Board of Directors
Corporate Headquarters
Form 10-K
Peter E. Salas
Chairman
Hughree F. Brooks
Director
Matthew K. Behrent
Director
Richard M. Thon
Director
Corporate Officers
Michael J. Rugen
CEO / CFO
Cary V. Sorensen
Vice President,
General Counsel, Secretary
6021 S. Syracuse Way,
Suite 117
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 720.420.4460
Fax: 720.554.7622
Independent Auditors
Hein & Associates LLP
1999 Broadway
Suite 4000
Denver, CO 80202
Transfer Agent
Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company
17 Battery Place
New York, NY 10004-1123
212-509-4000
Stock Exchange Listing
NYSE MKT
Ticker Symbol: TGC
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of its 2015
Operations, along with the quantitative and
qualitative market risks faced by the Company
are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2015, a copy of which is included in this Annual
Report. Copies of all Exhibits filed with the
Form 10 -K will be furnished without charge
upon written request directed to Investor
Relations, Tengasco, Inc., 6021 S. Syracuse
Way, Suite 117, Greenwood Village, CO
80111.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders will be
held at 8:30 a.m. MST, Tuesday, December 6,
2016 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 7801
East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO
80111.
World Wide Web
For more information about Tengasco, Inc. visit
our website at:
http://www.tengasco.com
To the Shareholders of Tengasco, Inc.:
I invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, December 6, 2016
at 8:30 AM MST at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Denver Tech Center in Greenwood
Village, Colorado. This letter is included in the Annual Report for the calendar year 2015
that is being issued in late October 2016 in connection with the 2016 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. The Annual Report includes the formal notice of the Annual Shareholders'
meeting in 2016, the Proxy Statement, and a copy of the Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
During 2016, the Company has continued to experience the low commodity prices faced by
the entire oil and gas production sector for an extended period. This has presented
challenges to Tengasco as a smaller company in a capital intensive industry. To begin
overcoming these challenges, in 2016 we have effectuated a reverse stock split to help us to
maintain our stock exchange listing, and the Company has taken steps to effectuate a rights
offering allowing current shareholders to purchase additional stock from the Company in
order to raise additional capital to lessen bank debt and for general corporate purposes
including the pursuit of identified opportunities being presented in current markets.
The Company's management and Board of Directors thank all of our employees and their
families for their dedication and contribution to Tengasco operations. We also look forward
to seeing our shareholders at the December 6, 2016 Annual Meeting.
MICHAEL J. RUGEN
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
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TENGASCO, INC.
6021 S. SYRACUSE WAY, SUITE 117
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO 80111
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
DECEMBER 6, 2016
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”)
of Tengasco, Inc. (the “Company”) has been called for and will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton
Hotel Denver Tech Center, 7801 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village, CO 80111 on December 6,
2016 at 8:30 AM local (Mountain ) time for the following purposes:
1. To elect Matthew K. Behrent, Hughree F. Brooks, Peter E. Salas, and Richard M. Thon,
to the Board of Directors to hold office until their successors shall have been elected and
qualify;
2. To ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of Hein & Associates, LLP to serve
as the independent certified public accountants for the current fiscal year; and
3. To consider and transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 17, 2016 as the record
date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive notice and to vote at the Annual
Meeting or any adjournments thereof. The list of stockholders entitled to vote will be available for
examination by any stockholder at the Company's offices at 6021 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 117,
Greenwood Village, CO 80111, for ten (10) days prior to December 6, 2016.
Dated: October 27, 2016
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael J. Rugen
Michael J. Rugen, Chief Executive Officer
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE FILL
IN, SIGN AND DATE THE PROXY SUBMITTED HEREWITH AND RETURN IT IN THE
ENCLOSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. THE GRANTING OF SUCH PROXY WILL NOT
AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO REVOKE SUCH PROXY IN PERSON SHOULD YOU LATER
DECIDE TO ATTEND THE MEETING. THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED
BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement along with the form of proxy
card and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 will
be available online at http://www.cstproxy.com/tengasco/2016 on the first day these materials are mailed
to shareholders which is anticipated to be October 27, 2016.
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TENGASCO, INC. - PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL
This proxy statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of Tengasco, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (sometimes the “Company” or “Tengasco”), with offices located at 6021 S. Syracuse
Way, Suite 117, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be
used at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held on December 6, 2016 and at
any adjournments thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).
If your share ownership is recorded directly (i.e. your shares are in paper certificate form
and are registered as such by the Company’s transfer agent) you may vote in person at the Annual
Meeting or you may vote by proxy. If your share ownership is recorded directly and registered, you
will receive a proxy card by mail at the address shown on the transfer agent’s records. Voting
instructions are included on the proxy card. We recommend that you vote by proxy even if you
plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
If your share ownership is beneficial (that is, your shares are held in the name of a bank,
broker or other nominee referred to as in “street name”), your broker, bank, or nominee will issue
you a voting instruction form that you use to instruct them how to vote your shares. Your voting
instruction must be followed. Although most brokers and nominees offer mail, telephone and
internet voting, availability and specific procedures will depend on their respective voting
arrangements. If you wish to vote your shares that are held in street name in person at the
Annual Meeting, you must request and obtain a “legal proxy” from your bank or broker (not
from the Company) and bring the “legal proxy” to the annual meeting or you will not be
permitted to vote your shares in person at the meeting. You must bring a “legal proxy” to vote
in person at the meeting even if you have not instructed your broker to vote your shares. A legal
proxy is necessary to assure that shares held in street name that are to be voted in person at the
Annual Meeting have not been double-counted as a result of the vote collecting process. You may
not use the form of proxy set out at the end of this Proxy Statement in the place of a “legal proxy”
obtained from your bank or broker, to vote shares held in street name in person at the Annual
Meeting.
If a proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted as
instructed on the proxy. Any proxy may be revoked by a stockholder prior to its exercise upon
written notice to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or by a registered stockholder voting
in person at the Annual Meeting. (See the procedure set out in the preceding paragraph for persons
wishing to vote at the Annual Meeting any shares they hold in street name.) Unless instructions to
the contrary are indicated, proxies will be voted FOR the election of the directors named therein
and FOR the ratification of the selection by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Hein
& Associates, LLP, as the independent certified public accountants of the Company.
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 (“Fiscal 2015”), which contains financial statements audited by the
Company's independent certified public accountants accompanies this proxy statement.
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The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
materials, notice of meeting, proxy statement, the enclosed Annual Report on Form 10-K and proxy
card will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation of the proxies by use of the mails,
some of the officers and regular employees of the Company, without extra remuneration, may
solicit proxies personally or by telephone, fax transmission or e-mail. The Company may also
request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to the
beneficial owners of the common stock. The Company will reimburse such persons for their
expenses in forwarding soliciting material.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
The Board of Directors has fixed October 17, 2016 as the record date (the “Record Date”)
for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only
stockholders on Record Date will be able to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date,
6,097,723 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding, and each share will be entitled
to one (1) vote, with no shares having cumulative voting rights. Holders of shares of common stock
are entitled to vote on all matters. Unless otherwise indicated herein, a majority of the votes
represented by shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of each
matter that will be submitted to the stockholders.
Management knows of no business other than that specified in Items 1 and 2 in the Notice of
Annual Meeting, that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly
presented, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote in their best judgment.
Five Percent Stockholders
The following table sets forth the share holdings of those persons who own more than 5%
of the Company's common stock as of October 17, 2016 with these computations being based upon
6,097,723 shares of common stock being outstanding as of that date:
Name and Address
Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P.
c/o Dolphin Mgmt. Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 16867
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
Title
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Percent of Class
Stockholder
2,087,2161
34.2%
1 Consists of 23,300 shares held directly by Peter E. Salas individually, and 2,063,916 shares held directly by Dolphin Offshore
Partners, L.P. (“Dolphin”). Peter E. Salas is the sole shareholder of and controlling person of Dolphin Mgmt. Services, Inc. which is
the general partner of Dolphin.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
Article 3.1 of the Company's Bylaws provides that the number of directors of the Company
shall be a minimum of three and a maximum of ten. The members of the Board of Directors are
each elected for a one-year term or until their successors are elected and qualify with a plurality of
votes cast in favor of their election. Four nominees are put forth before the stockholders for election
to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees are presently directors of the
Company.
The directors will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and thereafter until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
Unless authority is withheld, the proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in favor of
the election of the nominees named above as directors. If any nominee should subsequently become
unavailable for election, the persons voting the accompanying proxy may in their discretion vote for
a substitute.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has the responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and
for the overall performance of the Company. The members of the Board are kept informed of the
Company's business by various reports and documents sent to them as well as by operating and
financial reports made at Board meetings. The Board of Directors held 16 meetings in Fiscal 2015.
All directors who are up for re-election attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings
of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which such directors served during Fiscal 2015.
Although it has no formal policy requiring attendance, the Company encourages all of its directors
to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. All of the Company’s directors attended last year’s
Annual Meeting and it is anticipated that all of the director-nominees will attend this year’s Annual
Meeting.
There is no understanding or arrangement between any director and any other persons
pursuant to which such individual was or is to be selected as a director or nominee of the Company.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer does not currently serve as a Director. In the event
a Chief Executive Officer also serves as a Director, the Board has previously determined as a matter
of policy to divide the functions of CEO and Chairman between two individuals. Placing the CEO
on the Board as a director may have the dual beneficial effects of assisting both the CEO in making
operational decisions as he is expected to do in the ongoing operation of the Company with
accessibility to the guidance of the Board, while allowing the Board to more effectively oversee the
business risk without any additional influence from the CEO/Director if he were also serving as
Chairman.
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Identification of Director-Nominees
The following table sets forth the names of all director-nominees.
Name
Positions Held
Date of Initial Election
or Designation
Matthew K. Behrent
Hughree F. Brooks
Peter E. Salas
Director
Director
Director;
Chairman of the Board
Richard M. Thon
Director
Background of Directors
3/27/07
12/03/10
10/8/02
10/21/04
11/22/13
The following is a brief account of the experience, for at least the past five (5) years, of each
nominee for director.
Matthew K. Behrent is 46 years old. He is currently the Executive Vice President,
Corporate Development of EDCI Holdings, Inc, a company that is currently engaged in carrying out
a plan of dissolution. Before joining EDCI in June, 2005, Mr. Behrent was an investment banker,
working as a Vice-President at Revolution Partners, a technology focused investment bank in
Boston, from March 2004 until June 2005 and as an associate in Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation's technology mergers and acquisitions group from June 2000 until January 2003. From
June 1997 to May 2000, Mr. Behrent practiced law, most recently with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen &
Hamilton in New York, advising financial sponsors and corporate clients in connection with
financings and mergers and acquisitions transactions. Mr. Behrent received his J.D. from Stanford
Law School in 1997, and his B.A. in Political Science and Political Theory from Hampshire College
in 1992. He became a Director of the Company on March 27, 2007. He is also a Director and
Chairman of the Audit Committee of Asure Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASUR). The experience,
qualifications, attributes, and skills gained by Mr. Behrent in these sophisticated legal and financial
positions directly apply to and support the financial oversight of the Company’s operations and
qualify Mr. Behrent to serve as a Director of the Company.
Hughree F. Brooks is 62 years old. In 2010 he co-founded Powerhouse Energy Solutions
LLC, a provider of equipment and services to clients in renewable and alternative energy industries
in the United States and abroad. In 2015, he founded Amelia Exploration, LLC. Amelia Exploration
operates oil wells located in Medina County, Texas. Since 1998, Mr. Brooks has continuously
provided consulting services in the oil and gas exploration industry. These services include land
management, landowner representation, deal structuring and financing, and expert witness services.
Mr. Brooks has 41 years of experience as a land manager with independent and major oil companies
including Amoco Production, Mitchell Energy, Ladd Petroleum, Phoenix Exploration and Renown
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Petroleum Inc. His clients own interests in over 16,000 acres of mineral leases. In 2002, he founded
and continues to serve as the Executive Director of Friends of the Farm, a Texas nonprofit. Mr.
Brooks is a licensed attorney who received his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1980. He received a
Bachelor of Science Degree in 1976 from Loyola University in New Orleans. The experience,
qualifications, and skills of Mr. Brooks gained in an extensive career in the oil and gas exploration
and production industry are directly related to the operations of the Company and lead to the
conclusion that Mr. Brooks should serve as a Director of the Company.
Peter E. Salas is 62 years old. He has been President of Dolphin Asset Management Corp.
and its related companies since he founded it in 1988. Prior to establishing Dolphin, he was with
J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. for ten years, becoming Co-manager, Small Company
Fund and Director-Small Cap Research. He received an A.B. degree in Economics from Harvard in
1978. Mr. Salas was elected to the Board of Directors on October 8, 2002. During a portion of the
last five years, Mr. Salas also served on the Board of Directors of Southwall Technologies, Inc. and
Williams Controls, Inc. The business experience, attributes, and skills gained by Mr. Salas in these
sophisticated financial positions, together with his service as director of other public companies and
his capacity as controlling person of the Company’s largest shareholder directly apply to and
support his qualification as a director, and lead to the conclusion that Mr. Salas should serve as a
Director of the Company.
Richard M. Thon is 61 years old. He began a career with ARAMARK Corporation in 1987.
ARAMARK is based in Philadelphia, has 270,000 employees worldwide, and provides food
services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions,
universities, and businesses in 21 countries. Mr. Thon served in various capacities in the Corporate
Finance Department of ARAMARK culminating with the position of Assistant Treasurer when he
retired in June 2002. His responsibilities included bank credit agreements, public debt issuance,
interest rate risk management, foreign subsidiary credit agreements, foreign exchange, letters of
credit, insurance finance, off-balance-sheet finance, and real estate and equipment leasing. Prior to
joining ARAMARK, Mr. Thon was a Vice President in the International Department of Mellon
Bank. Since his retirement in 2002, Mr. Thon has served in a variety of volunteer charitable
activities. In addition, during a portion of the past five years, he served on the board of ACT
Conferencing, Inc. During the same period he has been, but is not currently, a director of Boston
Restaurant Associates, Inc. Mr. Thon received a B.A. in Economics degree from Yale College in
1977 and a Masters of Business Administration degree in Finance from The Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Mr. Thon’s experience in the fields of banking and finance
directly apply to the business needs of the Company and lead to the conclusion that he will provide
significant benefit to the Board and that he is qualified to serve as a Director of the Company.
Director Independence
The Rules of the NYSE MKT (the “NYSE MKT Rules”) require that an issuer such as the
Company which is a “Smaller Reporting Company” pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 10(f)(1)
maintain a board of directors of which at least one-half of the members are independent in that they
are not officers of the Company and are free of any relationship that would interfere with the
exercise of their independent judgment. The NYSE MKT Rules also require that as a Smaller
Reporting Company, the Company’s Board of Directors’ Audit Committee be comprised of at least
two members all of whom qualify as independent under the criteria set forth in Rule 10 A-3 of the
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and NYSE MKT Rule 803(b)(2)(c). The Board of Directors has
determined that the director-nominees, Matthew K. Behrent, Hughree F. Brooks, and Richard M.
Thon, are independent as defined by the NYSE MKT Rules, and that Matthew K. Behrent,
Hughree F. Brooks, and Richard M. Thon are also independent as defined by Section 10A(m)(3) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and that each of these nominees does not have any relationship which would interfere
with the exercise of his independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director. In
reaching its determination, the Board of Directors reviewed certain categorical independence
standards to provide assistance in the determination of director independence. The categorical
standards are set forth below and provide that a director will not qualify as an independent director
under the NYSE MKT Rules if:
• The Director is, or has been during the last three years, an employee or an officer of the
Company or any of its affiliates;
• The Director has received, or has an immediate family member2 who has received,
during any twelve consecutive months in the last three years any compensation from the
Company in excess of $120,000, other than compensation for service on the Board of
Directors, compensation to an immediate family member who is an employee of the
Company other than an executive officer, compensation received as an interim executive
officer or benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan, or non-discretionary
compensation;
• The Director is a member of the immediate family of an individual who is, or has been
in any of the past three years, employed by the Company or any of its affiliates as an
executive officer;
• The Director, or an immediate family member, is a partner in, or controlling shareholder
or an executive officer of, any for-profit business organization to which the Company
made, or received, payments (other than those arising solely from investments in the
Company’s securities) that exceed 5% of the Company’s or business organization’s
consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000, whichever is more, in any of the
past three years;
• The Director, or an immediate family member, is employed as an executive officer of
another entity where at any time during the most recent three fiscal years any of the
Company’s executives serve on that entity’s compensation committee; or
• The Director, or an immediate family member, is a current partner of the Company’s
outside auditors, or was a partner or employee of the Company’s outside auditors who
worked on the Company’s audit at any time during the past three years.
2 Under these categorical standards “immediate family member” includes a person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings,
mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and anyone who resides in such
person’s home (other than a domestic employee).
8
The following additional categorical standards were employed by the Board in determining
whether a director qualified as independent to serve on the Audit Committee and provide that a
director will not qualify if:
• The Director directly or indirectly accepts any consulting, advisory, or other
compensatory fee from the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
• The Director is an affiliated person3 of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
• The Director participated in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements at
any time during the past three years.
The independent members of the Board meet as often as necessary to fulfill their
responsibilities, but meet at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-
independent directors and management.
Committees
The Company’s Board has audit and compensation/stock option committees.
Audit Committee
In Fiscal 2015, director-nominees Matthew K. Behrent and Richard M. Thon were the
members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Behrent was the Chairman of the Committee. The Board
determined that both Mr. Behrent and Mr. Thon are qualified as an “audit committee financial
expert” as defined by applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations and the
NYSE MKT Rules. Each of the members of the Audit Committee met the independence and
experience requirements of the NYSE MKT exchange rules, the applicable securities laws, and the
regulations and rules promulgated by the SEC.
The Audit Committee adopted an Audit Committee Charter during fiscal 2001. In 2004 and
2015, the Board adopted amendments to the Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which, as
amended, is available on the Company’s internet website, www.tengasco.com. The Audit
Committee Charter fully complies with the requirements of the NYSE MKT Rules. The Audit
Committee reviews and reassesses the Audit Committee Charter annually.
The Audit Committee's functions are:
• To review with management and the Company’s independent auditors the scope of
the annual audit and quarterly statements, significant financial reporting issues and
3 For purposes of this categorical standard, an “affiliated person of the Company” means a person that directly or
indirectly through intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. A person
will not be considered to be in control of the Company, and therefore not an affiliate of the Company, if he is not the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly of more than 10% of any class of voting securities of the Company and he is not
an executive officer of the Company. Executive officers of an affiliate of the Company as well as a director who is also
an employee of an affiliate of the Company will be deemed to be affiliates of the Company.
9
judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial
statements;
• To review major changes to the Company’s auditing and accounting principles and
practices suggested by the independent auditors;
• To monitor the independent auditor's relationship with the Company;
• To advise and assist the Board of Directors in evaluating the independent auditor's
examination;
• To supervise the Company's financial and accounting organization and financial
reporting;
• To nominate, for approval of the Board of Directors, a firm of certified public
accountants whose duty it is to audit the financial records of the Company for the
fiscal year for which it is appointed; and
• To review and consider fee arrangements with, and fees charged by, the Company’s
independent auditors.
The Audit Committee met each quarter and a total of four times in Fiscal 2015 with the
Company’s auditors, including discussing the audit of the Company’s year end financial statements.
It is intended that if elected as directors in 2016, Messrs. Behrent and Thon will continue to serve as
members of the Audit Committee with Mr. Behrent again serving as the Chairman of the
Committee and with Messrs. Behrent and Thon each being an audit committee financial expert.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee has:
I.
II.
III.
Reviewed and discussed the Company’s unaudited financial statements for the first
three quarters of Fiscal 2015 and the Company’s audited financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2015 with the management of the Company
and the Company’s independent auditors;
Discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the matters required to be
discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, as the same was in
effect on the date of the Company’s financial statements; and
Received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent
accountant required by applicable requirements of the Public Company
independent accountant’s
Accounting Oversight Board regarding
communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has
discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s
independence.
the
Based on the foregoing materials and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors that the unaudited financial statements for each of the first three quarters of
Fiscal 2015 be included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for those quarters and that the
audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 be included in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
10
Members of the Audit Committee
Matthew K. Behrent
Richard M. Thon
Nominations for the Board of Directors are determined by the independent directors
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. Those procedures provide that the qualifications that
should be met by any person recommended as a nominee for a position on the Company’s Board of
Directors should include one or more of the following: a background or experience in oil and gas
exploration, production, transportation, geology, construction, finance or in another business,
government service, or profession that would reasonably enable the nominee to provide seasoned
and reputable service to the shareholders of the Company in the performance of the duties of a
member of the Board of Directors. The Board has not paid fees to any third party to identify,
evaluate or to assist in identifying or evaluating, potential nominees, but may do so in the future if
the Board determines doing so is necessary or appropriate.
The Board has no policy regarding the consideration of “diversity” in identifying nominees
for director. The Company has no separate policy with regard to the consideration of any director
candidates recommended by security holders. However, the Board will consider director candidates
recommended by security holders provided that such nominations are timely made as set forth
hereinafter under the heading “Stockholders Proposals”. Any person recommended by a security
holder to serve on the Board of Directors is considered upon the same terms as candidates
recommended by any other person. To date, the Company has not received any recommendations
from shareholders requesting that the Company consider a candidate for inclusion among the
Committee’s slate of nominees in the Company’s proxy statement.
Among the nominating procedures are the following:
• Any shareholder, officer, or director may recommend for nomination any person for the
slate of candidates for membership on the Company’s Board of Directors to be presented to
the shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Such recommendations
must be furnished in writing addressed to the Company’s Board of Directors at the
Company’s principal offices. All such nominations will be furnished to the Board which
may conduct interviews, investigations or make other determinations as to the qualifications
of such recommended persons.
• Any then-current members of the Board of Directors desiring to stand for re-election may be
placed on the slate of directors for re-election without further inquiry as to their
qualifications.
• The Board will determine the slate of candidates for the Board in such a manner and at such
a time so as not to delay either the mailing of the proxy statement to the Company’s
shareholders or the annual meeting of shareholders.
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• The adopted procedures apply only to the determination of the slate of directors to be
presented for election at the annual meeting of the shareholders. Any vacancies on the Board
of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders may be filled in the manner
currently applicable under the Company’s Charter, Bylaws, and applicable law.
• The procedures adopted may be amended from time to time by the Board of Directors in
order to comply with any applicable provision or interpretation of any rule, statute, or stock
exchange rule of the exchange on which the Company’s stock may be listed.
The nomination procedures adopted are posted on the Company’s internet website at
www.tengasco.com. In the event of any such amendment to the procedures, the Company intends to
disclose the amendments on the Company's internet website within five business days following
such amendment.
The independent members of the Board determined the slate of candidates for the Board of
Directors presented for election at this year’s Annual Meeting.
Compensation/Stock Option Committee
The members of the Compensation/Stock Option Committee in Fiscal 2015 were Matthew
K. Behrent, Hughree F. Brooks, and Richard M. Thon, with Mr. Brooks acting as Chairman.
Messrs. Behrent, Brooks, and Thon meet the current independence standards established by the
NYSE MKT Rules. It is intended that if elected as directors in 2015, Messrs. Behrent and Thon will
continue to serve as a members of the Compensation/Stock Option Committee along with Mr.
Brooks who will serve as the Chairman.
The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Compensation/Stock Option
Committee which is available at the Company’s internet website, www.tengasco.com.
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee’s functions, in conjunction with the Board of
Directors, are to provide recommendations with respect to general and specific compensation
policies and practices of the Company for directors, officers and other employees of the Company.
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee expects to periodically review the approach to
executive compensation and to make changes as competitive conditions and other circumstances
warrant and will seek to ensure the Company's compensation philosophy is consistent with the
Company's best interests and is properly implemented. The Committee determines or recommends
to the Board of Directors for determination the specific compensation of the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and all of the Company’s other officers. Although the Committee may seek the
input of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in determining the compensation of the Company’s
other executive officers, the Chief Executive Officer may not be present during the voting or
deliberations with respect to his compensation. The Committee may not delegate any of its
responsibilities unless it is to a subcommittee formed by the Committee, but only if such
subcommittee consists entirely of directors who meet the independence requirements of the NYSE
MKT exchange rules.
12
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee is also charged with administering the
Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”). The Compensation/Stock Option
Committee has complete discretionary authority with respect to the awarding of options and Stock
Appreciation Rights (“SARs”), under the Stock Incentive Plan, including, but not limited to,
determining the individuals who shall receive options and SARs; the times when they shall receive
them; whether an option shall be an incentive or a non-qualified stock option; whether an SAR shall
be granted separately, in tandem with or in addition to an option; the number of shares to be subject
to each option and SAR; the term of each option and SAR; the date each option and SAR shall
become exercisable; whether an option or SAR shall be exercisable in whole, in part or in
installments and the terms relating to such installments; the exercise price of each option and the
base price of each SAR; the form of payment of the exercise price; the form of payment by the
Company upon the exercise of an SAR; whether to restrict the sale or other disposition of the shares
of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an option or SAR; to subject the exercise of all or
any portion of an option or SAR to the fulfillment of a contingency, and to determine whether such
contingencies have been met; with the consent of the person receiving such option or SAR, to
cancel or modify an option or SAR, provided such option or SAR as modified would be permitted
to be granted on such date under the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan; and to make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee met four (4) times in Fiscal 2015. The
Committee has the authority to retain a compensation consultant or other advisors to assist it in the
evaluation of compensation and has the sole authority to approve the fees and other terms of
retention of such consultants and advisors and to terminate their services. The Committee did not
retain any such consultants or advisors in 2015.
Compensation/Stock Option Committee Interlocking and Insider Participation
No interlocking relationship existed or exists between any member of the Company's
Compensation/Stock Option Committee and any member of the compensation committee of any
other company, nor has any such interlocking relationship existed in the past. No member or
nominee of the Compensation/Stock Option Committee is now or was previously an officer or an
employee of the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s executive
officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common
Stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC no later
than the second business day after the date on which the transaction occurred unless certain
exceptions apply. In fiscal 2015, the Company, its officers, directors and shareholders owning more
than 10% of its common stock were not delinquent in filing any Form 3, 4, and 5 reports.
Family and Other Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of the present directors or executive officers
of the Company.
13
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the knowledge of management, no director, executive officer or affiliate of the Company
or owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of the Company's common stock is a party
adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in any proceeding.
To the knowledge of management, during the past ten years, unless specifically indicated
below with respect to any numbered item, no present director, executive officer or person
nominated to become a director or an executive officer of the Company:
(1)
Filed a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency
law, nor had a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer appointed by a court for
the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he or she
was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or
any corporation or business association of which he or she was an executive
officer at or within two years before the time of such filing; provided
however that:
(a) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Rugen during 2007 through mid 2009 was Vice President of
Accounting and Finance for Nighthawk Oilfield Services in Houston,
Texas (Nighthawk); Nighthawk filed for bankruptcy protection under
Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy laws on July 10, 2009 and such fact was
affirmatively disclosed to the Company’s Board before Mr. Rugen was
appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company in
September 2009, and the Board determined that the circumstances
surrounding bankruptcy filing did not disclose any reason to question the
integrity or qualifications of Mr. Rugen for the position of Chief
Financial Officer of the Company; and
(b) Peter E. Salas, a director of the Company, Chairman of the Board of the
Company, and a nominee for reelection as a director of the Company was
the chief executive officer of Boston Restaurant Associates, Inc. when
that company filed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan under federal
bankruptcy laws on May 20, 2015. The plan of reorganization became
effective on August 31, 2015 and Mr. Salas has remained the chief
executive officer and sole director of that company since the
reorganization.
(2) Was convicted in a criminal proceeding or named the subject of a pending
criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
(3) Was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or
temporarily enjoining him or her from or otherwise limiting the following
activities: (a) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker,
commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage
transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as
14
an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an
affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank,
savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or
continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity; (b)
engaging in any type of business practice; or (c) engaging in any activity in
connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in
connection with any violation of federal or state securities laws or federal
commodities laws;
(4) Was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending
or otherwise limiting him or her for more than 60 days from engaging in any
activity described in paragraph 3(a) above, or being associated with any
persons engaging in any such activity;
(5) Was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the
SEC to have violated any federal or state securities law, and the judgment in
such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently reversed,
suspended, or vacated;
(6) Was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) to have violated any
federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by
the CFTC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;
(7) Was the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or
administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of: (i) any federal or
state securities or commodities law or regulation; (ii) any law or regulation
respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including but not
limited to a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or
restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease and desist
order, or removal or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation
prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business
entity; or
(8) Was the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently
reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as
defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26)], any
registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange
Act [7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29)], or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or
organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons
associated with a member.
15
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors of the Company by writing to:
Cary V. Sorensen, Secretary, Tengasco, Inc., 6021 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 117, Greenwood Village,
CO 80111 or by e-mail: to: csorensen@tengasco.com Subject: Communication to Board of
Directors. All letters and e-mails will be answered, if possible, and will be distributed to Board
members as appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has the authority to discard
or disregard any communication, which is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or otherwise
inappropriate or to take any other appropriate actions with respect to such communications.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Name and Address
Title
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned 4
Percent of
Class5
Matthew K. Behrent
Director
Hughree F. Brooks
Director
Michael J. Rugen
Chief Financial
Officer
15,4256
12,1257
6,6418
Less than 1%
Less than 1%
Less than 1%
Peter E. Salas
Director;
Chairman of the Board
2,097,8419
34.2%
Cary V. Sorensen
Richard M. Thon
Vice President;
General Counsel;
Secretary
Director
23,62310
Less than 1%
7,12511
Less than 1%
Change in Control
4 Unless otherwise stated, all shares of common stock are directly held with sole voting and dispositive power. The shares set forth in
the table are as of October 17, 2016.
5 Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based upon 6,097,723 shares of common stock
being outstanding as of October 17, 2016. Shares not outstanding that are subject to options or warrants exercisable by the holder
thereof within 60 days of October 17, 2016 are deemed outstanding for the purposes of calculating the number and percentage owned
by such stockholder, but not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of any other person. Unless otherwise
noted, all shares listed as beneficially owned by a stockholder are actually outstanding.
6 Consists of 4,800 shares held directly and vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 10,625 shares.
7 Consists of 1,500 shares held directly and vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 10,625 shares.
8 Consists of 6,641 shares held directly.
9 Consists of directly, vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 10,625 shares, 23,300 shares held individually, and 2,063,916
shares held directly by Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P. (“Dolphin”). Peter E. Salas is the sole shareholder of and controlling person
of Dolphin Mgmt. Services, Inc. which is the general partner of Dolphin.
10 Consists of 23,623 shares held directly.
11 Consists of 1,500 shares held directly and vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 5,625 shares.
16
To the knowledge of the Company’s management, there are no present arrangements or
pledges of the Company’s securities which may result in a change in control of the Company.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company is a “smaller reporting company” under the rules promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and complies with the disclosure requirements specifically applicable to
smaller reporting companies. This Section and Summary Compensation Table are not intended to
meet the “Compensation Disclosure and Analysis” disclosure that is required to be made by larger
reporting companies.
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded to, earned or paid to,
the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers whose
compensation exceeded $100,000 during fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31,
2014.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Option
Awards
($)
Salary Bonus
($)
All Other
Compensation1 Total
($)
($)
($)
168,008 29,442
186,716 68,343
8,394 205,844
53,597 308,656
Name and Principal Position Year
2015
Michael J. Rugen,
2014
Chief Executive Officer
(interim)2
Chief Financial Officer
Cary V. Sorensen,
4,662 97,339
9,788 152,728
V.P., General Counsel
1 The amounts in this column consist of the Company’s matching contributions to its 401 (k) plan,
personal use of company vehicles, moving expenses, and the portion of company-wide group term
life insurance premiums allocable to these named executive officers.
2 The information for Mr. Rugen for 2015 and 2014 includes compensation for his services as both
CEO and CFO. The bonus in 2015 and 2014 include $29,442 and $33,068 respectively for
quarterly bonuses paid to Mr. Rugen as compensation to serve in the capacity as CEO.
92,677
137,940
-
5,000
2015
2014
-
-
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2015 YEAR-END
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised options
exercisable
0
0
OPTION AWARDS
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised options
unexercisable
0
0
Option
exercise
price
Option
expiration date
-
-
-
-
Michael J. Rugen
Cary V. Sorensen
17
Option and Award Exercises
No options were exercised by any person during 2014 or 2015.
Employment Contracts
Employment Contracts and Compensation Agreements
On September 18, 2013, the Company and its Chief Financial Officer and interim Chief
Executive Officer Michael J. Rugen entered into a written Compensation Agreement as reported on
Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2013. Under the terms of the Compensation Agreement, Mr.
Rugen’s annual salary will increase from $150,000 to $170,000 per year in his capacity as Chief
Financial Officer, and he will receive a bonus of $7,500 per quarter for each quarter during which
he also serves as interim Chief Executive Officer. At June 1, 2015, Mr. Rugen’s salary was
increased to $199,826 per year in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer, the quarterly bonus
received while in the capacity as interim Chief Financial Officer was increased to $8,815 per
quarter. The increases at June 1, 2015 were for cost of living adjustments related to the relocation
of the corporate office from Knoxville to Greenwood Village. The Compensation agreement is not
an employment contract, but does provide that in the event Mr. Rugen were terminated without
cause, he would receive a severance payment in the amount of six month’s salary in effect at the
time of any such termination.
On February 25, 2015, the Company and its Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate
Secretary Cary V. Sorensen entered into a written Compensation Agreement as reported on Form 8-
K filed on February 19, 2015. Under the terms of the Compensation Agreement, effective March 2,
2015, Mr. Sorensen’s annual salary will be reduced from $137,500 to $91,000 in consideration of
the Company's agreement to permit Mr. Sorensen to serve as a full time employee from a virtual
office in Galveston, Texas with presence in the Denver area headquarters as required. He will
remain eligible for certain existing benefits: 401-K plan, bonus potential; Company-paid state bar
membership dues and charges, and mobile phone charges. The Company also pays reasonable and
customary office operating expenses. The Company would pay for business travel on a mileage
basis and out of pocket travel costs. However, as to health insurance, Mr. Sorensen will obtain a
combination of private/governmental health and disability insurance in lieu of the Company plans,
with the Company reimbursing up to $13,000 per year in premiums incurred by him. The
Compensation agreement is not an employment contract, but does provide that in the event Mr.
Sorensen were terminated without cause, he would receive a severance payment in the amount of
six month’s salary in effect at the time of any such termination.
In addition, during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company initiated cost reduction
measures including compensation reductions for each employee, the Board of Directors, and both of
the two executive officers of the Company. Mr. Rugen’s annual salary was reduced 18% from
$199,826 to $163,857 and his quarterly payment was also reduced 18% from $8,815 to $7,228; and
Mr. Sorensen’s annual salary was reduced by 10% from the $91,000 stated above. These
compensation reductions for the executive officers and employees will remain in place until such
time, if any, that the market price of crude oil, calculated as a thirty day trailing average of WTI
postings as published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration meets or exceeds $70 per
18
barrel when compensation shall revert to the levels in place before the reductions became effective.
At such time, if any, that the market price of crude oil, calculated as a thirty day trailing average of
WTI postings as published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration meets or exceeds $85
per barrel, all previous reductions made will be reimbursed to each officer, employee and member
of the Board of Directors if he is still employed by the Company or still a member of the Board of
Directors.
There are presently no other employment contracts relating to any member of management.
However, depending upon the Company's operations and requirements, the Company may offer
long-term contracts to executive officers or key employees in the future.
Compensation of Directors
The Board of Directors has resolved to compensate members of the Board of Directors for
attendance at meetings at the rate of $250 per diem, together with direct out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in attendance at the meetings, including travel. The Directors, however, have waived per
diem fees as of this date for all prior meetings.
Members of the Board of Directors may also be requested to perform consulting or other
professional services for the Company from time to time, although at this time no such
arrangements are in place. The Board of Directors has reserved to itself the right to review all
directors' claims for compensation on an ad hoc basis.
Board members currently receive fees from the Company for their services as director.
They may also from time to time be granted stock options and common stock under the Tengasco,
Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. A separate plan to issue cash and/or shares of stock to independent
directors for service on the Board and committees of the Board of Directors was authorized by the
Board and approved by the Company’s shareholders. A copy of that plan is posted at the
Company’s website at www.tengasco.com. No award was made to any independent director under
that plan in Fiscal 2015.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2015
Matthew K. Behrent
Hughree F. Brooks
Richard M. Thon
Peter E. Salas
Fees earned or
paid in cash
Option awards
compensation
Total
$
$
$
$
5,625 $
5,625 $
5,625 $
5,625 $
3,251 $
3,251 $
3,251 $
3,251 $
8,876
8,876
8,876
8,876
19
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
There have been no material transactions, series of similar transactions or currently proposed
transactions entered into during 2015 and 2014, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent
of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for its last two completed fiscal years in
which any director or executive officer or any security holder who is known to the Company to own
of record or beneficially more than 5% of the Company's common stock, or any member of the
immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, had a material interest.
In its Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company describes
two transactions of the type described above, that the Company entered into with Hoactzin in 2007
that remained in existence in 2014 and 2015. As noted above in Item 1, Business, page 9, Peter E.
Salas, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, is the controlling person of Hoactzin
and of Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P., the Company’s largest shareholder. These two 2007
transactions between the Company and Hoactzin are described at the following page locations in
that Report and in its attached Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements: (1) the Ten Well
Program, see Item 1, Business, pages 7 and F-12; and (2) the net profits agreement at the Methane
Project, see Item 1, Business, pages 9 and F-13.
The approximate dollar value of the amount of Hoactzin’s interest in each of these two 2007
transactions during each of the years 2015 and 2014 was as follows: (1) Ten Well Program -
$31,000 in 2015; $148,000 in 2014 (calculated as the total payments attributable to Hoactzin for its
program interest); and (2) Net Profits agreement at the Methane Project - $0 in 2015 and 2014
(calculated as the amount of net profits payable to Hoactzin; the project generated no net profits as
described in the agreement, and therefore no amount was paid to Hoactzin for net profits, in either
2015 or 2014).
In addition to the two 2007 transactions, Hoactzin owns a drilling program interest in the
Company’s “6 Well Program” in Kansas, acquired in 2005 by Hoactzin in exchange for surrender
of the Company’s promissory notes given by the Company for borrowings to fund the redemption
in 2004 of the Company’s three series of preferred stock, all as previously disclosed. Hoactzin’s
interest in the 6 Well Program was $13,000 in 2015; and $30,000 in 2014 (calculated as the total
payments attributable to Hoactzin for its program interest) and is expected to decrease in the future
as the wells involved naturally decline in produced volumes.
20
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties12
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a written Related Party Transactions
Approval Policy which is posted on the Company’s website at www.tengasco.com. It is the
Company’s preference to avoid entering into a material related-party transaction if a transaction
with a non-related party is available on an equally timely and equally beneficial basis. However, if a
Related Party Transaction appears to be in the Company’s best interest then it will be approved or
ratified if the Board of Directors pursuant to the Company’s Related Party Transaction Approval
Policy expressly finds that the terms of the transaction are comparable to or more beneficial to the
Company than those that could be obtained in arm’s length dealings with an unrelated third party;
or, the transaction is approved by the majority of disinterested directors of the Company’s Board.
Parent of Issuer
The Company has no parent.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE REQUIRED
For Proposal No. 1 regarding the election of directors, votes may be cast in favor of all
nominees, may be withheld with regard to all nominees or may be withheld only with regard to
nominees specified by the stockholder. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the
shares of the Company's common stock present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to
vote on the election of directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions are
tabulated in determining the votes present at a meeting. Consequently, an abstention has the same
effect as a vote against a director-nominee, as each abstention would be one less vote in favor of a
director nominee. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as
to certain shares to vote on a particular matter (i.e., a “broker non-vote”), those shares will not be
considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter. The Board of Directors
recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the nominees set forth above. Unless marked to the
contrary, proxies received will be voted FOR the nominees set forth above.
12 A “Related Party” is any director or executive officer of the Company, any nominee for director, any shareholder
known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting stock, and any Immediate
Family Member of any such Party. “Immediate Family Member” means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse,
sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a person, and any
person (other than a tenant or an employee) sharing the household of such person.
21
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
HEIN & ASSOCIATES, LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board’s Audit Committee has recommended and the Board of Directors has approved
the engagement of Hein & Associates, LLP (“Hein”) as independent certified public accountants, to
audit the accounts for the Company for Fiscal 2016.
Hein audited the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2015
and 2014. Hein was engaged on September 21, 2011 to serve as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm. The Company is advised that neither Hein nor any of its partners
has any material direct or indirect relationship with the Company. The Audit Committee considers
Hein to be well qualified for the function of serving as the Company's auditors. Delaware law does
not require the approval of the selection of auditors by the Company's stockholders, but in view of
the importance of the financial statements to stockholders, the Board of Directors deems it desirable
that they pass upon its selection of auditors. In the event the stockholders disapprove of the
selection, the Board of Directors will consider the selection of other auditors.
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table presents the fees for professional audit services rendered by the
Company’s current independent accountants, Hein & Associates (“Hein”), for the audit of the
Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and fees for professional audit services
rendered for the quarterly reviews for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31,
2014:
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES
2015
2014
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
Total Fees
$ 111,400
-
-
$ 134,316
-
-
-
$ 111,400
-
$ 134,316
Audit fees include fees related to the services rendered in connection with the annual audit
of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the quarterly reviews of the Company’s
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the reviews of and other services related to statutory filings or
engagements for the subject fiscal years.
Audit-related fees are for assurance and related services by the principal accountants that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
22
Tax Fees include services for (i) tax compliance, (ii) tax advice, (iii) tax planning and (iv)
tax reporting.
All Other Fees includes fees for all other services provided by the principal accountants not
covered in the other categories such as litigation support, etc.
All of the services for 2015 and 2014 were performed by the full-time, permanent
employees of Hein.
All of the 2015 services described above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to
the SEC rule that requires audit committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by
the Company’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee considered whether the provisions of
such services, including non-audit services, by Hein were compatible with maintaining its
independence and concluded they were.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE REQUIRED
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote in favor of the above proposal to ratify
the appointment of Hein & Associates, LLP as independent auditors of the Company for Fiscal
2015. Ratification will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and voting at
the meeting in person or by proxy. In the event ratification is not provided, the Audit Committee
and the Board of Directors will review the future selection of the Company's independent auditors.
Unless otherwise directed by the stockholder giving the proxy, the proxy will be voted for
the ratification of the selection by the Board of Directors of Hein & Associates, LLP as the
Company's independent certified public accountants for Fiscal 2015. Shares voted as abstaining will
count as votes cast. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as
to certain shares to vote on a particular matter (i.e., a “broker non-vote”), those shares will not be
considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter. An abstention from voting by
a stockholder present in person or by proxy at the meeting has the same legal effect as a vote
“against” Proposal No. 2 because it represents a share present or represented at the meeting and
entitled to vote, thereby increasing the number of affirmative votes required to approve this
proposal.
23
STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2017 annual meeting must be
received in writing, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at its offices by July 14, 2017 in
order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement relating to that meeting.
SEC rules and regulations provide that if the date of the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting is
advanced or delayed more than 30 days from the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting, stockholder
proposals intended to be included in the proxy materials for the 2017 Annual Meeting must be
received by the Company within a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail the
proxy materials for the 2017 Annual Meeting. Upon determination by the Company that the date of
the 2017 Annual Meeting will be advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the date of the
2016 Annual Meeting, the Company will disclose such change no later than in the earliest possible
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Cary V. Sorensen
Cary V. Sorensen, Secretary
24
TENGASCO, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael J. Rugen and Cary V. Sorensen as proxies (the
“Proxies”), each with power of substitution and re-substitution, to vote all shares of Common
Stock, $.001 par value per share, of Tengasco, Inc. (the “Company”) held of record by the
undersigned on October 17, 2016 at the Annual Meeting of stockholders to be held at the
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Denver Tech Center, 7801 E. Orchard Rd., Greenwood Village, CO
80111 on December 6, 2016 at 8:30 AM local (Mountain ) time, or at any adjournments thereof,
as directed below, and in their discretion on all other matters coming before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
Please mark boxes / / in blue or black ink.
Election of Directors: Matthew K. Behrent, Hughree F. Brooks, Peter E. Salas, and
1.
Richard M. Thon.
(Mark only one of the two boxes for this item)
/ /
VOTE FOR all nominees named above except those who may be named on these
two lines:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(OR)
/ /
VOTE WITHHELD as to all nominees named above.
Proposal to ratify appointment of Hein & Associates, LLP as the Company's independent
2.
certified public accountants for Fiscal 2015:
FOR
/ /
AGAINST
/ /
ABSTAIN
/ /
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may
3.
properly come before the meeting.
When properly executed, this Proxy will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, this
Proxy will be voted “FOR” election of all Directors named in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2.
Please mark, date, and sign and return this Proxy promptly in the enclosed
envelope.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants,
both should sign. When signing as attorney or executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give your full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate
name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
name by authorized person.
Dated: _______________________, 2016
X ____________________________
Signature
X _____________________________
Print Name(s)
X ____________________________
Signature, if held jointly
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
REPORT ON FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015 or
Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from
__________ to __________.
Commission File No. 1-15555
TENGASCO, INC.
(name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(state or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
6021 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 117,
Greenwood Village, CO
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
87-0267438
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
80111
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (720) 420-4460.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.001 par value per share.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No
Indicated by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this Chapter) is not
contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
Non-accelerated Filer
(Do not check if a Smaller Reporting Company)
Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which
the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s
most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $10.6 million (June 30, 2015 closing price $2.70 – closing price has been
adjusted to reflect the impact of the 1 for 10 reverse stock split approved at the shareholder meeting on March 21, 2016, and effective with
trading on March 24, 2016).
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s $.001 par value common stock as of the close of business on March 25, 2016 was
6,084,241.
1
PART I
Page
Table of Contents
6
13
20
20
24
24
24
25
25
30
31
31
31
32
32
37
39
41
42
44
46
Business
Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders
Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement and Schedules
SIGNATURES
2
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The information contained in this Report, in certain instances, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s “expectations,”
“anticipations,” “intentions,” “beliefs,” or “strategies” or any similar word or phrase regarding the future. Forward-looking
statements also include statements regarding revenue margins, expenses, and earnings analysis for 2015 and thereafter; oil and
gas prices; exploration activities; development expenditures; costs of regulatory compliance; environmental matters;
technological developments; future products or product development; the Company’s products and distribution development
strategies; potential acquisitions or strategic alliances; liquidity and anticipated cash needs and availability; prospects for
success of capital raising activities; prospects or the market for or price of the Company’s common stock; and control of the
Company. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the
Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. The Company’s actual results could differ
materially from the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially are the factors
discussed in “Risk Factors” below in Item 1A of this Report.
Projecting the effects of commodity prices, which in past years have been extremely volatile, on production and timing
of development expenditures includes many factors beyond the Company’s control. The future estimates of net cash flows
from the Company’s proved reserves and their present value are based upon various assumptions about future production levels,
prices, and costs that may prove to be incorrect over time. Any significant variance from assumptions could result in the actual
future net cash flows being materially different from the estimates.
GLOSSARY OF OIL AND GAS TERMS
The following are abbreviations and definitions of certain terms commonly used in the oil and gas industry and this
document:
Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in reference to oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Bcf. One billion cubic feet of gas.
BOE. One stock tank barrel equivalent of oil, calculated by converting gas volumes to equivalent oil barrels at a ratio of 6
thousand cubic feet of gas to 1 barrel of oil.
BOPD. Barrels of oil per day.
Btu. British thermal unit. One British thermal unit is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water
by one degree Fahrenheit.
Developed oil and gas reserves. Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be
recovered: (i) through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required
equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and (ii) through installed extraction equipment and
infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.
Development project. A development project is the means by which petroleum resources are brought to the status of
economically producible. As examples, the development of a single reservoir or field, an incremental development in a
producing field or the integrated development of a group of several fields and associated facilities with a common ownership
may constitute a development project.
Development well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known
to be productive.
Differential. An adjustment to the price of oil or gas from an established spot market price to reflect differences in the quality
and/or location of oil or gas.
Economically producible. The term economically producible, as it relates to a resource, means a resource which generates
revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. The value of the products that generate
revenue shall be determined at the terminal point of oil and gas producing activities. The terminal point is generally regarded
as the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank.
3
Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and
cumulative production as of that date,
Exploratory well. A well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of
oil or gas in another reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a
service well or a stratigraphic test well.
Farmout. An assignment of an interest in a drilling location and related acreage conditional upon the drilling of a well on that
location.
Gas. Natural gas.
MBbl. One thousand barrels of oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
MBOE. One thousand BOE.
Mcf. One thousand cubic feet of gas.
Mcfd. One thousand cubic feet of gas per day
MMcfe. One million cubic feet of gas equivalent.
MMBOE. One million BOE.
MMBtu. One million British thermal units.
MMcf. One million cubic feet of gas.
NYMEX. New York Mercantile Exchange.
Oil. Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids.
Operator. The individual or company responsible for the exploration and/or production of an oil or gas well or lease.
Play. A geographic area with hydrocarbon potential.
Polymer. The purpose of the polymer gel treatment is to reduce excessive water production and increase oil or gas production
from wells that produce from water-drive reservoirs. These wells are typically produced from naturally fractured carbonate
reservoirs such as dolomites and limestone in mature fields. Successful treatments are also run in certain types of sandstone
reservoirs. Other practical applications of polymer gels include the treatment of waterflood injection wells to correct channeling
or change the injection profile, to improve the ability of the injected fluids to sweep the producing wells in the field, making
the waterflood much more efficient and allowing the operator to recover more oil in a shorter period of time.
Proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience
and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward,
from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations prior to the
time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain,
regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons
must have commenced, or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project, within a reasonable time.
The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes all of the following: (i) the area identified by drilling and limited by
fluid contacts, if any; and (ii) adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be
continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil and gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering
data.
In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons as seen
in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering or performance data and reliable technology establish a lower contact with
reasonable certainty.
4
Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil elevation and the potential exists for an
associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience,
engineering or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.
Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited
to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when: (i) successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the
reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the
reservoir or an analogous reservoir or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the
engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and (ii) the project has been approved for development by all
necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.
Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined.
The price shall be the average price during the twelve-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report,
determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless
prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.
Proved reserve additions. The sum of additions to proved reserves from extensions, discoveries, improved recovery,
acquisitions and revisions of previous estimates.
Reserves. Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically
producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist,
or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production,
installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market and all permits and financing required to implement
the project. Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those
reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly
separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir or
negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered
accumulations).
Reserve additions. Changes in proved reserves due to revisions of previous estimates, extensions, discoveries, improved
recovery and other additions and purchases of reserves in-place.
Reserve life. A measure of the productive life of an oil and gas property or a group of properties, expressed in years.
Royalty interest. An interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to receive a portion of the
production from the leased acreage (or of the proceeds of the sale thereof), but generally does not require the owner to pay any
portion of the costs of drilling or operating the wells on the leased acreage. Royalties may be either landowner's royalties,
which are reserved by the owner of the leased acreage at the time the lease is granted, or overriding royalties, which are usually
reserved by an owner of the leasehold in connection with a transfer to a subsequent owner.
Standardized measure. The present value, discounted at 10% per year, of estimated future net revenues from the production
of proved reserves, computed by applying sales prices used in estimating proved oil and gas reserves to the year-end quantities
of those reserves in effect as of the dates of such estimates and held constant throughout the productive life of the reserves and
deducting the estimated future costs to be incurred in developing, producing and abandoning the proved reserves (computed
based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions). Future income taxes are calculated by
applying the appropriate year-end statutory federal and state income tax rate with consideration of future tax rates already
legislated, to pre-tax future net cash flows, net of the tax basis of the properties involved and utilization of available tax
carryforwards related to proved oil and gas reserves.
SWD. Salt water disposal well.
Undeveloped oil and gas reserves. Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be
recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for
recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are
reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable
certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.
Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating
that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time. Under no
5
circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection
or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in
the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.
Waterflood. A method of secondary recovery in which water is injected into the reservoir formation to displace residual oil.
The water from injection wells physically sweeps the displaced oil to adjacent production wells.
Working interest. An interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to drill for and produce oil
and gas on the leased acreage and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.
References herein to the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Tengasco, Inc.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
History of the Company
The Company was initially organized in Utah in 1916 under a name later changed to Onasco Companies, Inc. In
1995, the Company changed its name from Onasco Companies, Inc. by merging into Tengasco, Inc., a Tennessee corporation,
formed by the Company solely for this purpose. At the Company’s Annual Meeting held on June 11, 2011, the stockholders
of the Company approved an Agreement and Plan of Merger adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors which provided
for the merger of the Company into a wholly-owned subsidiary formed in Delaware for the purpose of changing the Company’s
state of incorporation from Tennessee to Delaware. The merger became effective on June 12, 2011 and the Company is now a
Delaware corporation.
OVERVIEW
The Company is in the business of exploration for and production of oil and natural gas. The Company’s primary
area of oil exploration and production is in Kansas. The Company’s primary area of natural gas production had been the Swan
Creek Field in Tennessee. The Company sold all its oil and gas leases and producing assets in Tennessee on August 16, 2013.
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tengasco Pipeline Corporation (“TPC”) owned and operated a 65-mile
intrastate pipeline which it constructed to transport natural gas from the Company’s Swan Creek Field to customers in
Kingsport, Tennessee. The Company sold all its pipeline-related assets on August 16, 2013.
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Manufactured Methane Corporation (“MMC”) operates treatment and
delivery facilities in Church Hill, Tennessee for the extraction of methane gas from a landfill for eventual sale as natural gas
and for the generation of electricity.
General
1. The Kansas Properties
The Company’s operated properties in Kansas are located in central Kansas and as of December 31, 2015 include 180
producing oil wells, 28 shut-in wells, and 39 active disposal wells (the “Kansas Properties”). The Company has onsite
production management and field personnel working out of the Hays, Kansas office.
The leases for the Kansas Properties provide for a landowner royalty of 12.5%. Some wells are subject to an overriding
royalty interest from 0.5% to 9%. The Company maintains a 100% working interest in most of its wells and undrilled acreage
in Kansas. The terms for most of the Company’s newer leases in Kansas are from three to five years.
During 2015, the Company drilled 1 gross well which resulted in a dry hole. All of the Company’s current reserve
value, production, oil and gas revenue, and future development objectives result from the Company’s ongoing interest in
Kansas. By using 3-D seismic evaluation on the Company’s existing locations, the Company has historically added proven
direct offset locations and will continue using 3-D seismic evaluation techniques in the future.
6
A. Kansas Ten Well Drilling Program
On September 17, 2007, the Company entered into a ten well drilling program with Hoactzin, consisting of three
wildcat wells and seven developmental wells to be drilled on the Company’s Kansas Properties (the “Program”). Peter E. Salas,
the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, is the controlling person of Hoactzin and Dolphin Offshore Partners,
L.P., the Company’s largest shareholder. Under the terms of the Program, Hoactzin paid the Company $0.4 million for each
producing well and $0.25 million for each dry hole. The terms of the Program also provided that Hoactzin would receive all
the working interest in the producing wells, and would pay an initial fee to the Company of 25% of its working interest revenues
net of operating expenses, referred to as a management fee. The fee paid to the Company by Hoactzin would increase to 85%
of its working interest revenues net of operating expenses when net revenues received by Hoactzin reach an agreed payout
point of approximately 1.35 times Hoactzin’s purchase price (the “Payout Point”). The Payout Point was reached effective
with production in February 2014, at which time the management fee for the Program increased from 25% to 85%.
In 2015, the wells from the Program produced total gross production of 11.2 MBbl of which the revenues from 8.3
MBbl were net to the Company. During the 4th quarter of 2015, total gross production from these wells averaged 28 barrels
per day, of which the revenues from 21 barrels per day were net to the Company.
The reserve information for the parties’ respective Ten Well Program interests as of December 31, 2015 is indicated
in the table below. Reserve reports are obtained annually and estimates related to those reports are updated upon receipt of the
report. These calculations were made using commodity prices based on the twelve month arithmetic average of the first day
of the month price for the period January through December 2015 as required by SEC regulations. The table below reflects
values realized at a price of $43.98 per barrel which was used in the December 31, 2015 reserve report.
Reserve Information for Ten Well Program Interest as of December 31, 2015
Tengasco
Hoactzin
Barrels Attributable to
Party’s Interest
Undiscounted Future Net Cash
Flows Attributable to
Party’s Interest
Present Value of Future Net Cash
Flows Discounted at 10%
Attributable to Party’s Interest
MBbl
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
77.2 $
13.6 $
1,371 $
242 $
787
139
The Hoactzin reserves were estimated based on Tengasco reserves as of December 31, 2015.
B. Kansas Production
The Company’s gross oil production in Kansas decreased by 28 MBbl from 186 MBbl in 2014 to 158 MBbl in
2015. This decrease was primarily the result of natural declines and increase in shut-in wells during 2015. The increase in
shut-in wells primarily related to cost to repair exceeding future cash flows at current prices, therefore making it uneconomic
to bring the well back on until prices increase. The capital projects undertaken by the Company in 2015 were originally funded
by borrowings from the Company’s credit facility, a portion of which was repaid through use of the Company’s operating cash
flows.
2. The Tennessee Properties
In the early 1980’s Amoco Production Company owned numerous acres of oil and gas leases in the Eastern Overthrust
in the Appalachian Basin, including the area now referred to as the Swan Creek Field. In the mid-1980’s, however,
development of this field was cost prohibitive due to a decline in worldwide oil and gas prices and the high cost of constructing
a pipeline to deliver gas to the closest market. In July 1995, the Company acquired the Swan Creek leases and began
development of the field. In 2001, the Company completed construction of a 65 mile pipeline from the Swan Creek Field to
several meter stations in Kingsport, Tennessee.
The Company evaluated in recent years whether continued development would add additional reserves and the
likelihood of realizing additional revenues from transportation of third party gas through the Company’s pipeline assets. The
Company determined that current wells would be able to produce the remaining oil and gas reserves and that the Company was
unable to attract any additional third party gas without substantial capital investment. As a result, the Company elected to sell
its Swan Creek oil and gas assets and its pipeline assets and focus on its oil production from its Kansas Properties.
7
On March 1, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Swan Creek Partners LLC to sell all of the Company’s
oil and gas leases and producing assets in Tennessee as well as the Company’s pipeline assets for $1.5 million. The Company
closed this sale on August 16, 2013.
The associated revenues and expenses net of taxes of the Company’s pipeline assets have been classified as
discontinued operations in the Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. As the Swan Creek oil and
gas assets represented only a small portion of the Company’s full cost pool, the associated revenues and expenses were
classified in continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.
During 2013, prior to the closing of the sale of the Tennessee oil and gas assets, the Company had 14 producing gas
wells and 6 producing oil wells in the Swan Creek Field. Gross gas production volumes from the Swan Creek Field during
2013 until the sale of the properties averaged approximately 226 Mcfd. Gross oil sales volumes from the Swan Creek field
during 2013 until the sale of the properties averaged approximately 16.7 BOPD.
3. Manufactured Methane Facilities
On October 24, 2006, the Company signed a twenty-year Landfill Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (the
“Agreement”) with predecessors in interest of Republic Services, Inc. (“Republic”). The Company assigned its interest in the
Agreement to MMC. The Agreement provided that MMC would purchase the entire naturally produced gas stream being
collected at the Carter Valley municipal solid waste landfill owned and operated by Republic in Church Hill, Tennessee and
located about two miles from the Company’s pipeline. The Company’s pipeline was sold on August 16, 2013. The Company
installed a proprietary combination of advanced gas treatment technology to extract the methane component of the purchased
gas stream. The Company constructed a pipeline to deliver the extracted methane gas to the Company’s then existing pipeline
(the “Methane Project”).
MMC declared startup of commercial operations of the Methane Project on April 1, 2009. The total cost for the
Methane Project through startup, including pipeline construction, was approximately $4.5 million.
On August 27, 2009, the Company entered into a five-year fixed price gas sales contract with Atmos Energy
Marketing, LLC, (“AEM”) in Houston, Texas, a nonregulated unit of Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) for the sale of
the methane component of landfill gas produced by MMC at the Carter Valley Landfill. The agreement provided for the sale
of up to 600 MMBtu per day. The contract was effective beginning with September 2009 gas production and ended July 31,
2014. The agreed contract price of over $6 per MMBtu was a premium to the then current five-year strip price for natural gas
on the NYMEX futures market.
In April 2011, MMC purchased from Parkway Services Group of Lafayette, Louisiana a Caterpillar genset which was
delivered in late 2011 and installed at the plant site for generation of electricity. Total cost of the generator including installation
and interconnection with the power grid was approximately $1.1 million.
On January 25, 2012, MMC commenced sales of electricity generated at the Carter Valley site. The electricity
generated is sold under a ten year firm price contract with Holston Electric Cooperative, Inc., the local distributor, and
Tennessee Valley Authority through TVA’s Generation Partners program. That program accepted generated renewable power
up to 999KW; MMC’s generation equipment is rated at 974 KW to maximize revenues under the favorable electricity pricing
under the Generation Partners program. The price provision under this contract pays MMC the current retail price charged
monthly to small commercial customers by Holston Electric Cooperative, plus a “green” premium of 3 cents per kilowatt hour
(KWH). Current price paid to MMC is approximately $.129 per KWH. In December 2013, the contract was extended by
agreement between the Company, Holston Electric Cooperative, and TVA for an additional ten years beginning in January
2022 at the current price rate less the three-cent “green” premium. A one-eighth royalty on electricity revenues is paid to the
landfill owner.
During 2013, the Methane Project was online approximately 29% of the time resulting in gas sales net revenues net
of royalty of $117,000 and the electric generation was online approximately 27% of the time resulting in electric sales net
revenues of $263,000. The significant downtime during 2013 was primarily a result of consistent high levels of oxygen included
in the gas coming from the landfill, causing the equipment to shut down until lower oxygen levels on a consistent basis were
achieved. As result of this significant down time, the Company reconfigured the fuel supply, added some additional electric
generation related equipment, and began an electric generation only program at the Carter Valley site. The cost of the
reconfiguration and addition equipment was approximately $274,000 and was operational in late February 2014. During 2014,
the electric generation was online approximately 56% of the time resulting in electric sales net revenues of approximately
$524,000. Approximately $518,000 of the 2014 revenues were realized during the period March 2014 through December 2014
8
during which the electric generation was online approximately 66% of the time. During 2015, the electric generation was
online approximately 67% of the time resulting in electric sales net revenues of approximately $533,000.
On September 17, 2007, Hoactzin, simultaneously with subscribing to participate in the Ten Well Program (the
“Program”), pursuant to a separate agreement with the Company was conveyed a 75% net profits interest in the Methane
Project. Because the Payout Point was reached in February 2014 as described above, Hoactzin’s net profits interest in the
Methane Project has decreased to 7.5%. The agreed method of calculation of net profits takes into account specific costs and
expenses as well as gross gas revenues for the project. As a result of the startup costs, ongoing operating expenses, and reduced
production levels discussed above, no net profits as defined have been realized during the period from the project startup in
April, 2009 through December 31, 2015 for payment to Hoactzin under the net profits interest. All payments applied to
reaching the Payout Point have been generated from the Program.
4. Management Agreement with Hoactzin
On December 18, 2007, the Company entered into a Management Agreement with Hoactzin to manage on behalf of
Hoactzin all of its working interest in certain oil and gas properties owned by Hoactzin and located in the onshore Texas Gulf
Coast, and offshore Texas and offshore Louisiana. As part of the consideration for the Company’s agreement to enter into the
Management Agreement, Hoactzin granted to the Company an option to participate in up to a 15% working interest on a dollar
for dollar cost basis in any new drilling or workover activities undertaken on Hoactzin’s managed properties during the term
of the Management Agreement. The Management Agreement expired on December 18, 2012. The Company has entered into
a transition agreement with Hoactzin whereby the Company will no longer perform operations, but will administratively assist
Hoactzin in becoming operator of record of these wells and administratively assist Hoactzin in the transfer of the corresponding
bonds from the Company to Hoactzin. This assistance is primarily related to signing the necessary documents to effectuate
this transition. Hoactzin and its controlling member are indemnifying the Company for any costs or liabilities incurred by the
Company resulting from such assistance, or the fact that the Company is the operator of record on certain of these wells. As
of the date of this Report, the Company continues to administratively assist Hoactzin with this transition process. The transition
was anticipated to be completed by this time, and the transition agreement provides that the Company may hold Hoactzin’s
drilling programs funds in suspense until the transition process has been completed. As of December 31, 2015, the Company
was holding approximately $634,000 of such funds. In January 2016, the Company paid these held funds to Hoactzin.
During the term of the Management Agreement, the Company became the operator of certain properties owned by
Hoactzin. The Company obtained from IndemCo, over time, bonds in the face amount of approximately $10.7 million for the
purpose of covering plugging and abandonment obligations for Hoactzin’s operated properties located in federal offshore
waters in favor of the BSEE, as well as certain private parties. In connection with the issuance of these bonds the Company
signed a Payment and Indemnity Agreement with IndemCo whereby the Company guaranteed payment of any bonding
liabilities incurred by IndemCo. Dolphin Direct Equity Partners, LP also signed the Payment and Indemnity Agreement, thereby
becoming jointly and severally liable with the Company for the obligations to IndemCo. Dolphin Direct Equity Partners, L.P.
is a private equity fund controlled by Peter E. Salas that has a significant economic interest in Hoactzin. Hoactzin had provided
$6.6 million in cash to IndemCo as collateral for these potential obligations. As of May 15, 2014, all bonds issued by IndemCo
and subject to the Payment and Indemnity Agreement have been released by the BSEE and have been cancelled by
IndemCo. Accordingly, the exposure to the Company under any of the now cancelled IndemCo bonds or the indemnity
agreement relating to those now cancelled bonds has decreased to zero.
As part of the transition process, Hoactzin secured new bonds from Argonaut Insurance Company to replace the
IndemCo bonds. Also as part of the transition to Hoactzin becoming operator of its own properties, right-of-use and easement
(“RUE”) bonds in the amount of $1.55 million were required by the regulatory process to be issued by Argonaut in the
Company’s name as current operator. Hoactzin is in the process of transferring these RUE bonds from the Company to
Hoactzin. Hoactzin and Dolphin Direct signed an indemnity agreement with Argonaut as well as provided the required
collateral for the new Argonaut bonds, including 100% cash collateral for the RUE bonds issued in the Company’s name. The
Company is not party to the indemnity agreement with Argonaut and has not provided any collateral for any of the Argonaut
bonds issued. When the transfer of the RUE’s and associated bonds is approved, the transfer of operations to Hoactzin would
be complete and the Company’s involvement in the Hoactzin properties will be ended.
As operator, the Company routinely contracted in its name for goods and services with vendors in connection with its
operation of the Hoactzin properties. In practice, Hoactzin directly paid these invoices for goods and services that were
contracted in the Company’s name. During late 2009 and early 2010, Hoactzin undertook several significant operations, for
which the Company contracted in the ordinary course. As a result of the operations performed in late 2009 and early 2010,
Hoactzin had significant past due balances to several vendors, a portion of which were included on the Company’s balance
sheet. Payables related to these past due and ongoing operations remained outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 in the
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amount of $159,000. The Company has recorded the Hoactzin-related payables and the corresponding receivable from
Hoactzin as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 in its Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accounts payable – other” and
“Accounts receivable – related party”. The outstanding balance of $159,000 should not increase in the future. However,
Hoactzin has not made payments to reduce the $159,000 of past due balances from 2009 and 2010 since the second quarter of
2012. Based on these circumstances, the Company has elected to establish an allowance in the amount of $159,000 for the
balances outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014. This allowance was recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance
Sheets under “Accounts receivable – related party”. The resulting balances recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance
Sheets under “Accounts receivable – related party, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $159” are $0 at December 31, 2015
and 2014.
The Company as designated operator of the Hoactzin properties was administratively issued an “Incident of Non-
Compliance” by BSEE during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 concerning one of Hoactzin’s operated properties. This
action calls for payment of a civil penalty of $386,000 for failure to provide, upon request, documentation to the BSEE
evidencing that certain safety inspections and tests had been conducted in 2011. In the 4th quarter of 2012, the Company filed
an administrative appeal with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (“IBLA”) of this action in order to attempt to significantly
reduce the civil penalty. This appeal required a fully collateralized appeal bond to postpone the payment obligation until the
appeal was determined. The Company posted and collateralized this bond with RLI Insurance Company. If the bond was not
posted, the appeal would have been administratively denied and the order to the Company as operator to pay the $386,000
penalty would have become final. On June 23, 2014, the IBLA affirmed the civil penalty without reduction. On September
22, 2014, the Company sought judicial review of the June 23, 2014 agency action in the federal district court in the Eastern
District of Louisiana at New Orleans. As a result of the determination by the IBLA, the Company recorded a liability of
$386,000 in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accrued and other current liabilities” and an expense in its
Consolidated Statements of Operations under “Production costs and taxes” for the year ended December 31, 2014. On July
14, 2015, the federal district court in the Eastern District of Louisiana affirmed the determination by the IBLA without
reduction. The Company determined that further appeal of the determination was not likely to reduce the penalty and the
Company did not further appeal. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company paid the civil penalty affirmed on appeal and
statutory interest thereon from funds borrowed under its credit facility. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company received a
return of the cash collateral previously provided to RLI Insurance Company. The Company has not advanced any funds to pay
any obligations of Hoactzin and no borrowing capability of the Company has been used in connection with its obligations under
the Management Agreement, except for those funds used to pay the civil penalty and interest thereon.
During the second quarter of 2015, the Company received from Hoactzin a copy of an internal analysis prepared by
Hoactzin setting out certain issues that Hoactzin may consider to form the basis of operational and other claims against the
Company primarily under the Management Agreement. This analysis raised issues other than the “Incident of Non-
Compliance” discussed previously. The Company is discussing this analysis, as well as the civil penalty discussed previously,
with Hoactzin in an effort to determine whether there is possibility of a reasonable resolution of some or all of these matters on
a negotiated basis.
5. Other Areas of Development
Although focused on development of its current Kansas holdings, the Company will continue to review potential
transactions involving producing properties and undeveloped acreage in Kansas and the surrounding states.
Governmental Regulations
The Company is subject to numerous state and federal regulations, environmental and otherwise, that may have a
substantial negative effect on its ability to operate at a profit. For a discussion of the risks involved as a result of such
regulations, see, “Effect of Existing or Probable Governmental Regulations on Business and Costs and Effects of Compliance
with Environmental Laws” hereinafter in this section.
Principal Products or Services and Markets
The principal markets for the Company’s crude oil are local refining companies. At present, crude oil produced by
the Company in Kansas is sold at or near the wells to Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing, LLC (“Coffeyville”) in
Kansas City, Kansas and to CHS McPherson Refinery (“CHS”) in McPherson, Kansas. Both Coffeyville and CHS are solely
responsible for transportation to their refineries of the oil they purchase. The Company may sell some or all of its production
to one or more additional refineries in order to maximize revenues as purchases prices offered by the refineries fluctuate from
time to time.
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Gas from the Company’s Methane Facility had been sold at the tailgate of the plant to Atmos Energy Marketing. The
contract with Atmos expired in July 2014. Electricity generated at the site is sold to Holston Electric Cooperative. The contract
with Holston Electric had a ten year initial commitment and has been extended for an additional ten years as described
above. The contract with Holston Electric will expire in January 2032.
Drilling Equipment
The Company does not currently own a drilling rig or any related drilling equipment. The Company obtains drilling
services as required from time to time from various drilling contractors in Kansas.
Distribution Methods of Products or Services
Crude oil is normally delivered to refineries in Kansas by tank truck. Natural gas sold from the Company’s Methane
Facility had been distributed and transported by pipeline. Electricity generated at the Company’s Methane Facility is
distributed into the electric grid.
Competitive Business Conditions, Competitive Position in the Industry and Methods of Competition
The Company’s contemplated oil and gas exploration activities in the State of Kansas will be undertaken in a highly
competitive and speculative business atmosphere. In seeking any other suitable oil and gas properties for acquisition, the
Company will be competing with a number of other companies, including large oil and gas companies and other independent
operators with greater financial resources. Management does not believe that the Company’s competitive position in the oil
and gas industry will be significant as the Company currently exists.
There are numerous producers in the area of the Kansas Properties. Some of these companies are larger than the
Company and have greater financial resources. These companies are in competition with the Company for lease positions in
the known producing areas in which the Company currently operates, as well as other potential areas of interest.
Although management does not foresee any difficulties in procuring contracted drilling rigs, several factors, including
increased competition in the area, may limit the availability of drilling rigs, rig operators and related personnel and/or equipment
in the future. Such limitations would have a natural adverse impact on the profitability of the Company’s operations.
The Company anticipates no difficulty in procuring well drilling permits in any state. The Company generally does
not apply for a permit until it is actually ready to commence drilling operations.
The prices of the Company’s products are controlled by the world oil market and the United States natural gas
market. Thus, competitive pricing behaviors are considered unlikely; however, competition in the oil and gas exploration
industry exists in the form of competition to acquire the most promising acreage blocks and obtaining the most favorable
process for transporting the product.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Excluding the development of oil and gas reserves and the production of oil and gas, the Company’s operations are
not dependent on the acquisition of any raw materials.
Dependence on One or a Few Major Customers
At present, crude oil from the Kansas Properties is being purchased at the well and trucked by Coffeyville and CHS,
which are responsible for transportation of the crude oil purchased. The Company may sell some or all of its production to one
or more additional refineries in order to maximize revenues as purchase prices offered by the refineries fluctuate from time to
time.
In 2015 and 2014, no gas was produced or sold from the Methane Project. If any gas is produced from the Methane
Project in the future, the Company is dependent upon a small number of customers for the sale of gas from the Methane
Project. These customers are principally gas marketing companies, utility districts, and industrial customers in the Kingsport
area with which the Company may enter into gas sales contracts.
11
Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Franchises, Concessions, Royalty Agreements or Labor Contracts, Including Duration
On October 19, 2010, the Company’s subsidiary MMC was granted United States Patent No. 7,815,713 for Landfill
Gas Purification Method and System, pursuant to application filed January 10, 2007. The patent term is for twenty years from
filing date plus adjustment period of 595 days due to the length of the review process resulting in grant of the patent. The
patent is for the process designed and utilized by MMC at the Carter Valley landfill facility. The patent may result in a
competitive advantage to MMC in seeking new projects, and in the receipt of licensing fees for other projects that may be using
or wish to use the process in the future. However, the limited number of high Btu projects currently existing and operated by
others, the variety of processes available for use in high Btu projects, and the effects of current gas markets and decreasing or
inapplicable green energy incentives for such projects in combination cause the materiality of any licensing opportunity
presented by the patent to be difficult to determine or estimate, and thus the licensing fees from the patent, if any are received,
may not be material to the Company’s overall results of operations.
Need For Governmental Approval of Principal Products or Services
None of the principal products offered by the Company require governmental approval, although permits are required
for drilling oil or gas wells.
Effect of Existing or Probable Governmental Regulations on Business
Exploration and production activities relating to oil and gas leases are subject to numerous environmental laws, rules
and regulations. The Federal Clean Water Act requires the Company to construct a fresh water containment barrier between
the surface of each drilling site and the underlying water table. This involves the insertion of steel casing into each well, with
cement on the outside of the casing. The Company has fully complied with this environmental regulation, the cost of which is
approximately $10,000 per well.
As part of the Company’s purchase of the Kansas Properties, the Company acquired a statewide permit to drill in
Kansas. Applications under such permit are applied for and issued within one to two weeks prior to drilling. At the present
time, the State of Kansas does not require the posting of a bond either for permitting or to insure that the Company’s wells are
properly plugged when abandoned. All of the wells in the Kansas Properties have all permits required and the Company
believes that it is in compliance with the laws of the State of Kansas.
The Company’s exploration, production and marketing operations are regulated extensively at the federal, state and
local levels. The Company has made and will continue to make expenditures in its efforts to comply with the requirements of
environmental and other regulations. Further, the oil and gas regulatory environment could change in ways that might
substantially increase these costs. These regulations affect the Company’s operations and limit the quantity of hydrocarbons it
may produce and sell. Other regulated matters include marketing, pricing, transportation and valuation of royalty
payments. The Company’s operations are also subject to numerous and frequently changing laws and regulations governing
the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. For example, in May 2014
the Company become subject to regulations under the federal Endangered Species Act relating to the protection of the lesser
prairie chicken as a threatened species. To avoid stringent penalties for violation of those regulations, the Company entered
into a state-operated voluntary agreement avoiding those penalties provided certain protective methods are followed in drilling
operations and remediation fees are paid by the Company for any wells determined to be likely to interfere with the habitat of
the threatened species. These fees may increase the Company’s costs to drill in Kansas by approximately $40,000 per well. The
Company owns or leases, and has in the past owned or leased, properties that have been used for the exploration and production
of oil and gas and these properties and the wastes disposed on these properties may be subject to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and analogous state laws. Under such laws, the Company could be
required to remove or remediate previously released wastes or property contamination.
Laws and regulations protecting the environment have generally become more stringent and, may in some cases,
impose “strict liability” for environmental damage. Strict liability means that the Company may be held liable for damage
without regard to whether it was negligent or otherwise at fault. Environmental laws and regulations may expose the Company
to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for acts that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the
time they were performed. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the imposition of administrative,
civil and criminal penalties.
While management believes that the Company’s operations are in substantial compliance with existing requirements
of governmental bodies, the Company’s ability to conduct continued operations is subject to satisfying applicable regulatory
12
and permitting controls. The Company’s current permits and authorizations and ability to get future permits and authorizations
may be susceptible, on a going forward basis, to increased scrutiny, greater complexity resulting in increased costs or delays
in receiving appropriate authorizations.
The Company maintains an Environmental Response Policy and Emergency Action Response Policy Program. A
plan was adopted which provides for the erection of signs at each well containing telephone numbers of the Company’s
office. A list is maintained at the Company’s office and at the home of key personnel listing phone numbers for fire, police,
emergency services and Company employees who will be needed to deal with emergencies.
The foregoing is only a brief summary of some of the existing environmental laws, rules and regulations to which the
Company’s business operations are subject, and there are many others, the effects of which could have an adverse impact on
the Company. Future legislation in this area will be enacted and revisions will be made in current laws. No assurance can be
given as to the effect these present and future laws, rules and regulations will have on the Company’s current and future
operations.
Research and Development
None.
Number of Total Employees and Number of Full-Time Employees
At December 31, 2015, the Company had 17 full time employees and no part-time employees. These employees are
located in Colorado, Kansas, Tennessee, and Texas.
Available Information
The Company is a reporting company, as that term is defined under the Securities Acts, and therefore files reports,
including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K such as this Report, proxy information statements
and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may read and copy any materials the
Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington D.C. 20549 upon payment
of the prescribed fees. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-
800-SEC-0330.
In addition, the Company is an electronic filer and files its Reports and information with the SEC through the SEC’s
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”). The SEC maintains a website that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically through EDGAR with the
SEC, including all of the Company’s filings with the SEC. These may be read and printed without charge from the SEC’s
website. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.
The Company’s website is located at www.tengasco.com. On the home page of the website, you may access, free of
charge, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Under the Investor Information /SEC filings tab you will find the
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 filings (Form 3, 4 and 5) and any amendments to
those reports as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such reports with the SEC. The information
contained on the Company’s website is not part of this Report or any other report filed with the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information included in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered in
evaluating the Company’s business and future prospects. The risk factors described below are not exhaustive and you are
encouraged to perform your own investigation with respect to the Company and its business. You should also read the other
information included in this Form 10-K, including the financial statements and related notes.
The Company’s indebtedness, global recessions, or disruption in the domestic and global financial markets could have
an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and financial condition.
As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding principal amount of the Company’s indebtedness under its credit facility
with Prosperity Bank was approximately $869,000. Although the Company’s indebtedness has been substantially reduced, the
current or an increased level of indebtedness, coupled with domestic and global economic conditions, the associated volatility
of energy prices, and the levels of disruption and continuing relative illiquidity in the credit markets may, if continued for an
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extended period, have several important and adverse consequences on the Company’s business and operations. For example,
any one or more of these factors could (i) make it difficult for the Company to service or refinance its existing indebtedness;
(ii) increase the Company’s vulnerability to additional adverse changes in economic and industry conditions; (iii) require the
Company to dedicate a substantial portion or all of its cash flow from operations and proceeds of any debt or equity issuances
or asset sales to pay or provide for its indebtedness; (iv) limit the Company’s ability to respond to changes in our businesses
and the markets in which we operate; (v) place the Company at a disadvantage to our competitors that are not as highly
leveraged; or (vi) limit the Company’s ability to borrow money or raise equity to fund our working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions, debt service requirements, investments, general corporate activity or other financing needs. The Company
continues to closely monitor the disruption in the global financial and credit markets, as well as the significant volatility in the
market prices for oil and natural gas. As these events unfold, the Company will continue to evaluate and respond to any impact
on Company operations. The Company has and will continue to adjust its drilling plans and capital expenditures as
necessary. However, external financing in the capital markets may not be readily available, and without adequate capital
resources, the Company’s drilling and other activities may be limited and the Company’s business, financial condition and
results of operations may suffer. Additionally, in light of the credit markets and the volatility in pricing for oil and natural gas,
the Company’s ability to enter into future beneficial relationships with third parties for exploration and production activities
may be limited, and as a result, may have an adverse effect on current operational strategy and related business initiatives.
Agreements Governing the Company’s Indebtedness may Limit the Company’s Ability to Execute Capital Spending or
to Respond to Other Initiatives or Opportunities as they May Arise.
Because the availability of borrowings by the Company under the terms of the Company’s amended and restated credit
facility with Prosperity Bank is subject to an upper limit of the borrowing base as determined by the lender’s calculated
estimated future cash flows from the Company’s oil and natural gas reserves, the Company expects any sharp decline in the
pricing for these commodities, if continued for any extended period, would very likely result in a reduction in the Company’s
borrowing base. A reduction in the Company’s borrowing base could be significant and as a result, would not only reduce the
capital available to the Company but may also require repayment of principal to the lender under the terms of the facility.
Additionally, the terms of the Company’s amended and restated credit facility with Prosperity Bank restrict the Company’s
ability to incur additional debt. The credit facility contains covenants and other restrictions customary for oil and gas borrowing
base credit facilities, including limitations on debt, liens, and dividends, voluntary redemptions of debt, investments, and asset
sales. In addition, the credit facility requires that the Company maintain compliance with certain financial tests and financial
covenants. If future debt financing is not available to the Company when required as a result of limited access to the credit
markets or otherwise, or is not available on acceptable terms, the Company may be unable to invest needed capital for drilling
and exploration activities, take advantage of business opportunities, respond to competitive pressures or refinance maturing
debt. In addition, the Company may be forced to sell some of the Company’s assets on an untimely basis or under unfavorable
terms. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and financial conditions.
The Company’s Borrowing Base under its Credit Facility May be Reduced by the Lender.
The borrowing base under the Company’s revolving credit facility will be determined from time to time by the lender,
consistent with its customary natural gas and crude oil lending practices. Reductions in estimates of the Company’s natural
gas and crude oil reserves could result in a reduction in the Company’s borrowing base, which would reduce the amount of
financial resources available under the Company’s revolving credit facility to meet its capital requirements. Such a reduction
could be the result of lower commodity prices or production, inability to drill or unfavorable drilling results, changes in natural
gas and crude oil reserve engineering, the lender’s inability to agree to an adequate borrowing base or adverse changes in the
lender’s practices regarding estimation of reserves. If either cash flow from operations or the Company’s borrowing base
decreases for any reason, the Company’s ability to undertake exploration and development activities could be adversely
affected.
As a result, the Company’s ability to replace production may be limited. In addition, if the borrowing base is reduced,
it would be required to pay down its borrowings under the revolving credit facility so that outstanding borrowings do not exceed
the reduced borrowing base. This requirement could further reduce the cash available to the Company for capital spending and,
if the Company did not have sufficient capital to reduce its borrowing level, could cause the Company to default under its
revolving credit facility.
The Company’s Credit Facility is Subject to Variable Rates of Interest, Which Could Negatively Impact the Company.
Borrowings under the Company’s credit facility with Prosperity Bank are at variable rates of interest and expose the
Company to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, the Company’s debt service obligations on the variable rate
indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and the Company’s income and cash flows
14
would decrease. The Company’s credit facility agreement contains certain financial covenants based on the Company’s
performance. If the Company’s financial performance results in any of these covenants being violated, Prosperity Bank may
choose to require repayment of the outstanding borrowings sooner than currently required by the agreement.
Declines in Oil or Gas Prices Have and Will Materially Adversely Affect the Company’s Revenues.
The Company’s financial condition and results of operations depend in large part upon the prices obtainable for the
Company’s oil and natural gas production and the costs of finding, acquiring, developing and producing reserves. As seen in
recent years, prices for oil and natural gas are subject to extreme fluctuations in response to changes in supply, market
uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond the Company’s control. These factors include worldwide political
instability (especially in the Middle East and other oil producing regions), the foreign supply of oil and gas, the price of foreign
imports, the level of drilling activity, the level of consumer product demand, government regulations and taxes, the price and
availability of alternative fuels, speculating activities in the commodities markets, and the overall economic environment. The
Company’s operations are substantially adversely impacted as oil prices decline. Lower prices dramatically affect the
Company’s revenues from its drilling operations. Further, drilling of new wells, development of the Company’s leases and
acquisitions of new properties are also adversely affected and limited. As a result, the Company’s potential revenues from
operations as well as the Company’s proved reserves may substantially decrease from levels achieved during the period when
oil prices were much higher. There can be no assurances as to the future prices of oil or gas. A substantial or extended decline
in oil or gas prices would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, quantities
of oil and gas that may be economically produced, and access to capital. Oil and natural gas prices have historically been and
are likely to continue to be volatile.
This volatility makes it difficult to estimate with precision the value of producing properties in acquisitions and to
budget and project the return on exploration and development projects involving the Company’s oil and gas properties. In
addition, unusually volatile prices often disrupt the market for oil and gas properties, as buyers and sellers have more difficulty
agreeing on the purchase price of properties.
Risk in Rates of Oil and Gas Production, Development Expenditures, and Cash Flows May Have a Substantial Impact
on the Company’s Finances.
Projecting the effects of commodity prices on production, and timing of development expenditures include many
factors beyond the Company’s control. The future estimates of net cash flows from the Company’s proved and other reserves
and their present value are based upon various assumptions about future production levels, prices, and costs that may prove to
be incorrect over time. Any significant variance from assumptions could result in the actual future net cash flows being
materially different from the estimates, which would have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position.
The Company Has a History of Significant Losses.
During the early stages of the development of its oil and gas business, the Company had a history of significant losses
from operations, in particular its development of the Swan Creek Field and the Company’s pipeline assets. In addition, the
Company has recorded an impairment of its oil and gas properties during 2008 and 2015, impairments of its pipeline assets
during 2010 and 2012, and an impairment of its methane facility in 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has an
accumulated deficit of $48.3 million. The Company recorded net losses of $2.0 million in 2009, $1.7 million in 2010, $0.1
million in 2012, $0.8 million in 2014, and $24.7 million in 2015. In the event the Company experiences losses in the future,
those losses may curtail the Company’s development and operating activities.
The Company’s Oil and Gas Operations Involve Substantial Cost and are Subject to Various Economic Risks.
The Company’s oil and gas operations are subject to the economic risks typically associated with exploration,
development, and production activities, including the necessity of making significant expenditures to locate or acquire new
producing properties or to drill exploratory and developmental wells. In conducting exploration and development activities,
the presence of unanticipated pressure or irregularities in formations, miscalculations, and accidents may cause the Company’s
exploration, development, and production activities to be unsuccessful. This could result in a total loss of the Company’s
investment in such well(s) or property. In addition, the cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain.
15
The Company’s Failure to Find or Acquire Additional Reserves Will Result in the Decline of the Company’s Reserves
Materially From Their Current Levels.
The rate of production from the Company’s Kansas oil properties generally declines as reserves are depleted. Except
to the extent that the Company either acquires additional properties containing proved reserves, conducts successful exploration
and development drilling, or successfully applies new technologies or identifies additional behind-pipe zones or secondary
recovery reserves, the Company’s proved reserves will decline materially as production from these properties continues. The
Company’s future oil and natural gas production is consequently highly dependent upon the level of success in acquiring or
finding additional reserves or other alternative sources of production. Any decline in oil prices and any prolonged period of
lower prices will adversely impact the Company’s future reserves since the Company is less likely to acquire additional
producing properties during such periods. The lower oil prices may have a negative effect on new drilling and development as
such activities become far less likely to be profitable. Thus, any acquisition of new properties poses a greater risk to the
Company’s financial conditions as such acquisitions may be commercially unreasonable.
In addition, the Company’s drilling for oil and natural gas may involve unprofitable efforts not only from dry wells
but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient volumes to be commercially profitable after deducting
drilling, operating, and other costs. Also, wells that are profitable may not achieve a targeted rate of return. The Company
relies on seismic data and other technologies in identifying prospects and in conducting exploration activities. The seismic
data and other technologies used do not allow the Company to know conclusively prior to drilling a well whether oil or natural
gas is present or may be produced economically.
The ultimate costs of drilling, completing, and operating a well can adversely affect the economics of a
project. Further drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of numerous factors, including unexpected
drilling conditions, title problems, pressure or irregularities in formations, equipment failures, accidents, adverse weather
conditions, environmental and other governmental requirements and the cost of, or shortages or delays in the availability of
drilling rigs, equipment, and services.
The Company’s Reserve Estimates May Be Subject to Other Material Downward Revisions.
The Company’s oil and natural gas reserve estimates may be subject to material downward revisions for additional
reasons other than the factors mentioned in the previous risk factor entitled “The Company’s Failure to Find or Acquire
Additional Reserves Will Result in the Decline of the Company’s Reserves Materially from their Current Levels.” While the
future estimates of net cash flows from the Company’s proved reserves and their present value are based upon assumptions
about future production levels, prices, and costs that may prove to be incorrect over time, those same assumptions, whether or
not they prove to be correct, may cause the Company to make drilling or developmental decisions that will result in some or
all of the Company’s proved reserves to be removed from time to time from the proved reserve categories previously reported
by the Company.
This may occur because economic expectations or forecasts, together with the Company’s limited resources, may
cause the Company to determine that drilling or development of certain of its properties may be delayed or may not foreseeably
occur, and as a result of such decisions any category of proved reserves relating to those yet undrilled or undeveloped properties
may be removed from the Company’s reported proved reserves. Consequently, the Company’s proved reserves of oil may be
materially revised downward from time to time.
In addition, the Company may elect to sell some or all of its oil or gas reserves in the normal course of the Company’s
business. Any such sale would result in all categories of those proved oil or gas reserves that were sold no longer being reported
by the Company. In August 2013, the Company sold all of its Tennessee producing oil and gas assets resulting in removal of
all Tennessee oil and gas reserves from the Company’s reported reserves.
There is Risk That the Company May Be Required to Write Down the Carrying Value of its Natural Gas and Crude
Oil Properties.
The Company uses the full cost method to account for its natural gas and crude oil operations. Accordingly, the
Company capitalizes the cost to acquire, explore for and develop natural gas and crude oil properties. Under full cost
accounting rules, the net capitalized cost of natural gas and crude oil properties and related deferred income tax if any may not
exceed a “ceiling limit” which is based upon the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves,
discounted at 10%, plus cost of properties not being amortized and the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven
properties included in the cost being amortized. If net capitalized cost of natural gas and crude oil properties exceeds the ceiling
limit, the Company must charge the amount of the excess, net of any tax effects, to earnings. This charge does not impact cash
16
flow from operating activities, but does reduce the Company’s stockholders’ equity and earnings. The risk that the Company
will be required to write-down the carrying value of natural gas and crude oil properties increases when natural gas and crude
oil prices are low. In addition, write-downs may occur if the Company experiences substantial downward adjustments to its
estimated proved reserves. An expense recorded in a period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even though higher
natural gas and crude oil prices may have increased the ceiling applicable to the subsequent period.
Due to the low oil prices experienced since the quarter ended September 30, 2014, during 2015 the Company
experienced ceiling test failures resulting in recording non-cash impairments of $14.5 million. Should prices continue at
depressed levels during 2016, the Company may be required to record additional impairment of its oil properties. During the
quarter ending March 31, 2016, the Company estimates an impairment of $1-2 million will be required. The actual amount of
impairment would be primarily contingent upon the actual oil prices received during 2016.
There is a Risk That the Company May Be Required to Write Down the Carrying Value of its Manufactured Methane
Facilities.
The Company’s Manufactured Methane facilities are subject to review for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount is not recoverable if it exceeds
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the methane facility
assets. Should this occur, the assets’ carrying amount will be reduced to its fair value and the excess over fair value net of any
tax effects, will be charged to earnings. This expense may not be reversed in future periods. In 2014, the Company recognized
a non-cash impairment of its Manufactured Methane facilities in the amount of $2.8 million ($1.7 million net of tax effect). The
impairment resulted from the Company’s assessment that future cash flows, using historical costs and runtimes, were
insufficient to recover the Manufactured Methane facilities’ net book value. The Manufactured Methane facilities were written
down to fair value amount calculated from estimated discounted cash flows, as well as certain expressions of interest with
regard to the purchase by outside parties of the Company’s Manufactured Methane facilities.
Use of the Company’s Net Operating Loss Carryforwards May Be Limited.
At December 31, 2015, the Company had, subject to the limitations discussed in this risk factor, substantial amounts
of net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. These loss carryforwards will eventually
expire if not utilized. In addition, as to a portion of the U.S. net operating loss carryforwards, the amount of such carryforwards
that the Company can use annually is limited under U.S. tax laws. Uncertainties exist as to both the calculation of the
appropriate deferred tax assets based upon the existence of these loss carryforwards, as well as the future utilization of the
operating loss carryforwards under the criteria set forth under FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. In addition, limitations exist
upon use of these carryforwards in the event that a change in control of the Company occurs. There are risks that the Company
may not be able to utilize some or all of the remaining carryforwards, or that deferred tax assets that were previously booked
based upon such carryforwards may be written down or reversed based on future economic factors that may be experienced by
the Company. The effect of such write downs or reversals, if they occur, may be material and substantially adverse. At
December 31, 2015, the Company recorded a valuation allowance against the entire deferred tax asset, including the portion
related to the remaining net operating loss carryforwards. This allowance was recorded primarily as a result of cumulative
book losses experienced over the 3 year period ending December 31, 2015.
Shortages of Oil Field Equipment, Services or Qualified Personnel Could Adversely Affect the Company’s Results of
Operations.
The demand for qualified and experienced field personnel to drill wells and conduct field operations, geologists,
geophysicists, engineers, and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry can fluctuate significantly, often in
correlation with oil and natural gas prices, causing periodic shortages. The Company does not own any drilling rigs and is
dependent upon third parties to obtain and provide such equipment as needed for the Company’s drilling activities. There have
also been shortages of drilling rigs and other equipment when oil prices have risen. As prices increased, the demand for rigs
and equipment increased along with the number of wells being drilled. These factors also cause significant increases in costs
for equipment, services and personnel. These shortages or price increases could adversely affect the Company’s profit margin,
cash flow, and operating results or restrict the Company’s ability to drill wells and conduct ordinary operations.
The Company has Significant Costs to Conform to Government Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry.
The Company’s exploration, production, and marketing operations are regulated extensively at the federal, state and
local levels. The Company is currently in compliance with these regulations. In order to maintain its compliance, the Company
has made and will continue to make substantial expenditures in its efforts to comply with the requirements of environmental
17
and other regulations. Further, the oil and gas regulatory environment could change in ways that might substantially increase
these costs. Hydrocarbon-producing states regulate conservation practices and the protection of correlative rights. These
regulations affect the Company’s operations and limit the quantity of hydrocarbons it may produce and sell. Other regulated
matters include marketing, pricing, transportation and valuation of royalty payments.
The Company has Significant Costs Related to Environmental Matters.
The Company’s operations are also subject to numerous and frequently changing laws and regulations governing the
discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. The Company owns or leases,
and has owned or leased, properties that have been leased for the exploration and production of oil and gas and these properties
and the wastes disposed on these properties may be subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the federal Water Pollution Control
Act, the federal Endangered Species Act, and similar state laws. Under such laws, the Company could be required to remove
or remediate wastes or property contamination.
Laws and regulations protecting the environment have generally become more stringent and, may in some cases,
impose “strict liability” for environmental damage. Strict liability means that the Company may be held liable for damage
without regard to whether it was negligent or otherwise at fault. Environmental laws and regulations may expose the Company
to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for acts that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the
time they were performed. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the imposition of administrative,
civil and criminal penalties.
The Company’s ability to conduct continued operations is subject to satisfying applicable regulatory and permitting
controls. The Company’s current permits and authorizations and ability to get future permits and authorizations may be
susceptible, on a going forward basis, to increased scrutiny, greater complexity resulting in increased cost or delays in receiving
appropriate authorizations.
Insurance Does Not Cover All Risks.
Exploration for and development and production of oil can be hazardous, involving unforeseen occurrences such as
blowouts, fires, and loss of well control, which can result in damage to or destruction of wells or production facilities, injury
to persons, loss of life or damage to property or to the environment. Although the Company maintains insurance against certain
losses or liabilities arising from its operations in accordance with customary industry practices and in amounts that management
believes to be prudent, insurance is not available to the Company against all operational risks.
The Company’s Methane Extraction Operation from Non-conventional Reserves Involves Substantial Costs and is
Subject to Various Economic, Operational, and Regulatory Risks.
The Company’s operations in its existing project involving the extraction of methane gas from non-conventional
reserves such as landfill gas streams, required investment of substantial capital and is subject to the risks typically associated
with capital intensive operations, including risks associated with the availability of financing for required equipment,
construction schedules, air and water environmental permitting, and locating transportation facilities and customers for the
products produced from those operations which may delay or prevent startup of such projects. After startup of commercial
operations, the presence of unanticipated pressures or irregularities in constituents of the raw materials used in such projects
from time to time, miscalculations or accidents may cause the Company’s project activities to be unsuccessful. Although the
technologies to be utilized in such projects are believed to be effective and economical, there are operational risks in the use of
such technologies in the combination to be utilized by the Company as a result of both the combination of technologies and the
early stages of commercial development and use of such technologies for methane extraction from non-conventional sources
such as those to be used by the Company. This risk could result in total or partial loss of the Company’s investment in such
projects. The economic risks of such projects include the marketing risks resulting from price volatility of the methane gas
produced from such projects, which is similar to the price volatility of natural gas. This project is also subject to the risk that
the products manufactured may not be accepted for transportation in common carrier gas transportation facilities, although the
products meet specified requirements for such transportation, or may be accepted on such terms that reduce the returns of such
projects to the Company. This project is also subject to the risk that the product manufactured may not be accepted by
purchasers thereof from time to time and the viability of such projects would be dependent upon the Company’s ability to
locate a replacement market for physical delivery of the gas produced from the project.
We have been granted one U.S. patent and have been granted a continuation patent application relating to certain
aspects of our methane extraction technology. Our ability to license our technology is substantially dependent on the validity
18
and enforcement of this patent. We cannot assure you that our patent will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged, that
the rights granted under the patents will provide us competitive advantages. In addition, third parties may seek to challenge,
invalidate, circumvent or render unenforceable any patents or proprietary rights owned by or licensed to us based on, among
other things: subsequently discovered prior art; lack of entitlement to the priority of an earlier, related application; or failure to
comply with the written description, best mode, enablement or other applicable requirements. If a third party is successful in
challenging the validity of our patent, our inability to enforce our intellectual property rights could materially harm our methane
extraction business. Furthermore, our technology may be the subject of claims of intellectual property infringement in the
future. Our technology may not be able to withstand third-party claims or rights against their use.
Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming, expensive to litigate or settle, could
divert resources and attention and could require us to obtain a license to use the intellectual property of third parties. We may
be unable to obtain licenses from these third parties on favorable terms, if at all. Even if a license is available, we may have to
pay substantial royalties to obtain a license. If we cannot defend such claims or obtain necessary licenses on reasonable terms,
we may be precluded from offering most or all of our technology and our methane extraction business may be adversely
affected.
The Company Faces Significant Competition with Respect to Acquisitions or Personnel.
The oil and gas business is highly competitive. In seeking any suitable oil and gas properties for acquisition, or drilling
rig operators and related personnel and equipment, the Company is a small entity with limited financial resources and may not
be able to compete with most other companies, including large oil and gas companies and other independent operators with
greater financial and technical resources and longer history and experience in property acquisition and operation.
The Company Depends on Key Personnel, Whom it May Not be Able to Retain or Recruit.
Certain members of present management and certain Company employees have substantial expertise in the areas of
endeavor presently conducted and to be engaged in by the Company. To the extent that their services become unavailable, the
Company would be required to retain other and additional qualified personnel to perform these services in technical areas upon
which the Company is dependent to conduct exploration and production activities. The Company does not know whether it
would be able to recruit and hire qualified and additional persons upon acceptable terms. The Company does not maintain
“Key Person” insurance for any of the Company’s key employees.
The Company’s Operations are Subject to Changes in the General Economic Conditions.
Virtually all of the Company’s operations are subject to the risks and uncertainties of adverse changes in general
economic conditions, the outcome of potential legal or regulatory proceedings, changes in environmental, tax, labor and other
laws and regulations to which the Company is subject, and the condition of the capital markets utilized by the Company to
finance its operations.
Being a Public Company Significantly Increases the Company’s Administrative Costs.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and listing requirements
subsequently adopted by the NYSE MKT, the exchange on which the Company’s stock is traded, in response to Sarbanes-
Oxley, have required changes in corporate governance practices, internal control policies and audit committee practices of
public companies. Although the Company is a relatively small public company, these rules, regulations, and requirements for
the most part apply to the same extent as they apply to all major publicly traded companies. As a result, they have significantly
increased the Company’s legal, financial, compliance and administrative costs, and have made certain other activities more
time consuming and costly, as well as requiring substantial time and attention of our senior management. The Company expects
its continued compliance with these and future rules and regulations to continue to require significant resources. These rules
and regulations also may make it more difficult and more expensive for the Company to obtain director and officer liability
insurance in the future, and could make it more difficult for it to attract and retain qualified members for the Company’s Board
of Directors, particularly to serve on its audit committee.
The Company’s Chairman of the Board Beneficially Controls a Substantial Amount of the Company’s Common Stock
and Has Significant Influence over the Company’s Business.
Peter E. Salas, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, is the sole shareholder and controlling person of
Dolphin Mgmt. Services, Inc. the general partner of Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P. (“Dolphin”), which is the Company’s
largest shareholder. At March 25, 2016, Mr. Salas individually and through Dolphin controls 2,085,716 shares of the
19
Company’s common stock and had options granting him the right to acquire an additional 12,500 shares of common stock. His
ownership and voting control of approximately 34.5% of the Company’s common stock gives him significant influence on the
outcome of corporate transactions or other matters submitted to the Board of Directors or shareholders for approval, including
mergers, consolidations, and the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.
Shares Eligible for Future Sale May Depress the Company’s Stock Price.
At March 25, 2016, the Company had 6,084,241 shares of common stock outstanding of which 2,112,638 shares were
held by officers, directors, and affiliates. In addition, options to purchase 43,125 shares of unissued common stock were granted
under the Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan all of which were vested at March 25, 2016.
All of the shares of common stock held by affiliates are restricted or controlled securities under Rule 144 promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The shares of the common stock issuable upon exercise
of the stock options have been registered under the Securities Act. Sales of shares of common stock under Rule 144 or another
exemption under the Securities Act or pursuant to a registration statement could have a material adverse effect on the price of
the common stock and could impair the Company’s ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities.
Future Issuance of Additional Shares of the Company’s Common Stock Could Cause Dilution of Ownership Interest
and Adversely Affect Stock Price.
The Company may in the future issue previously authorized and unissued securities, resulting in the dilution of the
ownership interest of its current stockholders. The Company is currently authorized to issue a total of 100 million shares of
common stock with such rights as determined by the Board of Directors. Of that amount, approximately 6.1 million shares
have been issued. The potential issuance of the approximately 93.9 million remaining authorized but unissued shares of
common stock may create downward pressure on the trading price of the Company’s common stock.
The Company may also issue additional shares of its common stock or other securities that are convertible into or
exercisable for common stock for raising capital or other business purposes. Future sales of substantial amounts of common
stock, or the perception that sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of the Company’s common
stock.
The Company May Issue Shares of Preferred Stock with Greater Rights than Common Stock.
Subject to the rules of the NYSE MKT, the Company’s charter authorizes the Board of Directors to issue one or more
series of preferred stock and set the terms of the preferred stock without seeking any further approval from holders of the
Company’s common stock. Any preferred stock that is issued may rank ahead of the Company’s common stock in terms of
dividends, priority and liquidation premiums and may have greater voting rights than the Company’s common stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Property Location, Facilities, Size and Nature of Ownership.
The Company leases its principal executive offices, consisting of approximately 3,021 square feet located at 6021 S.
Syracuse Way, Suite 117, Greenwood Village, Colorado at a current rental of $4,091 per month, expiring in May 2017. The
Company also leases an office in Hays, Kansas at a rental of $750 per month that is currently a month to month lease.
The Company carries insurance on its Kansas properties, methane facility, offices, vehicles, and office contents. As
of December 31, 2015, the Company does not have an interest in producing or non-producing oil and gas properties in any
state other than Kansas.
Kansas Properties
The Kansas Properties as of December 31, 2015 contained 27,018 gross acres in central Kansas. Of these 27,018
gross acres, 14,231 acres were held by production and 12,787 acres were undeveloped.
20
Many of these leases are still in effect because they are being held by production. The Kansas leases provide for a
landowner royalty of 12.5%. Some wells are subject to an overriding royalty interest from 0.5% to 9%. The Company
maintains a 100% working interest in most of its wells and undrilled acreage in Kansas. The terms for most of the Company’s
newer leases in Kansas are from three to five years.
During 2015, the Company drilled 1 gross well which resulted in a dry hole. All of the Company’s current reserve
value, production, oil and gas revenue, and future development objectives result from the Company’s ongoing interest in
Kansas. By using 3-D seismic evaluation on the Company’s existing locations, the Company has historically added proven
direct offset locations and will continue using 3-D seismic evaluation techniques in the future.
Tennessee Properties
The Company closed the sale of all its Tennessee oil and gas properties on August 16, 2013.
Reserve and Production Summary
The following tables indicate the county breakdown of 2015 production and reserve values as of December 31, 2015.
Production by County
Area
Rooks County, KS
Trego County, KS
Ellis County, KS
Barton County, KS
Graham County, KS
Russell County, KS
Pawnee County, KS
Rush County, KS
Osborne County, KS
Stafford County, KS
Total
Gross
Production
MBOE
97.9
28.3
8.4
6.8
5.3
3.5
2.5
2.4
1.7
1.2
158.0
Average Net
Revenue
Interest
0.820976
0.808713
0.806739
0.817426
0.864690
0.856255
0.811430
0.862394
0.589757
0.716007
Percentage
of Total Oil
Production
62.0 %
17.9 %
5.3 %
4.3 %
3.3 %
2.2 %
1.6 %
1.5 %
1.1 %
0.8 %
100.0 %
Reserve Value by County Discounted at 10% (in thousands)
Area
Rooks County, KS
Trego County, KS
Graham County, KS
Barton County, KS
Ellis County, KS
Rush County, KS
Pawnee County, KS
Russell County, KS
Osborne County, KS
Stafford County, KS
Total
Reserve Analyses
Proved
Developed
Proved
Undeveloped
Proved
Reserves
$
$
5,300 $
1,418
517
475
310
156
53
50
8
—
8,287 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
5,300
1,418
517
475
310
156
53
50
8
—
8,287
% of
Total
64.0 %
17.1 %
6.2 %
5.7 %
3.8 %
1.9 %
0.6 %
0.6 %
0.1 %
— %
100.0 %
The Company’s estimated total net proved reserves of oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the
present values of estimated future net revenues attributable to those reserves as of those dates, are presented in the following
tables. All of the Company’s reserves were located in the United States. These estimates were prepared by LaRoche Petroleum
21
Consultants, Ltd. (“LaRoche”) of Dallas, Texas, and are part of their reserve reports on the Company’s oil and gas
properties. LaRoche and its employees and its registered petroleum engineers have no interest in the Company and performed
those services at their standard rates. LaRoche’s estimates were based on a review of geologic, economic, ownership, and
engineering data provided to them by the Company. In accordance with SEC regulations, no price or cost escalation or
reduction was considered. The technical persons at LaRoche responsible for preparing the Company’s reserve estimates meet
the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the standards pertaining to
the estimating and auditing of oil and gas reserves information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Our
independent third party engineers do not own an interest in any of our properties and are not employed by the Company on a
contingent basis.
In substance, the LaRoche Report used estimates of oil and gas reserves based upon standard petroleum engineering
methods which include production data, decline curve analysis, volumetric calculations, pressure history, analogy, various
correlations and technical factors. Information for this purpose was obtained from owners of interests in the areas involved,
state regulatory agencies, commercial services, outside operators and files of LaRoche.
Management has established, and is responsible for, internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that
the estimates of Proved Reserves are computed and reported in accordance with SEC rules and regulations as well as with
established industry practices. The Company evaluates reserves on a well by well basis and on a company wide basis. Prior
to generation of the annual reserves, management and staff meet with LaRoche to review properties and discuss assumptions
to be used in the calculation of reserves. Management reviews all information submitted to LaRoche to ensure the accuracy of
the data. Management also reviews the final report from LaRoche and discusses any differences from Management
expectations with LaRoche.
Total Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2015
Oil (MBbl)
Future net cash flows before income taxes
discounted at 10% (in thousands)
Total Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2014
Oil (MBbl)
Future net cash flows before income taxes
discounted at 10% (in thousands)
Producing
Non Producing
60
817
Undeveloped
Total
—
877
$
7,686 $
601 $
— $
8,287
Producing
Non-producing
78
1,360
Undeveloped
Total
359
1,797
$
32,059 $
2,955 $
5,403 $
40,417
Historically, all drilling has primarily been funded by cash flows from operations with supplemental funding provided
by the Company’s credit facility. The Company’s Proved Undeveloped Reserves at December 31, 2015 included zero locations
as compared to 27 locations at December 31, 2014. The future development cost related to the Company’s Proved Undeveloped
locations at December 31, 2014 was approximately $8.7 million. All proved undeveloped reserves included in the Company’s
report at December 31, 2014 were related to oil prospects in Kansas.
The oil price after basis adjustments used in our December 31, 2015 reserve valuation was $43.98 per Bbl compared
to $88.34 per Bbl used in our December 31, 2014 reserve valuation. The primary factors causing the decrease in proved reserve
volumes from December 31, 2014 levels were no 2015 proved developed reserve additions as well as loss of proved
undeveloped reserves existing at December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of reduced oil prices.
The assumed prices used in calculating the estimated future net revenue attributable to proved reserves do not
necessarily reflect actual market prices for oil production sold after December 31, 2015. There can be no assurance that all of
the estimated proved reserves will be produced and sold at the assumed prices. Accordingly, the foregoing prices should not
be interpreted as a prediction of future prices.
22
Production
The following tables summarize for the past three fiscal years the volumes of oil and gas produced from operated
properties, the Company’s operating costs, and the Company’s average sales prices for its oil and gas. The net production
volumes excluded volumes produced to royalty interest or other parties’ working interest. Tennessee amounts in 2013 represent
results through August 16, 2013 when these properties were sold.
Gross
Production
Kansas
Net
Production
Oil
(MBbl)
Gas
(MMcf)
Oil
(MBbl)
Gas
(MMcf)
Cost of Net
Production
(Per BOE)
Average Sales Price
Gas
Oil
(Per Mcf)
(Bbl)
158.0
185.6
203.9
—
—
—
129.1
152.2
162.5
— $
— $
— $
25.67 $
31.77 $
28.27 $
42.66
86.05
91.00
—
—
—
Gross
Production
Tennessee
Net
Production
Oil
(MBbl)
Gas
(MMcf)
Oil
(MBbl)
Gas
(MMcf)
Cost of Net
Production
(Per BOE)
Average Sales Price
Gas
Oil
(Per Mcf)
(Bbl)
3.8
51.3
2.7
37.9 $
28.90 $
92.66 $
3.94
Years Ended
December 31,
2015
2014
2013
Years Ended
December 31,
2013
Oil and Gas Drilling Activities
Kansas
During 2015, the Company drilled 1 gross well which resulted in a dry hole. All of the Company’s current reserve
value, production, oil and gas revenue, and future development objectives result from the Company’s ongoing interest in
Kansas.
Tennessee
In August 2013, the Company completed the sale of all its oil and gas producing and non-producing properties in
Tennessee.
Gross and Net Wells
The following tables set forth the fiscal years ending December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 the number of gross and net
development wells drilled by the Company. The term gross wells means the total number of wells in which the Company owns
an interest, while the term net wells means the sum of the fractional working interest the Company owns in the gross wells.
2015
For Years Ending December 31,
2014
Gross
Net
Gross
Net
2013
Gross
Net
—
1
—
1
5
5
5
5
6
—
5
—
Kansas
Productive Wells
Dry Holes
Productive Wells
As of December 31, 2015, the Company held a working interest in 211 gross wells, including interest in three
properties operated by others, and 205 net wells in Kansas. Productive wells are either producing wells or wells capable of
commercial production although currently shut-in. One or more completions in the same bore hole are counted as one
well. The term gross wells means the total number of wells in which the Company owns an interest, while the term net wells
means the sum of the fractional working interests the Company owns in all of the gross wells. Tennessee productive wells
were sold in August 2013.
23
Developed and Undeveloped Oil and Gas Acreage
As of December 31, 2015 the Company owned working interests in the following developed and undeveloped oil and
gas acreage. The term gross acres means the total number of acres in which the Company owns an interest, while the term net
acres means the sum of the fractional working interest the Company owns in the gross acres, less the interest of royalty owners.
Kansas
14,231
11,756
12,787
10,195
27,018
21,951
Developed
Undeveloped
Total
Gross Acres
Net Acres
Gross Acres
Net Acres
Gross Acres
Net Acres
The following table identifies the number of gross and net undeveloped acres as of December 31, 2015 that will expire,
by year, unless production is established before lease expiration or unless the lease is renewed.
Gross Acres
Net Acres
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
2016
1,719
1,421
2017
10,908
8,634
2018
160
140
Total
12,787
10,195
The Company is not a party to any pending material legal proceeding. To the knowledge of management, no federal,
state, or local governmental agency is presently contemplating any proceeding against the Company which would have a result
materially adverse to the Company. To the knowledge of management, no director, executive officer or affiliate of the
Company or owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock is a party adverse to the
Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in any proceeding.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT exchange under the symbol TGC. The range of high
and low sales prices for shares of common stock of the Company as reported on the NYSE MKT during the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are set forth below.
For the Quarters Ending
March 31, 2015
June 30, 2015
September 30, 2015
December 31, 2015
March 31, 2014
June 30, 2014
September 30, 2014
December 31, 2014
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
High
Low
3.20 $
2.80 $
5.80 $
2.90 $
5.70 $
5.20 $
5.00 $
5.10 $
2.30
2.20
1.50
0.80
3.70
4.10
4.00
2.50
24
The share prices above have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the 1 for 10 reverse split approved at the shareholder
meeting on March 21, 2016 and effective with trading on March 24, 2016.
Holders
As of March 25, 2016, the number of shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock was 275 and
management believes that there are approximately 5,400 beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock.
Dividends
The Company did not pay any dividends with respect to the Company’s common stock in 2015 or 2014 and has no
present plans to declare any dividends with respect to its common stock.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company did not sell or issue any unregistered securities. Any
unregistered equity securities that were sold or issued by the Company during the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 were
previously reported in Reports filed by the Company with the SEC.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company and Affiliated Purchasers
Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates repurchased any of the Company’s equity securities during 2015.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
See Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matter”
for information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not Applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
The Company reported net loss from continuing operations of $(24.7) million or $(4.06) per share in 2015 compared
to $(788,000) or $(0.13) per share in 2014, and net income from continuing operations of $3.0 million or $0.49 per share in
2013. The Company did not report net income or loss from discontinued operations in 2015 or 2014 as the Company’s pipeline
assets were sold in August 2013. The Company did report a net loss from discontinued operations of $(137,000) or $(0.02)
per share in 2013. Discontinued operations are net of associated taxes. Per share information has been adjusted to reflect the
impact of the 1 for 10 reverse stock split approved at the shareholder meeting on March 21, 2016 and effective with trading on
March 24, 2016.
The Company realized revenues of approximately $6.2 million in 2015 compared to $13.8 million in 2014 and $15.7
million in 2013. During 2015, revenues decreased approximately $7.6 million of which $5.7 million of this decrease related
to a $43.39 per barrel decrease in the average oil price received from $86.05 per barrel received in 2014 to $42.66 per barrel
received in 2015. Approximately $1.9 million of the decrease was related to decreases in oil sales volumes from 153.5 MBbl
in 2014 to 130.9 MBbl in 2015. The more significant production declines were experienced in the Albers, Liebenau,
McElhaney A, Veverka B, and Veverka D leases. These decreases were primarily due to natural declines. These production
declines were partially offset by production from the successful drilling during late 2014 of the Howard A #1 well. Also during
2015, the Company recorded electricity revenues from the Methane facility of $533,000 as compared to $524,000 during 2014.
During 2014, revenues decreased approximately $(1.9) million of which $1.2 million was related to decreases in oil sales
volumes from 166.2 MBbl in 2013 to 153.5 MBbl in 2014. The more significant production declines were experienced in the
Albers, Coddington, Liebenau, McElhaney A, Veverka A, and Veverka C leases. These decreases were primarily due to natural
declines from higher levels of production as a result of drilling and polymers on these leases during 2011 and the first half of
2012. These production declines were partially offset by production from the successful drilling of the Albers B #3, Albers C
#1, Howard A #1, and Veverka D #4 wells and recompletions of the Hammeke #3 and McElhaney #1 wells. In addition,
25
$764,000 of this decrease related to a $4.98 per barrel decrease in the average oil price received from $91.03 per barrel received
in 2013 to $86.05 per barrel received in 2014. Also, there was a $140,000 decrease related to lower gas sales as the Tennessee
oil and gas assets were sold in 2013 and a $117,000 decrease in gas sales at the Methane facility as the Company focused on
electric generation only in 2014. These decreases were partially offset by a $261,000 increase in electric generation revenues
at the landfill related to an increase in runtime from 27% during 2013 to 56% during 2014.
The Company’s production costs and taxes were approximately $4.2 million in 2015, $6.0 million in 2014, and $5.5
million in 2013. The $1.8 million decrease in 2015 primarily related to a one-time $386,000 expense recorded during 2014 as
a result of the IBLA affirmation of the civil penalty related to the 2012 Incident of Non-Compliance by the BSEE on one of
Hoactzin’s properties, a $691,000 decrease in well workover and repair cost primary related to work done on the Croffoot B
#6 SWD, M. Rogers #2, H Karst SWD, Liebenau #8 and Wehrli #1 wells during 2014, a $171,000 reduction in chemical costs,
and a $121,000 decrease in Kansas property taxes related to natural declines as well as successful appeals. The $470,000
million increase in 2014 primarily related to a one-time $386,000 expense recorded during 2014 as a result of the IBLA
affirmation of the civil penalty related to the 2012 Incident of Non-Compliance by the BSEE on one of Hoactzin’s properties,
a $307,000 increase due to changes in oil inventory, and a $226,000 increase in well workover and repair cost primary related
to work done on the Croffoot B #6 SWD, M. Rogers #2, H Karst SWD, Liebenau #8 and Wehrli #1 wells. These increases
were partially offset by a $109,000 decrease in Swan Creek costs as these assets were sold in August 2013, a $185,000 decrease
in Kansas property taxes related to natural declines as well as successful appeals, and a $68,000 decrease in landfill expenses
primarily due to lower payroll costs.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization were approximately $2.7 million in 2015, $3.0 million in 2014, and $2.9
million in 2013. The $354,000 decrease in 2015 was primarily related to $407,000 decrease due to lower oil sales volumes,
and a $103,000 decrease in the methane facilities depreciation primarily related to impairment of the methane facility in 2014,
partially offset by $180,000 related to an increase in the oil and gas depletion rate. The $118,000 increase in 2014 was primarily
related to $448,000 due to an increase in the oil and gas depletion rate, a $26,000 increase in the methane facilities depreciation
primarily related to capital spending in late 2013 and early 2014, partially offset by $(288,000) related to lower oil and gas
sales volumes, and $(68,000) lower depreciation expense on other equipment due to the sale of the Tennessee oil and gas
assets.
The Company’s general and administrative cost was approximately $2.1 million in 2015, $2.7 million in 2014, and
$2.1 million in 2013. The $638,000 decrease in 2015 was primarily related to $290,000 of costs incurred in 2014 for personnel,
relocation cost, and office cost related to set up of the Denver office, $268,000 decrease in employee, officer, and director
compensation expense primarily as a result of salary decreases initiated during the first quarter of 2015, and $66,000 of
consulting cost incurred in 2014 related to evaluating potential opportunities and review of the methane facility. The $648,000
increase in 2014 was primarily related to $290,000 of costs incurred in 2014 for personnel, relocation cost, and office cost
related to set up of the Denver office, a 2013 $98,000 reversal of a bad debt expense associated with the related party receivable,
and $66,000 of consulting cost incurred in 2014 related to evaluating potential opportunities and review of the methane facility.
Due to the low oil prices experienced since the quarter ended September 30, 2014, during 2015 the Company
experienced ceiling test failures resulting in recording non-cash impairments of $14.5 million. This impairment charge reduces
the carrying cost of the Company’s oil and gas properties, excluding unevaluated properties to a value which approximates the
future net cash flows of the year end reserves discounted at 10%. Should prices continue at depressed levels during 2016, the
Company may be required to record additional impairment of its oil properties. During the quarter ending March 31, 2016, the
Company estimates an impairment of $1-2 million will be required. The actual amount of impairment would be primarily
contingent upon the actual oil prices received during 2016. In 2014, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of its
Manufactured Methane facilities in the amount of $2.8 million ($1.7 million net of tax effect). The impairment resulted from
the Company’s assessment that future cash flows, using historical costs and runtimes, were insufficient to recover the
Manufactured Methane facilities’ net book value. The Manufactured Methane facilities were written down to fair value amount
calculated from future discounted cash flows, using the same historical costs and runtimes, as well as certain expressions of
interest with regards to the purchase by outside parties of the Company’s Manufactured Methane facilities. Although the
Company believes the value realized from continued use of the Manufactured Methane facilities will be higher than the current
carrying value, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase runtime or reduce operating costs. Even if
the Company is able to increase runtime and reduce operating cost, the impairment recorded in 2014 cannot be reversed in a
later period.
Net interest expense was $80,000 in 2015, $88,000 in 2014, and $357,000 in 2013. The $(269,000) decrease in interest
expense in 2014 was primarily due to a $4.4 million decrease in the average credit facility balance from $6.1 million during
2013 to $1.7 million during 2014. The decrease was primarily due to low drilling, recompletion, and polymer activities during
26
2014 resulting in operating cash flows in excess of drilling, recompletion, and polymer costs being used to pay down the credit
facility.
During 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any open derivative positions.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $7.4 million in 2015, income tax benefit of $6,000 in 2014, and income
tax expense of $2.0 million in 2013. The $7.4 million expense in 2015 related to recording a full allowance of the deferred tax
asset primarily due to cumulative losses incurred during the 3 year period ending December 31, 2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2015, the Company had a revolving credit facility with Prosperity Bank. This is the Company’s
primary source to fund working capital and future capital spending. Under the credit facility, loans and letters of credit are
available to the Company on a revolving basis in an amount outstanding not to exceed the lesser of $40 million or the
Company’s borrowing base in effect from time to time. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s borrowing base was $7.8
million. The borrowing base was reduced to approximately $3.2 million with the March 28, 2016 amendment to the credit
agreement. This reduction was primarily related to the significant decrease in the prices used by Prosperity Bank during their
borrowing base redetermination. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s producing and non-
producing oil and gas properties and the Company’s Manufactured Methane facilities. The credit facility includes certain
covenants with which the Company is required to comply. At December 31, 2015, these covenants include leverage, interest
coverage, and minimum liquidity ratios. During 2013, 2014, and the first three quarters of 2015, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants. However, during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance
with the leverage and interest coverage ratios. After the covenant modifications and waivers included in the March 28, 2016
amendment, the Company is now in compliance with all covenants.
On March 16, 2015, the Company’s senior credit facility with Prosperity Bank after Prosperity Bank’s semiannual
review of the Company’s then owned producing properties was amended to reduce the Company’s borrowing base from $14.3
million to $7.8 million and extend the term of the facility to January 27, 2017. The interest rate remained prime plus 0.50%.
On March 28, 2016, the Company’s senior credit facility with Prosperity Bank after Prosperity Bank’s most recent
review of the Company’s currently owned producing properties was amended to decrease the Company’s borrowing base from
$7.8 million to approximately $3.2 million, extend the term of the facility to January 30, 2018, and delete the Leverage Ratio
covenant. For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company was in default on compliance with the Leverage Ratio
covenant. In addition, the amendment also added a Debt to Tangible Net Worth covenant, waived the default on the Interest
Coverage ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, waived the anticipated default for the quarter ended March 31, 2016,
and waived compliance with the Interest Coverage ratio for all applicable periods through the maturity date. Although the
Company was in default of the Leverage and Interest Coverage ratios for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company
is now in compliance as a result of the amendment and waivers. The borrowing base remains subject to the existing periodic
redetermination provisions in the credit facility. The interest rate remained prime plus 0.50% per annum. This rate was 4.00%
at the date of the amendment. The maximum line of credit of the Company under the Prosperity Bank credit facility remained
$40 million.
The total borrowing by the Company under the facility at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $869,000
and $734,000, respectively. The Company’s outstanding borrowing under the facility as of March 28, 2016 was approximately
$2.2 million. The next borrowing base review will take place in September 2016.
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $482,000 in 2015, $6.6 million in 2014, and
$8.0 million in 2013. Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $(85,000) in 2013. The decrease
in cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was primarily related to a $7.6 million decrease due to lower oil volumes and
prices, and a $872,000 decrease in cash provided by working capital, partially offset by a $1.8 million increase due to a decrease
in production costs and taxes, a $638,000 increase due to a decrease in general and administrative expense,. The decrease in
cash provided by operating activities in 2014 was primarily related to a $(1.9 million) decrease due to lower oil volumes and
prices, $(648,000) due to an increase in general and administrative expense, a $(470,000) decrease due to an increase in
production costs and taxes, partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in cash provided by working capital. Cash flow provided
by working capital was $543,000 in 2015, $1.4 million in 2014, and was $188,000 in 2013. The primary difference in changes
in working capital in 2015 as compared to 2014 was a $(721,000) change in accrued liabilities, a $(252,000) change in
inventory, partially offset by a $265,000 change in restricted cash primarily related to receipt of $386,000 which collateralized
the appeal bond related to the Hoactzin Gulf of Mexico assets. The primary difference in changes in working capital in 2014
27
as compared to 2013 was a $449,000 decrease in inventory, a $576,000 decrease in accounts receivable primarily due to lower
December revenues and reduction of related party receivables, a $323,000 increase in accrued liabilities, and a $121,000 receipt
of the refund of the certificate of deposit used to collateralize Tennessee plugging obligations,
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $541,000 in 2015, $4.0 million in 2014, and $2.2
million in 2013. The $3.5 million decrease in cash used in investing activities during 2015 as compared to 2014 was due
primarily to a $3.1 million decrease in drilling and recompletion activities during 2015 as compared to 2014, and a $282,000
decrease in Manufactured Methane facility costs primarily related to equipment and reconfiguration of the electric generator
which occurred in 2014. The $1.8 million increase in cash used in investing activities during 2014 as compared to 2013 was
due primarily to a $1.4 million increase in drilling and recompletion activities during 2014 as compared to 2013, and a $280,000
increase in Manufactured Methane facility costs primarily related to equipment and reconfiguration of the electric generator.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $64,000 in 2015, net cash used in financing activities from continuing
operations was $2.6 million in 2014, and $5.7 million in 2013 resulting from excess cash flows from continuing operations
used to pay down the Company’s credit facility. Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations in 2013
was $(1.3) million resulting from the sale of the Company’s pipeline assets.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. The Company considers the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are
involved in preparing the Company’s financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact the Company’s results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized based on actual volumes of oil, natural gas, methane gas, and electricity sold to purchasers
at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and collectability is reasonably
assured. Crude oil is stored and at the time of delivery to the purchasers, revenues are recognized. Natural gas meters are
placed at the customer’s location and usage is billed each month. There were no natural gas imbalances at December 31, 2015,
2014 and 2013 as the Company sold its Tennessee oil and gas properties in August 2013. Methane gas and electricity sales
meters are located at the Carter Valley landfill site and electricity generation sales are billed each month. No methane gas was
sold during 2015 or 2014.
Full Cost Method of Accounting
The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas property acquisition, exploration, and
development activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in connection with acquisition, exploration and development of
oil and gas reserves are capitalized. Capitalized costs include lease acquisitions, seismic related costs, certain internal
exploration costs, drilling, completion, and estimated asset retirement costs. The capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, plus
estimated future development costs relating to proved reserves and estimated asset retirement costs which are not already
included net of estimated salvage value, are amortized on the unit-of-production method based on total proved reserves. The
Company has determined its reserves based upon reserve reports provided by LaRoche Petroleum Consultants Ltd. since 2009.
The costs of unproved properties are excluded from amortization until the properties are evaluated, subject to an annual
assessment of whether impairment has occurred. The Company had $552,000 and $462,000 in unevaluated properties as of
December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties are accounted for as reductions to
capitalized costs unless such sales cause a significant change in the relationship between costs and the estimated value of proved
reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized. At the end of each reporting period, the Company performs a “ceiling test”
on the value of the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties. This test compares the net capitalized cost (capitalized cost of
oil and gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred income taxes) to the
present value of estimated future net revenues from oil and gas properties using an average price (arithmetic average of the
beginning of month prices for the prior 12 months) and current cost discounted at 10% plus cost of properties not being
amortized and the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in the cost being amortized (ceiling). If
the net capitalized cost is greater than the ceiling, a write-down or impairment is required. A write-down of the carrying value
of the asset is a non-cash charge that reduces earnings in the current period. Once incurred, a write-down cannot be reversed
in a later period.
28
Oil and Gas Reserves/Depletion, Depreciation, and Amortization of Oil and Gas Properties
The capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, plus estimated future development costs relating to proved reserves
and estimated asset retirement costs which are not already included net of estimated salvage value, are amortized on the unit-
of-production method based on total proved reserves. The costs of unproved properties are excluded from amortization until
the properties are evaluated, subject to an annual assessment of whether impairment has occurred.
The Company’s proved oil and gas reserves as of December 31, 2015 were determined by LaRoche Petroleum
Consultants, Ltd. Projecting the effects of commodity prices on production, and timing of development expenditures includes
many factors beyond the Company’s control. The future estimates of net cash flows from the Company’s proved reserves and
their present value are based upon various assumptions about future production levels, prices, and costs that may prove to be
incorrect over time. Any significant variance from assumptions could result in the actual future net cash flows being materially
different from the estimates.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company’s asset retirement obligations relate to the plugging, dismantling, and removal of wells drilled to date.
The Company follows the requirements of FASB ASC 410, “Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Obligations”.
Among other things, FASB ASC 410 requires entities to record a liability and corresponding increase in long-lived assets for
the present value of material obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. Over the passage of time,
accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense and the capitalized cost is depleted over the estimated useful life
of the related asset. If the estimated future cost of the asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both
the asset retirement obligation and the long-lived asset. Revisions to estimated asset retirement obligations can result from
changes in retirement cost estimates, revisions to estimated inflation rates and changes in the estimated timing of
abandonment. The Company currently uses an estimated useful life of wells ranging from 20-40 years. Management continues
to periodically evaluate the appropriateness of these assumptions.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires the establishment of deferred tax accounts
for all temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using currently enacted
federal and state income tax rates. In addition, deferred tax accounts must be adjusted to reflect new rates if enacted into
law. Temporary differences result principally from federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, differences in oil and
gas property values resulting from a 2008 ceiling test write down, and differences in methods of reporting depreciation and
amortization. Management routinely assesses the ability to realize our deferred tax assets and reduces such assets by a valuation
allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be recognized.
At December 31, 2015, federal net operating loss carryforwards amounted to approximately $22.9 million which
expire between 2019 and 2033. The total deferred tax asset was $0 and $7.35 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. The $7.35 million reduction related to recording a full allowance of the deferred tax asset primarily due to
cumulated losses incurred during the 3 years ended December 31, 2015.
Realization of deferred tax assets is contingent on the generation of future taxable income. As a result, management
considers whether it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such assets will be realized during periods when they are
available, and if not, management provides a valuation allowance for amounts not likely to be recovered.
Management periodically evaluates tax reporting methods to determine if any uncertain tax positions exist that would
require the establishment of a loss contingency. A loss contingency would be recognized if it were probable that a liability has
been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
The amount recognized is subject to estimates and management’s judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each
uncertain tax position. The amount that is ultimately incurred for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax
positions in the aggregate could differ from the amount recognized.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the
Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost. This guidance intends to simplify U.S. GAAP by changing the presentation of debt
29
issuance costs. Under the new standard, debt issuance costs will be presented as a reduction of the carrying amount of the
related liability, rather than as an asset. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years,
beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously
issued. The Company does not expect this to impact its operating results or cash flows. However, for financial statement
periods after December 31, 2015, there will be a resulting reclassification of debt issuance costs from assets to a reduction of
liabilities.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of
Deferred Taxes. This guidance eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets
as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets
and liabilities as noncurrent. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments may be applied prospectively to all
deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospecitvely to all periods presented. The Company does not expect this to impact its
operating results or cash flows.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations due by period as of December 31, 2015 (in
thousands):
Contractual Obligations
Long-Term Debt Obligations1
Operating Lease Obligations
Estimated Interest on Long-Term Debt Obligations
Total
$
$
Total
2016
2017
2018
1,021 $
72
97
1,190 $
65 $
50
41
156 $
52 $
22
38
112 $
904
—
18
922
____________________
(1) The credit facility maturity date of January 30, 2018 is based on the March 28, 2016 amendment to the credit agreement.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISKS
Commodity Risk
The Company’s major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to its oil and gas production. Realized pricing
is primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and spot prices applicable to natural gas
production. Historically, prices received for oil and gas production have been volatile and unpredictable and price volatility is
expected to continue. Monthly oil price realizations during 2015 ranged from a low of $31.26 per barrel to a high of $53.01
per barrel.
In addition, during 2010, 2011, and 2012 the Company participated in derivative agreements on a specified number
of barrels of oil of its production. The Company did not participate in any derivative agreements during 2015, 2014 or 2013,
but may participate in derivative activities in the future.
Interest Rate Risk
At December 31, 2015, the Company had debt outstanding of approximately $1,021,000 including, as of that date,
$869,000 owed on its credit facility with Prosperity Bank. The interest rate on the credit facility is variable at a rate equal to
the prime rate plus 0.50%. This rate was 4.00% at December 31, 2015. The Company’s remaining debt of $152,000 has fixed
interest rates ranging from 3.9% to 7.25%. As a result, the Company annual interest cost in 2015 fluctuated based on short-
term interest rates on approximately 85% of its total debt outstanding at December 31, 2015. During 2015, the Company paid
approximately $35,000 of interest on the Prosperity Bank line of credit. The impact on interest expense and the Company’s
cash flows of a 10% increase in the interest rate on the Prosperity Bank credit facility would be approximately $3,000 assuming
borrowed amounts under the credit facility remained at the same amount owed as of December 31, 2015. The Company did
not have any open derivative contracts relating to interest rates at December 31, 2015.
30
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk
Certain statements in this Report including statements of the future plans, objectives, and expected performance of
the Company are forward-looking statements that are dependent upon certain events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside
the Company’s control, and which would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Some of these include,
but are not limited to, the market prices of oil and gas, economic and competitive conditions, inflation rates, legislative and
regulatory changes, financial market conditions, political and economic uncertainties of foreign governments, future business
decisions, and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in projecting future rates of production and the timing of development
expenditures. The total amount or timing of actual future production may vary significantly from estimates. The drilling of
exploratory wells can involve significant risks, including those related to timing, success rates and cost overruns. Lease and
rig availability, complex geology, and other factors can also affect these risks. Additionally, fluctuations in oil and gas prices
or prolonged periods of low prices may substantially adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations,
and cash flows.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and supplementary data commence on page F-1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and other members of management have
evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e)). Based on such evaluation, the Company’s management determined that the Company’s controls over review
of the quarterly ceiling test calculation were not adequate to ensure this calculation was performed correctly. Based on this
material weakness, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, were not adequate and effective to
provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under
the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and
forms. Michael J. Rugen, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer is currently also serving as Company’s Chief Executive
Officer on an interim basis. Mr. Rugen is acting in both capacities and has executed the accompanying certifications as to both
offices.
The Company’s management intends to address this material weakness by implementing a process to more fully
analyze the impact of the Company’s tax position on its quarterly ceiling test calculation.
The effectiveness of a system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to various inherent limitations, including
cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of internal
controls, and fraud. Due to such inherent limitations, there can be no assurance that any system of disclosure controls and
procedures will be successful in preventing all errors or fraud, or in making all material information known in a timely manner
to the appropriate levels of management.
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and
other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and
procedures that:
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of the Company’s assets;
31
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or
disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness into future periods are subject to the risk that controls may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer
and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company’s management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, the Company’s management
used the criteria set forth in the framework in “Internal Control-Integrated-Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). This framework was updated in 2013. Based on the evaluation
conducted under the framework in “Internal Control- Integrated Framework,” issued by COSO the Company’s management
concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2015 for the
reasons described above.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal
control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm
pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
As part of a continuing effort to improve the Company’s business processes, management is evaluating its internal
controls and may update certain controls to accommodate any modifications to its business processes or accounting
procedures. There have been no changes to the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting during the year
ended December 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s system of
controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
On January 4, 2016, options to purchase 2,500 common shares at $1.20 per share were issued in the aggregate to the
Company’s four directors. These options fully vested upon grant date and will expire on January 3, 2021. Per share price was
restated as a result of the 1 for 10 reverse stock split approved at the shareholder meeting dated March 21, 2016.
On March 28, 2016, the Company’s senior credit facility with Prosperity Bank after Prosperity Bank’s most recent
review of the Company’s currently owned producing properties was amended to decrease the Company’s borrowing base from
$7.8 million to approximately $3.2 million, extend the term of the facility to January 30, 2018, and delete the Leverage Ratio
covenant. For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company was in default on compliance with the Leverage Ratio
covenant. In addition, the amendment also added a Debt to Tangible Net Worth covenant, waived the default on the Interest
Coverage ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, waived the anticipated default for the quarter ended March 31, 2016,
and waived compliance with the Interest Coverage ratio for all applicable periods through the maturity date. Although the
Company was in default of the Leverage and Interest Coverage ratios for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company
is now in compliance as a result of the amendment and waivers. The borrowing base remains subject to the existing periodic
redetermination provisions in the credit facility. The interest rate remained prime plus 0.50% per annum. This rate was 4.00%
at the date of the amendment. The maximum line of credit of the Company under the Prosperity Bank credit facility remained
$40 million and the Company’s outstanding borrowing under the facility as of March 28, 2015 was approximately $2.2 million.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERANCE
Identification of Directors and Executive Officers
32
POSITIONS HELD
Director
Director
Director;
Chairman of the Board
Director
Chief Financial Officer;
Chief Executive Officer (interim)
Vice-President; General Counsel; Secretary
DATE OF INITIAL
ELECTION OR
DESIGNATION
AGE
3/27/2007
12/3/2010
10/8/2002
10/21/2004
11/22/2013
9/28/2009
6/24/2013
7/9/1999
45
61
61
60
55
67
NAME
Matthew K. Behrent
Hughree F. Brooks
Peter E. Salas
Richard M. Thon
Michael J. Rugen
Cary V. Sorensen
Business Experience
Directors
Matthew K. Behrent is currently the Executive Vice President, Corporate Development of EDCI Holdings, Inc, a
company that is currently engaged in carrying out a plan of dissolution. Before joining EDCI in June, 2005, Mr. Behrent was
an investment banker, working as a Vice-President at Revolution Partners, a technology focused investment bank in Boston,
from March 2004 until June 2005 and as an associate in Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation's technology mergers and
acquisitions group from June 2000 until January 2003. From June 1997 to May 2000, Mr. Behrent practiced law, most recently
with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York, advising financial sponsors and corporate clients in connection with
financings and mergers and acquisitions transactions. Mr. Behrent received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1997, and
his B.A. in Political Science and Political Theory from Hampshire College in 1992. He became a Director of the Company on
March 27, 2007. He is also a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Asure Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASUR). The
experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills gained by Mr. Behrent in these sophisticated legal and financial positions
directly apply to and support the financial oversight of the Company’s operations and lead to the conclusion that Mr. Behrent
should serve as a Director of the Company.
Hughree F. Brooks in 2010 co-founded Powerhouse Energy Solutions LLC, a company engaged in providing
equipment and services to clients in renewable and alternative energy industries in the United States and abroad. Powerhouse
is a provider of solar energy systems as well as advisory services to biofuel producers. Since 1998, Mr. Brooks has continuously
provided consulting services in the oil and gas exploration industry. These services include land management, landowner
representation, deal structuring and financing, and expert witness services. Mr. Brooks has 35 years of experience as a land
manager with independent and major oil companies including Amoco Production, Mitchell Energy, Ladd Petroleum, Phoenix
Exploration and Renown Petroleum Inc. His clients own in excess of 16,000 acres in South Louisiana with a long history of
oil and gas production. In 2002, he founded and continues to serve as the Executive Director of Friends Of The Farm, a Texas
nonprofit. Mr. Brooks is a licensed attorney who received his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1980. He received a Bachelor
of Science Degree in 1976 from Loyola University in New Orleans. The experience, qualifications, and skills of Mr. Brooks
gained in an extensive career in the oil and gas exploration and production industry are directly related to the operations of the
Company and lead to the conclusion that Mr. Brooks should serve as a Director of the Company.
Peter E. Salas has been President of Dolphin Asset Management Corp. and its related companies since he founded it
in 1988. Prior to establishing Dolphin, he was with J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. for ten years, becoming Co-
manager, Small Company Fund and Director-Small Cap Research. He received an A.B. degree in Economics from Harvard in
1978. Mr. Salas was elected to the Board of Directors on October 8, 2002. During a portion of the last five years, Mr. Salas
also served on the Board of Directors of Southwall Technologies, Inc. and Williams Controls, Inc. The business experience,
attributes, and skills gained by Mr. Salas in these sophisticated financial positions, together with his service as director of other
public companies and his capacity as controlling person of the Company’s largest shareholder directly apply to and support his
qualification as a director, and lead to the conclusion that Mr. Salas should serve as a Director of the Company.
Richard M. Thon began a career with ARAMARK Corporation in 1987. ARAMARK is based in Philadelphia, has
250,000 employees worldwide, and provides food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health
care institutions, universities, and businesses in 22 countries. Mr. Thon served in various capacities in the Corporate Finance
Department of ARAMARK culminating with the position of Assistant Treasurer when he retired in June 2002. His
responsibilities included bank credit agreements, public debt issuance, interest rate risk management, foreign subsidiary credit
agreements, foreign exchange, letters of credit, insurance finance, off-balance-sheet finance, and real estate and equipment
leasing. Prior to joining ARAMARK, Mr. Thon was a Vice President in the International Department of Mellon Bank. Since
33
his retirement in 2002, Mr. Thon has served in a variety of volunteer charitable and civic activities. In addition, during a portion
of the past five years, he served on the board of ACT Conferencing, Inc. Mr. Thon received a B.A. in Economics degree from
Yale College in 1977 and a Masters of Business Administration degree in Finance from The Wharton School, University of
Pennsylvania in 1979. Mr. Thon’s experience in the fields of banking and finance directly apply to the business needs of the
Company and lead to the conclusion that he will provide significant benefit to the Board and that he is qualified to serve as a
Director of the Company.
Officers
Michael J. Rugen was named Chief Financial Officer of the Company in September 2009 and as interim Chief
Executive Officer in June 2013. He is a certified public accountant (Texas) with over 30 years of experience in exploration,
production and oilfield service. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rugen spent 2 years as Vice President of Accounting and
Finance for Nighthawk Oilfield Services. From 2001 to June 2007, he was a Manager/Sr. Manager with UHY Advisors,
primarily responsible for managing internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 engagements for various oil and gas clients. In 1999
and 2000, Mr. Rugen provided finance and accounting consulting services with Jefferson Wells International. From 1982 to
1998, Mr. Rugen held various accounting and management positions at BHP Petroleum, with accounting responsibilities for
onshore and offshore US operations as well as operations in Trinidad and Bolivia. Mr. Rugen earned a Bachelor of Science in
Accounting in 1982 from Indiana University.
Cary V. Sorensen is a 1976 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and has undergraduate and graduate
degrees from North Texas State University and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the Company in July
1999, he had been continuously engaged in the practice of law in Houston, Texas relating to the energy industry since 1977,
both in private law firms and a corporate law department, serving for seven years as senior counsel with the oil and gas litigation
department of a Fortune 100 energy corporation in Houston before entering private practice in June, 1996. He has represented
virtually all of the major oil companies headquartered in Houston as well as local distribution companies and electric utilities
in a variety of litigated and administrative cases before state and federal courts and agencies in nine states. These matters
involved gas contracts, gas marketing, exploration and production disputes involving royalties or operating interests, land titles,
oil pipelines and gas pipeline tariff matters at the state and federal levels, and general operation and regulation of interstate and
intrastate gas pipelines. He has served as General Counsel of the Company since July 9, 1999.
Family and Other Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of the present directors or executive officers of the Company.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the knowledge of management, no director, executive officer or affiliate of the Company or owner of record or
beneficially of more than 5% of the Company's common stock is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest
adverse to the Company in any proceeding.
To the knowledge of management, during the past ten years, unless specifically indicated below with respect to any
numbered item, no present director, executive officer or person nominated to become a director or an executive officer of the
Company:
(1)
Filed a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law, nor had a receiver, fiscal agent
or similar officer appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which
he or she was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or
business association of which he or she was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of
such filing; provided however that the Company’s Chief Financial Officer Michael J. Rugen during 2007
through mid-2009 was Vice President of Accounting and Finance for Nighthawk Oilfield Services in
Houston, Texas (Nighthawk); Nighthawk filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy
laws on July 10, 2009 and such fact was affirmatively disclosed to the Company’s Board before Mr. Rugen
was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company in September, 2009, and the Board
determined that the circumstances surrounding bankruptcy filing did not disclose any reason to question the
integrity or qualifications of Mr. Rugen for the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
(2)
Was convicted in a criminal proceeding or named the subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations and other minor offenses);
34
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any
court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him or her from or otherwise limiting
the following activities: (a) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading
advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated
by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an
investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee
of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or
continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity; (b) engaging in any type of business
practice; or (c) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity
or in connection with any violation of federal or state securities laws or federal commodities laws;
Was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any
Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting him or her for more than 60 days from
engaging in any activity described in paragraph 3(a) above, or being associated with any persons engaging
in any such activity;
Was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to have violated any federal
or state securities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently
reversed, suspended, or vacated;
Was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (“CFTC”) to have violated any federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action
or finding by the CFTC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;
Was the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or
finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of: (i) any federal
or state securities or commodities law or regulation; (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions
or insurance companies including but not limited to a temporary or permanent injunction, order of
disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease and desist order, or removal
or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with
any business entity; or
Was the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of
any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26)],
any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29)], or
any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members
or persons associated with a member.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s executive officers, directors and persons
who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes
in ownership with the SEC no later than the second business day after the date on which the transaction occurred unless certain
exceptions apply. In fiscal 2014, the Company, its officers, directors, and shareholders owning more than 10% of its common
stock were not delinquent in filing of any of their Form 3, 4, and 5 reports.
Code of Ethics
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Company’s financial officers and
executives officers, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Company’s Board of Directors has
also adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees. A copy of these codes can be found at the
Company’s internet website at www.tengasco.com. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to its Codes of Ethics,
and any waiver from a provision of the Code of Ethics granted to the Company’s President, Chief Financial Officer or persons
performing similar functions, on the Company’s internet website within five business days following such amendment or
waiver. A copy of the Code of Ethics can be obtained free of charge by writing to Cary V. Sorensen, Secretary, Tengasco, Inc.,
6021 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 117, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.
35
Audit Committee
During 2015, directors Matthew K. Behrent and Richard M. Thon were the members of the Board’s Audit Committee.
Mr. Behrent was the Chairman of the Committee and the Board of Directors determined that both Mr. Behrent and Mr. Thon
were each an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
regulations and the NYSE MKT Rules. Each of the members of the Audit Committee met the independence and experience
requirements of the NYSE MKT Rules, the applicable Securities Laws, and the regulations and rules promulgated by the SEC.
The Audit Committee met each quarter and a total of four (4) times in Fiscal 2015 with the Company’s auditors, including
discussing the audit of the Company’s year-end financial statements.
The Audit Committee adopted an Audit Committee Charter during fiscal 2001. In 2004, the Board adopted an amended
Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is available on the Company’s internet website, www.tengasco.com. The Audit
Committee Charter fully complies with the requirements of the NYSE MKT Rules. The Audit Committee reviews and
reassesses the Audit Committee Charter annually.
The Audit Committee's functions are:
To review with management and the Company’s independent auditors the scope of the annual audit and
quarterly statements, significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the
preparation of the Company’s financial statements;
To review major changes to the Company’s auditing and accounting principles and practices suggested by
the independent auditors;
To monitor the independent auditor's relationship with the Company;
To advise and assist the Board of Directors in evaluating the independent auditor's examination;
To supervise the Company's financial and accounting organization and financial reporting;
To nominate, for approval of the Board of Directors, a firm of certified public accountants whose duty it is
to audit the financial records of the Company for the fiscal year for which it is appointed; and
To review and consider fee arrangements with, and fees charged by, the Company’s independent auditors.
Changes in Board Nomination Procedures
In 2015, there were no changes to the procedures adopted by the Board for nominations for the Board of Directors.
Those procedures were last set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement filed on October 3, 2014 for the Company’s Annual
Meeting held on November 14, 2014 and are posted on the Company’s internet website at www.tengasco.com. In the event of
any such amendment to the procedures, the Company intends to disclose the amendments on the Company's internet website
within five business days following such amendment.
36
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Officer Compensation
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded to, earned or paid to, the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers whose compensation exceeded $100,000 during fiscal
years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal Position
Michael J. Rugen,
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Executive Officer (interim)3
Cary V. Sorensen,
General Counsel
Year
2015
2014
Salary
($)
168,008
186,716
Bonus
($)
29,442
68,343
2015
2014
92,677
137,940
—
5,000
—
—
—
—
Total
($)
205,844
308,656
8,394
53,597
4,662
9,788
97,339
152,728
Option
Awards
($)
All Other
Compensation2
($)
____________________
(2) The amounts in this column consist of the Company’s matching contributions to its 401 (k) plan, personal use of company vehicles, and the portion of
company-wide group term life insurance premiums allocable to these named executive officers.
(3) Mr. Rugen was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer on June 28, 2013. The information for Mr. Rugen for 2015 and 2014 includes compensation
for his services as both CEO and CFO. The bonus in 2015 and 2014 include $29,442 and $33,068 respectively for quarterly bonuses paid to Mr.
Rugen as compensation to serve in the capacity as CEO.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
OPTION AWARDS
Number of securities
underlying unexercised
options exercisable
Number of securities
underlying unexercised
options unexercisable
Option exercise
price
Option
expiration date
—
—
— $
— $
—
—
Name
Michael J. Rugen
Cary V. Sorensen
Option and Award Exercises
No other options were exercised during 2015 or 2014.
Employment Contracts and Compensation Agreements
On September 18, 2013, the Company and its Chief Financial Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer Michael J.
Rugen entered into a written Compensation Agreement as reported on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2013. Under the terms
of the Compensation Agreement, Mr. Rugen’s annual salary will increase from $150,000 to $170,000 per year in his capacity
as Chief Financial Officer, and he will receive a bonus of $7,500 per quarter for each quarter during which he also serves as
interim Chief Executive Officer. At June 1, 2014, Mr. Rugen’s salary was increased to $199,826 per year in his capacity as
Chief Financial Officer, the quarterly bonus received while in the capacity as interim Chief Financial Officer was increased to
$8,815 per quarter. The increases at June 1, 2014 were for cost of living adjustments related to the relocation of the corporate
office from Knoxville to Greenwood Village. The Compensation agreement is not an employment contract, but does provide
that in the event Mr. Rugen were terminated without cause, he would receive a severance payment in the amount of six month’s
salary in effect at the time of any such termination.
On February 25, 2015, the Company and its Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary Cary V.
Sorensen entered into a written Compensation Agreement as reported on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2015. Under the
terms of the Compensation Agreement, effective March 2, 2015, Mr. Sorensen’s annual salary will be reduced from $137,500
to $91,000 in consideration of the Company's agreement to permit Mr. Sorensen to serve as a full time employee from a virtual
37
office in Galveston, Texas with presence in the Denver area headquarters as required. He will remain eligible for certain existing
benefits: 401-K plan, bonus potential; Company-paid state bar membership dues and charges, and mobile phone charges. The
Company also pays reasonable and customary office operating expenses. The Company would pay for business travel on a
mileage basis and out of pocket travel costs. However, as to health insurance, Mr. Sorensen will obtain a combination of
private/governmental health and disability insurance in lieu of the Company plans, with the Company reimbursing up to
$13,000 per year in premiums incurred by him. The Compensation agreement is not an employment contract, but does provide
that in the event Mr. Sorensen were terminated without cause, he would receive a severance payment in the amount of six
month’s salary in effect at the time of any such termination.
There are presently no other employment contracts relating to any member of management. However, depending upon
the Company's operations and requirements, the Company may offer long-term contracts to executive officers or key employees
in the future.
Compensation and Stock Option Committee
The members of the Compensation/Stock Option Committee during 2015 were Matthew K. Behrent, Hughree F.
Brooks, and Richard M. Thon, with Mr. Brooks acting as Chairman. Messrs. Behrent, Brooks, and Thon meet the current
independence standards established by the NYSE MKT Rules to serve on this Committee.
The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Compensation/Stock Option Committee which is available at the
Company’s internet website, www.tengasco.com.
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee’s functions, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, are to provide
recommendations with respect to general and specific compensation policies and practices of the Company for directors,
officers and other employees of the Company. The Compensation/Stock Option Committee expects to periodically review the
approach to executive compensation and to make changes as competitive conditions and other circumstances warrant and will
seek to ensure the Company's compensation philosophy is consistent with the Company's best interests and is properly
implemented. The Committee determines or recommends to the Board of Directors for determination the specific compensation
of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and all of the Company’s other officers. Although the Committee may seek the
input of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in determining the compensation of the Company’s other executive officers,
the Chief Executive Officer may not be present during the voting or deliberations with respect to his compensation. The
Committee may not delegate any of its responsibilities unless it is to a subcommittee formed by the Committee, but only if
such subcommittee consists entirely of directors who meet the independence requirements of the NYSE MKT Rules.
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee is also charged with administering the Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive
Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”). The Compensation/Stock Option Committee has complete discretionary authority with
respect to the awarding of options, stock, and Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”), under the Stock Incentive Plan, including,
but not limited to, determining the individuals who shall receive options and SARs; the times when they shall receive them;
whether an option shall be an incentive or a non-qualified stock option; whether an SAR shall be granted separately, in tandem
with or in addition to an option; the number of shares to be subject to each option and SAR; the term of each option and SAR;
the date each option and SAR shall become exercisable; whether an option or SAR shall be exercisable in whole, in part or in
installments and the terms relating to such installments; the exercise price of each option and the base price of each SAR; the
form of payment of the exercise price; the form of payment by the Company upon the exercise of an SAR; whether to restrict
the sale or other disposition of the shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an option or SAR; to subject the
exercise of all or any portion of an option or SAR to the fulfillment of a contingency, and to determine whether such
contingencies have been met; with the consent of the person receiving such option or SAR, to cancel or modify an option or
SAR, provided such option or SAR as modified would be permitted to be granted on such date under the terms of the Stock
Incentive Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
The Compensation/Stock Option Committee met four (4) times in Fiscal 2015. The Committee has the authority to
retain a compensation consultant or other advisors to assist it in the evaluation of compensation and has the sole authority to
approve the fees and other terms of retention of such consultants and advisors and to terminate their services. The Committee
did not retain any such consultants or advisors in 2015.
Compensation of Directors
The Board of Directors has resolved to compensate members of the Board of Directors for attendance at meetings at
the rate of $250 per day, together with direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attendance at the meetings, including travel.
The Directors, as of the date of this Report, have waived all such fees due to them for prior meetings.
38
Members of the Board of Directors may also be requested to perform consulting or other professional services for the
Company from time to time, although at this time no such arrangements are in place. The Board of Directors has reserved to
itself the right to review all directors' claims for compensation on an ad hoc basis.
Board members currently receive fees from the Company for their services as director. They may also from time to
time be granted stock options under the Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. A separate plan to issue cash and/or shares of
stock to independent directors for service on the Board and various committees was authorized by the Board of Directors and
approved by the Company’s shareholders. A copy of the Plan is posted at the Company’s website at www.tengasco.com.
However, no award was made to any independent director under that separate plan in Fiscal 2015.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2015
Name
Matthew K. Behrent
Hughree F. Brooks
Richard M. Thon
Peter E. Salas
____________________
Fees earned or
paid in cash
($)
Option awards
compensation 4
($)
$
$
$
$
5,625 $
5,625 $
5,625 $
5,625 $
3,251 $
3,251 $
3,251 $
3,251 $
Total
($)
8,876
8,876
8,876
8,876
(4) The amounts represented in this column are equal to the aggregate grant date fair value of the award computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic
718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, in connection with options granted under the Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. See Note 13 Stock
Options in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2014 for information on the relevant valuation assumptions.
As of December 31, 2015, Mr. Behrent held 14,375 unexercised options; Mr. Brooks held 11,875 unexercised options; Mr. Salas held 14,375
unexercised options; and Mr. Thon held 5,000 unexercised options. The number of unexercised options have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the
1 for 10 reverse stock split approved at the shareholder meeting dated March 21, 2015, effective with trading on March 24, 2016.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS
The following table sets forth the shareholdings of those persons who own more than 5% of the Company's common
stock as of March 25, 2016 with these computations being based upon 6,084,241 shares of common stock being outstanding as
of that date and as to each shareholder, as it may pertain, assumes the exercise of options or warrants granted or held by such
shareholder that are exercisable as of March 25, 2016.
FIVE PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS 5
Name and Address
Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P.
c/o Dolphin Mgmt. Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 16867
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
____________________
Title
Stockholder
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
2,085,716
Percent of Class
34.30%
(5) Unless otherwise stated, all shares of Common Stock are directly held with sole voting and dispositive power. The shares set forth in the table are as of
March 25, 2016.
39
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Name and Address
Matthew K. Behrent 8
Hughree F. Brooks 9
Michael J. Rugen 10
Peter E. Salas 11
Cary V. Sorensen 12
Richard M. Thon 13
All Officers and Directors as a group 14
____________________
Title
Director
Director
Chief Executive Officer
(interim);
Chief Financial Officer
Director;
Chairman of the Board
Vice President;
General Counsel;
Secretary
Director
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned 6
15,800
12,500
—
Percent of
Class 7
Less than 1%
Less than 1%
—
2,098,216
34.5%
23,622
Less than 1%
5,625
2,155,763
Less than 1%
35.4%
(6) Unless otherwise stated, all shares of common stock are directly held with sole voting and dispositive power. The shares set forth in the table are as of
March 25, 2016.
(7) Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based upon 6,084,241 shares of common stock being outstanding as
of March 25, 2016. Shares not outstanding that are subject to options or warrants exercisable by the holder thereof within 60 days of March 25, 2016
are deemed outstanding for the purposes of calculating the number and percentage owned by such stockholder, but not deemed outstanding for the
purpose of calculating the percentage of any other person. Unless otherwise noted, all shares listed as beneficially owned by a stockholder are actually
outstanding.
(8) Consists of 3,300 shares held directly and vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 12,500 shares.
(9) Consists of vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 12,500 shares.
(10) Mr. Rugen’s options to purchase 40,000 shares expired on September 27, 2015.
(11) Consists of directly, vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 12,500 shares, 21,800 shares held individually, and 2,063,916 shares held directly by
Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P. (“Dolphin”). Peter E. Salas is the sole shareholder of and controlling person of Dolphin Mgmt. Services, Inc. which is
the general partner of Dolphin.
(12) Consists of 23,622 shares held directly.
(13) Consists of vested, fully exercisable options to purchase 5,625 shares.
(14) Consists of 48,722 shares held directly by directors and management, 2,063,916 shares held by Dolphin and vested, and fully exercisable options to
purchase 43,125 shares.
Change in Control
To the knowledge of the Company’s management, there are no present arrangements or pledges of the Company’s
securities which may result in a change in control of the Company.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31,
2015.
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans
approve by security holders15
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders
Total
____________________
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights(a)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding, options,
warrants and rights(b)
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a)) (c)
6.10
—
6.10
3,118,118
—
3,118,118
45,625 $
—
45,625 $
40
(15) Refers to Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which was adopted to provide an incentive to key employees, officers, directors and
consultants of the Company and its present and future subsidiary corporations, and to offer an additional inducement in obtaining the services of such
individuals. The Plan provides for the grant to employees of the Company of “Incentive Stock Options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, nonqualified stock options to outside Directors and consultants the Company and stock appreciation
rights. The Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders on June 26, 2001. Initially, the Plan provided for the issuance of a maximum of
1,000,000 shares of the Company’s $.001 par value common stock. Thereafter, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders
approved amendments to the Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the Plan to 7,000,000 shares. The most recent
amendment to the Plan increasing the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan by 3,500,000 shares and extending the Plan for another 10
years was approved by the Company Board of Directors on February 1, 2008 and approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders held June 2, 2008.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Certain Transactions
There have been no material transactions, series of similar transactions or currently proposed transactions entered into
during 2015 and 2014, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved
exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for its last two completed
fiscal years in which any director or executive officer or any security holder who is known to the Company to own of record
or beneficially more than 5% of the Company's common stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing
persons, had a material interest.
In this Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company describes two transactions of the
type described above, that the Company entered into with Hoactzin in 2007 that remained in existence in 2014 and 2015. As
noted above in Item 1, Business, page 7, Peter E. Salas, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, is the
controlling person of Hoactzin and of Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P., the Company’s largest shareholder. These two 2007
transactions between the Company and Hoactzin are described at the following page locations in this Report and in the attached
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements: (1) the Ten Well Program, see Item 1, Business, pages 7 and F-12; and (2) the
net profits agreement at the Methane Project, see Item 1, Business, pages 9 and F-13.
The approximate dollar value of the amount of Hoactzin’s interest in each of these two 2007 transactions during each
of the years 2015 and 2014 was as follows: (1) Ten Well Program - $31,000 in 2015; $148,000 in 2014 (calculated as the total
payments attributable to Hoactzin for its program interest); and (2) Net Profits agreement at the Methane Project - $0 in 2015
and 2014 (calculated as the amount of net profits payable to Hoactzin; the project generated no net profits as described in the
agreement, and therefore no amount was paid to Hoactzin for net profits, in either 2015 or 2014).
In addition to the two 2007 transactions, Hoactzin owns a drilling program interest in the Company’s “6 Well
Program” in Kansas, acquired in 2005 by Hoactzin in exchange for surrender of the Company’s promissory notes given by the
Company for borrowings to fund the redemption in 2004 of the Company’s three series of preferred stock, all as previously
disclosed. Hoactzin’s interest in the 6 Well Program was $13,000 in 2015; and $30,000 in 2014 (calculated as the total
payments attributable to Hoactzin for its program interest) and is expected to decrease in the future as the wells involved
naturally decline in produced volumes.
Director Independence
The Rules of the NYSE MKT (the “NYSE MKT Rules”) of which the Company is a member require that an issuer,
such as the Company, which is a Smaller Reporting Company pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 10(f)(1), maintain a board of
directors of which at least one-half of the members are independent in that they are not officers of the Company and are free
of any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of their independent judgment. The NYSE MKT Rules also require
that as a Smaller Reporting Company, the Company’s Board of Directors’ Audit Committee be comprised of at least two
members all of whom qualify as independent under the criteria set forth in Rule 10 A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and NYSE MKT Rule 803(b)(2)(c). The Board of Directors has determined that the Company’s directors, Matthew K.
Behrent, Hughree F. Brooks, and Richard M. Thon, are independent as defined by the NYSE MKT Rules, and that Matthew
K. Behrent, Richard M. Thon, and Hughree F. Brooks are also independent as defined by Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and that none of these
directors have any relationship which would interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment in carrying out his
responsibilities as a director. In reaching its determination, the Board of Directors reviewed certain categorical independence
standards to provide assistance in the determination of director independence. The categorical standards are set forth below and
provide that a director will not qualify as an independent director under the NYSE MKT Rules if:
41
The Director is, or has been during the last three years, an employee or an officer of the Company or any of
its affiliates;
The Director has received, or has an immediate family member 18 who has received, during any twelve
consecutive months in the last three years any compensation from the Company in excess of $120,000, other than
compensation for service on the Board of Directors, compensation to an immediate family member who is an
employee of the Company other than an executive officer, compensation received as an interim executive officer or
benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan, or non-discretionary compensation;
The Director is a member of the immediate family of an individual who is, or has been in any of the past
three years, employed by the Company or any of its affiliates as an executive officer;
The Director, or an immediate family member, is a partner in, or controlling shareholder or an executive
officer of, any for-profit business organization to which the Company made, or received, payments (other than those
arising solely from investments in the Company’s securities) that exceed 5% of the Company’s or business
organization’s consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000, whichever is more, in any of the past three
years;
The Director, or an immediate family member, is employed as an executive officer of another entity where
at any time during the most recent three fiscal years any of the Company’s executives serve on that entity’s
compensation committee; or
The Director, or an immediate family member, is a current partner of the Company’s outside auditors, or was
a partner or employee of the Company’s outside auditors who worked on the Company’s audit at any time during the
past three years.
The following additional categorical standards were employed by the Board in determining whether a director
qualified as independent to serve on the Audit Committee and provide that a director will not qualify if:
The Director directly or indirectly accepts any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from
the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
The Director is an affiliated person19 of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
The Director participated in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements at any time
during the past three years.
The independent members of the Board meet as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities, but meet
at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent directors and management.
____________________
(16) Under these categorical standards “immediate family member” includes a person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and anyone who resides in such person’s home (other than a domestic employee).
(17) For purposes of this categorical standard, an “affiliated person of the Company” means a person that directly or indirectly through intermediaries
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. A person will not be considered to be in control of the Company, and
therefore not an affiliate of the Company, if he is not the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly of more than 10% of any class of voting securities of
the Company and he is not an executive officer of the Company. Executive officers of an affiliate of the Company as well as a director who is also an
employee of an affiliate of the Company will be deemed to be affiliates of the Company.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table presents the fees for professional audit services rendered by the Company’s current independent
accountants, Hein & Associates (“Hein”), for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and fees for
42
professional audit services rendered for the quarterly reviews for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31,
2014:
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
Total Fees
$
$
2015
111,400 $
—
—
—
111,400 $
2014
134,316
—
—
—
134,316
Audit fees include fees related to the services rendered in connection with the annual audit of the Company’s
consolidated financial statements, the quarterly reviews of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the reviews of
and other services related to statutory filings or engagements for the subject fiscal years.
Audit-related fees are for assurance and related services by the principal accountants that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
Tax Fees include services for (i) tax compliance, (ii) tax advice, (iii) tax planning and (iv) tax reporting.
All Other Fees includes fees for all other services provided by the principal accountants not covered in the other
categories such as litigation support, etc.
All of the services for 2015 and 2014 were performed by the full-time, permanent employees of Hein.
All of the 2015 services described above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the SEC rule that requires
audit committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditors. The Audit
Committee considered whether the provisions of such services, including non-audit services, by Hein were compatible with
maintaining its independence and concluded they were.
43
PART IV.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES
A. The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
1.
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2.
Financial Schedules:
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is
included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
3.
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed with, or incorporated by reference into this Report:
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4*
4.1
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
Delaware Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to registrant’s Definitive Proxy
Statement pursuant to Schedule 14a filed May 2, 2011).
Amended and Restated Bylaws as of November 13, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 30, 2015).
Agreement and Plan of Merger of Tengasco, Inc. (a Tennessee corporation with and into Tengasco, Inc., a
Delaware corporation dated as of April 15, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to registrant’s
Definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Schedule 14a filed May 2, 2011).
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation filed March 23, 2016
Form of Rights Certificate (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s statement on Form S-1 filed February 13,
2004 Reg. File No. 333-109784).
Tengasco, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s registration
statement on Form S-8 filed October 26, 2000).
Amendment to the Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan dated May 19, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed June 3, 2005).
Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 29, 2006 between Tengasco, Inc. and Citibank Texas, N.A.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2006).
Subscription Agreement of Hoactzin Partners, L.P. for the Company’s ten well drilling program on its Kansas
Properties dated August 3, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the registrant’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed March 31, 2008 [the “2007 Form 10-K”]).
Agreement and Conveyance of Net Profits Interest dated September 17, 2007 between Manufactured Methane
Corporation as Grantor and Hoactzin Partners, LP as Grantee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the
2007 Form 10-K).
Agreement for Conditional Option for Exchange of Net Profits Interest for Convertible Preferred Stock dated
September 17, 2007 between Tengasco, Inc., as Grantor and Hoactzin Partners, L.P., as Grantee (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the 2007 Form 10-K).
Assignment of Notes and Liens Dated December 17, 2007 between Citibank, N.A., as Assignor, Sovereign
Bank, as Assignee and Tengasco, Inc., Tengasco Land & Mineral Corporation and Tengasco Pipeline
Corporation as Debtors (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the 2007 Form 10-K).
Management Agreement dated December 18, 2007 between Tengasco, Inc. and Hoactzin Partners,
L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the 2007 Form 10-K).
44
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20*
14
21
23.1*
31*
32*
99.1*
101.INS*
101.SCH*
101.CAL*
101.DEF*
101.LAB*
101.PRE*
Amendment to the Tengasco, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan dated February 1, 2008, 2008 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed June 3, 2008).
Assignment of Credit Facility to F&M Bank and Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to
the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 31, 2011).
Ninth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated February 22, 2011 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.01 to the
registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2011).
Tenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 14, 2012 between Tengasco, Inc. as borrower
and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the registrant’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 29, 2013)
Eleventh Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated September 12, 2012 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 29, 2013).
Twelfth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated January 29, 2013 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 29, 2013).
Thirteenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 6, 2013 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 29, 2013).
Fourteenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated October 24, 2013 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed on March 31, 2014).
Fifteenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 17, 2014 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and F&M Bank & Trust Company as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed on March 31, 2014).
Sixteenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated September 23, 2014 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and Prosperity Bank as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 30, 2015).
Seventeenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated March 16, 2015 between Tengasco, Inc. as
borrower and Prosperity Bank as Lender (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 30, 2015).
Eighteenth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between Tengasco, Inc. as borrower and Prosperity
Bank as Lender dated March 28, 2016
Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
March 30, 2004).
List of subsidiaries (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the 2007 Form 10-K).
Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd.
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Report of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd. has been added to the filing for the year ended December, 31,
2015
XBRL Instance Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
XBRLTaxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
* Exhibit filed with this Report
45
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 30, 2016
Tengasco, Inc.
(Registrant)
By: s/ Michael J. Rugen
Michael J. Rugen,
Chief Executive Officer
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in their capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
s/ Matthew K. Behrent
Matthew K. Behrent
s/ Hughree F. Brooks
Hughree F. Brooks
s/ Peter E. Salas
Peter E. Salas
s/ Richard M. Thon
Richard M. Thon
Title
Director
Director
Director
Director
s/ Michael J. Rugen
Michael J. Rugen
Chief Executive Officer and
Principal Financial Accounting Officer
Date
March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016
46
Tengasco, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-2
F-3
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Tengasco, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tengasco, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015
and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit
of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as
a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Tengasco, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
s/ Hein & Associates LLP
Denver, Colorado
March 30, 2016
F-2
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share and share data)
Assets
Current
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $14
Accounts receivable-related party, less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $159
Inventory
Deferred tax asset - current
Other current assets
Total current assets
Restricted cash
Loan fees, net
Oil and gas properties, net (full cost accounting method)
Manufactured Methane facilities, net
Other property and equipment, net
Deferred tax asset - noncurrent
Total assets
December 31,
2015
2014
$
40 $
446
—
542
—
354
1,382
—
10
8,838
1,573
200
—
12,003 $
$
35
877
—
804
68
311
2,095
386
18
25,413
1,634
200
7,283
37,029
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-3
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share and share data)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable – trade
Accounts payable – other
Accounts payable – related party
Accrued liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt
Total current liabilities
Asset retirement obligation
Long term debt, less current maturities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity
December 31,
2015
2014
$
151 $
159
634
356
65
1,365
2,222
956
4,543
455
159
590
759
65
2,028
2,008
824
4,860
Common stock, $.001 par value: authorized 100,000,000 Shares;
6,084,241 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid in capital
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
55,770
(48,316)
7,460
12,003 $
6
55,758
(23,595)
32,169
37,029
F-4
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenues
Cost and expenses
Production costs and taxes
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
General and administrative
Impairment
Total cost and expenses
Income (loss) from operations
Other income (expense)
Net interest expense
Gain on sale of assets
Total other (expense)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
Deferred income tax expense
Current income tax expense
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share - Basic
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Net income (loss) per share - Diluted
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Shares used in computing earnings per share
Basic
Diluted
2015
Year ended December 31,
2014
2013
$
6,164 $
13,788 $
15,700
4,224
2,676
2,069
14,526
23,495
(17,331)
(80)
41
(39)
(17,370)
(7,351)
—
(24,721) $
— $
(24,721) $
5,994
3,030
2,707
2,796
14,527
(739)
(88)
33
(55)
(794)
12
(6)
(788) $
— $
(788) $
(4.06) $
— $
(0.13) $
— $
(4.06) $
— $
(0.13) $
— $
5,524
2,912
2,059
—
10,495
5,205
(357)
118
(239)
4,966
(1,915)
(95)
2,956
(137)
2,819
0.49
(0.02)
0.49
(0.02)
6,084,241
6,084,241
6,084,241
6,084,993
6,084,241
6,091,987
$
$
$
$
$
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-5
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(In thousands, except per share and share data)
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Paid-in
Capital
Balance, December 31, 2012
Net income
Options and compensation expense
Balance, December 31, 2013
Net loss
Options and compensation expense
Common stock issued for exercise of options
Balance, December 31, 2014
Net loss
Options and compensation expense
Balance, December 31, 2015
6,084,241 $
—
—
6,084,241 $
—
—
—
6,084,241 $
—
—
6,084,241 $
6 $
—
—
6 $
—
—
—
6 $
—
—
6 $
Accumulated
Deficit
(25,626) $
2,819
—
(22,807) $
(788)
—
—
(23,595) $
(24,721)
—
55,754 $
—
(28)
55,726 $
—
32
—
55,758 $
—
12
55,770 $
(48,316) $
Total
30,134
2,819
(28)
32,925
(788)
32
—
32,169
(24,721)
12
7,460
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-6
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Operating activities
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
2015
Year Ended December 31,
2014
2013
$
(24,721) $
(788) $
2,956
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Amortization of loan fees-interest expenses
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligation
Impairment
Gain on sale of vehicles/equipment
Compensation and services paid in stock options / equipment
Deferred income tax expense
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Changes in assets and liabilities
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Inventory and other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Settlement on asset retirement obligations
Net cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations
Net cash (used in) in operating activities – discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities
Net additions to oil and gas properties
Additions to Manufactured Methane facilities
Additions to other property & equipment
Proceeds from sale of other property & equipment
Net cash (used in) investing activities – continuing operations
Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations
Net cash (used in) investing activities
Financing activities
Payment in lieu of exercise of options/warrants
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Loan fees
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities – continuing operations
Net cash (used in) financing activities – discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net change in cash and cash equivalents – continuing operations
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash interest payments
Cash paid for taxes
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Financed company vehicles
Asset retirement obligations incurred
Revisions to asset retirement obligations
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,676
10
126
14,526
(41)
12
7,351
—
386
432
198
(58)
(398)
(17)
482
—
482
(570)
—
(1)
30
(541)
—
(541)
—
4,300
(4,234)
(2)
64
—
64
5
35
40 $
70 $
— $
140 $
— $
112 $
— $
3,030
17
114
2,796
(33)
32
(12)
—
121
576
450
58
323
(113)
6,571
—
6,571
(3,708)
(282)
(21)
17
(3,994)
—
(3,994)
—
7,709
(10,305)
—
(2,596)
—
(2,596)
(19)
54
35 $
71 $
— $
47 $
46 $
138 $
207 $
2,912
32
120
—
(118)
50
1,915
(84)
—
307
31
103
(184)
(69)
7,971
(85)
7,886
(2,314)
(2)
(8)
106
(2,218)
1,395
(823)
(60)
7,946
(13,606)
(10)
(5,730)
(1,310)
(7,040)
23
31
54
325
38
188
26
(48)
175
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Tengasco, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation. The Company is in the business of exploration for and
production of oil and natural gas. The Company’s primary area of oil exploration and production is in Kansas. The Company’s
primary area of natural gas exploration and production has been the Swan Creek Field in Tennessee. The Company sold all of
its oil and gas leases and producing assets in Tennessee on August 16, 2013.
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tengasco Pipeline Corporation, owned and operated a 65 mile intrastate
pipeline which it constructed to transport natural gas from the Company’s Swan Creek Field to customers in Kingsport,
Tennessee. As the Company had entered into an agreement to sell the pipeline asset, it had been classified as “(Loss) from
discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December
31, 2013. The Company sold of all its pipeline related assets on August 16, 2013. (See Note 7. Assets Held for Sale and
Discontinued Operations)
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Manufactured Methane Corporation (“MMC”) operates treatment and
delivery facilities for the extraction of methane gas from nonconventional sources for eventual sale to natural gas and electricity
customers.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company,
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany transactions and balances.
Use of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP which require
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates
include reserve quantities and estimated future cash flows associated with proved reserves, which significantly impact depletion
expense and potential impairments of oil and natural gas properties, income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets,
stock-based compensation and commitments and contingencies. We analyze our estimates based on historical experience and
various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. While we believe that our estimates and assumptions used in
preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized based on actual volumes of oil, natural gas, methane gas, and electricity sold to purchasers
at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and collectability is reasonably
assured. Crude oil is stored and at the time of delivery to the purchasers, revenues are recognized. There were no material
natural gas imbalances at December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Methane gas and electricity sales meters are located at the Carter
Valley landfill site and sales of electricity are recognized each month based on metered volumes. No methane gas was sold
during 2015 or 2014.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include temporary cash investments with a maturity of ninety days or less at date of
purchase. The Company has elected to enter into a sweep account arrangement allowing excess cash balances to be used to
temporarily pay down the credit facility, thereby, reducing overall interest cost.
Restricted Cash
During the 4th quarter of 2012, the Company placed $386,000 as collateral for a bond with RLI Insurance Company
to appeal a civil penalty related to issuance of an “Incident of Non-Compliance” by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement (“BSEE”) concerning one of the Hoactzin properties operated by the Company pursuant to the Management
Agreement (see Note 4). These funds were returned to the Company during the quarter ending December 31, 2015. At
December 31, 2014, this amount was recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Restricted cash” (see Note 11).
F-8
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Inventory
Inventory consists of crude oil in tanks and is carried at lower of cost or market value. The cost component of the oil
inventory is calculated using the average per barrel cost which includes production costs and taxes, allocated general and
administrative costs, and allocated interest cost. The market component is calculated using the average December oil sales
price for the Company’s Kansas properties. In addition, the Company also carried equipment and materials to be used in its
Kansas operation and is carried at the lower of cost or market value. The cost component of the equipment and materials
inventory represents the original cost paid for the equipment and materials. The market component is based on estimated sales
value for similar equipment and materials at the end of each year. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, inventory consisted of the
following (in thousands):
Oil – carried at lower of cost or market
Equipment and materials – carried at cost
Total inventory
Oil and Gas Properties
December 31,
2015
2014
$
$
332 $
210
542 $
573
231
804
The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas property acquisition, exploration, and
development activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in connection with acquisition, exploration, and development of
oil and gas reserves are capitalized. Capitalized costs include lease acquisitions, seismic related costs, certain internal
exploration costs, drilling, completion, and estimated asset retirement costs. The capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, plus
estimated future development costs relating to proved reserves and estimated asset retirement costs which are not already
included net of estimated salvage value, are amortized on the unit-of-production method based on total proved reserves. The
Company has determined its reserves based upon reserve reports provided by LaRoche Petroleum Consultants Ltd. since 2009.
The costs of unproved properties are excluded from amortization until the properties are evaluated, subject to an annual
assessment of whether impairment has occurred. The Company had $552,000 and $462,000 in unevaluated properties as of
December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties are accounted for as reductions to
capitalized costs unless such sales cause a significant change in the relationship between costs and the estimated value of proved
reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized.
At the end of each reporting period, the Company performs a “ceiling test” on the value of the net capitalized cost of
oil and gas properties. This test compares the net capitalized cost (capitalized cost of oil and gas properties, net of accumulated
depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred income taxes) to the present value of estimated future net revenues
from oil and gas properties using an average price (arithmetic average of the beginning of month prices for the prior 12 months)
and current cost discounted at 10% plus cost of properties not being amortized and the lower of cost or estimated fair value
of unproven properties included in the cost being amortized (ceiling). If the net capitalized cost is greater than the ceiling, a
write-down or impairment is required. A write-down of the carrying value of the asset is a non-cash charge that reduces
earnings in the current period. Once incurred, a write-down may not be reversed in a later period.
Asset Retirement Obligation
An asset retirement obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset is recognized as a liability
in the period incurred, with an associated increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset, our oil and natural gas
properties. The cost of the tangible asset, including the asset retirement cost, is depleted over the useful life of the asset. The
asset retirement obligation is recorded at its estimated fair value, measured by reference to the expected future cash outflows
required to satisfy the retirement obligation discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Accretion expense is
recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. Accretion expense is recorded as
“Production costs and taxes” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. If the estimated future cost of the asset retirement
obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the long-lived asset. Revisions to
estimated asset retirement obligations can result from changes in retirement cost estimates, revisions to estimated inflation
rates, and changes in the estimated timing of abandonment.
F-9
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Manufactured Methane Facilities
The Manufactured Methane facilities were placed into service in April 2009 and are being depreciated using the
straight-line method over the useful life based on the estimated landfill closure date of December 2041.
Other Property and Equipment
Other property and equipment is carried at cost. The Company provides for depreciation of other property and
equipment using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from two to seven years. Net
gains or losses on other property and equipment disposed of are included in operating income in the period in which the
transaction occurs.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company records stock-based compensation to employees based on the estimated fair value of the award at grant
date. We recognize expense on a straight line basis over the requisite service period. For stock-based compensation that vests
immediately, the Company recognizes the entire expense in the quarter in which the stock-based compensation is granted. The
Company recorded compensation expense of $12,000 in 2015, $32,000 in 2014, and $(28,000) in 2013. Compensation expense
in 2013 was impacted by a reversal of $59,500 previously recognized as compensation expense.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of uncollateralized joint interest owner obligations due within 30 days of the invoice date,
uncollateralized accrued revenues due under normal trade terms, generally requiring payment within 30 days of production,
and other miscellaneous receivables. No interest is charged on past-due balances. Payments made on accounts receivable are
applied to the earliest unpaid items. We review accounts receivable periodically and reduce the carrying amount by a valuation
allowance that reflects our best estimate of the amount that may not be collectible. An allowance was recorded at December
31, 2015 and 2014. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
Revenue
Joint interest
Other
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Total accounts receivable
Income Taxes
December 31,
2015
2014
417 $
21
22
(14)
446 $
845
24
22
(14)
877
$
$
Income taxes are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires the establishment of deferred tax accounts
for all temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using currently enacted
federal and state income tax rates. In addition, deferred tax accounts must be adjusted to reflect new rates if enacted into law.
At December 31, 2015, federal net operating loss carryforwards amounted to approximately $22.9 million which
expire between 2019 and 2032. The total deferred tax asset was $0 and $7.35 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. The $7.35 million reduction related to recording a full allowance of the deferred tax asset primarily due to
cumulative losses incurred during the 3 years ended December 31, 2015.
Realization of deferred tax assets is contingent on the generation of future taxable income. As a result, management
considers whether it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such assets will be realized during periods when they are
available, and if not, management provides a valuation allowance for amounts not likely to be recognized.
Management periodically evaluates tax reporting methods to determine if any uncertain tax positions exist that would
require the establishment of a loss contingency. A loss contingency would be recognized if it were probable that a liability has
been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
F-10
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The amount recognized is subject to estimates and management’s judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each
uncertain tax position. The amount that is ultimately incurred for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax
positions in the aggregate could differ from the amount recognized.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of
cash and accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may
exceed federally insured limits. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances.
The Company’s primary business activities include oil and electricity sales to a limited number of customers in the
states of Kansas and Tennessee. The related trade receivables subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk.
The Company sells a majority of its crude oil primarily to two customers in Kansas. In addition, the Company sells
the electricity generated at the Carter Valley landfill site to a local utility. Although management believes that customers could
be replaced in the ordinary course of business, if the present customers were to discontinue business with the Company, it may
have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s projected results of operations.
Revenue from the top three purchasers accounted for 74.5%, 16.1%, and 8.6% of total revenues for year ended
December 31, 2015. Revenue from the top three purchasers accounted for 79.3%, 16.5%, and 3.8% of total revenues for year
ended December 31, 2014. Revenue from the top three purchasers accounted for 79.8%, 14.9%, and 1.7% of total revenues
for year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, two of our oil purchasers accounted for 75.7% and
84.5%, respectively of our accounts receivable, of which one oil purchaser accounted for 66.5% and 67.8%, respectively.
Earnings per Common Share
We report basic earnings per common share, which excludes the effect of potentially dilutive securities, and diluted
earnings per common share which include the effect of all potentially dilutive securities unless their impact is anti-dilutive. The
following are reconciliations of the numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted earnings per share, (in thousands
except for share and per share amounts):
Income (numerator):
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares - basic
Dilution effect of share-based compensation, treasury method
Weighted average shares - dilutive
Earnings (loss) per share – Basic and Dilutive:
For the years ended December 31,
2014
2013
2015
$
(24,721) $
— $
(788) $
— $
2,956
(137)
6,084,241
—
6,084,241
6,084,241
752
6,084,993
6,084,241
7,746
6,091,987
Continuing Operations
Discontinued Operations
$
(4.06) $
— $
(0.13) $
— $
0.49
(0.02)
Share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the impact of the 1 for 10 reverse stock split approved at the
shareholder meeting on March 21, 2016, effective with trading on March 24, 2016. The total number of shares issued and
outstanding represent estimates after adjustments to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split. Although the number of
shares are subject to change based on true up of actual shares issued as a result of the reverse stock split, the Company
expects the change in number of shares will not be material.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts
payables, accrued liabilities and long term debt approximates fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
F-11
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage our exposure to commodity price risk on sales of oil
production. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. The Company presents
the fair value of derivative contracts on a net basis where the right to offset is provided for in our counterparty agreements. As
of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any open derivatives.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation with no effect on net income.
Discontinued Operations
During 2012, the Company committed to a plan to sell the Swan Creek and Pipeline assets. On March 1, 2013, the
Company entered into an agreement to sell the Company’s Swan Creek and Pipeline assets for $1.5 million. Closing of this
transaction occurred on August 16, 2013. The related results of operations have been classified as “(Loss) from discontinued
operations, net of income tax benefit” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. The
related cash flows have been classified as “Net cash (used in) operating activities – discontinued operations”, “Net cash (used
in) investing activities – discontinued operations”, and Net cash (used in) financing activities – discontinued operations”.
As the Swan Creek oil and gas assets represented only a small portion of the Company’s full cost pool, these assets
remained in oil and gas properties and the gain or loss on the sale was recorded against the full cost pool. Until these properties
were sold in August 2013, the related operations were classified in continuing operations. (See Note 7. Assets Held for Sale
and Discontinued Operations)
2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the
Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost. This guidance intends to simplify U.S. GAAP by changing the presentation of debt
issuance costs. Under the new standard, debt issuance costs will be presented as a reduction of the carrying amount of the
related liability, rather than as an asset. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years,
beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously
issued. The Company does not expect this to impact its operating results or cash flows. However, for financial statement
periods after December 31, 2015, there will be a resulting reclassification of debt issuance costs from assets to a reduction of
liabilities.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of
Deferred Taxes. This guidance eliminates the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets
as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets
and liabilities as noncurrent. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments may be applied prospectively to all
deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospecitvely to all periods presented. The Company does not expect this to impact its
operating results or cash flows.
3. Related Party Transactions
On September 17, 2007, the Company entered into a drilling program with Hoactzin Partners, L.P. (“Hoactzin”) for
ten wells consisting of approximately three wildcat wells and seven developmental wells to be drilled on the Company’s Kansas
Properties (the “Ten Well Program”). Peter E. Salas, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, is the controlling
person of Hoactzin. He was also at the time the sole shareholder and controlling person of Dolphin Management, Inc., the
general partner of Dolphin Offshore Partners, L.P., which was the Company’s largest shareholder at that time.
Under the terms of the Ten Well Program, Hoactzin paid the Company $0.4 million for each well drilled in the Ten
Well Program completed as a producing well and $0.25 million for each well that was non-productive. The terms of the Ten
Well Program also provided that Hoactzin would receive all the working interest in the ten wells in the Program, but would
pay an initial fee to the Company of 25% of its working interest revenues net of operating expenses. This is referred to as a
management fee but, as defined, is in the nature of a net profits interest. The fee paid to the Company by Hoactzin would
F-12
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
increase to 85% if net revenues received by Hoactzin reached an agreed payout point of approximately 1.35 times Hoactzin’s
purchase price (the “Payout Point”) for its interest in the Ten Well Program.
In March 2008, the Company drilled and completed the final well in the Ten Well Program. Hoactzin paid a total of
$3.85 million (the “Purchase Price”) for its interest in the Ten Well Program resulting in the Payout Point being determined as
$5.2 million.
On September 17, 2007, Hoactzin, simultaneously with subscribing to participate in the Ten Well Program, was
conveyed a 75% net profits interest in the methane extraction project developed by MMC at the Carter Valley landfill owned
by Republic Services in Church Hill, Tennessee (the "Methane Project"). Net profits, if any, from the Methane Project received
by Hoactzin would have been applied towards the determination of the Payout Point for the Ten Well Program. However,
through December 31, 2015, no payments were made to Hoactzin for its net profits interest in the Methane Project, because no
net profits were generated.
The method of calculation of the net profits interest takes into account specific costs and expenses as well as gross gas
revenues for the Methane Project. As a result of the startup costs and ongoing operating expenses, no net profits, as defined in
the agreement, have been generated from startup in April, 2009 through December 31, 2015 for payment to Hoactzin under the
net profits interest conveyed.
In February 2014, net revenues earned by Hoactzin from the Ten Well Program had exceeded $5.2 million and thereby
reached the Payout Point which increased the management fee due to the Company by Hoactzin from 25% to 85% and reduced
the net profits interest in the Methane Project from 75% to 7.5%.
On December 18, 2007, the Company entered into a Management Agreement with Hoactzin to manage on behalf of
Hoactzin all of its working interest in certain oil and gas properties owned by Hoactzin and located in the onshore Texas Gulf
Coast, offshore Texas, and offshore Louisiana (the “Management Agreement”).
As part of the consideration for the Company’s agreement to enter into the Management Agreement, Hoactzin granted
to the Company an option to participate in up to a 15% working interest on a dollar for dollar cost basis in any new drilling or
workover activities undertaken on Hoactzin’s managed properties during the term of the Management Agreement. The
Management Agreement terminated by its own terms on December 18, 2012. The Company is assisting Hoactzin with
becoming operator of record of these wells. The Company has entered into a transition agreement with Hoactzin whereby
Hoactzin and its controlling member indemnify the Company for any costs or liabilities incurred by the Company resulting
from such assistance, or the fact that the Company is the operator of record on certain of these wells.
During the course of the Management Agreement, the Company became the operator of certain properties owned by
Hoactzin. The Company obtained from IndemCo, over time, bonds in the face amount of approximately $10.7 million for the
purpose of covering plugging and abandonment obligations for Hoactzin’s operated properties located in federal offshore
waters in favor of the BSEE, as well as certain private parties. In connection with the issuance of these bonds the Company
signed a Payment and Indemnity Agreement with IndemCo whereby the Company guaranteed payment of any bonding
liabilities incurred by IndemCo. Dolphin Direct Equity Partners, LP also signed the Payment and Indemnity Agreement, thereby
becoming jointly and severally liable with the Company for the obligations to IndemCo. Dolphin Direct Equity Partners, L.P.
is a private equity fund controlled by Peter E. Salas that has a significant economic interest in Hoactzin. Hoactzin had provided
$6.6 million in cash to IndemCo as collateral for these potential obligations. As of May 15, 2014, all bonds issued by IndemCo
and subject to the Payment and Indemnity Agreement have been released by the BSEE and have been cancelled by
IndemCo. Accordingly, the exposure to the Company under any of the now cancelled IndemCo bonds or the indemnity
agreement relating to those now cancelled bonds has decreased to zero.
As part of the transition process, Hoactzin secured new bonds from Argonaut Insurance Company to replace the
IndemCo bonds. As noted above, all of the IndemCo bonds were replaced, and all IndemCo bonds were cancelled. Also as
part of the transition to Hoactzin becoming operator of its own properties, right-of-use and easement (“RUE”) bonds in the
amount of $1.55 million were required by the regulatory process to be issued by Argonaut in the Company’s name as current
operator. Hoactzin is in the process of transferring these RUE bonds from the Company to Hoactzin. Hoactzin and Dolphin
Direct signed an indemnity agreement with Argonaut as well as provided the required collateral for the new Argonaut bonds,
including 100% cash collateral for the RUE bonds issued in the Company’s name. The Company is not party to the indemnity
agreement with Argonaut and has not provided any collateral for any of the Argonaut bonds issued. When the transfer of the
RUE’s and associated bonds is approved, the transfer of operations to Hoactzin would be complete and the Company’s
involvement in the Hoactzin properties will be ended.
F-13
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As operator, the Company routinely contracted in its name for goods and services with vendors in connection with its
operation of the Hoactzin properties. In practice, Hoactzin directly paid these invoices for goods and services that were
contracted in the Company’s name. During late 2009 and early 2010, Hoactzin undertook several significant operations, for
which the Company contracted in the ordinary course. As a result of the operations performed in late 2009 and early 2010,
Hoactzin had significant past due balances to several vendors, a portion of which were included on the Company’s balance
sheet. Payables related to these past due and ongoing operations remained outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 in the
amount of $159,000. The decrease in payables was due to payment by Hoactzin of invoices received by the Company from
IndemCo related to bond premiums, which invoices have been paid by Hoactzin in full and the IndemCo bonds cancelled. The
Company has recorded the Hoactzin-related payables and the corresponding receivable from Hoactzin as of December 31, 2015
and 2014 in its Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accounts payable – other” and “Accounts receivable – related
party”. However, Hoactzin has not made payments to reduce the $159,000 of past due balances from 2009 and 2010 since the
second quarter of 2012. Based on these circumstances, the Company has elected to establish an allowance in the amount of
$159,000 for the balances outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014. This allowance was recorded in the Company’s
Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accounts receivable – related party”. The resulting balances recorded in the Company’s
Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accounts receivable – related party, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $159” are $0
at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Hoactzin whereby Hoactzin and Dolphin Direct are indemnifying
the Company for any costs or liabilities incurred by the Company resulting from such assistance, or the fact that the Company
is still the operator of record on certain of these wells. Until such time as Hoactzin becomes operator of record on these wells
and the corresponding bonding liability is transferred from the Company to Hoactzin, per the transition agreement, the
Company is suspending drilling payments to Hoactzin. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has suspended
approximately $634,000 and $590,000 in payments, respectively. This balance of these suspended payments is recorded in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet under “Accounts payable – related party”. In January 2016, the Company paid these held funds
to Hoactzin.
The Company has not advanced any funds to pay any obligations of Hoactzin and no borrowing capability of the
Company has been used in connection with its obligations under the Management Agreement, except for those funds used to
collateralize the appeal bond with RLI Insurance Company and to pay the civil penalty and interest thereon.
4. Oil and Gas Properties
The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s oil and gas properties: (in thousands):
Oil and gas properties, at cost, net of impairment
Unevaluated properties, at cost
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
Oil and gas properties, net
December 31,
2015
2014
8,286 $
552
—
8,838 $
49,388
462
(24,437)
25,413
$
$
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company recorded depletion expense of $2.5 million,
$2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively. In addition, as a result of the ceiling test impairment during 2015, the accumulated
depreciation, depletion, and amortization has been netted against the cost to reflect the post impairment value of the oil and gas
properties.
F-14
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
5. Manufactured Methane Facilities
The following table sets forth information concerning the Manufactured Methane facilities: (in thousands):
Manufactured Methane facilities, at cost, net of impairment
Accumulated depreciation
Manufactured Methane facilities, net
December 31,
2015
2014
$
$
1,634 $
(60)
1,574 $
1,634
—
1,634
During each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company recorded depreciation expense of
$60,000, $163,000, and $136,000, respectively. In 2014, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment of the Manufactured
Methane facilities in the amount of $2.8 million ($1.7 million net of tax effect). The impairment resulted from the Company’s
assessment that future cash flows, using historical costs and runtimes, were insufficient to recover the Manufactured Methane
facilities’ net book value. The Manufactured Methane facilities were written down to fair value amount calculated from
estimated discounted cash flows, as well as certain expressions of interest with regards to the purchase by outside parties of the
Company’s Manufactured Methane facilities. (See Note 10. Fair Value Measurements)
6. Other Property and Equipment
Other property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015: (in thousands)
Type
Machinery and equipment
Vehicles
Other
Total
Depreciable
Life
5-7 yrs
2-5 yrs
5 yrs
$
$
Gross Cost
Accumulated
Depreciation
Net Book
Value
20 $
362
63
445 $
20 $
162
63
245 $
-
—
200
200
Other property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2014: (in thousands)
Type
Machinery and equipment
Vehicles
Other
Total
Depreciable
Life
5-7 yrs
2-5 yrs
5 yrs
$
$
Gross Cost
Accumulated
Depreciation
Net Book
Value
20 $
430
63
513 $
17 $
233
63
313 $
-
3
197
200
The Company uses the straight-line method of depreciation for other property and equipment. During each of the
years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company recorded depreciation expense of $77,000, $101,000, and
$170,000, respectively.
F-15
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7. Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations represent the income and expenses related to the Company’s pipeline assets. The pipeline
assets were sold in August 2013. The following table summarizes the amounts in net loss from discontinued operations, net
of income tax presented in the consolidated statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
Revenues
Production costs and taxes
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Impairment
Gain on sale of assets
Deferred income tax benefit
Current income tax benefit
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax
8. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following: (in thousands)
$
Year Ended December 31, 2013
22
(164)
—
—
128
(180)
57
(137)
$
December 31,
2015
2014
Revolving credit facility, with interest only payment until maturity
$
869 $
734
Installment notes bearing interest at the rate of 5.5% to 8.25% per annum collateralized
by vehicles with monthly payments including interest, insurance and maintenance
of approximately $8
Total long-term debt
Less current maturities
Long-term debt, less current maturities
$
152
1,021
(65)
956 $
155
889
(65)
824
Future debt payments to unrelated entities as of December 31, 2015 consisted of the following: (in thousands)
Bank Credit Facility
Company Vehicles
Total
2016
2017
2018
Total
$
$
$
— $
65 $
65 $
— $
52 $
52 $
869 $
35 $
904 $
869
152
1,021
At December 31, 2015, the Company had a revolving credit facility with Prosperity Bank. Under the credit facility,
loans and letters of credit are available to the Company on a revolving basis in an amount outstanding not to exceed the lesser
of $40 million or the Company’s borrowing base in effect from time to time. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s
borrowing base was $7.8 million and the interest rate of prime plus 0.50% per annum. The Company’s borrowing base was
reduced to approximately $3.2 million with the March 28, 2016 amendment to the credit agreement. The Company’s interest
rate at December 31, 2015 was 4.00%, and matures on January 30, 2018 as amended. The borrowing base remains subject to
the existing periodic redetermination provision in the credit facility. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the
Company’s producing and non-producing oil and gas properties and the Company’s Manufactured Methane facilities. The
credit facility includes certain covenants with which the Company is required to comply. These covenants include leverage,
interest coverage, and minimum liquidity ratios. During 2013, 2014, and the first three quarters of 2015, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants. However, during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company was not in compliance
with the leverage and interest coverage ratios. After the covenant modifications and waivers included in the March 28, 2016
amendment, the Company is now in compliance with all covenants.
On March 28, 2016, the Company’s senior credit facility with Prosperity Bank after Prosperity Bank’s most recent
review of the Company’s currently owned producing properties was amended to decrease the Company’s borrowing base from
$7.8 million to approximately $3.2 million, extend the term of the facility to January 30, 2018, and delete the Leverage Ratio
covenant. For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company was in default on compliance with the Leverage Ratio
F-16
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
covenant. In addition, the amendment also added a Debt to Tangible Net Worth covenant, waived the default on the Interest
Coverage ratio for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, waived the anticipated default for the quarter ended March 31, 2016,
and waived compliance with the Interest Coverage ratio for all applicable periods through the maturity date. Although the
Company was in default of the Leverage and Interest Coverage ratios for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company
is now in compliance as a result of the amendment and waivers. The borrowing base remains subject to the existing periodic
redetermination provisions in the credit facility. The interest rate remained prime plus 0.50% per annum. This rate was 4.00%
at the date of the amendment. The maximum line of credit of the Company under the Prosperity Bank credit facility remained
$40 million.
The total borrowing by the Company under the Prosperity Bank facility at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
was $869,000 and $734,000 million, respectively. The next borrowing base review will take place in September 2016.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is a party to lawsuits in the ordinary course of its business. The Company does not believe that it is
probable that the outcome of any individual action will have a material adverse effect, or that it is likely that adverse outcomes
of individually insignificant actions will be significant enough, in number or magnitude, to have in the aggregate a material
adverse effect on its financial statements.
On December 15, 2013, the Company entered into a 38 month lease (2 months free) for office space in Greenwood
Village Colorado. The payment on this lease is approximately $2,700 per month and expired February 28, 2017. On May 14,
2014, the lease was amended to include additional leased space at the Greenwood Village Colorado office. The amendment
extended the lease to expire on May 31, 2017. The monthly lease payments were amended as follows: $3,965.06 per month
for the period June 2014 through May 2015; $4,090.94 per month for the period June 2015 through May 2016; $4,216.81 per
month for the period June 2016 through May 2017. Future non-cancellable commitments related to this lease total
approximately $50,000 due in 2016, and $21,000 due in 2017.
Office rent expense for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $49,000, $73,000, and
$92,000, respectively.
The Company as designated operator of the Hoactzin properties was administratively issued an “Incident of Non-
Compliance” by BSEE during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 concerning one of Hoactzin’s operated properties. This
action calls for payment of a civil penalty of $386,000 for failure to provide, upon request, documentation to the BSEE
evidencing that certain safety inspections and tests had been conducted in 2011. In the 4th quarter of 2012, the Company filed
an administrative appeal with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (“IBLA”) of this action in order to attempt to significantly
reduce the civil penalty. This appeal required a fully collateralized appeal bond to postpone the payment obligation until the
appeal was determined. The Company posted and collateralized this bond with RLI Insurance Company. If the bond was not
posted, the appeal would have been administratively denied and the order to the Company as operator to pay the $386,000
penalty would have become final. On June 23, 2014, the IBLA affirmed the civil penalty without reduction. On September
22, 2014, the Company sought judicial review of the June 23, 2014 agency action in the federal district court in the Eastern
District of Louisiana at New Orleans. As a result of the determination by the IBLA, the Company recorded a liability of
$386,000 in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accrued and other current liabilities” and an expense in its
Consolidated Statements of Operations under “Production costs and taxes” for the year ended December 31, 2014. On July
14, 2015, the federal district court in the Eastern District of Louisiana affirmed the determination by the IBLA without
reduction. The Company determined that further appeal of the determination was not likely to reduce the penalty and the
Company did not further appeal. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company paid the civil penalty affirmed on appeal and
statutory interest thereon from funds borrowed under its credit facility. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the funds
held as collateral by RLI Insurance Company were released to the Company. The Company has not advanced any funds to
pay any obligations of Hoactzin and no borrowing capability of the Company has been used in connection with its obligations
under the Management Agreement, except for those funds used to collateralize the appeal bond with RLI Insurance Company
and to pay the civil penalty and interest thereon.
During the second quarter of 2015, the Company received from Hoactzin a copy of an internal analysis prepared by
Hoactzin setting out certain issues that Hoactzin may consider to form the basis of operational and other claims against the
Company primarily under the Management Agreement. This analysis raised issues other than the “Incident of Non-
Compliance” discussed previously. The Company is discussing this analysis, as well as the civil penalty discussed previously,
with Hoactzin in an effort to determine whether there is possibility of a reasonable resolution of some or all of these matters on
a negotiated basis.
F-17
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company initiated cost reduction measures including compensation
reductions for each employee as well as members of the Board of Directors. These compensation reductions will remain in
place until such time, if any, that the market price of crude oil, calculated as a thirty day trailing average of WTI postings as
published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration meets or exceeds $70 per barrel when compensation shall revert to
the levels in place before the reductions became effective. At such time, if any, that the market price of crude oil, calculated as
a thirty day trailing average of WTI postings as published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration meets or exceeds
$85 per barrel, all previous reductions made will be reimbursed to each employee and members of the Board of Directors if he
is still employed by the Company or still a member of the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2015, the reductions were
approximately $142,000. The Company has not accrued any liabilities associated with these compensation reductions.
10. Fair Value Measurements
FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That
framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The
hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1
measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value
hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described as follows:
Level 1 – Observable inputs, such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets, for substantially identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 for similar assets and liabilities. These include quoted
prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not
active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. If the asset or liability has a
specified or contractual term, the input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, generally requiring a significant amount of
judgment by management. The assets or liabilities fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the
lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use
of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value
or reflective of future fair values. Further, although the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent
with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial
instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
Upon completion of wells, the Company records an asset retirement obligation at fair value using Level 3 assumptions.
Nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis upon impairment. The following
table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis
as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
Oil and gas properties
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
— $
— $
8,838
The fair value of the oil and gas properties at December 31, 2015 was based on the quarterly ceiling test calculation
performed by the Company. This fair value approximates the future net cash flows of the year end reserves discounted at 10%.
The carrying amounts of other financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, account
payables, accrued liabilities and long term debt in our balance sheet approximates fair value as of December 31, 2015 and
December 31, 2014.
11. Asset Retirement Obligation
Our asset retirement obligations represent the estimated present value of the amount we will incur to plug, abandon
and remediate our producing properties at the end of their productive lives in accordance with applicable laws. The following
F-18
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
table summarizes the Company’s Asset Retirement Obligation transactions for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015
(in thousands):
Balance December 31, 2013
Accretion expense
Liabilities incurred
Liabilities settled
Revision in estimated liabilities
Balance December 31, 2014
Accretion expense
Liabilities incurred
Liabilities settled
Revisions in estimated liabilities
Balance December 31, 2015
$
1,780
114
46
(70)
138
2,008
126
—
(24)
112
2,222
$
$
The revisions in estimated liabilities in 2015 and 2014 resulted primarily from change in timing of wells to be plugged.
12. Stock Options
In October 2000, the Company approved a Stock Incentive Plan which was effective for a ten-year period commencing
on October 25, 2000 and ending on October 24, 2010. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to which options
and Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to participants under the original Plan was not to exceed 7,000,000. The most
recent amendment to the Plan increasing the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan by 3,500,000 shares and
extending the Plan for another ten years was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on February 1, 2008 and approved
by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 2, 2008. Options are not transferable, are
exercisable for 3 months after voluntary resignation from the Company, and terminate immediately upon involuntary
termination from the Company. The purchase price of shares subject to this Plan shall be determined at the time the options
are granted, but are not permitted to be less than 85% of the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant. Furthermore,
a participant in the Plan may not, immediately prior to the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, own stock in the Company
representing more than ten percent of the total voting power of all classes of stock of the Company unless the per share option
price specified by the Board for the Incentive Stock Options granted such a participant is at least 110% of the fair market value
of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and such option, by its terms, is not exercisable after the expiration of 5 years from
the date such stock option is granted.
On March 21, 2016, the Company’s shareholders approved a 1 for 10 reverse stock split, effective with trading on
March 24, 2016. All share and per share information in the following tables has been adjusted to reflect the impact of this
reverse stock split.
The following table summarizes stock option activity in 2015, 2014, and 2013:
Outstanding, beginning of year
Granted
Exercised
Expired/cancelled
Outstanding, end of year
Exercisable, end of year
Shares
90,025 $
10,000 $
— $
(54,400) $
45,625 $
45,625 $
2015
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
5.70
2.40
—
4.80
6.10
6.10
F-19
2014
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
2013
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Shares
87,025 $
10,000 $
— $
(7,000) $
90,025 $
90,025 $
5.90
4.40
—
6.30
5.70
5.70
Shares
137,225 $
7,500 $
— $
(57,700) $
87,025 $
79,025 $
6.10
5.40
—
7.20
5.90
6.00
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015:
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Options Outstanding
(shares)
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual Life
(years)
Options Exercisable
(shares)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
10.80
11.60
8.40
7.20
7.50
10.70
8.10
7.30
6.40
6.20
4.80
4.10
4.10
4.80
4.40
4.40
2.50
2.30
2.70
2.20
5,000
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
45,625
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.8
1.0
1.3
1.5
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.5
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.5
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.5
4.8
5,000
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
1,875
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
2,500
45,625
During 2015, the Company issued the following options to each of the non-executive directors that remain outstanding
as of December 31, 2015. These options vested upon grant date.
Options Issued to
Each Non-executive
Director
Total Options Issued to
Non-executive Directors
Exercise Price
Grant Date
Expiration Date
625
625
625
625
2,500 $
2,500 $
2,500 $
2,500 $
2.50
2.30
2.70
2.20
1/5/2015
4/1/2015
7/2/2015
10/2/2015
1/4/2020
3/31/2020
7/1/2020
10/1/2020
The weighted average fair value per share of options granted in 2015 was $2.40 and 2014 was $2.20 calculated using
the Black Scholes option pricing model.
Compensation expense related to stock options was $12,000 in 2015 and was $32,000 in 2014 and $(28,000) in
2013. The 2013 amount was comprised of $32,000 of current year compensation expense offset by reversal of $59,500
previously recognized as compensation expense. This expense is recorded in “General and administrative” in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations. The fair value of stock options used to compute share based compensation is the estimated present
value at grant date using the Black Scholes option pricing model with weighted average assumptions for 2015 of expected
volatility of 61.7%, a risk free interest rate of 2.53% and an expected option life remaining from 0.3 to 4.8 years. The weighted
average assumptions for 2014 were expected volatility of 53.3%, a risk free interest rate of 3.27% and an expected option life
remaining from 0.1 to 4.8 years. The weighted average assumptions used for 2013 were expected volatility of 47.6%, a risk
fee interest rate of 2.97% and an expected option life remaining for 0.1 years to 4.8 years.
On January 4, 2016, options to purchase 2,500 common shares at $1.20 per share were issued to the Company’s non-
executive directors. These options fully vested upon grant date and will expire on January 3, 2021. Shares and price per share
information has been adjusted to reflect the impact of this reverse stock split.
F-20
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
13. Income Taxes
The Company had taxable income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. Federal income tax and the income tax provision included in the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations is as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Statutory rate
Tax (benefit) expense at statutory rate
State income tax (benefit) expense
Permanent difference
Net change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Total income tax provision (benefit)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Statutory rate
Tax (benefit) expense at statutory rate
State income tax (benefit) expense
Permanent difference
Other
Net change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Total income tax provision (benefit)
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Statutory rate
Tax (benefit) expense at statutory rate
State income tax (benefit) expense
Permanent difference
Other
Net change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Total income tax provision (benefit)
Total
34 %
$
$
(5,906)
(893)
3
14,147
7,351
$
$
Continuing
Operations
Discontinued
Operations
34 %
1,689
255
4
62
—
2,010
$
$
$
$
34 %
(5)
—
—
(62)
190
123
$
$
Total
34 %
(270)
(40)
304
—
—
(6)
Total
34 %
1,684
255
4
—
190
2,133
Management has evaluated the positions taken in connection with the tax provisions and tax compliance for the years
included in these financial statements. The Company believes that all of the positions it has taken will prevail on a more likely
than not basis. As such no disclosure of such positions was deemed necessary. Management continuously estimates its ability
to recognize a deferred tax asset related to prior period net operating loss carry forwards based on its anticipation of the likely
timing and adequacy of future net income.
In 2013, management determined using the “more likely than not” criteria for recognition that upon sale of the Pipeline
asset, the Company would not be able to utilize the state net operating loss carryforwards associated with TPC and the
Tennessee oil and gas properties, and therefore established an allowance for these state net operating loss carryforwards. At
December 31, 2015, the Company recorded a full allowance of the deferred tax asset primarily due to cumulated losses incurred
during the 3 years ended December 31, 2015. The total valuation allowance at December 31, 2015 was $15.0 million and
$790,000 at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $22.9 million which
will expire between 2018 and 2032 if not utilized. The Company recognizes the excess income tax benefit associated with
certain stock compensation deductions when such deductions produce a reduction in the Company’s current tax liability under
the “with” and “without” approach. Due to cumulative net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) that exceeded the excess
income tax benefits generated in prior reporting periods, the Company has not recognized the excess benefit of the tax
deductions upon the exercise of stock options in any prior reporting period. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s estimated
F-21
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
net operating losses for tax return filing purposes exceeds the gross amount for financial reporting purposes by $1.8 million.
The tax effect of this excess tax benefit will be recorded as a reduction to APIC in a future reporting period when the cash
benefit is realized. Our open tax years include all returns filed for 2011 and later. In addition, any of the Company’s NOLs
for tax reporting purposes are still subject to review and adjustment by both the Company and the IRS to the extent such NOLs
should be carried forward into an open tax year.
The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: (in thousands)
Net deferred tax assets – current:
Bad debt
Valuation allowance
Total deferred tax assets – current
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) – noncurrent:
Net operating loss carryforwards
Oil and gas properties
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset retirement obligation
Tax credits
Miscellaneous
Valuation allowance
Total deferred tax assets – noncurrent
Net deferred tax asset
14. Quarterly Data and Share Information (unaudited)
Year Ended December 31,
2014
2015
68 $
(68)
— $
8,963 $
4,112
668
870
260
53
(14,926)
— $
68
68
7,173
(894)
711
786
202
95
(790)
7,283
— $
7,351
$
$
$
$
$
The following tables sets forth for the fiscal periods indicated, selected consolidated financial data (In thousands,
except per share data)
Fiscal Year Ended 2015
Revenues
Net loss from continuing operations
Loss per common share from continuing operations
Fiscal Year Ended 2014
Revenues
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) per common share from continuing
operations
$
$
$
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
1,634 $
(515)
(0.08) $
1,899 $
(76)
(0.01) $
1,425 $
(4,963)
(0.82) $
1,206
(19,167)
(3.15)
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
3,505 $
424
3,985 $
377
3,619 $
425
2,679
(2,014)
$
0.07 $
0.06 $
0.07 $
(0.33)
15. Supplemental Oil and Gas Information (unaudited)
Information with respect to the Company’s oil and gas producing activities is presented in the following tables.
Estimates of reserves quantities, as well as future production and discounted cash flows before income taxes, were determined
by LaRoche Petroleum Consultants Ltd. All of the Company’s reserves were located in the United States.
F-22
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Capitalized Costs Related to Oil and Gas Producing Activities
The table below reflects our capitalized costs related to our oil and gas producing activities at December 31, 2015 and
2014 (in thousands):
Proved oil and gas properties
Unproved properties
Total proved and unproved oil and gas properties
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
Net oil and gas properties
Years Ended December 31,
2014
2015
8,286 $
552
8,838 $
—
8,838 $
49,388
462
49,850
(24,437)
25,413
$
$
$
As a result of the ceiling test impairment during 2015, the accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization has
been netted against the cost to reflect the post impairment value of the oil and gas properties.
Oil and Gas Related Costs
The following table sets forth information concerning costs incurred, including accruals, related to the Company’s
oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities (in thousands):
Property acquisitions proved
Property acquisitions unproved
Exploration cost
Development cost
Total
Years Ended December 31,
2014
2013
2015
— $
90
22
252
364 $
— $
598
2,367
864
3,829 $
—
488
914
998
2,400
$
$
Results of Operations from Oil and Gas Producing Activities
The following table sets forth the Company’s results of operations from oil and gas producing activities (in
thousands):
Revenues
Production costs and taxes
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Impairment
Income (loss) from oil and gas producing activities
Years Ended December 31,
2014
2013
2015
$
$
5,631 $
(3,360)
(2,538)
(14,526)
(14,793) $
13,260 $
(4,876)
(2,766)
—
5,618 $
15,325
(4,854)
(2,606)
—
7,865
In the presentation above, no deduction has been made for indirect costs such as general corporate overhead or interest
expense. No income taxes are reflected above due to the Company’s operating tax loss carry-forward position.
F-23
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Estimated Quantities of Oil and Gas Reserves
The following table sets forth the Company’s net proved oil and gas reserves and the changes in net proved oil and
gas reserves for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015. All of the Company’s proved reserves are located in the
United States of America.
Oil (MBbl)
Gas (MMcf)
MBOE
Proved reserves at December 31, 2012
Revisions of previous estimates
Improved recovery
Purchase of reserves in place
Extensions and discoveries
Production
Sales of reserves in place
Proved reserves at December 31, 2013
Revisions of previous estimates
Improved recovery
Purchase of reserves in place
Extensions and discoveries
Production
Sales of reserves in place
Proved reserves at December 31, 2014
Revisions of previous estimates
Improved recovery
Purchase of reserves in place
Extensions and discoveries
Production
Sales of reserves in place
Proved reserves at December 31, 2015
Proved developed reserves at:
December 31, 2012
December 31, 2013
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2015
Proved undeveloped reserves at:
December 31, 2012
December 31, 2013
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2015
2,213
(153)
—
—
170
(166)
(24)
2,040
(253)
—
—
164
(154)
—
1,797
(790)
—
—
1
(131)
—
877
1,822
1,575
1,438
877
391
465
359
—
22
16
—
—
—
(38)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
22
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,217
(151)
—
—
170
(172)
(24)
2,040
(253)
—
—
164
(154)
—
1,797
(790)
—
—
1
(131)
—
877
1,826
1,575
1,438
877
391
465
359
—
The Company’s Proved Undeveloped Reserves at December 31, 2015 included no locations as compared to 27
locations at December 31, 2014. During 2015, all Proved Undeveloped locations were removed from the Company’s Proved
Reserves primarily due to the low oil prices experienced during 2015.
F-24
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table identifies the reserve value by category and the respective present values, before income taxes,
discounted at 10% as a percentage of total proved reserves (in thousands):
Year Ended 12/31/2015
Gas
Oil
Total
Year Ended 12/31/2014
Gas
Oil
Total
Year Ended 12/31/2013
Gas
Oil
Total
Total proved reserves
year-end reserve
report
Proved developed
producing reserves
(PDP)
% of PDP reserves to
total proved reserves
Proved developed non-
producing reserves
% of PDNP reserves to
total proved reserves
Proved undeveloped
reserves (PUD)
% of PUD reserves to
total proved reserves
$
8,287
— $
8,287 $
40,417
— $
40,417 $
47,856
— $
47,856
$
7,686
— $
7,686 $
32,059
— $
32,059 $
34,440
— $
34,440
93%
—
93%
79%
—
79%
72%
—
72%
$
601
— $
601 $
2,956
— $
2,956 $
4,868
— $
4,868
7%
—
7%
7%
—
7%
10%
—
10%
$
—
— $
— $
5,402
— $
5,402 $
8,548
— $
8,548
—
—
—
14%
—
14%
18%
—
18%
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from the Company’s proved oil and gas reserves is
presented in the following table (in thousands):
Future cash inflows
Future production costs and taxes
Future development costs
Future income tax expenses
Future net cash flows
$
2015
Years Ended December 31,
2014
158,792 $
(71,951)
(10,014)
(13,092)
63,735
38,566 $
(23,500)
(951)
—
14,115
2013
183,801
(82,307)
(11,162)
(18,910)
71,422
Discount at 10% for timing of cash flows
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
$
(5,828)
8,287 $
(29,204)
34,531 $
(32,714)
38,708
F-25
Tengasco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following are the principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
from the Company’s proved oil and gas reserves (in thousands):
Balance, beginning of year
Sales, net of production costs and taxes
Discoveries and extensions, net of costs
Purchase of reserves in place
Sale of reserves in place
Net changes in prices and production costs
Revisions of quantity estimates
Previously estimated development cost incurred during the year
Changes in future development costs
Changes in production rates (timing) and other
Accretion of discount
Net change in income taxes
Balance, end of year
Years Ended December 31,
2014
2013
2015
$
$
34,531 $
(1,901)
5
—
—
(16,009)
(22,431)
—
4,890
(56)
3,373
5,885
8,287 $
38,708 $
(8,385)
4,231
—
—
(829)
(6,610)
508
(1,913)
1,312
4,247
3,262
34,531 $
45,354
(10,471)
4,047
—
(767)
(1,277)
(4,306)
3,149
(1,392)
368
4,593
(590)
38,708
Estimated future net cash flows represent an estimate of future net revenues from the production of proved reserves
using average sales prices, along with estimates of the operating costs, production taxes and future development and
abandonment cost (less salvage value) necessary to produce such reserves. Future income taxes were calculated by applying
the statutory federal and state income tax rates to pre-tax future net cash flows, net of the tax basis of the properties and utilizing
available tax loss carryforwards related to oil and gas operations. The oil prices used for December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013,
were $43.98, $88.34, $90.11 per barrel of oil respectively. The Company’s proved reserves as of December 31, 2015, 2014
and 2013 were measured by using commodity prices based on the twelve month unweighted arithmetic average of the first day
of the month price for the period January through December. No deduction has been made for depreciation, depletion or any
indirect costs such as general corporate overhead or interest expense.
F-26
Tengasco, Inc. 6021 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 117 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 720.420.4460 Fax: 720.554.7622 Tengasco.com