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Loans Payable
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Text Block [Abstract]  
Loans Payable
NOTE I –LOANS PAYABLE
The Company’s consolidated debt consisted of the following carrying values at:
 
 
  
September 30,

2019
 
  
December 31,

2018
 
Note 1 – Monaco 2014
  
$
2,800,000
 
  
$
2,800,000
 
Note 2 – Monaco 2016
  
 
1,175,000
 
  
 
1,175,000
 
Note 3 – MINOSA 1
  
 
14,750,001
 
  
 
14,750,001
 
Note 4 – Epsilon
  
 
1,000,000
 
  
 
1,000,000
 
Note 5 – SMOM
  
 
3,500,000
 
  
 
3,500,000
 
Note 6 – MINOSA 2
  
 
5,050,000
 
  
 
5,050,000
 
Note 7 – Monaco 2018
  
 
1,099,366
 
  
 
1,099,366
 
Note 8 – Promissory note
  
 
1,286,645
 
  
 
74,621
 
Note 9 – Litigation financing
  
 
1,409,980
 
  
 
—  
 
 
  
$
32,070,992
 
  
$
29,448,988
 
 
Note 1 – Monaco 2014
On August 14, 2014, we entered into a Loan Agreement with Monaco Financial, LLC (“Monaco”), a strategic marketing partner, pursuant to which Monaco agreed to lend us up to $10.0 million. The loan was issued in three tranches: (i) $5.0 million (the “First Tranche”) was advanced upon execution of the Loan Agreement; (ii) $2.5 million (the “Second Tranche”) was advanced on October 1, 2014; and (iii) $2.5 million (the “Third Tranche”) was advanced on December 1, 2014. The Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 11% per annum. The Notes also contain an option whereby Monaco can purchase shares of Oceanica held by Odyssey (the “Share Purchase Option”) at a purchase price that is the lower of (a) $3.15 per share or (b) the price per share of a contemplated equity offering of Oceanica which totals $1.0 million or more in the aggregate. The share purchase option was not clearly and closely related to the host debt agreement and required bifurcation
.
On December 10, 2015, these promissory notes were amended as part of the asset acquisition agreement with Monaco (See NOTE R in our Form
10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the period ended December 31, 2017 for further information). The amendment included the following material changes: (i) $2.2 million of the indebtedness represented by the Notes was extinguished, (ii) $5.0 million of the indebtedness represented by the Notes ceased to bear interest and is only repayable under certain circumstances from certain sources of cash, and (iii) the maturity date on the Notes was extended to
December 31, 2017
. During March 2016, the maturity date was further extended to
April 1, 2018
and the exercise price of the Share Purchase Option was
re-priced
to $1.00 per share. This indebtedness has matured, but Monaco has not demanded payment because we are in negotiations with Monaco to set a new maturity date. As of the maturity date, the interest rate was adjusted to the default rate of 18% per annum. See “Loan Modification (March 2016)” below. For the three months ended
September
 30, 2019 and 2018 interest expense in the amount of $144,455 and $144,455, respectively, was recorded. The outstanding interest-bearing balance of these Notes is $2.8 million at
September
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Note 2 – Monaco 2016
In March 2016, Monaco agreed to lend us an additional $1,825,000. These loan proceeds were received in full during the first quarter of 2016. The indebtedness bears interest at 10.0% percent per year. All principal and any unpaid interest were due on
April 15, 2018
. This indebtedness has matured, but Monaco has not demanded payment because we are in negotiations with Monaco to set a new maturity date. As of the maturity date, the interest rate was adjusted to the default rate of 18% per annum. The current outstanding balance as of
Se
p
tember
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $1,175,000. The indebtedness is convertible at any time until the maturity date into shares of Oceanica held by us at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. Pursuant to this loan and as security for the indebtedness, Monaco was granted a second priority security interest in
(a) one-half
of the indebtedness evidenced by the Amended and Restated Consolidated Note and Guaranty, dated
September 25, 2015
(the “ExO Note”), in the original principal amount of $18.0 million, issued by Exploraciones Oceanicas S. de R.L. de C.V. to Oceanica Marine Operations, S.R.L. (“OMO”), and all rights associated therewith (the “OMO Collateral”); and (b) all technology and assets in our possession or control used for offshore exploration, including an ROV system,
deep-tow
search systems, winches, multi-beam sonar, and other equipment. The carrying net book value of this equipment is less than $0.1 million. We unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all obligations of ours and our subsidiaries to Monaco under this loan agreement. As further consideration for the loan, Monaco was granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase the OMO Collateral. The Option is exercisable at any time before the earlier of (a) the date that is 30 days after the loan is paid in full or (b) the maturity date of the ExO Note, for aggregate consideration of $9.3 million, $1.8 million of which would be paid at the closing of the exercise of the Option, with the balance paid in ten monthly installments of $750,000. During 2017, we sold a marine vessel to a related party of Monaco for $650,000. The consideration for this vessel was applied against our loan balance to Monaco in the amount of $650,000.
Accounting considerations
ASC 815 generally requires the analysis of embedded terms and features that have characteristics of derivatives to be evaluated for bifurcation and separate accounting in instances where their economic risks and characteristics are not clearly and closely related to the risks of the host contract. The option to purchase the OMO Collateral is an embedded feature that is not clearly and closely related to the host debt agreement and thus requires bifurcation. Because the option is out of the money, it has no material fair value as of the inception date or currently. The debt agreement did not contain any additional embedded terms or features that have characteristics of derivatives. However, we were required to consider whether the hybrid contract embodied a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The calculation of the effective conversion amount did result in a BCF because the effective conversion price was less than the market price on the date of issuance, therefore a BCF of $456,250 was recorded. This BCF has been fully amortized as of March 31, 2018. For the three months ended
S
eptember
 30, 2019 and 2018, interest expense in the amount of $67,454 and $67,455, respectively, was recorded.
 
Loan modification (December 2015)
In connection with the Acquisition Agreement entered into with Monaco on December 10, 2015, Monaco agreed to modify certain terms of the loans as partial consideration for the purchase of assets. For the First Tranche ($5,000,000 advanced on August 14, 2014), Monaco agreed to cease interest as of December 10, 2015 and reduce the loan balance by (i) the cash or other value received from the SS
Central America
shipwreck project (“SSCA”) or (ii) if the proceeds received from the SSCA project were insufficient to pay off the loan balance by
December 31, 2017
, then Monaco could seek repayment of the remaining outstanding balance on the loan by withholding Odyssey’s 21.25% “additional consideration” in new shipwreck projects performed for Monaco in the future. For the Second Tranche ($2,500,000 advanced on October 1, 2014), Monaco agreed to reduce the principal amount by $2,200,000 leaving a new principal balance of $300,000 and extension of maturity to
December 31, 2017
. For the Third Tranche ($2,500,000 advanced on December 1, 2014), Monaco agreed to the extension of maturity to December 31, 2017.
On December 10, 2015, the Monaco call option related to the Oceanica shares held by us was extended until
December 31, 2017
.
Loan modification (March 2016)
In connection with the $1.825 million loan agreement with Monaco in March 2016, the existing $2.8 million notes were modified. Of the combined total indebtedness of Monaco’s Note 1 and Note 2, Monaco can convert this debt into 3,174,603 shares of Oceanica at a fixed conversion price of $1.00 per share, or $3,174,603. Any remaining debt in excess of $3,174,603 is not convertible.    Additionally, the modification eliminated Monaco’s option (“share purchase option”) to purchase 3,174,603 shares of Oceanica stock at a price of $3.15 per share. The modification was analyzed under ASC 480
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity
(“ASC 480”) to determine if extinguishment accounting was applicable. Under ASC
470-50-40-10
a modification or an exchange that adds or eliminates a substantive conversion option as of the conversion date is always considered substantial and requires extinguishment accounting. Since this modification added a substantive conversion option, extinguishment accounting is applicable. In accordance with the extinguishment accounting guidance (a) the share purchase option was first marked to its
pre-modification
fair value, (b) the new debt was recorded at fair value and (c) the old debt and share purchased option was removed. The difference between the fair value of the new debt and the sum of the
pre-modification
carrying amount of the old debt and the share purchase option’s fair value represented a gain on extinguishment. ASC
470-50-40-2
indicates that debt restructuring with a related party may be in essence a capital transaction and as a result the gain of $1.2 million was recognized in additional paid in capital upon extinguishment.
Note 3 – MINOSA
On March 11, 2015, in connection with a Stock Purchase Agreement, Minera del Norte, S.A. de C.V. (“MINOSA”) agreed to lend us up to $14.75 million. The entire $14.75 million was loaned in five advances from March 11 through June 30, 2015. The outstanding indebtedness bears interest at 8.0% percent per annum. The Promissory Note was amended on April 10, 2015 and on October 1, 2015 so that, unless otherwise converted as provided in the Note, the adjusted principal balance shall be due and payable in full upon written demand by MINOSA; provided that MINOSA agreed that it shall not demand payment of the adjusted principal balance earlier than the first to occur of: (i) 30 days after the date on which (x) SEMARNAT makes a determination with respect to the current application for the Manifestacion de Impacto Ambiental relating to phosphate deposit project, which determination is other than an approval or (y) Odyssey Marine Enterprises or any of its affiliates withdraws such application without MINOSA’s prior written consent; (ii) termination by Odyssey of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 11, 2015 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among Odyssey, MINOSA, and Penelope Mining, LLC (the “Investor”); (iii) the occurrence of an event of default under the Promissory Note; (iv) December 31, 2015; or (v) if and only if the Investor shall have terminated the Purchase Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(iii) thereof, March 30, 2016. This indebtedness is classified as short-term debt. In connection with the loans, we granted MINOSA an option to purchase our 54% interest in Oceanica for $40.0 million (the “Oceanica Call Option”). On March 11, 2016, the Oceanica Call has expired. Completion of the transaction requires amending the Company’s articles of incorporation to (a) effect a reverse stock split, which was implemented on February 19, 2016, (b) adjusting the Company’s authorized capitalization, which was also implemented on February 19, 2016, and (c) establishing a classified board of directors (collectively, the “Amendments”). The Amendments have been or will be set forth in certificates of amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation filed or to be filed with the Nevada Secretary of State. As collateral for the loan, we granted MINOSA a security interest in the Company’s 54% interest in Oceanica. The outstanding principal balance of this debt was $14.75 million at
September
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The maturity date of this indebtedness has been amended and matured on March 18, 2017. Per Note 6 MINOSA 2 below, the Minosa Purchase Agreement amended the due date of this note to a due date which may be no earlier than December 31, 2017, that is at least 60 days subsequent to written notice that Minosa intends to demand payment. See Note 6 – MINOSA 2 for further qualifications. During December 2017, MINOSA transferred this debt to its parent company. For the three months ended
September
 30, 2019 and 2018, interest expense in the amount of $297,424 and $279,425, respectively, was recorded.
 
Accounting considerations
We have accounted for this transaction as a financing transaction, wherein the net proceeds received were allocated to the financial instruments issued. Prior to making the accounting allocation, we evaluated for proper classification under ASC 480
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity
(“ASC 480”), ASC 815
Derivatives and Hedging
(“ASC 815”) and ASC 320
Property, Plant and Equipment
(“ASC 320”).
This debt agreement did not contain any embedded terms or features that have characteristics of derivatives. The Oceanica Call Option is considered a freestanding financial instrument because it is both (i) legally detachable and (ii) separately exercisable. The Oceanica Call Option did not fall under the guidance of ASC 480. Additionally, it did not meet the definition of a derivative under ASC 815 because the option has a fixed value of $40.0 million and does not contain an underlying variable which is indicative of a derivative. This instrument is considered an option contract for a sale of an asset. The guidance applied in this case is ASC
360-20,
which provides that in situations when a party lends funds to a seller and is given an option to buy the property at a certain date in the future, the loan shall be recorded at its present value using market interest rates and any excess of the proceeds over that amount credited to an option deposit account. If the option is exercised, the deposit shall be included as part of the sales proceeds; if not exercised, it shall be credited to income in the period in which the option lapses.
Based on the previous conclusions, we allocated the cash proceeds first to the debt at its present value using a market rate of 15%, which is management’s estimate of a market rate loan for the Company, with the residual allocated to the Oceanica Call Option, as follows:
 
   Tranche 1   Tranche 2   Tranche 3   Tranche 4   Tranche 5   Total 
Promissory Note
  $1,932,759   $5,826,341   $2,924,172   $1,960,089   $1,723,492   $14,366,853 
Deferred Income (Oceanica Call Option)
   67,241    173,659    75,828    39,911    26,509    383,148 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Proceeds
  $2,000,000   $6,000,000   $3,000,000   $2,000,000   $1,750,0001   $14,750,001 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The call option amount of $383,148 represented a debt discount. This discount has been fully accreted up to face value using the effective interest method.
Note 4 – Epsilon
On March 18, 2016 we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Epsilon Acquisitions LLC (“Epsilon”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Epsilon loaned us $3.0 million in two installments of $1.5 million on March 31, 2016 and April 30, 2016. The indebtedness bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and was due on March 18, 2017. We were also responsible for $50,000 of the lender’s out of pocket costs. This amount is included in the loan balance. In pledge agreements related to the loans, we granted security interests to Epsilon in (a) the 54 million cuotas (a unit of ownership under Panamanian law) of Oceanica Resources S. de R.L. (“Oceanica”) held by our wholly owned subsidiary, Odyssey Marine Enterprises, Ltd. (“OME”), (b) all notes and other receivables from Oceanica and its subsidiary owed to the Odyssey Pledgors, and (c) all of the outstanding equity in OME. Epsilon has the right to convert the outstanding indebtedness into shares of our common stock upon 75 days’ notice to us or upon a merger, consolidation, third party tender offer, or similar transaction relating to us at the conversion price of $5.00 per share, which represents the
five-day
volume-weighted average price of Odyssey’s common stock for the five trading day period ending on March 17, 2016. On January 25, 2017, Epsilon provided notice to us that it would convert the initial $3.0 million plus accrued interest per the Restated Note Purchase Agreement at $5.00 per share in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The conversion and issuance of new shares was effective April 10, 2017 and included accrued interest of $302,274 for a total 670,455 shares. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the conversion price was to be reduced to $2.50 per share. Following any conversion of the indebtedness, Penelope Mining LLC (an affiliate of Epsilon) (“Penelope”), may elect to reduce its commitment to purchase preferred stock of Odyssey under the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015 (as amended, the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), among Odyssey, Penelope, and Minera del Norte, S.A. de C.V. (“MINOSA”) by the amount of indebtedness converted.
Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (a) we agreed to waive our rights to terminate the Stock Purchase Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof until December 31, 2016, and (b) MINOSA agreed to extend, until March 18, 2017, the maturity date of the $14.75 million loan extended by MINOSA to OME pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement. The indebtedness may be accelerated upon the occurrence of specified events of default including (a) OME’s failure to pay any amount payable on the date due and payable; (b) OME or we fail to perform or observe any term, covenant, or agreement in the Purchase Agreement or the related documents, subject to a
five-day
cure period; (c) an event of default or material breach by OME, us or any of our affiliates under any of the other loan documents shall have occurred and all grace periods, if any, applicable thereto shall have expired; (d) the Stock Purchase Agreement shall have been terminated; (e) specified dissolution, liquidation, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar cases or actions are commenced by or against OME or any of its subsidiaries, in specified circumstances unless dismissed or stayed within 60 days; (f) the entry of judgment or award against OME or any of its subsidiaries in excess or $100,000; and (g) a change in control (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) occurs.
 
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement, we and Epsilon entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which we agreed to register new shares of our common stock with a formal registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission upon the conversion of the indebtedness.
Accounting considerations
We have accounted for this transaction as a financing transaction, wherein the net proceeds received were allocated to the financial instruments issued. Prior to making the accounting allocation, we evaluated the transaction for proper classification under ASC 480
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity
(“ASC 480”), ASC 815
Derivatives and Hedging
(“ASC 815”) and ASC 320
Property, Plant and Equipment
(“ASC 320”).
This debt agreement did not contain any embedded terms or features that have characteristics of derivatives. However, we were required to consider whether the hybrid contract embodied a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The calculation of the effective conversion amount did result in a BCF because the effective conversion price was less than the Company’s stock price on the date of issuance, therefore a BCF of $96,000 was recorded. The BCF represents a debt discount which was amortized over the life of the loan.
Loan modification (October 1, 2016)
On October 1, 2016 Odyssey Marine Enterprises, Ltd. (“OME”), entered into an Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement (the “Restated Note Purchase Agreement”) with Epsilon Acquisitions LLC (“Epsilon”). In connection with the existing $3.0 million loan agreement, Epsilon agreed to lend an additional $3.0 million evidenced by secured convertible promissory notes. The convertible promissory notes bear an interest rate of 10.0% per annum and are due and payable on
March 18, 2017
. Epsilon has the right to convert all amounts outstanding under the Restated Note into shares of our common stock upon 75 days’ notice to OME or upon a merger, consolidation, third party tender offer, or similar transaction relating to us at the applicable conversion price, which is (a) $5.00 per share with respect to the $3.0 million already advanced under the Restated Note and (b) with respect to additional advances under the Restated Note, the
five-day
volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the five trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date on which OME submits a borrowing notice for such advance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, we shall not issue any of our common stock upon conversion of any outstanding tranche (other than the first $3.0 million already advanced) under this Restated Note in excess of 1,388,769 shares of common stock. The additional tranches were issued as follows: (a) $1,000,000 (“Tranche 3”) was issued on October 16, 2016 with a conversion price of $3.52 per share; (b) $1,000,000 (“Tranche 4”) was issued on November 15, 2016 with a conversion price of $4.19 per share; and (c) $1,000,000 (“Tranche 5”) was issued on December 15, 2016 with a conversion price of $4.13 per share. During 2017, Epsilon assigned Tranche 4 and 5 totaling $2,000,000 of this debt to MINOSA under the same terms as the original debt. See Note – MINOSA 2 below for further detail.
As an inducement for the issuance of the additional $3.0 million of promissory notes, we also delivered to Epsilon a common stock purchase warrant (the “Warrant”) pursuant to which Epsilon has the right to purchase up to 120,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.52 per share, which exercise price represents the
five-day
volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the five trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the day on which the Warrant was issued. Epsilon may exercise the Warrant in whole or in part at any time during the period ending
October 1, 2021
. The Warrant includes a cashless exercise feature and provides that, if Epsilon is in default of its obligations to fund any advance pursuant to and in accordance with the Restated Note Purchase Agreement, then, thereafter, the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be purchased under the Warrant shall be the number determined by multiplying 120,000 by a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of advances that have been extended to the OME by Epsilon pursuant to the Restated Note Purchase Agreement on or after the date of the Warrant and prior to the date of such failure and (b) the denominator of which is $3.0 million.
Accounting considerations for additional tranches
We evaluated for proper classification under ASC 480
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity
(“ASC 480”), ASC 815
Derivatives and Hedging
(“ASC 815”) and ASC 320
Property, Plant and Equipment
(“ASC 320”). This debt agreement did not contain any embedded terms or features that have characteristics of derivatives. Additionally, the warrant agreement did not contain any terms or features that would preclude equity classification. We were required to consider whether the hybrid contract embodied a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The allocations of the three additional tranches were as follows.
 
   Tranche 3   Tranche 4   Tranche 5 
Promissory Note
  $981,796   $939,935   $1,000,000 
Beneficial Conversion Feature (“BCF”)*
   18,204    60,065    —   
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Proceeds
  $1,000,000   $1,000,000   $1,000,000 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
A beneficial conversion feature arises when the calculation of the effective conversion price is less than the Company’s stock price on the date of issuance. Tranche 5 did not result in a BCF because the effective conversion price was greater than the company’s stock price on the date of issuance.
 
The Warrant’s fair value was calculated using Black-Scholes Merton (“BSM”). The aggregate fair value of the Warrant totaled $303,712. Since the Warrant was issued as an inducement to Epsilon to issue additional debt, we recorded an inducement expense of $303,712. For the three months ended
September
 30, 2019 and 2018, interest expense in the amount of $25,205 and $25,205, respectively, was recorded.
Term Extension (March 21, 2017)
On March 21, 2017 we entered into an amendment to the Restated Note Purchase Agreement with Epsilon. In connection with the existing $6.0 million of indebtedness, the adjusted principal balance is due and payable in full upon the earlier of (i) written demand by Epsilon or (ii) such time as Odyssey or the guarantor pays any other indebtedness for borrowed money prior to its stated maturity date. As such the Company amortized the notes up to their face value of $6,050,000 and they are classified as short-term. However, since Epsilon converted the first $3.0 million into 670,455 of our common shares and assigned $2.0 million to MINOSA, the current principal indebtedness at
September
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is $1.0 million.
Note 5 – SMOM
On May 3, 2017, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with SMOM. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, SMOM agreed to loan us up to $3.0 million as evidenced by a convertible promissory note. As a commitment fee, we assigned the remaining 50% of our Neptune Minerals, LLC receivable to SMOM. This receivable had zero carrying value on our balance sheet and due to the age and collectability was deemed to have no fair value. The indebtedness bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum and matures on the second anniversary of this Loan Agreement which is May 3, 2019. On April 20, 2018, the loan was amended, and the principal amount of the Loan was increased to $3.5 million. The loan balance at
September
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $3.5 million. The holder has the option to convert up to $2.0 million of any unpaid principal and interest into up to 50% of the equity interest held by Odyssey in Aldama Mining Company, S.de R.L. de C.V. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of ours. The conversion value of $1.0 million equates to 10% of the equity interest in Aldama. If the holder elects to acquire the entire 50% of the equity interest, the Holder has to pay the deficiency in cash. As additional consideration for the loan, the holder has the right to purchase from Odyssey all or a portion of the equity collateral (up to the 50% of the equity interest of Aldama) for the option consideration ($1.0 million for each 10% of equity interests) during the period that is the later of (i) one year after the maturity date and (ii) one year after the loan is repaid in full, the expiration date. The lender may also choose to extend the expiration date annually by paying $500,000 for each year extended. For the three months ended
September
 30, 2019 and 2018, accrued interest in the amount of $88,219 and $88,219, respectively, was recorded.
Accounting considerations
We have accounted for this transaction as a financing transaction, wherein the net proceeds received were allocated to the financial instruments issued. Prior to making the accounting allocation, we evaluated for proper classification under ASC 480
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity
(“ASC 480”), ASC 815
Derivatives and Hedging
(“ASC 815”) and ASC 320
Property, Plant and Equipment
(“ASC 320”).
This debt agreement did not contain any embedded terms or features that have characteristics of derivatives. However, we were required to consider whether the hybrid contract embodied a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The calculation of the effective conversion amount did not result in a BCF because the effective conversion price was equal to the Company’s stock price on the date of issuance.
Note 6 – MINOSA 2
On August 10, 2017, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Minosa Purchase Agreement”) with MINOSA. Pursuant to the Minosa Purchase Agreement, MINOSA agreed to loan Enterprises up to $3.0 million. During 2017, we borrowed $2.7 million against this facility and Epsilon assigned $2.0 million of its debt to MINOSA. At
Sept
ember
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the outstanding principal balance, including the Epsilon assignment, was $5.05 million. The indebtedness is evidenced by a secured convertible promissory note (the “Minosa Note”) and bears interest at a rate equal to 10.0% per annum. Unless otherwise converted as described below, the entire outstanding principal balance under this Minosa Note and all accrued interest and fees are due and payable upon written demand by MINOSA; provided, that MINOSA agreed not make a demand for payment prior to the earlier of (a) an event of default (as defined in the Minosa Note) or (b) a date, which may be no earlier than December 31, 2017, that is at least 60 days subsequent to written notice that MINOSA intends to demand payment. MINOSA has not provided any notice they intend to issue a payment demand notice. We unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of the obligations under the Minosa Purchase Agreement and the Minosa Note. MINOSA has the right to convert all amounts outstanding under the Minosa Note into shares of our common stock upon
75
days’ notice to us or upon a merger, consolidation, third party tender offer, or similar transaction relating to us at the conversion price of $4.41 per share. During December 2017, MINOSA transferred this debt to its parent company.
 
This debt agreement did not contain any embedded terms or features that have characteristics of derivatives. However, we were required to consider whether the hybrid contract embodied a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The calculation of the effective conversion amount did result in a BCF because the effective conversion price was less than the Company’s stock price on the date of issuance, therefore a BCF of $62,925 was recorded. As of December 31, 2017, all of the BCF has been accreted to the income statement. The BCF represented a debt discount that was amortized over the life of the loan. For the three months ended
S
eptember
 30, 2019 and 2018, interest expense in the amount of $127,287 and $127,288, respectively, was recorded.
As previously reported, Epsilon loaned us an aggregate of $6.0 million pursuant to an amended and restated convertible promissory Minosa Note, dated as of March 18, 2016, as further amended and restated on October 1, 2016 (the “Epsilon Note”). Since then, Epsilon has assigned $2.0 million of the indebtedness under the Epsilon Note to MINOSA. Along with Epsilon, we entered into a second amended and restated convertible promissory note (the “Second AR Epsilon Note”), which further amends and restates the Epsilon Note. The stated principal amount of the Second AR Epsilon Note is $1.0 million (which reflects the outstanding principal balance remaining after giving effect to Epsilon’s (x) previous assignment of $2.0 million of the indebtedness under the Epsilon Note to MINOSA and (y) conversion of $3.0 million of the indebtedness under the Epsilon Note into shares of our common stock). The Second AR Epsilon Note further provides that the outstanding principal balance under the Second AR Epsilon Note and all accrued interest and fees are due and payable upon written demand by Epsilon; provided, that Epsilon agreed not make a demand for payment prior to the earlier of (a) an event of default (as defined in the Second AR Epsilon Note) or (b) a date, which may be no earlier than December 31, 2017, that is at least 60 days subsequent to written notice that MINOSA intends to demand payment.
Upon the closing of the Minosa Purchase Agreement, along with MINOSA, and Penelope Mining LLC, an affiliate of Minosa (“Penelope”), executed and delivered a Second Amended and Restated Waiver and Consent and Amendment No. 5 to Promissory Note and Amendment No. 2 to Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Second AR Waiver”). Pursuant to the Second AR Waiver, Minosa and Penelope consented to the transactions contemplated by the Minosa Purchase Agreement and waived any breach of any representation or warranty and violation of any covenant in the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015, as amended April 10, 2015 (the “SPA”), by and among us, Minosa, and Penelope, arising out of the Company’s execution and delivery of the Minosa Purchase Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the Second AR Waiver, we also waived, and agreed not to exercise our right to terminate the SPA pursuant to Section 8.1(c)(ii) thereto, both (a) until after the earlier of (i) July 1, 2018, (ii) the date that MINOSA fails, refuses, or declines to fund (or otherwise does not fund) any subsequent loan under the Minosa Purchase Agreement and (iii) demand is made for repayment of all or any part of the indebtedness outstanding under the Minosa Note, the Second AR Epsilon Note, or the Promissory Note, dated as of March 11, 2015, as amended (the “SPA Note”), in the principal amount of $14.75 million that was issued by us to MINOSA under the SPA, and (b) unless on or prior to such termination, the Notes are paid in full.
 
The Second AR Waiver (x) further provides that following any conversion of the indebtedness evidenced by the Minosa Note, Penelope may elect to reduce its commitment to purchase our preferred stock under the SPA by the amount of indebtedness converted by MINOSA and (y) amends the SPA Note to provide that the outstanding principal balance under the SPA Note and all accrued interest and fees are due and payable upon written demand by MINOSA; provided, that Minosa agreed not make a demand for payment prior to the earlier of (a) an event of default (as defined in the Minosa Note) or (b) a date, which may be no earlier than December 31, 2017, that is at least 60 days subsequent to written notice that Minosa intends to demand payment.
The obligations under the Minosa Note may be accelerated upon the occurrence of specified events of default including (a) our failure to pay any amount payable under the Minosa Note on the date due and payable; (b) our failure to perform or observe any term, covenant, or agreement in the Minosa Note or the related documents, subject to a
five-day
cure period; (c) the occurrence and expiration of all applicable grace periods, if any, of an event of default or material breach by us under any of the other loan documents; (d) the termination of the SPA; (e) commencement of certain specified dissolution, liquidation, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, or similar cases or actions by or against us, in specified circumstances unless dismissed or stayed within 60 days; (f) the entry of a judgment or award against us in excess of $100,000; and (g) the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Minosa Note).
Pursuant to second amended and restated pledge agreements (the “Second AR Pledge Agreements”) entered into by us in favor of MINOSA, we pledged and granted security interests to MINOSA in (a) the 54 million cuotas (a unit of ownership under Panamanian law) of Oceanica held by us, (b) all notes and other receivables from Oceanica and its subsidiary owed to us, and (c) all of the outstanding equity in our wholly owned subsidiary, Odyssey Marine Enterprises, Ltd.
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Minosa Purchase Agreement, Odyssey and MINOSA entered into a second amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Second AR Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which Odyssey agreed to register the offer and sale of the shares (the “Conversion Shares”) of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the indebtedness evidenced by the Minosa Note. Subject to specified limitations set forth in the Second AR Registration Rights Agreement, including that we are eligible to use Form
S-3,
the holder of the Minosa Note can require us to register the offer and sale of the Conversion Shares if the aggregate offering price thereof (before any underwriting discounts and commissions) is not less than $3.0 million. In addition, we agreed to file a registration statement relating to the offer and sale of the Conversion Shares on a continuous basis promptly (but in no event later than 60 days after) after the conversion of the Minosa Note into the Conversion Shares and to thereafter use its reasonable best efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Note 7 – Monaco 2018
During the period ended March 31, 2018, Monaco advanced us $1.0 million that was included in a loan agreement that was executed on April 20, 2018. Monaco also agreed to treat $99,366 of back rent owed by us to Monaco as part of this loan resulting in an aggregate principal amount of $1,099,366 at
September
 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The indebtedness bears interest at 10.0% percent per year. All principal and any unpaid interest are payable on the first anniversary of this agreement, April 20, 2019. This debt is secured by cash proceeds, if any, from our future shipwreck projects we have contracted with Magellan. As additional consideration, their share purchase option expiration date, as discussed in Note 1 – Monaco 2014 and Note 2 – Monaco 2016 above, has been extended from 30 days to seven months after the note becomes paid in full. For the three months ended
September
 30, 2019 and 2018, interest expense in the amount of $31,483 and $28,498, respectively, was recorded.
Note 8 – Promissory note
On July 12, 2018, we entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with two individuals (the “Lenders”), one of whom holds in excess of 5.0% of our outstanding common stock. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Lenders agreed to lend an aggregate of $1,050,000 to us, which was advanced in three tranches on July 12, 2018, $500,000, August 17, 2018, $300,000 and October 4, 2018, $250,000. The indebtedness is evidenced by secured convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) and bears interest at a rate equal to 8.0% per annum. Unless otherwise converted as described below, the entire outstanding principal balance under the Notes and all accrued interest and fees are due and payable on July 12, 2019.
 See
“Term Extension (July 8, 2019)” below
.
At any time after to the first to occur of (a) a sale by us of additional Notes or (b) September 12, 2018, the Lenders have the right to convert all amounts outstanding under the Notes into either (x) shares of our common stock at the conversion rate of $8.00 per share, (y) $500,000 of the indebtedness owed by Exploraciones Oceanicas S. de R. L. de C.V. (“ExO”) to Oceanica Marine Operations, S.R.L. (“OMO”), or (z) a 7.5% interest in Aldama Mining Company, S. de R. L. de C.V. (“Aldama”). We indirectly hold a controlling interest in ExO; OMO and Aldama are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of ours.
In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, we issued warrants to purchase common stock (the “Warrants”) to the Lenders. The Lenders may exercise the Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 65,625 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.00 per share. The Warrants are exercisable during the period commencing on the date on which the Notes are converted into shares of our common stock and ending on July 12, 2021.
Pursuant to a Pledge Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2018 (the “Pledge Agreement”), our obligations under the Notes are secured by a pledge of a portion of Odyssey’s ownership interest in Aldama and another entity.
Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) among us and the Lenders, we granted the Lenders “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to the shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes and the exercise of the Warrants.
The Purchase Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the Pledge Agreement, and the Rights Agreement include representations and warranties and other covenants, conditions, and other provisions customary for comparable transactions.
We have accounted for this transaction as a financing transaction, wherein the net proceeds received were allocated to the financial instruments issued. Prior to making the accounting allocation, we evaluated the transaction for proper classification under ASC 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”), ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”).
We determined that the debt achieved conventional convertible status and that the equity conversion option was in the money at inception which required the calculation of a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The fair value of the warrants and BCF component exceeded the amount of proceeds, therefore, they were limited to the cash proceeds of $1,050,000 at December 31, 2018. As a result, there was no value allocated to the debt at inception.
The debt was being accreted to face value over its term using the effective interest method. The face value of this debt was $1.05 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, interest expense in the amount of
$22,877 and $20,403, respectively, was recorded.
 
Term Extension (July 8, 2019)
On July 8, 2019, Odyssey and the Lenders entered into a Second Amendment to Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement and Note and Warrant Modification Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) pursuant to which certain terms and provisions of the Notes and Warrants were amended or otherwise modified. The material terms and provisions that were amended or otherwise modified are as follows:
 
  
the maturity date of the Notes was extended by one year, to July 12, 2020;
 
  
the conversion rate of the Notes and the exercise price of the Warrants were modified to $
5.756
, which represented the “market price” of Odyssey’s common stock as of July 7, 2019, the day before the Second Amendment was signed;
 
  
the Notes are unsecured;
 
  
the Notes are convertible only into shares of Odyssey common stock; and
 
  
the
 modified
Warrants are exercisable at any time until July 
8
, 2024 to purchase an aggregate of
196,135
shares of our common stock.
We evaluated the amendment’s impact on the accounting for the Note in accordance with ASC
470-50-40-6
through 12 to determine whether extinguishment accounting was appropriate. The modification had a cash flow effect on a present value basis of less than 10%. However, the reduction in the conversion price resulted in a change in the fair value of the embedded conversion option that was more than 10% of the carrying value of the Note immediately prior to the modification.
Because
the amendment resulted in a substantial modification, extinguishment accounting was required, and we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $290,024.
The extinguishment accounting resulted in a fair value reacquisition price of this debt of $1,340,024. The premium of $290,024 is being amortized over the remaining life of the debt. The related amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $53,379. The warrant modification was treated as an inducement to extend the debt therefore the fair value of the warrants of $868,878 was a period expense and charged to interest expense with an offset to equity.
Note 9 – Litigation Financing
On June 14, 2019, Odyssey and Exploraciones Oceánicas S. de R.L. de C.V., our Mexican subsidiary (“ExO” and, together with Odyssey, the “Claimholder”), and Poplar Falls LLC (the “Funder”) entered into an International Claims Enforcement Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which the Funder agreed to provide financial assistance to the Claimholder to facilitate the prosecution and recovery of the claim by the Claimholder against the United Mexican States under Chapter Eleven of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) for violations of the Claimholder’s rights under NAFTA related to the development of an undersea phosphate deposit off the coast of Baja Sur, Mexico (the “Project”), on our own behalf and on behalf of ExO and United Mexican States (the “Subject Claim”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Funder agreed to specified fees and expenses regarding the Subject Claim (the “Claims Payments”) incrementally and at the Funder’s sole discretion. During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, we received $1,409,980 under this financing arrangement. The carrying and face value of this obligation at September 30, 2019 was $1,409,980.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Funder agreed to make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $6,500,000 (the “Maximum Investment Amount”). The Maximum Investment Amount will be made available to the Claimholder in two phases, as set forth below:
 
 (a)
a first phase, in which the Funder shall make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount no greater than $
1,500,000
for the payment of antecedent and ongoing costs (“Phase I Investment Amount”); and
 
 (b)
a second phase, in which the Funder shall make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount no greater than $
5,000,000
for the purposes of pursuing the Subject Claim to a final award (“Phase II Investment Amount”).
Upon exhaustion of the Phase I Investment Amount, the Claimholder will have the option to request Tranche A of the Phase II Investment Amount, consisting of funding up to $3.5 million (“Tranche A Committed Amount”). Upon exhaustion of the Tranche A Committed Amount, the Claimholder will have the option to request Tranche B of the Phase II Investment Amount, consisting of funding of up to $1.5 million (“Tranche B Committed Amount”). The Claimholder must exercise its option to receive the Tranche A Committed Amount in writing, no less than thirty days before submitting a Funding Request to the Funder under Tranche A. The Claimholder must exercise its option to receive the Tranche B Committed Amount in writing within forty-five days after the exhaustion of the Tranche A Committed Amount. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Claimholder agreed that, upon exercising the Claimholder’s option to receive funds under Phase I, Tranche A of Phase II, or Tranche B of Phase II, the Funder will be the sole source of third-party funding for the specified fees and expenses of the Subject Claim under each respective phase and tranche covered by the option exercised, and the Claimholder will obtain funding for such fees and expenses only as set forth in the Agreement. The Funder
was due
closing fee of $80,000 for the Phase I Investment Amount, and $80,000 for the Phase II Investment Amount to pay third parties in connection with due diligence and other administrative and transaction costs incurred by the Funder prior to and in furtherance of execution of the Agreement.
 
Upon the Funder making Claims Payments to the Claimholder or its designees in an aggregate amount equal to the Maximum Investment Amount, the Funder has the option to continue funding the specified fees and expenses in relation to the Subject Claim on the same terms and conditions provided in the Agreement. The Funder must exercise its option to continue funding in writing, within thirty days after the Funder has made Claims Payments in an aggregate amount equal to the Maximum Investment Amount. If the Funder exercises its option to continue funding, the parties agreed to attempt in good faith to amend the Agreement to provide the Funder with the right to provide at the Funder’s discretion funding in excess of the Maximum Investment Amount, in an amount up to the greatest amount that may then be reasonably expected to be committed for investment in Subject Claim. If the Funder declines to exercise its option, the Claimholder may negotiate and enter into agreements with one or more third parties to provide funding, which shall be subordinate to the Funder’s rights under the Agreement.
The Agreement provides that the Claimholder may at any time without the consent of the Funder either settle or refuse to settle the Subject Claim for any amount; provided, however, that if the Claimholder settles the Subject Claim without the Funder’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, the value of the Recovery Percentage (as defined below) will be deemed to be the greater of (a) the Recovery Percentage (under Phase I or Phase II, as applicable), or (b) the total amount of all Claims Payments made in connection with such Subject Claim multiplied by three (3).
If the Claimholder ceases the Subject Claim for any reason other than (a) a full and final arbitral award against the Claimholder or (b) a full and final monetary settlement of the claims, including in particular, for a grant of an environmental permit to the Claimholder allowing it to proceed with the Project (with or without a monetary component), all Claims Payments under Phase I and, if Claimholder has exercised the corresponding option, the Tranche A Committed Amount and Tranche B Committed Amount, shall immediately convert to a senior secured liability of the Claimholder. This sum shall incur an annualized internal rate of return (IRR) of 50.0% retroactive to the date each Funding Request was paid by the Funder (under Phase I), or, to the conversion date for the Tranche A Committed Amount and Tranche B Committed Amount of Phase II if the Claimholder has exercised the respective option (collectively, the “Conversion Amount”). Such Conversion Amount and any and all accrued IRR shall be
payable in-full by
the Claimholder within 24 months of the date of such conversion, after which time any outstanding Conversion Amounts, shall accrue an (IRR) of 100.0%, retroactive to the conversion date (the “Penalty Interest Amount”). The Claimholder will execute such documents and take other actions as necessary to grant the Funder a senior security interest on and over all sums due and owing by the Claimholder in order to secure its obligation to pay the Conversion Amount to the Funder. If the Claimholder ceases the Subject Claim due to the grant of an environmental permit (with or without a monetary component), all Claims Payments under Phase 1 and, if the Claimholder has exercised the corresponding option, the Tranche A Committed Amount and Tranche B Committed Amount shall immediately convert to a senior secured liability of the Claimholder and shall incur an annualized an IRR of 50.0% on the Conversion Amount, from the conversion date. Management has estimated it is more likely than not the Subject Claim will result in the issuance of the environmental permit requiring us to record interest under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Therefore, we have recorded interest expense of $67,998 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Reliance should not be placed on this estimate in determining the likely outcome of the Subject Claim.
If, at any time after exercising its option to receive funds under either Tranche A or Tranche B of Phase II, the Claimholder wishes to fund the Subject Claim with its own capital (“Self-Funding”) (which excludes any Claims Payments made, either directly or indirectly, by any other third party), the Claimholder shall immediately pay to the Funder the Conversion Amount, provided that this requirement shall not apply if, after the Funder has made Claims Payments in an aggregate amount equal to the Maximum Investment Amount, the Funder does not exercise its option to provide
Follow-On Funding.
In the event of any receipt of proceeds resulting from the Subject Claim (“Proceeds”), the Funder shall be entitled to any additional sums above the Conversion Amount to which the Funder is entitled as described below. Should the Claimholder cease the Subject Claim as described above after Self-Funding the Claim, accrued IRR and Penalty Interest shall be calculated and paid to the Funder as set forth above. The Funder’s rights to the Recovery Percentage as defined below shall survive any decision by Claimholder to utilize Self-Funding. The parties acknowledge this Agreement constitutes a sale of the right to a portion of the Proceeds (if any) arising from the Subject Claim as set forth in this Agreement. The Claimholder has relinquished its right to the portion of the proceeds, if any, that the Funder would have the right to as described below. This sale of proceeds is being accounted for under the guidance of ASC
470-10-25
Recognition (Sales of Future Revenues)
On each Distribution Date, distributions of the Proceeds shall be made to the Claimholder and the Funder in accordance with subparagraph (a) or (b) below (the “Recovery Percentage”), as applicable:
 
 (a)
If the Claimholder receives only the Phase I Investment Amount from the Funder, the first Proceeds shall be distributed as follows:
 
 (i)
first, 100.0% to the Funder, until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals the total Claims Payments paid by the Funder under Phase I;
 
 (ii)
second, 100.0% to the Funder until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals an IRR of 20% of Claims Payments paid by the Funder under Phase I (“Phase I Compensation”), per annum; and
 
 (iii)
thereafter, 100.0% to the Claimholder
.
 
 (b)
If the Claimholder exercises its options to receive Tranche A or both Tranche A and Tranche B of the Phase II Investment Amount, the first Proceeds shall be distributed as follows:
 
 (i)
first, 100.0% to the Funder until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals the total Claims Payments paid by the Funder under Phases I and II;
 
 (ii)
second, 100.0% to the Funder until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals an additional 300.0% of Phase I Investment Amount; plus an additional 300% of the Tranche A Committed Amount (i.e. 300.0% of $3.5 million), less any amounts remaining of the Tranche A Committed Amount that the Funder did not pay as Claims Payments; plus an additional 300.0% of the Tranche B Committed Amount (i.e. 300.0% of $1.5 million), if the Claimholder exercises the Tranche B funding option, less any amounts remaining of the Tranche B Committed Amount that the Funder did not pay as Claims Payments;
 
 (iii)
third, for each $10,000 in specified fees and expenses paid by the Funder under Phase I and Phase II and any amounts over each $10,000 of the Tranche A Committed Amount and the Tranche B Committed Amount (if the Claimholder exercises the Tranche B funding option), 0.01% of the total Proceeds from any recoveries after repayment of (i) and (ii) above, to the Funder; and
 
 (iv)
thereafter, 100% to the Claimholder.
The Agreement provides that if no Proceeds are ever paid to or received by the Claimholder or its representatives
 and if the environmental permit is not issued
, the Funder shall have no right of recourse or right of action against the Claimholder or its representatives, or any of their respective property, assets, or undertakings, except as otherwise specifically contemplated by the Agreement. If (a) Proceeds are paid to or received by the Claimholder or its representatives; (b) such Proceeds are promptly applied and/or distributed by the Claimholder or on behalf of the Claimholder in accordance with the terms of the Agreement; and (c) the amount received by the Funder as a result thereof is not sufficient to pay all of the Recovery Percentage and all of the amounts due to the Funder under the Agreement, then (provided that all of the Proceeds which the Funder will ever be entitled to have been paid to or received by the Funder), the Funder shall have no right of recourse or action against the Claimholder or its Representatives, or any of their property, assets, or undertakings, except as otherwise specifically contemplated by the Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Claimholder acknowledged the Funder’s priority right, title, and interest in any Proceeds, including against any available collateral to secure its obligations under the Agreement, which security interest shall be first in priority as against all other security interests in the Proceeds. The Claimholder also acknowledged and agreed to execute and authorize the filing of a financing statement or similar and to take such other actions in such jurisdictions as the Funder, in its sole discretion, deems necessary and appropriate to perfect such security interest. The Agreement also includes representations and warranties, covenants, conditions, termination and indemnification provisions, and other provisions customary for comparable arrangements.