Contango Oil & Gas (MCF) S-3Shelf registration

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2020

Registration No. 333-                 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORMS-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

717 Texas Ave., Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713)236-7400

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Wilkie S. Colyer, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

717 Texas Ave., Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713)236-7400

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

Copies to:

Hillary H. Holmes

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3000

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (346)718-6600

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-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 Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 10, 2020

PROSPECTUS

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

6,200,000 shares of common stock

The selling stockholders named in this prospectus (the “selling stockholders”) are offering up to 6,200,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.04 per share (the “common stock”), of Contango Oil & Gas Company (the “Company”) issued to the selling stockholders pursuant to one or more private placements. All of these shares of common stock are being sold by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus, or their respective transferees, pledgees, donees orsuccessors-in-interest. The selling stockholders will receive all proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock being offered in this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. We are required to pay certain offering fees and expenses in connection with the registration of the selling stockholders’ securities and to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities. For more information related to the selling stockholders, please read “Selling Stockholders.”

This prospectus describes the general manner in which these securities may be offered and sold. If necessary, the specific manner in which these securities may be offered and sold will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein before you invest in any of our securities.

The selling stockholders may offer and sell our common stock to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. In addition, certain selling stockholders may offer and sell these securities from time to time, together or separately. If the selling stockholders use underwriters, dealers or agents to sell such securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of those securities and the net proceeds the selling stockholders expect to receive from that sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American (“NYSE American”) and trades under the symbol “MCF.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on June 9, 2020, as reported by the NYSE American, was $3.83 per share.

See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in any applicable prospectus supplement to read about factors you should consider before buying our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may, over time, offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings or resales. This prospectus provides a general description of the securities. Each time any of the selling stockholders sell any of the securities described herein, the selling stockholders may provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. Please carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free-writing prospectus together with the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We and the selling stockholders have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We and the selling stockholders take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover page of this prospectus or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Unless the context requires otherwise, or unless otherwise noted, references in this prospectus to “Contango Oil & Gas Company,” the “Company,” the “Registrant,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Contango Oil & Gas Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or filings with the SEC and our public releases may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words and phrases “should”, “could”, “may”, “will”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, “possible”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “view”, “efforts”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express our expectations about future events. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may not occur. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K as incorporated herein by reference, and those factors summarized below:

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Any of these factors and other factors contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results implied by these or any other forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Although we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonable when made, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and

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uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that those statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this report as they speak only as of the date of this report.

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by reserve engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that are ultimately recovered.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or any person acting on our behalf may issue.

We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you make a decision to buy our securities, in addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed above under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as information included in our most recent Annual Report onForm 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports onForm 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports onForm 8-K as incorporated herein by reference. If any of these risks actually occur, it may materially harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. As a result, the market price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference herein or therein are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by selling stockholders of our common stock. We are required to pay certain offering fees and expenses in connection with the registration of the selling stockholders’ securities and to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities.

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

This prospectus relates to 6,200,000 shares of our common stock, which were issued (i) upon conversion of 2,700,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), which was issued in a private placement that closed on December 23, 2019, and (ii) in connection with the acquisition by the Company of properties from Will Energy Corporation, pursuant to which the Company issued 3,500,000 shares of common stock to Will Energy Corporation, on October 30, 2019. The 2,700,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock automatically converted to 2,700,000 shares of common stock, following the approval of such conversion by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. For more information about our relationships with the selling stockholders and their affiliates, see “Transactions With Related Persons” “—Private Placements,” “—White Star,” and “—Will Energy” in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference, and see the section of this prospectus titled“Description of Capital Stock”—“Registration Rights Agreement” below. Except as described in such section of the Proxy Statement and in the footnotes to the table below, none of the persons named in the table has held any position or office or had any other material relationship with us or our affiliates during the three years prior to the date of this prospectus.

The information contained in the table below in respect of the selling stockholders (including the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned and the number of shares of common stock offered) has been obtained from the selling stockholders and has not been independently verified by us. We may supplement this prospectus from time to time in the future to update or change this list of selling stockholders and the number of shares of common stock that may be offered and sold by them. The registration for resale of the shares of common stock does not necessarily mean that the selling stockholders will sell all or any of these shares. In addition, the selling stockholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, shares of common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, after the date on which they provided the information set forth in the table below.

The information set forth in the following table regarding the beneficial ownership after resale of the shares of common stock is based upon the assumption that the selling stockholders will sell all of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them that are covered by this prospectus. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to shares of common stock and the right to acquire such voting or investment power within 60 days through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The inclusion of any shares of common stock in this table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership for the person named below.

As of June 9, 2020, there were 131,752,061 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

As of the date of this prospectus, we have not been advised by the selling stockholders as to any plan of distribution. Distributions of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders, or by their partners, pledgees, donees (including charitable organizations), transferees or other successors in interest, may from time to time be offered for sale either directly by such individual, or through underwriters, dealers or agents or on any exchange on which the shares of common stock may from time to time be traded, in theover-the-counter market, or in independently negotiated transactions or otherwise. The methods by which the shares of common stock may be sold include:

The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock pursuant to an exemption from registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

Transactions may be effected by the selling stockholders at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may effect such transactions by selling the securities to underwriters or through broker-dealers, and such underwriters or broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts or commissions from the selling stockholders and may receive commissions from the purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent. The selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any underwriter,broker-dealer or agent that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares of common stock against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. We have agreed to register the shares of common stock for sale under the Securities Act and to indemnify the selling stockholders and each person who participates as an underwriter in the offering of the shares of common stock against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

In connection with sales of the securities under this prospectus, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, who may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders also may sell securities short and deliver them to close their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell them.

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The selling stockholders may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell shares of common stock from time to time under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424 or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus.

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any profit on sale of the securities by them and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any underwriter, dealer or agent may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

There can be no assurances that the selling stockholders will sell any or all of the securities offered under this prospectus.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following descriptions set forth certain material terms and provisions of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and our preferred stock. The following descriptions of our common stock and preferred stock are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of formation (including any statement of resolution of preferred stock) and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form10-K.

Authorized and Outstanding Stock

We have authorized 405,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of June 9, 2020, we had: (i) 191 holders of record of common stock and 131,752,061 shares of common stock outstanding; (ii) no shares of Series A Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 (“Series A Preferred Stock”) outstanding; (iii) no shares of Series B Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 (“Series B Preferred Stock”) outstanding; and (iv) no shares of Series C Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 (“Series C Preferred Stock”) outstanding.

Common Stock

Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors (the “Board”) out of funds legally available. Any decision to pay future dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors our Board may deem relevant. Our credit facility currently restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock, and we may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that restrict or limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock.

Fully Paid. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid andnon-assessable upon issuance.

Voting Rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Common stockholders are not entitled to preemptive or cumulative voting rights. Unless specified in our amended and restated certificate of formation (including any statement of resolution of preferred stock) or the bylaws of the Company, or as required by applicable provisions of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”) or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote on a matter is required to approve any such matter voted on by the Company’s stockholders.

Other Rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. No share of common stock is convertible, redeemable, assessable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. Our transfer agent and registrar for our common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series C Preferred Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, located in New York, New York.

Listing. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American and trades under the symbol “MCF.”

Preferred Stock

In September and November 2019, the Company established and issued Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively. On December 12, 2019, upon the approval from the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Company’s capital stock to increase the number of common shares authorized for

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issuance from 100 million to 200 million common shares, the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock automatically converted into common stock and, upon the conversion, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock were cancelled.

On December 23, 2019, the Company issued 2,700,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock. The Series C Preferred Stock ranked equal to the common stock, the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation. The Series C Preferred Stock had no voting rights. On June 8, 2020, upon stockholder approval, 2,700,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock automatically converted into 2,700,000 shares of common stock (the “Series C Conversion”) and, upon the Series C Conversion, such outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock were cancelled.

Dividends

Holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available. Therefore, any decision to pay future dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, as we currently intend to retain all future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Our credit facility currently restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock, and we may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that restrict or limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock.

Registration Rights

On December 23, 2019, in connection with the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the selling stockholders thereunder relating to the registration of the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock (the “Registrable Securities”).

The filing of this prospectus is pursuant to our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. We will bear all expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities. The Registration Rights Agreement also includes customary provisions regarding indemnification and contribution.

Certain Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, Bylaws and Law

Our amended and restated certificate of formation and bylaws contain provisions that may render more difficult possible takeover proposals to acquire control of us and make removal of our management more difficult. Below is a description of certain of these provisions in our amended and restated certificate of formation and bylaws.

Anti-takeover Statute

Pursuant to our governing documents, the Company has opted out of TBOC §21.606 (the “Texas Anti-takeover Statute”); however, our bylaws incorporate anti-takeover provisions (the “Bylaw Anti-takeover Provisions”) that are based on the Texas Anti-takeover Statute. These Bylaw Anti-takeover Provisions give us flexibility to engage in certain beneficial transactions with any of our stockholders while still providing the appropriate level of anti-takeover protections for a corporation of our size and stockholder base. Specifically, the Bylaw Anti-takeover Provisions include substantially the same restrictions that are provided for under the Texas Anti-takeover Statute, provided that those restrictions do not apply to (i) John Goff and his affiliated funds at any time that they own less than 23% of the Company’s outstanding shares (or such higher ownership threshold as may be approved by the Board in advance, which the Board, by means of a committee of independent directors, has approved to increase to an ownership threshold of 45%) or (ii) a transaction between the Company and any

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person that holds more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding shares if such transaction is approved in advance by (A) a majority of the continuing and unaffiliated directors of the Company and (B) holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares.

Board

Our amended and restated certificate of formation provides that the Board shall consist of such number of directors as shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized, but no reduction of the number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of his term of office. Our amended and restated certificate of formation further provides that this provision may not be amended or repealed except upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at leastsixty-six andtwo-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class. Voting stock means the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Stockholder Meetings

Our bylaws limit the ability of our stockholders to call meetings of stockholders. Meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board, in its sole discretion, except that the Board shall be required to call a special meeting of stockholders on the written request in proper form of the holder or holders of at leastone-half (1/2) of all the shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereat. Our bylaws require that written notice, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be prepared and delivered by us not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of a stockholder meeting, except as otherwise provided in our bylaws or required by law.

Director Nominations

Our bylaws contain specific procedures for stockholder nomination of directors. These provisions require advance notification that must be given in accordance with the provisions of our bylaws. The procedure for stockholder nomination of directors may have the effect of precluding a nomination for the election of directors at a particular meeting if the required procedure is not followed.

Annual Meeting

Our bylaws also contain specific procedures for a stockholder to properly bring business before the annual meeting. These provisions require advanced notification that must be given in accordance with the provisions of our bylaws. The procedure for bringing business before the annual meeting may have the effect of precluding a stockholder from bringing such business at the annual meeting if the required procedure is not followed.

Voting

Although Section 21.361 of the TBOC provides that a corporation’s certificate of formation may provide for cumulative voting for directors, neither our amended and restated certificate of formation nor our bylaws provide for cumulative voting. As a result, the holders of a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares of our common stock have the ability to elect all of the directors being elected at any annual meeting of stockholders.

Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of formation provides for indemnification of our directors and officers to the full extent permitted by applicable law. Our bylaws also provide that directors and officers shall be indemnified against liabilities arising from their service as directors or officers.

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Forum for Stockholder Litigation

Our bylaws provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters. Unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas or, if such court lacks jurisdiction, the state district court of Harris County, Texas, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Company or on its behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the TBOC, or our certificate of formation or bylaws, or (iv) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Such restrictions could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities described in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Houston, Texas. If the securities are being distributed through underwriters or agents, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for the underwriters or agents by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement. Matters relating to the securities will be passed for the selling stockholders by their own respective counsel.

EXPERTS

The audited financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Contango Oil & Gas Company incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for the Company incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum engineering firm. Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Exaro Energy III, LLC incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by W.D. Von Gonten & Co., an independent petroleum engineering firm. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of such firms as experts in such matters.

The consolidated financial statements of White Star Petroleum, LLC as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the years then ended, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audit report covering the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that White Star Petroleum’s noncompliance with its debt covenants raises substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that have been filed electronically with the SEC. You can access the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us on our website at http://www.contango.com. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus unless specifically so designated and filed with the SEC.

We have filed a registration statement onForm S-3 with the SEC relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours, please be aware that the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that are part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s Internet site.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 ofForm 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless we expressly provide to the contrary):

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless we expressly provide to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC (including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and until all offerings under this shelf registration statement are terminated. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

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You can request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 236-7400

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Part II

Information not required in prospectus

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses to be borne by the Registrant in connection with the offerings described in this Registration Statement.

Sections 8.101 and 8.105 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC”) permit corporations to indemnify a person who was or is a governing person, officer, employee or agent of such corporation or who serves at the corporation’s request as a representative of another enterprise, organization or employee benefit plan (an “outside enterprise”), who was, is, or is threatened to be named a respondent in a legal proceeding by virtue of such person’s position in the corporation or in an outside enterprise, but only if the person acted in good faith and reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity, that the conduct was in or, in the case of all other conduct, that the conduct was not opposed to the corporation or outside enterprise’s best interest, and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. A person may be indemnified within the above limitations against judgment and expenses that are reasonable and actually incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding; however, indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred in a proceeding in which the person is found liable to the corporation or is found to have improperly received a personal benefit and shall not be made in respect of any proceeding in which the person shall have been found liable for willful or intentional misconduct in the performance of the person’s duty to the corporation, breach of the person’s duty of loyalty owed to the corporation or an act or omission not committed in good faith that constitutes a breach of a duty owed by the person to the corporation. Indemnification pursuant to Section 8.101 of the TBOC can be made by the corporation only upon a determination made in the manner prescribed by Section 8.103 of the TBOC that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the party seeking indemnification has met the applicable standard of conduct for such indemnification.

Under certain circumstances, a corporation may also advance expenses to any of the above persons. Section 8.151 of the TBOC also permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or to make other arrangements to indemnify and hold harmless such persons against any liability asserted against and incurred by the person in such capacity, or arising out of the person’s status as such a person, without regard to whether the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against the liability under applicable law.

The Certificate of Formation and Bylaws of the Company provide for indemnification of the officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Company has obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance with respect to liabilities arising out of certain matters, including matters arising under the Securities Act.

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this registration statement on FormS-3, including those incorporated herein by reference.

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provided,however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on FormS-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on June 9, 2020.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Wilkie S. Colyer, Jr. and E. Joseph Grady, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the other, as his true andlawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this registration statement, including post-effective amendments, and any registration statement relating to the same offering as this Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting untosaid attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all thatsaid attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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