Camber Energy (CEIN) 10-Q2024 Q1 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

OR

For the transition period from _______ to _______.

Commission file number: 000-29219

12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100

Houston, TX 77046

(Address of principal executive offices)

(281) 404 4387

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

______________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ 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, 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.

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. ☐

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

As of May 10, 2024, the registrant had 175,800,468 shares of common stock outstanding.

CAMBER ENERGY, INC.

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

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

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

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

For the three months ended March 31, 2024

For the three months ended March 31, 2023

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

Note 1. Merger with Viking Energy Group, Inc.

On August 1, 2023, Camber Energy, Inc. (“Camber”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”)  completed the previously announced merger (the “Merger”) with Viking Energy Group, Inc. (“Viking”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Camber and Viking dated February 15, 2021, which was amended on April 18, 2023 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), with Viking surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Camber.

Upon the terms and conditions in the Merger Agreement, each share: (i) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Viking (the “Viking Common Stock”) issued and outstanding, other than shares owned by Camber, was converted into the right to receive one share of common stock of Camber (the “Camber Common Stock”); (ii) of Series C Preferred Stock of Viking (the “Viking Series C Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive one share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Camber (the “New Camber Series A Preferred Stock”) and (iii) of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock of Viking (the “Viking Series E Preferred Stock,” and, together with the Viking Series C Preferred Stock, the “Viking Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive one share of Series H Preferred Stock of Camber (the “New Camber Series H Preferred Stock,” and, together with the New Camber Series A Preferred Stock, the “New Camber Preferred”).

Each share of New Camber Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 890 shares of Camber Common Stock (subject to a beneficial ownership limitation preventing conversion into Camber Common Stock if the holder would be deemed to beneficially own more than 9.99% of Camber Common Stock), is treated equally with Camber Common Stock with respect to dividends and liquidation, and only has voting rights with respect to voting: (a) on a proposal to increase or reduce Camber’s share capital; (b) on a resolution to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement; (c) on a proposal to wind up Camber; (d) on a proposal for the disposal of all or substantially all of Camber’s property, business and undertaking; (f) during the winding-up of Camber; and/or (g) with respect to a proposed merger or consolidation in which Camber is a party or a subsidiary of Camber is a party.

Each share of New Camber Series H Preferred Stock has a face value of $10,000 per share, is convertible into a certain number of shares of Camber Common Stock, with the conversion ratio based upon achievement of certain milestones by Viking’s subsidiary, Viking Protection Systems, LLC (provided the holder has not elected to receive the applicable portion of the purchase price in cash pursuant to that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2022, by and between Viking and Jedda Holdings, LLC), is subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99% of Camber Common Stock (but may be increased up to a maximum of 9.99% at the sole election of a holder by the provision of at least 61 days’ advance written notice) and has voting rights equal to one vote per share of Camber Series H Preferred Stock held on a non-cumulative basis.

Each outstanding option or warrant to purchase Viking Common Stock (a “Viking Option”), to the extent unvested, automatically became fully vested and was converted automatically into an option or warrant (an “Adjusted Option”) to purchase, on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Viking Option, except that instead of being exercisable into Viking Common Stock, such Adjusted Option is exercisable into Camber Common Stock.

Each outstanding promissory note issued by Viking that is convertible into Viking Common Stock (a “Viking Convertible Note”) was converted into a promissory note convertible into Camber Common Stock (an “Adjusted Convertible Note”) having substantially the same terms and conditions as applied to the corresponding Viking Convertible Note (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any extended post-termination conversion period that applies following consummation of the Merger), except that instead of being convertible into Viking Common Stock, such Adjusted Convertible Note is convertible into Camber Common Stock.

In connection with the Merger, Camber issued approximately 49,290,152 shares of Camber Common Stock, which represented approximately 59.99% of the outstanding Camber Common Stock after giving effect to such issuance. In addition, Camber reserved for issuance approximately 88,647,137 additional shares of Camber Common Stock in connection with the potential (1) conversion of the New Camber Series A Preferred Stock, (2) conversion of the New Camber Series H Preferred Stock, (3) exercise of the Adjusted Options and (4) conversion of the Adjusted Convertible Notes.

For accounting purposes, the Merger is deemed a reverse acquisition. Consequently, Viking (the legal subsidiary) was treated as the acquiror of Camber (the legal parent). Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, operating results, and cash flow of Viking up to the date of the Merger, and the combined financial position, operating results and cash flow of Viking and Camber from August 1, 2023. As a result, the comparative financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2023 is that of Viking.

James A. Doris continues to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company, and the combined company continues to have its headquarters in Houston, Texas.

Note 2. Company Overview and Operations 

Camber is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through our majority-owned subsidiaries we provide custom energy and power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America, and have a majority interest in: (i) an entity with intellectual property rights to a fully developed, patented, proprietary Medical and Bio-Hazard Waste Treatment system using Ozone Technology; and (ii) entities with the intellectual property rights to fully developed, patented and patent pending, proprietary Electric Transmission and Distribution Open Conductor Detection Systems. Also, we hold a license to a patented clean energy and carbon-capture system with exclusivity in Canada and for multiple locations in the United States. Various of our other subsidiaries own interests in oil properties in the United States. The Company is also exploring other renewable energy-related opportunities and/or technologies, which are currently generating revenue, or have a reasonable prospect of generating revenue within a reasonable period of time.

Custom Energy and Power Solutions:

Simson-Maxwell Acquisition

On August 6, 2021, Viking acquired approximately 60.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of Simson-Maxwell Ltd. (“Simson-Maxwell”), a Canadian federal corporation, for $7,958,159 in cash. Simson-Maxwell manufactures and supplies power generation products, services and custom energy solutions. Simson-Maxwell provides commercial and industrial clients with efficient, flexible, environmentally responsible and clean-tech energy systems involving a wide variety of products, including CHP (combined heat and power), tier 4 final diesel and natural gas industrial engines, solar, wind and storage. Simson-Maxwell also designs and assembles a complete line of electrical control equipment including switch gear, synchronization and paralleling gear, distribution, Bi-Fuel and complete power generation production controls. Operating for over 80 years, Simson-Maxwell’s seven branches assist with servicing a large number of existing maintenance arrangements and meeting the energy and power-solution demands of the Company’s other customers.

Clean Energy and Carbon-Capture System:

In August 2021, Viking entered into a license agreement with ESG Clean Energy, LLC (“ESG”), to utilize ESG’s patent rights and know-how related to stationary electric power generation and heat and carbon dioxide capture (the “ESG Clean Energy System”). The intellectual property licensed by Viking includes certain patents and/or patent applications, including: (i) U.S. Patent No.: 10,774,733, File date: October 24, 2018, Issue date: September 15, 2020, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System”; (ii) U.S. Patent No.: 17/661,382, Issue date: August 8, 2023, Titled: ‘Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power, Capturing Carbon Dioxide and Producing Products’; (iii) U.S. Patent No.: 11624307, Issue date: April 22, 2023, Titled: ‘Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power and Capturing Carbon Dioxide’ (iv) European (validated in the United Kingdom, France and Germany) Patent No.: EP3728891, Issue date: April 12, 2023, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System”; (v) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/224,200, File date: April 7, 2021, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System” (which was subsequently approved by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in March, 2022 (No. 11,286,832); (vi) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/358,197, File date: June 25, 2021, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System”; (vii) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/448,943, File date: September 27, 2021, Titled: “Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power and Capturing Carbon Dioxide”; and (viii) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/448,938, File date: September 27, 2021, Titled: “Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power, Capturing Carbon Dioxide and Producing Products.

The ESG clean Energy System is designed to, among other things, generate clean electricity from internal combustion engines and utilize waste heat to capture approximately  100% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the engine without loss of efficiency, and in a manner to facilitate the production of certain commodities. Patent No. 11,286,832, for example, covers the invention of an “exhaust-gas-to-exhaust-gas heat exchanger” that efficiently cools – and then reheats – exhaust from a primary power generator so greater energy output can be achieved by a secondary power source with safe ventilation. Another key aspect of this patent is the development of a carbon dioxide capture system that utilizes the waste heat of the carbon dioxide pump to heat and regenerate the adsorber that enables carbon dioxide to be safely contained and packaged.

The Company intends to sell, lease and/or sub-license the ESG Clean Energy System to third parties using, among other things, Simson-Maxwell’s existing distribution channels. The Company may also utilize the ESG Clean Energy System for its own account, whether in connection with its petroleum operations, Simson-Maxwell’s power generation operations, or otherwise.

Medical Waste Disposal System Using Ozone Technology:

In January 2022, Viking acquired a 51% interest in Viking Ozone Technology, LLC (“Viking Ozone”), which owns the intellectual property rights to a patented (i.e., US Utility Patent No. 11,565,289), proprietary medical and biohazard waste treatment system using ozone technology. Simson-Maxwell has been designated the exclusive worldwide manufacturer and vendor of this system. The technology is designed to be a sustainable alternative to incineration, chemical, autoclave and heat treatment of bio-hazardous waste, and for the treated waste to be classified as renewable fuel for waste-to-energy (“WTE”) facilities in many locations around the world.

Open Conductor Detection Technologies:

In February 2022, Viking acquired a 51% interest in two entities, Viking Sentinel Technology, LLC (“Viking Sentinel”) and Viking Protection Systems, LLC (“Viking Protection”), that own the intellectual property rights to patented (i.e. U.S. utility patent 11,769,998 titled “ Electric Transmission Line Ground Fault Prevention Systems Using Dual, High Sensitivity Monitoring Devices”) and patent pending (i.e., US Applications 16/974,086, and 17/693,504), proprietary electric transmission and distribution open conductor detection systems. The systems are designed to detect a break in a transmission line, distribution line, or coupling failure, and to immediately terminate the power to the line before it reaches the ground. The technology is intended to increase public safety and reduce the risk of causing an incendiary event, and to be an integral component within grid hardening and stability initiatives by electric utilities to improve the resiliency and reliability of existing infrastructure.

Oil and Gas Properties

Divestitures in 2024:

On February 1, 2024, the Company sold its working interest in oil and gas properties producing from the Cline and Wolfberry formations in Texas for gross proceeds of $205,000.

The Company recorded a net loss on this transaction, as follows:

Divestitures in 2023:

On November 5, 2023, Mid-Con Petroleum, LLC and Mid-Con Drilling, LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries of Viking, sold 100% of their interest in oil and gas assets in Kansas, consisting of 168 producing wells, 90 injector wells and 34 non-producing wells, for gross proceeds of $515,000.

On December 1, 2023, a subsidiary of Petrodome Energy, LLC (“Petrodome”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Viking, sold its non-operated working interest in a producing oil well in Texas for proceeds of $250,000.

The Company recorded a net gain on these two transactions as follows:

Following these transactions, Petrodome ceased to be the operator of any oil and gas properties and applied for the refund of a cash performance bond of  $50,000. The refund, net of fees, is included in prepaids and other current assets at December 31, 2023 and was included in the determination of the gain on disposal.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company did not hold any interest in producing oil and gas properties.

Note 3. Going Concern

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company generated a net loss of $(26,351,568) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to a net loss of $(1,632,327) for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was comprised of, among other things, certain non-cash items, including: (i) change in fair value of derivative liability of $22,117,007; (ii) amortization of debt discount of $883,277; (iii) loss on disposal of membership interests of $755,506; and (iv) depreciation, depletion and amortization of $228,799.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a stockholders’ equity of $20,156,132, long-term debt, net of current, of $40,854,502 and a working capital deficiency of $14,246,826. The largest components of current liabilities creating this working capital deficiency is drawings by Simson-Maxwell against its bank credit facility of $3,927,188, accrued interest on notes payable to Discover Growth Fund, LLC (“Discover”) of $5,431,823 and a derivative liability of $4,077,500.

These conditions raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to utilize the resources in place to generate future profitable operations, to develop additional acquisition opportunities, and to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from business operations when they come due. Management believes the Company may be able to continue to develop new opportunities and may be able to obtain additional funds through debt and / or equity financings to facilitate its business strategy; however, there is no assurance of additional funding being available. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recorded assets or liabilities that might be necessary should the Company have to curtail operations or be unable to continue in existence.

Note 4. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Recently issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Income Taxes, which enhances the transparency of income tax disclosures by expanding annual disclosure requirements related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures.

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Segment Reporting, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-07 primarily enhances disclosures about significant segment expenses by requiring that a public entity disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. This ASU also (i) requires that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis, an amount for other segment items by reportable segment, and a description of its composition; (ii) requires that all annual disclosures are provided in the interim periods; (iii) clarifies that if the CODM uses more than one measure of profitability in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources, that one or more of those measures may be reported; (iv) requires disclosure of the title and position of the CODM and a description of how the reported measures are used by the CODM in assessing segment performance and in deciding how to allocate resources; (v) requires that an entity with a single segment provide all new required disclosures. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and requires retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments under ASU 2023-07 relate to financial disclosures and its adoption will not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The Company will adopt ASU 2023-07 for the annual reporting period ending December 31, 2024 and for interim reporting periods thereafter.

a) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the interim reporting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Camber’s latest Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments (unless otherwise indicated), necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. 

b) Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the consolidated financial results of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Viking Energy Group, Inc. (“Viking”), Camber Permian LLC and CE Operating LLC, the wholly owned subsidiaries of Viking (Mid-Con Petroleum, LLC, Mid-Con Drilling, LLC, Mid-Con Development, LLC, and Petrodome Energy, LLC.), and Simson-Maxwell (a majority owned subsidiary of Viking).

In January 2022, Viking acquired a 51% ownership interest in Viking Ozone, and in February 2022, Viking acquired a 51% ownership interest in both Viking Sentinel and Viking Protection. These entities were formed to facilitate the monetization of acquired intellectual properties (see Note 7). These entities are variable interest entities in which the Company owns a controlling financial interest; consequently, these entities are also consolidated.

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

c) Foreign Currency

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations and cash flows of businesses conducted in foreign currency are translated using the average exchange rates throughout the period. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on translation of assets and liabilities is included as a component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions have been insignificant.

d) Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and timing of revenues and expenses, the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the determination of the fair value of the Company’s various series of preferred stock, impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill, fair value of commodity derivatives, stock-based compensation, asset retirement obligations, and the determination of expected tax rates for future income tax recoveries.

The estimates of proved, probable and possible oil and gas reserves are used as significant inputs in determining the depletion of oil and gas properties and the impairment of proved and unproved oil and gas properties. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved, probable and possible reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Similarly, evaluations for impairment of proved and unproved oil and gas properties are subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves and commodity price outlooks. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions utilized.

e) Financial Instruments

Accounting Standards Codification, “ASC” Topic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurement” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 820-10 defines fair value and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for deposits, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, accounts payable, derivative liabilities, amount due to director, and convertible notes each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

As of March 31, 2024, the significant inputs to the Company’s derivative liability relative to the Company’s Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) were Level 3 inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are classified below based on the three fair value hierarchy described above:

f) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and highly liquid investment securities that have original maturities of three months or less. Accounts at banks in the United States are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000, while accounts at banks in Canada are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) up to CAD $100,000. The Company’s cash balances may at times exceed the FDIC or CDIC insured limits.

g) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable for the Company’s oil and gas operations consist of purchaser receivables and joint interest billing receivables. The Company evaluates these accounts receivable for collectability and, when necessary, records allowances for expected credit losses. In establishing the required allowance, if any, management considers significant factors such as historical losses, current receivables ageing, the debtors’ current ability to pay its obligation to the Company and existing industry and economic data. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has not recorded an allowance for credit losses related to oil and gas.

The Company extends credit to its power generation customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally does not require collateral. Payment terms are generally 30 days. The Company carries its trade accounts receivable at invoice amount less an allowance for expected credit losses. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for expected credit losses based upon management’s estimates that include a review of the history of past write-offs and collections and an analysis of current credit conditions. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had a reserve for expected credit losses on power generation accounts receivable of  $31,383 and $36,678, respectively. The Company does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable.

h) Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, and consist of parts, equipment and work in process. Work-in-process and finished goods included the cost of materials, direct labor and overhead. At the closing of each reporting period, the Company evaluates its inventory in order to adjust the inventory balance for obsolete and slow-moving items.

Inventory consisted of the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

i) Oil and Gas Properties

The Company used the full cost method of accounting for its investment in oil and natural gas properties. Under this method of accounting, all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized. General and administrative costs related to production and general overhead are expensed as incurred.

All capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, were amortized on the unit of production method using estimates of proved reserves. Disposition of oil and gas properties were accounted for as a reduction of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized unless such adjustment would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas, in which case the gain or loss is recognized in operations. Unproved properties and major development projects were not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicated that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment was included in loss from operations before income taxes.

j) Limitation on Capitalized Costs

Under the full-cost method of accounting, we are required, at the end of each reporting date, to perform a test to determine the limit on the book value of our oil and natural gas properties (the “Ceiling” test). If the capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, exceed the Ceiling, this excess or impairment is charged to expense. The expense may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the Ceiling. The Ceiling is defined as the sum of:

k) Oil and Gas Reserves

Reserve engineering is a subjective process that is dependent upon the quality of available data and the interpretation thereof, including evaluations and extrapolations of well flow rates and reservoir pressure. Estimates by different engineers often vary, sometimes significantly. In addition, physical factors such as the results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of an estimate, as well as economic factors such as changes in product prices, may justify revision of such estimates. Because proved reserves are required to be estimated using recent prices of the evaluation, estimated reserve quantities can be significantly impacted by changes in product prices.

l) Accounting for Leases

The Company uses the right-of-use (“ROU”) model to account for leases where the Company is the lessee, which requires an entity to recognize a lease liability and ROU asset on the lease commencement date. A lease liability is measured equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted using the incremental borrowing rate, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease payments include payments made before the commencement date and any residual value guarantees, if applicable. When determining the lease term, the Company includes option periods that it is reasonably certain to exercise as failure to renew the lease would impose a significant economic detriment.

For operating leases, minimum lease payments or receipts, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense where the Company is a lessee on a straight-line basis (“Straight-Line Rent”) over the applicable lease terms. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents paid is included in the ROU asset where the Company is a lessee. Short-term lease cost for operating leases includes rental expense for leases with a term of less than 12 months.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance for the revised lease standard, which allowed Viking to carry forward the historical lease classification, retain the initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to the adoption of the standard and not reassess whether any contracts entered into prior to the adoption are leases. The Company also elected to account for lease and non-lease components in lease agreements as a single lease component in determining lease assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company elected not to recognize the right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of one year or less.

m) Business Combinations

The Company allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows from acquired customer lists, acquired technology, and trade names from a market participant perspective, useful lives and discount rates. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. During the measurement period, which is one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.

n) Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is subject to impairment testing at least annually and will be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. An entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after completing the assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company will proceed to a quantitative test. The Company may also elect to perform a quantitative test instead of a qualitative test for any or all of our reporting units. The test compares the fair value of an entity’s reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. This quantitative test requires various judgments and estimates. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit using a market approach in combination with a discounted operating cash flow approach. Impairment of goodwill is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over the fair values of recognized and unrecognized assets and liabilities of the reporting unit.

o) Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include amounts related to the Company’s license agreement with ESG Clean Energy, LLC, and its investments in Viking Ozone, Viking Protection and Viking Sentinel. Additionally, as part of the acquisition of Simson-Maxwell, Viking identified intangible assets consisting of Simson-Maxwell’s customer relationships and its brand. These intangible assets are described in detail in Note 7.

The intangible assets related to the ESG Clean Energy license and the Simson-Maxwell customer relationships are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 16 years (the remaining life of the related patents) and 10 years, respectively. The other intangible assets are not amortized.

The Company reviews these intangible assets, at least annually, for possible impairment when events or changes in circumstances that the assets carrying amount may not be recoverable. In evaluating the future benefit of its intangible assets, the Company estimates the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the intangible assets over the remaining estimated useful life. If the carrying amount is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value.

p) Income (Loss) per Share

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share calculations are calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share give effect to all dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted earnings per share, the average stock price for the period is used to determine the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise price of the options and warrants. Purchases of treasury stock reduce the outstanding shares commencing on the date that the stock is purchased. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation when a loss is incurred as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, there were approximately 15,878,576 and 26,164,368 common stock equivalents, respectively, that were omitted from the calculation of diluted income per share as they were anti-dilutive.

q) Revenue Recognition 

Oil and Gas Revenues

Sales of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) have been included in revenue when production is sold to a customer in fulfillment of performance obligations under the terms of agreed contracts. Performance obligations primarily comprise delivery of oil, gas, or NGLs at a delivery point, as negotiated within each contract. Each barrel of oil, million BTU (“MMBtu”) of natural gas, or other unit of measure is separately identifiable and represents a distinct performance obligation to which the transaction price is allocated. Performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time once control of the product has been transferred to the customer. The Company considers a variety of facts and circumstances in assessing the point of control transfer, including but not limited to: whether the purchaser can direct the use of the hydrocarbons, the transfer of significant risks and rewards, the Company’s right to payment, and transfer of legal title. In each case, the time between delivery and when payments are due is not significant. 

Power Generation Revenues

Through its 60.5% ownership in Simson-Maxwell, the Company manufactures and sells power generation products, services and custom energy solutions. Simson-Maxwell provides commercial and industrial clients with emergency power generation capabilities. Simson Maxwell’s derives its revenues as follows:

At the request of certain customers, the Company will warehouse inventory billed to the customer but not delivered. Unless all revenue recognition criteria have been met, the Company does not recognize revenue on these transactions until the customer takes possession of the product.

The following table disaggregates Simson-Maxwell’s revenue by source for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

r) Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, the Company determines deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities by using estimated tax rates for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities to the extent that we believe that these assets and/or liabilities are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that the Company would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

In assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets, management evaluated whether it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of its deferred tax assets, will be realized. The realization of its deferred tax assets relates directly to the Company’s ability to generate taxable income. The valuation allowance is then adjusted accordingly.

s) Stock-Based Compensation

The Company may issue stock options to employees and stock options or warrants to non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and for financing costs. The cost of stock options and warrants issued to employees and non-employees is measured on the grant date based on the fair value. The fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The resulting amount is charged to expense on the straight-line basis over the period in which the Company expects to receive the benefit, which is generally the vesting period.

The fair value of stock options and warrants is determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option model requires management to make various estimates and assumptions, including expected term, expected volatility, risk-free rate, and dividend yield. The expected term represents the period of time that stock-based compensation awards granted are expected to be outstanding and is estimated based on considerations including the vesting period, contractual term and anticipated employee exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in relation to the contractual life of stock-based compensation instrument. The dividend yield assumption is based on historical patterns and future expectations for the Company dividends.

t) Impairment of Long-lived Assets 

The Company, at least annually, is required to review its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. Whenever any such impairment exists, an impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

Assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for their identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to the future estimated cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The estimation of fair value is generally determined by using the asset’s expected future discounted cash flows or market value. The Company estimates fair value of the assets based on certain assumptions such as budgets, internal projections, and other available information as considered necessary.

u) Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) primarily represent the estimated present value of the amount the Company will incur to plug, abandon and remediate oil and gas properties at the projected end of their productive lives, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Company determined its ARO by calculating the present value of estimated cash flows related to the obligation. The retirement obligation is recorded as a liability at its estimated present value as of the obligation’s inception, with an offsetting increase to proved properties.

The following table describes the changes in the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: 

v) Derivative Liabilities

Convertible Preferred Shares

The Series C Preferred Stock and the Company’s Series G Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series G Preferred Stock”) contain provisions that could result in modification of the conversion price that is based on a variable that is not an input to the fair value of a “fixed-for-fixed” option as defined under FASB ASC Topic No. 815 - 40, “Derivatives and Hedging”.

The Series C Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of common stock at a fixed $162.50 conversion rate. Upon conversion, the holder is entitled to dividends as if the shares had been held to maturity, which is referred to as the Conversion Premium. The conversion ratio is based on a volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) calculation based on the lowest stock price over the Measurement Period. The Measurement Period is 30 trading days (or 60 trading days if there is a Triggering Event) prior to the conversion date and 30 trading days (or 60 trading days if there is a Triggering Event) after the conversion date. The VWAP calculation is subject to adjustment if there is a Triggering Event and the Measurement Period is subject to adjustment in the event that the Company is in default of one or more Equity Conditions provided in the Certificate of Designation (“COD”). For example, the Measurement Period may be extended one day for every day the Company is not in compliance with one or more of the Equity Conditions. Trigger events are described in the designation of the Series C Preferred Stock, but include items which would typically be events of default under a debt security, including filing of reports late with the SEC.

At the conversion date, the number of shares due for the Conversion Premium is estimated based on the previous 30-day VWAP (or 60 trading days if there is a Triggering Event). If the VWAP calculation for the portion of the Measurement Period following the date of conversion is lower than the VWAP for the portion of the Measurement Period prior to the date of conversion, the holder will be issued additional shares of common stock, referred to as True-Up shares. If the VWAP calculation is higher, no True-Up shares are issued.

The Company has determined that the Series C Preferred Stock contains an embedded derivative liability relating to the Conversion Premium and, upon conversion, a derivative liability for the potential obligation to issue True-Up Shares relating to shares of Series C Preferred Stock that have been converted and the Measurement Period has not expired, if applicable.

The fair value of the derivative liability relating to the Conversion Premium for any outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock is equal to the cash required to settle the Conversion Premium. The fair value of the potential True-Up share obligation has been estimated using a binomial pricing mode and the lesser of the conversion price or the lowest closing price of the Company’s stock subsequent to the conversion date, and the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock.

The Series G Convertible Preferred stock is redeemable or convertible into a variable number of shares of common stock, at the option of the Company. The conversion rate is determined at the time of conversion using a VWAP calculation similar to the Series C Preferred Stock described above. As a result, the Series G Preferred Stock contains an embedded derivative that is required to be recorded at fair value. The Company has determined that the fair value of the embedded derivative is negligible due to the restrictions on conversion.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock or the Series G Preferred Stock have the meaning assigned to them in the Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Powers, Rights and Limitations of Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of Nevada on November 8, 2021, as amended on October 28, 2022 and again on February 21, 2024 (as amended, the “Series C COD”) or the Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Powers, Rights and Limitations of Series G Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock filed by the Company with the Secretary of State of Nevada on December 30, 2021 (the “Series G COD”), as applicable.

Convertible Debt

We review the terms of convertible debt issues to determine whether there are embedded derivative instruments, including embedded conversion options, which are required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately as derivative financial instruments. In circumstances where the host instrument contains more than one embedded derivative instrument, including the conversion option, that is required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.

Bifurcated embedded derivatives are initially recorded at fair value and are then revalued at each reporting date with changes in the fair value reported as non-operating income or expense. When the equity or convertible debt instruments contain embedded derivative instruments that are to be bifurcated and accounted for as liabilities, the total proceeds received are first allocated to the fair value of all the bifurcated derivative instruments. The remaining proceeds, if any, are then allocated to the host instruments themselves, usually resulting in those instruments being recorded at a discount from their face value. The discount from the face value of the convertible debt, together with the stated interest on the instrument, is amortized over the life of the instrument through periodic charges to interest expense.

The Company has adopted a sequencing approach to allocating its authorized and unissued shares when the number of such shares is insufficient to satisfy all convertible instruments or option type contracts that may be settled in shares. Specifically, the Company allocates it authorized and unissued shares based on the inception date of each instrument, with shares allocated first to those instruments with the earliest inception dates. Instruments with later inception dates for which no shares remain to be allocated are reclassified to asset or liability.

w) Undistributed Revenues and Royalties

The Company records a liability for cash collected from oil and gas sales that have not been distributed. The amounts are distributed in accordance with the working interests of the respective owners.

x) Subsequent events

The Company has evaluated all subsequent events from March 31, 2024 through the date of filing of this report (see Note 16).

Note 5. Merger of Camber Energy, Inc. and Viking Energy Group, Inc.

As discussed in Note 1, the Merger has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition with Viking treated as the acquiror of Camber for financial accounting purposes.

The transaction consideration transferred by the accounting acquirer for its interest in the accounting acquiree is based on the number of equity interests the legal subsidiary would have had to issue to give the owners of the legal parent the same percentage equity interest in the combined entity that results from the reverse acquisition. This was determined as follows:

The consideration transferred was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Camber based upon their estimated fair values as of the merger closing date, and any excess value of the consideration transferred over the net assets will be recognized as goodwill, as follows:

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company concluded that the significant decline in the Company’s share price subsequent to the date of the Merger was an indicator of impairment and therefore performed a goodwill impairment assessment at that date. Based upon this assessment, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $14,486,745 during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Note 6. Oil and Gas Properties 

The following table summarizes the Company’s oil and gas activities by classification and geographical cost center for the three months ended March 31, 2024: