UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017
000-53488
Commission file number
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 26-1856569 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
incorporation or organization) |
11811 North Freeway, 5th Floor,
Suite 513, Houston, TX 77060
(Address of principal executive offices)
(832) 328- 0169
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock | None | |
(Title of Class) | (Name of each exchange on which registered) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 of Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No x
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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | x | |
(Do not check if 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 pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨
The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant’s recently completed second quarter, was approximately $3,821,929 based on the closing price at which the common stock was last sold on that date.
The Registrant has 234,256,464 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 23,2018.
Documents incorporated by reference: None
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELATING TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We intend those forward looking-statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward- looking statements. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans and the outcome of any contingencies are forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our industry and our business and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in by the forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” or variations of those words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in or implied by any forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include the risks noted under Part 1. “Business,” Part 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” but are also contained elsewhere. You should refer to Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward- looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Propell,” refer to Pledge Petroleum Corp (formerly Propell Technologies Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries).
Overview
Our Company
During the past year, our management, at the direction of the Board of Directors, has evaluated, considered, and brought forward various opportunities to acquire producing oil fields; however, to date, an oil field meeting the criteria acceptable to the Board of Directors (which criteria include among other things, low general and administrative costs, ability to generate cash flow and ability to fully utilize the Plasma Pulse Technology (“PPT”)) had not been found. As a result, and in lieu of a potential dissolution, on March 23, 2018, we sold substantially all of our assets, including all pertinent intellectual property rights comprising our business of implementing plasma pulse technology (the “Asset Sale”), to Norma Investments Limited (“Norma”), the parent company of Ervington Investments Limited (“Ervington”), the current holder of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, for $650,000 pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Norma, dated February 12, 2018 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”). In connection with the Asset Sale, we also repurchased all of our outstanding securities held by Ervington for $8,500,000 (the “Share Repurchase”) pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement with Ervington, dated February 12, 2018 (the “Share Purchase Agreement”).
At this point, the Board is reevaluating its business plan and strategy and has reduced operating expenses, including staffing, in order to preserve capital, while the Board evaluates its options including the possible acquisition of a technology and oilfield services business, of which two of our current directors own a minority equity interest .
In July 2015, when we closed the final tranche of our private placement of the sale of our Series C Preferred Stock and raised an additional $9,750,000, we shifted our operational focus from being a direct provider of well services based upon PPT to actively seeking to acquire producing oil fields to generate revenues and the development of untapped hydrocarbon reserves. As a result, in August 2015, our board of directors and shareholders approved through the formation of a joint venture, the exclusive sublicense to our majority owned subsidiary Novas Energy North America, LLC (“NENA”) of our rights to use certain plasma pulse technology that we had licensed from Novas Energy Group Limited (the “Licensor”) pursuant to the terms of an exclusive license agreement (the “License Agreement”), for treatment of vertical wells in the United States (hereafter, the “Licensed Plasma Pulse Technology”). We retained the right to use the Licensed Plasma Pulse Technology for treatment of our own assets located in the United States as well as treatment of assets outside of the United States. The Licensed Plasma Pulse Technology refers to the process and apparatus of Licensor for its plasma pulse technology as covered by Licensor’s patent rights. Although we were indirectly engaged in the oil recovery business through NENA and directly through our treatment of oil wells in Mexico, it was not our foundational business strategy. In October 2016, we terminated the joint venture due to its failure to meet certain milestones, including its generation of minimal revenue. On March —, 2018, we terminated our agreement with our Mexican partner.
We have financed our operations primarily from sales of our securities, both debt and equity, and to a lesser extent revenue from operations and we expect to continue to obtain required capital in a similar manner. We have incurred an accumulated deficit of $18,088,617 through December 31, 2017 and there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve profitability.
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Recent Events
On March 23, 2018, upon the closing of the Asset Purchase Agreement and the Share Repurchase Agreement, Ivan Persiyanov resigned as director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Mr. John Zotos was appointed as the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer.
On May 2, 2018, Christopher Headrick was appointed as a director.
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History
Pledge Petroleum Corp (“Pledge”). (f/k/a Propell Technologies Group, Inc.) is a Delaware corporation originally formed on January 29, 2008 as CA Photo Acquisition Corp. On April 10, 2008 Crystal Magic, Inc. (“CMI”), a Florida Corporation, merged with an acquisition subsidiary of Pledge, and we issued an aggregate of 108,000 shares to the former shareholders of CMI. On May 6, 2008, we acquired both Mountain Capital, LLC (d/b/a Arrow Media Solutions) (“AMS”) and Auleron 2005, LLC (d/b/a Auleron Technologies) (“AUL”) and made each a wholly owned subsidiary and issued a total of 41,987 shares of our Common Stock to the members of Mountain Capital, LLC and a total of 2,721 shares of our Common Stock to the members of AUL (the shares referenced above are in pre-split amounts, that is prior to our 50-to-1 reverse split in August 2012). In 2010 AUL and AMS were dissolved. In September 2010, CMI’s assets were foreclosed upon by its largest creditor and these assets were liquidated and effective December 31, 2013, we disposed of our interest in CMI for nominal consideration.
In 2013, we closed a Share Exchange Agreement with the shareholders of Novas, under which we acquired all of the outstanding equity securities of Novas in exchange for 100,000,000 shares of our common stock. Novas had entered into a license for use of the Licensed Plasma Pulse Technology licensed from Licensor for use in the United States and Mexico. Prior to the closing of the second tranche of the Series C Preferred Stock private placement and the sublicense with NENA, our focus had been on the provision of production enhancement services.
On February 19, 2015, we entered into a Series C Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Ervington Investment Limited, an entity organized under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus which is wholly owned by Norma Investments Limited, which in turn is wholly owned by Harmony Trust Settlement (“Ervington”), and closed the first tranche of a private placement offering under the Purchase Agreement, raising $5,000,000 in gross proceeds from the sale of 1,525,424 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) at a purchase price of $3.277777778 per share.. On June 30, 2015, Ervington closed the second tranche of a private placement offering under the purchase agreement raising an additional $9,750,000 in gross proceeds from the sale of 2,974,576 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $3.277777778. We agreed to use the proceeds for the acquisition, enhancement and maintenance of an oil field and the use of our Plasma Pulse Technology thereon.
On October 22, 2015, Novas entered into an operating agreement with Technovita Technologies USA, Inc. (“Technovita”) (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) through a newly formed Delaware limited liability company, NENA, whereby Novas agreed to contribute $1,200,000 ($600,000 to be delivered on the effective date (October 22, 2015) of the Joint Venture Agreement, $300,000 on November 1, 2015 and $300,000 on the two month anniversary of the Effective Date) to the capital of NENA for 60% of the membership interests of NENA and Technovita agreed to contribute an aggregate of $800,000 to the capital of NENA for 40% of the membership interests of NENA. In October 2015, Novas entered into a sublicense agreement (the “Novas Sublicense Agreement”) with NENA and the Licensor pursuant to which NENA was granted the right, subject to certain exceptions to be the exclusive provider of the Plasma Pulse Technology for treatment of vertical wells to third parties in the United States. Subject to certain exceptions and pursuant to the terms of Sublicense Agreements (the “Technovita Sublicense Agreement”) that was entered into between Technovita, NENA and Licensor, NENA is the exclusive provider of the Plasma Pulse Technology for treatment of vertical wells to third parties in Canada. Both Novas and Technovita will retain the right to deploy the Plasma Pulse Technology on vertical wells owned by Novas or Technovita in the United States or Canada, respectively. On October 4, 2016, Novas Energy USA, Inc. (“Novas USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, delivered a notice to Technovita Technologies USA, Inc. (“Technovita”) electing to dissolve its joint venture with Technovita (the “Joint Venture”), effective November 1, 2016, pursuant to Section 11.1(b) of the Operating Agreement of Novas Energy North America, LLC (“NENA”), dated October 22, 2015 (the “Operating Agreement”), by and among Novas USA and Technovita.
On July 6, 2012, we filed a Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware designating 5,000,000 preferred shares as Series A-1 Preferred Stock. On August 17, 2012, we filed an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, which increased the number of shares of our authorized Common Stock to 500,000,000 shares, effectuated a 50:1 reverse split of the number of shares of our outstanding common stock and changed our name to Propell Technologies Group, Inc. On February 4, 2013, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Novas and Novas became our wholly owned subsidiary. Effective December 31, 2013, we disposed of our e-commerce line of business. On March 14, 2014, we filed a Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware designating 500,000 preferred shares as Series B Preferred Stock. On February 17, 2015, we filed a Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware designating 4,500,000 preferred shares as Series C Preferred Stock.
On February 16, 2017, the board of directors resolved that the Company change its name to Pledge Petroleum Corp and on February 17, 2017, the “Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware to change the name of the Company to Pledge Petroleum Corp.
Available Information
Additional information about Pledge is contained at our website, http://www.pledgepcorp.com . Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form any part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have included our website address as a factual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our website. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge through the investor relations page of our internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports we electronically filed such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our principal offices are located at 11811 North Freeway, 5th Floor, Suite 513, Houston, TX 77060. Our telephone number is +1 (832) 328-0169 and our facsimile number is (713) 513-5700. Our fiscal year end is December 31.
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As a smaller reporting company we are not required to provide Risk Factors.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
We entered into lease agreement for approximately 3,733 square feet of office and warehouse space in Houston, the term of the lease is for 39 months commencing on March 1, 2016 and terminating on May 31, 2019. The lease provided for the first month to be rent-free, the fourteenth month to be rent-free and the twenty-seventh month to be rent-free. Monthly rentals, including estimated operating costs, for the first 12 months, excluding the free rental month amount to approximately $3,410 per month, escalating at a rate of 1.7% per annum, after excluding the free rental months. This lease agreement was amended and the lease terminated with effect from May 31, 2017 with a final payment of $2,000 and the forfeiture of the security deposit of $6,968.
On May 16, 2017, we entered into an Office Service Agreement on May 16, 2017 whereby we leased an office in a business center, together with all telecommunication services and access to conference rooms, kitchens and all utilities, The agreement is for a period of six months commencing on June 1, 2017 and terminated on November 30, 2017. We paid a monthly amount of $530 in terms of the Office Service Agreement .
We do not own any real property. We believe that we have adequate space for our anticipated needs and that suitable additional space will be available at commercially reasonable prices as needed.
There are no material legal proceedings that are pending or have been threatened against us of which management is aware.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
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Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a) | Price Range of Common Stock |
Since April 2010 our common stock has traded on the OTCQB under the symbol PROP. From April 23, 2010 until the date of this report, our common stock traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. Prior to that date, there was no active market for our common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for our common stock for the periods indicated.
HIGH | LOW | |||||||
Fiscal year 2018 | ||||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Second quarter to May 9, 2018 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Fiscal Year 2017 | ||||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
Second quarter | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Third quarter | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.01 | ||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Fiscal Year 2016 | ||||||||
First quarter | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Second quarter | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.04 | ||||
Third quarter | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.02 |
The last reported sale price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin board on May 9, 2018 was $0.02 per share.
Holders
As of May 8, 2018, there were approximately 119 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividend Policy
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date, and we have no intention of paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Whether we declare and pay dividends is determined by our board of directors at their discretion, subject to certain limitations imposed under Delaware corporate law. The timing, amount and form of dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of any assets legally available therefor cumulative dividends at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum of the stated value (which initially is $10.00), accrued daily and payable annually in arrears on December 31 of each year.
(b) | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Uses of Proceeds from Registered Securities |
We did not sell any equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2017 in transactions that were not registered under the Securities Act other than as previously disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All other sales of unregistered securities have been previously disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(c) | Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans |
Propell Corporation 2008 Stock Option Plan
Our board of directors adopted the Propell Corporation 2008 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) in April 2008 to promote our long-term growth and profitability by (i) providing our key directors, officers and employees with incentives to improve stockholder value and contribute to our growth and financial success and (ii) enable us to attract, retain and reward the best available persons for positions of substantial responsibility. A total of 2,100,000 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted pursuant to the Plan. The Plan allows us to grant options to our employees, officers and directors and those of our subsidiaries; provided that only our employees and those of our subsidiaries may receive incentive stock options under the Plan. We have granted a total of 380,950 options as of December 31, 2017 under the Plan. In addition, we granted 10,000,000 shares of restricted stock to our former CEO, John Huemoeller that were not issued pursuant to the Plan, of which all are vested. One of our directors, John Zotos was also granted 3,000,000 shares of restricted stock that were not issued pursuant to the Plan, all of which are vested.
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Set forth below is detail with respect to issuances under the Plan:
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options | Number of securities remaining for future issuance under equity compensation plans | ||||||||||
Equity Compensation plans approved by the stockholders | ||||||||||||
2008 Stock option plan | 380,950 | $ | 0.90 | $ | 1,719,050 | |||||||
380,950 | $ | 0.90 | 1,719,050 |
On January 1, 2016, we issued 3,000,000 five-year common stock options exercisable at a price of $0.09 per share to our CEO, Brian Boutte. These options were not issued pursuant to the Plan and vested as to 1,000,000 on the first anniversary of the grant date, and 1,000,000 vest on the second anniversary of the grant date and a further 1,000,000 vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. On March 31, 2017, Mr Boutte resigned as the CEO of the Company. Upon the resignation of Mr. Boutte, the 3,000,000 options exercisable over common stock have been forfeited and are available for reissue.
On March 1, 2016, we issued 1,000,000 five-year common stock options exercisable at a price of $0.08 per share to our COO, David Ramsey. These options were not issued pursuant to the Plan and were to vest as to 1,000,000 on the first anniversary of the grant date, 1,000,000 on the second anniversary of the grant date and a further 1,000,000 on the third anniversary of the grant date. These stock options were cancelled upon the termination of Mr. Ramsey’s employment on December 15, 2016.
On May 2, 2018, we issued to each of our three directors for their services as directors, 10,000,000 shares of restricted common stock, vesting as to 1/3 immediately, 1/3 on the one year anniversary of the grant and 1/3 on the two year anniversary of the grant.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
There were no issuer purchases of equity securities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
On March 23, 2018, in terms of a Share Purchase Agreement entered into with Ervington, we repurchasedf 64,302,467 shares of common stock, 3,137,500 shares of series A-1 preferred stock and 4,500,000 Series C preferred stock, for gross proceeds of $8,500,000, resulting in a change of control.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
This item is omitted as not required for smaller reporting companies.
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis is intended as a review of significant factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations for the periods indicated. The discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes presented herein and the financial statements and the other information set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition to historical information, the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ significantly from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors discussed herein and any other periodic reports filed and to be filed with the SEC.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report and other documents that we file with the SEC contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future performance, our business, our beliefs and our management’s assumptions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “sustain”, “on track”, “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “assume,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are often used to identify such forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports that we file or furnish with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
Overview and Financial Condition
Our Company
During the past year, our management, at the direction of the Board of Directors, has evaluated, considered, and brought forward various opportunities to acquire producing oil fields; however, to date, an oil field meeting the criteria acceptable to the Board of Directors (which criteria include among other things, low general and administrative costs, ability to generate cash flow and ability to fully utilize the PPT) has not been found. As a result, and in lieu of a potential dissolution, on March 23, 2018, we sold substantially all of our assets, including all pertinent intellectual property rights comprising our business of implementing plasma pulse technology, to Norma I for $650,000 pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. In connection with the Asset Sale, we also repurchased all of our outstanding securities held by Ervington for $8,500,000 pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement.
At this point, the Board is reevaluating its business plan and strategy and has reduced operating expenses in order to preserve capital, while the Board evaluates its options including the possible acquisition of a technology and oilfield services business, of which two of our current directors own a minority equity interest .
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To date we have financed our operations primarily from sales of our securities, both debt and equity, and to a lesser extent revenue from operations and we expect to continue to obtain required capital in a similar manner. We have incurred an accumulated deficit of $18,078,065 through December 31, 2017 and there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve profitability.
Management Discussion and Analysis of financial condition
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis we review our estimates and assumptions. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
Net revenues
Net revenues were $25,000 and $0 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively. The revenue during the current year is derived from one well treatment in Mexico. Other than the treatment of one well in Mexico, all of our operations were directed through our 60% held joint venture, Novas Energy North America, LLC. (“NENA”). Effective November 1, 2016 we discontinued our NENA joint venture and the NENA operations are reflected in loss from discontinued operations, net of non-controlling interest.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold was $0 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. All cost of goods sold related to our operations are reflected in loss from discontinued operations, net of non-controlling interest.
Gross profit
Gross profit was $25,000 and $0 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, due to the revenue earned on the Mexican well treatments.
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Total expenses
Total expenses were $627,732 and $2,913,235 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $2,285, 503 or 78.5%. Total expenses consisted primarily of the following:
· | Professional fees of $281,963 and $376,642 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, decreased by $94,679 or 25.1%. The decrease is primarily due to; i) a reduction in SEC related printing costs of $9,219 due to the delay in filing the 2016 10-K; ii) a reduction in legal fees of $71,534 due to lower corporate activity; and iii) a reduction in corporate secretarial fees of $51,516 due to management's efforts to reduce operating expenses, offset by iv) an increase in accounting and audit fees of $44,568 due to the timing of the 2016 audit which was delayed during the current period and additional fees incurred on completing that audit. |
· | Consulting fees of $43,276 and $318,380 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $275,104 or 86.4%. The decrease is primarily due to; i) a decrease in merger and acquisition related consulting expenses of $190,979; and ii) a decrease in finance management consulting expenses of $105,000 due to lower activity during the current period. |
· | General and administrative expenses of $291,114 and $1,090,758 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $799,644 or 73.3%. The decrease primarily consists of the following; i) a reduction in payroll expenses of $525,626 due to the rationalization of staff during the December 2016 quarter; ii) a reduction in investor relations expenditure of $116,681 due to a rationalization exercise undertaken by the Board of Directors; iii) a reduction in stock based compensation expense of $70,264 due to options forfeited or fully vested during the current period; and iv) a reduction in travel expenses of $23,994 as operations were curtailed and rationalized under the direction of the Board. |
· | Depreciation, and amortization of $5,391 and $200,933 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $195,542 or 97.3%. The plasma pulse tool asset and the intangible license fees were impaired during the fourth quarter of 2016 due to the uncertainty facing the business, the remaining assets consist of minor office related items. |
· | Impairment charges of $0 and $899,254 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, relates to the following; (i) impairment of the plasma pulse tools due to the Board of Directors abandoning the previous business plan with no new plan formulated as yet and no revenues forecast for the foreseeable future; and (ii) impairment of the remaining Mexican license agreement of $157,500 as no revenue has been generated from this market. |
Other income (expense)
Other income was $0 and $193,667 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $193,667 or 100.0%, primarily due to the forgiveness of the once off license fee for the Mexican market of $200,000, which was due in June 2015.
Net loss from continuing operations
We incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $601,892 and $2,719,242 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $2,117,350 or 77.9%, which consists primarily of the reduction in total expenses of $2,285,503, offset by the forgiveness of the license fee income in the prior year as discussed above.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
We incurred a net loss of $0 and $(1,649,064) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $1,649,064 or 100%. The loss in the prior year was incurred by the NENA joint venture prior to its termination in November 2016.
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of discontinued operations
The net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of discontinued operations in the prior year of $249,339 is due to the losses in the Joint Venture being shared as to 40% by the non-controlling party until the full value of their investment of $600,000 was depleted.
Net loss attributable to controlling interest
The loss attributable to controlling interest of $601,892 and $4,118,967 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, a decrease of $3,517,075 or 85.4%. The decrease is primarily due to the discontinuance of the NENA joint venture in the prior year and a concerted effort by management to reduce operating costs while the directors contemplated the business strategy.
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Undeclared Series B and Series C preferred stock dividends
A deemed preferred stock dividend of $626,000 and $627,714 has been disclosed for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. This amount represents the dividends that are due, but remain undeclared, to Series B and Series C preferred stock holders.
Net loss available to common stockholders
We incurred a net loss of $1,227,892 and $4,746,681 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, a decrease of $3,518,789 or 74.1%, respectively and which consists of the various items discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Although we had a cash balance of $8,599,620 as of December 31, 2017, of which $749,620 is not restricted, we have a history of annual losses from operations since inception and we have primarily funded our operations through sales of our unregistered equity securities. We have recently disposed of substantially all of our assets for $650,000 and simultaneously therewith acquired the entire shareholding of Ervington, for gross proceeds of $8,500,000. We are actively looking to acquire businesses in a similar field which may require substantial cash.
To date, our primary sources of cash have been funds raised from the sale of our securities and the issuance of convertible and non-convertible debt. No additional funds were raised during the current financial period.
We have incurred an accumulated deficit of $19,114,333 through December 31, 2017 and incurred negative cash flow from continuing operations of $570,136 for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
There are no off balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management believes that the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below involve the most complex management judgments due to the sensitivity of the methods and assumptions necessary in determining the related asset, liability, revenue and expense amounts. Specific risks associated with these critical accounting policies are discussed throughout this Management Discussion & Analysis, where such policies have a material effect on reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, refer to the individual Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Revenue Recognition
The Company records revenue when all of the following have occurred: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) the service is completed without further obligation, (3) the sales price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
12 |
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis, that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amounts of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates and judgments. In particular, significant estimates and judgments include those related to: the estimated useful lives for plant and equipment, the fair value of warrants and stock options granted for services or compensation, estimates of the probability and potential magnitude of contingent liabilities, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets due to continuing operating losses, those related to revenue recognition and the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate could change in the near-term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We adopted the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 for fair value measurements which clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.
Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, notes payable, and convertible notes payable approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity for these instruments. We did not identify any other assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheets at fair value in accordance with the accounting guidance.
ASC 825-10 “Financial Instruments” allows entities to voluntarily choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (fair value option). The fair value option may be elected on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, unrealized gains and losses for that instrument should be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. We did not elect to apply the fair value option to any outstanding instruments.
Contingencies
Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to us, but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. Our management assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment.
If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in our financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material would be disclosed. Loss contingencies considered to be remote by management are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantee would be disclosed.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of the adoption and potential impacts of recently issued accounting standards, refer to the “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” section of Note 2, “Accounting policies and estimates,” in the Notes to Financial Statements.
13 |
Item 8. Financial statements and Supplementary data
PLEDGE PETROLEUM GROUP, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
14 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Pledge Petroleum Corp. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pledge Petroleum Corp. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, will require additional capital to fund its current operating plan, and has stated that substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 3. The consolidated financial statements 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 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 audits. 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ RBSM LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.
New York, NY
May 31, 2018
F-1 |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 749,620 | $ | 9,170,286 | ||||
Restricted cash related to asset disposal and equity repurchase | 7,850,000 | - | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 25,816 | 25,940 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 8,625,436 | 9,196,226 | ||||||
Non-Current Assets | ||||||||
Plant and equipment, net | 8,935 | 14,326 | ||||||
Deposits | 530 | 6,968 | ||||||
Total Non-Current Assets | 9,465 | 21,294 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 8,634,901 | $ | 9,217,520 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 38,849 | $ | 31,027 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other payables | 27,852 | 34,467 | ||||||
Net liabilities of discontinued operations | - | 1,025,716 | ||||||
Notes payable | 3,000 | 3,000 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 69,701 | 1,094,210 | ||||||
Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
Series A-1 Convertible Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares designated, 3,137,500 shares issued and outstanding. (liquidation preference $251,000) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. | 3,138 | 3,138 | ||||||
Series B Convertible, Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000 shares designated; 40,000 issued and outstanding. (liquidation preference $480,000) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. | 40 | 40 | ||||||
Series C Convertible, Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, 4,500,000 shares designated, 4,500,000 issued and outstanding (liquidation preference $14,750,000) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. | 4,500 | 4,500 | ||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 268,558,931 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. | 268,559 | 268,559 | ||||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 27,403,296 | 26,359,514 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (19,114,333 | ) | (18,512,441 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 8,565,200 | 8,123,310 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 8,634,901 | $ | 9,217,520 |
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
F-2 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year ended | Year ended | |||||||
December 31 | December 31 | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Net Revenue | $ | 25,000 | $ | - | ||||
Cost of Goods Sold | - | - | ||||||
Gross Profit | 25,000 | - | ||||||
Sales and Marketing | 5,988 | 5,087 | ||||||
Professional fees | 281,963 | 376,642 | ||||||
Business development | - | 22,181 | ||||||
Consulting fees | 43,276 | 318,380 | ||||||
General and administrative | 291,114 | 1,090,758 | ||||||
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges | 5,391 | 1,100,187 | ||||||
Total Expense | 627,732 | 2,913,235 | ||||||
Loss from Operations | (602,732 | ) | (2,913,235 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense) | - | 193,667 | ||||||
Finance costs | 840 | 326 | ||||||
Loss before Provision for Income Taxes | (601,892 | ) | (2,719,242 | ) | ||||
Provision for Income Taxes | - | - | ||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (601,892 | ) | (2,719,242 | ) | ||||
Loss for discontinued operations, net of tax | - | (1,649,064 | ) | |||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of discontinued operation | - | 249,339 | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of non-controlling interest | - | (1,399,725 | ) | |||||
Net loss attributable to Controlling Interest | (601,892 | ) | (4,118,967 | ) | ||||
Undeclared Series B and Series C Preferred stock dividends | (626,000 | ) | (627,714 | ) | ||||
Net loss available to common stock holders | $ | (1,227,892 | ) | $ | (4,746,681 | ) | ||
Net Loss Per Share from continuing operations - Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||
Net Loss Per Share from discontinued operations - Basic and Diluted | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||
Net Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.02 | ) | |||
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - | ||||||||
Basic and Diluted | 268,558,931 | 268,558,931 |
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
F-3 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2016 TO DECEMBER 31, 2017
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stock | Additional | Non- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A-1 | Series B | Series C | Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Controlling | Controlling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Interest | Interest | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2016 | 3,137,500 | $ | 3,138 | 40,000 | $ | 40 | 4,500,000 | $ | 4,500 | 268,558,931 | $ | 268,559 | $ | 26,271,184 | $ | (14,393,474 | ) | $ | 12,153,947 | $ | 249,339 | $ | 12,403,286 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock option based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 88,330 | - | 88,330 | - | 88,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (4,118,967 | ) | (4,118,967 | ) | (249,339 | ) | (4,368,306 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2017 | 3,137,500 | 3,138 | 40,000 | 40 | 4,500,000 | 4,500 | 268,558,931 | 268,559 | 26,359,514 | (18,512,441 | ) | 8,123,310 | - | 8,123,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock option based compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 18,066 | - | 18,066 | - | 18,066 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinuance of joint venture | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,025,716 | - | 1,025,716 | - | 1,025,716 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (601,892 | ) | (601,892 | ) | - | (601,892 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2017 | 3,137,500 | $ | 3,138 | 40,000 | $ | 40 | 4,500,000 | $ | 4,500 | 268,558,931 | $ | 268,559 | $ | 27,403,296 | $ | (19,114,333 | ) | $ | 8,565,200 | $ | - | $ | 8,565,200 |
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
F-4 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year ended | Year ended | |||||||
December 31 | December 31 | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (601,892 | ) | $ | (4,118,967 | ) | ||
Net loss from discontinued operations | - | 1,649,064 | ||||||
Less: loss attributable to non-controlling interest | - | (249,339 | ) | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (601,892 | ) | (2,719,242 | ) | ||||
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation expense | 5,391 | 130,933 | ||||||
Deposit forfeited | 6,968 | - | ||||||
Amortization expense | - | 70,000 | ||||||
Impairment charges | - | 899,254 | ||||||
Loss on scrapping of fixed assets | - | 1,248 | ||||||
Equity based compensation charge | 18,066 | 88,330 | ||||||
Gain on debt forgiven | - | (200,000 | ) | |||||
Increase in provision for bad debts | - | 4,292 | ||||||
Changes in Assets and Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | - | (3,400 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 125 | 22,650 | ||||||
Accounts payable | 7,822 | (103,953 | ) | |||||
Accrued liabilities | (6,616 | ) | (45,296 | ) | ||||
Cash Used in Operating Activities - continuing operations | (570,136 | ) | (1,855,184 | ) | ||||
Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations | - | (444,744 | ) | |||||
(570,136 | ) | (2,299,928 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | - | (200,899 | ) | |||||
Investment in deposit | (530 | ) | (4,768 | ) | ||||
Cash used in investing activities - continuing operations | (530 | ) | (205,667 | ) | ||||
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations | - | (4,782 | ) | |||||
(530 | ) | (210,449 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES - DISCONTINUED | ||||||||
OPERATIONS | - | 449,527 | ||||||
- | 449,527 | |||||||
NET DECREASE IN CASH | (570,666 | ) | (2,060,850 | ) | ||||
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR | 9,170,286 | 11,231,136 | ||||||
CASH AT END OF YEAR | $ | 8,599,620 | $ | 9,170,286 | ||||
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST AND TAXES: | ||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Discontinuance of joint venture | $ | 1,025,716 | $ | - | ||||
Undeclared Series B and Series C dividends | $ | 626,000 | $ | 627,714 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-5 |
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 | ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS |
a) | Organization |
Pledge Petroleum Corp. (formerly Propell Technologies Group, Inc. and Propell Corporation) (the “Company”), is a Delaware corporation originally formed on January 29, 2008 as CA Photo Acquisition Corp. On April 10, 2008 Crystal Magic, Inc. (“CMI”), a Florida Corporation, merged with an acquisition subsidiary of Propell’s, and the Company issued an aggregate of 180,000 shares to the former shareholders of CMI. On May 6, 2008, the Company acquired both Mountain Capital, LLC (doing business as Arrow Media Solutions) (“AMS”) and Auleron 2005, LLC (doing business as Auleron Technologies) (“AUL”) and made each a wholly owned subsidiary and issued a total of 41,897 shares of the Company’s common stock to the members of Mountain Capital, LLC and a total of 2,722 shares of the Company’s common stock to the members of AUL. In 2010 AUL and AMS were dissolved and the operations of CMI were discontinued. On February 4, 2013, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement with Novas Energy (USA), Inc. (“Novas”) whereby the Company exchanged 100,000,000 shares of its common stock for 100,000,000 shares of common stock in Novas. After the consummation of the share exchange, Novas became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As a result of the share exchange the shareholders of Novas obtained the majority of the outstanding shares of the Company. As such, the exchange is accounted for as a reverse merger or recapitalization of the Company and Novas was considered the acquirer for accounting purposes.
b) | Description of the business |
During the past year, the Company’s management, at the direction of the Board of Directors, had evaluated, considered, and brought forward various opportunities to acquire producing oil fields; however, to date, an oil field meeting the criteria acceptable to the Board of Directors (which criteria include among other things, low general and administrative costs, ability to generate cash flow and ability to fully utilize the PPT) had not been found.
On March 23, 2018, after obtaining approval of the majority shareholder and the majority of the minority of the shareholders we sold substantially all of our assets for $650,000 and simultaneously therewith the entire shareholding of the majority shareholder, Ervington was purchased by us for gross proceeds of $8,500,000. We are currently exploring the acquisition of assets or businesses in the oil and water treatment segments.
On October 4, 2016, Novas Energy USA, Inc. (“Novas USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, delivered a notice to Technovita Technologies USA, Inc. (“Technovita”) electing to dissolve its joint venture with Technovita (the “Joint Venture”), effective November 1, 2016, pursuant to Section 11.1(b) of the Operating Agreement of Novas Energy North America, LLC (“NENA”), dated October 22, 2015 (the “Operating Agreement”), by and among Novas USA and Technovita.
Section 11.1(b) of the Operating Agreement provided that the Joint Venture may be dissolved upon the election of Novas USA in the event the Joint Venture fails to satisfy any Year 1 Key Performance Indicator by an amount greater than five percent (5%) of the applicable metric (the “Year 1 Milestone”). The Joint Venture has not achieved the Year 1 Milestone. For the purposes of the Operating Agreement, the Year 1 Key Performance Indicators are defined as: during a continuous twelve (12) month period commencing upon September 1, 2015 each of: (1) sales from activities in the United States of greater than or equal to $2,829,000; (2) sales from activities in Canada of greater than or equal to $2,829,000; (3) EBITDA from activities in the United States of greater than or equal to $524,000; and (4) EBITDA from activities in Canada of greater than or equal to $524,000. Upon a dissolution, all intellectual property assets of the Joint Venture, including any improvements to Technology (as defined in the Operating Agreement) is to be distributed to Technovita solely for use in Canada, its territories and its possessions and Novas USA solely for use in the United States and its territories.
F-6 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES |
a) | Basis of Presentation |
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
All amounts referred to in the notes to the financial statements are in United States Dollars ($) unless stated otherwise.
b) | Principles of Consolidation |
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary in which it has a majority voting interest. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The entities included in these consolidated financial statements are as follows:
Pledge Petroleum Corp (formerly Propell Technologies Group, Inc.) – Parent Company
Novas Energy USA Inc. (wholly owned)
c) | Use of Estimates |
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis, that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amounts of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates and judgments. In particular, significant estimates and judgments include those related to: the estimated useful lives for plant and equipment, the fair value of warrants and stock options granted for services or compensation, estimates of the probability and potential magnitude of contingent liabilities, derivative liabilities, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets due to continuing operating losses, those related to revenue recognition and the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate could change in the near-term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.
d) | Contingencies |
Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company, but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company’s management assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment.
If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material would be disclosed. Loss contingencies considered to be remote by management are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantee would be disclosed.
e) | Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
The Company adopted the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 for fair value measurements which clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.
Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3-Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions on what assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, notes payable, and convertible notes payable approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity for these instruments. The Company did not identify any other assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheets at fair value in accordance with the accounting guidance.
ASC 825-10 “Financial Instruments” allows entities to voluntarily choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (fair value option). The fair value option may be elected on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, unrealized gains and losses for that instrument should be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The Company did not elect to apply the fair value option to any outstanding instruments.
F-7 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
f) | Risks and Uncertainties |
The Company's operations will be subject to significant risk and uncertainties including financial, operational, regulatory and other risks associated, including the potential risk of business failure. The recent global economic crisis has caused a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and extreme volatility in credit, equity and fixed income markets. These conditions not only limit the Company’s access to capital, but also make it difficult for its customers, vendors and the Company to accurately forecast and plan future business activities.
The Company’s operations were carried out in the USA and Mexico. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environment in the USA and Mexico and by the general state of those economies. The Company’s results could have been adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2017-02, an amendment to Topic 805, Business Combinations. The amendments in this Update clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in this Update affect all reporting entities that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The amendments in this Update provide a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. The amendments in this Update apply to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. No disclosures are required at transition. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, an amendment to Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, an entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Because these amendments eliminate Step 3 from the goodwill impairment test, they should reduce the cost and complexity of evaluating goodwill for impairment. An entity should apply the amendments in this Update on a prospective basis. The amendments in this Update are effective for Goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2017-04 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, an amendment to Subtopic 610-20, Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. The amendments in this Update are required for public business entities and other entities that have goodwill reported in their financial statements, under the amendments in this Update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The amendments in this Update modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. An entity should apply the amendments in this Update on a prospective basis. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2017-05 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
F-8 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) |
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This Update is being issued primarily to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. This Update also includes amendments to the Overview and Background Sections of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), defined benefit pension cost and postretirement benefit cost (net benefit cost) comprise several components that reflect different aspects of an employer’s financial arrangements as well as the cost of benefits provided to employees. Those components are aggregated for reporting in the financial statements. The amendments in this Update apply to all employers, including not-for-profit entities, that offer to their employees defined benefit pension plans, other postretirement benefit plans, or other types of benefits accounted for under Topic 715. The amendments in this Update require that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. The amendments also provide explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allow only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those 3 annual periods. For other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in this Update should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2017-07 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20) Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in this Update affect all entities that hold investments in callable debt securities that have an amortized cost basis in excess of the amount that is repayable by the issuer at the earliest call date (that is, at a premium). The amendments in this Update shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. Under current GAAP, premiums and discounts on callable debt securities generally are amortized to the maturity date. The amendments in this Update more closely align the amortization period of premiums and discounts to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. As a result, the amendments more closely align interest income recorded on bonds held at a premium or a discount with the economics of the underlying instrument. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity should apply the amendments in this Update on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Additionally, in the period of adoption, an entity should provide disclosures about a change in accounting principle. We are currently evaluating the effect ASU 2017-08 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
F-9 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) |
In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU’’) 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation, an amendment to Topic 718. The amendments in this Update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. 2. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met:
1. | The fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification. |
2. | The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. |
3. | The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. |
The current disclosure requirements in Topic 718 apply regardless of whether an entity is required to apply modification accounting under the amendments in this Update. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The amendments proposed in this ASU are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-10, service concession arrangements, an amendment to Topic 853. Topic 853 provides guidance for operating entities when they enter into a service concession arrangement with a public-sector grantor who both:
1. | Controls or has the ability to modify or approve the services that the operating entity must provide with the infrastructure, to whom it must provide them, and at what price |
2. | Controls, through ownership, beneficial entitlement, or otherwise, any residual interest in the infrastructure at the end of the term of the arrangement. |
In a service concession arrangement within the scope of Topic 853, the operating entity should not account for the infrastructure as a lease or as property, plant, and equipment. An operating entity should refer to other Topics to account for various aspects of a service concession arrangement. For example, an operating entity should account for revenue relating to construction, upgrade, or operation services in accordance with Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, or Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
The amendments in this Update apply to the accounting by operating entities for service concession arrangements within the scope of Topic 853. These updates are effective when the Company adopts the updates to Topic 606. The amendments proposed in this ASU are not expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
F-10 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) |
In July 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU’’) 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this Update provide guidance about:
1. | Accounting for certain financial instruments with down round features |
2. | Replacement of the indefinite deferral for mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of certain non-public entities and certain non-controlling interests |
The amendments in Part I of this Update change the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. For freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. Convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features are now subject to the specialized guidance for contingent beneficial conversion features (in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options), including related EPS guidance (in Topic 260).
The amendments in Part II of this Update recharacterize the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. Those amendments do not have an accounting effect.
The amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The amendments in Part 1 of this Update should be applied in either of the following ways: 1. Retrospectively to outstanding financial instruments with a down round feature by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the first fiscal year and interim period(s) in which the pending content that links to this paragraph is effective 2. Retrospectively to outstanding financial instruments with a down round feature for each prior reporting period presented in accordance with the guidance on accounting changes in paragraphs 250-10-45-5 through 45-10.
The amendments in Part II of this Update do not require any transition guidance because those amendments do not have an accounting effect.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging, (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to accounting for Hedging Activities.
The amendments in this Update better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. To meet that objective, the amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.
For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early application is permitted in any interim period after issuance of the Update. Transition Requirements For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, an entity should apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that an entity adopts the amendments in this Update. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively.
The impact this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is expected to be immaterial.
F-11 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) |
In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840 and Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this update provide guidance about:
The transition provisions in ASC Topic 606 require that a public business entity and certain other specified entities adopt ASC Topic 606 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. All other entities are required to adopt ASC Topic 606 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019.
The transition provisions in ASC Topic 842 require that a public business entity and certain other specified entities adopt ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. FN3 All other entities are required to adopt ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.
The impact this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is expected to be immaterial.
In November 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-14, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic220), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).
Certain amendments made to SEC materials and staff guidance relating to Operating-Differential subsidiaries, and amendments to the wording and disclosure requirements of Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.
The impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements are limited until such time as the Company generates revenue from operations.
In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-1, Leases (Topic 842), Land Easement practical expedient for Top 842. The amendments in this update provide guidance about:
The amendments in this Update permit an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under Topic 842 land easements that exist or expired before the entity’s adoption of Topic 842 and that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. An entity that elects this practical expedient should apply the practical expedient consistently to all of its existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840. Once an entity adopts Topic 842, it should apply that Topic prospectively to all new (or modified) land easements to determine whether the arrangement should be accounted for as a lease. An entity that does not elect this practical expedient should evaluate all existing or expired land easements in connection with the adoption of the new lease requirements in Topic 842 to assess whether they meet the definition of a lease. The amendment in this Update clarifies that an entity should determine whether land easements are leases in accordance with Topic 842 before applying the guidance.
The impact this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is expected to be immaterial.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-2, Income Statement- Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income.
The amendments in this Update allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The amendments in this Update also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects.
The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this Update is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, (1) for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) for all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The amendments in this Update should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized.
The impact this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be a reduction in the tax effect of net operating losses carried forward.
F-12 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) |
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-3 Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments – Overall (Sub topic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this update provide guidance about:
The amendment clarifies that an entity measuring an equity security using the measurement alternative may change its measurement approach to a fair value method in accordance with Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, through an irrevocable election that would apply to that security and all identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Once an entity makes this election, the entity should measure all future purchases of identical or similar investments of the same issuer using a fair value method in accordance with Topic 820.
The amendment clarifies that the adjustments made under the measurement alternative are intended to reflect the fair value of the security as of the date that the observable transaction for a similar security took place.
The amendment clarifies that remeasuring the entire value of forward contracts and purchased options is required when observable transactions occur on the underlying equity securities.
The amendment clarifies that when the fair value option is elected for a financial liability, the guidance in paragraph 825-10- 45-5 should be applied, regardless of whether the fair value option was elected under either Subtopic 815-15, Derivatives and Hedging— Embedded Derivatives, or 825- 10, Financial Instruments— Overall.
The amendments clarify that for financial liabilities for which the fair value option is elected, the amount of change in fair value that relates to the instrument specific credit risk should first be measured in the currency of denomination when presented separately from the total change in fair value of the financial liability. Then, both components of the change in the fair value of the liability should be remeasured into the functional currency of the reporting entity using end-of-period spot rates.
The amendment clarifies that the prospective transition approach for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value in the amendments in Update 2016-01 is meant only for instances in which the measurement alternative is applied. An insurance entity subject to the guidance in Topic 944, Financial Services— Insurance, should apply a prospective transition method Area for Correction or Improvement Summary of Amendments when applying the amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values. An insurance entity should apply the selected prospective transition method consistently to the entity’s entire population of equity securities for which the measurement alternative is elected.
The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. Public business entities with fiscal years beginning between December 15, 2017, and June 15, 2018, are not required to adopt these amendments until the interim period beginning after June 15, 2018, and public business entities with fiscal years beginning between June 15, 2018, and December 15, 2018, are not required to adopt these amendments before adopting the amendments in Update 2016-01. For all other entities, the effective date is the same as the effective date in Update 2016-01. All entities may early adopt these amendments for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, as long as they have adopted Update 2016-01.
The amendments in this update are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
F-13 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
g) | Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) |
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-4 Investments – Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980), Amendments to SEC Paragraphs pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin no. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273. The amendments in this update provide guidance about:
Certain amendments made to SEC materials and staff guidance relating to Investments – Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980).
The amendments in this update are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-5, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Amendments to SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118
These amendments affect the wording of SEC paragraphs in the accounting standard codification dealing with Income Taxes (Topic 740).
The amendments in this update are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Any new accounting standards, not disclosed above, that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements upon adoption.
F-14 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
h) | Reporting by Segment |
No segmental information is required as the Company currently only has one segment of business, the Plasma Pulse Technology for the petroleum industry.
Revenues to date are insignificant.
i) | Cash and Cash Equivalents |
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, the Company had no cash equivalents.
The Company assesses credit risk associated with cash by periodically evaluating the credit quality of its primary financial institution. The balance at times may exceed federally insured limits. At December 31, 2017, the Company had cash balances of $8,599,620, which exceeded the federally insured limits by $8,320,495.
j) | Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |
Accounts receivable are reported at realizable value, net of allowances for doubtful accounts, which is estimated and recorded in the period the related revenue is recorded. The Company has a standardized approach to estimate and review the collectability of its receivables based on a number of factors, including the period they have been outstanding. Historical collection and payer reimbursement experience is an integral part of the estimation process related to allowances for doubtful accounts. In addition, the Company regularly assesses the state of its billing operations in order to identify issues, which may impact the collectability of these receivables or reserve estimates. Revisions to the allowance for doubtful accounts estimates are recorded as an adjustment to bad debt expense. Receivables deemed uncollectible are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts at the time such receivables are written-off. Recoveries of receivables previously written-off are recorded as credits to the allowance for doubtful accounts. There were no recoveries during the period ended December 31, 2017.
k) | Inventory |
The Company had no inventory as of December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.
l) | Plant and Equipment |
Plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Plant and equipment with costs greater than $1,000 are capitalized and depreciated. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
Description | Estimated Useful Life |
Office equipment and furniture | 2 to 5 years |
Leasehold improvements and fixtures | Lesser of estimated useful life or life of lease |
Plant and equipment | 2 to 3 years |
Plasma pulse tools | 5 years |
The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income in the year of disposition.
Where fixed assets are deemed to be impaired we recognize an impairment loss measured as the difference between the estimated fair value of the fixed asset and its book value.
F-15 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
m) | Intangibles |
All of the Company’s intangible assets are subject to amortization. The Company evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives that indicates the asset may be impaired. Where intangibles are deemed to be impaired we recognize an impairment loss measured as the difference between the estimated fair value of the intangible and its book value.
i) | License Agreements |
License agreements acquired by the Company are reported at acquisition value less accumulated amortization and impairments.
ii) | Amortization |
Amortization is reported in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets, unless the useful life is indefinite. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized from the date that they are available for use. The estimated useful life of the license agreement is five years which is the expected period for which we expect to derive a benefit from the underlying license agreements.
n) | Long-Term Assets |
Assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
o) | Revenue Recognition |
The Company records revenue when all of the following have occurred: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) the service is completed without further obligation, (3) the sales price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
F-16 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2 | ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued) |
p) | Share-Based Payment Arrangements |
Generally, all forms of share-based payments, including stock option grants, restricted stock grants and stock appreciation rights are measured at their fair value on the awards’ grant date, based on the estimated number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Share-based compensation awards issued to non-employees for services rendered are recorded at either the fair value of the services rendered or the fair value of the share-based payment, whichever is more readily determinable. The expense resulting from share- based payments is recorded in operating expenses inhe consolidated statement of operations.
q) | Income Taxes |
Income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws. A full valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized. It is the Company’s policy to classify interest and penalties on income taxes as interest expense or penalties expense. As of December 31, 2017, there have been no interest or penalties incurred on income taxes.
r) | Net Loss per Share |
Basic net loss per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted net loss per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Dilutive securities having an anti-dilutive effect on diluted net loss per share are excluded from the calculation (See Note 14, below).
Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method for options and warrants. Under this method, options and warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common shares at the average market price during the period.
Dilution is computed by applying the if-converted method for convertible preferred shares. Under this method, convertible preferred stock is assumed to be converted at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and preferred dividends (if any) will be added back to determine income applicable to common stock. The shares issuable upon conversion will be added to weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Conversion will be assumed only if it reduces earnings per share (or increases loss per share).
Any common shares issued as a result of the issue of stock options and warrants would come from newly issued common shares from our remaining authorized shares.
s) | Comprehensive income |
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. For the Company, comprehensive income for the periods presented includes net loss.
t) | Related parties |
Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company, or own in aggregate, on a fully diluted basis 5% or more of the Company’s stock. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. All transactions are recorded at fair value of the goods or services exchanged. Property purchased from a related party is recorded at the cost to the related party and any payment to or on behalf of the related party in excess of the cost is reflected as a distribution to related party.
u) | Reclassification |
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statement numbers to conform to the current presentation of the financial statements.
F-17 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3 | GOING CONCERN |
The Company has cash balances of $8,599,620, of which only $749,620 is not restricted as of December 31, 2017. On March 23, 2018, after obtaining approval of the majority shareholder and the majority of the minority of the shareholders the Company sold substantially all of its assets for $650,000 and simultaneously therewith the entire shareholding of the majority shareholder, Ervington was purchased by the Company for gross proceeds of $8,500,000. The Company has $489,236 of cash available on May 8, 2018 and is considering the acquisition of an oil services treatment business in which two of the Company’s directors have an interest. The ability of the Company to conclude an acquisition based on current cash balances and continue as a going concern is uncertain.
4 | DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
On October 4, 2016, Novas Energy USA, Inc. (“Novas USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, delivered a notice to Technovita Technologies USA, Inc. (“Technovita”) electing to dissolve its joint venture with Technovita (the “Joint Venture”), effective November 1, 2016, pursuant to Section 11.1(b) of the Operating Agreement of Novas Energy North America, LLC (“NENA”), dated October 22, 2015 (the “Operating Agreement”), by and among Novas USA and Technovita.
Section 11.1(b) of the Operating Agreement provides that the Joint Venture may be dissolved upon the election of Novas USA in the event the Joint Venture fails to satisfy any Year 1 Key Performance Indicator by an amount greater than five percent (5%) of the applicable metric (the “Year 1 Milestone”). The Joint Venture has not achieved the Year 1 Milestone. For the purposes of the Operating Agreement, the Year 1 Key Performance Indicators are defined as: during a continuous twelve (12) month period commencing upon September 1, 2015 each of: (1) sales from activities in the United States of greater than or equal to $2,829,000; (2) sales from activities in Canada of greater than or equal to $2,829,000; (3) EBITDA from activities in the United States of greater than or equal to $524,000; and (4) EBITDA from activities in Canada of greater than or equal to $524,000. Upon a dissolution, all intellectual property assets of the Joint Venture, including any improvements to Technology (as defined in the Operating Agreement) is to be distributed to Technovita solely for use in Canada, its territories and its possessions and Novas USA solely for use in the United States and its territories.
Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, Novas USA had entered into a sublicense agreement (the “Novas Sublicense Agreement”) with NENA and Novas Energy Group Limited for NENA to be the exclusive provider of Plasma Pulse Technology for treatment of vertical wells to third parties in the United States. The Sublicense Agreement was terminated upon termination of the Joint Venture. The Operating Agreement also provided, among other things, that Novas USA would contribute an aggregate of $1,200,000 to the capital of the Joint Venture for its 60% interest in the Joint Venture. Novas USA has contributed $900,000 to the Joint Venture to date and believes that it has valid defenses to any claim that may be made that it contribute additional funds.
The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively is as follows:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash | $ | - | $ | 19,480 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | - | 61,661 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | - | 29,896 | ||||||
Total current assets | - | 111,037 | ||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||||
Plant and equipment, net | - | 6,480 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | - | $ | 117,517 | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | - | $ | 94,784 | ||||
Related party payables | - | 932,478 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables | - | 115,971 | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | - | $ | 1,143,233 | ||||
Discontinued operations | $ | - | $ | 1,025,716 |
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations is as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2017 | Year ended December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Net revenue | $ | - | $ | 196,328 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | - | 148,475 | ||||||
Gross Profit | - | 47,853 | ||||||
Sales and marketing expenses | - | 11,932 | ||||||
Professional fees | - | 62,331 | ||||||
Business development | - | 179,980 | ||||||
Consulting fees | - | 898,640 | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | - | 543,558 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | - | 1,478 | ||||||
Total expense | - | 1,697,919 | ||||||
Loss from operations | - | (1,650,066 | ) | |||||
Gain on discontinuance of subsidiary | - | - | ||||||
Other income | - | 10 | ||||||
Foreign currency gains | - | 992 | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | $ | - | $ | (1,649,064 | ) |
F-18 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5 | PREPAID EXPENSES |
Prepaid expenses consisted of the following:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Prepaid insurance | $ | 22,483 | $ | 22,607 | ||||
Prepaid professional fees | 3,333 | 3,333 | ||||||
$ | 25,816 | $ | 25,940 |
6 | PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
Plant and Equipment consisted of the following:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
Cost | Amortization and Impairment | Net book value | Net book value | |||||||||||||
Plasma pulse tool | 945,423 | (945,423 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||
Furniture and equipment | 6,700 | (2,457 | ) | 4,243 | 5,583 | |||||||||||
Field equipment | 19,627 | (19,627 | ) | - | 341 | |||||||||||
Computer equipment | 11,130 | (6,438 | ) | 4,692 | 8,402 | |||||||||||
$ | 982,880 | (973,945 | ) | $ | 8,935 | $ | 14,326 |
Depreciation expense was $5,391 and $130,933 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. An impairment charge of $741,754 was made in 2016 against the Plasma Pulse tool.
7 | INTANGIBLES |
Licenses
F-19 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7 | INTANGIBLES (continued) |
Intangibles consisted of the following:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
Cost | Amortization and Impairment | Net book value | Net book value | |||||||||||||
License agreements | $ | 350,000 | $ | (350,000 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | |||||||
Website development | 8,000 | (8,000 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||
$ | 358,000 | $ | (358,000 | ) | $ | - | $ | - |
Amortization expense was $0 and $70,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Due to the lack of revenue generated under this license agreement, the remaining unamortized balance at December 31, 2016 of $157,500 was impaired.
F-20 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8 | ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES |
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Royalties payable | 14,653 | 14,653 | ||||||
Other | 13,199 | - | ||||||
Severance accrual | - | 19,814 | ||||||
$ | 27,852 | $ | 34,467 |
The severance accrual relates to accrued severance costs due to the COO, whose employment with the Company was terminated on December 15, 2016 as part of a cost reduction exercise.
9 | NOTES PAYABLE |
The note payable advanced by Owl Holdings to the Company has no interest rate and is repayable on demand.
10 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
a) | Common Stock |
The Company has authorized 500,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001 each, and issued and has outstanding 268,558,931 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2017.
No shares were issued during the current year.
b) | Preferred Stock |
The Company has 10,000,000 authorized preferred shares with a par value of $0.001 each with 5,000,000 preferred shares designated as Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1 Shares”), 500,000 preferred shares designated as Series B Preferred Stock and 4,500,000 preferred shares designated as Series C Preferred Stock.
i) | Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock |
The Company has designated 5,000,000 preferred shares as Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-1 Shares”), with 3,137,500 Series A-1 Shares issued and outstanding which are convertible into 31,375,000 shares of common stock.
The rights, privileges and preferences of the Series A-1 Shares are summarized as follows;
Conversion
Each Series A-1 Share has the following conversion rights:
(a) | Each share of the Series A-1Shares is convertible into ten shares of Common Stock. |
(b) | There shall be no adjustment made to the conversion ratio of the Series A-1 Shares for any stock split, stock dividend, combination, reclassification or other similar event. |
Company Redemption
The Series A-1 Shares are non-redeemable by the Company.
Voting Rights
Each holder of Series A-1 Shares is entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company and be entitled to that number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such holder’s shares of Series A-1 Shares could then be converted.
Dividends
Until such time that any dividend is paid to the holders of Common Stock, the holders of Series A-1 Shares will be entitled to a dividend in an amount per share equal to that which such holders would have been entitled to receive had they converted all of the shares of Series A-1 Shares into Common Stock immediately prior to the payment of such dividend
Liquidation Preference
Each share of Series A-1 Shares is entitled to a liquidation preference of $0.08 per share
F-21 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued) |
b) | Preferred Stock (continued) |
i) | Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (continued) |
No Circumvention
The approval of the holders of at least 2/3 (66.6%) of the outstanding shares of the Series A-1 Shares, voting together separately as a class, is required for:
(a) | the merger, sale of all, or substantially all of the assets or intellectual property, recapitalization, or reorganization of the Company; |
(b) | the authorization or issuance of any equity security having any right, preference or priority superior to or on a parity with the Series A-1 Shares; |
(c) | the redemption, repurchase or acquisition of any of the Company’s equity securities or the payment of any dividends or distributions thereon; |
(d) | any amendment or repeal of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws that would have an adverse effect on the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A-1 Shares; and |
(e) | the making of any loan or advance to any person except in the ordinary course of business. |
ii) | Series B Convertible Preferred Stock |
The Company has designated 500,000 preferred shares as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Shares”), with 40,000 Series B Shares issued and outstanding which are convertible into 4,000,000 shares of common stock.
The rights, privileges and preferences of the Series B Shares are summarized as follows:
Conversion
The holders of the Series B Preferred Shares shall have conversion rights as follows:
(a) | Each share of the Series B Shares is convertible at any time prior to the issuance of a redemption notice by the Company into such number of shares of Common Stock by dividing the Stated value ($10) of the Series B Shares by $0.10 and is subject to adjustment for dividends or distributions made in common stock, the issue of securities convertible into common stock, stock splits, reverse stock splits, or reclassifications of common stock. No adjustments will be made to the conversion rights or conversion price for any reorganization other than to be entitled to receive the same benefits as if the shares were converted immediately prior to such reorganization. No conversion will take place if the holder of the Series B Shares will beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after conversion. As of the date hereof, each Series B Share converts into 100 shares of common stock. |
(b) | The conversion right of the holders of Series B Shares are exercised by the surrender of the certificates representing shares to be converted to the Company, accompanied by written notice electing conversion. |
(c) | No fractional shares of Common Stock or script will be issued upon conversion of Series B Shares. The Company will pay a cash adjustment in respect to such fractional interest based upon the fair value of a share of Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors. |
(d) | All shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Series B Shares will upon issuance be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. All certificates representing Series B Shares surrendered for conversion shall be appropriately canceled on the books of the Company and the shares so converted represented by such certificates shall be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company. |
Company Redemption
The Company has the right, at any time after the date the Series B Shares have been issued, to redeem all or a portion of any Holder's Series B Shares at a price per Series B Share equal to the issue price per Series B Share multiplied by 120%
Voting Rights
Each holder of Series B Shares is entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company and is entitled to votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which Series B Shares could be converted, and the holders of shares of Series B Shares and Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to the stockholders of the Company.
F-22 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued) |
b) | Preferred Stock (continued) |
ii) | Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (continued) |
Dividends
(a) | The holders of the Series B Shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of eight percent per annum of the issue price per share, accrued daily and payable annually in arrears on December 31st of each year (“Dividend Date”). Such dividends accrue on any given share from the day of original issuance of such share. Such dividends are cumulative, whether or not declared by the Board of Directors, but are non-compounding. |
(b) | Any dividend payable on a dividend payment date may be paid, at the option of the Company, either (i) in cash or (ii) in shares of common stock at an issue price of $0.10 per common share. |
(c) | Nothing contained herein is deemed to establish or require any payment or other charges in excess of the maximum permitted by applicable law. |
(d) | In the event that pursuant to applicable law or contract the Company is prohibited or restricted from paying in cash the full dividends to which the holders of the Series B Shares are entitled, the cash amount available pursuant to applicable law or contract will be distributed among the holders of the Series B Shares ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be entitled and any remaining amount due to holders of the Series B Shares will be payable in cash. |
Liquidation Preference
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Series B Shares are entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Company to the holders of any other preferred stock of the Company and subordinate to any distribution to the Series A-1 Shares, and prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Company to the holders of the Common Stock, the amount of 120% of the issue price per share. In addition, the Series B holder has agreed to vote to subordinate the series B Preferred stock liquidation preferences to the Series C Preferred stock preferences.
No Circumvention
The Company may not amend its certificate of incorporation, or participate in any reorganization, sale or transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action for the purpose of avoiding or seeking to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed by the Company.
The Company has undeclared dividends on the Series B Preferred stock amounting to $626,000 as of December 31, 2017. If the dividends are paid in stock, the beneficial conversion feature of these undeclared dividends will be recorded upon the declaration of these dividends. The computation of loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2017 takes into account these undeclared dividends.
iii) | Series C Convertible Preferred Stock |
The Company has designated 4,500,000 preferred shares as Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Shares”), with 4,500,000 Series C Shares issued and outstanding which are convertible into 120,000,000 shares of common stock (a conversion price of $0.12291665 per share).
The terms attached to the Series C Preferred Stock (“Series C Share”) are summarized below:
Conversion
Subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations and similar transactions, each Series C Share is currently convertible at the option of the holder into 26.67 shares of common stock.
Company Redemption
The Series C Shares are not subject to redemption by the Company.
Voting Rights
Generally, holders of Series C Shares will, on an as-converted basis, vote together with the common stock as a single class.
Upon the issuance of at least 1,500,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock, as a class, are entitled to elect either two directors holding one vote or one director holding two votes. Upon the issuance of an aggregate of 4,500,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to elect either three directors holding one vote each, one director holding three votes or two directors with one director holding two votes and another director holding one vote.
F-23 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued) |
b) | Preferred Stock (continued) |
iii) | Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (continued) |
Dividends
The Series C Shares accrue dividends at the rate per annum equal to 4% of the stated price (which initially is $3.277777778) payable annually in arrears on December 31 of each year in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on our common stock, or any other class of preferred stock.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and other liquidation events (as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designations), holders of Series C Shares are entitled to receive from proceeds remaining after distribution to our creditors and prior to the distribution to holders of common stock or any other class of preferred stock the (x) stated value (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) held by such holder and (y) all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares.
Anti-Dilution
The Series C Shares are entitled to certain weighted average anti-dilution protection as specified in the Series C Certificate of Designations.
No Circumvention
The approval by holders of a majority of the Series C Shares, voting separately as a class, will be required for the following:
(i) | merger, sale of substantially all of our assets or our recapitalization, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or winding up; |
(ii) | redemption or acquisition of shares of our common stock other than in limited circumstances; |
(iii) | declaration or payment of a dividend or distribution with respect to our capital stock; |
(iv) | making any loan or advance; |
(v) | amending the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; |
(vi) | authorizing or creating any new class or series of equity security; |
(vii) | increasing the number of authorized shares for issuance under any existing stock or option plan; |
(viii) | materially changing the nature of the business |
(ix) | incurring any indebtedness; |
(x) | engaging in or making investments not authorized by our board of directors; |
(xi) | acquiring or divesting a material amount of assets; |
(xii) | selling, assigning, licensing, pledging or encumbering our material technology or intellectual property; |
(xiii) | entering into any corporate strategic relationship involving payment, contribution or assignment by the Company or to the Company of any assets. |
The Company has undeclared dividends on the Series C Preferred stock amounting to $1,550,822 as of December 31, 2017. The computation of loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2017 takes into account these undeclared dividends.
c) | Stock Options |
a. | Plan options |
The Company’s Board of Directors approved the Company’s 2008 Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Plan”) for the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock to be granted through incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to officers, other employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. After the reverse stock split in August 2012, a total of 100,000 shares were available for grant. Subsequent to the reverse split the Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of awards available for grant to 2,100,000 shares. The exercise price of stock options under the Stock Plan is determined by the Board of Directors, and may be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options become exercisable over various periods from the date of grant, and generally expire ten years after the grant date.
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were 380,950 Plan options issued and outstanding, respectively, under the Stock Option Plan.
The vesting provisions for these stock options are determined by the board of directors at the time of grant, there are no unvested options outstanding as of December 31, 2017.
No options were issued during the year ended December 31, 2017.
In the event of the employees’ termination, the Company will cease to recognize compensation expense.
F-24 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued) |
c) | Stock Options (continued) |
b. | Non-Plan Stock Options |
On January 1, 2016, the Company granted, to its then Chief Executive Officer, non - plan options for 3,000,000 shares of common stock (that are not covered by the Company’s Stock Option Plan), with an exercise price of $0.08 per share and which options will expire thirty days after resignation. These options vested as to 1,000,000 on January 1, 2017, the first anniversary of the grant date; 1,000,000 was due to vest on the second anniversary of the grant date and a further 1,000,000 was due to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
On March 31, 2017, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brian Boutte tendered his resignation and the remaining unvested options for 2,000,000 shares of common stock were cancelled. The 1,000,000 options which vested on January 1, 2017, were not exercised within 30 days of resignation by Mr. Boutte and have been forfeited.
In the event of the employees’ termination, the Company will cease to recognize compensation expense.
The Company has applied fair value accounting for all share based payment awards since inception. The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. There is no deferred compensation recorded upon initial grant date, instead, for employees, the fair value of the share-based payment is recognized ratably over the stated vesting period. For consultants, the fair value is recognized as expense immediately.
A summary of all of our option activity during the period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 is as follows:
No. of shares | Exercise price per share | Weighted average exercise price | ||||||||||
Outstanding January 1, 2016 | 380,950 | $0.51 to $13.50 | $ | 0.90 | ||||||||
Granted – non plan options | 4,000,000 | $0.08 to $0.09 | 0.90 | |||||||||
Forfeited/cancelled | (1,000,000 | ) | $ | 0.08 | 0.08 | |||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding December 31, 2016 | 3,380,950 | $0.08 to $13.50 | 0.18 | |||||||||
Granted - non plan options | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited/cancelled | (3,000,000 | ) | $ | 0.08 | 0.08 | |||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding December 31, 2017 | 380,950 | $0.08 to $13.50 | $ | 0.90 |
Stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 as disclosed in the above table, have an intrinsic value of $0 and $0, respectively.
F-25 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued) |
c) | Stock Options (continued) |
The options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Options outstanding | Options exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise price | No. of shares | Weighted average remaining years | Weighted average exercise price | No. of shares | Weighted average exercise price | |||||||||||||||||
$ | 13.50 | 3,480 | 1.45 | 3,480 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 12.50 | 2,000 | 2.78 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 8.50 | 500 | 3.50 | 500 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 5.00 | 14,800 | 3.79 | 14,800 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.65 | 36,924 | 5.25 | 36,924 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.63 | 38,096 | 0.50 | 38,096 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.51 | 285,150 | 2.28 | 285,150 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
380,950 | 2.45 | 0.90 | 380,950 | 0.90 |
The Company has recorded an expense of $18,066 and $88,330 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 relating to options issued.
(d) | Warrants |
A summary of all of our warrant activity during the period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 is as follows:
No. of shares | Exercise price per share | Weighted average exercise price | ||||||||||
Outstanding January 1, 2016 | 6,339,498 | $0.15 to $0.30 | $ | 0.24 | ||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited/cancelled | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding December 31, 2016 | 6,339,498 | $0.15 to $0.30 | 0.24 | |||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited/cancelled | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding December 31, 2017 | 6,339,498 | $0.15 to $0.30 | $ | 0.24 |
The warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Warrants outstanding | Warrants exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise price | No. of shares | Weighted average remaining years | Weighted average exercise price | No. of shares | Weighted average exercise price | |||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.30 | 375,000 | 0.83 | 375,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.25 | 1,751,667 | 1.49 | 1,751,667 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.15 | 525,500 | 1.49 | 525,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.25 | 1,508,333 | 1.58 | 1,508,333 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.15 | 577,499 | 1.60 | 577,499 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.25 | 968,166 | 1.60 | 968,166 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.25 | 633,333 | 1.65 | 633,333 | ||||||||||||||||||
6,339,498 | 1.52 | 0.24 | 6,339,498 | 0.24 |
The warrants outstanding have an intrinsic value of $0 and $0 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
F-26 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11 | EQUITY BASED COMPENSATION |
Equity based compensation is made up as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2017 | Year ended December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Stock option compensation charge | $ | 18,066 | $ | 88,330 | ||||
$ | 18,066 | $ | 88,330 |
12 | OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) |
Year ended December 31, 2017 |
Year ended December 31, 2016 |
|||||||
License fee forgiven | $ | - | $ | 200,000 | ||||
Other | - | (6,333) | ||||||
$ | - | $ | 193,667 |
Other income in the prior period includes the forgiveness of the $200,000 license fee due to Novas BVI during the prior period.
13 | INCOME TAXES |
A reconciliation of the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2017 | Year ended December 31, 2016 | |||||||
% | % | |||||||
Tax expense at the federal statutory rate | (34 | ) | (34 | ) | ||||
State tax expense, net of the federal effect | (5 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||
Permanent timing differences | 1 | 5 | ||||||
Deferred taxation rate change | 243 | - | ||||||
Deferred income tax valuation allowance | (205 | ) | 34 | |||||
- | - |
Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets are as follows:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Deferred tax assets | ||||||||
Net operating losses | $ | 2,867,000 | $ | 4,703,000 | ||||
Valuation allowance | (2,867,000 | ) | (4,703,000 | ) | ||||
$ | - | $ | - |
The valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $2,867,000 and $4,703,000, respectively. The net change in the deferred income tax assets valuation allowance was $1,836,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, including a decrease in the valuation allowance of $1,464,000 due to the federal tax rate change from 35% to 21% in terms of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, discussed below. In the prior year the valuation allowance increased by $1,507,000. The increase includes a true up of the previous year’s estimate of net operating losses.
As of December 31, 2017, the prior three years remain open for examination by the federal or state regulatory agencies for purposes of an audit for tax purposes.
Our net operating loss carry-forwards of $11,026,000 begin to expire in 2032 and continue to expire through 2037. In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether or not it is more likely than not that some portion or all deferred income tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017 and significantly changes tax law in the United States by, among other items, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to 21% (effective January 1, 2018). The Act embraces a territorial system for the taxation of future foreign earnings and modifies certain business deductions by, among other changes, repealing the domestic production activities deduction, further limiting the deductibility of certain executive compensation and increasing the limitation on the deductibility of certain meals and entertainment expenses. On the other hand, the Act permits 100% bonus depreciation on assets placed in service through 2022 (with a phase-out period through 2026). The full effects of these changes will be reflected for the first time in the determination of income tax expense for the year ending December 31, 2018. The Company determined that it had no liability as of December 31, 2018 for the one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries imposed by the Act.
The Company will evaluate the impact of the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provision of the Act, beginning with the year ending December 31, 2018, the year for which it will first apply. The FASB has issued guidance stating that a company may elect to treat the additional taxes due in the United States as a result of GILTI inclusions as current period expenses when incurred or to include such amounts in the company’s determination of deferred taxes. The Company has not yet elected a method and will do so once the impact of GILTI has been evaluated.
F-27 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14 | NET LOSS PER SHARE |
Basic loss per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted loss per share is based on basic shares as determined above plus common stock equivalents, including convertible preferred shares and convertible notes as well as the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options using the treasury stock method. The computation of diluted net loss per share does not assume the issuance of common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect on net loss per share. For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, all stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, warrants, convertible preferred stock and convertible notes were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share. Dilutive shares which could exist pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock instruments and which were not included in the calculation because their affect would have been anti-dilutive are as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2017 | Year ended December 31, 2016 | |||||||
Stock options | 380,950 | 3,380,950 | ||||||
Warrants to purchase shares of common stock | 6,339,498 | 6,339,498 | ||||||
Series A-1 convertible preferred shares | 31,375,000 | 31,375,000 | ||||||
Series B convertible preferred shares | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 | ||||||
Series C convertible preferred shares | 120,000,000 | 120,000,000 | ||||||
162,095,448 | 165,095,448 |
15 | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
On January 1, 2016, the “Company entered into a three-year Employment Agreement with C. Brian Boutte (the “Boutte Employment Agreement”) to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Boutte was to also serve as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer. Under the Boutte Employment Agreement, for his service as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Boutte was to receive an annual base salary of $265,000, a sign on bonus of $60,000 and an annual performance bonus of up to 55% of his base salary, such bonus payable in cash or equity upon attainment of certain performance indicators established by the Company’s Board of Directors and Mr. Boutte. In connection with the entry into the Boutte Employment Agreement, Mr. Boutte was granted an option award exercisable for 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which will vest as to 1,000,000 shares on each of the one, two and three-year anniversary of the commencement of his employment with the Company. The Boutte Employment Agreement was amended on December 31, 2016 to provide for a term of six months ending June 30, 2017, a reduced annual base salary of $165,000 and a provision for immediate vesting of the options upon a Change of Control (as defined in the amendment).
Mr. Boutte tendered his resignation to the Board of Directors on March 31, 2017.
F-28 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16 | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
The Company disposed of its Crystal Magic, Inc. subsidiary effective December 31, 2013. In terms of the sale agreement entered into by the Company, the purchaser has been indemnified against all liabilities whether contingent or otherwise, claimed by third parties, this includes claims by creditors of the Company amounting to $372,090 and claims against long-term liabilities of $848,916. Management does not consider it likely that these claims will materialize and accordingly no provision has been made for these contingent liabilities.
The Company entered into a lease agreement for approximately 3,733 square feet of office and warehouse space in Houston, the term of the lease was for 39 months commencing on March 1, 2016 and terminating on May 31, 2019. The lease provided for the first month to be rent free, the fourteenth month to be rent free and the twenty-seventh month to be rent free. Monthly rentals, including estimated operating costs, for the first 12 months, excluding the free rental month amounted to approximately $3,410 per month, escalating at a rate of 1.7% per annum, after excluding the free rental months. This lease agreement was amended, and the lease terminated with effect from May 31, 2017 with a final payment of $2,000 and the forfeiture of the security deposit of $6,968.
The Company entered into an Office Service Agreement on May 16, 2017 whereby it has a lease to use an office in a business center, together with all telecommunication services and access to conference rooms, kitchens and all utilities, the agreement is for a period of six months commencing on June 1, 2017 and terminated on November 30, 2017. The Company paid a monthly amount of $530 in terms of the Office Service Agreement.
F-29 |
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17 | JOINT VENTURE |
On October 4, 2016, Novas Energy USA, Inc. (“Novas USA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, delivered a notice to Technovita Technologies USA, Inc. (“Technovita”) electing to dissolve its joint venture with Technovita (the “Joint Venture”), effective November 1, 2016, pursuant to Section 11.1(b) of the Operating Agreement of Novas Energy North America, LLC (“NENA”), dated October 22, 2015 (the “Operating Agreement”), by and among Novas USA and Technovita.
Pursuant to the Operating Agreement, Novas USA had entered into a sublicense agreement (the “Novas Sublicense Agreement”) with NENA and Novas Energy Group Limited for NENA to be the exclusive provider of Plasma Pulse Technology for treatment of vertical wells to third parties in the United States. The Sublicense Agreement was terminated upon termination of the Joint Venture.
18 | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
The Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with an affiliate (the “Purchaser”) of Ervington Investment Limited (“Ervington”), the current holder of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to sell to the Purchaser substantially all of its assets, including all pertinent intellectual property rights, comprising its business of implementing its plasma pulse technology, for $650,000 (the “Asset Sale”). The Asset Purchase Agreement provided, among other things, that the Asset Sale is conditioned on its approval by holders of a majority of the Company’s voting securities, exclusive of the securities held by Ervington (a “majority of the minority”).
The Company had also entered into an agreement with Ervington (the “Share Repurchase Agreement”) to repurchase all of its outstanding securities held by Ervington for $8,500,000 (the “Share Repurchase”), which repurchase will occur at the same time as the Asset Sale. The repurchase will constitute a change of control and upon consummation of the repurchase, Ivan Persiyanov, will resign from all positions he holds as an officer and director of the Company and its subsidiaries. After the completion of the Asset Sale, the Company expects to cease all activities related to its existing business while evaluating other business opportunities, which include potentially acquiring a technology and oilfield services business, of which two of the Company’s current directors (Messrs. Huemoeller and Zotos) own a minority equity interest. The Company has not entered into an agreement with any potential acquisition candidate and has only been in the early stages of discussion.
On March 23, 2018, after receipt of the approval of the majority shareholder, the majority of the minority shareholders, the Company sold substantially all of the Company’s assets for $650,000 and repurchased the outstanding securities held by Ervington for $8,500,000. On March 23, 2018, Mr. Persiyanov resigned as an officer and director and Mr. Zotos was appointed the interim Chief Executive Officer. On May 31, 2018, Mr. Zotos was also appointed as the Interim Chief Financial Officer.
On May 2, 2018, Christopher Headrick was appointed as a director.
On May 2, 2018, we issued to each of our three directors, 10,000,000 shares of restricted common stock, vesting as to 1/3 of the grant immediately, 1/3 of the grant on the one year anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 of the grant on the two year anniversary of the grant date.
Other than disclosed above, in accordance with ASC 855-10, the Company has analyzed its operations subsequent to December 31, 2017 to the date these financial statements were issued, and has determined that it does not have any material subsequent events to disclose in these financial statements.
F-30 |
Item 9. Changes and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), the Company carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who also serves as our principal financial and accounting officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s CEO who also serves as our principal financial and accounting officer concluded that due to a lack of segregation of duties and insufficient controls over review and accounting for certain complex transactions, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017 were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, was recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Once we acquire a new business, we intend to retain additional individuals to remedy the ineffective controls. However, we cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting, as modified, will enable us to identify or avoid material weaknesses in the future.
Changes in Internal Control
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during our year ended December 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Internal Controls
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13(a)-15. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer who is also our Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
· | Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; |
· | Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and directors; and |
· | Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. It is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. It also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override.
15 |
Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process certain safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, known as COSO, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Based upon this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On May 31, 2018, John Zotos, was appointed as our Interim Chief Financial Officer.
16 |
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Directors and Executive Officers
The directors, officers and key employees of the Company are as follows:
Name | Age | Position | ||
John W. Huemoeller II (1) | 62 | Director (Former Chief Executive Officer/President/Chairman) | ||
John Zotos (2) | 57 | Interim Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director | ||
Christopher Headrick (3) | 54 | Director |
(1) | On March 23, 2018, Mr. Huemoeller was appointed as Chairman of the Board. On January 1, 2016, Mr. Huemoeller resigned as our Chief Executive Officer and President. |
(2) | On March 23, 2018, upon the resignation of Mr. Persiyanov, Mr. Zotos was appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer and on May 31, 2018 he was appointed interim Chief Financial Officer. On March 6, 2013, Mr. Zotos was appointed as our Secretary and a director. |
(3) | ) On May 2, 2018, Mr. Headrick was appointed a director. |
John W. Huemoeller II
Mr. Huemoeller has served as a director since March 6, 2013, and also served as our Chief Executive Officer and President, as well as Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Executive Officer of Novas from March 6, 2013 until January 1, 2016. Mr. Huemoeller has over 30 years’ experience in investment banking, finance, sales and marketing. Mr. Huemoeller began his career as an investment advisor in 1982 with M.L. Stern & Company a municipal bond firm in California and became a registered principal in 1985 managing retail brokers. He has previously been registered with various state insurance boards, as well as with the Chicago Board of Trade as a commodities broker. Mr. Huemoeller has held positions at Smith Barney, Drexel Burnham, Prudential Securities, and Paine Webber and has extensive experience in stocks, bonds, commodities, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and private placement transactions.
17 |
From April 2012 until March 2013, Mr. Huemoeller had been the President of Joshua Tree Capital Inc., an independent corporate finance advisory firm specializing in providing strategic capital formation guidance to public and private small cap oil and gas companies. From March 2009 to April 2012, Mr. Huemoeller was a FINRA-registered investment banker focused on all aspects of taking company’s public, deal structure and Institutional placement of both debt and equity transactions with Buckman, Buckman and Reid. From August 2008 to March 2009, Mr. Huemoeller worked with Greenstone Holdings Group, LLC; an advisory firm with an emphasis on helping Chinese companies go public in the United States from January 2008 to July 2008, Mr. Huemoeller worked at Aspenwood Capital, a division of Green Drake Securities as an Investment Banker. Mr. Huemoeller previously served as Chairman and CEO of HumWare Media Corp, a publicly traded software development, media and technology company which he started in 1998 and was responsible for acquisition strategies and the day-to-day corporate operations. Mr. Huemoeller is co-author of U.S. Patent #5,855,005. Mr. Huemoeller completed various studies in the Bachelor of Business Administration Program at the University of Minnesota and has previously held Series 3, 7, 24, 63 and 79 Securities Licenses.
Mr. Huemoeller’s financial experience, specifically with oil and gas companies, provides him with the attributes that make him a valuable member of the Company’s Board of Directors. His service on other public company boards brings to us important knowledge regarding corporate governance.
John Zotos
Mr. Zotos was appointed as a director on March 6, 2013. He also serves as a director of Novas. Since July 2007, he has served as a principal and a managing partner of JC Holdings, LLC, a company engaged in the business of buying, selling and managing heavy equipment and commercial real estate.
Mr. Zotos brings to the Board significant business experience. Mr. Zotos’ prior business experience, especially his experience in the on-line industry, gives him a broad and extensive understanding of our operations and our industry. Due to his business background, he has a broad understanding of the operational, financial and strategic issues facing public companies.
Christopher Headrick
Mr Headrick was appointed to the Board of Directors on May 2, 2018.Mr. Headrick has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Wyoming Energy Corp., a company engaged in the oil and gas business, since May 2012. Mr. Headrick is also the principal of Christopher Headrick LLC, an energy consulting firm he founded in June 2015. He also has served since February 2017 as the Chief Executive Officer of H2 Energy Group, a company engaged in the hydrogen energy production business.
Mr. Headrick was selected as a director due to his vast experience in the oil and gas industry.
Term of Office
Our directors hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders or until removed from office in accordance with our bylaws. Our officers are appointed by our Board of Directors and hold office until removed by the board.
18 |
Employment Agreements and Arrangements
On March 23, 2017, Mr. Zotos was appointed as our Interim Chief Executive Officer in the place of Mr. Persiyanov who resigned as our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer. On May 31, 2018, Mr. Zotos was appointed as our Interim Chief Financial Officer. We have not entered into a written agreement with Mr. Zotos; however, Mr. Zotos has agreed to serve as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer for compensation of $10,000 per month
.
On April 17, 2015, Mr. Persiyanov was appointed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. We did not enter into a written agreement with Mr. Persiyanov; however, Mr. Persiyanov has agreed to serve as the new President and Chief Executive Officer for compensation of $1 per year for the next twelve months.
On January 1, 2016, we entered into a three-year Employment Agreement with C. Brian Boutte (the “Original Boutte Employment Agreement”) to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. Under the Original Boutte Employment Agreement, for his service as our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Boutte received an annual base salary of $265,000, and an annual performance bonus of up to 55% of his base salary, such bonus payable in cash or equity upon attainment of certain performance indicators established by our Board of Directors and Mr. Boutte. Upon commencement of employment, Mr. Boutte received a sign on bonus of $60,000. In connection with the entry into the Boutte Employment Agreement, Mr. Boutte was granted an option award exercisable for 3,000,000 shares of our common stock, which vest as to 1,000,000 shares on each of the one, two and three-year anniversary of the commencement of his employment. On December 31, 2016 we entered into a new employment agreement (the “Second Boutte Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Boutte that replaced the Original Boutte Employment Agreement. The Second Boutte Employment Agreement had a term of six months ending on June 30, 2016 and an annual base salary of $165,000.
On March 31, 2017, Mr. Boutte resigned as our Chief Executive Officer.
19 |
Employees
At December 31, 2016 we had one part-time employee.
Director Independence
Although our common stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, for purposes of independence we use the definition of independence applied by the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Board has determined that Mr. Headrick is an independent director. Mr. Huemoeller is not independent due to his prior positions with our company and Novas and Mr. Zotos is not independent due to his current positions with our company.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors acts as our audit committee. Messrs Huemoeller and. Zotos are aach “audit committee financial experts,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
Upon evaluating our internal controls, our board of directors determined that our internal controls are not adequate to ensure that financial information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
20 |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities of Pledge. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. These filings are publicly available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us and our review of the SEC’s website, we believe that during fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with.
Code of Ethics
We have established and maintain a Code of Ethics which is applicable to all employees, officers, and directors. Our policy is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. It also communicates our expectations of our employees and helps enable us to provide accurate and timely disclosure in our filings with the SEC and other public communications. In addition, the policy incorporates guidelines pertaining to topics such as environmental compliance, health and safety compliance; diversity and non-discrimination; vendor relations, employee privacy; and business continuity.
We will provide any person without charge, upon written or oral request to our corporate headquarters, a copy of our Code of Ethics.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following table discloses the compensation that was paid to our executive officers in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Plan Compensation ($) | Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ivan Persiyanov, Former President ,CEO and interim CFO(1) | 2017 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Boutte, President , | 2017 | 48,416 | - | - | - | - | 13,412 | 61,828 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CEO and interim CFO(1)32)43) | 2016 | 265,000 | 60,000 | 216,789 | - | - | 43,230 | 585,019 |
(1) | Mr. Persiyanov was appointed our Chief Executive Officer, President and Interim Chief Financial Officer on March 31, 2017 when Mr. Boutte resigned. |
(2) | The amounts disclosed as bonus for Mr. Boutte represents a once-off signing bonus. |
(3) | Mr. Boutte was awarded 3,000,000 options on January 1, 2016. These options were valued at $216,789 using a Black Scholes option pricing model. These options vested as to 1,000,000 shares on January 1, 2017. Mr. Boutte resigned as our Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2017. |
(4) | All other compensation for Mr. Boutte includes $16,985 for company contributed healthcare; $20,489 for company contributions to Mr. Boutte’s 401K plan and $5,756 for lease payments on a vehicle utilized by Mr. Boutte. |
21 |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information relating to equity awards outstanding at the end of December 31, 2017 for each Named Executive Officer.
OPTION AWARDS | STOCK AWARDS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of securities underlying unexercised options Exercisable (#) | Number of securities underlying unexercised options Unexercisable (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unearned options (#) | Option exercise price ($) | Option expiry date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Boutte (1) | - | 3,000,000 | - | 0.09 | 1/1/2021 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ivane Persiyanov (2) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
(1) | Mr. Boutte was awarded five year options exercisable over 3,000,000 shares of common stock in terms of an employment agreement entered into with him. These options vest as to 1,000,000 on January 1, 2017, 1,000,000 on January 1, 2018 and 1,000,000 on January 1, 2019. Mr. Boutte resigned as our Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2017 and the reaming unvested options were cancelled. |
Option Exercises
No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Name | Grant Date | Number of securities underlying restricted stock awards | Number of securities underlying restricted stock awards Vested | Number of securities underlying restricted stock awards Not Vested | Grant date fair value of restricted stock awards ($ per share) | |||||||||||||
John Huemoeller | December 5, 2014 | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 | - | 0.18 | |||||||||||||
John Zotos | December 5, 2014 | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | - | 0.18 |
22 |
Directors Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation paid or earned by the Directors who were not Named Executive Officers for services rendered in all capacities during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Name | Fees earned or paid in cash ($) | Stock awards ($) | Option awards ($) | Non-Equity Plan Compensation ($) | Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ivan Persiyanov | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
John Huemoeller(1) | 25,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
John Zotos(1)(2) | 25,000 | - | - | - | - | 18,125 | 43,125 |
(1) | Mr. Huemoeller and Mr. Zotos were paid directors fees from August 2017 at $5,000 per month. |
(2) | Mr. Zotos provided consulting services to us in the form of secretarial duties through his company ZotoZulu that amounted to $18,125, disclosed under “all other compensation”. |
None of our directors, who are not named executive officers have any options outstanding at December 31, 2017.
We also reimburse directors for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board of Director and committee meetings and any other company related business.
The following table sets forth information relating to Restricted Stock awards outstanding for our directors who were not Named Executive Officers as at December 31, 2017.
Name | Grant Date | Number of securities underlying restricted stock awards | Number of securities underlying restricted stock awards Vested | Number of securities underlying restricted stock awards Not Vested | Grant date fair value of restricted stock awards ($ per share) | |||||||||||||
John Huemoeller | December 5, 2014 | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 | - | 0.18 | |||||||||||||
John Zotos | December 5, 2014 | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | - | 0.18 |
On May 2, 2018, we issued to each of our three directors, 10,000,000 shares of restricted common stock, vesting as to 1/3 of the grant immediately, 1/3 of the grant on the one year anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 of the grant on the two year anniversary of the grant date.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table indicates beneficial ownership of our common stock, ownership of our series B Preferred Stock, and the total voting power of our shareholders as of May 8, 2018, by: (1) each person known by us to be the owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock; (2) each person known to us to be the owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock ; (3) each of our directors; (4) each of our executive officers; and (5) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. In general, “beneficial ownership” includes those shares a person has sole or shared power to vote or transfer (whether or not owned directly) and rights to acquire common stock through the exercise of stock options or warrants that are exercisable currently or become exercisable within 60 days of May 8, 2018. Except as indicated otherwise, the person’s name in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the individuals listed below is c/o Pledge Petroleum Corp., 11811 North Freeway, 5th Floor, Suite 513, Houston, TX 77060.
Name of beneficial owner | Amount and nature of beneficial ownership, including common stock | Percentage of common stock beneficially owned (1) | Percentage of total voting power (2) | |||||||||
John Huemoeller | 20,000,000 | (3) | 8.5 | % | 8.5 | % | ||||||
John Zotos | 13,160,000 | (4) | 5.6 | % | 5.5 | % | ||||||
Christopher Headrick | 10,000,000 | (5) | 4.2 | % | 4.2 | % | ||||||
Ivan Persiyanov | - | (6) | * | * | ||||||||
Brain Boutte | - | (7) | * | * | ||||||||
5% Shareholders | ||||||||||||
Demesne Holdings Limited | 12,500,000 | (8) | 5.3 | % | 5.2 | % | ||||||
Viktoria Akhmetova | 12,500,000 | (9) | 5.3 | % | 5.2 | % | ||||||
Charles Hoogland | 4,000,000 | **(10) | 1.7 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||||
All officers and directors as a group (5 persons) | 43,160,000 | 6.4 | % | 6.3 | % |
23 |
* | Less than 1% |
** | Includes all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock on an “as converted basis” |
(1) | Based on 234,256,464 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May 8, 2018. |
(2) | Based on the voting rights attached to each class of shares, which vote as a single class together with common stockholders. Each share of common stock exercises one vote per share, each Series B Preferred Stock exercises one hundred votes per share (for an aggregate of 4,000,000 votes based on 40,000 outstanding Series B Preferred Stock) on an “as converted basis” The outstanding and vested shares of common stock and preferred stock, as of May 8, 2018 are entitled to an aggregate of 238,256,464 votes. |
(3) | Includes 20,000,000 shares of common stock. Mr. Huemoeller was granted 10,000,000 shares of our restricted stock. Mr. Huemoeller was granted 10,000,000 shares of our restricted stock in _May 2018 that vested as to 1/3 of the grant immediately, 1/3 of the grant on the one year anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 of the grant on the two year anniversary of the grant date.___. |
(4) | Includes 3,000,000 shares of common stock. Mr. Zotos was granted 3,000,000 shares of restricted stock, 160,000 shares of common stock owned by the wife of Mr. Zotos and 10,000,000 shares of our restricted stock issued in May 2018 that vested as to 1/3 of the grant immediately, 1/3 of the grant on the one year anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 of the grant on the two year anniversary of the grant date. |
(5) | Includes 10,000,000 shares of our restricted stock issued in May 2018 that vested as to 1/3 of the grant immediately, 1/3 of the grant on the one year anniversary of the grant date and 1/3 of the grant on the two year anniversary of the grant date | |
(6) | Mr. Boutte resigned as our Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2017 | |
(7) | Mr. Persiyanov resigned as an officer and director on March 23, 2018 | |
(8) | Includes 12,500,000 shares of common stock held by Demesne Holdings Limited. The registered address is Heritage Plaza, Main Street, Charlestown, Nevis. | |
(9) | Includes 12,500,000 shares of common stock held by Viktoria Akhmetova, 100 9 Gzhatskaya Street, St Petersburg, 195220, Russia | |
(10) | Includes 40,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock convertible into 4,000,000 shares of our common stock. The 40,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock represents 100% of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The address of the beneficial owner is Charles Hoogland, 2440 S. Willemoore, Springfield, Illinois 62704. |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Except as described under Executive Compensation and except for the Asset Sale and Share Repurchase, none of our directors and executive officers nor any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, shares equaling more than 5% of our common stock, nor any members of the immediate family (including spouse, parents, children, siblings, and in- laws) of any of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction that we have entered into since January 1, 2016.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
On February 3, 2016, the Company engaged RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.
Service | Fiscal 2017 | Fiscal 2016 | ||||||
Audit Fees | $ | 55,500 | $ | 54,000 | ||||
Audit-related Fees | - | - | ||||||
Tax Fees | 8,000 | 4,000 | ||||||
All Other Fees | - | - | ||||||
$ | 63,500 | $ | 58,000 |
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Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) | The financial statements listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report. All financial statement schedules have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto. |
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101.INS | XBRL Instance Document(1) | ||
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(1) | ||
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(1) | ||
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(1) | ||
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(1) | ||
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(1) |
(1) | Filed herewith | |
* | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be identified pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of this report. |
None
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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.
PLEDGE PETROLEUM CORP.
By: | /s/ John Zotos | |
John Zotos | ||
Interim Chief Executive Officer and | ||
Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Executive Officer, | ||
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting | ||
Officer) |
Date: May 31, 2018
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: May 31, 2018 | By: | /s/ John Zotos | |
John Zotos, Secretary and Director | |||
Date: May 31, 2018 | By: | /s/ John Huemoeller | |
John Huemoeller, Director | |||
Date: May 31, 2018 | By: | /s/ Christopher Headrick | |
Christopher Headrick |
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