U.S. Energy (USEG) 10-K2023 FY Annual report

 

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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, 2023

 

☐	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 000-06814

 

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP.

(Exact Name of Company as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware		83-0205516
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1616 S. Voss Rd., Suite 725, Houston, Texas		77057
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (346) 509-8734

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value		USEG		Nasdaq Capital Market LLC (Nasdaq Capital Market)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in 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 ☒

 

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 Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒	Smaller reporting company ☒
	Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐

 

 

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

 

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the closing price of the shares of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market as of the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2023, was $10,842,120. For purposes of calculating the aggregate market value of shares held by non-affiliates, we have assumed that all outstanding shares are held by non-affiliates, except for shares held by each of our executive officers, directors and 5% or greater stockholders. In the case of 5% or greater stockholders, we have not deemed such stockholders to be affiliates unless there are facts and circumstances which would indicate that such stockholders exercise any control over our company, or unless they hold 10% or more of our outstanding common stock. These assumptions should not be deemed to constitute an admission that all executive officers, directors and 5% or greater stockholders are, in fact, affiliates of our company, or that there are not other persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of our company. Further information concerning shareholdings of our officers, directors and principal shareholders is included or incorporated by reference in Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The Registrant had 25,327,950 shares of its $0.01 par value common stock outstanding as of March 15, 2024.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. The 2024 Proxy Statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information discussed in this Annual Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements.

Examples of forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include:

These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “achievable,” “anticipate,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “could,” “up to,” and similar terms and phrases. Though we believe that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, they involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements as a result of numerous factors discussed below under “Summary of Risk Factors”, and under “Risk Factors”, below.

Finally, our future results will depend upon various other risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those detailed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements made above and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

All forward-looking statements speak only at the date of the filing of this Annual Report. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms

The following are abbreviations and definitions of certain terms commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry and in this report. The definitions of proved developed reserves, proved reserves and proved undeveloped reserves have been abbreviated from the applicable definitions contained in Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X.

API. The American Petroleum Institute gravity, or API gravity, is a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water: if its API gravity is greater than 10, it is lighter and floats on water; if less than 10, it is heavier and sinks.

Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in reference to oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

Bcfe. One billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Natural gas equivalents are determined using the ratio of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 Bbl of oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

BOE. A barrel of oil equivalent is determined using the ratio of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquid.

Boed. Barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Bopd. Barrels of oil per day.

Completion. The installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or natural gas, or, in the case of a dry well, the reporting to the appropriate authority that the well has been abandoned. Completion of the well does not necessarily mean the well will be profitable.

Developed Acreage. The number of acres which are allocated or assignable to producing wells or wells capable of production.

Development Well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or natural gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

Dry Well. A well found to be incapable of producing either oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil or gas well.

Exploratory Well. A well drilled to find a new field or a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir.

Gross Acres or Gross Wells. The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which we have a working interest.

Lease Operating Expenses. The expenses, usually recurring, which pay for operating the wells and equipment on a producing lease.

Mcf. One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

Mcfe. One thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Natural gas equivalents are determined using the ratio of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 Bbl of oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

MMBtu. One million Btu, or British Thermal Units. One British Thermal Unit is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Net Acres or Net Wells. Gross acres or wells multiplied, in each case, by the percentage working interest we own.

Net Production. Production that we own less royalties and production due to others.

NGL. Natural gas liquids.

Oil. Crude oil, condensate or other liquid hydrocarbons.

Operator. The individual or company responsible for the exploration, development, and production of an oil or gas well or lease.

Pay. The vertical thickness of an oil and natural gas producing zone. Pay can be measured as either gross pay, including non-productive zones or net pay, including only zones that appear to be productive based upon logs and test data.

Ppb. Means pounds per barrel.

Proved Developed Reserves. Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

Proved Reserves. The estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

Proved Undeveloped Reserves. Reserves 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.

PV-10. The pre-tax present value of estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and amortization, and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%.

Royalty. An interest in an oil and natural 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 after-tax present value of estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and amortization, and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%.

Working Interest. An interest in an oil and natural gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to drill for and produce oil and natural gas on the leased acreage and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.

WTI. West Texas Intermediate.

PART I

Item 1. Business.

General Information

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”), we may rely on and refer to information regarding the oil and gas industry in general from market research reports, analyst reports and other publicly available information. Although we believe that this information is reliable, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this information, we have not independently verified any of it and we have not commissioned any of the market or survey data that is presented in this Report.

Please see the “Glossary” above for a list of abbreviations and definitions used throughout this Report.

Our fiscal year ends on December 31st. Interim results are presented on a quarterly basis for the quarters ended March 31st, June 30th, and September 30th, the first quarter, second quarter and third quarter, respectively, with the quarter ending December 31st being referenced herein as our fourth quarter. Fiscal 2023 means the year ended December 31, 2023, whereas fiscal 2022 means the year ended December 31, 2022.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “U.S. Energy,” and “U.S. Energy Corp.” refer specifically to U.S. Energy Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

In addition, unless the context otherwise requires and for the purposes of this Report only:

Overview

U.S. Energy Corp. was incorporated in the State of Wyoming on January 26, 1966, and reincorporated to Delaware effective on August 3, 2022. We are an independent energy company focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas producing properties in the continental United States. Our principal properties and operations are in the Rockies region (Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota), the Mid-Continent (Oklahoma, Kansas, and North and East Texas), and the West Texas, South Texas and Gulf Coast regions.

We have historically explored for and produced oil and natural gas through a non-operator business model, however, during 2020 we acquired operated properties in North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming and the Texas Gulf Coast, and on January 5, 2022, we closed the acquisitions of certain oil and gas properties from three separate sellers, representing a diversified portfolio of primarily operated, producing, oil-weighted assets located across the Rockies, West Texas, Eagle Ford, and Mid-Continent regions. During the fourth quarter 2023, we sold virtually all of our non-operated properties and as of December 31, 2023, operate 99% of our reserves.

Our business strategy going forward is to enhance the value of our acquired operated assets through evaluation of selected properties with the goal of increasing production and reserves. We plan to deploy our capital in a conservative and strategic manner and pursue value-enhancing transactions. We also continuously evaluate strategic alternative opportunities that we believe will enhance stockholder value.

Office Location

Our principal executive office is located at 1616 S. Voss Road, Suite 725, Houston, Texas 77057. Our telephone number is (346) 509-8734.

Oil and Natural Gas Operations

We participate in oil and natural gas projects primarily as an operator. Our working interest varies by project and may change over time based on the terms of our leases and operating agreements. We are also actively pursuing potential acquisitions of exploration, development and production-stage oil and natural gas properties or companies. Key attributes of our oil and natural gas properties include the following:

Recent Events:

Divestment of Properties

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company closed on a series of individual divestitures for a total of $7.0 million in net proceeds before transaction costs of $0.4 million.  The divestitures included the Company’s non-operated interests in 152 wells across North Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas, and overriding royalty interests in seven wells in Karnes County, Texas.  These divestitures did not have a significant impact to reserves volumes or the full cost pool depletion rate.  As such, the Company recorded the proceeds, net of transaction costs and purchase price adjustments, to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized.  Relief of associated asset retirement obligations of $0.5 million were also recorded to the full cost pool.

The net proceeds from these divestitures were used to repay the outstanding balance on our credit facility, bringing the balance as of December 31, 2023 to $5.0 million.

Derivative Activities

On September 12, 2023, the Company entered into crude oil swap agreements, agreeing to pay the monthly average NYMEX WTI prices and receive fixed prices for the month of settlement.  The contracts were for a total of 187,620 barrels of oil, extending from October 2023 through December 2024 with weighted average prices of $86.64 for the 2023 swaps and $81.16 for the 2024 swaps. 

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Environmental Matters

Our operations and properties are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment, and relating to safety and health. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation generally is toward stricter standards, and this trend will likely continue. These laws and regulations may:

The permits required for our operations may be subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce their regulations, and violations are subject to fines or injunctions, or both. In the opinion of management, we are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and have no significant commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements. Nevertheless, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on our company, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general.

Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). CERCLA and comparable state statutes impose strict, joint and several liabilities on owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found at such sites. These persons include the owner or operator of the site where the release occurred, persons who disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances at the site, and any person who accepted hazardous substances for transportation to the site. CERCLA authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), state environmental agencies, and in some cases third parties, to take actions in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the costs they incur. It is not uncommon for the neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” state laws affecting our operations may impose clean-up liability relating to petroleum and petroleum related products.

Waste Handling. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Under the auspices of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. Drilling fluids, produced water, and most of the other wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of oil or gas are currently regulated under RCRA’s non-hazardous waste provisions. However, it is possible that certain oil and gas exploration and production wastes now classified as non-hazardous could be classified as hazardous wastes in the future. Any such change could result in an increase in our costs to manage and dispose of wastes, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

Endangered Species. The federal Endangered Species Act and analogous state laws regulate activities that could have an adverse effect on threatened or endangered species. Some of our operations are conducted in areas where protected species are known to exist. In these areas, we may be obligated to develop and implement plans to avoid potential adverse impacts on protected species, and we may be prohibited from conducting operations in certain locations or during certain seasons, such as breeding and nesting seasons, when our operations could have an adverse effect on these species. It is also possible that a federal or state agency could order a complete halt to activities in certain locations if it is determined that such activities may have a serious adverse effect on a protected species. The presence of a protected species in areas where we perform drilling, completion, and production activities could impair our ability to timely complete well drilling and development and could adversely affect our future production from those areas.

Air Emissions. The federal Clean Air Act (the “CAA”) and state air pollution laws and regulations provide a framework for national, state and local efforts to protect air quality. Applicable to our business and operations, the CAA regulates emissions, discharges and controls with respect to oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations. The CAA includes New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) for the oil and natural gas source category to address emissions of sulfur dioxide, methane and volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) from new and modified oil and natural gas production, processing and transmission sources as well as a separate set of emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with oil and natural gas production and processing activities. Further, the CAA regulates the emissions from compressors, dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment as well as leak detection for natural gas processing plants. These rules have required a number of modifications to the operations of our third-party operating partners, including the installation of new equipment to control emissions from compressors.

In addition, the EPA has developed, and continues to develop, stringent regulations governing emissions at specified sources. For example, under the EPA’s NSPS and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) regulations, since January 1, 2015, owners and operators of hydraulically fractured natural gas wells (wells drilled principally for the production of natural gas) have been required to use so-called “green completion” technology to recover natural gas that formerly would have been flared or vented. In 2016, the EPA issued additional rules for the oil and natural gas industry to reduce emissions of methane, VOCs and other compounds. These rules apply to certain sources of air emissions that were constructed, reconstructed, or modified after September 18, 2015. Among other things, the new rules impose green completion requirements on new hydraulically fractured or re-fractured oil wells and leak detection and repair requirements at well sites. We do not expect that the currently applicable NSPS or NESHAP requirements will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, any future laws and their implementing regulations may require us to obtain pre-approval for the expansion or modification of existing facilities or the construction of new facilities expected to produce air emissions, impose stringent air permitting requirements or require us to use specific equipment or technologies to control emissions.

On December 17, 2014, the EPA proposed to revise and lower the existing 75 pounds per barrel (ppb) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”) for ozone under the CAA to a range within 65-70 ppb. On October 1, 2015, the EPA finalized a rule that lowered the standard to 70 ppb. This lowered ozone NAAQS could result in an expansion of ozone nonattainment areas across the United States, including areas in which we operate. Oil and natural gas operations in ozone nonattainment areas likely would be subject to more stringent emission controls, emission offset requirements for new sources, and increased permitting delays and costs. This could require a number of modifications to our operations, including the installation of new equipment to control emissions from our wells.

Permit and related compliance obligations under the CAA, each state’s development and promulgation of regulatory programs to comport with federal requirements, as well as changes to state implementation plans for controlling air emissions in regional non-attainment or near-non-attainment areas, may require oil and natural gas exploration and production operators to incur future capital and operating expenditures in connection with the addition or modification of existing air emission control equipment and strategies.

Global Warming and Climate change. Various state governments and regional organizations have enacted, or are considering enacting, new legislation and promulgating new regulations governing or restricting the emission of Greenhouse Gasses ("GHGs"), including from facilities, vehicles and equipment. Legislative and regulatory proposals for restricting GHG emissions or otherwise addressing climate change could require us to incur additional operating costs and could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas that we sell or the cost of the equipment and other materials we use. The potential increase in our operating costs could include new or increased costs to obtain permits, operate and maintain our equipment, install new emission controls on our equipment, pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions and administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program.

Additionally, the development of a federal renewable energy standard, or the development of additional or more stringent renewable energy standards at the state level could reduce the demand for the oil and gas we produce, thereby adversely impacting our earnings, cash flows and financial position. A cap-and-trade program generally would cap overall greenhouse gas emissions on an economy-wide basis and require major sources of greenhouse gas emissions or major fuel producers to acquire and surrender emission allowances. A federal cap and trade program or expanded use of cap and trade programs at the state level could impose direct costs on us through the purchase of allowances and could impose indirect costs by incentivizing consumers to shift away from fossil fuels. In addition, federal or state carbon taxes could directly increase our costs of operation and similarly incentivize consumers to shift away from fossil fuels.

In addition, activists concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention at sources of funding for fossil-fuel energy companies, which has resulted in an increasing number of financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital restricting or eliminating their investment in oil and natural gas activities. Ultimately, this may make it more difficult and expensive for us to secure funding. Members of the investment community have also begun to screen companies such as ours for sustainability performance, including practices related to greenhouse gases and climate change, before investing in our securities. Any efforts to improve our sustainability practices in response to these pressures may increase our costs, and we may be forced to implement technologies that are not economically viable in order to improve our sustainability performance and to meet the specific requirements to perform services for certain customers.

These various legislative, regulatory and other activities addressing greenhouse gas emissions could adversely affect our business, including by imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases from, our equipment and operations, which could require us to incur costs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases associated with our operations. Limitations on greenhouse gas emissions could also adversely affect demand for oil and gas, which could lower the value of our reserves and have a material adverse effect on our profitability, financial condition and liquidity.

Compliance with GHG laws or taxes could significantly increase our costs, reduce demand for fossil energy derived products, impact the cost and availability of capital and increase our exposure to litigation. Such laws and regulations could also increase demand for less carbon intensive energy sources.

Water discharges. The federal Water Pollution Control Act (“Clean Water Act”) and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls with respect to the discharge of pollutants, including spills and leaks of oil and other substances, into waters of the United States and states. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA, or analogous state agencies. This includes the discharge of certain storm water without a permit which requires periodic monitoring and sampling. In addition, the Clean Water Act regulates wastewater generated by unconventional oil and gas operations during the hydraulic fracturing process and discharged to publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities. The Clean Water Act also prohibits discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, or a state, if the state has assumed authority to issue such permits. Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for non-compliance with discharge permits or other requirements of the Clean Water Act and analogous state laws and regulations.

Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”). OPA addresses prevention, containment and cleanup, and liability associated with oil pollution. OPA applies to vessels, offshore platforms, and onshore facilities. OPA subjects owners of such facilities to strict liability for containment and removal costs, natural resource damages, and certain other consequences of oil spills into jurisdictional waters. Any unpermitted release of petroleum or other pollutants from our operations could result in governmental penalties and civil liability.

Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”). The disposal of oil and natural gas wastes into underground injection wells are subject to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, and analogous state laws. The SDWA’s Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) Program establishes requirements for permitting, testing, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting of injection well activities as well as a prohibition against the migration of fluid containing any contaminants into underground sources of drinking water. State programs may have analogous permitting and operational requirements. In response to concerns related to increased seismic activity in the vicinity of injection wells, regulators in some states are considering additional requirements related to seismic safety. For example, the Texas Railroad Commission (“RRC”) adopted new oil and natural gas permit rules in October 2014 for wells used to dispose of saltwater and other fluids resulting from the production of oil and natural gas in order to address these seismic activity concerns within the state. Among other things, the rules require companies seeking permits for disposal wells to provide seismic activity data in permit applications, provide for more frequent monitoring and reporting for certain wells, and allow the RRC to modify, suspend, or terminate permits on grounds that a disposal well is likely to be, or determined to be, causing seismic activity. If new regulatory initiatives are implemented that restrict or prohibit the use of underground injection wells in areas where we rely upon the use of such wells in our operations, our costs to operate may significantly increase and our ability to continue production may be delayed or limited, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. In addition, any leakage from the subsurface portions of the injection wells may cause degradation of freshwater, potentially resulting in cancellation of operations of a well, issuance of fines and penalties from governmental agencies, incurrence of expenditures for remediation of the affected resource, and imposition of liability by third parties for property damages and personal injury.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”). OSHA and comparable state laws regulate the protection of the health and safety of employees. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established workplace safety standards that provide guidelines for maintaining a safe workplace in light of potential hazards, such as employee exposure to hazardous substances. OSHA also requires employee training and maintenance of records, and the OSHA hazard communication standard and EPA community right-to-know regulations under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 require that we organize and disclose information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations.

Hydraulic Fracturing. Substantially all of the oil and natural gas production in which we have interests is developed from unconventional sources that require hydraulic fracturing as part of the completion process. Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight shale formations. We routinely utilize hydraulic fracturing techniques in most of our drilling and completion programs. The process involves the injection of water, sand, and chemicals under pressure into the formation to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The process is typically regulated by state oil and gas commissions. However, even on private lands, the EPA has asserted federal regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing involving diesel additives under the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Underground Injection Control Program. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act protects the quality of the nation’s public drinking water through the adoption of drinking water standards and controlling the injection of waste fluids, including saltwater disposal fluids, into below-ground formations that may adversely affect drinking water sources.

Increased regulation and scrutiny on oil and gas activities involving hydraulic fracturing techniques could potentially lead to a decrease in the completion of new oil and gas wells, an increase in compliance costs, delays, and changes in federal income tax laws, all of which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. As new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted at the state and local levels, such laws could make it more difficult or costly for us to perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing becomes regulated at the federal level as a result of federal legislation or regulatory initiatives by the EPA or other federal agencies, our fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting requirements, which could result in additional permitting delays and potential increases in costs. Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could also reduce the amount of oil and gas that we are ultimately able to produce from our reserves.

We believe the trend in local, state, and federal environmental legislation and regulation will continue toward stricter standards, particularly under President Biden’s administration. While we believe we are in substantial compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations applicable to our current operations and that our continued compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations, we cannot give any assurance that we will not be adversely affected in the future.

National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). Oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities on federal lands, including tribal lands and lands administered by the BLM, are subject to NEPA. NEPA requires federal agencies, including the BLM, to evaluate major agency actions having the potential to significantly impact the environment. In the course of such evaluations, an agency will prepare an Environmental Assessment that assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement that may be made available for public review and comment. If we were to conduct any exploration and production activities on federal lands in the future, those activities may need to obtain governmental permits that are subject to the requirements of NEPA. This process has the potential to delay, limit or increase the cost of developing oil and natural gas projects. Authorizations under NEPA are also subject to protest, appeal or litigation, any or all of which may delay or halt projects. Many of our activities and those of our third-party operating partners are covered under categorical exclusions which results in a shorter NEPA review process, however, the impact of the NEPA review process on our activities and those of our third-party operating partners is uncertain at this time and could lead to delays and increased costs that could materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

Governmental Regulation

Our operations are subject to various rules, regulations and limitations impacting the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry as a whole.

Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Production

Our oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations are subject to extensive rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state, tribal and local authorities and agencies. For example, North Dakota requires permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations and imposes other requirements relating to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Many states may also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, the sourcing and disposal of water used in the process of drilling, the flaring of natural gas, completion and abandonment, the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells, and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells. The effect of these regulations is to limit the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce from our wells and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill. Moreover, many states impose a production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids within their jurisdictions. Failure to comply with any such rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry will most likely increase our cost of doing business and may affect our profitability. Because such rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with such laws. Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, currently unforeseen environmental incidents may occur or past non-compliance with environmental laws or regulations may be discovered. Therefore, we are unable to predict the future costs or impact of compliance. Additional proposals and proceedings that affect the oil and natural gas industry are regularly considered by Congress, the states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and the courts. We cannot predict when or whether any such proposals may become effective.

Regulation of Transportation of Oil

Sales of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids are not currently regulated and are made at negotiated prices. Nevertheless, Congress could re-enact price controls in the future. Our sales of crude oil are affected by the availability, terms and cost of transportation. The transportation of oil by common carrier pipelines is also subject to rate and access regulation. The FERC regulates interstate oil pipeline transportation rates under the Interstate Commerce Act. In general, interstate oil pipeline rates must be cost-based, although settlement rates agreed to by all shippers are permitted and market-based rates may be permitted in certain circumstances. Effective January 1, 1995, the FERC implemented regulations establishing an indexing system (based on inflation) for transportation rates for oil pipelines that allows a pipeline to increase its rates annually up to a prescribed ceiling, without making a cost-of-service filing. Every five years, the FERC reviews the appropriateness of the index level in relation to changes in industry costs.

Intrastate oil pipeline transportation rates are subject to regulation by state regulatory commissions. The basis for intrastate oil pipeline regulation and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate oil pipeline rates varies from state to state. Insofar as effective interstate and intrastate rates are equally applicable to all comparable shippers, we believe that the regulation of oil transportation rates will not affect our operations in any way that is of material difference from those of our competitors that are similarly situated.

Further, interstate and intrastate common carrier oil pipelines must provide service on a non-discriminatory basis. Under this open access standard, common carriers must offer service to all similarly situated shippers requesting service on the same terms and under the same rates. When oil pipelines operate at full capacity, access is generally governed by pro-rationing provisions set forth in the pipelines’ published tariffs. Accordingly, we believe that access to oil pipeline transportation services generally will be available to us to the same extent as to our similarly situated competitors.

Regulation of Transportation and Sales of Natural Gas

Historically, the transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce has been regulated by the FERC under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (“NGA”), the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (“NGPA”) and regulations issued under those statutes. In the past, the federal government has regulated the prices at which natural gas could be sold. While sales by producers of natural gas can currently be made at market prices, Congress could reenact price controls in the future.

Onshore gathering services, which occur upstream of FERC jurisdictional transmission services, are regulated by the states. Although the FERC has set forth a general test for determining whether facilities perform a non-jurisdictional gathering function or a jurisdictional transmission function, the FERC’s determinations as to the classification of facilities is done on a case-by-case basis. State regulation of natural gas gathering facilities generally includes various safety, environmental and, in some circumstances, nondiscriminatory take requirements. Although such regulation has not generally been affirmatively applied by state agencies, natural gas gathering may receive greater regulatory scrutiny in the future.

Intrastate natural gas transportation and facilities are also subject to regulation by state regulatory agencies, and certain transportation services provided by intrastate pipelines are also regulated by FERC. The basis for intrastate regulation of natural gas transportation and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate natural gas pipeline rates and services varies from state to state. Insofar as such regulation within a particular state will generally affect all intrastate natural gas shippers within the state on a comparable basis, we believe that the regulation of similarly situated intrastate natural gas transportation in any states in which we operate and ship natural gas on an intrastate basis will not affect our operations in any way that is of material difference from those of our competitors. Like the regulation of interstate transportation rates, the regulation of intrastate transportation rates affects the marketing of natural gas that we produce, as well as the revenues we receive for sales of our natural gas.

Research and Development

No research and development expenditures have been incurred during the past three fiscal years.

Insurance

We have general liability and property insurance coverage in amounts we deem sufficient for our business operations, consisting of property loss insurance on major assets for the approximate value of the assets and additional liability and operator’s and control of well insurance for our oil and natural gas operations and drilling programs. We do not have insurance coverage for the lost revenues associated with a business interruption, nor do we have coverage for the loss of our oil and natural gas reserves. There is no guarantee that any insurance coverage would be sufficient to protect the value of our assets or to fully cover any losses sustained. Payment of substantial liabilities in excess of coverage could require diversion of internal capital away from regular business, which could result in curtailment of projected future operations.

Human Capital

As of March 15, 2024, we had 37 full-time employees and 4 part-time employees, none of whom were subject to a collective bargaining agreement. In addition, we utilize several consultants on an as-needed basis. In 2023, we increased our corporate accounting, engineering and administrative staff. We recognize that our employees are our most valuable assets and drive the way we pursue our short-term and long-term goals. To attract and retain talent we promote:

The core values of integrity and ethical behavior are the pillars of our culture, and as a result, the health and safety of our employees and contractors is our highest priority. All employees are responsible for upholding Company-wide standards and values. We have policies designed to promote ethical conduct and integrity that employees are required to read and acknowledge.

We strive to provide competitive, performance-based compensation and benefits to our employees, including market-competitive pay, and various healthcare, retirement, and other benefit packages The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors oversees our compensation programs and designs programs to incentivize achievement of our corporate strategy and the matters of importance to our stakeholders.

Forward Plan

In 2024 and beyond, we intend to seek additional opportunities in the oil and natural gas sector, including but not limited to further acquisition of assets, participation with current and new industry partners in exploration and development projects, acquisition of existing companies, and the purchase of oil producing assets. In addition, we plan to grow production by performing workovers on operated idle wells acquired in 2022, returning them back to production.  Share repurchases under our approved share repurchase program continued in 2024 through February 29, 2024.  These repurchases may resume so long as share prices remain attractive and repurchases remain in the best interests of both the Company and its stockholders.

Business Strategy

Key elements of our business strategy include:

Industry Operating Environment

The oil and natural gas industry is affected by many factors that we generally cannot control. Government regulations, particularly in the areas of taxation, energy, climate change and the environment, can have a significant impact on operations and profitability. Significant factors that may impact oil prices in the current fiscal year and future periods include the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the level of inflation and interest rates, the ongoing Israel and Hamas conflict, attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and related political developments in the Middle East, demand in Asian and European markets, and the extent to which members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and other oil exporting nations manage oil supply through export quotas. Natural gas prices are generally determined by North American supply and demand and are also affected by imports and exports of liquefied natural gas. Weather also has a significant impact on demand for natural gas since natural gas is a primary heating source.

These factors may adversely impact the supply and demand for oil and gas and our ability to produce and transport oil and gas and perform operations at and on our properties. This uncertainty also affects management’s accounting estimates and assumptions, which could result in greater variability in a variety of areas that depend on these estimates and assumptions, including investments, receivables, and forward-looking guidance.

Development

During 2024, our development activities are expected to be focused on performing select workovers to enhance production and to stimulate some inactive wells.  We may also participate in drilling projects with other operators as opportunities arise.

Seasonality

Winter weather conditions and lease stipulations can limit or temporarily halt our drilling and producing activities and other oil and natural gas operations and those of our operating partners. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay or temporarily halt the operations of our operating partners and materially increase our operating and capital costs. Such seasonal anomalies can also pose challenges for meeting well drilling objectives and may increase competition for equipment, supplies and personnel during the spring and summer months, which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay or temporarily halt our operations and those of our operating partners.

Title to Properties

Title to properties is subject to royalty, overriding royalty, carried working, net profits, working and other similar interests and contractual arrangements customary in the gas and oil industry, liens for current taxes not yet due and other encumbrances. As is customary in the industry in the case of undeveloped properties, little investigation of record title is made at the time of acquisition (other than preliminary review of local records).

Investigation, including a title opinion of local counsel, generally is made before commencement of drilling operations.

Marketing, Major Customers and Delivery Commitments

Markets for oil and natural gas are volatile and are subject to wide fluctuations depending on numerous factors beyond our control, including seasonality, economic conditions, foreign imports, political conditions in other energy producing countries, OPEC market actions, and domestic government regulations and policies. All of our production is marketed by our industry partners for our benefit and is sold to competing buyers, including large oil refining companies and independent marketers. Substantially all of our production is sold pursuant to agreements with pricing based on prevailing commodity prices, subject to adjustment for regional differentials and similar factors. We had no significant delivery commitments as of December 31, 2023.

Competition

The oil and natural gas business is highly competitive in the search for and acquisition of additional reserves and in the sale of oil and natural gas. Our competitors principally consist of major and intermediate-sized integrated oil and natural gas companies, independent oil and natural gas companies and individual producers and operators. Specifically, we compete for property acquisitions and our operating partners compete for the equipment and labor required to operate and develop our properties. Our competitors may be able to pay more for properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties than we can. Ultimately, our future success will depend on our ability to develop or acquire additional reserves at costs that allow us to remain competitive.

Available Information

The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such reports and other information filed by the Company with the SEC are available free of charge at https://investors.usnrg.com/investors/sec-filings when such reports are available on the SEC’s website. The Company periodically provides other information for investors on its corporate website, https://usnrg.com. The information contained on the websites referenced in this Form 10-K is not incorporated by reference into this filing. Further, the Company’s references to website URLs are intended to be inactive textual references only. Copies of documents filed by us with the SEC are also available from us without charge, upon oral or written request to our Secretary, who can be contacted at the address and telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Report. You may also find information related to our corporate governance, board committees and code of ethics on our website.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below as well as the other information in this filing before deciding to invest in our company. Any of the risk factors described below could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that are currently considered to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. As a result, the trading price or value of our common stock could be materially adversely affected, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Summary Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks summarized below. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Risk Factors

The following risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating the information in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Risks Related to the Oil and Natural Gas Industry and Our Business

We may need additional capital to complete future acquisitions, conduct our operations, and fund our business, and our ability to obtain the necessary funding is uncertain.

We may need to raise additional funding to complete future potential acquisitions and will be required to raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financing or other various means to fund our operations and complete workovers and acquire assets. In such a case, adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be available on favorable terms. If we need to raise additional funds in the future by issuing equity securities, dilution to existing stockholders will result, and such securities may have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of our common stock. If funding is insufficient at any time in the future and we are unable to generate sufficient revenue from new business arrangements, to complete future acquisitions or operations, our results of operations and the value of our securities could be adversely affected.

Additionally, due to the nature of oil and gas interests, i.e., that rates of production generally decline over time as oil and gas reserves are depleted, if we are unable to acquire additional properties and/or develop our reserves, either because we are unable to raise sufficient funding for such development activities, or otherwise, or in the event we are unable to acquire additional operated or non-operated properties, we believe that our revenues will continue to decline over time. Furthermore, in the event we are unable to raise additional required funding in the future, we will not be able to participate in the drilling of additional wells, will not be able to complete other drilling and/or workover activities.

If this were to happen, we may be forced to scale back our business plan which could result in the value of our outstanding securities declining in value.

Oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and natural gas prices, are volatile and declines in the prices of such commodities have in the past, and will continue in the future to, adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations or targets and financial commitments.

The price of oil and, to a lesser extent, natural gas and NGLs, heavily influences our revenue, profitability, cash flows, liquidity, access to capital, present value and quality of our reserves, the nature and scale of our operations, and our future rate of growth. Oil, NGL, and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. In recent years, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. Further, oil prices and natural gas prices do not necessarily fluctuate in direct relation to each other. The price of crude oil has experienced significant volatility over the last five years, with the price of a barrel of oil dropping below $20 during the early part of 2020, due in part to reduced global demand stemming from the global COVID-19 outbreak, and then surging over $125 a barrel in early March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, before more recently trading around $70-$80 a barrel. A prolonged period of low market prices for oil and natural gas, or further declines in the market prices for oil and natural gas, will likely result in capital expenditures being further curtailed and will adversely affect our business, financial condition and liquidity. Additionally, lower oil and natural gas prices have, and may in the future, cause, a decline in our stock price. The below table highlights the recent volatility in oil and gas prices by summarizing the high and low daily NYMEX WTI oil spot price and daily NYMEX natural gas Henry Hub spot price for the periods presented:

Declines in the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas can also adversely affect our ability to finance capital expenditures, make acquisitions, raise capital and satisfy our financial obligations. In addition, declines in prices can reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically and the estimated future cash flow from that production and, as a result, adversely affect the quantity and present value of our proved reserves. Among other things, a reduction in the amount or present value of our reserves can limit the capital available to us, and the availability of other sources of capital likely will be based to a significant degree on the estimated quantity and value of the reserves.

As described above, oil, NGLs, and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the commodities market has been volatile. An extended period of continued lower oil prices, or additional price declines, will have further adverse effects on us. The prices we receive for any future production and the prices received from operators of our non-operated production, and the levels of such production, will continue to depend on numerous factors, including the following:

Declines in oil, NGL, or natural gas prices will reduce not only our revenue but also the amount of oil, NGL, and natural gas that we, and the operators of our properties, can produce economically. Should natural gas, NGL, or oil prices decline in the future, our non-operated wells and/or any of our operated wells, may be forced to be shut-in, and exploration and development plans for prospects and exploration or development activities may need to be postponed or abandoned. As a result, we may have to make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, each of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our business and operations were previously adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and may be adversely affected by other similar outbreaks.

As discussed above, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and falling oil and gas prices, operators in North Dakota’s Williston Basin (including the operators of our Williston Basin wells) responded by significantly decreasing drilling and completion activity and shutting in or curtailing production from a significant number of producing wells, which had a material adverse effect on our operations in the region. Future adverse public health developments, including voluntary and mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and other restrictions, could similarly have a material adverse effect on our operations, and those of our subcontractors, customers, and suppliers, and result in delays or disruptions and/or temporary suspensions of operations. Other contagious diseases in the human population could have similar adverse effects.

Declining general economic, business or industry conditions have, and will continue to have, a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition, and are expected to continue having a material adverse effect for the foreseeable future.

Concerns over global economic conditions, the threat of pandemic diseases and the results thereof, energy costs, geopolitical issues, changing inflation and interest rates, the availability and cost of credit have contributed to increased economic uncertainty and diminished expectations for the global economy. These factors, combined with volatile prices of oil and natural gas, declining business and consumer confidence, and increased unemployment, may result in an economic slowdown and/or a recession, which could expand to a global depression. Concerns about global economic growth have had a significant adverse impact on global financial markets and commodity prices and are expected to continue having a material adverse effect for the foreseeable future. If the economic climate in the United States or abroad continues to deteriorate, demand for petroleum products could diminish, which could further impact the price at which our operators can sell oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, affect the ability of our vendors, suppliers and customers to continue operations, and ultimately adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition to a greater extent than it has already. In addition, a decline in consumer confidence or changing patterns in the availability and use of disposable income by consumers can negatively affect the demand for oil and gas and as a result our results of operations.

The Company’s operations could be disrupted by natural or human causes beyond its control.

The Company’s operations are subject to disruption from natural or human causes beyond its control, including risks from hurricanes, severe storms, floods, lightning strikes, heat waves, other forms of severe weather, wildfires, ambient temperature increases, sea level rise, war, accidents, civil unrest, political events, fires, earthquakes, system failures, cyber threats, terrorist acts and epidemic or pandemic diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic, some of which may be impacted by climate change and any of which could result in suspension of operations or harm to people or the natural environment. For example, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, our oil and gas production decreased due to temporary and indefinite shut-ins due to lightning strikes and fires in the Mid-Content region.  Any of the above events could have a future material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

Economic uncertainty may affect our access to capital and/or increase the costs of such capital.

Global economic conditions continue to be volatile and uncertain due to, among other things, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, fears of recession and trade wars, the price of energy, fluctuating interest rates and inflation, the availability and cost of consumer credit, the availability and timing of government stimulus programs, levels of unemployment, and tax rates. These conditions remain unpredictable and create uncertainties about our ability to raise capital in the future. In the event required capital becomes unavailable in the future, or more costly, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

We may enter into strategic transactions in the future which could result in a material change in our operations and/or a change of control.

In the future, we or our majority stockholders, may enter into transactions with, or undertake transactions with, us or parties seeking to merge and/or acquire us and/or our operations. While neither we, nor our majority stockholders have entered into any such agreements or understandings to date, in the event that we or our majority stockholders do enter into such a transaction or transactions in the future, it could result in a change in our business focus, the acquisition of significant amounts of our outstanding common stock, the acquisition or sale of a material amount of assets, or a change in our majority stockholders. We and our majority stockholders have not entered into any agreements relating to any strategic transaction involving the Company as of the date of this filing and may never enter into such agreement(s) in the future. Any future strategic transaction involving the Company or its operations may have a material effect on our operations, cash flows, results of operations, prospects, plan of operations, the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, our officers, directors and majority stockholders, and the value of our securities.

The development of oil and natural gas properties involves substantial risks that may result in a total loss of investment.

The business of exploring for, working over and developing natural gas and oil properties involves a high degree of business and financial risk, and thus a significant risk of loss of initial investment that even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. The cost and timing of drilling, workover completing and operating wells is often uncertain. Factors which can delay or prevent drilling or production, or otherwise impact expected results, include but are not limited to:

A productive well may become uneconomic in the event unusual quantities of water or other non-commercial substances are encountered in the well bore that impair or prevent production. We may participate in wells that are or become unproductive or, though productive, do not produce in economic quantities. In addition, even commercial wells can produce less, or have higher costs, than we projected.

In addition, initial 24-hour or other limited-duration production rates announced regarding our oil and natural gas properties are not necessarily indicative of future production rates.

Dry holes and other unsuccessful or uneconomic exploration, exploitation and development activities can adversely affect our cash flow, profitability and financial condition, and can adversely affect our reserves.

The Williston Basin (Bakken and Three Forks shales) oil price differential and oil price differentials in other properties in Wyoming and Montana could have adverse impacts on our revenue.

Generally, crude oil produced from the Bakken formation in North Dakota is high quality (36 to 44 degrees API (a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water), which is comparable to West Texas Intermediate Crude (“WTI”). During 2023, our weighted average realized oil price in our Rockies region, which includes North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming was $68.84, which due to transportation costs was approximately $8.80 per barrel less than the average WTI spot price for crude oil. This discount, or differential, may widen in the future, which would reduce the price we receive for our production. We may also be adversely affected by widening differentials in other areas of operation.

Drilling and completion costs for the wells we drill in the Williston Basin are typically comparable to or higher than other areas where there is no price differential. This makes it more likely that a downturn in oil prices will result in a ceiling limitation write-down of our oil and natural gas properties. A widening of the differential would reduce the cash flow from our Williston Basin properties and adversely impact our ability to participate fully in drilling. Our production in other areas could also be affected by adverse changes in differentials. In addition, changes in differentials could make it more difficult for us to effectively hedge our exposure to changes in commodity prices.

Unanticipated costs could require new capital that may not be available.

The oil and natural gas business holds the potential opportunity for significant returns on investment, but achievement of such returns is subject to high risk. For example, initial results from one or more oil and natural gas programs could be marginal but warrant investing in more wells. Dry holes, over-budget exploration costs, low commodity prices, or any combination of these or other adverse factors, could result in production revenues falling below projections, thus adversely impacting cash expected to be available for a continued work program, and a reduction in cash available for investment in other programs. These types of events could require a reassessment of priorities and therefore potential re-allocations of existing capital and could also mandate obtaining new capital. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete any financing transaction on acceptable terms.

Competition may limit our opportunities in the oil and natural gas business.

The oil and natural gas business is very competitive. We compete with many public and private exploration and development companies in finding investment opportunities. We also compete with oil and natural gas operators in acquiring acreage positions. Our principal competitors are small to mid-size companies with in-house petroleum exploration and drilling expertise. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel resources substantially greater than ours. They also may be willing and able to pay more for oil and natural gas properties than our financial resources permit, and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties. In addition, there is substantial competition in the oil and natural gas industry for investment capital, and we may not be able to compete successfully in raising additional capital if needed.

Successful exploitation of shale formations is subject to risks related to horizontal drilling and completion techniques.

Operations in shale formations in many cases involve utilizing the latest drilling and completion techniques in an effort to generate the highest possible cumulative recoveries and therefore generate the highest possible returns. Risks that are encountered while drilling include, but are not limited to, landing the well bore in the desired drilling zone, staying in the zone while drilling horizontally through the shale formation, running casing the entire length of the well bore (as applicable to the formation) and being able to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal well bore.

For wells that are hydraulically fractured, completion risks include, but are not limited to, being able to fracture stimulate the planned number of fracture stimulation stages, and successfully cleaning out the well bore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage. Ultimately, the success of these latest drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficient period of time.

Costs for any individual well will vary due to a variety of factors. These wells are significantly more expensive than a typical onshore shallow conventional well. Accordingly, unsuccessful exploration or development activity affecting even a small number of wells could have a significant impact on our results of operations. Costs other than drilling and completion costs can also be significant for shale wells.

If our access to oil and natural gas markets is restricted, it could negatively impact our production and revenues. Securing access to takeaway capacity may be particularly difficult in less developed areas of the Williston Basin and Montana and Wyoming.

Market conditions or limited availability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our production. The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines and other midstream facilities. The ability to market our production depends in substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines, rail transportation and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. In particular, access to adequate gathering systems or pipeline or rail takeaway capacity is limited in the Williston Basin and in Montana and Wyoming. In order to secure takeaway capacity and related services, we or our operating partners may be forced to enter into arrangements that are not as favorable to operators as those in other areas.

If we are unable to replace reserves, we will not be able to sustain production.

Our future operations depend on our ability to find, develop, and acquire crude oil, natural gas, and NGL reserves that are economically producible. Our properties produce crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs at a declining rate over time. In order to maintain current production rates, we must locate and develop or acquire new crude oil, natural gas, and NGL reserves to replace those being depleted by production. Without successful drilling or acquisition activities, our reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, competition for crude oil and natural gas properties is intense, and many of our competitors have financial, technical, human, and other resources necessary to evaluate and integrate acquisitions that are substantially greater than those available to us.

As part of our growth strategy, we intend to make acquisitions. However, suitable acquisition candidates may not be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable, and acquisitions pose substantial risks to our business, financial condition and results of operations. In pursuing acquisitions, we compete with other companies, many of which have greater financial and other resources than we do. In the event we do complete an acquisition, its successful impact on our business will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include the purchase price for the acquisition, future crude oil, natural gas, and NGL prices, the ability to reasonably estimate or assess the recoverable volumes of reserves, rates of future production and future net revenues attainable from reserves, future operating and capital costs, results of future exploration, exploitation, and development activities on the acquired properties, and future abandonment and possible future environmental or other liabilities. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves, actual future production rates, and associated costs and potential liabilities with respect to prospective acquisition targets. Actual results may vary substantially from those assumed in the estimates. A customary review of subject properties will not necessarily reveal all existing or potential problems.

Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business depending upon the character of the acquired properties if they have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or are in different geographic locations than our existing properties. To the extent that acquired properties are substantially different than our existing properties, our ability to efficiently realize the expected economic benefits of such transactions may be limited. If we are unable to integrate acquisitions successfully and realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits in a timely manner, substantial costs and delays or other operational, technical or financial problems could result.

Integrating acquired businesses and properties involves a number of special risks. These risks include the possibility that management may be distracted from regular business concerns by the need to integrate operations and systems and that unforeseen difficulties can arise in integrating operations and systems and in retaining and assimilating employees. Any of these or other similar risks could lead to potential adverse short-term or long-term effects on our operating results and may cause us to not be able to realize any or all of the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions.

Many of our joint operating agreements contain provisions that may be subject to legal interpretation, including allocation of non-consent interests, complex payout calculations that impact the timing of reversionary interests, and the impact of joint interest audits.

Substantially all of our oil and natural gas interests are subject to joint operating and similar agreements. Some of these agreements include payment provisions that are complex and subject to different interpretations and/or can be erroneously applied in particular situations.

Joint interest audits are a normal process in our business to ensure that operators adhere to standard industry practices in the billing of costs and expenses related to our oil and natural gas properties. However, the ultimate resolution of joint interest audits can extend over a long period of time in which we attempt to recover excessive amounts charged by the operator. Joint interest audits result in incremental costs for the audit services and we can incur substantial amounts of legal fees to resolve disputes with the operators of our properties.

Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or the relevant underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantity and present value of our reserves.

Oil and natural gas reserve reports are prepared by independent consultants to provide estimates of the quantities of hydrocarbons that can be economically recovered from proved properties, utilizing commodity prices for a trailing 12-month period and taking into account expected capital, operating and other expenditures. These reports also provide estimates of the future net present value of the reserves, which we use for internal planning purposes and for testing the carrying value of the properties on our balance sheet.

The reserve data included in this Report represents estimates only. Estimating quantities of, and future cash flows from, proved oil and natural gas reserves is a complex process and not an exact science. It requires interpretations of available technical data and various estimates, including estimates based upon assumptions relating to economic factors, such as future production costs; ad valorem, severance and excise taxes; availability of capital; estimates of required capital expenditures, workover and remedial costs; and the assumed effect of governmental regulation. The assumptions underlying our estimates of our proved reserves could prove to be inaccurate, and any significant inaccuracy could materially affect, among other things, future estimates of the reserves, the economically recoverable quantities of oil and natural gas attributable to the properties, the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of our future net cash flows.

At December 31, 2023, 99% of our estimated proved reserves were developed producing. Estimation of proved undeveloped reserves and proved developed non-producing reserves is almost always based on analogy to existing wells, volumetric analysis or probabilistic methods, in contrast to the performance data used to estimate producing reserves. Recovery of proved undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations.

You should not assume that the present values referred to in this report represent the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves. The timing and success of the production and the expenses related to the development of oil and natural gas properties, each of which is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, will affect the timing and amount of actual future net cash flows from our proved reserves and their present value. In addition, our PV-10 and standardized measure estimates are based on costs as of the date of the estimates and assume fixed commodity prices. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs used in the estimate.

Further, the use of a 10% discount factor to calculate PV-10 and standardized measure values may not necessarily represent the most appropriate discount factor given actual interest rates and risks to which our business or the oil and natural gas industry in general are subject.

Our hedging activities have in the past and may in the future prevent us from benefiting fully from increases in oil and gas prices and may expose us to other risks, including counterparty risk.

From time to time, we use derivative instruments, typically fixed-rate swaps and costless collars, to manage price risk underlying our oil and natural gas production. We have in the past, and to the extent that we continue to engage in hedging activities to protect ourselves against commodity price declines, we may in the future, be prevented from fully realizing the benefits of increases in oil and/or gas prices above the prices established by our hedging contracts. For example, on September 12, 2023, the Company entered into crude oil swap agreements, agreeing to pay the monthly average NYMEX WTI prices and receive fixed prices for the month of settlement.  The contracts were for a total of 187,620 barrels of oil, extending from October 2023 through December 2024 with weighted average prices of $86.64 for the 2023 swaps and $81.16 for the 2024 swaps.  For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had a total net derivative gains of $2.9 million and losses of $5.7 million, respectively. See Note 7 Commodity Derivatives to the footnotes to the financial statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. Our hedging activities may expose us to the risk of financial loss in certain circumstances, including instances in which the counterparties to our hedging contracts fail to perform under the contracts. Our hedges have in the past and may in the future result in losses and reduce the amount of revenue we would otherwise obtain upon the sale of our oil and natural gas production and may also decrease our margins and net revenues.

Our actual future production may be significantly higher or lower than we estimate at the time we enter into derivative contracts for the relevant period. If the actual amount of production is higher than we estimated, we will have greater commodity price exposure than we intended. If the actual amount of production is lower than the notional amount that is subject to our derivative instruments, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our derivative transactions without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale of the underlying physical commodity, resulting in a substantial diminution of our liquidity. As a result of these factors, our hedging activities may not be as effective as we intend in reducing the volatility of our cash flows, and in certain circumstances may actually increase the volatility of our cash flows.

Derivative instruments also expose us to the risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including when:

In addition, depending on the type of derivative arrangements we enter into, the agreements could limit the benefit we would receive from increases in oil prices. It cannot be assumed that the hedging transactions we have entered into, or will enter into, will adequately protect us from fluctuations in commodity prices.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) provides for statutory and regulatory requirements for derivative transactions, including crude oil and natural gas derivative transactions. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act provides for the creation of position limits for certain derivatives transactions, as well as requiring certain transactions to be cleared on exchanges for which cash collateral will be required. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Commodities Futures and Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), the SEC and other regulators to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the Dodd-Frank Act.

The CFTC has finalized other regulations implementing the Dodd-Frank Act’s provisions regarding trade reporting, margin, clearing and trade execution; however, some regulations remain to be finalized and it is not possible at this time to predict when the CFTC will adopt final rules. For example, the CFTC has re-proposed regulations setting position limits for certain futures and option contracts in the major energy markets and for swaps that are their economic equivalents. Certain bona fide hedging transactions are expected to be made exempt from these limits. Also, it is possible that under recently adopted margin rules, some registered swap dealers may require us to post initial and variation margins in connection with certain swaps not subject to central clearing.

The Dodd-Frank Act and any additional implementing regulations could significantly increase the cost of some commodity derivative contracts (including through requirements to post collateral, which could adversely affect our available liquidity), materially alter the terms of some commodity derivative contracts, limit our ability to trade some derivatives to hedge risks, reduce the availability of some derivatives to protect against risks we encounter and reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our existing commodity derivative contracts. If we reduce our use of derivatives as a consequence, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital expenditures. Increased volatility may make us less attractive to certain types of investors. Finally, the Dodd-Frank Act was intended, in part, to reduce the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, which some legislators attributed to speculative trading in derivatives and commodity instruments related to oil and natural gas. If the implementing regulations result in lower commodity prices, our revenues could be adversely affected. Any of these consequences could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Increases in the differential between the ceiling value for oil and natural gas prices set forth in our commodity derivative contracts and commodity derivative collar contracts has in the past adversely affected and is anticipated to continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our acreage must be drilled before lease expiration, generally within three to five years, in order to hold the acreage by production. In the highly competitive market for acreage, failure to drill sufficient wells in order to hold acreage will result in a substantial lease renewal cost, or if renewal is not feasible, the loss of our lease and prospective drilling opportunities.

Unless production is established within the spacing units covering the undeveloped acres on which some of our potential drilling locations are identified, the leases for such acreage will expire. The cost to renew such leases may increase significantly, and we may not be able to renew such leases on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The risk that our leases may expire will generally increase when commodity prices fall, as lower prices may cause our operating partners to reduce the number of wells they drill. In addition, on certain portions of our acreage, third-party leases could become immediately effective if our leases expire. As such, our actual drilling activities may materially differ from our current expectations, which could adversely affect our business.

Our producing properties are primarily located in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas Oklahoma and Kansas, making us vulnerable to risks associated with having operations concentrated in these geographic areas.

Because our operations are geographically concentrated in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas the success and profitability of our operations may be disproportionally exposed to the effect of regional events. These include, among others, regulatory issues, natural disasters and fluctuations in the prices of crude oil and natural gas produced from wells in the region and other regional supply and demand factors, including gathering, pipeline and other transportation capacity constraints, available rigs, equipment, oil field services, supplies, labor and infrastructure capacity. Any of these events has the potential to cause producing wells to be shut-in, delay operations and growth plans, decrease cash flows, increase operating and capital costs and prevent development of lease inventory before expiration. In addition, our operations in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, may be adversely affected by seasonal weather and lease stipulations designed to protect wildlife, which can intensify competition for services, infrastructure and equipment during months when drilling is possible and may result in periodic shortages. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Insurance may be insufficient to cover future liabilities.

Our business is currently focused on oil and natural gas exploration and development, and we also have potential exposure to general liability and property damage associated with the ownership of other corporate assets. We have obtained insurance policies for our oil and natural gas operations covering both operated and non-operated properties, as well as, policies covering corporate liabilities and damage to corporate assets.

We would be liable for claims in excess of coverage and for any deductible provided for in the relevant policy. If uncovered liabilities are substantial, payment could adversely impact the Company’s cash on hand, resulting in possible curtailment of operations. Moreover, some liabilities are not insurable at a reasonable cost or at all.

We are dependent upon information technology systems, which are subject to disruption, damage, failure and risks associated with implementation and integration.

We are dependent upon information technology systems in the conduct of our operations. Our information technology systems are subject to disruption, damage or failure from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, computer viruses, security breaches, cyberattacks, natural disasters and defects in design. Cybersecurity incidents, in particular, are evolving and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and the corruption of data. Various measures have been implemented to manage our risks related to information technology systems and network disruptions. However, given the unpredictability of the timing, nature and scope of information technology disruptions, we could potentially be subject to operational delays, the compromising of confidential or otherwise protected information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, other manipulation or improper use of our systems and networks or financial losses from remedial actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations.

Improvements in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Because our operations depend on the demand for oil and used oil, any improvement in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies (such as wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells and biofuels) that increase the use of alternative forms of energy and reduce the demand for oil, gas and oil and gas related products could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competition due to advances in renewable fuels may lessen the demand for our products and negatively impact our profitability.

Alternatives to petroleum-based products and production methods are continually under development. For example, a number of automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers are developing alternative clean power systems using fuel cells or clean-burning gaseous fuels that may address increasing worldwide energy costs, the long-term availability of petroleum reserves and environmental concerns, which if successful could lower the demand for oil and gas. If these non-petroleum-based products and oil alternatives continue to expand and gain broad acceptance such that the overall demand for oil and gas is decreased it could have an adverse effect on our operations and the value of our assets.

Permitting requirements could delay our ability to start or continue our operations.

Oil and natural gas projects are subject to extensive permitting requirements. Failure to timely obtain required permits to start operations at a project could cause delay and/or the failure of the project resulting in a potential write-off of the investments made.

Negative public perception regarding us and/or our industry could have an adverse effect on our operations.

Negative public perception regarding us and/or our industry resulting from, among other things, concerns raised by advocacy groups about hydraulic fracturing, waste disposal, oil spills, seismic activity, climate change, explosions of natural gas transmission lines and the development and operation of pipelines and other midstream facilities may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny, which may, in turn, lead to new state and federal safety and environmental laws, regulations, guidelines and enforcement interpretations. Additionally, environmental groups, landowners, local groups and other advocates may oppose our operations through organized protests, attempts to block or sabotage our operations or those of our midstream transportation providers, intervene in regulatory or administrative proceedings involving our assets or those of our midstream transportation providers, or file lawsuits or other actions designed to prevent, disrupt or delay the development or operation of our assets and business or those of our midstream transportation providers. These actions may cause operational delays or restrictions, increased operating costs, additional regulatory burdens and increased risk of litigation. Moreover, governmental authorities exercise considerable discretion in the timing and scope of permit issuance and the public may engage in the permitting process, including through intervention in the courts. Negative public perception could cause the permits we require to conduct our operations to be withheld, delayed or burdened by requirements that restrict our ability to profitably conduct our business.

Recently, activists concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention towards sources of funding for fossil-fuel energy companies, which has resulted in certain financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital restricting or eliminating their investment in energy-related activities. Ultimately, this could make it more difficult to secure funding for exploration and production activities.

Seasonal weather conditions adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate.

Oil and natural gas operations in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and the Texas Gulf Coast can be adversely affected by seasonal weather conditions. In North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, drilling and other oil and natural gas activities sometimes cannot be conducted as effectively during the winter months, and this can materially increase our operating and capital costs. Texas Gulf Coast operations are also subject to the risk of adverse weather events, including hurricanes.

Shortages of equipment, services and qualified personnel could reduce our cash flow and adversely affect 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 and activity levels in new regions, causing periodic shortages. These problems can be particularly severe in certain regions such as the Williston Basin and Texas. During periods of high oil and natural gas prices, the demand for drilling rigs and equipment tends to increase along with increased activity levels, and this may result in shortages of equipment. Higher oil and natural gas prices generally stimulate increased demand for equipment and services and subsequently often result in increased prices for drilling rigs, crews and associated supplies, oilfield equipment and services, and personnel in exploration, production and midstream operations. These types of shortages and subsequent price increases could significantly decrease our profit margin, cash flow and operating results and/or restrict or delay our ability to drill those wells and conduct those activities that we currently have planned and budgeted, causing us to miss our forecasts and projections.

Our oil and natural gas reserves are estimated and may not reflect the actual volumes of oil and natural gas we will receive, and significant inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.

The process of estimating accumulations of oil and natural gas is complex and is not exact, due to numerous inherent uncertainties. The process relies on interpretations of available geological, geophysical, engineering, and production data. The extent, quality, and reliability of this technical data can vary. The process also requires certain economic assumptions related to, among other things, oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes, and availability of funds. The accuracy of a reserves estimate is a function of:

The accuracy of any estimates of proved reserves generally increases with the length of the production history. Due to the limited production history of our properties, the estimates of future production associated with these properties may be subject to greater variance to actual production than would be the case with properties having a longer production history. As our wells produce over time and more data is available, the estimated proved reserves will be re-determined on at least an annual basis and may be adjusted to reflect new information based upon our actual production history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors.

Actual future production, oil, and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses, and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas most likely will vary from our estimates. It is possible that future production declines in our wells may be greater than we have estimated. Any significant variance to our estimates could materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.

We may purchase oil and natural gas properties with liabilities or risks that we did not know about or that we did not assess correctly, and, as a result, we could be subject to liabilities that could adversely affect our results of operations.

Before acquiring oil and natural gas properties, we estimate the reserves, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, potential environmental liabilities, and other factors relating to the properties. However, our review involves many assumptions and estimates, and their accuracy is inherently uncertain. As a result, we may not discover all existing or potential problems associated with the properties we buy. We may not become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. We generally do not perform inspections on every well or property, and we may not be able to observe mechanical and environmental problems even when we conduct an inspection. The seller may not be willing or financially able to give us contractual protection against any identified problems, and we may decide to assume environmental and other liabilities in connection with the properties we acquire. If we acquire properties with risks or liabilities we did not know about or that we did not assess correctly, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected as we settle claims and incur cleanup costs related to these liabilities.

The properties we acquired in 2022 may be subject to liabilities or risks that we did not know about or that we did not assess correctly, and, as a result, we could be subject to liabilities that could adversely affect our results of operations as a result of such acquisitions.

Risks Related to Our Financial Statements

We have written down, and may in the future be forced to further write-down, material portions of our assets due to low oil and natural gas prices and other reasons.

The full cost method of accounting is used for oil and gas acquisition, exploration, development and production activities. Under the full cost method, all costs associated with the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties are capitalized and accumulated in a country-wide cost center. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to development and exploration activities, but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities. Proceeds received from disposals are credited against accumulated cost, except when the sale represents a significant disposal of reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized. The sum of net capitalized costs and estimated future development and dismantlement costs for each cost center is depleted on the equivalent unit-of-production method, based on proved oil and natural gas reserves. Excluded from amounts subject to depreciation, depletion, and amortization are costs associated with unevaluated properties.

Under the full cost method, net capitalized costs are limited to the lower of (a) unamortized cost reduced by the related net deferred tax liability and asset retirement obligations, and (b) the cost center ceiling. The cost center ceiling is defined as the sum of (i) estimated future net revenue, discounted at 10% per annum, from proved reserves, based on unescalated costs, adjusted for contract provisions, any financial derivatives qualifying as accounting hedges and asset retirement obligations, and unescalated oil and natural gas prices during the period, (ii) the cost of properties not being amortized, and (iii) the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties included in the cost being amortized, less income tax effects related to tax assets directly attributable to the natural gas and crude oil properties. If the net book value reduced by the related net deferred income tax liability and asset retirement obligations exceeds the cost center ceiling limitation, a non-cash impairment charge is required in the period in which the impairment occurs.

We perform a quarterly ceiling test for our only oil and natural gas cost center, which is the United States. During 2022 we did not record a ceiling test write-down. The ceiling test incorporates assumptions regarding pricing and discount rates over which we have no influence in the determination of present value. In arriving at the ceiling test for the year ended December 31, 2022, we used an average price applicable to our properties of $93.67 per barrel for oil and $6.36 per one million British Thermal Units (MMbtu) for natural gas, based on average prices per barrel of oil and per Mmbtu of natural gas at the first day of each month of the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, to compute the future cash flows of each of the producing properties at that date.

In the calculation of the ceiling test as of December 31, 2023, the Company used $78.22 per barrel for oil and $2.64 per MMbtu for natural gas (as further adjusted for property, specific gravity, quality, local markets and distance from markets) to compute the future cash flows of the Company’s producing properties. The discount factor used was 10%.

The Company recorded a $26.7 million ceiling test write-down of its oil and gas properties during the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a reduction in the value of proved oil and natural gas reserves as a result of a decrease in crude oil and natural gas prices and other reserve revisions.

We expect to record an additional write-down of our oil and gas properties in the first quarter of 2024 due to lower commodity prices used in the calculation of the ceiling test as higher first quarter 2023 commodity prices will be removed from the ceiling test calculation and replaced with lower first quarter 2024 commodity prices.  Depending on actual commodity prices, estimated price differentials, lease operating costs, revisions to reserve estimates, and the amount and timing of capital expenditures, additional write-downs of $2 million to $3 million could be incurred in the first quarter of 2024.

Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company re-evaluated its use of capital relative to its portfolio and strategic initiatives and determined that it no longer intends to fund development activities required to develop its unevaluated acreage. Therefore, it reclassified the entire $1.6 million book value of unevaluated properties by transferring them into evaluated properties.

Material future write-downs or impairments of our oil and gas properties may have a material adverse effect on our assets and/or our financial condition, either of which may cause the value of our securities to decline in value.

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective for periods since 2017. We cannot assure you that additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies do not exist or that they will not occur in the future. If our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, which may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and may lead to a decline in our stock price.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting, which is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  A control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis.

Based on the results of management’s assessment and evaluation of our internal controls, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2023 due to a material weakness related to the ineffective design of our accounting system.  Specifically, reliance could not be placed on some of the control elements of the accounting system. These control elements include a lack of certain functionality related to system-based account reconciliations, missing systematic controls in areas such as segregation of duties enforcement and data input validation, and an absence of independent evaluation of third-party information technology general controls (“ITGCs”).  The Company's manual review controls partially compensate for the system design limitations, but this material weakness cannot be remediated without the implementation of a system-based solution.

Maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures and effective internal control over financial reporting are necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements and the Company is committed to remediating its material weaknesses in such controls as promptly as possible. However, there can be no assurance as to when these material weaknesses will be remediated or that additional material weaknesses will not arise in the future. Any failure to remediate the material weaknesses, or the development of new material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and cause us to fail to meet our reporting and financial obligations, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the trading price of our common stock, and/or result in litigation against us or our management. In addition, even if we are successful in strengthening our controls and procedures, those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent or identify irregularities or facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements or our periodic reports filed with the SEC.

There are inherent limitations in all control systems and misstatements due to error or fraud that may occur and not be detected.

The ongoing internal control provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require us to identify material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, which is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our management does not expect that our internal controls and disclosure controls, even assuming all material weaknesses and control deficiencies are remediated, will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefit of controls must be relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud in our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Further, controls can be circumvented by individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more persons, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving our stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may be inadequate because of changes in conditions, such as growth of the Company or increased transaction volume, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may not be detected.

Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and realize built in losses to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes is subject to limitation.

In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating losses (“NOLs”) and realized built in losses (“RBILS”) to offset future taxable income. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain stockholders (generally 5% stockholders, applying certain look-through rules) increases by more than 50 percentage points over such stockholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years).

On December 27, 2017, we paid down debt under our credit facility with APEG II with shares of our common stock, which represented a 49.3% ownership change in the Company. In addition, on January 5, 2022, we issued 19,905,736 shares of our common stock for the acquisition of assets, representing a then 81.0% ownership change in the Company. As a result of these transactions, our ability to use these NOLs and RBILS were significantly reduced.

Risks Related to Governmental Regulations

Oil and natural gas operations are subject to environmental, legislative and regulatory initiatives that can materially adversely affect the timing and cost of operations and the demand for crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs.

Our operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment and natural resources. These laws and regulations can restrict or impact our business activities in many ways including, but not limited to the following:

Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial or restoration obligations, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations or imposing additional compliance requirements. Certain environmental statutes impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances, hydrocarbons or wastes have been disposed or otherwise released. Moreover, local restrictions, such as state or local moratoria, city ordinances, zoning laws and traffic regulations, may restrict or prohibit the execution of operational plans. In addition, third parties, such as neighboring landowners, may file claims alleging property damage, nuisance or personal injury arising from our operations or from the release of hazardous substances, hydrocarbons or other waste products into the environment.

The trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment. We monitor developments at the federal, state and local levels to keep informed of actions pertaining to future regulatory requirements that might be imposed in order to mitigate the costs of compliance with any such requirements. We also monitor industry groups that help formulate recommendations for addressing existing or future regulations and that share best practices and lessons learned in relation to pollution prevention and incident investigations.

See “Environmental Laws and Regulations” in Item 1 – Business in this Form 10-K for a discussion of the major environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that relate to our business. We believe, but cannot be certain, that we are in material compliance with these laws and regulations. We cannot reasonably predict what applicable laws, regulations or guidance may eventually be adopted with respect to our operations or the ultimate cost to comply with such requirements.

Proposed changes to U.S. tax laws, if adopted, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

From time to time, legislative proposals are made that would, if enacted, result in the elimination of the immediate deduction for intangible drilling and development costs, the elimination of the deduction from income for domestic production activities relating to oil and gas exploration and development, the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas properties, and an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. Such changes, if adopted, or other similar changes that reduce or eliminate deductions currently available with respect to oil and gas exploration and development, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Our ability to produce crude oil, natural gas, and associated liquids economically and in commercial quantities could be impaired if we are unable to acquire adequate supplies of water for our drilling operations and/or completions or are unable to dispose of or recycle the water we use at a reasonable cost and in accordance with applicable environmental rules.

The hydraulic fracturing process on which we and others in our industry depend to complete wells that will produce commercial quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs requires the use and disposal or recycling of significant quantities of water. Our inability to secure sufficient amounts of water, or to dispose of, or recycle the water used in our operations, could adversely impact our operations. Moreover, the imposition of new environmental initiatives and regulations could include restrictions on our ability to conduct certain operations such as hydraulic fracturing or disposal of wastes, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs.

Compliance with environmental regulations and permit requirements governing the withdrawal, storage, and use of surface water or groundwater necessary for hydraulic fracturing of wells may increase our operating costs and cause delays, interruptions, or termination of our operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted, all of which could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

Our industry and the broader US economy experienced higher than expected inflationary pressures in 2022, related to continued supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and geopolitical instability. Should these conditions reappear, our business, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

2022 saw significant increases in the costs of certain materials, including steel, sand and fuel, as a result of availability constraints, supply chain disruption, increased demand, labor shortages associated with a fully employed US labor force, high inflation, interest rates and other factors. Those supply and demand fundamentals were further aggravated by disruptions in global energy supply caused by multiple geopolitical events, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While prior supply chain constraints and demand fundamentals have more or less reverted to pre-2022 levels, inflationary pressures and future supply chain disruptions, increased demand, labor shortages, increased inflation and interest rates, and other factors may adversely impact our operating costs and may negatively impact our ability to procure materials and equipment in a timely and cost-effective manner, if at all, in the future, which could result in reduced margins and production delays and, as a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

The conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and related price volatility and geopolitical instability could negatively impact our business.

In late February 2022, Russia launched significant military action against Ukraine. The sanctions announced by the United States and other countries against Russia and Belarus following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to date include restrictions on selling or importing goods, services, or technology in or from affected regions and travel bans and asset freezes impacting connected individuals and political, military, business, and financial organizations in Russia and Belarus. The United States and other countries could impose wider sanctions and take other actions should the conflict further escalate. Separately, in October 2023, Israel and certain Iranian-backed Palestinian forces began an armed conflict in Israel, the Gaza Strip, and surrounding areas, which threaten to extend into other Middle Eastern countries. These conflicts have caused, and could intensify, volatility in natural gas, oil and NGL prices.  The extent and duration of the military actions, sanctions, and resulting market disruptions could be significant and could potentially have a substantial negative impact on the global economy and/or our business for an unknown period of time. We believe that the increase in crude oil prices during the first half of 2022 was partially due to the impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the global commodity and financial markets, and in response to economic and trade sanctions that certain countries have imposed on Russia. Any such volatility and disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described herein.

Risks Related to Management, Employees and Directors

Potential conflicts of interest could arise for certain members of our Board of Directors that hold management positions with other entities and also represent our majority stockholders.

John A. Weinzierl, Duane H. King and Joshua Batchelor, each a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, hold various other management positions with privately-held companies, some of which are involved in the oil and gas industry, and together such persons control or have joint control, over a majority of our common stock. We believe these positions will not conflict with their roles or responsibilities with our company. Certain of these entities are party to agreements with the Company and if any of these companies enter into any additional transactions or agreements with our company, or other related party transactions or matters exist, potential conflicts of interests could arise from the directors performing services for us and these other entities.

Certain of our directors beneficially own approximately 58.4% of our outstanding common stock, which gives them majority voting control over stockholder matters, and each are also party to a Nominating and Voting Agreement, which allows them to control who is appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company and their interests may be different from your interests; and as a result of such ownership, we are a “controlled company” under applicable Nasdaq Capital Market Rules.

John A. Weinzierl, Duane H. King and Joshua Batchelor, our Chairman, director, and director, respectively, beneficially own an aggregate of 14,147,140 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 55.9% of our outstanding common stock, including approximately 20.3%, 8.4% and 27.2% of our common stock beneficially owned by each of John A. Weinzierl, Duane H. King and Joshua Batchelor, not including the recent grants approved as of March 19, 2024. As such, Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor can control the outcome of all matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. Subject to any fiduciary duties owed to the stockholders generally, while Messrs. Weinzierl’s, King’s and Batchelor’s interests may generally be aligned with the interests of our stockholders, in some instances Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor may have interests different than the rest of our stockholders. Messrs. Weinzierl’s, King’s and Batchelor’s influence or control of our company as stockholders may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of other stockholders. Because Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor control the stockholder vote, investors may find it difficult to replace Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor (and such persons as they may appoint from time to time) as members of our management and board of directors if they disagree with the way our business is being operated. Additionally, the interests of Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor may differ from the interests of the other stockholders and thus result in corporate decisions that are adverse to other stockholders.

Separately, each of the entities controlled by Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor entered into an Amended and Restated Nominating and Voting Agreement with us and certain of their affiliates and other third parties. The A&R Agreement provides that each of Lubbock, Synergy and Banner (each a “Nominating Party”) has the right to designate for nomination to the Board two nominees (for so long as such Nominating Party (and its affiliates) beneficially owns at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock) and one nominee (for so long as such Nominating Party (and its affiliates) beneficially owns at least 5% of the Company’s common stock), for appointment at any stockholder meeting or via any consent to action without meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The A&R Agreement also requires the Board to include such nominees in the slate of directors up for appointment at each meeting of stockholders where directors will be appointed, and take other actions to ensure that such persons are elected to the Board by the stockholders of the Company. Pursuant to the A&R Agreement, if any Nominating Party’s Seller Nominated Party ceases for any reason to serve on the Board, such Seller Nominated Party will be provided the right to appoint another person to the Board, who shall be appointed to the Board pursuant to the power to fill vacancies given to the Board without a stockholder vote, by the Bylaws of the Company.

Because of Messrs. Weinzierl’s, King’s and Batchelor’s ownership of the Company, as discussed above, we are a “controlled company” under the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market. Under these rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company is a “controlled company” and, as such, can elect to be exempt from certain corporate governance requirements, including requirements that:

As a “controlled company,” we may elect to rely on some or all of these exemptions, provided that we have to date not taken advantage of any of these exemptions and do not currently intend to take advantage of any of these exemptions moving forward. Notwithstanding that, should the interests of Messrs. Weinzierl, King and Batchelor differ from those of other stockholders, the other stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq Capital Market corporate governance standards. Even if we do not avail ourselves of these exemptions, our status as a controlled company could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

We depend significantly upon the continued involvement of our present management.

We depend to a significant degree upon the involvement of our management, specifically, our Chief Executive Officer, Ryan L. Smith. Our performance and success are dependent to a large extent on the efforts and continued employment of Mr. Smith. We do not believe that Mr. Smith could be quickly replaced with personnel of equal experience and capabilities, and his successor(s) may not be as effective. If Mr. Smith or any of our other key personnel resign or become unable to continue in their present roles and if they are not adequately replaced, our business operations could be adversely affected. The Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Smith on May 5, 2022. The term of Mr. Smith’s Employment Agreement commenced on May 5, 2022, and had an initial term expiring January 1, 2024, subject to automatic one-year renewals thereafter in the event neither party provides the other at least 60 days prior written notice of their intention not to renew the terms of the agreement.  Because neither party provided the other notice of termination prior to January 1, 2024, the agreement renewed for an additional one year, and currently has a term through January 1, 2025 (subject to additional one year renewals thereafter).

Risks Related to Our Credit Agreement

Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of our assets.

Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of our assets. Additionally, substantially all of our subsidiaries agreed to guarantee our obligations under the Credit Agreement. As such, our creditor may enforce its security interests over our assets and/or our subsidiaries which secure the repayment of such obligations, take control of our assets and operations, force us to seek bankruptcy protection, or force us to curtail or abandon our current business plans and operations. If that were to happen, any investment in the Company could become worthless.

Our failure to comply with the covenants in the documents governing our existing and future indebtedness could materially adversely affect our financial condition and liquidity.

In connection with the Credit Agreement, we agreed to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants and agreed to meet certain financial covenants. We are required to make certain mandatory repayments under the Credit Agreement, in the event the borrowing base decreases below the aggregate amount of loans made by the lenders and/or if as of the last business day of any calendar month, certain required debt ratios required under the Credit Agreement are not met, there are outstanding amounts owed to the lenders, and the Company has consolidated cash on hand in excess of $5 million, and in some cases we are also required to pay cash to the agent to be held as collateral. The Credit Agreement contains customary indemnification requirements, representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, dispositions, prepayment of other indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, and dividends and other distributions. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains financial covenants, tested quarterly, that limit the Company’s ratio of total debt to EBITDAX (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to 3:1 and require its ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities (as each is described in the Credit Agreement) to remain at 1:1 or higher. The Credit Agreement also requires us to hedge certain oil and gas volumes, based on our utilization of the borrowing base.

Events of default under the Credit Agreement include: the failure by the Company to timely make payments due under the Credit Agreement; material misrepresentations or misstatements in any representation or warranty of any of the Loan Parties; failure by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to comply with their covenants under the Credit Agreement and other related agreements, subject in certain cases to rights to cure; certain defaults under other indebtedness of the Loan Parties; insolvency or bankruptcy-related events with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; certain unsatisfied judgments against the Company or any of its subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $500,000; if the Credit Agreement or certain related agreements or security interests created by them cease to be in full force and effect; certain ERISA-related events reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries; and the occurrence of a change in control, each as discussed in greater detail in the Credit Agreement, and subject to certain cure rights. If any event of default occurs and is continuing under the Credit Agreement, the lenders may terminate their commitments, and may require the Company and its subsidiaries to repay outstanding debt and/or to provide a cash deposit as additional security for outstanding letters of credit.

A breach of any of the covenants of the Credit Agreement or any future agreements, if uncured or unwaived, could lead to an event of default under any such document, which in some circumstances could give our creditors the right to demand that we accelerate repayment of amounts due and/or enforce their security interests over substantially all of our assets. This would likely in turn trigger cross-acceleration or cross-default rights in other documents governing our indebtedness. Therefore, in the event of any such breach, we may need to seek covenant waivers or amendments from our creditors or seek alternative or additional sources of financing, and we may not be able to obtain any such waivers or amendments or alternative or additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, any covenant breach or event of default could harm our credit rating and our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and liquidity and/or cause our lenders to enforce their security interests which could ultimately result in the foreclosure of our assets, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations and the value of our securities.

The covenants in our credit and loan agreements restrict our ability to operate our business and might lead to a default under our Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement contains customary indemnification requirements, representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, dispositions, prepayment of other indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, and dividends and other distributions. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains financial covenants, tested quarterly, that limit the Company’s ratio of total debt to EBITDAX (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to 3:1 and require its ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities (as each is described in the Credit Agreement) to remain at 1:1 or higher.

As a result of these covenants and limitations, we may not be able to respond to changes in business and economic conditions and to obtain additional financing, if needed, and we may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be beneficial to us. Our Credit Agreement requires, and our future credit facilities and loan agreements may require, us to maintain certain financial ratios and satisfy certain other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we may not be able to meet those tests. The breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Credit Agreement or future credit facilities. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under such Credit Agreement, including accrued interest or other obligations, to be immediately due and payable. If amounts outstanding under such Credit Agreement were to be accelerated, our assets might not be sufficient to repay in full that indebtedness and our other indebtedness.

A prolonged period of weak, or a significant decrease in, industry activity and overall markets, may make it difficult to comply with our covenants and the other restrictions in the agreements governing our debt and current global and market conditions have increased the potential for that difficulty.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

We currently have 245,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and there may be future issuances of sales of our common stock, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and dilute a stockholder’s ownership of common stock.

The exercise of any options granted to executive officers and other employees under our equity compensation plans could have an adverse effect on the market price of the shares of our common stock. Additionally, we are not restricted from issuing additional shares of common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive shares of common stock, and currently have 245,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, provided that we are subject to the requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”)(which generally requires stockholder approval for any transactions which would result in the issuance of more than 20% of our then outstanding shares of common stock or voting rights representing over 20% of our then outstanding shares of stock, subject to certain exceptions, including sales in a public offering and/or sales which are undertaken at or above the lower of the closing price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement or the average closing price for the five trading days preceding the signing of the binding agreement). Issuances of a substantial number of shares of our common stock and/or sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that such issuances or sales might occur could materially adversely affect the market price of the shares of our common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in the future, including in connection with any future offering, will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of our future issuances or offerings. Accordingly, our stockholders bear the risk that our future issuances and/or offerings will reduce the market price of our common stock and dilute their stock holdings in us.

We have established preferred stock which can be designated by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval.

We have 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized (none of which are outstanding). Shares of preferred stock may be designated and issued by our Board of Directors without stockholder approval with voting powers, and such preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights and powers as determined by our Board of Directors, which may be greater than the shares of common stock currently outstanding. As a result, shares of preferred stock may be issued by our Board of Directors which cause the holders to have voting power over our shares or provide the holders of the preferred stock the right to convert the shares of preferred stock they hold into shares of our common stock, which may cause substantial dilution to our then common stock stockholders and/or have other rights and preferences (including, but not limited to voting rights) greater than those of our common stock stockholders. Investors should keep in mind that the Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional shares of preferred stock, which could cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders or result in a change of control. Because our Board of Directors is entitled to designate the powers and preferences of the preferred stock without a vote of our stockholders, subject to Nasdaq rules and regulations, our stockholders will have no control over what designations and preferences our future preferred stock, if any, will have.

Our stock price has historically been and is likely to continue to be, volatile.

Our stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “USEG”. For the twelve month period ending March 15, 2024, our common stock has traded as high as $2.69 per share and as low as $0.83 per share. We expect our common stock will continue to be subject to wide fluctuations as a result of a variety of factors, including factors beyond our control. These factors include:

The stock market has recently experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, and oil and natural gas prices have declined significantly. These fluctuations have particularly affected the market prices of securities of oil and natural gas companies like ours.

Our Common Stock may be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market if we cannot satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

Among the conditions required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, Nasdaq requires us to maintain at least one of the following: $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity, at least $35 million in market value of listed securities or $500,000 in net income over the prior two years or two of the prior three years and also meet other conditions including having a majority of independent directors and maintaining a stock price over $1.00 per share. Our stockholders’ equity may not remain above Nasdaq’s $2.5 million minimum, we may not have at least $35 million in market value of listed securities, and we may not generate over $500,000 of yearly net income moving forward, we may not be able to maintain independent directors, and we may not be able to maintain a stock price over $1.00 per share. Delisting from The Nasdaq Capital Market could make trading our common stock more difficult for investors, potentially leading to declines in our share price and liquidity. Without a Nasdaq Capital Market listing, stockholders may have a difficult time getting a quote for the sale or purchase of our stock, the sale or purchase of our stock would likely be made more difficult and the trading volume and liquidity of our stock could decline. Delisting from The Nasdaq Capital Market could also result in negative publicity and could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital. The absence of such a listing may adversely affect the acceptance of our common stock as currency or the value accorded by other parties. Further, if we are delisted, we would also incur additional costs under state blue sky laws in connection with any sales of our securities. These requirements could severely limit the market liquidity of our common stock and the ability of our stockholders to sell our common stock in the secondary market. If our common stock is delisted by Nasdaq, our common stock may be eligible to trade on an over-the-counter quotation system, such as the OTCQB market, where an investor may find it more difficult to sell our stock or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock. In the event our common stock is delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, we may not be able to list our common stock on another national securities exchange or obtain quotation on an over-the counter quotation system.

If we are delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, your ability to sell your shares of our common stock could also be limited by the penny stock restrictions, which could further limit the marketability of your shares.

If our common stock is delisted, it could come within the definition of “penny stock” as defined in the Exchange Act and would then be covered by Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. That Rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction prior to the sale. Consequently, Rule 15g-9, if it were to become applicable, would affect the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell our securities, and accordingly would affect the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the public market. These additional procedures could also limit our ability to raise additional capital in the future.

Our Board of Directors has determined to suspend our quarterly cash dividend.

On April 13, 2022, August 5, 2022, November 7, 2022, February 9, 2023, and May 18, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the declaration and payment of quarterly cash dividends of $0.0225 per share of common stock. Our Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, determines the amount of the quarterly dividends to be distributed to our shareholders, if any, based on consideration of a number of factors including, but not limited to, our results of operations, cash flow and capital requirements, economic conditions, tax considerations, borrowing capacity and other factors, including future acquisitions and divestitures. Consequently, our dividend levels may fluctuate. On August 9, 2023, the Board of Directors determined it appropriate to suspend dividend payments, with the associated future capital resources being allocated towards the Company’s share repurchase program and repayments of the outstanding balance on our credit facility. The Board of Directors may or may not reinstate future dividend payments in the future, the amount and frequency of which will be determined at the sole discretion of the Board. To the extent that the dividend is not reinstated in the future, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.

Our stock repurchases are discretionary and even if effected, they may not achieve the desired objectives.

On April 26, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and approved a share repurchase program for up to $5.0 million of the currently outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. Subject to any future extensions, the repurchase program is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2024. Under the stock repurchase program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in the open market or through negotiated transactions at prevailing market rates, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. Repurchases will be made at management’s discretion at prices management considers to be attractive and in the best interests of both the Company and its stockholders, subject to the availability of stock, general market conditions, the trading price of the stock, alternative uses for capital, and the Company’s financial performance. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 336,000 shares for $426 thousand at a weighted average price of $1.27 per share in open market transactions. In 2024, through March 15, 2024, the Company has purchased 318,200 shares for $344 thousand at a weighted average price of $1.08 per share. The program does not obligate the Company to acquire a minimum amount of shares.

There can be no assurance that any repurchases pursuant to our stock repurchase program will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchase such shares. The amounts and timing of the repurchases may also be influenced by general market conditions, regulatory developments (including recent legislative actions which, subject to certain conditions, may impose an excise tax of 1% on our stock repurchases) and the prevailing price and trading volumes of our common stock. If our financial condition deteriorates or we decide to use our cash for other purposes, we may suspend repurchase activity at any time.

A sale of a substantial number of registered shares of common could cause the price of our common stock to decline and make it harder for us to sell equity in the future.

We have registered the resale of 19,905,736 shares of common stock pursuant to a Form S-3 Registration Statement, which shares of common stock represent approximately 78.9% of our then outstanding shares of common stock. Such shares of common stock may be resold in the public market immediately without restriction. The registered shares represent a significant number of shares of our common stock, and if sold in the market all at once or at about the same time, could significantly depress the market price of our common stock during the period the registration statement remains effective and could also affect our ability to raise equity capital in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

Risks Relating to Our Governing Documents and Delaware Law

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for indemnification of officers and directors at our expense and limits their liability, which may result in a major cost to us and hurt the interests of our stockholders because corporate resources may be expended for the benefit of officers or directors.

Article VI.B. of our Certificate of Incorporation provides for indemnification as follows: “To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under Article VI.B. of the Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise.”

Our obligation to indemnify our officers and directors may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

We have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, indemnification for liabilities arising under federal securities laws is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification for liabilities arising under federal securities laws, other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding, is asserted by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with our activities, we will (unless in the opinion of our counsel, the matter has been settled by controlling precedent) submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the question whether indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The legal process relating to this matter if it were to occur is likely to be very costly and may result in us receiving negative publicity, either of which factors is likely to materially reduce the market and price for our shares.

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains a specific provision that limits the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the Company and the Company’s stockholders and requires us, under certain circumstances, to indemnify officers, directors and employees.

The limitation of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under Delaware law and the existence of indemnification rights to them may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains a specific provision that limits the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the Company and the Company’s stockholders, including as a result of a breach of their fiduciary duties, except to the extent such exception from liability is not permitted under Delaware General Corporation Law. We also have contractual indemnification obligations under our employment and engagement agreements with our executive officers and directors, as well as pursuant to indemnification agreements. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against our directors and officers, which the Company may be unable to recoup. These provisions and resultant costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers, even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.

Anti-takeover provisions may impede the acquisition of the Company.

Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination, notwithstanding the fact that our Certificate of Incorporation provides that we are not subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which relates to certain restrictions on business combinations with interested stockholders. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our directors, in connection with such a transaction. As a result, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of the Company, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. In addition, we can also authorize “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our Board of Directors without stockholder approval and may contain voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock.

Anti-takeover provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, might discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares of our common stock. These provisions may also prevent or delay attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. Our corporate governance documents include provisions:

Any provision of our Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

The existence of the foregoing provisions and anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition.

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains exclusive forum provisions that may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors and officers.

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

The choice of forum provision in our Certificate of Incorporation does not waive our compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Moreover, the provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or by the Securities Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts with respect to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain claims under the Securities Act.

Notwithstanding the above, to prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the Company consents, the U.S. federal district courts will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. However, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision. While the Delaware courts have determined that choice of forum provisions of the type included in our Certificate of Incorporation are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in our exclusive forum provision. In such instance, to the extent applicable, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of our exclusive forum provision. This may require additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.

These exclusive forum provisions may limit the ability of the Company’s stockholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such stockholders find favorable for disputes with the Company or the Company’s directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company and the Company’s directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court were to find one or more of these exclusive forum provisions inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions or forums, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

General Risk Factors

Because we are a smaller reporting company, the requirements of being a public company, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

As a public company with listed equity securities, we must comply with the federal securities laws, rules and regulations, including certain corporate governance provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and the Dodd-Frank Act, related rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, with which a private company is not required to comply. Complying with these laws, rules and regulations will occupy a significant amount of time of our board of directors and management and will significantly increase our costs and expenses, which we cannot estimate accurately at this time. Among other things, we must:

In addition, being a public company subject to these rules and regulations may require us to accept less director and officer liability insurance coverage than we desire or to incur substantial costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee, and qualified executive officers.

Our business could be adversely affected by security threats, including cybersecurity threats.

We face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to our sensitive information or to render our information or systems unusable, and threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure or third-party facilities and infrastructure, such as gathering and processing facilities, refineries, rail facilities and pipelines. The potential for such security threats subjects our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, unauthorized access to our seismic data, reserves information or other proprietary information could lead to data corruption, communication interruptions, or other disruptions to our operations.

Our implementation of various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate such security threats and to increase security for our information, systems, facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that such procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security breaches from occurring. If any of these security breaches were to occur, they could lead to losses of, or damage to, sensitive information or facilities, infrastructure and systems essential to our business and operations, as well as data corruption, reputational damage, communication interruptions or other disruptions to our operations, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

The threat and impact of terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks or similar hostilities may adversely impact our operations.

We cannot assess the extent of either the threat or the potential impact of future terrorist attacks on the energy industry in general, and on us in particular, either in the short-term or in the long-term. Uncertainty surrounding such hostilities may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including the possibility that infrastructure facilities, including pipelines and gathering systems, production facilities, processing plants and refineries, could be targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror, a cyber-attack or electronic security breach, or an act of war.

The marketability of our production is dependent upon oil and natural gas gathering and transportation and storage facilities owned and operated by third parties, and the unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements have had a material adverse effect on our revenue in the past and may again in the future.

The unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements has in the past hindered our access to oil and natural gas markets and has delayed production from our wells. The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for, and supply of, oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines, terminal facilities and storage facilities. Our ability to market our production depends in substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Our failure to obtain these services on acceptable terms has in the past, and could in the future, materially harm our business. We do not expect to purchase firm transportation capacity on third-party facilities. Therefore, we expect the transportation of our production to be generally interruptible in nature and lower in priority to those having firm transportation arrangements.

The disruption of third-party facilities due to maintenance and/or weather could negatively impact our ability to market and deliver our products. The third parties’ control when or if such facilities are restored after disruption, and what prices will be charged for products. Federal and state regulation of oil and natural gas production and transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and demand, pipeline pressures, damage to or destruction of pipelines and general economic conditions could adversely affect our ability to produce, gather and transport oil and natural gas.

We may have difficulty managing growth in our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.

Because of our small size, growth in accordance with our business plans, if achieved, will place a significant strain on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. As we expand our activities, including our planned increase in oil exploration, development and production, and increase the number of projects we are evaluating or in which we participate, there will be additional demands on our financial, technical and management resources. The failure to continue to upgrade our technical, administrative, operating and financial control systems or the occurrence of unexpected expansion difficulties, including the inability to recruit and retain experienced managers, geoscientists, petroleum engineers and landmen could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.

Failure to adequately protect critical data and technology systems could materially affect our operations.

Information technology solution failures, network disruptions and breaches of data security could disrupt our operations by causing delays or cancellation of customer orders, impeding processing of transactions and reporting financial results, resulting in the unintentional disclosure of customer, employee or our information, or damage to our reputation. There can be no assurance that a system failure or data security breach will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

If we complete acquisitions or enter into business combinations in the future, they may disrupt or have a negative impact on our business.

If we complete acquisitions or enter into business combinations in the future, funding permitting, we could have difficulty integrating the acquired companies’ assets, personnel and operations with our own. Additionally, acquisitions, mergers or business combinations we may enter into in the future could result in a change of control of the Company, and a change in the board of directors or officers of the Company. In addition, the key personnel of the acquired business may not be willing to work for us. We cannot predict the effect expansion may have on our core business. Regardless of whether we are successful in making an acquisition or completing a business combination, the negotiations could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees and increase our expenses. In addition to the risks described above, acquisitions and business combinations are accompanied by a number of inherent risks, including, without limitation, the following:

Our business could be severely impaired if and to the extent that we are unable to succeed in addressing any of these risks or other problems encountered in connection with an acquisition or business combination, many of which cannot be presently identified. These risks and problems could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.

Any acquisition or business combination transaction we enter into in the future could cause substantial dilution to existing stockholders, result in one party having majority or significant control over the Company or result in a change in business focus of the Company.

If persons engage in short sales of our common stock, the price of our common stock may decline.

Selling short is a technique used by a stockholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. In addition, holders of options and warrants will sometimes sell short knowing they can, in effect, cover through the exercise of an option or warrant, thus locking in a profit. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of common stock issued upon exercise of future warrants or other convertible securities could cause even greater declines in the price of our common stock due to the number of additional shares available in the market upon such exercise, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our common stock. Stockholders could, therefore, experience a decline in the values of their investment as a result of short sales of our common stock.

Stockholders may be diluted significantly through our efforts to obtain financing and satisfy obligations through the issuance of securities.

Wherever possible, our Board of Directors will attempt to use non-cash consideration to satisfy obligations. In many instances, we believe that the non-cash consideration will consist of shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. Our Board of Directors has authority, without action or vote of the stockholders, subject to the requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market (which generally require stockholder approval for any transactions which would result in the issuance of more than 20% of our then outstanding shares of common stock or voting rights representing over 20% of our then outstanding shares of stock, subject to certain exceptions, including sales in a public offering and/or sales which are undertaken at or above the lower of the closing price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement or the average closing price for the five trading days preceding the signing of the binding agreement), to issue all or part of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock, preferred stock or warrants to purchase such shares of common stock. In addition, we may attempt to raise capital by selling shares of our common stock, possibly at a discount to market in the future. These actions will result in dilution of the ownership interests of existing stockholders and may further dilute common stock book value, and that dilution may be material. Such issuances may also serve to enhance existing management’s ability to maintain control of us, because the shares may be issued to parties or entities committed to supporting existing management.

Future litigation or governmental proceedings could result in material adverse consequences, including judgments or settlements.

From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, regulatory inquiries and may be involved in governmental and other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of our business. Many of these matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties and complexities. The timing of the final resolutions to these types of matters is often uncertain. Additionally, the possible outcomes or resolutions to these matters could include adverse judgments or settlements, either of which could require substantial payments, adversely affecting our results of operations and liquidity.

We may become involved in securities class action litigation that could divert management’s attention and harm the combined company’s business, and insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover all costs and damages.

In the past, securities class action or stockholder derivative litigation often follows certain significant business transactions, such as a material acquisition like the one completed in January 2022. The combined company may become involved in this type of litigation in the future. Litigation often is expensive and diverts management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect the combined company’s business.

The physical effects of climate change could disrupt our production and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects. An economy-wide transition to lower GHG energy sources could have a variety of adverse effects on our operations and financial results.

Many scientists have shown that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere are changing global climate patterns. One consequence of climate change could be increased severity of extreme weather, such as increased hurricanes and floods. If such events were to occur, or become more frequent, our operations could be adversely affected in various ways, including through damage to our facilities or from increased costs for insurance.

Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. The market for natural gas is generally improved by periods of colder weather and impaired by periods of warmer weather, so any changes in climate could affect the market for the fuels that we produce. As a result, if there is an overall trend of warmer temperatures, it would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business.

Efforts by governments, international bodies, businesses and consumers to reduce GHGs and otherwise mitigate the effects of climate change are ongoing. The nature of these efforts and their effects on our business are inherently unpredictable and subject to change. However, actions taken by private parties in anticipation of, or to facilitate, a transition to a lower-GHG economy will affect us as well. For example, our cost of capital may increase if lenders or other market participants decline to invest in fossil fuel-related companies for regulatory or reputational reasons. Similarly, increased demand for low-carbon or renewable energy sources from consumers could reduce the demand for, and the price of, the products we produce. Technological changes, such as developments in renewable energy and low-carbon transportation, could also adversely affect demand for our products.

The Company does not insure against all potential losses, which could result in significant financial exposure.

The Company does not have commercial insurance or third-party indemnities to fully cover all operational risks or potential liability in the event of a significant incident or series of incidents causing catastrophic loss. As a result, the Company is, to a substantial extent, self-insured for such events. The Company relies on existing liquidity, financial resources and borrowing capacity to meet short-term obligations that would arise from such an event or series of events. The occurrence of a significant incident, series of events, or unforeseen liability for which the Company is self-insured, not fully insured or for which insurance recovery is significantly delayed could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

Increasing attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters may impact our business.

Increasing attention to ESG matters, including those related to climate change and sustainability, increasing societal, investor and legislative pressure on companies to address ESG matters, may result in increased costs, reduced profits, increased investigations and litigation or threats thereof, negative impacts on our stock price and access to capital markets, and damage to our reputation. Increasing attention to climate change, for example, may result in demand shifts for hydrocarbon and additional governmental investigations and private litigation, or threats thereof, against the Company. In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters, including climate change and climate-related risks. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Also, some stakeholders, including but not limited to sovereign wealth, pension, and endowment funds, have been divesting and promoting divestment of or screening out of fossil fuel equities and urging lenders to limit funding to companies engaged in the extraction of fossil fuel reserves. Unfavorable ESG ratings and investment community divestment initiatives, among other actions, may lead to negative investor sentiment toward the Company and to the diversion of investment to other industries, which could have a negative impact on our stock price and our access to and costs of capital. Additionally, evolving expectations on various ESG matters, including biodiversity, waste and water, may increase costs, require changes in how we operate and lead to negative stakeholder sentiment.

Global economic conditions could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth.

Adverse macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, slower growth or recession, new or increased tariffs, changes to fiscal and monetary policy, tighter credit, higher interest rates, high unemployment and currency fluctuations could materially adversely affect our operations, expenses, access to capital and the market for oil and gas. In addition, uncertainty about, or a decline in, global or regional economic conditions could have a significant impact on our expected funding sources, suppliers and partners. A downturn in the economic environment could also lead to limitations on our ability to issue new debt; reduced liquidity; and declines in the fair value of our financial instruments. These and other economic factors could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and growth.

We may be adversely affected by climate change or by legal, regulatory or market responses to such change.

The long-term effects of climate change are difficult to predict; however, such effects may be widespread. Impacts from climate change may include physical risks (such as rising sea levels or frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions), social and human effects (such as population dislocations or harm to health and well-being), compliance costs and transition risks (such as regulatory or technology changes) and other adverse effects. The effects of climate change could increase the cost of certain products, commodities and energy (including utilities), which in turn may impact our ability to procure goods or services required for the operation of our business. Climate change could also lead to increased costs as a result of physical damage to or destruction of our facilities, equipment and business interruption due to weather events that may be attributable to climate change. These events and impacts could materially adversely affect our business operations, financial position or results of operation.

We might be adversely impacted by changes in accounting standards.

Our consolidated financial statements are subject to the application of U.S. GAAP, which periodically is revised or reinterpreted. From time to time, we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC. It is possible that future accounting standards may require changes to the accounting treatment in our consolidated financial statements and may require us to make significant changes to our financial systems. Such changes might have a materially adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations.

SEC rules could limit our ability to book proved undeveloped reserves (“PUDs”) in the future.

SEC rules require that, subject to limited exceptions, PUDs may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years after the date of booking. This requirement has limited and may continue to limit our ability to book additional PUDs as we pursue our drilling program. Moreover, we may be required to write down our PUDs if we do not drill or plan on delaying those wells within the required five-year timeframe.

Future changes to U.S. tax laws, if adopted, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

From time to time, legislative proposals are made that would, if enacted, result in the elimination of the immediate deduction for intangible drilling and development costs, the elimination of the deduction from income for domestic production activities relating to oil and gas exploration and development, the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas properties, and an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. Such changes, if adopted, or other similar changes that reduce or eliminate deductions currently available with respect to oil and gas exploration and development, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

Risk Management and Strategy

The Company’s cybersecurity environment is led by our information technology (IT) group, which, in addition to cybersecurity matters, oversees the Company’s IT infrastructure.  The IT group is responsible for monitoring and managing the security of the Company's corporate network and enterprise systems, including technical controls, and safety protocols and responding to security threats.

The Company maintains a cybersecurity risk management program that establishes safeguards for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data, technology, and information systems. The program includes general controls for managing changes in and access to the Company’s IT environment, cybersecurity awareness and training to help employees identify and mitigate against cybersecurity threats, cybersecurity incident response plans and third-party incident response retainers to help expedite the Company’s response in the event of a cybersecurity incident.

The Company’s Director of IT is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Company’s cybersecurity program and for identifying cybersecurity threats and incidents and managing the material risks associated with the cybersecurity threats. The Company’s Director of IT engages third-party vendors and cybersecurity consortiums periodically for cybersecurity-related guidance and certifications.  In the event of a cybersecurity incident, the Company’s process calls for the Director of IT, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Controller work to assess and respond to the incident and provide briefings to the Chief Executive Officer and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee is responsible for providing oversight over management's processes to identify and evaluate cybersecurity risks to which the Company is exposed and to implement processes and programs to manage cybersecurity risks and mitigate any incidents. The Audit Committee also reports material cybersecurity risks to the Board. We believe this risk management process provides visibility and oversight to allow the Board and executive leadership team to make timely, data-driven decisions ensuring that the Company, its employees, investors, and partners are adequately protected.

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, there have been no cybersecurity incidents that have materially affected the Company’s business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.

Item 2. Properties.

Our oil and gas properties are described below and under Item 8, Notes 5 and 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under the captions “Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities” and “Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Information (Unaudited)”, respectively.

Oil and Natural Gas Interests

Reserve estimates are based on average prices per barrel of oil and per Mmbtu of natural gas at the first day of each month of the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period. Reserve estimates as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are based on the following average prices, in each case as adjusted for transportation, quality, and basis differentials applicable to our properties on a weighted average basis:

Presented below is a summary of our proved oil and natural gas reserve quantities, all of which are located in the United States, as of the end of each of our last three fiscal years:

Internal Controls Over Proved Reserve Estimates

Our internal controls over the recording of proved reserves are structured to objectively and accurately estimate our reserve quantities and values in compliance with the SEC’s regulations. Our process for managing and monitoring our proved reserves is delegated to On Point Resources, a third-party independent petroleum engineering company. Oversight is provided by management and the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, as discussed below.

On Point Resources, Inc.'s President, Don Jacks has worked in the energy industry since 1981 and has been contracted by the Company to perform our proved reserve estimates since 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and has been a Registered Professional Petroleum Engineer in the state of Texas since 1992. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE) and has been a chapter officer since 2005. Technical and engineering reviews of our assets are performed quarterly by Mr. Jacks and reported to our management. Data obtained from these reviews, in conjunction with economic data and our ownership information, is used in making a determination of estimated proved reserve quantities.

Our reserves are reviewed by our management quarterly and by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors at least annually. Our management, which includes our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, are responsible for reviewing and verifying that the estimate of proved reserves is reasonable, complete, and accurate. The Audit Committee reviews a summary of the final reserves estimate and meets independently with Mr. Jacks separate from our management to discuss processes and findings in the reserve report. The Audit Committee can and does request reports and information from Mr. Jacks to independently verify values reported by the management team.

As of December 31, 2023, our proved reserves totaled 4,863,259 MBOE, of which 100% were classified as proved developed. On a BOE basis, approximately 65% of the total proved reserves are derived from 3,183 MBbls of oil and 35% is derived from 10,082 MMcfe of natural gas and NGLs. See the “Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms” above for an explanation of these and other terms.

You should not place undue reliance on estimates of proved reserves. See “Risk Factors - Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or the relevant underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantity and present value of our reserves.” A variety of methodologies are used to determine our proved reserve estimates. The principal methodologies employed are reservoir simulation, decline curve analysis, volumetrics, material balance, advance production type curve matching, petrophysics/log analysis and analogy. Some combination of these methods is used to determine reserve estimates in substantially all of our fields.

The primary inputs to the reserve estimation process are comprised of technical information, financial data, ownership interests and production data. All field and reservoir technical information is assessed for validity when meetings are held with management, land personnel and third-party operators to discuss field performance and to validate future development plans. Current revenue and expense information is obtained from our accounting records, which are subject to their own set of internal controls over financial reporting. All current financial data such as commodity prices, lease operating expenses, production taxes and field commodity price differentials are updated in the reserve database and then analyzed to ensure that they have been entered accurately and that all updates are complete. Our current ownership in mineral interests and well production data are also subject to the aforementioned internal controls over financial reporting, and they are incorporated into the reserve database as well and verified to ensure their accuracy and completeness. Our reserve database is currently maintained by Don Jacks of On Point Resources, Inc. Mr. Jacks works with our personnel to review field performance, future development plans, current revenues and expense information. Following these reviews, the reserve database and supporting data is updated so that Mr. Jacks can prepare his independent reserve estimates and final report.

Proved Undeveloped Reserves. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we did not record any proved undeveloped (“PUD”) reserves due to the lack of an approved development plan for development of potential PUD reserves and uncertainty in 2023 and 2022 regarding the availability of capital that would be required to develop any PUD reserves. Currently, we are evaluating potential PUD locations, which may result in future PUD reserves.

Oil and Natural Gas Production, Production Prices, and Production Costs. The following table sets forth certain information regarding our net production volumes, average sales prices realized and certain expenses associated with sales of oil and natural gas for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

We encourage you to read this information in conjunction with the information contained in our financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K under “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data”.

The following table provides a regional summary of our production for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

Drilling and Other Exploratory and Development Activities. The following table sets forth information with respect to development and exploratory activity on wells in which we own an interest during the periods ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

The number of gross wells is the total number of wells we participated in, regardless of our ownership interest in the wells. The information above should not be considered indicative of future drilling performance, nor should it be assumed that there is any correlation between the number of productive wells drilled and the amount of oil and natural gas that may ultimately be recovered. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Present Activities. As of April 12, 2023, we are not drilling or participating in the drilling of any wells, however, we are in the process of returning to production idle wells we acquired in 2022.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Wells, Operations and Acreage. The following table summarizes information about our gross and net productive wells as of December 31, 2023.

Wells are classified as oil or natural gas wells according to the predominant production stream.

Acreage. The following table summarizes our estimated developed and undeveloped leasehold acreage as of December 31, 2023:

For our non-operated properties, we are subject to lease expiration if the operator does not commence the development of operations within the agreed terms of our leases. In addition, our leases typically provide that the lease does not expire at the end of the primary term if drilling operations have commenced. As of December 31, 2023, all of our acreage is held by production.

Real Estate

We own three city lots covering 13.84 acres in Riverton, Wyoming that are currently listed for sale. In February 2024 we accepted an offer to purchase the lots for $150 thousand, less closing costs, and we expect to complete the sale later in 2024. However, there can be no assurance that the sales of these lots will be completed on the terms, or in the time frame, we expect or at all.

Office Space

As of March 26, 2024, we have leased office space for our Company headquarters in Houston, Texas of 11,000 square feet.  The lease is described in greater detail in “Note 4. Leases”, to the footnotes to the financial statements included herein under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”

The Company believes its existing facilities and equipment are in good operating condition and are suitable for the conduct of its business.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we may become party to litigation or other legal proceedings that we consider to be a part of the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently involved in any legal proceedings that we believe could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We may become involved in material legal proceedings in the future.

Prior litigation and other legal proceedings which have been settled to date, are described in, and incorporated by reference in, this “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K from, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Note 9. Commitments, Contingencies, and Related Party Transactions”, under the heading “Litigation”.

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

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “USEG”.

Holders

As of March 15, 2024, we had 25,327,950 shares of common stock issued and outstanding held by 354 stockholders of record.

Dividends

On April 13, 2022, August 5, 2022, November 7, 2022, February 9, 2023 and May 18, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the declaration and payment of quarterly cash dividends of $0.0225 per share of common stock. Our Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, determines the amount of the quarterly dividends to be distributed to our shareholders, if any, based on consideration of a number of factors including, but not limited to, our results of operations, cash flow and capital requirements, economic conditions, tax considerations, borrowing capacity and other factors, including future acquisitions and divestitures. Consequently, our dividend levels may fluctuate. On August 9, 2023, the Board of Directors determined it appropriate to suspend dividend payments, with the associated future capital resources being allocated towards the Company’s share repurchase program and repayments of the outstanding balance on our credit facility. The Board of Directors may or may not reinstate future dividend payments in the future, the amount and frequency of which will be determined at the sole discretion of the Board. To the extent that the dividend is not reinstated in the future, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.

The determination to pay dividends on our common stock is at the discretion of our Board of Directors. 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no sales of unregistered securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, or for the period from January 1, 2023 to the filing date of this report, which have not previously been reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K.

Purchases of Equity Securities by The Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table sets forth share repurchase activity for the respective periods:

Item 6. [Reserved]

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion includes forward-looking statements. Please refer to “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” of this annual report on Form 10-K for important information about these types of statements and “Risk Factors”, above. Additionally, please refer to the “Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms” of this annual report on Form 10-K for oil and natural gas industry terminology used herein.

Summary of The Information Contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. MD&A is organized as follows:

Recent Developments

Divestitures

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company closed on a series of individual divestitures for a total of $7.0 million in net proceeds before transaction costs of $0.4 million.  The divestitures included the Company’s non-operated interests in 152 wells across North Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas, and overriding royalty interests in seven wells in Karnes County, Texas.  These divestitures did not have a significant impact to reserves volumes or the full cost pool depletion rate.  As such, the Company recorded the proceeds, net of transaction costs and purchase price adjustments, to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized.  Relief of associated asset retirement obligations of $0.5 million was also recorded to the full cost pool.

Derivative Activities

On September 12, 2023, the Company entered into crude oil swap agreements with EDF Trading, agreeing to pay the monthly average NYMEX WTI prices and receive fixed prices for the month of settlement.  The contracts were for a total of 187,620 barrels of oil, extending from October 2023 through December 2024 with weighted average prices of $86.64 for the 2023 swaps and $81.16 for the 2024 swaps. 

Debt Repayment

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repaid $7.5 million on its credit facility, bringing the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2023 to $5.0 million.  The repayments were primarily funded by the net proceeds from divestitures discussed above.

Volatility in Commodity Prices

Commodity prices remained steady during the fourth quarter of 2022 as demand has continued to outpace relative supply. While recessionary concerns have placed some downward pressure on commodity prices, causing oil and gas prices to decline in 2023 from their earlier highs in 2022, worldwide commodity demand continues to exceed pre COVID-19 pandemic levels. Although supply has increased, it has been constrained and pricing has been affected, in part by the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict on global commodity and financial markets, and the associated effect of trade sanctions on imports of oil and natural gas from Russia. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea increase risk to the global commodities market.  Because the factors mentioned above could suddenly change or reverse, global commodity and financial markets remain subject to heightened levels of uncertainty and volatility, and future disruptions could result in industry-specific impacts.

Rising Inflation and Interest Rates

Reversing a trend experienced in 2020 in connection with the impact of COVID-19 and historically low crude oil prices, the cost of oilfield services, equipment and materials began to rise in 2021 and continued to rise through 2022 in conjunction with the significant increase in commodity prices, labor tightening and supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While commodity prices decreased in 2023, the impacts of inflationary factors on the costs of oilfield services, equipment, and materials did not decrease along with them.  In addition to the inflationary pressures on our operating and capital costs, rising interest rates as a result of the Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy have increased our borrowing costs on debt under our credit agreement and may limit our ability to access debt capital markets. Additional increases in interest rates have the potential to increase our cost of borrowing even more.

Plan of Operations and Strategy

In 2024 and beyond, we intend to seek additional opportunities in the oil and natural gas sector, including but not limited to workover and stimulating inactive wells, further acquisition of assets, participation with current and new industry partners in their exploration and development projects, acquisition of existing companies, and the purchase of oil and natural gas producing assets. In addition, we plan to grow production by performing workovers on operated idle wells acquired in 2022 to return them to production.

Key elements of our business strategy include:

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A summary of our significant accounting policies is detailed in Note 1 – Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K under “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. We have outlined below those policies identified as being critical to the understanding of our business and results of operations and that require the application of significant management judgment.

Oil and Natural Gas Reserve Estimates. Our estimates of proved reserves are based on quantities of oil and natural gas reserves which current engineering data indicates are recoverable from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Estimates of proved reserves are critical estimates in determining our depreciation, depletion and amortization expense (“DD&A”) and our full cost ceiling limitation (“Full Cost Ceiling”). Future cash inflows are determined by applying oil and natural gas prices, as adjusted for transportation, quality and basis differentials to the estimated quantities of proved reserves remaining to be produced as of the end of that period. Future production and development costs are based on costs existing at the effective date of the report. Expected cash flows are discounted to present value using a prescribed discount rate of 10% per annum.

Estimates of proved reserves are inherently imprecise because of uncertainties in projecting rates of production and timing of developmental expenditures, interpretations of geological, geophysical, engineering and production data and the quality and quantity of available data. Changing economic conditions also may affect our estimates of proved reserves due to changes in developmental costs and changes in commodity prices that may impact reservoir economics. We utilize independent reserve engineers to estimate our proved reserves at the end of each fiscal quarter during the year.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties. We follow the full cost method in accounting for our oil and natural gas properties. Under the full cost method, all costs associated with the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are capitalized and accumulated in a country-wide cost center. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to development and exploration activities, but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities.

The sum of net capitalized costs and estimated future development and dismantlement costs for each country-wide cost center are amortized using the equivalent unit-of-production method, based on proved oil and natural gas reserves. The capitalized costs are amortized over the life of the reserves associated with the assets, with the DD&A recognized in the period that the reserves are produced. DD&A is calculated by dividing the period’s production volumes by the estimated volume of reserves associated with the investment and multiplying the calculated percentage by the sum of the capitalized investment and estimated future development costs associated with the investment. Changes in our reserve estimates will therefore result in changes in our DD&A per unit. Costs associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred.

Exploratory wells in progress are excluded from the DD&A calculation until the outcome of the well is determined. Similarly, unproved property costs are initially excluded from the DD&A calculation. Unproved property costs not subject to the DD&A calculation consist primarily of leasehold and seismic costs related to unproved areas. Unproved property costs are transferred into the amortization base on an ongoing basis as the properties are evaluated and proved reserves are established or impairment is determined. Unproved oil and natural gas properties are assessed quarterly for impairment to determine whether we are still actively pursuing the project and whether the project has been proven either to have economic quantities of reserves or that economic quantities of reserves do not exist.

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and natural gas property costs less accumulated DD&A and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed the Full Cost Ceiling. The Full Cost Ceiling is equal to the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves plus the unimpaired cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties that are subject to amortization. When net capitalized costs exceed the Full Cost Ceiling, an impairment is recognized.

Joint Interest Operations. Until the January 2022 acquisition, the majority of our properties were operated by other companies. Therefore, we relied to a large extent on the operator of the property to provide us with timely and accurate information about the operations of the properties. Revenue statements and joint interest billings from the operators serve as our primary source of information to record revenue, operating expenses and capital expenditures for our properties on a monthly basis. Many of our properties are subject to complex participation and operating agreements where our working interests and net revenue interests are subject to change upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the achievement of “payout.” These calculations may be subject to error and differences of interpretation which can cause uncertainties about the proper amount that should be recorded in our accounting records. When these issues arise, we make every effort to work with the operators to resolve the issues promptly.

Acquisitions. The Company accounts for acquisitions as business combinations if the acquired assets meet the definition of a business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar assets, the acquisition is not considered a business and is accounted for as an asset acquisition. This determination of whether the gross assets acquired are concentrated in a group of similar assets is based on whether the risks associated with managing and creating outputs from the assets are similar.

Divestitures.  For divestitures involving oil and gas assets included in the full cost pool, the Company evaluates if a given divestiture has a significant impact to either our reserves volumes or the full cost pool unit-of-production depletion rate.  If a divestiture has a significant impact to reserves volumes or the full cost pool depletion rate, the Company will consider if recognizing gain or loss on the transaction is appropriate.  If a divestiture does not have a significant impact to reserves volumes or the full cost pool depletion rate, the Company records proceeds, net of transaction costs and purchase price adjustments, to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized on the consolidated statements of operations.  Relief of any associated asset retirement obligations are also recorded to the full cost pool. Revenue and expenditures are recorded following our standard accounting policies up until the month that a divestment closes.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606-Revenue from Contracts with Customers. See Note 3- Revenue From Contracts With Customers to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K under “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

Stock-Based Compensation. We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for all equity awards granted, including stock options, based on the fair market value of the award as of the grant date. We recognize the cost of the equity awards over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Please refer to the section entitled Recent Accounting Pronouncements under Note 1 – Organization, Operations and Significant Accounting Policies in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K under “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information on recently issued accounting standards and our plans for adoption of those standards.

Results of Operations

Comparison of our Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a net loss of $32.4 million. This net loss is primarily due to $26.7 million of ceiling test write-downs of the Company's oil and gas properties as a result of lower crude oil and natural gas prices and other reserves revisions since December 31, 2022.  Lower commodity prices also resulted in reduced revenue period for the period.  During the year ended December 31, 2022 we recorded a net loss of $1.0 million.

In the following sections we discuss our revenue, operating expenses, and non-operating income (expense) for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.

Revenue. Presented below is a comparison of our oil and natural gas sales, production quantities and average sales prices for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands, except average sales prices):

The decrease in our oil and gas revenue of $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to a decrease in commodity prices. The realized price received for our oil production decreased 21% and the realized price received for our natural gas production decreased 54% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.  

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we produced 624,420 BOE, or an average of 1,711 BOE per day, as compared to 620,579 BOE or 1,700 BOE per day, during the comparable period in 2022. Our oil production decreased 1% and our natural gas production increased 4% compared to the prior year period. Production remained relatively consistent year over year as divestitures of non-operated assets and shut-ins due to lightning strikes and fires in the Mid-Continent region offset the increased production from workovers on assets acquired in 2022.  During the year ended December 31, 2023, our BOE production mix was 63% oil and 37% natural gas and liquids, consistent with 64% oil and 36% natural gas and liquids in the comparable period of 2022. 

Oil and Natural Gas Production Costs. Presented below is a comparison of our oil and natural gas production costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

For the year ended December 31, 2023, lease operating expenses were $15.3 million or $24.43 per BOE, a decrease of $1.4 million when compared to the $16.7 million or $26.86 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in lease operating expense was due to lower workover activity and improved operating efficiencies from integrating and optimizing our oil and natural gas assets acquired in 2022. 

Gathering, transportation, and treating costs remained relatively consistent year over year, with a decrease of $16 thousand, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, production taxes were $2.1 million, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 30%, compared to $3.0 million in the comparable period of 2022. This decrease was attributable to and consistent with the decreases in total revenues from oil and natural gas properties as discussed above. Production taxes remained flat at 7% of revenue. 

Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization. Our depreciation, depletion, and amortization ("DD&A") includes depletion expense on our oil and gas properties, accretion expense from our asset retirement obligations, and depreciation expense on our fixed assets.  Depletion expenses on our oil and gas properties is the primary driver of DD&A expense making up 87% and 89% of DD&A expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.  Our depletion rate for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $15.66 per BOE, compared to $13.75 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our depletion rate can fluctuate because of acquisitions, changes in drilling and completion costs, impairments, revisions in asset retirement obligation cost estimates or timing, divestitures, changes in the mix of our production, the underlying proved reserve volumes and estimated costs to drill and complete proved undeveloped reserves.  DD&A was $11.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties. Impairment of $26.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by ceiling test write-downs of oil and gas properties as a result of a decrease in crude oil and natural gas prices and other reserves revisions since December 31, 2022 For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company did not record ceiling test write-downs of its oil and natural gas properties.

General and Administrative Expenses. Presented below is a comparison of our general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year period. Compensation and benefits increased $0.9 million due to increased headcount added in the last half of 2022 and first half of 2023. Stock-based compensation decreased $0.7 million primarily due to employee and director stock-based compensation awards from the January 2022 acquisitions being fully amortized. Professional fees, insurance and other expenses increased $0.2 million, primarily due to non-recurring accounting, audit, and recruiting fees recognized in 2023.

Non-Operating Income (Expense). Presented below is a comparison of our non-operating income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Commodity derivative gain (loss), net is the result of changes in derivative fair values associated with fluctuations in forward price curves for the commodities underlying our outstanding derivative contracts and the monthly cash settlements of our derivative positions during the period. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized gains of $2.9 million. Of this, $1.8 million of the gain relates to WTI fixed price swaps that we entered into in the third quarter of 2023 that settle in 2024. See “Note 7-Commodity Derivatives” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Interest expense, net, represents the interest related to our Credit Facility. The increase in interest expense, net is primarily driven by an increase in the interest rate on our credit facility.  As of December 31, 2023, we had borrowed $5.0 million on the credit facility as compared to $12.0 million borrowed as of December 31, 2022. The average interest rate increased to 8.9% per annum for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 6.6% per annum for the year ended December 31, 2022. The balance outstanding on the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2023 was $5.0 million. See “Note 6-Debt” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Other income (expense), net is primarily impacted from changes in the fair value of our investment in Anfield Energy and held for sale losses on our real estate assets. We recognized a net gain of $25 thousand on these items for the year ended December 31, 2023, but recognized a loss of $168 thousand for the comparable period of 2022.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense). Income tax benefit decreased $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to December 31, 2022.  This change is almost entirely related to a deferred tax benefit from the reduction of our net deferred tax liability.  The change in our net deferred tax liability is primarily related to property and equipment deferred tax liabilities that decreased as a result of the $26.7 million in before tax ceiling test write-downs of our oil and gas properties recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Based on the current commodity price environment and the derivative contracts that we have entered into, we believe we have sufficient liquidity and capital resources to execute our business plan while continuing to meet our current financial obligations for the next 12 months.

As described above under “Item 1. Business-Recent Events” we closed on a series of individual divestitures for a total of $7.0 million in net proceeds before transaction costs of $0.4 million. The net proceeds from these divestitures were used to repay the outstanding balance on our credit facility, bringing the balance as of December 31, 2023 to $5.0 million.  As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants related to the credit facility.

We have derivative contracts, with a fair value asset position of $1.8 million at December 31, 2023. The derivative contracts will be settled monthly in 2024.

The following table sets forth certain measures about our liquidity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, in thousands: