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Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. Readers are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our filings with the SEC.
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* | This definition may be an abbreviated version of the complete definition as defined by the SEC in Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X. |
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PART I
Item 1. Business
Note: See Glossary of Selected Petroleum Industry Terms starting on page iv.
General
Evolution Petroleum Corporation (“Evolution,” and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”, “our”, “we, “us” or similar terms) is an independent energy company focused on maximizing total returns to its shareholders through the ownership of and investment in onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Our long-term goal is to maximize total shareholder return from a diversified portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas properties built through acquisition and through selective development opportunities, production enhancement, and other exploitation efforts on our oil and natural gas properties.
Recent Developments
Dividend Declaration
On September 11, 2025, Evolution’s Board of Directors approved and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per common share payable September 30, 2025.
Purchase of SCOOP/STACK Minerals
On August 4, 2025, we completed the acquisition of certain mineral and royalty interests in the SCOOP/STACK area of Oklahoma from a non-affiliated private seller (the “Minerals Acquisition”) in a cash transaction valued at approximately $17.0 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The Minerals Acquisition has an effective date of May 1, 2025. We funded the purchase price for the Minerals Acquisition with a combination of $15.0 million in borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and cash on hand. The acquired assets include an average royalty interest of 0.6% located on approximately 5,500 net royalty acres located primarily in Grady and Canadian Counties, Oklahoma.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
On June 30, 2025, we entered into a syndicated amended and restated senior secured reserve-based credit agreement (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”) with MidFirst Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders party thereto, in an amount up to $200.0 million with an initial borrowing base of $65.0 million maturing on June 30, 2028.
For further discussion of our Senior Secured Credit Facility, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” within Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.
Purchase of Non-operated Oil and Natural Gas Assets
On April 14, 2025, we closed the acquisition of non-operating working interests in certain long-life oil and natural gas wells located primarily in Lea, Eddy and Chaves Counties, New Mexico and Stephens County, Texas (the “TexMex Acquisition”) from a private seller. The total purchase price for the TexMex Acquisition was approximately $9.0 million before customary post-closing adjustments, with an effective date of February 1, 2025. We funded the purchase price for the TexMex Acquisition with a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility.
The TexMex Acquisition includes an average working interest of 42% and an average revenue interest of 35% in approximately 600 wells.
At-the-Market (“ATM”) Equity Sales Program
On October 21, 2024, we entered into an ATM equity Sales Agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital
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Partners, LLC (the “Lead Agent”), Northland Securities Inc., and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, up to $30.0 million of shares of common stock through or to the Lead Agent, acting as agent or principal. For the year ended June 30, 2025, we sold a total of approximately 0.7 million shares of our common stock under the ATM Sales Agreement for net proceeds of approximately $3.5 million, after deducting $0.3 million in offering costs. We intend to use the net proceeds from any sales of common stock for general corporate purposes, including to repay outstanding indebtedness.
Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to maximize total shareholder return based on our assessment of the operating environment and marketplace, subject to our obligations to other stakeholders. The key elements of our strategy to accomplish our goal of maximizing shareholder return are:
● | Maintaining a strong balance sheet and conservative financial management; |
● | Growing the asset base through investment in our existing properties, direct acquisitions of new low decline, long-life oil and natural gas properties, selective development opportunities, or accretive acquisitions of similar companies; and |
● | Returning cash to shareholders by sustaining and growing our dividend payout over time or repurchases of our shares in the open market. |
Properties
Our oil and natural gas properties consist primarily of non-operated interests in the following areas (as well as small overriding royalty interests in four onshore central Texas wells):
TexMex – Texas and New Mexico
Our non-operated interest in TexMex consists of oil and natural gas producing properties where we hold an approximate 42% net working interest and a 35% average net revenue interest located on approximately 27,800 gross (11,200 net) acres held by production located primarily in Lea, Eddy and Chaves Counties, New Mexico and Stephens County, Texas. The oil and natural gas properties are operated by Texian Operating Company.
Average net daily production from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2025 was 0.4 MBOEPD. Average net daily production from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2024 was 1.4 MBOEPD. For the year ended June 30, 2025, our average net daily production from the TexMex properties consisted of 59% oil and 41% natural gas. For the year ended June 30, 2024, our average net daily production from the SCOOP/STACK properties consisted of 47% natural gas, 37% oil, and 16% NGLs. Hydrocarbons produced from our TexMex properties are sold to various purchasers throughout Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana.
SCOOP/STACK – Central Oklahoma
Our non-operated interests in the SCOOP and STACK plays, consist of oil and natural gas producing properties in the Anadarko basin, where we hold approximately 2.6% average net working interest and approximately 2.0% average net revenue interests located on approximately 103,700 gross (4,200 net) acres (approximately 97% held by production) across Blaine, Canadian, Carter, Custer, Dewey, Garvin, Grady, Kingfisher, McClain, Murray, and Stephens counties in Oklahoma. The oil and natural gas properties are operated by Continental Resources, Inc., Ovintiv USA Inc. and EOG Resources, Inc. with approximately 40% of wells operated by other operators.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, our average net daily production from the SCOOP/STACK properties was 1.2 MBOEPD consisting of 50% natural gas, 34% oil, and 16% NGLs. Hydrocarbons produced from our SCOOP/STACK properties are sold to various purchasers throughout the mid-continent.
Chaveroo Field – Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico
Our non-operated interests in the Chaveroo Field consist of a 50% net working interest, with an average associated 41% revenue interest, in approximately 4,500 gross (2,300 net) acres all held by production, associated with six development blocks with the right to acquire the same working interest in additional development locations and associated acreage at a fixed price. The field is operated by PEDEVCO Corp. (“PEDEVCO”).
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For the year ended June 30, 2025 our average net daily production from the Chaveroo Field properties was 0.2 MBOEPD consisting of 100% oil. Oil produced from our Chaveroo Field properties is sold to Phillips 66 in New Mexico and natural gas and NGLs are sold to Targa Resources Corp. Oil produced from our Chaveroo Field properties is sold to various purchasers in New Mexico and gas and NGLs are sold to Targa Resources Corp.
Jonah Field – Sublette County, Wyoming
Our non-operated interests in the Jonah Field, a natural gas and NGL property in Sublette County, Wyoming, consist of approximately 20% average net working interest and approximately 15% average net revenue interest located on approximately 5,300 gross (950 net) acres all held by production. The properties are operated by Jonah Energy (“Jonah”).
For the year ended June 30, 2025 our average net daily production from the Jonah Field properties was 1.6 MBOEPD consisting of 89% natural gas, 6% NGLs, and 5% oil. Hydrocarbons produced from our Jonah Field properties are sold to West Coast markets.
Williston Basin – Williston, North Dakota
Our non-operated interests in the Williston Basin, oil and natural gas producing properties, consist of approximately 39% average net working interest and approximately 33% average net revenue interest located on approximately 138,200 gross (41,300 net) acres (approximately 97% held by production) across Billings, Golden Valley, and McKenzie Counties in North Dakota. The properties are operated by Foundation Energy Management (“Foundation”).
For the year ended June 30, 2025, our average net daily production from the Willison Basin properties was 0.5 MBOEPD consisting of 76% oil, 14% NGLs, and 10% natural gas.For the year ended June 30, 2024, our average net daily production from the Willison Basin properties was 0.5 MBOEPD consisting of 81% oil, 11% NGLs, and 8% natural gas. The primary producing reservoirs are the Three Forks, Pronghorn, and Bakken formations. Hydrocarbons produced from the Williston Basin properties are sold to local refineries and purchasers.
Barnett Shale – North Texas
Our non-operated interests in the Barnett Shale, a natural gas and NGL producing shale reservoir, consist of approximately 17% average net working interest and approximately 14% average net revenue interest (inclusive of small overriding royalty interests) located on approximately 123,800 gross (21,000 net) acres held by production across nine North Texas counties (Bosque, Denton, Erath, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, and Tarrant), in the Barnett Shale. The oil and natural gas properties are primarily operated by Diversified Energy Company with approximately 10% of wells operated by six other operators.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, our average net daily production from the Barnett Shale properties was 2.4 MBOEPD consisting of 74% natural gas, 25% NGLs, and 1% oil.For the year ended June 30, 2024, our average net daily production from the Barnett Shale properties was 2.6 MBOEPD consisting of 74% natural gas, 25% NGLs, and 1% oil. The producing reservoir is the Barnett Shale, which is also the source rock. Hydrocarbons produced from our Barnett Shale properties are sold to Gulf Coast markets.
Hamilton Dome – Hot Springs County, Wyoming
Our non-operated interests in the Hamilton Dome Field, a secondary recovery field utilizing water injection wells to pressurize the reservoir, consist of approximately 24% average net working interest, with an associated 20% average net revenue interest (inclusive of a small overriding royalty interest). The approximately 5,900 gross acre unitized field, of which we hold approximately 1,400 net acres, is operated by Merit Energy Company (“Merit”), a private oil and natural gas company, who owns the majority of the remaining working interest in the Hamilton Dome Field. The unitized field, of which we hold approximately 1,400 net acres, is operated by Merit Energy Company (“Merit”), a private oil and natural gas company, who owns the majority of the remaining working interest in the Hamilton Dome Field. The Hamilton Dome Field is located in the southwest region of the Big Horn Basin in northwest Wyoming.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, our average net daily production from the Hamilton Dome Field properties was 0.4 MBOEPD consisting of 100% oil. The primary producing reservoirs in the field are the Tensleep and Phosphoria. Produced oil from the field is subject to Western Canadian Select pricing.
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Delhi Field – Enhanced Oil Recovery CO2 Flood – Onshore Louisiana
Our non-operated interests in the Delhi Field, a CO2-EOR project, consist of approximately 24% average net working interest, with an associated 19% revenue interest and separate overriding royalty and mineral interests of approximately 7% yielding a total average net revenue interest of approximately 26%. The field is operated by Denbury Onshore LLC (“Denbury”), a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation (“ExxonMobil”). The approximately 13,600 gross unitized Delhi Field, of which we hold approximately 3,200 net acres, is located in northeast Louisiana in Franklin, Madison, and Richland Parishes.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, our average net daily production from the Delhi Field properties was 0.8 MBOEPD consisting of 77% oil and 23% NGLs. The primary producing reservoirs in the field are the Tuscaloosa and Paluxy formations. Produced oil from the field is priced off of Louisiana Light Sweet (“LLS”) crude, which often trades at a premium to West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”).
Refer to “Production volumes, average sales price and average production costs” table below for further information regarding our properties and their fiscal year results.
Estimated Oil and Natural Gas Reserves and Estimated Future Net Revenues
The SEC sets rules related to reserve estimation and disclosure requirements for oil and natural gas companies. These rules require disclosure of oil and natural gas proved reserves by significant geographic area, using the trailing 12-month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, rather than year-end prices, and allows the use of new technologies in the determination of proved reserves if those technologies have been demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable conclusions about reserve volumes. Subject to limited exceptions, the rules also require that proved undeveloped reserves may only be classified as such if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and estimates of reserves quantities and values must be viewed as being subject to significant change as more data about the properties becomes available.
Summary of Oil & Gas Reserves for Fiscal Year Ended 2025
Our proved reserves as of June 30, 2025, denominated in thousands of barrels of oil equivalent (“MBOE”), were estimated by our independent reservoir engineers, Cawley, Gillespie and Associates, Inc. (“CG&A”) and DeGolyer and MacNaughton (“D&M”), both worldwide petroleum consultants.
CG&A evaluated the reserves for our TexMex, SCOOP/STACK, Chaveroo Field, Jonah Field, and Williston Basin properties. The scope and results of their procedures are summarized in a letter from the firm, which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
D&M evaluated the reserves for our Barnett Shale, Hamilton Dome, and Delhi Field properties. The scope and results of their procedures are summarized in a letter from the firm, which is included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table sets forth our estimated proved reserves as of June 30, 2025. For additional reserves information, see our Supplemental Disclosure about Oil and Natural Gas Properties (unaudited) to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) previous 12-month unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price used to calculate estimated revenues was $71.20 per barrel of oil and $2.87 per MMBtu of natural gas. The net price per barrel of NGLs was $25.24, which does not have any single comparable reference index price. The net price per barrel of NGLs was $23.86, which does not have 5 Table of Contentsany single comparable reference index price. The NGL price was based on historical prices received. For periods for which no historical price information was available, we used comparable pricing in the geographic area. Pricing differentials were applied for each individual property and product based on quality, processing, transportation, location and other pricing aspects. Pricing differentials were applied based on quality, processing, transportation, location and other pricing aspects for each individual property and product.
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Proved Reserves as of June 30, 2025
(1) | Equivalent oil reserves are defined as six Mcf of natural gas and 42 gallons of NGLs to one barrel of oil conversion ratio which reflects energy equivalence and not price equivalence. Natural gas prices per Mcf and NGL prices per barrel often differ significantly from the equivalent amount of oil. |
Internal Controls Over Reserves Estimation Process and Qualifications of Technical Persons with Oversight for the Company’s Overall Reserve Estimation Process
Our policies regarding internal controls over reserves estimates require such estimates to be prepared by an independent petroleum engineering firm under the supervision of our internal reserve engineering team, which includes our Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), J. Mark Bunch. Our internal reserve engineering team has a combined experience of over 80 years in Petroleum Engineering. Our COO, the person responsible for overseeing the preparation of our reserves estimates, has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University, is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (No. 86704), has over 40 years of oil and natural gas experience including large independents and financial firm services for projects and acquisitions. Our Board of Directors also has oversight of our reserve estimation process and contains a Reserves Committee with William Dozier, an independent director who is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (No. 47279) with experience in energy company reserve evaluations. Such reserve estimates comply with generally accepted petroleum engineering and evaluation principles, definitions, and guidelines as established by the SEC.
The reserves information in this filing is based on estimates prepared by CG&A and D&M. The person responsible for the preparation of the reserve report at CG&A is W. Todd Brooker, P.E., President. Mr. Brooker received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1989 from the University of Texas at Austin and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (No. 83462). Mr. Brooker joined CG&A in 1992 and has over 30 years of experience in engineering and geological services. The person responsible for the preparation of the reserve report at D&M is Dr. Dilhan Ilk, P.E., Executive Vice President. Dr. Ilk received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2003 from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree and Doctorate in Petroleum Engineering in 2005 and 2010, respectively, from Texas A&M University, and he has in excess of 15 years of experience in oil and natural gas reservoir studies and evaluations and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas (No. 139334).
We provide CG&A and D&M with our property interests, production, current operating costs, current production prices, estimated abandonment costs and other information in order for them to prepare the reserve estimates. This information is reviewed by our senior management team and designated operations personnel to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data prior to submission to the reserve engineers. The scope and results of CG&A’s and D&M’s procedures, as
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well as their professional qualifications, are summarized in the letters included as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Proved Undeveloped Reserves
During the year ended June 30, 2025 our proved undeveloped (“PUD”) reserves changed as follows:
(1) | Equivalent oil reserves are defined as six Mcf of natural gas and 42 gallons of NGLs to one barrel of oil conversion ratio which reflects energy equivalence and not price equivalence. Natural gas prices per Mcf and NGL prices per barrel often differ significantly from the equivalent amount of oil. |
Our PUD reserves were 4.4 MMBOE as of June 30, 2025, with related future development costs of approximately $75.1 million, which are primarily associated with Chaveroo Field and Williston Basin and to a lesser extent our SCOOP/STACK properties, where we hold a smaller average net working interest.Our PUD reserves were 7.7 MMBOE as of June 30, 2024, with related future development costs of approximately $90.5 million, which are primarily associated with the Williston Basin and Chaveroo Field and to a lesser extent our SCOOP/STACK properties, where we hold a smaller average net working interest, and the Delhi Field. Extensions of 0.9 MMBOE are primarily associated with new wells at Chaveroo Field. Extensions of 4.5 MMBOE are primarily associated with new wells at SCOOP/STACK, subsequent to our acquisition, and Chaveroo Field. Transfers of 0.7 MMBOE are associated with twelve gross SCOOP/STACK wells and four gross Chaveroo wells drilled, completed and placed online during fiscal 2025. The net downward revisions were due primarily to adjustments made to the timing in the Williston Basin development plan resulting in the roll-off of PUDs expected to be developed beyond five years. Under SEC reporting requirements, our PUD reserves include only those reserves in which the Company has current plans to develop within five years. See “Drilling and Present Activities” below for a further discussion of our expected development of the PUDs associated with SCOOP/STACK, the Chaveroo Field and Williston Basin.
Drilling and Present Activities
Currently, none of our oil and natural gas properties are operated by us. We therefore rely on information from our operators regarding near-term drilling programs. There are no plans to drill new wells in fiscal year 2026 in the Jonah Field, the Barnett Shale, Delhi Field and the Hamilton Dome Field. At this time, operators of our properties at Williston Basin, Hamilton Dome Field, Delhi Field and TexMex are periodically running workover rigs focusing on projects to return wells to production that have experienced mechanical issues. At this time, operators of our properties at SCOOP/STACK, Williston Basin, Hamilton Dome Field and Delhi Field are periodically running workover rigs focusing on projects to return wells to production that have experienced mechanical issues.
At SCOOP/STACK, we currently expect five gross wells to be brought online during fiscal year 2026. Additionally, as our third-party operators continue to be active around our acreage, we would expect additional wells to be drilled and/or completed. At the Chaveroo Field, we expect to have drilling permits in hand for the next round of six wells before the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and the final decision by us and our partner as to timing for spudding these wells will be made based on oil prices and completed well costs at that time.
For further discussion, see “Capital Expenditures” within Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.
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Production volumes, average sales price and average production costs
The following table summarizes our crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids production volumes, average sales price per unit and average daily production on an equivalent basis for the periods indicated:
(1) | Equivalent oil reserves are defined as six Mcf of natural gas and 42 gallons of NGLs to one barrel of oil conversion ratio which reflects energy equivalence and not price equivalence. Natural gas prices per Mcf and NGL prices per barrel often differ significantly from the equivalent amount of oil. |
(2) | Average daily production presented in the table above represents our fiscal year production divided by 365 days in the year for fiscal years 2025 and 2023. At TexMex, our average daily production since TexMex’s acquisition date of April 14, 2025 through June 30, 2025, was 0.4 MBOEPD. |
(3) | Average daily production presented in the table above represents our fiscal year production divided by 366 days in the year for fiscal year 2024. At SCOOP/STACK and Chaveroo Field, our average daily production since SCOOP/STACK’s acquisition date of February 12, 2024 and first production at Chaveroo Field beginning February 2024 through June 30, 2024, was 1.4 MBOEPD and 0.2 MBOEPD, respectively. |
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The following table summarizes our production costs, and production costs per unit for the periods indicated:
(1) | Total lease operating costs include lifting costs; workover expenses; and gathering, transportation, processing and other expense. |
(2) | Barnett Shale lease operating costs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 contains a $1.9 million credit from one of our operators due to a joint venture audit, see “Results of Operations” within Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations. |
Productive Wells
The following table sets forth the number of productive oil and natural gas wells in which we own a working interest as of June 30, 2025.
Acreage
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our developed and undeveloped lease acreage as of June 30, 2025. Developed acreage refers to acreage on which wells have been drilled or completed to a point that would allow production of oil and natural gas in commercial quantities. Undeveloped acreage refers to acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit production of oil and natural gas in commercial quantities whether or not the acreage contains proved reserves.
(1) | Except for our undeveloped acreage in the SCOOP/STACK, Oklahoma, which will expire in 2026 if we do not establish production in paying quantities on the units in which such acreage is included to maintain the lease and our acreage at the Williston Basin, North Dakota (see expiration table below), all acreage, including any undeveloped, nonproductive or undrilled acreage, is held by existing production as long as continuous production is maintained in the unit. |
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(2) | This table excludes acreage attributable to small overriding royalty interests retained in various formations in the Texas Giddings Field area. Except for de minimis production that began on two leases during late fiscal year 2019. It does not currently appear likely that we will obtain any significant value from these interests and no reserves have been assigned to any of the Giddings’ interests. Except for de minimis production that began on two leases during late fiscal year 2019, none of such acreage is currently producing and our interests are subject to expiration if leases are not maintained by others or commercial production is not established. |
The table below reflects our net undeveloped acreage in Williston Basin, North Dakota as of June 30, 2025 that will expire each year if we do not establish production in paying quantities on the units in which such acreage is included to maintain the lease:
(1) | Excluded 2,747 net acres held by existing production as long as continuous production is maintained in the unit. |
Markets and Customers
Our production is marketed to third parties in a manner consistent with industry practices. In the United States market where our properties are operated, crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs are readily transportable and marketable. In the Jonah Field, we take our natural gas and NGL working interest production in-kind and market separately to purchasers on six-month contracts for natural gas and to Enterprise Products Partners L.P. for NGLs. We do not currently market our share of oil, natural gas, or NGLs production from any other field separately from the operators’ shares of production. Although we have the right to take our working interest production in-kind, we are currently selling our production through the field operators pursuant to the delivery and pricing terms of their sales contracts. Under such arrangements, we typically do not know the identity of the buyers.
As a non-operator, we are highly dependent on the success of our third-party operators and the decisions made in connection with their operations. With the exception of the Jonah Field, our third-party operators sell our oil, natural gas, and NGLs to purchasers, collect the cash, and distribute the cash to us. In the year ended June 30, 2025, three individual operators, Denbury (ExxonMobil), Diversified, and Foundation, each accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues, collectively representing approximately 51% of our total revenues for the year. In the year ended June 30, 2024, four individual purchasers, Denbury, Diversified, Foundation, and Merit, each accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues, collectively representing approximately 69% of our total revenues for the year. In the year ended June 30, 2024, four individual operators, Denbury, Diversified, Foundation and Merit, each accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues, collectively representing approximately 69% of our total revenues for the year. In the year ended June 30, 2024, four individual purchasers, Denbury, Diversified, Foundation, and Merit, each accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues, collectively representing approximately 69% of our total revenues for the year.
The loss of a purchaser at any of our major producing properties or disruption to pipeline transportation from these fields could adversely affect our net realized pricing and potentially our near-term production levels.
Market Conditions
Prices we receive for crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs are influenced by many factors that are beyond our control, the exact effect of which is difficult to predict. The oil and natural gas industry is a global market impacted by many factors, such as government regulations, particularly in the areas of tariffs, trade sanctions, taxation, energy, climate change and the environment, geopolitical instability and armed conflicts (including between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East between Israel and Gaza), demand in Asian and European markets, and the extent to which members of OPEC and other oil exporting nations manage oil supply through export quotas. Natural gas prices are generally determined by North American supply and demand and are also affected by imports and exports of liquefied natural gas. Weather also has a significant impact on demand for natural gas since it is a primary heating source.
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Competition
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive for prospects, acreage, and capital. Our competitors include major integrated oil and natural gas companies, numerous independent oil and natural gas companies, individuals, and drilling and income programs. Many of our competitors are large, well-established companies with substantially larger operating staff and greater capital resources. Competitors are national, regional, or local in scope and compete on the basis of financial resources, technical prowess or local knowledge. The principal competitive factors in our industry are expertise in given geographical areas and geologic systems and the ability to efficiently conduct operations, achieve technological advantages, identify and acquire economically producible reserves, and obtain capital at rates that allow economic investments.
Risk Management
We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations, including commodity price risk. In accordance with our company strategy and the covenants under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, derivative instruments are occasionally utilized to hedge our exposure to price fluctuations and reduce the variability in our cash flows associated with anticipated sales of future oil and natural gas production. We do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative trading purposes.
While there are many different types of derivative instruments available, historically we have used costless collars, stand alone put options, fixed-price swaps and basis swaps to attempt to manage price risk. Costless collar agreements are put and call options used to establish floor and ceiling commodity prices for a fixed volume of production during a certain time period. All costless collar agreements provide for payments to counterparties if the settlement price under the agreement exceeds the ceiling and payments from the counterparties if the settlement price under the agreement is below the floor. Stand alone put options are floors that are purchased for a cost and provide that counterparties make payments to us if the settlement price is below the established floor. The fixed-price swap agreements call for payments to, or receipts from, counterparties depending on whether the index price of oil or natural gas for the period is greater or less than the fixed price established for the period contracted under the fixed-price swap agreement. The basis swaps agreements effectively lock in a price differential between regional prices (i.e., Inside FERC’s Northwest Pipeline Corp Rocky Mountains) where the product is sold and the relevant pricing index under which the natural gas production is hedged (i.e., NYMEX Henry Hub).
It is our policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy financial institutions deemed by management as competent and competitive market makers. It is our policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy financial institutions deemed by management as competent and competitive market makers. We will continue to evaluate the benefit of employing derivatives in the future. Our hedge strategies and objectives may change as our operational profile changes. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and Note 7, “Derivatives” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information.
Government Regulation
As an oil and natural gas exploration and production company, our interests are subject to numerous legal requirements.
Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Production
Federal, state and local authorities have promulgated extensive rules covering oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations. Those regulations require our third-party operator to obtain permits, post bonds and submit reports. They also may address conservation, including unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, well locations, the method of drilling and casing wells, surface use and restoration of properties where wells are drilled, sourcing and disposal of water used in the process of drilling, completion and abandonment, the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells, and plugging and abandonment of wells. The effect of these regulations is to limit the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can produce. Moreover, many states impose a production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids within their jurisdictions. Failure to comply with any applicable legal requirements may result in substantial penalties. Because such regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we are unable to
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predict future compliance costs or impacts. Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations, however, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Regulation of Transportation of Oil and Natural Gas
The prices for crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids and natural gas are negotiated and not currently regulated. However, Congress, which has been active in oil and natural gas regulation, could impose price controls in the future. But Congress, which has been active in oil and natural gas regulation, could impose price controls in the future.
Our sales of crude oil and natural gas are affected by the availability, terms and cost of transportation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) primarily regulates interstate oil and natural gas transportation rates. In some circumstances, FERC regulations also may affect intrastate pipelines. In addition, states may impose on intrastate pipelines various obligations relating to such matters as safety, environmental protection, nondiscriminatory take and pay rates. The basis for intrastate oil and natural gas pipeline regulation, and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to such matters, vary from state to state. To the extent effective interstate and intrastate rates are equally applicable to all comparable shippers, we believe that the regulation of oil and natural gas transportation rates will not affect our business in any way that is of material difference from those of our competitors who are similarly situated.
Environmental Matters
Our properties are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, worker safety and human health. Such requirements may address:
● | the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and disposal of materials; |
● | reclamation or remediation of sites, including former operating areas; |
● | the acquisition of a permit or other authorization; |
● | air emissions; |
● | protection of water supplies; |
● | limits on construction, drilling and other activities in wilderness or other environmentally sensitive areas; and |
● | assessment of environmental impacts. |
Failure to comply with such requirements may result in a variety of sanctions, including fines, administrative orders and injunctions. In addition, issuing authorities may revoke, adversely condition or deny permits necessary for the operations of our operators. In the opinion of management, our properties are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and we have no material commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements. Nevertheless, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on our company, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general. Significant environmental requirements that may affect the operations of our operators are described below. Significant environmental requirements that may affect our operations are described below.
The Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and comparable state statutes impose strict liability, and in some cases joint and several liability, on owners and operators of sites and on persons who arranged for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found at such sites. It is not uncommon for neighboring landowners or other third parties to also file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by any hazardous substances released into the environment. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” the operations performed by our operators do entail handling other chemicals that may be subject to the statute. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” our operations do entail handling other chemicals that may be subject to the statute. In addition, state laws affecting our properties may impose cleanup liability relating to petroleum and petroleum related products. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes govern the disposal of “solid waste” and “hazardous waste.” Violations may result in substantial fines. Although RCRA currently classifies certain oil field wastes as “non-hazardous,” such exploration and production wastes could be reclassified as hazardous, thereby subjecting the operations of our operators to more stringent handling and disposal requirements. In some circumstances, moreover, RCRA authorizes both the federal government and private persons to seek injunctions requiring the cleanup of wastes, whether hazardous or non-hazardous.
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The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) protects fish, wildlife and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered. Under the ESA, exploration and production operations may not significantly impair or jeopardize a protected species or its habitat. The ESA provides for criminal penalties for willful violations. The operations or our operators also may be subject to other statutes that protect animals and plants such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Our operations also may be subject to other statutes that protect animals and plants such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Although we believe that our properties are in compliance in all material respects with such statutes, any change in these statutes or any reclassification of a species as endangered could subject our company (directly or indirectly through our third-party operators) to significant expenses to modify operations, could force discontinuation of certain operations altogether and could limit the locations our third-party operators may utilize in the future. Although we believe that our properties are in compliance with such statutes, any change in these statutes or any reclassification of a species as endangered could subject our company (directly or indirectly through our third-party operators) to significant expenses to modify operations, could force discontinuation of certain operations altogether and could limit the locations our third-party operators may utilize in the future.
The Clean Air Act (“CAA”) is the comprehensive federal law addressing sources of air emissions. Oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations are among the many source categories subject to the CAA. Regulated emissions from oil and natural gas operations include sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) and hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, among others.
In particular, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced regulations in December 2023 that imposed more comprehensive restrictions on emissions of methane (a greenhouse gas) and VOCs from new, existing, and modified facilities in the oil and gas sector (such as wells and storage tank batteries). Among other things, the rule set new emissions standards for certain equipment; required routine monitoring for and repair of leaks at well sites, centralized production facilities, and compressor stations; limited flaring from existing oil wells; and prohibited flaring from new oil wells. Among other things, the rule sets new emissions standards for certain equipment; requires routine monitoring for and repair of leaks at well sites, centralized production facilities, and compressor stations; limits flaring from existing oil wells; and prohibits flaring from new oil wells. EPA also established a “Super Emitter Program” to authorize third parties to detect “super emitter events” at operators’ sites and report them to EPA. The regulations did provide phase-in periods for certain requirements, while State plans for existing sources were due 24 months after the rule’s effective date. States were given the option of either adopting the rule’s presumptive standards or developing their own requirements that are at least as strict as EPA’s. States can either adopt the rule’s presumptive standards or develop their own requirements that are at least as strict as EPA’s. In 2024, however, EPA agreed to reconsider certain technical aspects of the regulations. And in 2025, EPA announced it was conducting a more comprehensive review. The results of the reconsideration are uncertain. But if the regulations remain as promulgated in December 2023, or if future such requirements requiring the installation of more sophisticated pollution control equipment are adopted, they could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Clean Water Act (the “CWA”) is the primary federal law controlling the discharge of produced waters and other pollutants into waters of the United States. Permits must be obtained for such discharges and to conduct construction activities in waters and wetlands. Some states also require permits for discharges or operations that may impact groundwater.
The CAA, CWA and comparable state statutes authorize civil, criminal and administrative penalties for violations. Further, the CWA and Oil Pollution Act may impose liability on owners or operators of onshore facilities that impact surface waters.
Pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA (or an authorized state) regulates the construction, operation, permitting, and closure of injection wells used to place oil and natural gas wastes and other fluids underground for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, storage or disposal. The primary objective of injection well operating requirements is to ensure the mechanical integrity of the injection apparatus and to prevent migration of fluids from the injection zone into underground sources of drinking water. Underground injection associated with oil and gas operations, particularly the disposal of produced water, has been linked in some cases to localized earthquakes. This in turn has led to new legislative and regulatory initiatives, which have the potential to restrict injection in certain wells or limit operations in certain areas.
Certain of the oil and natural gas production in which we have an interest is developed from unconventional sources that require hydraulic fracturing as part of the completion process. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection into the formation of water, sand and chemicals under pressure to stimulate production. From time to time, legislation has been proposed in the United States Congress to repeal the Safe Drinking Water Act’s exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the definition of “underground injection” and to require federal permitting of hydraulic fracturing. If ever enacted, such legislation would add to costs for hydraulic fracturing.
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Scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing activities continues in other ways. Several states where our properties are located have proposed or adopted legislative or regulatory restrictions on hydraulic fracturing. A number of municipalities likewise have enacted bans on hydraulic fracturing. We cannot predict whether any other legislation restricting hydraulic fracturing will be enacted and if so, what its provisions would be. If additional levels of regulation and permits were to be required through the adoption of new laws and regulations at the federal, state or local level, it could lead to delays, increased operating costs and process prohibitions that could materially adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.
The National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. Among the broad range of actions covered by NEPA are decisions on permit applications and federal land management. Many of the activities of our third-party operators involve federal decisions subject to NEPA. Such federal actions may trigger robust NEPA review, which could lead to delays and increased costs that could materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. Such federal actions may trigger robust NEPA review, which could lead to delays and increased costs 14 Table of Contentsthat could materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. In response to recent court decisions, and direction from the second Trump Administration to expedite permit approvals, federal agencies started updating their NEPA procedures in 2025, but the long-term effects of those revisions are uncertain. In the absence of precedents, application of the new procedures may be unclear, and nongovernmental organizations are expected to bring legal challenges, which could adversely affect the assessment of projects ranging from oil and gas leasing to development on public and Indian lands.
Climate Change
Climate change has become a major public concern and policy issue in the United States and around the world. Much of the debate has focused on greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions from oil and natural gas, particularly carbon dioxide and methane. Much of the debate has focused on greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions from oil and natural gas, particularly carbon dioxide and methane.
In the United States, there is no comprehensive federal regulatory statute addressing climate change, although Congress does periodically consider such measures. At the federal level, the United States therefore has primarily addressed climate change through executive actions and regulatory initiatives pursuant to existing statutes. These have included participation in international agreements on climate change, presidential commitments to reduce greenhouse gas, various executive orders limiting land available for oil and gas leasing, and Clean Air Act rules (such as the regulation announced in December 2023 to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector).We have been facing increased political and regulatory risks as federal, state and local governments have adopted new measures to restrict sources of greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy alternatives, including the final EPA rule announced in December 2023 to reduce the emission of methane from oil and gas facilities. In his second Administration, President Trump has reversed, or indicated that he intended to reverse, many of those initiatives. Even if those efforts are successful, several states have already implemented or are considering programs to reduce GHG emissions. These include cap and trade programs, promotion of alternative forms of energy, transportation standards and restrictions on particular GHGs. New Mexico, for example, is requiring oil and gas operators to capture 98% of their produced natural gas by December 31, 2026, and is limiting most venting and flaring. Such efforts are expected to continue in some states. To the extent that new climate change measures are adopted, our business may be adversely impacted.
In addition, recent court decisions have left open the question of whether tort claims alleging property damage may proceed under state common law against entities responsible for GHG emissions. Thus, there is some litigation risk for such claims.
Legislation or regulations that may be adopted to address climate change could also affect the markets for our products by making our products more or less desirable than competing sources of energy. To the extent that our products are competing with higher GHG emitting energy sources, for example, our products would become more desirable in the market with more stringent limitations on GHG emissions. To the extent that our products are competing with lower GHG emitting energy sources such as solar and wind, our products may become less desirable in the market with such government intervention. To the extent that our products are competing with lower GHG emitting energy sources such as solar and wind, our products may become less desirable in the market with such government intervention. In 2022, the United States enacted the Inflation Reduction Act that, among other things, created a series of financial incentives intended to discourage use of oil and natural gas (including imposing a fee on methane emissions) and to promote alternative sources of energy. But in 2022, the United States enacted the Inflation Reduction Act that, among other things, creates a series of financial incentives intended to discourage use of oil and natural gas (including imposing a fee on methane emissions) and to promote alternative sources of energy. Pursuant to that Act, EPA announced a rule in 2024 that would have implemented the program for collecting the annual “Waste Emissions Charge” on certain excess methane emissions from oil and gas facilities. Pursuant to that Act, EPA announced a proposed rule in December 2023 that would implement the program for collecting the annual “Waste Emissions Charge” on certain excess methane emissions from oil and gas facilities. By statute, the charge would have been $900 per metric ton of methane for 2024, $1,200 per metric ton for 2025, and $1,500 per metric ton each year thereafter. By statute, the charge would be $900 per metric ton of methane for 2024, $1,200 per metric ton for 2025, and $1,500 per metric ton each year thereafter. But in 2025 Congress invalidated
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the EPA’s rule and postponed the methane reduction charge to 2034. We cannot predict with any certainty at this time how such market-based climate incentives may affect the operations of our oil and natural gas properties.
Various studies on climate change indicate that extreme weather conditions and other risks may occur in the future in the areas where we operate. Although we have not experienced any material impact from such extreme conditions to date, no assurance can be given that they will not have a material adverse effect on our business in the future.
See discussion captioned “Government regulation and liability for oil and natural gas operations and environmental matters may adversely affect our business and results of operations” in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Insurance
We maintain insurance on our oil and natural gas properties and operations for risks and in amounts customary in the industry. Such insurance includes, but is not limited to, general liability, excess liability, control of well, operators extra expense, casualty, fraud, and directors and officer’s liability coverage. Additionally, we maintain industry-standard cybersecurity insurance to provide protection against cybersecurity risk. Not all losses are insured, and we retain certain risks of loss through deductibles, limits, and self-retentions. Not all losses are insured, and we retain certain 15 Table of Contentsrisks of loss through deductibles, limits, and self-retentions. We do not carry business interruption or lost profits coverage.
Human Capital, Sustainability, and ESG
Employees
As of June 30, 2025, we had eleven full-time employees, not including contract personnel and outsourced service providers. Due to our current focus on non-operating properties, our staff is disproportionately weighted towards higher wage professionals. We believe that we have positive relations with our employees. Our team is broadly experienced in oil and natural gas operations, development, acquisitions, and financing. We follow a strategy of outsourcing most of our IT services, human resources, administrative, and other non-core functions. We follow a strategy of outsourcing most of our property accounting, human resources, administrative, and other non-core functions. For our full-time employees, our benefits package, as determined by our Board of Directors, includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, short-term disability, 401(k) contributions based on a portion of the employee’s base salary, short and long-term performance-based and service-based incentive pay (i.e., annual bonuses and stock awards), and paid time off.
Our workforce is provided with regular training and is expected to sign an acknowledgement regarding our policies and disclosures which include, but are not limited to, the Corporate Sustainability Report (“CSR”), employee handbook, human rights, code of ethics, health and safety, emergency procedures, conflicts of interest, insider trading, bribery, kickbacks and discrimination.Our workforce is provided with annual training and is expected to sign an acknowledgement regarding our policies and disclosures which include, but are not limited to, the Corporate Sustainability Report (“CSR”), employee handbook, human rights, code of ethics, health and safety, emergency procedures, conflicts of interest, insider trading, bribery, kickbacks, discrimination, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Sustainability and ESG
In fiscal year 2021-2022, we laid the foundation for our sustainability efforts by creating an Environmental Social Governance (“ESG”) Task Force.
The Task Force formalized our existing ESG programs, proposed and implemented new ESG initiatives, monitored adherence to our internal and third-party sustainability standards, and provided public disclosures for our stakeholders. Its efforts led to the publication of Evolution’s first CSR. Our most recent edition was published in November 2023. This report is accessible on our website at www. Evolution’s most recent CSR was published in November 2023. This report is accessible on our website at www. evolutionpetroleum.com. Further emphasizing our commitment to corporate responsibilities, our Board formed a dedicated Sustainability Committee in fiscal year 2023 which is now responsible for overseeing our ESG initiatives.
We are committed to high standards of conduct and ethics to contribute to the sustainability of our business. Our core values are the base to support our strategy and long-term success. We believe integrity is paramount and we are committed to developing and producing energy resources in environmentally, socially, and ethically respectful and responsible ways. Our people are critical to our success and as such we promote and maintain a safe and inclusive work environment. We strategically plan for the long-term and strive to maintain capital discipline, stakeholder transparency, and continuous focus on returning capital to shareholders.
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We work with third-party operators that share our desire to operate and work responsibly, particularly for the natural environments in which they operate. As a non-operator of our current properties, we do not have direct control over environmental initiatives at a property-level.As a non-operator of our current properties, we do not have direct control over environmental initiatives at a property-level. However, we believe it is important to partner with third-party operators that share our core values and are committed to being environmental stewards as they responsibly produce energy resources. We recognize that the expectations, requirements, and responsibilities of operators regarding safeguarding the environment and environmental stewardship continue to evolve. We are, and will continue to be, committed to supporting our third-party operators as they respond to these expectations, requirements, and responsibilities.
We maintain a hotline which operates 24/7/365 and allows anonymous and confidential reporting for employees, consultants, partners, and contractors, including the ability to report concerns or violations of our policies through the phone or internet (Phone: 877-628-7489 / Website: www.epm.alertline.com).
Additional Information
We file Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other reports with the SEC. Our reports filed with the SEC are available free of charge to the general public through our website at www.evolutionpetroleum.com. These reports are accessible on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after being filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. This Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings can also be obtained by contacting: Corporate Secretary, 1155 Dairy Ashford Road, Suite 425, Houston, Texas 77079, or calling (713) 935-0122. These reports are also available at the SEC Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business involves a high degree of risk. Our ownership interest in oil and natural gas properties consists of non-operated working, revenue, and/or royalty interests. We do not operate any of our oil and natural gas properties nor do we do have any employees or contractors in the field. Our risks associated with oil and natural gas operations affect us indirectly through our ownership in non-operated working interests where we proportionately share in the costs and liabilities of operating such properties.
If any of the following risks, or any risk described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, actually occurs, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could suffer. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or which we currently consider to be immaterial also may adversely affect us.
Risks Related to Our Business:
A substantial or extended decline in oil, natural gas and NGL prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations and financial commitments.
The price we receive for our oil, natural gas and NGLs significantly influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital, capital spending, and future rate of growth. At June 30, 2025, approximately 45% of our proved reserves were oil reserves, 38% were natural gas and 17% were NGLs. At June 30, 2024, approximately 37% of our proved reserves were oil reserves, 41% were natural gas and 22% were NGLs. Oil, natural gas and NGLs are commodities and their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the markets for oil, natural gas, and NGLs have been volatile and these markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices we receive for our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to the following:
Substantially all of our production is sold to purchasers under short-term (less than 12-month) contracts at market-based prices. A decline in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices will reduce our cash flows, borrowing ability, the present value of our reserves, and our ability to develop future reserves. We may be unable to obtain the needed capital or financing on
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satisfactory terms. Low oil, natural gas, and NGL prices may also reduce the amount of oil, natural gas, and NGL that we can produce economically, which could lead to a decline in our oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. Generally, we hedge substantially less than all of our anticipated oil and natural gas production and typically limited to what is required by our Senior Secured Credit Facility. Generally, we hedge substantially less than all of our anticipated oil and natural gas production and typically only with the requirements of our Senior Secured Credit Facility. To the extent that we have not hedged production, any significant and extended decline in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices may adversely affect our financial position.
Our existing developed oil, natural gas and NGL production will decline; we may be unable to acquire or develop the additional oil and natural gas reserves that are required in order to sustain our production and business operations.
The volume of production from developed oil, natural gas, and NGL properties declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics.The volume of production from developed oil and natural gas properties declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics. Environmental issues, operating problems, or lack of extended future investment in any of our properties would cause our net production of oil, natural gas, and NGLs to decline significantly over time, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
The types of resources we focus on have substantial operational risks.
Our business plan focuses on the acquisition and development of known resources in partially depleted, naturally fractured, or low permeability reservoirs. Our TexMex, Chaveroo Field, Hamilton Dome Field and Delhi Field properties produce from relatively shallow reservoirs, while our SCOOP/STACK, Jonah Field, Williston Basin and Barnett Shale properties produce from deeper reservoirs. Our Chaveroo oilfield, Hamilton Dome Field and Delhi Field properties produce from relatively shallow reservoirs, while our SCOOP/STACK, Jonah Field, Williston Basin and Barnett Shale properties produce from deeper reservoirs. Shallower reservoirs usually have lower pressure, which generally translates into lower reserves volumes in place. Deeper reservoirs have higher pressures and usually more reserves volumes in place, but capturing those reserves often comes at increased drilling and completion costs and risks and, generally, a higher rate of initial production decline. Low permeability reservoirs require substantial stimulation for development of commercial production. Naturally fractured reservoirs require penetration of sufficient un-depleted fractures to establish commercial production. Depleted reservoirs require successful application of newer, or more expensive, technologies to produce incremental reserves. Our approach on the development and application of technologies on these different types of reservoirs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The CO2-EOR project in the Delhi Field, operated by Denbury, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, requires significant amounts of CO2 reserves, development capital, and technical expertise, the sources of which to date have been committed by the operator. The operator’s failure to manage these and other technical, environmental, operational, strategic, financial, and logistical risks may ultimately cause enhanced recoveries from the planned CO2-EOR project to fall short of our expectations in volume and/or timing. Such occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We have limited control over the activities on properties we do not operate.
All of our property interests are operated by others.All of our property interests are operated by third-party working interest owners, not by us. As a result, we have limited ability to influence or control the operations or future development of such properties, including compliance with environmental, safety, and other standards, or the amount or timing of capital or other expenditures that we will be required to fund with respect to such properties. Operators of these properties may act in ways that are not in our best interest. Moreover, we are dependent on the other working interest owners of such projects to fund their contractual share of the capital expenditures of such projects. These limitations and our dependence on the operator and other working interest owners for these projects could cause us to incur unexpected future costs, result in lower production, and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We will be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions.
We periodically evaluate acquisitions of reserves, properties, prospects, leaseholds, and other strategic transactions that appear to fit within our overall business strategy. The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment of several factors, including, but not limited to:
● | recoverable reserves; |
● | future oil, natural gas, and NGL prices and their appropriate differentials; |
● | development and operating costs; |
● | potential for future drilling and production; |
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● | validity of the seller’s title to properties, which may be less than expected at closing; and |
● | potential environmental issues, litigation, and other liabilities. |
The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and potential recoverable reserves. Our review will not reveal all 19 Table of Contentsexisting or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and potential recoverable reserves. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems are not necessarily observable at the ground surface or otherwise when an inspection is performed. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. Moreover, in the event of such an acquisition, there is a risk that we could ultimately be liable for unknown obligations related to acquisitions and, importantly, that our assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices, differentials, reserves, or production could prove materially inaccurate and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Our inability to complete acquisitions at our historical rate and at appropriate prices that support our long-term strategy could negatively impact our growth rate and stock price.
One of our key strategies is growth through acquisition of low decline, long-life oil and natural gas properties. Our ability to grow revenues, earnings and cash flow at or above our historic rates depends in part upon our ability to identify and successfully acquire and integrate oil and natural gas properties at appropriate prices, and to make appropriate investments that support our long-term strategy. We may not be able to consummate acquisitions at rates similar to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate, our stock price, and our ability to maintain our dividends. We may not be able to consummate acquisitions at rates similar to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate and our stock price. Acquisitions are difficult to identify and complete for a number of reasons, including high valuations, competition among prospective buyers or investors, the availability of affordable funding in the capital markets and the need to satisfy applicable closing conditions.
We may encounter difficulties integrating newly acquired oil and natural gas properties or businesses.
Increasing our reserve base through acquisitions has been an important part of our business strategy. We may encounter difficulties integrating newly acquired oil and natural gas properties or businesses. In particular, we may face significant challenges in consolidating functions and integrating procedures, personnel, and business operations in an effective manner. The failure to successfully integrate such properties or businesses into our Company may adversely affect our business and results of operations. Any acquisition we make may involve numerous risks, including:
● | a significant increase in our indebtedness and working capital requirements; |
● | the inability to timely and effectively integrate the operations of recently acquired businesses or assets; |
● | the incurrence of substantial costs to address unforeseen environmental and other liabilities arising out of the acquired businesses or assets; |
● | liabilities arising from the operation of the acquired businesses or assets before our acquisition; |
● | our lack of drilling or operational history in the areas in which the acquired business operates; |
● | customer or key employee loss from the acquired business; |
● | increased administration of new personnel; |
● | additional costs due to increased scope and complexity of our business; |
● | potential disruption of our ongoing business; and |
● | assumptions made on estimated development by the operator may not be accurate or may change. |
Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business depending upon the character of the acquired properties, which may have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or be in different geographic locations than our existing properties. To the extent that we acquire properties substantially different from the properties we currently own or that require different technical expertise, we may not be able to realize the economic benefits of these acquisitions as effectively as with acquisitions within our current footprint and expertise. We may not be successful in addressing these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with any acquisition we may make.
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Oil and natural gas development, re-completion of wells from one reservoir to another reservoir, restoring wells to production, and drilling and completing new wells are speculative activities which involve numerous risks and substantial uncertain costs.
Our growth will be partially dependent upon the success of future development programs on our properties. Drilling for oil and natural gas and extracting NGLs and re-working existing wells involve numerous risks. The cost of drilling, completing, and operating wells is substantial and uncertain; drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed, or canceled as a result of a variety of factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to:
● | unexpected drilling conditions; |
● | pressure fluctuations or irregularities in reservoir formations; |
● | equipment failures or accidents; |
● | well blowouts and other releases of hazardous materials; |
● | inability to obtain or maintain leases on economic terms, where applicable; |
● | the cost and availability of goods and services, such as drilling rigs, fracture stimulation services, and tubulars; |
● | adverse weather conditions; |
● | compliance with governmental requirements; and |
● | shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs or crews and the delivery of equipment. |
Drilling or re-working is a highly speculative activity. Even when fully and correctly utilized, modern well completion and production techniques, such as Horizontal Drilling or CO2 injection, do not guarantee that we will find and produce oil, natural gas and/or NGLs in economic quantities. Our future drilling, completion and production activities may not be successful and, if unsuccessful, such failure would have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition.
We may also identify and develop prospects through a number of methods, some of which may include Horizontal Drilling or tertiary injectants, and some of which may be unproven. The drilling and results for these prospects may be particularly uncertain. We cannot ensure that these projects can be successfully developed or that wells will, if drilled, encounter reservoirs of commercially productive oil or natural gas.
Our oil and natural gas reserves are only estimates and may prove to be inaccurate.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating oil and natural gas reserves and their estimated values. Our reserves are only estimates that may prove to be inaccurate because of these inherent uncertainties. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot always be measured in an exact manner. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves depend upon a number of variable factors. These factors include historical production from the area compared with production from other comparable producing areas, assumptions concerning effects of regulations by governmental agencies, future oil, natural gas, and NGL product prices, future operating costs, severance and excise taxes, development costs, workover costs, and remedial costs. Some or all of these assumptions utilized in estimating reserve volumes may vary considerably from actual results. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of reserves, classifications of such reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows expected from reserves may vary substantially depending on the timing and different engineers preparing reserves estimates.
Accordingly, reserve estimates may be subject to downward or upward adjustments. Actual production, revenue, and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates; such variances may be material. The information regarding discounted future net cash flows included in this report should not be considered as the current market value of the estimated oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. The estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves are based on the 12-month average price, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, and costs as of the date of the estimate, while actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower. Actual future net cash flows also will be affected by factors such as the amount and timing of actual production, supply and demand for oil and natural gas, increases or decreases in consumption, and changes in governmental regulations or
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taxation. In addition, the 10% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor. In addition, the 10% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future 21 Table of Contentsnet cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor. Interest rates in effect vary from time to time based on risks associated with us or the oil and natural gas industry in general. The Standardized Measure does not necessarily correspond to market value.
Regulatory and accounting requirements may require substantial reductions in reporting proven reserves.
On a periodic basis, we review the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties under the applicable rules of various regulatory agencies, including the SEC. Under the full cost method of accounting that we use, the after-tax carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties may not exceed the present value of estimated future net after-tax cash flows from proved reserves, discounted at 10%. Application of this “ceiling” test requires pricing future revenues at the previous 12-month average beginning-of-month price and requires a write-down of the carrying value for accounting purposes if the ceiling is exceeded. We may in the future be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties when oil and natural gas prices are depressed or unusually volatile. Whether we will be required to take such a charge will depend in part on the prices of oil and natural gas during the previous period and the effect of reserve additions or revisions and capital expenditures during such period. If a write-down is required, it would result in a current charge to our earnings but would not impact our current cash flow from operating activities. A large write-down could adversely affect our compliance with the current financial covenants under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, could limit our access to future borrowings under that facility, or require repayment of any amounts that might be outstanding at the time. A large write-down could adversely affect our compliance with the current financial covenants under our credit facility, could limit our access to future borrowings under that facility, or require repayment of any amounts that might be outstanding at the time.
Our derivative activities could result in financial losses or could reduce our income.
Under the terms of our Senior Secured Credit Facility, we are required to hedge a certain portion of our anticipated oil and natural gas production for future periods when we reach a defined utilization percentage. We may also elect to hedge additional production volumes from time to time based upon our view of the attractiveness of commodity futures and the risks that downward price fluctuations might pose to our business plans. When we engage in hedging transactions, we may utilize costless collars, fixed price swaps or purchased floors to cost-effectively provide us with some protection against price changes. We have not historically designated any of our derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes and record all derivative instruments on our balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recognized in earnings. Accordingly, our earnings may fluctuate significantly as a result of changes in the fair value of our future derivative instruments. Derivative arrangements may also expose us to the risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including, but not limited to, if:
● | actual production is less than the volume covered by the derivative instruments; |
● | the counterparty to the derivative instrument defaults on its contract obligations; or |
● | there is a change in the expected differential between the underlying price in the derivative instrument and actual price received. |
In addition, in a rising commodity price environment, derivative arrangements may limit the extent to which we might benefit from increases in prices of oil and natural gas and may expose us to cash margin requirements.
Operations to develop and produce oil and natural gas reserves and our growth plans require significant amounts of capital and our ability to access additional capital at acceptable costs is important if we are to fund our development, grow our reserves and production and execute our growth plans.Our operations, funding required to develop and produce reserves and our growth plans require significant amounts of capital and our ability to access additional capital at acceptable costs is important if we are to fund our operations, grow our reserves and production and execute our growth plans.
Cash flow from our production varies based on commodity prices and may decline along with nature declines in our production. As a consequence, our cash flow may not be sufficient to fund our ongoing or planned activities at all times. From time to time, we may require additional financing in order to fund operations, acquisitions, exploitation, and development activities. We have, for instance, accessed our Senior Secured Credit Facility on a routine basis, including, recently, to fund acquisitions. We have, for instance, accessed our credit facility on a routine basis, including, recently, to fund acquisitions. Subsequent to our TexMex Acquisition in April 2025 and the SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions in 2024, the borrowings outstanding on our Senior Secured Credit Facility at June 30, 2025 was $37.5 million. On June 30, 2025, we entered into a syndicated amended and restated credit facility with MidFirst as administrative agent and added a second lender. The commitment size of the Senior Secured Credit Facility was
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increased to $65.0 million from $50.0 million. We may not be able to further increase the total commitments by adding additional lenders in the future on terms that are favorable to us. Further, the size of our Senior Secured Credit Facility is influenced by many factors, including our production, reserves and prevailing views on future commodity prices, and it may decrease based on developments negatively impacting those and other factors. Further, the size of our credit facility is influenced by many factors, including our production, reserves and prevailing views on future commodity prices, and it may decrease based on developments negatively impacting those and other factors. While ordinarily positive developments in such factors might increase the amount that lenders are willing to lend to us, we are currently at the limit of our two lenders to increase the size of our Senior Secured Credit Facility due to limitations that the lenders have on the loans they may extend to a single borrower. While ordinarily positive developments in such factors might increase the amount that lenders are willing to lend to us, 22 Table of Contentswe are currently at the limit of our lender to increase the size of our credit facility due to limitations that the lender has on the loans it may extend to a single borrower. Additionally, access to debt and equity capital markets or other alternatives may also prove unavailable or unattractive at such times or in such amounts as we may require. Additionally, access to debt and equity capital markets or other alternatives may also prove unavailable or unattractive at such times or in such amounts as we may require. If we are unable to access adequate capital at acceptable costs, it could adversely affect our ability to expend the necessary capital to replace our reserves, maintain our production and execute our business plans.
Government regulation and liability for oil and natural gas operations and environmental matters may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Oil and natural gas operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local government regulations, which may change from time to time. Matters subject to regulation include discharge permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, reports concerning operations, the spacing of wells, unitization and pooling of properties, and taxation. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of oil and natural gas from wells below actual production capacity in order to conserve supplies of oil and natural gas. There are federal, state, and local laws and regulations addressing protection of human health and the environment that apply to the development, production, handling, storage, and transportation of oil, natural gas, and their by-products; the disposal of related wastes; the emission of CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gases; the emission of volatile organic compounds; and the management of other substances and materials released, produced or used in connection with oil and natural gas operations. These laws and regulations may affect the costs, manner, and feasibility of operations by, among other things, requiring us to make significant expenditures in order to comply and restricting the areas available for oil and gas production. These laws and regulations may affect the costs, manner, and feasibility of our operations by, among other things, requiring us to make significant expenditures in order to comply and restricting the areas available for oil and gas production. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in substantial liabilities to third-parties or governmental entities. In addition, we may be liable for significant environmental damages and cleanup costs, without regard to fault, for releases of hazardous materials on or from property we own or operate, even if we did not cause or contribute to the release. We are also subject to changing and extensive tax laws, the effects of which cannot be predicted. The implementation of new, or the modification of existing, laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on us, such as by imposing new emission controls, penalties, fines and/or fees, taxes and tariffs on carbon that could have the effect of raising prices to the end user and thereby reducing the demand for our products.
The risks arising out of the threat of climate change, including transition risks and physical risks, may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The threat of climate change poses both transition risks and physical risks that could have a material adverse effect on us. Transition risks may arise from political and regulatory, legal, technological or financial changes as society tries to safeguard the climate, while physical risks may result from extreme weather events or other shifts in the natural world.
We have been facing increased political and regulatory risks as federal, state and local governments have adopted new measures to restrict sources of greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy alternatives, including the final EPA rule announced in December 2023 to reduce the emission of methane from oil and gas facilities. Many such measures have been proposed, and still more can be expected. From time to time, there are proposals to ban hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells and to remove more lands, both onshore and offshore, from new hydrocarbon production. Many other actions could be pursued such as more rigorous requirements for drilling and construction permits, stricter greenhouse gas emissions standards for both new and existing sources, further limits on construction of new pipelines, reinstatement of the ban on oil exports, enhanced reporting obligations, taxing carbon emissions and creating further incentives for use of alternative energy sources. These actions may cause operational delays or restrictions, increased operating costs and additional regulatory burdens.
Litigation risks are also increasing for oil and natural gas companies. A number of suits alleging, among other things, that oil and natural gas companies created public nuisances by producing fuels that contributed to climate change have been brought in state or federal court.
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Technological changes may drive market demand for products other than oil and natural gas. Wider adoption of hybrid engines and electric cars, for example, would reduce demand for our products. At the same time, our capital and operating costs may increase if we need to add new emission reduction technologies.
There are also financial risks for the petroleum industry. It may become more difficult for us to access the capital markets if the threat of climate change discourages new investment. Institutional lenders who provide financing to fossil-fuel energy companies also have become more attentive to sustainable lending practices, and some of them may elect not to provide funding for fossil fuel energy companies. Limitation of investments in and financings for the energy industry could result in the restriction, delay or cancellation of drilling programs or development or production activities.
The threat of climate change also may subject oil and natural gas operations and our business to severe weather or other natural hazards, such as flooding, drought, wildfires, and extreme temperatures. Any such event could halt production or exploration activities, damage equipment, disrupt transportation, reduce consumer demand and significantly increase our costs.
Poor general economic, business, or industry conditions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and access to capital.
During the last few years, concerns over inflation, energy costs, volatile oil, natural gas, and NGL prices, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the United States mortgage market, uncertainties with regard to European sovereign debt, the slowdown in economic growth in large emerging and developing markets, such as China, regional or worldwide increases in tariffs or other trade restrictions, and other issues have contributed to increased economic uncertainty and diminished expectations for the global economy. Concerns about global economic conditions have had a significant adverse impact on domestic and international financial markets and commodity prices. If uncertain or poor economic, business, or industry conditions in the United States or abroad remain prolonged, demand for petroleum products could diminish or stagnate, and production costs could increase. These situations have led to commodity price volatility and impact the price at which we can sell our oil, natural gas, and NGLs. Any sustained declines in crude oil, natural gas and NGL prices could affect our revenues, our operators ability to continue operations, and ultimately adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Events outside of our control, including a pandemic or broad outbreak of an infectious disease, such as the global outbreak of a novel strain of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”), may materially adversely affect our business.
We face risks related to pandemics, outbreaks, or other public health events that are outside of our control and could significantly disrupt our operators’ operations and adversely affect our financial condition. In December 2019, COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China and rapidly spread around the world. This virus and its variants, and governmental actions to contain it, had material adverse economic impacts globally. These and other actions, among other things, impacted the ability of our employees and contractors to perform their duties, caused increased technology and security risk due to extended and company-wide telecommuting, and led to disruptions in our permitting activities and critical business relationships, and could do so in the future should another similar public health event occur. These and other actions could, among other things, impact the ability of our employees and contractors to perform their duties, cause increased technology and security risk due to extended and company-wide telecommuting, and lead to disruptions in our permitting activities and critical business relationships. Additionally, governmental restrictions intended to contain COVID-19 or future pandemics have in the past, and may in the future, significantly impact economic activity and markets and dramatically reduce actual or anticipated demand for oil and natural gas, adversely impacting the prices we receive for our production. The severity and duration of any such events are uncertain and difficult to predict, as is the extent that such events may have on our business.
Our business could be negatively affected by security threats. A cyber-attack or similar incident could occur and result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption, damage to our reputation, and/or financial loss.
The oil and natural gas industry has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies to conduct certain exploration, development, production, processing, and financial activities. We depend on digital technology to estimate quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, manage operations, process and record financial and operating data, analyze seismic and drilling information, and communicate with our employees and third-party operators. Our technologies, systems, networks, seismic data, reserves information, or other proprietary information, and those of our operators, vendors, suppliers, customers, and other business partners may become the target of cyber-attacks or information
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security breaches. Cyber-attacks or information security breaches could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary and other information, or could otherwise lead to the disruption of our business operations or other operational disruptions in our exploration or production operations. Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and certain cyber incidents, such as surveillance, may remain undetected for an extended period and could lead to disruptions in critical systems or the unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information. These events could lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, disruption of operations, damage to our reputation, or potential liability. These events could lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, disruption of operations, 24 Table of Contentsdamage to our reputation, or potential liability. Also, computers control nearly all of the oil and natural gas distribution systems in the United States and abroad. Computers are necessary to transport our oil and natural gas production to market. A cyber-attack directed at oil and natural gas distribution systems could damage critical distribution and storage assets or the environment, delay or prevent delivery of production to markets and make it difficult or impossible to accurately account for production and settle transactions. Cyber incidents have increased, and the United States government has issued warnings indicating that energy assets may be specific targets of cybersecurity threats. Our systems and insurance coverage for protecting against cybersecurity risks may not be sufficient. Further, as cyber-attacks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber-attacks.
Our insurance may not protect us against all of the operating risks to which our business is exposed.
The oil and natural gas business involves numerous operating hazards such as well blowouts, mechanical failures, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, or well fluids, fires, formations with abnormal pressures, hurricanes and storms, flooding, pollution, releases of toxic gas, and other environmental hazards and risks, which can result in (1) damage to or destruction of wells and/or production facilities, (2) damage to or destruction of formations, (3) injury to persons, (4) loss of life, or (5) damage to property, the environment or natural resources. While we carry general liability, control of well, and operator’s extra expense coverage typical in our industry, we are not fully insured against all risks incidental to our business. Should we experience any losses, the costs of our premiums may rise, which could in turn reduce the amount of insurance we are able to carry.
The loss of key personnel could adversely affect us.
We depend to a large extent on the services of certain key management personnel, including our executive officers. The loss of one or more key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operations. In particular, our future success is dependent upon the abilities of our executive officers to source, evaluate, and close deals, raise capital, and oversee our development activities and operations. Presently, we are not a beneficiary of any key man life insurance.
Oilfield service and materials prices may increase, and the availability of such services and materials may be inadequate to meet our needs.
Our business plan to develop or redevelop oil and natural gas resources requires third-party oilfield service vendors and various material providers, which we do not control. We also rely on third-party carriers for the transportation and distribution of our oil and natural gas production. As our production increases, so does our need for such services and materials. Generally, we do not have long-term agreements with our service and materials providers. Accordingly, there is a risk that any of our service providers could discontinue providing services for any reason or we may not be able to source the services or materials we need. Any delay in locating, establishing relationships, and training our sources could result in production shortages and maintenance problems, resulting in loss of revenue to us. In addition, if costs for such services and materials increase, it may render certain or all of our projects uneconomic, as compared to the earlier prices we may have assumed when deciding to redevelop newly purchased or existing properties. Further adverse economic outcomes may result from the long lead times often necessary to execute and complete our redevelopment plans.
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We may assume risks and financial responsibility for drilling and completing wells at our Chaveroo Field and Williston Basin properties if our third-party operator declines to drill wells and it or other joint interest owners elect not to participate.
As discussed elsewhere in this report, pursuant to agreements related to our interests in the Chaveroo Field and Williston Basin properties, we have the ability to propose to the operator a drilling plan for certain wells, which the operator may accept or reject. In the event the operator rejects our proposed drilling plan, we have the right to undertake all necessary activities to drill and complete the wells and related facilities in accordance with our proposed drilling plan. In the event we undertake to do so, and the operator and other joint interest owners elect not to participate, we will bear the entire liability and expense associated with drilling and completing the wells and related facilities, subject only to our right to recoup costs incurred on behalf of non-participating joint interest owners to the extent a well generates sufficient revenues to do so. We thus may be required to bear a share of such expenses to an extent that is disproportionate to our economic interest in the property. We thus may be required to bear a share of such expenses to an extent that is disproportionate to our 25 Table of Contentseconomic interest in the property. If we elect to proceed to drill and complete wells we have proposed and the operator has rejected, we also will bear many of the other risks highlighted elsewhere herein, including, without limitation, failing to find economic quantities of oil and natural gas, drilling accidents, potential environmental liabilities, unavailability of insurance at a reasonable cost to cover associated liabilities, and price increases and delivery delays for required drilling and completion equipment, products and services. Ongoing operations of any wells we elect to drill will be turned over to the operator of the property upon completion.
We cannot market the oil and natural gas that we produce without the assistance of third-parties.
The marketability of the oil and natural gas that we produce depends upon the proximity of our reserves and production to, and the capacity of, facilities and third-party services, including oil and natural gas gathering systems, pipelines, trucking or terminal facilities, and processing facilities necessary to make the products marketable for end use. The unavailability or lack of capacity of such services and facilities could result in the shut-in of producing wells or the delay or discontinuance of development plans for properties. A shut-in, delay, or discontinuance could adversely affect our financial condition.
We face strong competition from larger oil and natural gas companies.
Our competitors include major integrated oil and natural gas companies, numerous larger independent oil and natural gas companies, individuals, and drilling and income programs. Many of our competitors are large, well-established companies with substantially larger operating staffs and greater capital resources. We may not be able to successfully conduct our operations, evaluate and select suitable properties, or consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. Specifically, these larger competitors may be able to pay more for development projects and productive oil and natural gas properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for, and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, such companies may be able to expend greater resources on hiring contract service providers, obtaining oilfield equipment, and acquiring the existing and changing technologies that we believe are, and will be, increasingly important to attaining success in our industry.
We have been, and in the future may become, involved in legal proceedings related to our properties or operations and, as a result, may incur substantial costs in connection with those proceedings.
From time to time we may be a defendant or plaintiff in various lawsuits. The nature of our oil and natural gas properties and related operations exposes us to further possible litigation claims in the future. There is risk that any matter in litigation could be decided unfavorably against us regardless of our belief, opinion, and position, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow. Litigation can be very costly, and the costs associated with defending litigation could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Adverse litigation decisions or rulings may damage our business reputation.
Ownership of our oil and natural gas production and mineral rights depends on good title to our property.Ownership of our oil, natural gas, and mineral production depends on good title to our property.
Good and clear title to our oil and natural gas properties and mineral rights is important to our business. Although title reviews will generally be conducted prior to the purchase of most oil, natural gas, and mineral producing properties or
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the commencement of drilling wells, such reviews do not assure that an unforeseen defect in the chain of title will not arise to defeat our claim. This could result in a reduction or elimination of the revenue received by us from such properties.
Unanticipated changes in effective tax rates or laws or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our income or other tax returns could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to tax by U.S. federal, state, and local tax authorities. Our future effective tax rates could be subject to volatility or adversely affected by a number of factors, including:
● | changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; |
● | expected timing and amount of the release of any tax valuation allowances; |
● | tax effects of stock-based compensation; |
● | costs related to intercompany restructurings; or |
● | changes in tax laws, regulations, or interpretations thereof. |
For example, in previous years under previous Administrations, legislation has been proposed to eliminate or defer certain key U.S. federal income tax deductions historically available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Such proposed changes have included: (1) a repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties; (2) the elimination of deductions for intangible drilling and exploration and development costs; (3) the elimination of the deduction for certain production activities; and (4) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. Under the previous Administration there was an increased risk of the enactment of legislation that alters, eliminates, or defers these or other tax deductions utilized within the industry, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
On July 4, 2025, legislation commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) was enacted, significantly changing existing U.S. tax law. The OBBBA includes numerous provisions, such as permanent full expensing of domestic research and experimental expenditures, 100% bonus depreciation, modification of business interest limitations, and various international tax provisions such as Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax, Foreign-Derived Deduction Eligible Income and Net Controlled Foreign Corporations Tested Income. Changes in tax laws between Administrations could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows when compared to previous years.
In addition, we may be subject to audits of our income, sales, and other transaction taxes by U.S. federal, state, and local taxing authorities. Outcomes from these audits could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Associated with our Common Stock
Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile.
Our common stock has a relatively low trading volume and the market price has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile. The variance in our stock price makes it difficult to forecast the stock price at which an investor may be able to buy or sell shares of our common stock. The market price for our common stock could be subject to fluctuations as a result of factors that are out of our control, such as:
● | actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations; |
● | changes or fluctuations in the commodity prices of oil and natural gas; |
● | general conditions and trends in the oil and natural gas industry; |
● | redemption demands on institutional funds that hold our stock; and |
● | general economic, political, and market conditions. |
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Significant ownership of our common stock is concentrated in a small number of shareholders who may be able to affect the outcome of the election of our directors and all other matters submitted to our stockholders for approval.
As of June 30, 2025, our executive officers and directors, in the aggregate, beneficially owned approximately 3.4 million shares, or approximately 9.9% of our outstanding common stock and, based on recent filings with the SEC, we believe two large non-affiliated fund complexes owned in excess of 12% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.As of June 30, 2024, our executive officers and directors, in the aggregate, beneficially owned approximately 3.2 million shares, or approximately 9.5% of our outstanding common stock and, based on recent filings with the SEC, we believe one large unaffiliated fund complex owned in excess of 7% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result, a significant percentage of our common stock is concentrated in the hands of relatively few shareholders. These shareholders could potentially exercise significant influence over matters submitted to our stockholders for approval (including the election and removal of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets). This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing any matter that requires shareholder approval, including a change in control of our company, impede a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other business combination involving our company or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
The market for our common stock is limited and may not provide adequate liquidity.
Our common stock trades on the NYSE American. Trading volume in our common stock is relatively low compared to larger companies. Our holders may find it more difficult to sell their shares, should they desire to do so, based on the trading volume and price of our stock at that time relative to the quantity of shares to be sold.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research reports about our business, or if they downgrade our stock, the price of our common stock could decline.27 Table of ContentsIf securities or industry analysts do not publish research reports about our business, or if they downgrade our stock, the price of our common stock could decline.
Small, relatively unknown companies can achieve visibility in the trading market through research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish. To our knowledge, only two research analysts actively cover our company. The limited number of published reports by securities analysts could limit the interest in our common stock and negatively affect our stock price. We do not have any control over the research and reports these analysts publish or whether they will be published at all. If any analyst who does cover us downgrades our stock, our stock price could decline. If any analyst ceases coverage of our company or fails to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline.
Our stated objective of returning cash to shareholders is subject to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to pay dividends on our common stock and to repurchase shares of our common stock, as applicable, and we have, in the past, and may in the future, reduce or eliminate dividend payments and stock repurchases.
Our Board of Directors declared cash dividends on our common stock for the first time in December 2013 and we have declared and paid quarterly cash dividends since that time. Additionally, our Board of Directors has in the past approved stock repurchase programs pursuant to which we have expended $8.6 million to repurchase shares over such period. Additionally, our Board of Directors has approved stock repurchase programs pursuant to which we have expended $8.6 million to repurchase shares over such period. Although one of our primary objectives is to return cash to shareholders, we are not required to repurchase shares of common stock or to pay dividends thereon and may be contractually or legally prohibited from doing so at certain times. Further, even if we are legally and contractually permitted to do so and have available cash to do so, we may elect to reduce or suspend the payment of dividends or the repurchase of shares of common stock to preserve cash based on the current and future capital requirements of our business, our financial condition, the amount of funds legally available therefor, any contractual restrictions to which we are subject at such time, our expectations about future cash inflows and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Accordingly, there is no certainty that dividends will be declared by our Board of Directors or shares of common stock will be repurchased by us in the future.
There may be future sales or issuances of our common stock, which will dilute the ownership interests of stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We may in the future issue additional shares of common stock, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or substantially similar securities, which may result in dilution to our stockholders. In addition, our stockholders may be further diluted by future issuances under our
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equity incentive plans and/or our At-the-Market equity Sales Agreement. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of future sales or issuances of a large number of shares of our common stock or similar securities in the market or the perception that such sales or issuances could occur.
Non-U.S. holders may be subject to U.S. income tax and withholding tax with respect to gain on disposition of the Company’s common stock.
We believe we are a U.S. real property holding corporation. As a result, Non-U.S. holders that own (or are treated as owning under constructive ownership rules) more than a specified amount of our common stock during a specified time period may be subject to U.S. federal income tax and withholding on a sale, exchange or other disposition of such common stock, and may be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return.
Investor sentiment towards climate change, fossil fuels, sustainability, and other ESG matters could adversely affect our business and our stock price.
There have been efforts in recent years aimed at the investment community, including investment advisors, sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, universities, and other groups, to promote the divestment of shares of fossil fuel companies, as well as to pressure lenders and other financial services companies to limit or curtail activities with fossil fuel companies. As a result, some financial intermediaries, investors, and other capital markets participants reduced or ceased lending to, or investing in, companies that operate in industries with higher perceived environmental exposure, such as the oil and natural gas industry. As a result, some financial intermediaries, investors, and other capital markets participants have reduced or ceased lending to, or investing in, companies that operate in industries with higher perceived environmental exposure, such as the oil and natural gas industry. If such divestment efforts are continued, the price of our common stock or debt securities, and our ability to access capital markets or to otherwise obtain new investment or financing, may be negatively impacted. If this or similar divestment efforts are continued, the price of our common stock or debt securities, and our ability to access capital markets or to otherwise obtain new investment or financing, may be negatively impacted.
Members of the investment community also have expressed increased interest as to ESG practices and disclosures, including practices and disclosures related to greenhouse gases and climate change in the energy industry in particular, and diversity and inclusion initiatives and governance standards among companies more generally. The SEC, for example, promulgated new rules in 2024 that required disclosure of various specific risks related to climate but promptly issued an order staying their applicability pending resolution of legal challenges and later decided not to defend them in court. The SEC, for example, promulgated new rules in 2024 that require disclosure of various specific risks related to climate but promptly issued an order staying their applicability pending resolution of legal challenges. Such requirements may take effect in the future. A heightened emphasis on ESG may lead some members of the investment community to screen our ESG performance before investing in our common stock or debt securities or lending to us. The growing emphasis on ESG may lead the investment community to screen our ESG performance before investing in our common stock or debt securities or lending to us.
If we are unable to meet the ESG standards or investment or lending criteria set by these investors and funds, we may lose investors, investors may allocate a portion of their capital away from us, our cost of capital may increase, the price of our common stock may be negatively impacted, and our reputation may be negatively affected.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity risk management is part of the Company’s overall enterprise risk management program. Our cybersecurity risk management
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processes with best practices for our industry and size. Additionally, we maintain industry-standard cybersecurity insurance to provide further protection against cybersecurity risk.
Despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats nor provide assurances that we have not experienced an undetected cybersecurity incident. For more information about these risks, please see discussion captioned “Our business could be negatively affected by security threats. A cyber-attack or similar incident could occur and result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption, damage to our reputation, and/or financial loss.” in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
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