UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2008

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the transition period from               to              

 

Commission File Number:   0-8877

 

CREDO PETROLEUM CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado

 

84-0772991

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

1801 Broadway, Suite 900, Denver, Colorado

 

80202

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

303-297-2200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x    No o

 

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 o

 

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o    No  x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, net of treasury stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Date

 

Class

 

Outstanding

June 9, 2008

 

Common stock, $.10 par value

 

9,325,000

 

 



 

CREDO PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q For the Period Ended April 30, 2008

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of April 30, 2008 (Unaudited) and October 31, 2007

3

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three and Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

4

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

5

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

11

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

20

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

20

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

20

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

20

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

20

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

21

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

21

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

21

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

22

 

 

 

Signatures

23

 

The terms “CREDO”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to CREDO Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries unless the context suggests otherwise.

 

2



 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CREDO PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

April 30,

 

October 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,805,000

 

$

7,285,000

 

Short-term investments

 

6,337,000

 

6,383,000

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued oil and gas sales

 

2,663,000

 

1,647,000

 

Trade

 

772,000

 

602,000

 

Derivative Assets

 

 

443,000

 

Other current assets

 

1,434,000

 

55,000

 

Total current assets

 

18,011,000

 

16,415,000

 

Long-term assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties, at cost, using full cost method:

 

 

 

 

 

Unevaluated oil and gas properties

 

9,079,000

 

7,791,000

 

Evaluated oil and gas properties

 

55,063,000

 

51,691,000

 

Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties

 

(23,805,000

)

(22,108,000

)

Net oil and gas properties, at cost, using full cost method

 

40,337,000

 

37,374,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exclusive license agreement, net of amortization of $536,000 in 2008 and $501,000 in 2007

 

163,000

 

198,000

 

Compressor and tubular inventory to be used in development

 

1,408,000

 

1,090,000

 

Other, net

 

402,000

 

272,000

 

Total assets

 

$

60,321,000

 

$

55,349,000

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS‘ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,255,000

 

$

1,639,000

 

Revenue distribution payable

 

1,254,000

 

979,000

 

Derivative liabilities

 

3,433,000

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

1,060,000

 

852,000

 

Income taxes payable

 

440,000

 

434,000

 

Total current liabilities

 

7,442,000

 

3,904,000

 

Long Term Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

9,210,000

 

9,204,000

 

Derivative liabilities due in more than 1 year

 

448,000

 

 

Exclusive license obligation, less current obligations of $77,000 in 2008 and 2007

 

85,000

 

85,000

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

1,098,000

 

1,016,000

 

Total liabilities

 

18,283,000

 

14,209,000

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.10 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 9,510,000 shares issued in 2008 and in 2007

 

951,000

 

951,000

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

16,047,000

 

15,913,000

 

Treasury stock at cost, 186,000 shares in 2008 and 215,000 in 2007

 

(437,000

)

(506,000

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(2,775,000

)

319,000

 

Retained earnings

 

28,252,000

 

24,463,000

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

42,038,000

 

41,140,000

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

60,321,000

 

$

55,349,000

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

CREDO PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30,

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas sales

 

$

9,527,000

 

$

8,493,000

 

$

4,947,000

 

$

4,685,000

 

Investment income and other

 

76,000

 

453,000

 

81,000

 

206,000

 

 

 

9,603,000

 

8,946,000

 

5,028,000

 

4,891,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas production

 

1,838,000

 

1,709,000

 

986,000

 

796,000

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

1,751,000

 

1,900,000

 

898,000

 

942,000

 

General and administrative

 

697,000

 

644,000

 

365,000

 

366,000

 

Interest

 

5,000

 

13,000

 

4,000

 

7,000

 

 

 

4,291,000

 

4,266,000

 

2,253,000

 

2,111,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

5,312,000

 

4,680,000

 

2,775,000

 

2,780,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAXES

 

(1,525,000

)

(1,334,000

)

(789,000

)

(798,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

3,787,000

 

$

3,346,000

 

$

1,986,000

 

$

1,982,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK BASIC

 

$

.41

 

$

.36

 

$

.22

 

$

.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK DILUTED

 

$

.40

 

$

.36

 

$

.21

 

$

.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

9,299,000

 

9,261,000

 

9,302,000

 

9,261,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

9,363,000

 

9,395,000

 

9,368,000

 

9,395,000

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

CREDO PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,787,000

 

$

3,346,000

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

1,751,000

 

1,900,000

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,525,000

 

834,000

 

Loss on short term investments

 

46,000

 

 

Compensation expense related to stock options granted

 

30,000

 

110,000

 

Other

 

84,000

 

30,000

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from short-term investments

 

 

1,492,000

 

Purchase of short-term investments

 

 

(1,885,000

)

Accrued oil and gas sales

 

(1,016,000

)

(185,000

)

Trade receivables

 

(170,000

)

192,000

 

Other current assets

 

(387,000

)

(43,000

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(881,000

)

(845,000

)

Income taxes payable

 

 

113,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

4,769,000

 

5,059,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to oil and gas properties

 

(4,955,000

)

(4,404,000

)

Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties

 

 

171,000

 

Changes in other long-term assets

 

(467,000

)

(134,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(5,422,000

)

(4,367,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

173,000

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

173,000

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(480,000

)

697,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

7,285,000

 

4,577,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of period

 

$

6,805,000

 

$

5,274,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

 

$

282,000

 

$

90,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to oil and gas properties in current liabilities

 

$

1,369,000

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

CREDO PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

April 30, 2008

 

1.                            BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the company’s results for the periods presented.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007.

 

Certain 2007 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity.

 

2.                            SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, costs and expenses during the reporting period.  The company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Although actual results may differ from  these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, the company believes that its estimates are reasonable and that actual results will not vary significantly from the estimated amounts in the ordinary course of business.

 

3.                            STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The CREDO Petroleum Corporation 2007 Stock Option Plan (the 2007 Plan) is described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007.  No options have been granted under the 2007 Plan.  The CREDO Petroleum Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan (the 1997 Plan) expired on July 29, 2007.  No additional options can be granted under the 1997 Plan.  However, all outstanding options granted under the 1997 Plan will continue to be governed by the terms of that Plan.

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, the company recognized stock based compensation expense of $30,000 and $110,000 respectively.  For the three months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, the company recognized compensation expense of $15,000 and $53,000, respectively.  The estimated unrecognized compensation cost from unvested stock options as of April 30, 2008 was approximately $93,000 which is expected to be recognized over an average of 2 years.

 

No options were granted during the six months ended April 30, 2008 and the fair value of the 40,000 options granted during the six months ended April 30, 2007 was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The weighted average assumptions used in the option pricing model for the six months ended April 30, 2007 were: volatility, 50.84%; expected option term, 2.5 years; risk-free interest rate, 4.58%; and expected dividend yield, 0%.

 

6



 

Plan activity for the six months ended April 30, 2008 is set forth below:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended April 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number of

 

Exercise

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Options

 

Price

 

Value

 

Outstanding at October 31, 2007

 

270,251

 

$

6.94

 

754,000

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

29,250

 

5.93

 

117,000

 

Cancelled or forfeited

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at April 30, 2008

 

241,001

 

$

7.07

 

793,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at April 30, 2008

 

219,335

 

$

6.50

 

847,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average contractual life at April 30, 2008

 

 

 

5.82

 years

 

4.                            NATURAL GAS PRICE HEDGING

 

The company periodically hedges the price of a portion of its estimated natural gas production when the potential for significant downward price movement is anticipated.  Hedging transactions typically take the form of forward short positions and collars on the NYMEX futures market, and are closed by purchasing offsetting positions.  Such hedges, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges, do not exceed estimated production volumes, are expected to have reasonable correlation between price movements in the futures market and the cash markets where the company’s production is located, and are authorized by the company’s Board of Directors.  Hedges are expected to be closed as related production occurs but may be closed earlier if the anticipated downward price movement occurs or if the company believes that the potential for such movement has abated.

 

The company recognizes all derivatives (consisting solely of cash flow hedges) on its balance sheet at fair value at the end of each period.  Changes in the fair value of a cash flow hedge are recorded in Stockholders’ Equity as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and then are transferred into the Consolidated Statement of Operations as the underlying hedged item affects earnings.  Amounts reclassified into earnings related to natural gas hedges are included in gas sales.

 

Hedging gains and losses are recognized as adjustments to gas sales as the hedged product is produced.  The company had hedging gains of $852,000 ($605,000 net of income tax) and $986,000 ($705,000 net of income tax) in the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  For the three months ended April 30, 2008, the company had hedging gains of $5,000 ($4,000 after tax) and $590,000 ($422,000 after tax) for the same period in 2007.  Any hedge ineffectiveness, which was not material for any period, is immediately recognized in gas sales.

 

Open hedge contracts are indexed to the NYMEX.  Periodically, the company enters into contracts indexed to Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company for Texas, Oklahoma mainline.  For comparative purposes, hedges indexed to Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company are expressed on a NYMEX basis.  For hedges indexed to Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company, the individual month price (basis) differentials between the NYMEX and Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company range from minus $1.45 in the winter months to minus $0.90 in the spring months.

 

Unrecognized gains and losses on hedge contracts at April 30, 2008 totaled a loss of $3,881,000 ($2,775,000 after income tax).  These amounts have been included in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” ($2,775,000), “Derivative Liabilities” ($3,433,000) and “Derivative Liabilities Due in More than

 

7



 

1 Year” ($ 448,000) and deferred income taxes of $1,106,000.  These contracts covered 1,660 MMBtus at average monthly NYMEX basis prices ranging from $7.83 to $10.05.

 

The company has a hedging line of credit with its bank which is available, at the discretion of the company, to meet margin calls.  To date, the company has not used this facility and maintains it only as a precaution related to possible margin calls.  The maximum credit line is $5,900,000 with interest calculated at the prime rate.  The facility is unsecured and has covenants that require the company to maintain $3,000,000 in cash or short term investments, none of which are required to be maintained at the company’s bank, and prohibits funded debt in excess of $500,000.  It expires on November 15, 2010.

 

5.                            COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.  The components of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30,

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,787,000

 

$

3,346,000

 

$

1,986,000

 

$

1,982,000

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of derivatives

 

(4,324,000

)

(1,043,000

)

(4,008,000

)

(672,000

)

Income tax expense

 

1,230,000

 

288,000

 

1,142,000

 

188,000

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

693,000

 

$

2,591,000

 

$

(880,000

)

$

1,498,000

 

 

6.                            EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The company’s calculation of earnings per share of common stock is as follows:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Income

 

Net

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

3,787,000

 

9,299,000

 

$

.41

 

$

3,346,000

 

9,261,000

 

$

.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive shares of common stock from stock options

 

 

64,000

 

(.01

)

 

134,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

3,787,000

 

9,363,000

 

$

.40

 

$

3,346,000

 

9,395,000

 

$

.36

 

 

8



 

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Income

 

Net

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Income

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

1,986,000

 

9,302,000

 

$

.22

 

$

1,982,000

 

9,261,000

 

$

.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of dilutive shares of common stock from stock options

 

 

66,000

 

(.01

)

 

134,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

1,986,000

 

9,368,000

 

$

.21

 

$

1,982,000

 

9,395,000

 

$

.21

 

 

7.                            INCOME TAXES

 

The company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax assets or liabilities at the end of each period are determined using the tax rate in effect at that time.

 

The total future deferred income tax liability is extremely complicated for any energy company to estimate due in part to the long-lived nature of depleting oil and gas reserves and variables such as product prices.  Accordingly, the liability is subject to continual recalculation, revision of the numerous estimates required, and may change significantly in the event of such things as major acquisitions, divestitures, product price changes, changes in reserve estimates, changes in reserve lives, and changes in tax rates or tax laws.

 

On November 1, 2007 the company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”).  In implementing FIN 48, we found no significant uncertain tax positions.  Our policy is to recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods.  No interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were accrued at April 30, 2008.

 

We have not had any material changes to our unrecognized tax benefits since adoption, nor do we anticipate significant changes to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

 

As of April 30, 2008 we remain subject to examination of our Federal and state tax returns, except Colorado, for the tax years 2004 through 2006, and for the tax years 2003 through 2006 for our Colorado tax returns.

 

8.                            COMMITMENTS and CONTINGENCIES

 

The company has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract, and other issues, arising in the normal course of its oil and gas activities.  The company believes that a contractual agreement requires that disputes be resolved by arbitration.  Although the company believes the allegations are without merit and that the company will ultimately prevail, the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit, or arbitration, cannot be determined at this time.

 

The company has no material outstanding commitments at April 30, 2008.

 

9



 

9.                            SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On June 3, 2008, the company, and certain of its directors, entered into agreements with RCH Energy Opportunity Fund II, LP (RCH) to sell 1,837,000 shares of CREDO’s common stock to RCH at a price of $14.50 per share.  CREDO will sell 1,150,000 newly issued common shares, or approximately 11% of the company’s total outstanding shares on a pro-forma basis.  Directors Huffman, Stevens and Skewes will sell 425,000, 192,000 and 70,000 shares, respectively.

 

CREDO’s Board will be expanded from six to seven members and RCH will nominate two directors, one to fill a current vacancy on the Board and another to fill the newly created Board seat.

 

All of the shares acquired by RCH will initially be restricted and not freely tradable in the open market, however, RCH will have certain future registration rights.  The company agreement contains a standstill provision providing that RCH will not purchase additional CREDO stock for a period of two years from the date of the agreement without the consent of the Board of Directors.

 

Proceeds from the RCH investment totaling $16,675,000 will be used, among other things, to fund increased exploration and development of properties where the company currently has un-booked reserves. In addition, the company will consolidate ownership in its Calliope Gas Recovery System by purchasing the Calliope patents together with the 13.75% ownership in Calliope and related intellectual property that the company does not already own.

 

10.                     RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In November 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combination (FAS 141(R)) and SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (FAS 160).  FAS 141(R) will change how business acquisitions are accounted for and will impact financial statements both on the acquisition date and in subsequent periods.  FAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity.  FAS 141(R) and FAS 160 are effective for both public and private companies for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (fiscal 2010 for the company).  FAS 141(R) will be applied prospectively.  FAS 160 requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests.  All other requirements of FAS 160 will be applied prospectively.  Early adoption is prohibited for both standards.  Management is currently evaluating the requirements of FAS 141(R) and FAS 160 and has not yet determined the impact on its financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No.157, Fair Value Measurements.  This Statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather, it provides enhanced guidance to other pronouncements that require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value.  However, the application of this Statement may change how fair value is determined. The Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  As of December 1, 2007 the FASB has proposed a one-year deferral for the implementation of the Statement for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.  Management is currently evaluating the requirements of FAS 157 and has not yet determined the impact on its financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment to FASB Statement No. 133.  This statement expands the disclosures, and form of disclosures, that must be presented regarding derivatives and hedging activities.  The Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Management is currently evaluating the requirements of FAS 161 and has not yet determined the impact on its financial statements.

 

10



 

ITEM 2.                        MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than statements of historical facts, address matters that the company reasonably expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future.  Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things:

 

·                  the company’s future financial position, including working capital and anticipated cash flow;

·                  amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;

·                  operating costs and other expenses;

·                  wells to be drilled or reworked;

·                  oil and natural gas prices and demand;

·                  existing fields, wells and prospects;

·                  diversification of exploration;

·                  estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves;

·                  reserve potential;

·                  development and drilling potential;

·                  expansion and other development trends in the oil and natural gas industry;

·                  the company’s business strategy;

·                  production of oil and natural gas;

·                  matters related to the Calliope Gas Recovery System;

·                  effects of federal, state and local regulation;

·                  insurance coverage;

·                  employee relations;

·                  investment strategy and risk; and

·                  expansion and growth of the company’s business and operations.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At April 30, 2008, working capital was $10,569,000 compared to $11,175,000 at April 30, 2007.  The decrease is due to the unrecognized hedge loss of $3,433,000 included in current liabilities at April 30, 2008.  For the six months ended April 30, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $4,769,000 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $5,059,000 for the same period in 2007.  Net income increased $441,000 primarily due to an increase in revenues of $657,000, partially offset by an increase in production expenses, general and administrative expenses and income taxes.

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, net cash used in investing activities was $5,422,000 and $4,367,000, respectively.  Investing activities primarily included oil and gas exploration and development expenditures, including Calliope, totaling $4,955,000 and $4,404,000 respectively.

 

The average return on the company’s investments for the six months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007 was 1.3% and 7.3%, respectively.  At April 30, 2008, approximately 45% of the investments were directly invested in mutual funds and were managed by professional money managers.  Remaining investments are in managed partnerships (generally known as hedge funds) that use various strategies to minimize their correlation to stock market movements.  Most of the investments are highly liquid and the company

 

11



 

believes they represent a responsible approach to cash management.  In the company’s opinion, the greatest investment risk is the potential for negative market impact from unexpected, major adverse news.

 

Existing working capital and anticipated cash flow are expected to be sufficient to fund operations and capital commitments for at least the next 12 months.  At April 30, 2008, the company had no lines of credit or other bank financing arrangements except for the hedging line of credit discussed in Note 4.  Because earnings are anticipated to be reinvested in operations, cash dividends are not expected to be paid.  The company has no defined benefit plans and no obligations for post retirement employee benefits.

 

The company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, (“EBITDA”) increased 7% to $7,068,000 for the six months ended April 30, 2008 from $6,593,000 for the six months ended April 30, 2007.  EBITDA is not a GAAP measure of operating performance.  The company uses this non-GAAP performance measure primarily to compare its performance with other companies in the industry that make a similar disclosure.  The company believes that this performance measure may also be useful to investors for the same purpose.  Investors should not consider this measure in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, or any other measure for determining the company’s operating performance that is calculated in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, because EBITDA is not a GAAP measure, it may not necessarily be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.  A reconciliation between EBITDA and net income is provided in the table below:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

3,787,000

 

$

3,346,000

 

Add Back:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

5,000

 

13,000

 

Income Tax Expense

 

1,525,000

 

1,334,000

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense

 

1,751,000

 

1,900,000

 

EBITDA

 

$

7,068,000

 

$

6,593,000

 

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCING

 

The company has no off-balance sheet financing arrangements at April 30, 2008.

 

PRODUCT PRICES AND PRODUCTION

 

Although product prices are key to the company’s ability to operate profitably and to budget capital expenditures, they are beyond the company’s control and are difficult to predict.  Since 1991, the company has periodically hedged the price of a portion of its estimated natural gas production when the potential for significant downward price movement is anticipated.  Hedging transactions typically take the form of forward short positions and swaps on the NYMEX futures market or by indexing to regional index prices associated with pipelines in proximity to the company’s production.  Refer to Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a complete discussion on the company’s hedging activities.

 

12



 

Gas and oil sales volume and price realization comparisons for the indicated periods are set forth below.  Price realizations include the sales price and the effect of hedging transactions.

 

 

 

Six Months Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change

 

Product

 

Volume

 

Price

 

Volume

 

Price

 

Volume

 

Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (Mcf)

 

825,000

 

$

8.31

(1)

1,024,000

 

$

6.99

(2) 

-19

%

+19

%

Oil (bbls)

 

29,100

 

$

91.87

 

25,100

 

$

53.73

 

+16

%

+71

%

 

 

 

Three Months Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

% Change

 

Product

 

Volume

 

Price

 

Volume

 

Price

 

Volume

 

Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas (Mcf)

 

433,000

 

$

8.37

(3)

495,000

 

$

7.99

(4) 

-13

%

+5

%

Oil (bbls)

 

13,400

 

$

98.25

 

13,200

 

$

55.24

 

+1

%

+78

%

 


(1) Includes $1.03 Mcf hedging gain.

(2) Includes $0.96 Mcf hedging gain.

(3) Includes $0.01 Mcf hedging gain

(4) Includes $1.19 Mcf hedging gain.

 

OPERATIONS

 

During the first half of fiscal 2008, the company’s operations continued to focus on its two core projects — natural gas drilling and application of its patented Calliope Gas Recovery System.

 

The company believes that, in combination, its drilling and Calliope projects provide an excellent (and possibly unique) balance for achieving its goal of adding long-lived natural gas reserves and production at reasonable costs and risks.  However, it should be expected that successful results will occur unevenly for both the drilling and Calliope projects.  Drilling results are dependent on both the timing of drilling and on the drilling success rate.  Calliope results are primarily dependent on the timing, volume and quality of Calliope installations available to the company.

 

The company will continue to actively pursue adding reserves through its two core projects in fiscal 2008, and expects these activities to be a reliable source of reserve additions.  However, the timing and extent of such activities can be dependent on many factors which are beyond the company’s control, including but not limited to, the availability, cost and quality of oil field services such as drilling rigs, production equipment and related services, and access to wells for application of the company’s patented gas recovery system on low pressure gas wells.  The prevailing price of oil and natural gas has a significant effect on demand and, thus, the related cost of such services and wells.

 

The cost of field services, particularly the cost of drilling wells, has increased dramatically during the past several years, driven by higher energy prices.  Concurrently, the quality of field services has diminished markedly due to manpower shortages.  The combination of much higher field service costs and degradation in the quality of the services is having a materially negative impact on drilling economics.  Accordingly, the company continues to high-grade its drilling prospects, and in some cases postpone less robust projects pending improvement in the field services sector.  In the short term, this will reduce the number of drilling prospects which may, in turn, impede the growth of the company’s production and reserves

 

The company is currently experiencing delays in securing drilling rigs and delivery of production equipment, primarily compressors and coil tubing.  These delays are extending the time it takes the

 

13



 

company to conduct its field operations.  As a result, the company could be at risk for price increases related to these types of services and equipment.

 

All of the company’s oil and natural gas properties are located on-shore in the continental United States.  The company’s future drilling activities may not be successful, and its overall drilling success rate may change.  Unsuccessful drilling activities could have a material adverse effect on the company’s results of operations and financial condition.  Also, the company may not be able to obtain the right to drill in areas where it believes there is significant potential for the company.

 

Drilling Activities.

 

Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle—The company owns a significant inventory of acreage (approximately 70,000 gross acres) located along the northern portion of the Anadarko Basin where it conducts an active drilling program.  Wells generally target the Morrow, Oswego and Chester formations between 7,000 and 11,000 feet.  The company expects to drill a substantial number of additional wells on this acreage.

 

In Hemphill County, the company recently purchased interests in over 6,000 gross acres and has taken over as operator of 11 wells.  The new acreage complements the company’s Humphreys Prospect and brings its total acreage in the area to approximately 9,000 gross acres.

 

The second well on the company’s 3,780 gross acre Humphreys Prospect encountered sands in the Tonkawa and Cleveland formations that appear to be productive on electric logs.  The vertical well has been completed in the Tonkawa sand and is testing at good rates of both oil and gas.  The well is currently waiting on a pipeline connection.  The company owns a 25% working interest.

 

In Southern Oklahoma, the company is participating in three waterflood projects as part of its overall strategy to improve the oil ratio in its reserve base.  In Carter County, CREDO owns 17% of the Southeast Hewitt waterflood unit which has already produced 650,000 barrels of oil and is projected to ultimately produce about 1,200,000 barrels.  The company also owns about 23% in Phase 1, and 12.5% in Phase 2, of a Martin Deese sand waterflood unit that is being formed and is expected to produce about 1,000,000 barrels of oil.  In Love County, CREDO owns 13% in Phase 1, and 9.5% in Phase 2, of the Eastman Hills waterflood unit that is expected to produce about 500,000 barrels of oil.

 

Also in Carter County, CREDO is preparing to drill a twin well to its Schaff #1 which has produced 235,000 barrels of oil.  The Schaff will become part of the Martin Deese sand waterflood, and the new well will develop three oil sands that the Schaff well logs indicate are productive and which produce in the immediate area.  Credo owns a 50% working interest and is the operator.

 

During the second fiscal quarter of 2008, CREDO has placed five wells on production and has drilled two new gas wells in Oklahoma that are awaiting completion for production.  The recent drilling includes three new wells on the company’s 5,800 gross acre Arroyo Prospect where the first well is now producing 750 Mcfd.  The company owns varying working interest in the prospect ranging up to 40%.  Elsewhere in Oklahoma, the company is preparing to drill on its 1,280 gross acre Pool-Proffitt property where it expects to ultimately drill 10 to 12 wells, to develop a thick package of stacked carbonate zones.  CREDO owns working interest in the prospect ranging from 50% to 70%.

 

South Texas—In South Texas, drilling is underway on the Kenedy Foundation #1 well on the company’s 17,500 foot Gemini Prospect.  The prospect is located in Jim Hogg County and targets the “deep Wilcox” sands which produce prolifically in the area.  The 3-D seismic interpretation indicates that the prospect contains 1,200 acres of total closure, making its net reserve potential very substantial in relation to CREDO’s existing proved reserves.

 

14



 

At a depth of 17,000 feet, Gemini is a very high cost, rank wildcat drilling prospect.  Therefore, the company elected to sell a portion of its interest for cash consideration and a “carried interest” on the two initial wells.  The consideration is approximately $1,300,000 cash and an 11.25% “carried interest” before cost recovery on the first two wells (6.75% after cost recovery) including all costs of drilling, completion and connecting the wells for pipeline sales.  If drilling is successful, the company expects that its retained interest in the prospects will have a very significant impact on its production and reserve growth.

 

Elsewhere in South Texas, the first well has been drilled on the 2,500 gross acre Briggs Ranch Prospect located in Victoria County.  The 8,600-foot Briggs Ranch #1 encountered 11 feet of Frio sands and is currently producing about 520 Mcf per day (thousand cubic feet of gas per day).  The company owns a 9% working interest.  Also in South Texas where the company recently purchased a 15.5% working interest in the Escobas Field, a recompletion is underway on an existing well and drilling is underway on a 15,500 foot Wilcox test where the company has a carried interest through the production facilities.

 

North-Central Kansas—The company’s Kansas acreage is located in prolific oil producing areas where 3-D seismic has proven effective in identifying undrilled structures.  Drilling targets the Lansing-Kansas City and Arbuckle formations at about 4,000 feet, making the cost of drilling very inexpensive in relation to potential reserve value.

 

To date, 20 wells have been drilled on company acreage with a 40% success rate.  Four of the eight successful wells had initial production rates of about 100 barrels of oil per day.  Average proved reserves are estimated to be 50,000 to 55,000 barrels of oil per well.  The company’s first discovery in the play has already produced about 45,000 barrels of oil in 18 months and is still producing 80 barrels of oil per day.  That well is expected to produce around 130,000 barrels of oil.

 

CREDO currently owns interests in nine separate projects covering approximately 75,000 gross acres, and plans to expand its acreage position in the play to at least 100,000 gross acres.  The company’s interest in the projects varies from 12.5% to 75%.  The recent drilling successes have occurred primarily on prospects where the company owns a 12.5% interest.

 

Calliope Gas Recovery Technology.

 

The company owns the exclusive right to a patented technology known as the Calliope Gas Recovery System.  There are currently three U.S. patents and two Canadian patents related to the technology.  One additional patent that mirrors the U.S. patents has been applied for in Canada.  Calliope systems are installed on wells located in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.

 

Calliope can achieve substantially lower flowing bottom-hole pressure than other production methods because it does not rely on reservoir pressure to lift liquids.  In many reservoirs, lower bottom-hole pressure can translate into recovery of substantial additional natural gas reserves.

 

Calliope has proven to be reliable and flexible over a wide range of applications on wells the company owns and operates.  It has also proven to be consistently successful.  Accordingly, the company is implementing strategies designed to expand the population of wells on which it can install Calliope.

 

Calliope’s Track Record—Calliope wells are located in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana and produce from both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs, including the Chester, Cotton Valley, Edwards, Hart, Hunton, Morrow, Nodosaria, Redfork and Springer formations.  The Calliope wells range in depth from 6,400 to 18,400 feet.  These wells represent rigorous applications for Calliope because at the time Calliope was installed, 14 of the wells were dead (an average of two to three years), nine were uneconomic and two were marginal.  In addition, prior to the time Calliope was installed, many of the reservoirs were damaged by the “parting shots” of previous operators.  Twenty-three of the wells were acquired from

 

15



 

other operators after the operators had given-up on these wells.  The previous operators were mostly medium to large independent oil and gas companies.

 

Initial Calliope production rates range up to 650 Mcfd and average per well Calliope reserves for non-experimental wells are estimated to be 1.0 Bcf.  One of the company’s early Calliope installations, the J.C. Carroll well, has now produced over a billion cubic feet of gas using Calliope.

 

The 25 Calliope installed applications are grouped into two categories — experimental wells and non-experimental wells, also referred to as “go-forward” applications.  Eleven of the 25 wells are experimental applications and 14 are go-forward applications.  Experimental wells generally represent the first experimental application of a Calliope configuration in a wellbore.  For example, the first installation of Calliope inside a particular tubing size is classified as an experimental application.

 

Calliope has achieved compelling results on these less than ideal wells as is shown in the table below.  For example, the entire group of 14 non-experimental wells were producing a total of only 88 Mcfd when Calliope was installed.  Without Calliope, the wells represented a substantial plugging liability.  However, with Calliope, those same 14 wells have now produced an incremental 3.4 Bcfe to date, and they are still producing about 2.0 MMcfed.  With Calliope, the 14 wells were projected to have estimated ultimate incremental Calliope reserves totaling 13.6 Bcfe.

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Total

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Calliope

 

Calliope

 

Projected

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves

 

Production

 

Calliope

 

 

 

No. of

 

Per Well

 

to Date

 

Reserves

 

Group

 

Wells

 

(Bcfe)

 

(Bcfe)

 

(Bcfe)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Experimental Wells

 

14

 

1.0

 

3.4

 

13.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experimental Wells

 

11

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Wells

 

25

 

0.6

 

4.0

 

15.0

 

 

Calliope has proven to be a low risk and low cost liquid lift technology.  Calliope has never failed to lift the liquids out of a wellbore.  The average cost of a Calliope system is $400,000 for a 12,000-foot application.  Based on average per well Calliope reserves of 1.0 Bcfe for go-forward applications, cost of Calliope in terms of units of natural gas reserves added is low compared to industry averages.  Based on current natural gas prices, Calliope can economically be installed on wells which will yield significantly less than 1.0 Bcf of Calliope reserves.  This will enable the company to significantly expand the range of Calliope applications to include many low permeability reservoirs, possibly including those in shale and other “resource plays”.

 

Realizing Calliope’s value continues to be one of the company’s top priorities.  The company has been focused on three fronts to increase the number of Calliope installations: expanding the geographic region for purchasing Calliope candidate wells from third parties, joint ventures with larger companies, and drilling wells into low-pressure gas reservoirs for the purpose of using Calliope to recover stranded natural gas reserves.

 

Purchasing Calliope Candidate Wells—Calliope operations were expanded into Texas and Louisiana in fiscal 2006.  The company considers Texas and Louisiana to be very fertile areas for Calliope and has retained personnel and opened a Houston office to focus exclusively on purchasing wells for Calliope and on Calliope joint ventures.

 

16



 

In general, higher natural gas prices have made it increasingly difficult for the company to purchase wells for its Calliope system.  In addition, higher gas prices have provided the incentive for other companies to perform high risk procedures (“parting shots”) in an attempt to revive wells prior to abandoning or selling the wells.  These parting shots often result in severe reservoir damage that renders wells unsuitable for Calliope.  Accordingly, viable Calliope candidate wells available to be purchased by the company have been very restricted.

 

Joint Ventures With Third Parties—In an effort to increase the number of Calliope installations, the company has been discussing joint ventures with larger companies.  Presentations have been made to a select group of companies, including majors and large independents.  All of the companies have expressed an interest in Calliope.  Two joint venture agreements were completed during 2007.

 

In January 2008, the company entered into a Calliope joint venture agreement with RCH Opportunity Fund II, LP.  Under the joint venture, RCH was granted certain rights to license Calliope systems where CREDO would have the opportunity to participate in the ownership of all wells on which Calliope was installed.  Subsequent to the Calliope joint venture agreement, RCH requested and was provided, subject to a confidentiality agreement, more information about Calliope and the company, ultimately culminating in RCH purchasing a significant 17.5% stake in the company and becoming part of CREDO’s policy and direction-setting team as described in Note 9 to the Financial Statements on page 10.

 

Joint venture discussions are in progress with a number of the companies, including evaluation of candidate wells.  The joint venture negotiation process has taken longer than expected because there are many decision points within large companies that cause delays.  Nevertheless, the company continues to dedicate substantial resources to joint venture projects because it believes joint venturing holds substantial promise for Calliope.

 

Calliope Drilling Project—The company believes that there is a huge amount of gas stranded in abandoned and low pressure reservoirs that can be recovered using Calliope.  It believes drilling new wells for Calliope into such reservoirs will provide a repeatable opportunity to lease large areas for systematic re-development.  In addition, new wells allow optimum casing and tubular sizes to be installed which will substantially improve reserves and production compared to installing Calliope on existing wells where undersized tubulars often restrict Calliope’s optimum performance.

 

In June 2007, the company entered into a joint venture to purchase an 11,000-foot well located in East Texas.  The previous operator drilled the well and encountered low reservoir pressure.  After unsuccessful attempts to make the well produce, the operator sold the well to the company joint venture for $65,000 (salvage value).  Calliope was installed and immediately brought the well to life, producing at the rate of 250 Mcf per day.  The well provided a successful test of the Calliope drilling concept and demonstrated that Calliope will successfully solve liquid loading problems that are difficult, if not impossible, to address with other liquid lift technologies.

 

Results of Operations

 

Six Months Ended April 30, 2008 Compared to Six Months Ended April 30, 2007

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2008, total revenues increased 7% to $9,603,000 compared to $8,946,000 last year.  As the oil and gas price/volume table on page 14 shows, total gas price realizations, which reflect hedging transactions, increased 19% to $8.31 per Mcf and oil price realizations increased 71% to $91.87 per barrel.  The net effect of these price changes was to increase oil and gas sales by $2,122,000.  For the six months ended April 30, 2008, the company’s gas equivalent production decreased 15% resulting in an oil and gas sales decrease of $1,088,000.  The production decrease is primarily due to the continued steep decline of the Glacier Scarlet State and Glacier Garnet State wells.  Investment income

 

17



 

and other fell $377,000 due to a generally poorer investment environment and more bearish investment market conditions than last year.

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2008, total costs and expenses rose less than 1% to $4,291,000 compared to $4,266,000 for the comparable period in 2007.  Oil and gas production expense rose 8% primarily due to escalating field service costs.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization fell 8% due to decreased production, partially offset by an increase in the amortizable full cost pool.  General and administrative expenses increased 8% primarily due to increased accounting and professional fees.  Interest expense relates to the exclusive license agreement note payment.  The effective tax rate was 28.75% and 28.5% for the 2008 and 2007 periods, respectively.

 

Three Months Ended April 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended April 30, 2007

 

For the three months ended April 30, 2008, total revenues increased 3% to $5,028,000 compared to $4,891,000 during the same period last year.  As the oil and gas price/volume table on page 13 shows, total gas price realizations, which reflect hedging transactions, increased 5% to $8.37 per Mcf and oil price realizations increased 78% to $98.25 per barrel.  The net effect of these price changes was to increase oil and gas sales by $761,000.  For the three months ended April 30, 2008, the company’s gas equivalent production fell 11% resulting in an oil and gas sales decrease of $500,000.  Investment and other income fell $125,000 due to a generally poorer investment environment and more bearish investment market conditions than last year.

 

For the three months ended April 30, 2008, total costs and expenses rose 7% to $2,253,000 compared to $2,111,000 for the comparable period in 2007.  Oil and gas production expenses increased 24% due primarily to the addition of new wells and escalating field service costs.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) fell 5% due to decreased production partially offset by an increase in the amortizable full cost pool.  General and administrative expenses remained virtually unchanged.  Interest expense relates to the exclusive license agreement note payment.  The effective tax rate was 28.75% and 28.7% for the 2008 and 2007 periods, respectively.

 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The company believes the following accounting policies and estimates are critical in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements: the carrying value of its oil and natural gas properties, the accounting for oil and gas reserves, and the estimate of its asset retirement obligations.

 

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES.  The company uses the full cost method of accounting for costs related to its oil and natural gas properties.  Capitalized costs included in the full cost pool are depleted on an aggregate basis using the units-of-production method.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization is a significant component of oil and natural gas properties.  A change in proved reserves without a corresponding change in capitalized costs will cause the depletion rate to increase or decrease.

 

Both the volume of proved reserves and any estimated future expenditures used for the depletion calculation are based on estimates such as those described under “Oil and Gas Reserves” below.

 

The capitalized costs in the full cost pool are subject to a quarterly ceiling test that limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved oil and natural gas reserves discounted at 10 percent plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties less any associated tax effects.  If such capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, the company will record a write-down to the extent of such excess as a non-cash charge to earnings.  Any such write-down will reduce earnings in the period of occurrence and result in lower depreciation and depletion in future periods.  A write-down may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the ceiling.

 

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The company has made only one ceiling write-down in its 28-year history.  That write down was made in 1986 after oil prices fell 51% and natural gas prices fell 45% between fiscal year end 1985 and 1986.

 

Changes in oil and natural gas prices have historically had the most significant impact on the company’s ceiling test.  In general, the ceiling is lower when prices are lower.  Even though oil and natural gas prices can be highly volatile over weeks and even days, the ceiling calculation dictates that prices in effect as of the last day of the test period be used and held constant.  The resulting valuation is a snapshot as of that day and, thus, is generally not indicative of a true fair value that would be placed on the company’s reserves by the company or by an independent third party.  Therefore, the future net revenues associated with the estimated proved reserves are not based on the company’s assessment of future prices or costs, but rather are based on prices and costs in effect as of the end the test period.

 

OIL AND GAS RESERVES.  The determination of depreciation and depletion expense as well as ceiling test write-downs related to the recorded value of the company’s oil and natural gas properties are highly dependent on the estimates of the proved oil and natural gas reserves.  Oil and natural gas reserves include proved reserves that represent estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.  There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating oil and natural gas reserves and their values, including many factors beyond the company’s control.  Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas ultimately recovered and the corresponding lifting costs associated with the recovery of these reserves.

 

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS.  The company estimates the future cost of asset retirement obligations, discounts that cost to its present value, and records a corresponding asset and liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The values ultimately derived are based on many significant estimates, including future abandonment costs, inflation, market risk premiums, useful life, and cost of capital.  The nature of these estimates requires the company to make judgments based on historical experience and future expectations.  Revisions to the estimates may be required based on such things as changes to cost estimates or the timing of future cash outlays.  Any such changes that result in upward or downward revisions in the estimated obligation will result in an adjustment to the related capitalized asset and corresponding liability on a prospective basis.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION.  The company derives its revenue primarily from the sale of produced natural gas and crude oil.  The company reports revenue gross for the amounts received before taking into account production taxes and transportation costs which are reported as oil and gas production expenses.  Revenue is recorded in the month production is delivered to the purchaser at which time title changes hands.  The company makes estimates of the amount of production delivered to purchasers and the prices it will receive.  The company uses its knowledge of its properties, their historical performance, the anticipated effect of weather conditions during the month of production, NYMEX and local spot market prices, and other factors as the basis for these estimates.  Variances between estimates and the actual amounts received are recorded when payment is received.

 

A majority of the company’s sales are made under contractual arrangements with terms that are considered to be usual and customary in the oil and gas industry.  The contracts are for periods of up to five years with prices determined based upon a percentage of a pre-determined and published monthly index price.  The terms of these contracts have not had an effect on how the company recognizes its revenue.

 

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ITEM 3.                        QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The company manages exposure to commodity price fluctuations by periodically hedging a portion of expected production through the use of derivatives, typically collars and forward short positions in the NYMEX or other regional indexes futures market.  See Note 4 for more information on the company’s hedging activities.

 

ITEM 4.                        CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management evaluated, with the participation and under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting, except as follows: In Item 9A, “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007 we reported a material weakness in the company’s internal control.  During the first and second quarters of fiscal 2008:  1) management designed and implemented enhanced and accelerated training for its senior financial staff and invested time and resources to enhance their knowledge and skills; and 2) the company hired an expert consultant to assist with review and financial statement disclosure.  We believe that, as of the date of this filing, we have remediated the material weakness previously reported in our internal control.  Management has not completed all of the testing of internal controls in these areas for fiscal 2008.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Reference is made to “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) – Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies”, in Part I, Item I of this Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference in this Part II, Item I.

 

ITEM 1A.               RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007.

 

ITEM 2.                        UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None during the period ended April 30, 2008, however, see the subsequent event described in Item 5 below.

 

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ITEM 3.                        DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.                        SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

The company’s annual meeting of stockholders was held on March 20, 2008, for the purpose of electing one Class III director and ratifying the appointment of Hein & Associates LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm.  Proxies for the meeting were solicited pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and there was no solicitation in opposition to management’s solicitation.  Management’s nominee for Class III director, as listed in the proxy statement, was elected with the number of votes set forth below.

 

Name

 

For

 

Withheld

 

Richard B. Stevens

 

8,378,056

 

37,402

 

 

Continuing Directors:

 

After the company’s annual meeting on March 20, 2008, the following directors continue to serve their three year term as Class I directors, which terms will expire at the company’s 2010 annual meeting:

 

Oakley Hall

William F. Skewes

 

After the company’s annual meeting on March 20, 2008, the following directors continue to serve their three year terms as Class II directors, which terms will expire at the company’s 2009 annual meeting:

 

James T. Huffman

Clarence H. Brown

 

The results of the other matters voted upon at the company’ annual meeting are as follows:

 

The appointment of Hein & Associates LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

7,578,828

 

209,025

 

627,605

 

 

The matters mentioned above are described in detail in the company’s definitive proxy statement dated February 5, 2008 for the annual meeting of shareholders held on March 20, 2008.

 

ITEM 5.                        OTHER INFORMATION

 

Subsequent Event:

 

On June 3, 2008, the company, and certain of its directors, entered into agreements with RCH Energy Opportunity Fund II, LP (RCH) to sell 1,837,000 shares of CREDO’s common stock to RCH at a price of $14.50 per share.  CREDO will sell 1,150,000 newly issued common shares, or approximately 11% of the company’s total outstanding shares on a pro-forma basis.  Directors Huffman, Stevens and Skewes will sell 425,000, 192,000 and 70,000 shares, respectively.

 

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CREDO’s Board will be expanded from six to seven members and RCH will nominate two directors, one to fill a current vacancy on the Board and another to fill the newly created Board seat.

 

All of the shares acquired by RCH will initially be restricted and not freely tradable in the open market, however RCH will have certain future registration rights.  The company agreement contains a standstill provision providing that RCH will not purchase additional CREDO stock for a period of two years from the date of the agreement without the consent of the Board of Directors.

 

Proceeds from the RCH investment totaling $16,675,000 will be used, among other things, to fund increased exploration and development of properties where the company currently has un-booked reserves. In addition, the company will consolidate ownership in its Calliope Gas Recovery System by purchasing the Calliope patents together with the 13.75% ownership in Calliope and related intellectual property that the company does not already own.

 

All documents related to this transaction were filed with the SEC on Form 8-K dated June 4, 2008.

 

ITEM 6.                        EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits are as follow:

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

CREDO Petroleum Corporation

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James T. Huffman

 

 

 

James T. Huffman

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David E. Dennis

 

 

 

David E. Dennis

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

Date:  June 9, 2008

 

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