Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-134156
PROSPECTUS
BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY
(BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY LOGO)
1,694,332 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
This prospectus relates to the resale of 1,694,332 shares of our common
stock by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus on page 12. Of
the shares offered, 1,661,894 shares are issued and outstanding and 32,438
shares are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants. The
selling stockholders may sell the shares of common stock described in this
prospectus in public or private transactions, at prevailing market prices or at
privately negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may sell shares directly
to purchasers or through brokers or dealers. Brokers or dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling stockholders.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by the
selling stockholders. We will, in the ordinary course of business, receive
proceeds from the issuance of shares upon exercise of the warrants described in
this prospectus, unless such warrants are exercised on a cashless basis. The
selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of the
shares and will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any,
applicable to the sale of the shares.
We will pay the expenses of registration of the sale of shares. It is not
possible at the present time to determine the price to the public in any sale of
the shares by the selling stockholders and each selling stockholder reserves the
right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of shares.
Accordingly, the public offering price, the amount of any applicable
underwriting discounts and commissions and the net proceeds to the selling
stockholders will be determined at the time of such sale by the selling
stockholders.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol
"BDCO." On August 4, 2006, the closing sale price of our common stock was $5.18.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK
FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 2 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is August 7, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY.......................................... 1
RISK FACTORS................................................ 2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS....... 9
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 9
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE............. 10
PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS.............. 11
USE OF PROCEEDS............................................. 11
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS........................................ 12
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION........................................ 14
LEGAL MATTERS............................................... 16
EXPERTS..................................................... 16
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We
have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different.
The selling stockholders are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy shares
of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.
The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of
this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any
sale of our common stock.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information described more fully elsewhere
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary may not contain
all the information that is important to you. We urge you to read the entire
prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, before making an
investment decision with respect to our securities. References in this
prospectus to the terms "we," "us," "our" or other similar terms mean Blue
Dolphin Energy Company and its subsidiaries.
THE COMPANY
Blue Dolphin Energy Company, a Delaware corporation formed in 1986, is a
holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through its
subsidiaries. We conduct our business activities in two primary business
segments: (i) pipeline transportation and related services for
producer/shippers, and (ii) oil and gas exploration and production.
Substantially all of our assets consist of equity interests in our subsidiaries.
Our operating subsidiaries are:
- Blue Dolphin Pipe Line Company, a Delaware corporation;
- Blue Dolphin Petroleum Company, a Delaware corporation;
- Blue Dolphin Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation; and
- Blue Dolphin Services Co., a Texas corporation.
Our principal executive office is located at 801 Travis, Suite 2100,
Houston, Texas 77002, and our telephone number is (713) 227-7660.
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by the selling Up to 1,694,332(1) shares of our common
stockholders stock
Use of Proceeds We will not receive any proceeds from the
sale of shares of our common stock
covered by this prospectus. We will
receive proceeds from the exercise of the
warrants described in this prospectus.
Risk Factors In analyzing an investment in our common
stock offered by this prospectus, you
should carefully consider the information
set forth under "Risk Factors."
(1) Includes 32,438 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding warrants. The number of shares of common stock that may be
issued upon exercise of the warrants is subject to adjustment to prevent
dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, the issuance of
common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock
at prices below certain thresholds or similar events.
We have reserved for issuance the shares of our common stock identified in
this prospectus that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants. The shares of
our common stock which are being sold by the selling stockholders are
"restricted securities" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The
selling stockholders will determine if and when they will sell their shares and
if they will sell their shares at the current market price or at negotiated
prices at the time of the sale. Although we have agreed to pay the expenses
related to the registration of the shares being offered, we will not receive any
proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You
should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the information
set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before deciding to
invest in our common stock. If any of the following risks and uncertainties
develop into actual events, our business, financial condition or results of
operations and the trading price of our common stock could be materially
adversely affected and you may lose all or part of your investment.
RISK RELATED TO THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS
WE ARE PRIMARILY DEPENDENT ON REVENUES FROM OUR PIPELINE SYSTEMS AND OUR WORKING
INTERESTS IN TWO OIL AND GAS PRODUCING PROPERTIES.
Although revenues from oil and gas sales accounted for approximately 69.5%
of our total revenues in 2005, as a result of our sale of substantially all of
our proved oil and gas reserves in 2002 and the limited amount of reserves on
properties we own interests in, we expect that our future revenues will be
primarily dependent on the level of use of our pipeline systems. Various factors
will influence the level of use of our pipeline systems including the success of
drilling programs in the areas near our pipelines and our ability to attract new
producer/shippers. There are various pipelines in and around our pipeline
systems that we vigorously compete with to attract new producer/shippers to our
pipeline systems. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in
attracting new producer/shippers to our pipeline systems.
Furthermore, the rate of production from oil and gas properties generally
declines as reserves are depleted. Our working interests are in properties in
the Gulf of Mexico where, generally, the rate of production declines more
rapidly than in many other producing areas of the world. As the level of
production from these properties declines our revenue from our interests in
these properties will decrease. Unless we are able to replace this revenue, with
revenue from interests in other oil and gas properties, increase the level of
utilization of our pipelines or acquire other revenue generating assets at an
acceptable cost, our revenues and cash flow from operations will decrease.
THE GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF OUR ASSETS MAY HAVE A GREATER EFFECT ON US AS
COMPARED TO OTHER COMPANIES.
All of our assets are located in the Gulf of Mexico and the onshore gulf
coast of Texas. Because our assets are not as diversified geographically as many
of our competitors, we are more sensitive to regional events than other, larger
and more geographically diversified companies. Any regional events, including
price fluctuations, natural disasters, and restrictive regulations, that
increase costs, impacts the exploration and development of oil and gas in the
Gulf of Mexico, reduce availability of equipment or supplies, reduce demand for
oil and gas production may impact our business more than if our assets were
geographically diversified.
IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FROM OUR OPERATIONS AND OTHER
FINANCING SOURCES, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FINANCE OUR OPERATIONS.
We have historically needed substantial amounts of cash to fund our working
capital requirements. Because we have experienced a negative working capital
position in past years, we have been dependent on debt and equity financing to
meet our working capital requirements that were not funded from operations.
Low commodity prices, production problems, declines in production,
disappointing drilling results and other factors beyond our control could reduce
our funds from operations. As a result we may have to seek debt and equity
financing to meet our working capital requirements. Furthermore, we have
incurred losses in the past that may affect our ability to obtain financing. In
addition, financing may not be available to us in the future on acceptable terms
or at all. In the event additional capital is not available, we may be forced to
sell some of our assets on unfavorable terms or an unfavorable basis.
2
WE FACE STRONG COMPETITION FROM LARGER COMPANIES THAT MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR
ABILITY TO CARRY ON OPERATIONS.
We operate in a highly competitive industry. Our competitors include major
integrated oil companies, substantial independent energy companies, affiliates
of major interstate and intrastate pipelines and national and local gas
gatherers, many of which possess greater financial and other resources than we
do. Our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace is affected by many
factors including:
- most of our competitors have greater financial resources than we do,
which gives them better access to capital to acquire assets; and
- we often establish a higher standard for the minimum projected rate of
return on invested capital than some of our competitors since we
cannot afford to absorb certain risks, which we believe puts us at a
competitive disadvantage in acquiring pipelines and oil and gas
properties.
OIL AND GAS PRICES ARE VOLATILE AND A SUBSTANTIAL AND EXTENDED DECLINE IN THE
PRICE OF OIL AND GAS WOULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON US.
The tightening of natural gas supply and demand fundamentals has resulted
in higher, but extremely volatile, natural gas prices, and this volatility in
natural gas prices is expected to continue. Our revenues, profitability,
operating cash flow and our potential for growth are largely dependent on
prevailing oil and gas prices. Prices for oil and gas are subject to large
fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the supply and demand
for oil and gas, uncertainties within the market and a variety of other factors
beyond our control. These factors include:
- weather conditions in the United States;
- the condition of the United States economy;
- the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries;
- governmental regulation;
- political stability in the Middle East, South America and elsewhere;
- the foreign supply of oil and gas;
- the price of foreign imports; and
- the availability of alternate fuel sources.
In addition, low or declining oil and gas prices could have collateral
effects that could adversely affect us, including the following:
- reducing the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves
held by third party companies around our pipeline systems;
- increasing our dependence on external sources of capital to meet our
cash needs; and
- generally impairing our ability to obtain needed capital.
3
RESERVE ESTIMATES DEPEND ON MANY ASSUMPTIONS THAT MAY PROVE TO BE INACCURATE.
ANY MATERIAL INACCURACIES IN OUR RESERVE ESTIMATES OR UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS
COULD CAUSE THE QUANTITIES AND NET PRESENT VALUE OF OUR RESERVES TO BE
OVERSTATED.
Estimating reserves of oil and gas is complex. The process relies on
interpretations of available geologic, geophysics, engineering and production
data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary. The process
also requires certain economic assumptions, some of which are mandated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, such as oil and gas prices,
drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of
funds. The accuracy of a reserve estimate is a function of:
- the quality and quantity of available data;
- the interpretation of that data;
- the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions; and
- the judgment of the persons preparing the estimate.
Actual quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves, future production,
oil and gas prices, taxes, development expenditures and operating expenses most
likely will vary from our estimates. Any significant variance could materially
affect the quantities and net present value of our reserves. In addition, we may
adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of
exploration and development and prevailing oil and gas prices. Our reserves also
may be susceptible to drainage by operators on adjacent properties.
The present value of future net cash flows will most likely not equate to
the current market value of our estimated proved oil and gas reserves. In
accordance with SEC requirements, we base the estimated discounted future net
cash flows from proved reserves on prices and costs in effect at December 31.
Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices
and costs we used.
WE CANNOT CONTROL THE ACTIVITIES ON PROPERTIES WE DO NOT OPERATE.
Currently, other companies operate or control the development of the oil
and gas properties in which we have an interest. As a result, we depend on the
operator of the wells or leases to properly conduct lease acquisition, drilling,
completion and production operations. The failure of an operator, or the
drilling contractors and other service providers selected by the operator to
properly perform services, or an operator's failure to act in ways that are in
our best interest, could adversely affect us, including the amount and timing of
revenues, if any, we receive from our interests.
We own and generally anticipate that we will typically continue to own
substantially less than a 50% working interest in our prospects and will
therefore engage in joint operations with other working interest owners. Since
we own or control less than a majority of the working interest in a prospect,
decisions affecting the prospect could be made by the owners of a majority of
the working interest. For instance, if we are unwilling or unable to participate
in the costs of operations approved by a majority of the working interests in a
well, our working interest in the well (and possibly other wells on the
prospect) will likely be subject to contractual "non-consent penalties." These
penalties may include, for example, full or partial forfeiture of our interest
in the well or a relinquishment of our interest in production from the well in
favor of the participating working interest owners until the participating
working interest owners have recovered a multiple of the costs which would have
been borne by us if we had elected to participate, which often ranges from 400%
to 600% of such costs.
WE HAVE PURSUED, AND INTEND TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE, ACQUISITIONS. OUR BUSINESS
MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE CANNOT EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATE ACQUIRED
OPERATIONS.
One of our business strategies has been to acquire operations and assets
that are complementary to our existing businesses. Acquiring operations and
assets involves financial, operational and legal risks. These risks include:
4
- inadvertently becoming subject to liabilities of the acquired company
that were unknown to us at the time of the acquisition, such as later
asserted litigation matters or tax liabilities;
- the difficulty of assimilating operations, systems and personnel of
the acquired businesses; and
- maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies.
Competition from other potential buyers could cause us to pay a higher
price than we otherwise might have to pay and reduce our acquisition
opportunities. We are often out-bid by larger, better capitalized companies for
acquisition opportunities we pursue. Moreover, our past success in making
acquisitions and in integrating acquired businesses does not necessarily mean we
will be successful in making acquisitions and integrating businesses in the
future.
OPERATING HAZARDS, INCLUDING THOSE PECULIAR TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, MAY
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.
Our operations are subject to inherent risks normally associated with those
operations, such as:
- pipeline ruptures;
- sudden violent expulsions of oil, gas and mud while drilling a well,
commonly referred to as a blowout;
- a cave in and collapse of the earth's structure surrounding a well,
commonly referred to as cratering;
- explosions;
- fires;
- pollution; and
- other environmental risks.
If any of these events were to occur, we could suffer substantial losses
from injury and loss of life, damage to and destruction of property and
equipment, pollution and other environmental damage and suspension of
operations. Our offshore operations are also subject to a variety of operating
risks peculiar to the marine environment, such as hurricanes or other adverse
weather conditions and more extensive governmental regulation. These regulations
may, in certain circumstances, impose strict liability for pollution damage or
result in the interruption or termination of operations.
LOSSES AND LIABILITIES FROM UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED DRILLING AND OPERATING
ACTIVITIES COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
We maintain several types of insurance to cover our operations, including
maritime employer's liability and comprehensive general liability. Amounts over
base coverages are provided by primary and excess umbrella liability policies
with maximum limits of $25 million. We also maintain operator's extra expense
coverage, which covers the control of drilled or producing wells as well as
re-drilling expenses and pollution coverage for wells out of control.
We may not be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates we
consider reasonable or losses may exceed the maximum limits under our insurance
policies. In 2004, in connection with the implementation of certain cost saving
measures, we cancelled the property insurance coverage on our pipelines. In
2005, we did not obtain property insurance coverage on our pipelines since we
were not able to acquire the coverage at what we believed to be reasonable
terms. If a significant event that is not fully insured or indemnified occurs,
it could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations.
5
COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS COULD BE COSTLY
AND COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR OPERATIONS.
Our operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations governing the
discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to
environmental protection. These laws and regulations may:
- require the acquisition of a permit before operations can be
commenced;
- restrict the types, quantities and concentration of various substances
that can be released into the environment from drilling and production
activities;
- limit or prohibit drilling and pipeline activities on certain lands
lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas;
- require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former
operations, such as plugging abandoned wells and abandoning pipelines;
and
- impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our
operations.
The recent trend toward stricter standards in environmental legislation and
regulation is likely to continue. The enactment of stricter legislation or the
adoption of stricter regulations could have a significant impact on our
operating costs, as well as on the oil and gas industry in general.
Our operations could result in liability for personal injuries, property
damage, oil spills, discharge of hazardous materials, remediation and clean-up
costs and other environmental damages. We could also be liable for environmental
damages caused by previous property owners. As a result, substantial liabilities
to third parties or governmental entities may be incurred which could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We
maintain insurance coverage for our operations, including limited coverage for
sudden and accidental environmental damages, but we do not believe that
insurance coverage for all environmental damages that occur over time or
complete coverage for sudden and accidental environmental damages is available
at a reasonable cost. Accordingly, we may be subject to liability or may lose
the privilege to continue exploration or production activities upon substantial
portions of our properties if certain environmental damages occur.
The Oil Pollution Act, or the OPA, imposes a variety of regulations on
"responsible parties" related to the prevention of oil spills. The
implementation of new, or the modification of existing, environmental laws or
regulations, including regulations promulgated pursuant to the OPA, could have a
material adverse impact on us.
WE WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 404 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO TIMELY COMPLY WITH SECTION 404 OR IF THE COSTS RELATED TO
COMPLIANCE ARE SIGNIFICANT, OUR PROFITABILITY, STOCK PRICE AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION COULD BE MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
We expect that we will be required to comply with the provisions of Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2007. Section 404 requires that we document and test our internal control over
financial reporting and issue management's assessment of our internal control
over financial reporting. Our principal financial and accounting officer
resigned effective as of July 15, 2005. Although we have been able to fill the
vacancy created by his resignation, we are a small company with limited
financial resources and our finance and accounting staff is very limited. We
have not started our review of our existing internal control structure and may
need to hire additional personnel or consultants in connection with our review.
We believe that the out-of-pocket and other additional costs, the diversion
of management's attention from running the day-to-day operations and operational
changes caused by the need to comply with the requirements of Section 404 could
be significant. If the time and costs associated with such compliance exceed our
current expectations, our profitability could be affected.
6
We cannot be certain at this time that we will be able to successfully
complete the procedures, certification and attestation requirements of Section
404 or that we or our auditors will not identify material weaknesses in internal
control over financial reporting. If we fail to satisfy the requirements of
Section 404 on a timely basis investors could lose confidence in our financial
statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the
trading price of our common stock.
RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING AND OWNERSHIP OF OUR SECURITIES
OUR COMMON STOCK HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO DELISTING FROM NASDAQ IN THE PAST, AND MAY
BE SUBJECT TO DELISTING FROM NASDAQ IN THE FUTURE.
On February 16, 2005, we received a notice from Nasdaq indicating that our
common stock did not meet the continued listing requirement for the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(4) because our
common stock traded below the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 for a
period of 30 consecutive business days. On March 17, 2005, we received notice
from Nasdaq confirming that we are in compliance with the $1.00 SmallCap minimum
bid price requirement.
Although we were able to regain compliance, because of the volatility in
our common stock price, there can be no assurance that we will be able to
maintain compliance in the future. During the past twelve months, the trading
price of our common stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market ranged from $1.87 per
share to $8.60 per share. While there are steps we can take to attempt to
address this situation, such as a reverse stock split, we cannot assure you that
our stock will maintain such minimum bid price requirement or that we will be
able to meet or maintain all of the Nasdaq SmallCap Market continued listing
requirements in the future. If, in the future, our minimum bid price is again
below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days, under the current Nasdaq
Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(8)(D), we will have a period of 180 days to attain
compliance by meeting the minimum bid price requirement for 10 consecutive days
during the compliance period. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
regain compliance in the future. If we are not able to regain compliance our
common stock could be delisted or the market value of our common stock could
fall and holders of our common stock will find it more difficult to sell their
shares of our common stock.
THERE ARE NO ASSURANCES THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN OUR LISTING ON THE NASDAQ SMALLCAP
MARKET AND THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LISTING COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE LIQUIDITY
OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
If we are unable to sustain compliance with all requirements for continued
listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, including Nasdaq's corporate governance
requirements, our common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
If our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the trading of
our common stock is likely to be conducted on the OTC Bulletin Board. The
delisting of our common stock from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market will result in
decreased liquidity of our outstanding shares of common stock and a resulting
inability of our stockholders to sell our common stock or obtain accurate
quotations as to their market value, which would reduce the price at which our
shares trade. The delisting of our common stock could also deter broker-dealers
from making a market in or otherwise generating interest in our common stock and
would adversely affect our ability to attract investors in our common stock.
Furthermore, our ability to raise capital would be severely impaired. As a
result of these factors, the value of the common stock would decline
significantly, and our stockholders could lose some or all of their investment.
SUBSTANTIAL SALES OF OUR COMMON STOCK BY THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS OR US COULD
CAUSE OUR STOCK PRICE TO DECLINE AND ISSUANCES BY US MAY DILUTE YOUR OWNERSHIP
INTEREST IN OUR COMPANY.
The 1,694,332 shares covered by this prospectus represents approximately
14.5% of our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis. We are unable to
predict the amount or timing of sales by the selling stockholders of our common
stock. Any sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market
by the selling stockholders or us, or the perception that these sales might
occur, could lower the market price of our common stock. Further, if we issue
additional equity securities to raise additional capital, your ownership
interest in our company may be diluted and the value of your investment may be
reduced.
7
THERE IS A LIMITED TRADING MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. Despite an
unusually high volume recently, the trading volume for our common stock has
historically been low. Daily trading volume for our common stock, as reported by
the Nasdaq SmallCap Market for the twelve months ended June 30, 2006, ranged
from a low of 18,700 shares to a high of 12,704,100 shares, with an average
daily volume of approximately 806,039 shares. Despite the increase in the number
of shares of common stock to be publicly held as a result of the exercise of
outstanding warrants, or should additional equity be issued, we cannot assure
you that the current level of activity will be sustained or that a more active
trading market will develop.
THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY BE VOLATILE.
The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant
fluctuations after this offering and may decline below the price paid. During
the past twelve months, the trading price of our common stock on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market ranged from $1.87 per share to $8.60 per share. You may not be
able to resell your shares at or above the price paid to acquire our common
stock. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:
- our operating and financial performance and prospects;
- quarterly variations in the rate of growth of our financial
indicators, such as earnings per share, net income and revenues;
- changes in revenue or earnings estimates;
- speculation in the press or investment community;
- sales of our common stock by stockholders, including the selling
stockholders;
- fluctuations in oil and gas prices;
- general market conditions; and
- U.S. and international economic, legal and regulatory factors
unrelated to our performance.
The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has
at times been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies.
These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our
common stock. Because there is a small public float in our common stock and it
is, and historically has been, thinly traded, sales of small amounts of common
stock in the public market could materially adversely affect the market price
for our common stock.
WE HAVE NO PLANS TO PAY DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK, SO STOCKHOLDERS MAY NOT
RECEIVE FUNDS WITHOUT SELLING THEIR COMMON STOCK.
We have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock. We generally intend
to invest our future earnings, if any, for general corporate purposes and
working capital needs. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion
of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings,
financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and
contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends, and other
considerations that our board of directors deems relevant. Accordingly,
investors may have to sell some or all of their common stock in order to realize
any return from their investment. Investors may realize a return on their
investment when they sell our common stock and may lose the entire amount of the
investment.
8
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements included in this prospectus, including those
regarding future financial performance or results or that are not historical
facts, are "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
The words "expect," "plan," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We
caution readers that these statements are not guarantees of future performance
or events and such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in
forward-looking statements. Some of the important factors, risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking
statements include:
- the level of utilization of our pipelines;
- availability and cost of capital;
- competition for pipeline transportation contracts;
- actions or inactions of third party operators for properties where we
have an interest;
- the risks associated with exploration;
- the level of production from oil and gas properties;
- the impact of volatility in oil and gas prices;
- uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the
projection of future rates of production and timing of development
expenditures;
- the impact of the acquisition or disposition of assets;
- the ability to obtain insurance coverage and the risks related to
uninsured losses;
- the cost and effect of unanticipated legal, tax or regulatory
proceedings or new laws or regulations;
- the effects of general economic conditions, including inflation, labor
costs and stock market volatility; and
- the continued listing and trading of our common stock.
Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed under the
caption "Risk Factors." Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We
undertake no duty to update these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged
to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us, which
attempt to advise interested parties of the additional factors, which may affect
our business.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 and related exhibits
with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by
this prospectus. In this prospectus, we refer to that registration statement,
together with all amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto, as "the
registration statement."
As is permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this prospectus,
which is part of the registration statement, omits some information, exhibits,
schedules and undertakings set forth in the registration statement. For further
information with respect to us, and the securities offered by this prospectus,
please refer to the registration
9
statement. You may inspect the registration statement and exhibits without
charge and obtain copies from the SEC at the location below.
We file current reports, quarterly reports, annual reports, proxy
statements and other documents with the SEC. You may read and copy those
reports, proxy statements and other documents we file at the SEC's Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by
calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. You may also obtain copies of these reports,
proxy statements and other documents at the SEC's website, the address of which
is http://www.sec.gov.
Alternatively, you may request a copy of our filings, which we will provide
at no cost, by writing to our Corporate Secretary at the following address:
Blue Dolphin Energy Company
801 Travis, Suite 2100
Houston, Texas 77002
Attn: Corporate Secretary
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which have previously been filed by us with the
SEC under the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
(1) Our annual report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 30, 2006
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005;
(2) Our quarterly report on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC on May 15, 2006
for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, as amended by the Form 10-QSB/A
filed with the SEC on July 12, 2006;
(3) Our current reports on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2006, April 3,
2006, May 1, 2006, May 18, 2006, May 24, 2006 and July 11, 2006; and
(4) The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-K, filed
June 5, 2000, including any amendments or reports filed to update the
description.
In addition, we incorporate by reference any future filings we make
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding
any information in those documents that is deemed by the rules of the SEC to be
furnished not filed) after the date of the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part and prior to the termination of this offering shall be
deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus by reference and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained
herein, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus incorporates documents by reference that are not delivered
herewith. Copies of these documents, other than the exhibits thereto (unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents), are
available upon written or oral request, at no charge, from us. Requests for such
copies should be directed to the Corporate Secretary of Blue Dolphin Energy
Company at 801 Travis, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002, or at (713) 227-7660.
10
PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS
On March 8, 2006, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with certain
investors named therein for the private placement of 1,171,432 shares of our
common stock, at a purchase price of $1.75 per share for an aggregate offering
price of $2,050,000. In connection with this offering, we issued warrants to
purchase 8,572 shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms and conditions
of the Placement Agency Agreement between us and Starlight Investments, LLC
dated May 27, 2005 (the "Placement Agency Agreement"). In addition, on April 28,
2006, we entered into another Stock Purchase Agreement with an institutional
investor for the private placement of 400,000 shares of our common stock at a
purchase price of $4.90 per share for an aggregate offering price of $1,960,000.
In connection with this offering, we issued warrants to purchase 24,000 shares
of our common stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Placement Agency
Agreement.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale of the shares of
common stock, including the resale of shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants.
11
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the selling
stockholders' ownership of our common stock as of July 25, 2006, and as adjusted
to reflect the assumed sale by the selling stockholders of all of our common
stock owned by the selling stockholders in this offering.
SHARES OF
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BEFORE THE OFFERING AFTER THE OFFERING (1)
---------------------- ----------------------
PERCENTAGE NUMBER PERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL OF SHARES OF TOTAL
NUMBER VOTING BEING NUMBER VOTING
SELLING STOCKHOLDER OF SHARES POWER (2) OFFERED OF SHARES POWER (2)
------------------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------
Hudson Bay Fund, LP (3)............. 542,848 4.7% 542,858 -- *
Spencer Energy AS (4)............... 286,858 2.5% 286,858 -- *
Spencer Finance Corporation (4)..... 555,885 4.8% 256,000 299,885 2.6%
Gilbo Invest AS (5)................. 478,139 4.1% 171,429 306,710 2.7%
Osler Holding Limited (6)........... 406,758 3.5% 142,858 263,900 2.3%
Don Fogel........................... 114,286 1.0% 114,286 -- *
SIBEX Capital Fund Inc. (7)......... 57,143 * 57,143 -- *
Blue Dolphin Services 401K.......... 30,000 * 30,000 -- *
Lane Capital Markets, LLC (8)....... 19,886 * 19,886 -- *
Michael J. Jacobson................. 92,742 * 12,968(9) 79,774 *
Amerifund Capital Groups, LLC (10).. 11,417 * 11,417 -- *
Gregory W. Starks................... 36,247 * 7,124(11) 29,123 *
Laurence N. Benz (12)............... 50,473 * 6,033(14) 44,440 *
Michael S. Chadwick (15)............ 6,033 * 6,033(14) -- *
Harris A. Kaffie (12)............... 813,040 7.0% 6,033(14) 807,007 7.0%
F. Gardner Parker (12).............. 147,846 1.3% 6,033(14) 141,813 1.2%
James M. Trimble (13)............... 6,033 * 6,033(14) -- *
Alvin Childs........................ 57,266 * 5,386(16) 51,880 *
Ivar Siem (12)...................... 635,145 5.5% 4,819(17) 630,326 5.2%
Bryan Emerson (18).................. 1,135 * 1,135 -- *
TOTAL: 1,694,332
----------
* Represents less than 1%.
(1) Assumes the sale of all shares that may be sold by that individual selling
stockholder under this prospectus.
(2) Based upon 11,547,849 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of
July 25, 2006.
(3) Yoav Roth and John Doscas, Principal and Portfolio Manager and President,
respectively, of Hudson Bay Fund, LP exercise voting and investment
authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder. Hudson Bay
Fund, LP is an affiliate of XTF Market Making LLC and XTF Capital LLC, both
registered broker-dealers. The shares were acquired in the ordinary course
of business by Hudson Bay Fund, LP and, at the time of issuance, it had no
agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any party to
distribute the shares.
(4) Arne Blystad and Viggo Leisner, control persons of both Spencer Energy AS
and Spence Finance Corporation, exercise voting and investment authority
over the shares held by these selling stockholders.
(5) Dr. Bjorn Gilbo, Chairman of the Board of Gilbo Invest AS, exercises voting
and investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.
12
(6) Michael J. Delouche, as attorney-in-fact for Osler Holdings Limited,
exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this
selling stockholder.
(7) Viacheslav I. Chebotarevich and Oleg S. Krasnoshchek, President and Vice
President, respectively, of SIBEX Capital Fund Inc. exercise voting and
investment authority over the shares held by this selling stockholder.
(8) Ryan M. Lane and John D. Lane, Partner and Managing Partner, respectively,
of Lane Capital Markets, LLC, exercises voting and investment authority
over the shares held by this selling stockholder. Lane Capital Markets, LLC
is a registered broker-dealer which received its shares as compensation for
investment banking services. Includes 19,886 shares issuable upon exercise
of warrants granted pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement.
(9) Mr. Jacobson is our President. Consists of 12,968 shares of common stock in
the Blue Dolphin Services Co. 401K Plan.
(10) Andrew J. Martin, Managing Partner of Amerifund Capital Groups, LLC,
exercises voting and investment authority over the shares held by this
selling stockholder. Amerifund Capital Groups, LLC is an affiliate of
Starlight Investments, LLC, a registered broker-dealer. Includes 11,417
shares issuable upon exercise of warrants granted pursuant to the Placement
Agency Agreement. The warrants were acquired in the ordinary course of
business by Amerifund Capital Groups, LLC and, at the time of issuance, it
had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any party
to distribute the warrants or the shares issuable thereunder.
(11) Mr. Starks is our Treasurer. Consists of 7,124 shares of common stock in
the Blue Dolphin Services Co. 401K Plan.
(12) Member of our Board of Directors.
(13) Former member of our Board of Directors.
(14) Consists of 6,033 shares of common stock issued as compensation for
services on our Board of Directors.
(15) Mr. Chadwick, a member of our Board of Directors, is Senior Vice President
and a Managing Director in the Corporate Finance Group of Sanders Morris
Harris, Inc., a registered broker-dealer.
(16) Consists of 5,386 shares of common stock in the Blue Dolphin Services Co.
401K Plan.
(17) Mr. Siem is our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Consists
of 292 shares of common stock and 4,527 shares of common stock in the Blue
Dolphin Services Co. 401K Plan.
(18) Mr. Emerson is an affiliate of Starlight Investments, LLC, a registered
broker-dealer. Includes 840 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants
granted pursuant to the Placement Agency Agreement. The warrant was
acquired in the ordinary course of business by Mr. Emerson and, at the time
of issuance, he had no agreements or understandings, directly or
indirectly, with any party to distribute the warrant or the shares issuable
thereunder.
13
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholders, including some of their transferees who may later
hold their interest in the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus
and who are otherwise entitled to resell their shares using this prospectus, may
sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time in any legal
manner selected by the selling stockholders, including directly to purchasers or
through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders
or the purchasers. These discounts, concessions or commissions as to any
particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those
customary in the types of transactions involved. The selling stockholders may
act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the pricing, timing,
manner and size of each sale of securities covered by this prospectus.
The selling stockholders have advised us that the shares may be sold in one
or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of
sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, at varying prices
determined at the time of sale and/or at negotiated prices. These sales may be
effected at various times in one or more transactions, which may include:
- ordinary brokers' transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
- transactions involving cross or block trades or otherwise on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market or in the over-the-counter market or any other
stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are
traded;
- transactions otherwise than on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or in the
over-the-counter market or any other stock exchange, market or trading
facility on which the shares are traded;
- transactions in which brokers, dealers or underwriters purchase the
shares for resale;
- transactions "at the market" to or through market makers of our
securities or into an existing market for our securities;
- transactions not involving market makers or established trading
markets, including direct sales of the securities to purchasers or
sales through agents;
- privately negotiated transactions;
- block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the
securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block
as principal to facilitate the transaction;
- an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
- short sales, provided, however, that the short sale is made after the
registration statement has been declared effective and a copy of this
prospectus is delivered in connection with the short sale;
- a combination of any such methods of sale; or
- any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
In addition, the selling stockholders may also enter into hedging and/or
other monetization transactions. For example, the selling stockholders may:
- enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate of a
broker-dealer or other third party in connection with which that other
party will become a selling stockholder and engage in short sales of
our securities under this prospectus, in which case the other party
may use our securities received from the selling stockholders to close
out any short positions;
14
- itself sell short our securities under this prospectus and use our
securities held by it to close out any short positions;
- engage in short sales against the box (i.e. when the seller owns
securities that are the same as, or substantially identical to,
securities borrowed and sold short), puts and calls and other
transactions in our securities or derivatives of our securities and
may sell or deliver shares in connection with these trades;
- enter into options, forward contracts or other transactions that
require the selling stockholder to deliver, in a transaction exempt
from registration under the Securities Act, our securities to a
broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer or other third party
who may then become a selling stockholder and publicly resell or
otherwise transfer our securities under this prospectus; or
- loan or pledge our securities to a broker-dealer or client of a
broker-dealer or other third party who may then become a selling
stockholder and sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in
the case of a pledge, become a selling stockholder and sell the
pledged shares, under this prospectus.
To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or
understandings between the selling stockholders and any broker-dealer or agent
regarding the sale of securities by the selling stockholders. To the extent
required, the securities to be sold, the name of the selling stockholders, the
respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agent,
dealer or underwriter, and any applicable commissions or discounts with respect
to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement
filed with the SEC under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or, if
appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part. The selling stockholders may sell any or all of our
securities offered by it pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, there can be
no assurance that the selling stockholders will not transfer the securities by
other means not described in this prospectus.
The selling stockholders also may transfer the securities as a gift, pledge
or other non-sale related transfer, in which case the donees, pledgees,
transferees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial
owners for purposes of this prospectus and may sell the securities from time to
time under this prospectus after we have filed a supplement or an amendment to
this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the
Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the donee,
pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders
under this prospectus.
There can be no assurance that the selling stockholders will sell all or
any of the securities pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, any securities
covered by this prospectus that qualifies for sale pursuant to an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act may be sold pursuant to that
exemption, including sales under Rule 144 (subject to the terms of the
registration rights agreement), rather than under this prospectus. The
securities may be sold in some states only through registered or licensed
brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and complied with.
Broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other
brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions
or discounts from the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as
agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated. The selling stockholders do not expect these commissions and
discounts to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions involved.
The selling stockholders have acknowledged that they understand their
obligations to comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder relating to stock manipulation, including without
limitation, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of
any of the securities by the selling stockholders and any other such person. In
addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the
distribution of the securities to engage in market making activities with
respect to the securities being distributed. This may affect the marketability
of the securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in
market-making activities with respect to the securities.
15
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers who act in connection with
the sale of securities hereunder may be deemed to be "underwriters" as that term
is defined in the Securities Act, and any commissions received by them and any
profit on the resale of the securities as principal might be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If any selling
stockholder is deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, it will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act, which may include delivery through the facilities of the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby by
us will be passed on by Porter & Hedges, LLP, Houston, Texas. Any underwriters
will be advised by their own legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to
the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Blue Dolphin Energy Company for the year
ended December 31, 2005 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
UHY Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp CPAs, LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
16
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY
1,694,332 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
----------
PROSPECTUS
----------
August 7, 2006
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