by (1) base contracts for the sale and purchase of natural gas or crude oil, which document the general terms and conditions for the sale, and (2) transaction confirmations, which document the terms of each specific sale. The transaction confirmations specify a delivery point which represents the point at which control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company elects to treat contracts to sell oil and natural gas production as normal sales, which are then accounted for as contracts with customers. The Company has determined that these contracts represent multiple performance obligations which are satisfied when control of the commodity transfers to the customer, typically through the delivery of the specified commodity to a designated delivery point.

Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in the contract with the customer, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue in the amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring control of those goods to the customer. Amounts allocated in the Company’s price contracts are based on the standalone selling price of those products in the context of long-term contracts. Payment is generally received one or two months after the sale has occurred.

Gain or loss on derivative instruments is outside the scope of ASC 606 and is not considered revenue from contracts with customers subject to ASC 606. The Company may in the future use financial or physical contracts accounted for as derivatives as economic hedges to manage price risk associated with normal sales, or in limited cases may use them for contracts the Company intends to physically settle but do not meet all of the criteria to be treated as normal sales.

Producer Gas Imbalances. The Company applies the sales method of accounting for natural gas revenue. Under this method, revenues are recognized based on the actual volume of natural gas sold to purchasers.

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share – Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is computed in the same way as basic earnings (loss) per common share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would be outstanding if all potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. The calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes 0 shares.

Environmental laws and regulations – The Company is subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. The Company believes that it is in compliance with existing laws and regulations. The Company accrued no liability as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

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Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted—

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which adds a new Topic 326 to the Codification and removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables, and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance will remove all recognition thresholds and will require companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for sale debt securities and beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. The guidance is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years, however, the FASB extended the effective date for smaller reporting companies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard on its related disclosures.

Other recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements are not expected to have, or did not have, a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results from operations.

4. OIL & NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES

The following table presents the capitalized costs for oil & natural gas properties of the Company:

	September 30, 2022		December 31, 2021
Evaluated costs subject to amortization	$	—	$	—
Unevaluated costs		47,293,607		45,663,470
Total capitalized costs		47,293,607		45,663,470
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization		—		—
Total oil and natural gas properties	$	47,293,607	$	45,663,470

Unevaluated costs as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 include cumulative costs on developing projects including the Orogrande and Hazel projects in West Texas.

The Company periodically adjusts for the separation of evaluated versus unevaluated costs within its full cost pool to recognize the value impairment related to the expiration of, or changes in market value, of unevaluated leases. The impact of reclassifications as they become necessary is to increase the basis for calculation of future period’s depletion, depreciation and amortization which effectively recognizes the impairment on the consolidated statement of operations over future periods. Reclassified costs also become evaluated costs for purposes of ceiling tests and which may cause recognition of increased impairment expense in future periods. The remaining cumulative unevaluated costs which have been reclassified within our full cost pool totals $0 as of September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, evaluated costs are $-0- since we have no proved reserve value associated with our properties.

Due to the volatility of commodity prices, should oil and natural gas prices decline in the future, it is possible that a further write-down could occur. Proved reserves are estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The independent engineering estimates include only those amounts considered to be proved reserves and do not include additional amounts which may result from new discoveries in the future, or from application of secondary and tertiary recovery processes where facilities are not in place or for which transportation and/or marketing contracts are not in place. Estimated reserves to be developed through secondary or tertiary recovery processes are classified as unevaluated properties.

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Current Projects

We are an energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. We are primarily focused on the acquisition of early stage projects, the development and delineation of these projects, and then the monetization of those assets once these activities are completed.

Since 2010, our primary focus has been the development of interests in oil and natural gas projects we hold in the Permian Basin in West Texas. We also hold minor interests in certain other oil and natural gas projects in Central Oklahoma that we are in the process of divesting.

As of September 30, 2022, we had interests in three oil and gas projects: the Orogrande Project in Hudspeth County, Texas, the Hazel Project in Sterling, Tom Green, and Irion Counties, Texas, and two wells in Central Oklahoma.

Orogrande Project, West Texas

On August 7, 2014, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with Hudspeth Oil Corporation (“Hudspeth”), McCabe Petroleum Corporation (“MPC”), and Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman. Mr. McCabe was the sole owner of both Hudspeth and MPC. Under the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, we purchased 100% of the capital stock of Hudspeth which held certain oil and natural gas assets, including a 100% working interest in approximately 172,000 predominately contiguous acres in the Orogrande Basin in West Texas. Mr. McCabe has, at his option, a 10% working interest back-in after payout and a reversionary interest if drilling obligations are not met, all under the terms and conditions of a participation and development agreement among Hudspeth, MPC and Mr. McCabe. Mr. McCabe also holds a 4.5% overriding royalty interest in the Orogrande acreage,—which he obtained prior to, and was not a part of the August 2014 transaction. As of September 30, 2022, leases covering approximately 134,000 acres remain in effect.

Effective March 27, 2017, the property became subject to a DDU Agreement which allows for all 192 existing leases covering approximately 134,000 net acres leased from University Lands to be combined into one drilling and development unit for development purposes. The term of the DDU Agreement expires on December 31, 2023, and the time to drill on the drilling and development unit continues through December 2023. The DDU Agreement also grants the right to extend the DDU Agreement through December 2028 if compliance with the DDU Agreement is met and the extension fee associated with the additional time is paid.

Our drilling obligations include five wells per year in years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The drilling obligations are minimum yearly requirements and may be exceeded if acceleration is desired.

We believe all drilling obligations through September 30, 2022, have been met.

On July 25, 2018, we and Hudspeth entered into a Settlement & Purchase Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with University Founders (and Founders Oil & Gas Operating, LLC, former Operator), Wolfbone and MPC (entities controlled by a related party), which agreement provided for Founders assigning all of its working interest in the oil and gas leases of the Orogrande Project to Hudspeth and Wolfbone equally. Future well capital spending obligations remained the same 50% contribution from Hudspeth and 50% from Wolfbone until such time as the $40.5 million to be spent on the project. Cumulative capital spending did not exceed $40.5 million until after the closing of the Arrangement.

The Company has drilled fourteen test wells in the Orogrande in order to stay in compliance with University Lands D&D Unit Agreement, as well as, to test for potential shallow pay zones and deeper pay zones that may be present on structural plays. Development of the wells continued through the three months ended September 30, 2022, to further capture and document the scientific base in support of demonstrating the production potential of the property.

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On March 9, 2020, holders of certain notes payable by the Company entered into a Conversion Agreement under which the noteholders elected to convert principal of $6,000,000 and approximately $1,331,000 of accrued interest on the notes, in accordance with their terms, into an aggregate 6% working interest (of all such holders) in the Orogrande Project. See Note 9 to these Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Conversion Agreement and related contingent liabilities of the Company that become due and payable in the event the Orogrande Project is sold.

Following the Spin-Off, the Company intends to make offers and enter into agreements with one or more of the other current working interest owners in the Orogrande Project (each an “Orogrande Owner” and collectively, the “Orogrande Owners”). The Company anticipates offering the Orogrande Owners shares of Common Stock in exchange for their respective working interest in the Orogrande Project. The Company intends to offer the number of shares of Common Stock necessary such that each participating Orogrande Owner would own the percentage of Common Stock then outstanding in proportion to the percentage owned in the working interest of the Orogrande Project. For illustration purposes, if an Orogrande Owner owns ten percent (10%) of the working interest of the Orogrande Project, and such Orogrande Owner elects to participate and accept out offer of shares of Common Stock, then such Orogrande Owner will be offered ten percent (10%) of the aggregate amount of outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company’s decision to enter into these transactions will depend on ability of the Company and each Orogrande Owner to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements related to such transaction and the Company’s board of directors receiving an industry-standard fairness opinion from an investment banking firm. One of the Orogrande Owners is Wolfbone Investments LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, who will own, directly and indirectly through entities he owns or controls, over 11% of the Common Stock following the Spin-Off, which would increase if the proportionate exchange of working interest for shares of our Common Stock is consummated.

The Orogrande Project ownership as of September 30, 2022 is detailed as follows:

	Revenue Interest			Working Interest
University Lands—Mineral Owner		20.000	%		n/a
ORRI—Magdalena Royalties, LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman		4.500	%		n/a
ORRI—Unrelated Party		0.500	%		n/a
Hudspeth Oil Corporation, a subsidiary of Torchlight Energy Resources Inc.		49.875	%		66.500	%
Wolfbone Investments LLC, an entity controlled by Gregory McCabe, Meta’s former Chairman		18.750	%		25.000	%
Conversion by Note Holders in March, 2020		4.500	%		6.000	%
Unrelated Party		1.875	%		2.500	%
		100.000	%		100.000	%

Hazel Project in the Midland Basin in West Texas

Effective April 4, 2016, TEI acquired from MPC a 66.66% working interest in approximately 12,000 acres in the Midland Basin. A back-in after payout of a 25% working interest was retained by MPC and another unrelated working interest owner.

In October 2016, the holders of all of Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. then-outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock (which were issued in July 2016) elected to convert into a total 33.33% working interest in our Hazel Project, reducing our ownership from 66.66% to a 33.33% working interest.

Acquisition of Additional Interests in Hazel Project

On January 30, 2017, we entered into and closed an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and a Plan of Merger with an entity which was wholly-owned by Mr. McCabe, which resulted in the acquisition of approximately 40.66% working interest in the 12,000 gross acres, 9,600 net acres, in the Hazel Project.

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Also, on January 30, 2017, the Company entered into and closed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Wolfbone. Under the agreement, we acquired certain of Wolfbone’s Hazel Project assets, including its interest in the Flying B Ranch #1 well and the 40 acre unit surrounding the well.

Upon the closing of the transactions, our working interest in the Hazel Project increased by 40.66% to a total ownership of 74%.

Effective June 1, 2017, we acquired an additional 6% working interest from unrelated working interest owners increasing our working interest in the Hazel project to 80%, and an overall net revenue interest of 75%.

The Company has drilled seven test wells on the Hazel Project to capture and document the scientific base in support of demonstrating the production potential of the property.

Option Agreement with Masterson Hazel Partners, LP

On August 13, 2020, our subsidiaries Torchlight Energy, Inc. and Torchlight Hazel, LLC (collectively, “Torchlight”) entered into an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with Masterson Hazel Partners, LP (“MHP”) and McCabe Petroleum Corporation. Under the agreement, MHP was obligated to drill and complete, or cause to be drilled and completed, at its sole cost and expense, a new lateral well (the “Well”) on our Hazel Project, sufficient to satisfy Torchlight’s continuous development obligations on the southern half of the prospect no later than September 30, 2020. MHP has satisfied this drilling obligation. MHP paid to Torchlight $1,000 as an option fee at the time of execution of the Option Agreement. MHP is entitled to receive, as its sole recourse for the recoupment of drilling costs, the revenue from production of the Well attributable to Torchlight’s interest until such time as it has recovered its reasonable costs and expenses for drilling, completing, and operating the well.

In exchange for MHP satisfying the above drilling obligations, Torchlight granted to MHP the exclusive right and option to perform operations, at MHP’s sole cost and expense, on the Hazel Project sufficient to satisfy Torchlight’s continuous development obligations on the northern half of the prospect. Because MHP exercised this drilling option and satisfied the continuous development obligations on the northern half of the prospect, under the terms of the Option Agreement (as amended in September 2020) MHP had the option to purchase the entire Hazel Project no later than May 31, 2021. Such purchase would be under the terms of a form of Purchase and Sale Agreement included as an exhibit to the Option Agreement, at an aggregate purchase price of $12,690,704 for approximately 9,762 net mineral acres, and not less than 74% net revenue interest (approximately $1,300 per net mineral acre). MHP declined to exercise the Option in 2021.

Hunton Play, Central Oklahoma

Presently, we are producing from one well in the Viking Area of Mutual Interest and one well in Prairie Grove.

5. RELATED PARTY BALANCES

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had a balance of $165,238 and $163,366, respectively, for an account receivable due from McCabe Petroleum Corporation for amounts advanced related to the Orogrande development cost sharing agreement.

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company is subject to a sublease agreement on a month-to-month term for occupancy of its office premises which requires monthly rent payments of $1,000.

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Legal Matters

On January 31, 2020, Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries Torchlight Energy, Inc. and Torchlight Energy Operating, LLC were served with a lawsuit brought by Goldstone Holding Company, LLC (Goldstone Holding Company, LLC v. Torchlight Energy, Inc., et al., in the 160th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas). On February 24, 2020, Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., Torchlight Energy, Inc., and Torchlight Energy Operating, LLC timely filed their answer, affirmative defenses, and requests for disclosure. The suit, which sought monetary relief over $1 million, made unspecified allegations of misrepresentations involving a November 2015 participation agreement and a 2016 amendment to the participation agreement. Torchlight denied the allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses including but not limited to, that the suit is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, that the claims had been released, and that the claims were barred because of contractual disclaimers between sophisticated note parties. Torchlight also asserted counterclaims for attorney fees. On January 14, 2021, Goldstone Holding Company, LLC dismissed its claims without prejudice, leaving Torchlight’s counterclaims for attorney fees as the only pending claim in the case. On February 26, 2021, Torchlight filed a non-suit without prejudice on its counterclaims for attorney fees, leaving no claims in the case. The court signed a final order disposing of the entire case on March 5, 2021. However, Goldstone Holding Company, LLC asked the court to re-instate its claims, and a hearing was held on April 13, 2021. On June 16, 2021, the court signed an order denying the motion to reinstate Goldstone Holding Company’s, LLC’s claims, and the case is closed.

On April 30, 2020, The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, filed suit against Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies. The suit seeks the recovery of approximately $1.4 million in costs incurred as a result of a tool failure during drilling activities on the University Founders A25 #2 well that is located in the Orogrande Field. Working interest owner Wolfbone Investments, LLC, a company owned by Meta’s former Chairman Gregory McCabe, is a co-plaintiff in that action. After the suit was filed, Cordax filed a mineral lien in the amount of $104,500 against the Orogrande Field and has sued the operator and counterclaimed against Hudspeth for breach of contract, seeking the same amount as the lien. The Company has added the manufacturer of one of the tool components that the Company contends was a cause of the tool failure. It was later discovered that Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies forfeited its charter to conduct business in the State of Texas by failing to timely pay its franchise taxes, and the Company added members of the board of directors to the case pursuant to the Texas Tax Code. It was recently disclosed that Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies is the subsidiary of a Canadian parent company, Cordax Evaluation Technologies, Inc., who has also been added to the case. The suit, Hudspeth Oil Corporation and Wolfbone Investments, LLC v. Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies, was filed in the 189^th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. The Company’s current Chairman of the Board filed a special appearance after being served with citation, alleging that he was a Canadian citizen with no meaningful ties to Texas. After discovery was conducted on this issue, the Company filed a nonsuit without prejudice for this Defendant, dismissing him from the case. The remaining parties are currently engaged in preliminary discovery and are scheduling mediation.

On March 18, 2021, Datalog LWT, Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies filed a lawsuit in Hudspeth County, Texas seeking to foreclose its mineral lien against the Orogrande Field in the amount of $104,500.01 and recover related attorney’s fees. The foreclosure action, Datalog LWT Inc. d/b/a Cordax Evaluation Technologies v. Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., was filed in the 205th Judicial District Court of Hudspeth County, Texas. We are contesting the lien in good faith and filed a Plea in Abatement on May 10, 2021, seeking a stay in the Hudspeth County lien foreclosure case pending final disposition of the related case currently pending in Harris County, Texas.

On January 3, 2022, a putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned Maltagliati v. Meta Materials Inc., et al., No. 1:21-cv-07203, against Meta, Meta’s former Chief Executive Officer, and Meta’s former Chief Financial Officer, Torchlight’s former Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Torchlight’s former Chief Executive Officer. On January 26, 2022, a

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similar putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned McMillan v. Meta Materials Inc., et al., No. 1:22-cv-00463. The McMillan complaint names the same defendants and asserts the same claims on behalf of the same purported class as the Maltagliati complaint. The complaints, purportedly brought on behalf of all purchasers of our publicly traded securities from September 21, 2020 through and including December 14, 2021, assert claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act arising primarily from a short-seller report and statements related to our business combination with Torchlight. The complaints seek unspecified compensatory damages and reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. On April 11, 2022, the Court held a hearing on motions to consolidate the two actions and to appoint a lead plaintiff or lead plaintiffs, but has not yet ruled on the motions.

On January 14, 2022, a shareholder derivative action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned Hines v. Palikaras, et al., No. 1:22-cv-00248. The complaint names as defendants certain of Meta’s current officers and directors, certain former Torchlight officers and directors, and us (as nominal defendant). The complaint, purportedly brought on behalf of Meta, asserts claims under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, contribution claims under Sections 10(b) and 21D of the Exchange Act, and various state law claims such as breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages in favor of Meta, certain corporate governance related actions, and an award of costs and expenses to the derivative plaintiff, including attorneys’ fees. On March 9, 2022, the Court entered a stipulated order staying this action until there is a ruling on a motion to dismiss in the Securities Class Action.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to contingencies as a result of environmental laws and regulations. Present and future environmental laws and regulations applicable to the Company’s operations could require substantial capital expenditures or could adversely affect its operations in other ways that cannot be predicted at this time. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, no amounts had been recorded because no specific liability has been identified that is reasonably probable of requiring the Company to fund any future material amounts.

7. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. has preferred and common stock both at a par value of $.0001. As of September 30, 2022, the Company has issued 165,523,363 shares of common stock and 0 shares of preferred stock.

8. INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded no income tax provision at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 because of losses incurred.

The Company estimates its annual effective income tax rate in recording its quarterly provision for income taxes in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Statutory tax rate changes and other significant or unusual items are recognized as discrete items in the quarter in which they occur. The Company recorded no income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 because the Company expects to incur a tax loss in the current year. Similarly, no income tax expense was recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The Company had a net deferred tax asset related to federal net operating loss carryforwards of $67,895,119 and $59,481,861 at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The federal net operating loss carryforward will begin to expire in 2033. Realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent, in part, on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards. The Company has placed a 100% valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset because future realization of these assets is not assured.

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9. PROMISSORY NOTES

Certain assets of the Company were used as collateral for promissory notes entered into by TERI.

Promissory Notes Issued in 2017

On April 10, 2017, TERI sold two 12% unsecured promissory notes with a total of $8,000,000 in principal amount to the Straz Foundation and the Straz Trust in a private transaction. Interest only was due and payable on the notes each month at the rate of 12% per annum, with a balloon payment of the outstanding principal due and payable at maturity on April 10, 2020. The holders of the notes also received annual payments of common stock in TERI at the rate of 2.5% of principal amount outstanding, based on a volume-weighted average price. Both notes were sold at an original issue discount of 94.25% and accordingly, TERI received total proceeds of $7,540,000 from the investors. TERI used the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which includes, without limitation, drilling capital, lease acquisition capital and repayment of prior debt.

The effective interest rate was 16.15%.

On February 20, 2020, the TERI extended the maturity on $4 million of the 12% unsecured promissory notes previously due in April 2020. The maturity date of the subject promissory note had been extended for one year, from April 10, 2020, to April 10, 2021.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the notes were retired in full by conversion into TERI’s common stock.

Promissory Notes Issued in 2018

On February 6, 2018, TERI sold to the Straz Trust in a private transaction a 12% unsecured promissory note with a principal amount of $4,500,000. Interest only was due and payable on the note each month at the rate of 12% per annum, with a balloon payment of the outstanding principal due and payable at maturity on April 10, 2020. The holder of the note also received annual payments of common stock in TERI at the rate of 2.5% of principal amount outstanding, based on a volume-weighted average price. TERI sold the note at an original issue discount of 96.27% and accordingly, TERI received total proceeds of $4,332,150 from the investor. TERI used the proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which includes, without limitation, drilling capital, lease acquisition capital and repayment of prior debt.

The effective interest rate was 15.88%.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the notes were retired in full by conversion into TERI’s common stock.

Extension of Promissory Notes

On April 24, 2020, TERI entered into a Note Amendment Agreement with each of the Straz Foundation, as a lender, the Straz Trust, as a lender and collateral agent, and The Northern Trust Company and Christopher M. Straz, as co-trustees of the Straz Trust. Under the Note Amendment Agreement, the parties agreed to amend and restate the two promissory notes issued to the Straz Trust on April 10, 2017 and February 6, 2018 that have total principal outstanding of $8,500,000, along with the promissory note issued to the Straz Foundation on April 10, 2017 which had an outstanding principal amount of $4,000,000. Under the Note Amendment Agreement, the maturity dates of the two promissory notes held by the Straz Trust and the Note held by the Foundation were extended to April 10, 2021. TERI had previously extended the maturity date of the promissory note held by the Straz Foundation to April 10, 2021.

Under the Note Amendment Agreements, we and our subsidiaries provided a first priority lien on certain collateral in favor of the collateral agent for the benefit of the lenders. The collateral includes all assets and

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property held by Hudspeth Oil Corporation and Torchlight Hazel, LLC, which includes without limitation our working interest in certain oil and gas leases in Hudspeth County, Texas, known as the “Orogrande Project” and our working interest in certain oil and gas leases in the Midland Basin in West Texas, known as the “Hazel Project.” Further, we and TERI, provided guaranty with respect to payment of the three promissory notes. The Note Amendment Agreements also provided restrictions on the use of proceeds if the Orogrande Project or the Hazel Project were sold.

Additionally, the promissory notes, as amended, provided conversion rights whereby the lenders have the right, at each such lender’s option, to convert any portion of principal and interest into shares of common stock of TERI at a conversion price of $1.50 per share.

These notes payable issued in 2017 and 2018 totaling $12,500,000 were retired by conversion into TERI common stock in 2021.

Convertible Notes Issued in October 2018

On October 17, 2018, TERI sold to certain investors in a private transaction 16% Series C Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes with a total principal amount of $6,000,000. Interest and principal were due and payable on the notes in one balloon payment at maturity on April 17, 2020. The notes were convertible, at the election of the holders, into an aggregate 6% working interest in certain oil and gas leases in Hudspeth County, Texas, known as our “Orogrande Project.” After an analysis of the transaction and a review of applicable accounting pronouncements, management concluded that the notes issued on October 17, 2018 which contained a conversion right for holders to convert into a working interest in the Orogrande Project of the Company, meet a specific scope exception to the provisions requiring derivative accounting.

On March 9, 2020, each of the noteholders entered into a Conversion Agreement with us and our subsidiary Hudspeth Oil Corporation (“Hudspeth”), under which the noteholders elected to convert the notes, in accordance with their terms, into an aggregate 6% working interest (of all such holders) in the “Orogrande Project.” Principal of $6,000,000 and approximately $1,331,000 of accrued interest were converted at March 9, 2020.

The Conversion Agreements also provided additional consideration to the noteholders including a limited carry, a top-off obligation of Meta or Hudspeth, and warrants to purchase a total of 750,000 restricted shares of TERI common stock, which warrants will have a term of five years and an exercise price of $0.70 per share. The limited carry provides that for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year, Hudspeth will pay all costs and expenses attributable to the assigned working interests, except where prohibited by law or regulation. The top-off obligation provides that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Conversion Agreements, if (a) Hudspeth sells the entire working interest in the Orogrande Project, (b) as part of such sale, the holders’ entire working interests are sold, and (c) the gross proceeds received by all the holders in such transaction are equal to less than $9,000,000; then Meta or Hudspeth must pay the holders an amount equal to $9,000,000, (i) less gross proceeds the holders received in the transaction, (ii) less the amount of the carry the holders received under the Conversion Agreements, and (iii) less any gross proceeds the holders received in any farmouts occurring prior to the transaction.

The transaction was treated as an extinguishment of debt by TERI.

Convertible Notes Issued in First Quarter 2019

On February 11, 2019 TERI raised a total of $2,000,000 from investors through the sale of two 14% Series D Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes. Principal was payable in a lump sum at maturity on May 11, 2020 with payments of interest payable monthly at the rate of 14% per annum. Holders of the notes had the right to convert principal and interest at any time into common stock of TERI at a conversion price of $1.08 per share. TERI had the right to redeem the notes at any time, provided that the redemption amount must include all interest that would have been earned through maturity. TERI evaluated the notes for beneficial conversion features and derivative accounting criteria and concluded that derivative accounting treatment was not applicable.

F-39

On April 21, 2020, TERI entered into agreements to amend the two 14% Series D Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes that were originally issued on February 11, 2019. Under the amendment agreements, (a) the maturity dates were extended from May 11, 2020 to November 11, 2021, (b) the conversion price under which the noteholders may convert into our common stock was changed from $1.08 to $0.43, and (c) the noteholders were provided the right, at each noteholder’s election, to convert their notes into either (i) a working interest in the Orogrande Project at the rate of one acre per $1,100 of principal and unpaid interest converted, or (ii) a working interest in the Hazel Project at the rate of one acre per $1,300 of principal and unpaid interest converted; provided, that the noteholders’ right to convert into either such working interest is subject to approval of the collateral agent of the Note Amendment Agreement with the Straz parties.

Under the note amendments, the noteholders agreed to forebear demand or collection on all interest payments due and payable under the Note, including any past due interest payments, for 20 days after the execution of the Note Amendment Agreement. Further, we agreed to (a) issue each holder 20,000 restricted shares of common stock immediately and (b) pay each holder a fee of $10,000, at the same time as the payment of past due interest is paid. The past due interest and fee was paid.

These two promissory notes required monthly payments of interest only at the rate of 14% per annum, with a balloon payment of the outstanding principal due and payable at maturity.

These notes payable have been converted into TERI common stock. $1,000,000 was converted in December 2020 and the remaining $1,000,000 was converted in 2021.

Convertible Notes Issued in Fourth Quarter 2019

Effective October 31, 2019, TERI issued 10% unsecured convertible promissory notes in the amount of $540,000. Principal and interest were due at maturity on December 3, 2020. The principal and accrued interest on the notes were convertible into shares of common stock at $0.75 per common share at any time after the original issue date. The notes were alternatively convertible, at the election of the holders, into an aggregate 0.367% working interest in our Orogrande Project.

These notes payable were retired by conversion into TERI common stock in December 2020.

10. NOTES PAYABLE, RELATED PARTY

In 2021, the Company entered into a note payable with Meta to borrow up to $15 million. On October 1, 2021, the Company issued the 2021 Note, which bears interest at 8% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year, and matures March 31, 2023 (the “2021 Note Maturity Date”); provided, however, if we raise $30 million or more in capital through debt or equity or a combination thereof by the 2021 Note Maturity Date, the 2021 Note Maturity Date will be extended to September 30, 2023, and the outstanding principal of the 2021 Note will amortize in six equal, monthly installments. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, interest on the 2021 Note may accrue at the default rate of 12% per annum. The outstanding principal of the 2021 Note, together with all accrued interest thereon, becomes due on the 2021 Note Maturity Date. The 2021 Note includes a restrictive covenant that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restricts the Company’s ability to merge or consolidate with another person or entity, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of its assets, unless the Company is the surviving entity or the successor entity assumes all of obligations under the 2021 Note. The note payable is collateralized by certain shares of common stock in Meta held by one of its stockholders, Gregory McCabe, and by a lien on a 25% interest in the Orogrande Project owned by Wolfbone Investments, LLC, an affiliate of Mr. McCabe.

The balance on the loan as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is $15,000,000 and $12,500,000, respectively. The Company incurred interest that is paid in kind of $208,889 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company incurred interest that is paid in kind of $948,099 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

F-40

On September 2, 2022, we entered into a loan agreement with Meta, as lender (the “Loan Agreement”) that would govern prior loan amounts advanced to the Company from Meta. As of August 11, 2022 and August 29, 2022, we borrowed an additional $1.2 million and $1.46 million, respectively, the remaining amount available for borrowing under the Loan Agreement, and resulting in a total of $5.0 million principal amount outstanding related to the Loan Agreement, the proceeds of which were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The term loans under the Loan Agreement bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 8% and mature on March 31, 2023 (the “Maturity Date”); provided, however, if we raise $30 million or more in capital through debt or equity, or a combination thereof by the Maturity Date, the Maturity Date will be extended to October 3, 2023 and the term loan would be amortized in six equal monthly installments. The Loan Agreement includes customary representations and covenants that, subject to exceptions and qualifications, restrict our ability to do certain things, such as: engage in mergers, acquisitions, and asset sales; transact with affiliates; undergo a change in control; incur additional indebtedness; incur liens; make loans and investments; declare dividends or redeem or repurchase equity interests; and enter into certain restrictive agreements. In addition, the Loan Agreement contains customary events of default, mandatory prepayment events and affirmative covenants, including, without limitation, covenants regarding the payment of taxes and other obligations, maintenance of insurance, maintenance of our material properties, reporting requirements, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and formation or acquisition of new subsidiaries.

11. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following is a reconciliation of the asset retirement obligations liability through September 30, 2022:

Asset retirement obligations—December 31, 2021	$	21,937
Accretion expense		—
Estimated liabilities recorded		—
Liability reduction at sale of property		—
Asset retirement obligations—September 30, 2022	$	21,937

F-41

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”, “Next Bridge”) is a holding company formed to own an interest in, and act as the sole owner of, Torchlight Energy Inc., Hudspeth Operating, LLC, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, and Torchlight Hazel LLC following the Distribution.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2022 (the “pro forma balance sheet”), and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “pro forma statement of operations,” together with the pro forma balance sheet and the corresponding notes hereto, the “pro forma financial statements”) present the pro forma financial statements of the Company after giving effect to the transfer and assignment to us by Meta of the three subsidiaries described above and the consummation of the Distribution:

The pro forma financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786, “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses,” using the assumptions set forth in the notes to the pro forma financial statements. The pro forma financial statements have been adjusted to include transaction accounting adjustments in accordance with GAAP, linking the effects of the Distribution to the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company, the accounting predecessor to the Company, and the historical combined financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Prior to the formation of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. (formerly named OilCo Holdings, Inc.), our subsidiaries were consolidated into the financial statements of our parent, Meta Materials Inc. (formerly named Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. (“TERI”)). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements of Meta Materials, Inc.

On June 29, 2021, TERI acquired Metamaterial Inc., an Ontario corporation, and changed its name to Meta Materials, Inc. (with Metamaterial Inc. being the accounting acquiror).

The assumptions and estimates used to determine the adjustments are described in the notes to the pro forma financial statements. The final determination of the adjustments will be based on the actuals that exist as of the Distribution Date and, therefore, cannot be made prior to its completion.

The pro forma financial statements have been prepared from the respective historical consolidated financial statements of Next Bridge with respect to the oil and natural gas assets held by Torchlight Energy Inc., Hudspeth Operating, LLC, Hudspeth Oil Corporation, and Torchlight Hazel LLC, adjusted to give pro forma effect to the Distribution. The pro forma statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021, combine the historical consolidated statements of operations of Next Bridge, giving effect to the Distribution as if it had been consummated on January 1, 2021. The pro forma balance sheet combines the historical consolidated balance sheet of Next Bridge as of September 30, 2022, giving effect to the Distribution as if it had been consummated on September 30, 2022.

The pro forma financial statements are presented to reflect the Distribution and do not represent what the Company’s financial position or results of operations would have been had the Distribution occurred on the dates noted above, nor do they project the financial position or results of operations of the Company following the Distribution. The transaction accounting adjustments are based on available information and certain assumptions that management believes are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact on the Company’s results of operations with the exception of certain non-recurring charges to be incurred in connection with the Distribution, as further described below. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the pro forma financial statements have been made.

The Company anticipates that certain non-recurring charges will be incurred in connection with the Distribution. Any such charge could affect the future results of the Company in the period in which such charges are incurred;

F-42

however, these costs are not expected to be incurred in any period beyond 12 months from the Distribution Date. Accordingly, the pro forma statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 reflects the effects of these non-recurring charges.

As a result of the foregoing, the accounting adjustments are preliminary and subject to change as additional information becomes available and additional analysis is performed. The transaction accounting adjustments have been made solely for the purpose of providing the pro forma financial statements presented below.

The pro forma financial statements should be read together with “The Spin-Off,” “Capitalization,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” and the annual and interim financial statements and accompanying notes thereto of Next Bridge included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

F-43

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

	Year Ended December 31, 2021			Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma Year Ended December 31, 2021
Oil sales	$	4,675					$	4,675
Natural gas sales		11,229						11,229
Revenue, net		15,904			—			15,904
Operating expenses
Lease operating expenses		75,330						75,330
Production and ad valorem tax		1,001						1,001
General and administrative		8,050,443			2,131,413	(c)		10,181,856
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		4,642						4,642
Total operating expenses		8,131,416			—			10,262,829
Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(212,201	)		(400,000	)(b)		(612,201	)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets		1,000						1,000
Gain on extinguishment of debt		77,477						77,477
Interest income		10,428						10,428
Total other expense—net		(123,296	)		(400,000	)		(523,296	)
Loss before income taxes		(8,238,808	)		(2,531,413	)		(10,770,221	)
Provision for income tax		—
Net loss	$	(8,238,808	)	$	(2,531,413	)		(10,770,221	)
Basic and Diluted EPS	$	(8,238,808	)		(2,531,413	)	$	(.07	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and Diluted		1			165,523,362	(a)		165,523,363

F-44

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Operations

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022			Pro Forma Adjustments			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Oil Sales	$	14,323		$	—		$	14,323
Natural gas sales		15,891			—			15,891
Revenue, net		30,214			—			30,214
Operating expenses (income)
Lease operating expenses		55,701			—			55,701
Production and ad valorem tax		2,032			—			2,032
General and administrative		3,789,166			1,000,000	(c)		4,789,166
Total operating expenses		3,846,899			1,000,000			4,846,899
Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(948,099	)					(948,099	)
Interest income		491			—			491
Total other expense – net		(947,608	)		—			(947,608	)
Loss before income taxes		(4,764,293	)		(1,000,000	)		(5,764,293	)
Provision for income tax		—			—			—
Net loss	$	(4,764,293	)	$	(1,000,000	)	$	(5,764,293	)
Basic and Diluted	$	0.03		$	(0.01	)		(0.04	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic and Diluted		165,523,363			—			165,523,363

F-45

Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2022

	Historical			Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	2,108,866					$	2,108,866
Accounts receivable, related party		165,238						165,238
Grants and other receivables		50,970						50,970
Prepaid expenses		6,621						6,621
Total current assets		2,331,695						2,331,695
Oil and natural gas properties, net		47,293,607						47,293,607
Other assets		25,000						25,000
TOTAL ASSETS	$	49,650,302					$	49,650,302
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	559,991		$	1,000,000	(c)	$	1,559,991
Notes payable, related party		21,156,988						21,156,988
Total current liabilities		21,716,979			1,000,000			22,716,979
Asset retirement obligations		21,937						21,937
Total liabilities		21,738,916			1,000,000			22,738,916
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 25,000,000 and 50,000,000 shares authorized; 0 issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, par value $0.001;250,000,000 and 500,000,000 shares authorized; 165,523,363 issued and outstanding		16,552						16,552
Additional paid-in capital		100,846,643						100,846,643
Accumulated deficit		(72,951,809	)		(1,000,000	) (c)		(73,951,809	)
Total stockholders’ equity		27,911,386			(1,000,000	)		26,911,386
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	49,650,302		$	—		$	49,650,302

F-46

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF TRANSACTIONS

In connection with the Distribution, the Company’s common stock will be distributed to the holders of Meta’s Series A Preferred Stock on a 1:1 basis.

The pro forma financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786, “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses,” and present the pro forma financial condition and results of operations of the Company based upon the historical financial information of Next Bridge after giving effect to the Distribution and related adjustments set forth in the notes to the pro forma financial statements. The historical consolidated financial statements of Next Bridge were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and shown in U.S. dollars

The pro forma financial statements do not purport to be indicative of the financial position or results of operations of the Company that would have occurred if the Distribution had occurred on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of Next Bridge’s future financial position or results of operations. In addition, future results may vary significantly from those reflected in such statements due to factors discussed under “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in the Prospectus.

NOTE 2—PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS

The pro forma financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the following:

(a) Represents the 165,523,362 shares of the Company’s common stock issued to Meta in July 2022 and distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock in the Distribution.

(b) Represents the Loan Agreement entered into with Meta, including accrued interest expense. As of September 30, 2022, we borrowed advances converted into term loans under the Loan Agreement in the aggregate amount of $5.0 million, the maximum amount available under the Loan Agreement, the proceeds in each case were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The term loans bears interest at a per annum rate equal to 8%. The Company and Meta intend to enter into an additional promissory note with an estimated principal balance of $1.0 million in respect of costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Distribution which were paid by Meta on behalf of the Company. The Company may enter into additional credit or note payable agreements with Meta in order to secure financing for operations. The amount of this additional commitment is not known.

(c) Reflects the accrual of non-recurring costs of $1,000,000 related to the Distribution incurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The Company may also enter into credit arrangements with certain contractors in order to secure financing for ongoing operations. The amount of credit arrangements are not known.

(d) The pro forma amount does not reflect any amounts owed to Meta under the Tax Matters Agreement, including in respect of any taxes incurred by Meta in connection with the Spin-Off. Based on a valuation of the Company’s assets as of June 28, 2021, Meta’s net operating loss (“NOLs”) balance as of June 28, 2021, and certain assumptions relating to the results of Meta’s operations since June 28, 2021 through the end of the taxable year that includes the Spin-Off, limitations imposed under applicable law on the utilization of Meta’s NOLs and the adjusted tax basis of Meta in the Company’s Common Stock, Meta would not be expected to incur a U.S. federal income tax liability in connection with the Spin-Off. Meta’s analysis of the tax impact of the Spin-Off is ongoing, however, and Meta may incur a U.S. federal or state income or other tax liability in connection with the Spin-Off by offsetting any such tax liability with a portion of Meta’s consolidated NOLs. Any such use of Meta’s consolidated NOLs will reduce the aggregate NOLs that the Company would otherwise have retained as shown above in the Company’s interim unaudited financial statements as of September 30, 2022. Based on the current estimated value of the Distribution, Meta is estimating that approximately $6.0 million of these NOLs will be used, and the Company’s NOLs after the Spin-Off will be reduced by a corresponding amount. The Spin-Off has the potential to limit any U.S. federal and state NOLs owned by the Company. The Company has continued to have a full valuation against any deferred tax asset related to these NOLs.

F-47

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth an itemization of all estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities to be registered:

Item	Amount
Registration Statement filing fee	$	5.11
Accountants fees and expenses		59,000
Legal fees and expenses		1,287,000
Printing		52,000
Transfer and distribution agent fees and expenses		17,500
Miscellaneous		20,000
Total	$	1,435,505.11

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada, any officer or director of the Company, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he/she is or was or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing indemnification obligation includes, without limitation, claims for monetary damages against indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted under Section 78.7502 and 78:751 of the Nevada Revised Statutes as in existence on the date hereof.

The indemnification provided shall be from and against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by indemnitee or on indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, but shall only be provided if indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action, suit or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

In the case of any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he/she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless, and only to the extent that, the Nevada courts or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Nevada courts or such other court shall deem proper.

The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the indemnitee did not act in good

II-1

faith and in a manner which indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of our company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by any of our directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of that issue.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

None

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description
2.1	Distribution Agreement between Meta Materials Inc. and Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**
3.1	First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**
3.2	Amended and Restated By-laws of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**
5.1	Opinion of Woodburn and Wedge**
10.1	Assignment Agreement between Meta Materials Inc. and Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**
10.2	Tax Matters Agreement between Meta Materials Inc. and Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. **
10.3+	Executive Employment Agreement of Chief Executive Officer**
10.4+	Executive Employment Agreement of President**
10.5+	Executive Employment Agreement of Chief Financial Officer**
10.6+	Executive Employment Agreement of Chief Operating Officer**
10.7+	2022 Equity Incentive Plan of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**
10.8	Purchase & Settlement Agreement, dated August 6, 2018, between Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., Hudspeth Oil Corporation, Founders Oil & Gas, LLC, Founders Oil & Gas Operating, LLC, Wolfbone Investments, LLC and McCabe Petroleum. Corporation**†
10.9	Purchase Agreement dated April 4, 2016, by and among McCabe Petroleum Corporation, Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. and Torchlight Energy, Inc.**
10.10	Option Agreement, by and among Torchlight Energy, Inc., Torchlight Hazel, LLC, Masterson Hazel Partners, LP and McCabe Petroleum Corporation, dated August 13, 2020**†

II-2

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description
10.11	First Amendment to Option Agreement, by and among Torchlight Energy, Inc., Torchlight Hazel, LLC, Masterson Hazel Partners, LP and McCabe Petroleum Corporation, dated September 18, 2020**†
10.12	Second Amendment to Option Agreement, by and among Torchlight Energy, Inc., Torchlight Hazel, LLC, Masterson Hazel Partners, LP and McCabe Petroleum Corporation, dated April 15, 2021**†
10.13	Secured Promissory Note, between Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc., as debtor, and Meta Materials, Inc., as holder, dated October 1, 2021.**
10.14	First Amendment to Secured Promissory Note, between Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc., as debtor, and Meta Materials, Inc., as holder, dated September 2, 2022.**
10.15	Loan Agreement between Meta Materials, Inc. and Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**†
10.16	Participation Agreement by and between McCabe Petroleum Corporation, Gregory McCabe and Hudspeth Oil Corporation, dated September 23, 2014**
10.17	Amendment to Participation Agreement, by and between McCabe Petroleum Corporation, Gregory McCabe and Hudspeth Oil Corporation, dated January 5, 2015**
10.18	Second Amendment to Participation Agreement, by and between McCabe Petroleum Corporation, Gregory McCabe and Hudspeth Oil Corporation, dated December 31, 2015**
10.19	Form of Conversion Agreement, dated March 9, 2020, by and between Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc., Hudspeth Oil Corporation and each of the previous holders of 16% Series C Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes**
10.20	Amendment to Tax Matters Agreement, between Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. and Meta Materials, Inc.**
21.1	List of subsidiaries of Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc.**
23.1	Consent of BF Borgers, CPA (independent registered public accountant)*
23.2	Consent of Woodburn and Wedge (included in Exhibit 5.1)**
23.3	Consent of Independent Petroleum Engineers**
24.1	Power of Attorney (Included on the Signature Pages to the Registration Statement)**
99.1	Report of Independent Petroleum Engineers**
99.2	Consent of Clifton DuBose, Jr. to be Named as Director**
99.3	Consent of Joseph DeWoody to be Named as Director**
99.4	Consent of Mia Pitts to be Named as Director**
99.5	Consent of Kristin Whitley to be Named as Director**
107	Filing Fee Table**

† Certain exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request.

+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

* Filed herewith.

** Previously filed, and incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

No financial statement schedules are provided because the information called for is not required or is shown either in our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

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Item 17. Undertakings.

(a)(1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, Next Bridge Hydrocarbons, Inc. has duly caused this amendment to registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Fort Worth, Texas, on November 9, 2022.

NEXT BRIDGE HYDROCARBONS, INC.
By:	/s/ Ken Rice
Name: Ken Rice
Title: Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Ken Rice Ken Rice	Chairman and Chief Financial Officer	November 9, 2022
* George Palikaras	President, Director	November 9, 2022
* Robert L. Cook	Director	November 9, 2022

*By:	/s/ Ken Rice
	Attorney-in-fact

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