Trio Petroleum (TPET) POS AMProspectus update (post-effective amendment)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2024.

Registration No. 333-275313

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Post-Effective Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Trio Petroleum Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

4115 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 100

Danville, CA 94506

Telephone: (661) 324-3911

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Michael L. Peterson

Chief Executive Officer

Trio Petroleum Corp.

4115 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 100

Danville, CA 94506

Telephone: (661) 324-3911

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Barry I. Grossman, Esq.

Scott M. Miller, Esq.

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

Telephone: (212) 370-1300

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

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, 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, 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 post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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. ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus contained in this Form S-1 Registration Statement (referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”) will be used as a combined prospectus in relation with (i) this Registration Statement (this “Registration Statement”), (ii) the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-272638) that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 6, 2023 (the “July Resale Registration Statement”) and (iii) the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-267380) that was declared effective by the SEC on April 17, 2023 (the “IPO Registration Statement”). This Registration Statement constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement, constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the July Resale Registration Statement, and constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the IPO Registration Statement. Such Post-Effective Amendments will become effective concurrently with the effectiveness of this Registration Statement in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities Act.

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 of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus included in this Registration Statement is a combined prospectus relating to:

This Registration Statement, which is Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement, also respectively constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the July Resale Registration Statement and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to IPO Registration Statement, and such Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the July Resale Registration Statement and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the IPO Registration Statement shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the effectiveness of this Registration Statement and in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities Act.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders named in this prospectus may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and the selling stockholders are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

17,009,623 shares of Common Stock

Trio Petroleum Corp.

This prospectus relates to the resale of up to 17,009,623 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of Trio Petroleum Corp. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the Company”) held by certain selling stockholders named in this prospectus (the “Selling Stockholders”), as follows:

This registration does not mean that the Selling Stockholders named herein will actually offer or sell any of these shares of Common Stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of any of the shares of Common Stock being registered hereby sold by the Selling Stockholders. However, we may receive proceeds from the exercise of any of the Warrants if they are exercised, for cash, and not pursuant to the applicable “cashless exercise” provision in such Warrants. See “Use of Proceeds” beginning on page 27 and “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 33 of this prospectus for more information.

The number of shares available for re-sale under this prospectus on the date hereof may have changed since the SEC declared this Registration Statement, our July Resale Registration Statement or our IPO Registration Statement effective. See “Selling Stockholders” beginning on page 30 for an updated list of the shares still available for sale under this prospectus to the extent that the Company is aware of any such changes.

Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE American (“NYSE American”) under the symbol “TPET.” On January 26, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock was $0.191 per share.

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company,” each as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings. See “Prospectus Summary-Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company.”

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares, you should carefully read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our Common Stock under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The securities are not being offered in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

The date of this prospectus is ________, 2024

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. See “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

The financial statements for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022 represent the operations of Trio Petroleum Corp., which does not have subsidiaries.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Except where the context otherwise requires or where otherwise indicated, the terms “Trio Petroleum,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” “Company” and “our business” refer to Trio Petroleum Corp.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights, and is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information and financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you in making your investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, especially the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 12 and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision.

Business Overview

We are a California-focused oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with operations in Monterey County, California, and Uintah County, Utah. The Company was incorporated on July 19, 2021, under the laws of Delaware to acquire, fund, and operate oil exploration and production from assets in California. We have no revenue-generating operations as of the date of this prospectus. The Company was formed to acquire an approximate 82.75% (which was subsequently increased to approximately an 85.75% working interest) working interest in the large, approximately 9,300-acre South Salinas Project located in Monterey, California (the “South Salinas Project”), and subsequently partner with certain members of Trio LLC’s management team to develop and operate those assets. Trio LLC holds an approximate 3.8% working interest in the South Salinas Project. We hold an approximate 68.6% interest after the application of royalties (“net revenue interest”) in the South Salinas Project. California is a significant part of our geographic focus currently and we recently acquired an interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field in Monterey County, California, whereas recently we expanded our focus by acquiring an interest in the Asphalt Ridge Project in Utah. We may acquire additional assets both inside and outside of California.

For the year ended October 31, 2022, we generated no revenues, reported a net loss of $3,800,392, and cash flows used in operating activities of $502,144. For the year ended October 31, 2023, we generated no revenues, reported a net loss of $6,544,426 and cash flows used in operating activities of $4,036,834. As of October 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $10,446,882. There is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of our accumulated deficit and no source of revenue sufficient to cover our cost of operation as well as our dependence on private equity and financings. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Business-We have a history of operating losses, our management has concluded that factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.”

Recent Business Developments

McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement

On October 16, 2023, we entered into an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of an Undivided Interest (the “McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement”) in the McCool Ranch Oil Field (the “McCool Ranch Oil Field”) with Trio LLC. Pursuant to the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement, effective October 1, 2023, we acquired an approximate 22% working interest in and to certain oil and gas assets at the McCool Ranch Oil Field, which is located in Monterey, County, California, just seven miles from our flagship South Salinas Project. The assets are situated in what is known as the “Hangman Hollow Area” of the McCool Ranch Field. The acquired property is a relatively new oil field developed with six oil wells, one water-disposal well, steam generator, boiler, three 5,000 barrel tanks, 250 barrel test tank, water softener, two freshwater tanks, two soft water tanks, in-field steam pipelines, oil pipelines and other facilities. The property is fully and properly permitted for oil and gas production, cyclic-steam injection and water disposal and is currently idle (i.e., not producing), although operations to restart production have begun. We are acquiring the working interests at the McCool Ranch Oil Field through work commitment expenditures that will be allocated to restart production at the field and establish cash flow for us, with upside potential given the numerous undrilled infill and development well locations. See “Business - Recent Developments” for further information on our acquisition of working interests in the McCool Ranch Oil Field.

Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement and the Lafayette Energy Leasehold Acquisition and Development Option Agreement

On November 10, 2023, the we entered into a Leasehold Acquisition and Development Option Agreement (the “Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement”) with Heavy Sweet Oil LLC (“Heavy Sweet”). Pursuant to the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, the Company acquired an option to purchase up to a 20% production share in certain leases at a long-recognized, major oil accumulation in eastern Utah, southwest of Vernal, Utah, totaling 960 acres. Heavy Sweet holds the right to such leases below 500 ft depth from surface and the Company acquired the option to participate in Heavy Sweet’s initial 960 acre drilling and production program (the “Heavy Sweet Program”) on such Asphalt Ridge Leases.

On December 29, 2023, the Company and Heavy Sweet entered into an Amendment to Leasehold Acquisition and Development Agreement (the “Amendment to the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company and Heavy Sweet amended the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement to provide that, within three (3) business days of the effective date of the Amendment to the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, the Company would fund $200,000 of the $2,000,000 total purchase price in advance of Heavy Sweet satisfying the closing conditions set forth in the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, in exchange for the Company receiving an immediate 2% interest in the Asphalt Ridge Leases, which advanced funds would be used solely for the building of roads and related infrastructure in furtherance of the development plan. See “Business – Recent Developments” for further information on our acquisition of working interests in the Heavy Sweet Program.

Market Opportunity

We believe that we can establish a profitable niche in oil and gas production due to the unique characteristics and the robustness of California’s energy market. As of 2021, by production volume, California ranks as the country’s 6^th oil producing state and its 8^th overall oil and gas producing state. In addition, it is the country’s second largest energy consumer and the country’s largest consumer of gasoline and jet fuel. However, in spite of the richness of California’s oil/gas resources, it imports approximately 70% of the oil it needs, with foreign sources supplying almost 60%, up from 15% just twenty years ago.

The South Salinas Project offers an opportunity to profitably help supply California’s demanding oil and gas needs while supporting the country’s goal of energy independence, the local and state economies with tax revenue and jobs, the protection of marine environments by reducing the need for oil-tanker traffic along the state’s Pacific Ocean coastline, and helping to reduce the negative Environmental-Social-Governance costs and burdens that are associated with imported foreign oil and gas. The Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves in the South Salinas Project, net to Trio Corp, are an estimated 39 million barrels of oil plus 40 billion cubic feet of gas, or 45.7 million oil-equivalent barrels, whereas the Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves in the South Salinas Project, net to Trio Corp, are an estimated 92 million barrels of oil plus 148.8 billion cubic feet of gas, or 117.2 million oil-equivalent barrels (see below Part “E” of the Table, Estimated Undeveloped Reserves and Cash Flow).

Table 1: Estimated Undeveloped Reserves and Cash Flow

ESTIMATED UNDEVELOPED RESERVES AND CASH FLOW

Reasonable Expectations of Reserve Analyses

This prospectus provides a summary of risks and detailed discussions of risks relating to our business and risks related to this offering. The Company recognizes these risks as being real and substantial. Nevertheless, the Company has reasonable expectations that the Company’s South Salinas Project will prove to have reserves approximately as estimated, that the Company will have adequate funding to develop the reserves, and that there will exist the legal right to develop the Company’s reserves in the South Salinas Project, including the rights to full-field development, to long-term production and to deliver natural gas to market via pipeline, recognizing as discussed elsewhere hereunder that there may be project delays and/or obstacles related to obtaining necessary permits from regulatory agencies. Furthermore and more specifically, the Company has a reasonable expectation that the primary governmental regulatory agencies that are currently and/or that will be involved in the permitting processes, which agencies will primarily be CalGEM, State Water Boards and Monterey County, will determine to approve the Company’s applications for permits for various reasons that are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Risks Relating to Our Business - We may face delays and/or obstacles in project development due to difficulties in obtaining necessary permits from federal, state, county and/or local agencies, which may materially affect our business;” “Risks Relating to Our Business - We face substantial uncertainties in estimating the characteristics of our prospects, so you should not place undue reliance on any of our measures;” “Risks Relating to Our Business - The drilling of wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than our estimates, and drilling may not result in any discoveries or additions to our future production or future reserve; “Risks Relating to Our Business - Any material inaccuracies in drilling costs, estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect our business;” “Risks Relating to Our Business - Seismic studies do not guarantee that oil or gas is present or, if present, will produce in economic quantities; and “Risks Relating to Our Business - We are subject to numerous risks inherent to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.”

Business Strategies

Our primary objective is to develop our existing leasehold at the South Salinas Project and the McCool Ranch Oil Field and to acquire and develop other opportunities for oil and gas production in California and elsewhere. Our current focus for drilling wells is principally in California, but we are also considering economically attractive out-of-state oil and gas opportunities.

Earlier this year we commenced and accomplished the drilling of our HV-1 confirmation well at the Presidents Oilfield in the South Salinas Project. The Presidents Oilfield is a large geologic structure, and a potential large oil and gas field, where Trio LLC drilled the HV-3A discovery well in 2018. Reservoir objectives in the HV-1 well were encountered largely as predicted including with respect to depth, thickness, lithology, wireline-log characteristics and oil and gas shows including free oil in cuttings and in the mud pit. The Company believes that the HV-1 well has confirmed that there is a major oil and gas accumulation in the Presidents Oil Field, as the Company announced in a press release on May 16, 2023. However, confirmation of a major oil and gas accumulation by itself does not confirm whether economic oil/gas production can be established. The HV-1 well is currently being production tested to evaluate commerciality. Production testing at the HV-1 well is currently being carried-out from the bottom up (i.e., by testing the deepest zone first and working upward to shallower zones). Initial testing of the Mid-Monterey Clay, which is the deepest zone penetrated in the HV-1 well, and of the overlying Brown Zone, has been carried-out. Testing of the Yellow Zone, which overlies the Brown Zone, commenced on October 24, 2023, and the results of this testing will be disclosed when available. Oil and gas were produced during the testing of both the Mid-Monterey Clay and the Brown Zone but as of the date of this filing a determination has not yet been made as to whether the HV-1 well is capable of commercial oil/gas production.

In addition to the aforementioned HV-1 well, the Company holds drilling permits issued by Monterey County for two additional wells (i.e., the HV-2 well and HV-4 well). These wells are expected to be drilled during the fourth quarter of 2023 or the first quarter of 2024. In such case, it is possible that the South Salinas Project may have three producing wells in early 2024, which may largely confirm favorable project economics and underpin an aggressive permitting and subsequently an aggressive drilling and development program. The Company’s investment in the McCool Ranch Oil Field is also expected to restart production and generate cash flow. The Company owns 2% in and has an option to acquire up to a 20% production share in certain leases in a long-developed oil and gas area of eastern Utah, southwest of Vernal, Utah pursuant to the Amendment to the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement.

The primary goal is to grow the Company into a highly profitable, independent oil and gas company.

Trio LLC’s Services as an Operator in California

Trio LLC is a licensed Operator in California currently operates the South Salinas Project on behalf of the Company the other working interest partners. Trio LLC operates the South Salinas Project pursuant to a Joint Operating Agreement dated February 1, 2004 (“JOA”), by and among Trio Petroleum Inc. (the predecessor corporation to Trio LLC), as Operator, and other working interest parties (“Non-Operators”). The parties to the JOA agreement are partial owners of the oil and gas leases and/or oil and gas interests in the South Salinas Project and the parties agreed to have the Operator explore and develop these leases and/or interests for the production of oil and gas as provided therein. Trio LLC, as Operator, generally conducts and has full control of the operations and acts in the capacity of an independent contractor. Operator is obligated to conduct its activities under the JOA as a reasonable prudent operator, in good workmanlike manner, with due diligence and dispatch, in accordance with good oilfield practices, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Trio LLC currently holds a 3.8% working interest in the South Salinas Project and the Company holds an 85.75% working interest. On April 19, 2023, Trio LLC entered into the Drilling Bid Proposal and Daywork Drilling Contract - U.S. (the “Drilling Contract”) with Ensign United States Drilling (California) Inc. (“Ensign”). pursuant to which the HV-1 well was successfully drilled and completed.

Trio LLC has significant prior experience in oil and gas operations, exploration and production in California and an experienced management team. Some of the members of Trio LLC’s management team are also senior executives of the Company.

Our Growth Strategy

The Company plans to build and grow a substantial independent oil and gas company by developing and producing the South Salinas Project and the McCool Ranch Oil Field, and by acquiring and developing other oil and gas opportunities. The Company’s management believes that oil and gas reserves at the South Salinas Project alone may be sufficient to generate revenue resulting in the Company’s becoming a highly profitable, independent oil and gas company. However, the Company continues to evaluate other oil and gas projects that are candidates for acquisition.

Competition

There are many large, medium, and small-sized oil and gas companies and third-parties that are our competitors. Some of these competitors have extensive operational histories, experienced oil and gas industry management, profitable operations, and significant reserves and funding resources. Our efforts to acquire additional oil/gas properties in California and elsewhere may be met with competition.

Government Regulation

We are subject to a number of federal, state, county and local laws, regulations and other requirements relating to oil and natural gas operations. The laws and regulations that affect the oil and natural gas industry are under constant review for amendment or expansion. Some of these laws, regulations and requirements result in challenges, delays and/or obstacles in obtaining permits, and some carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business, can affect and even obstruct our operations and, consequently, can affect our profitability These burdens include regulations relating to transportation of oil and gas, drilling and production and other regulatory matters. See “Business - Government Regulation” beginning on page 43.

Summary of Risk Factors

Investing in our Common Stock involves risks. In addition, our business and operations are subject to a number of risks, which you should be aware of prior to making a decision to invest in our Common Stock. These risks are discussed more-fully in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus immediately following this prospectus summary. Below is a summary of these risks.

Risks Relating to Our Business

Risks Relating to This Offering

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company

We qualify as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As an “emerging growth company” we may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

We may take advantage of these provisions until October 31, 2028, which is the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of our initial public offering (“IPO”). However, if any of the following events occur prior to the end of such five-year period, (i) our annual gross revenue exceeds $1.235 billion, (ii) we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, or (iii) we become a “large accelerated filer,” (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), we will cease to be an emerging growth company prior to the end of such five-year period. We will be deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” at such time that we (a) have an aggregate worldwide market value of common equity securities held by non-affiliates of $700.0 million or more as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (b) have been required to file annual and quarterly reports under the Exchange Act for a period of at least 12 months and (c) have filed at least one annual report pursuant to the Exchange Act. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company,” which would allow us to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements.

We have elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (the “Registration Statement”) and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.

We are also a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies. To the extent that we continue to qualify as a “smaller reporting company” as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, after we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company, certain of the exemptions available to us as an “emerging growth company” may continue to be available to us as a “smaller reporting company,” including exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements pursuant to SOX and reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements. We will continue to be a “smaller reporting company” until we have $250 million or more in public float (based on our Common Stock) measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or, in the event we have no public float (based on our Common Stock) or a public float (based on our Common Stock) that is less than $700 million, annual revenues of $100 million or more during the most recently completed fiscal year.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period.

Corporate Information

We were formed as a Delaware corporation in July 2021. Our principal executive office and operations are located at 4115 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 100, Danville, CA 94506 and our telephone number is (661) 324-3911. Our website address is www.trio-petroleum.com. The information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

The Offering

SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth our summary financial data for the periods indicated. We have derived the statements of operations data and the balance sheet data for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022 from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for any future period. You should read the following summary financial data together with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

⁽¹⁾ We define working capital as current assets less deferred offering costs and less current liabilities.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before deciding whether to invest in our Common Stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected if any of these risks occurs, and as a result, the market price of our Common Stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth below. For a summary of these risk factors, please see “Summary of Risk Factors” in the section titled “Prospectus Summary” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have a history of operating losses, our management has concluded that factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.

For the year ended October 31, 2023, we generated no revenues, reported a net loss of $6,544,426 and cash flows used in operating activities of $4,036,835. For the year ended October 31, 2022, we generated no revenues, reported a net loss of $3,800,392, and cash flows used in operating activities of $502,144. As of October 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $10,446,882. Our management has concluded that our accumulated deficit and no source of revenue sufficient to cover our cost of operation as well as our dependence on private equity and other financings raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.

Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. These adjustments would likely include substantial impairment of the carrying amount of our assets and potential contingent liabilities that may arise if we are unable to fulfill various operational commitments. In addition, the value of our securities, would be greatly impaired. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon generating sufficient cash flow from operations and obtaining additional capital and financing. If our ability to generate cash flow from operations is delayed or reduced and we are unable to raise additional funding from other sources, we may be unable to continue in business even if this offering is successful. For further discussion about our ability to continue as a going concern and our plan for future liquidity, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.”

We may face delays and/or obstacles in project development due to difficulties in obtaining necessary permits from federal, state, county and/or local agencies, which may materially affect our business.

We are subject to a number of federal, state, county and local laws, regulations and other requirements relating to oil and natural gas operations. The laws and regulations that affect the oil and natural gas industry are under constant review for amendment or expansion. Some of these laws, regulations and requirements result in challenges, delays and/or obstacles in obtaining permits, and some carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business, can affect and even obstruct our operations and, consequently, can affect our profitability.

Various permits for exploratory drilling and production-testing are in-hand for the South Salinas Project, whereas permits for long-term production, conditional use permits, water disposal and other matters have not yet been obtained. There are challenges and uncertainties in obtaining permits, which may result in delays and/or obstacles to developing our oil/gas assets. California and Colorado are two States that are considered to have challenging regulatory environments and Monterey County in California also has this reputation. We may experience delays and/or obstacles to exploiting our assets, and also may be required to make large expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations and to obtain permits.

The Company currently has permits from Monterey County for the HV-1, HV-2 and HV-4 wells, permitting each of these wells to be tested by producing it for its own 18 month period with the Company selling the produced oil and/or gas, and disposing of produced water from these wells by trucking it offsite to a licensed water-disposal facility and, if necessary, flaring on-site any natural gas that is not used on-site in field operations. The Company is currently seeking a permit from CalGEM and State Water Boards to dispose of produced water at the Project.

The Company expects to seek from regulatory agencies any and all additional permits as may be necessary, which may include but not be limited to conditional use permits, drilling permits, permits for full-field development, permits for long-term production, permits for additional water disposal wells, permits for transport of oil and gas via pipelines, and such similar permits as are customarily required in oil and gas exploration and development projects. Delays and/or obstacles in obtaining necessary permits may materially affect our business, for example:

Due to our contractor model for drilling operations, we will be vulnerable to any inability to engage one or more drilling rigs and associated drilling personnel.

Our operation plan depends on using the services of drilling contractors such as Ensign that operate their own drilling rigs using their own personnel. Pursuant to the Drilling Agreement, Ensign drilled the HV-1 well at Presidents Oil Field. Lack of rig availability by Ensign or any future drilling contractors we utilize would hinder our operations. For example, if there is a drilling boom and rigs are reserved by other operators into the foreseeable future, or contrarily a general lack of rigs as may occur if the oil industry is in a slump and rigs are taken out of service. The capacities of standard oil field service companies in California have declined and continue to decline in parallel with the continuing decline of California’s oil and gas industry.

We may face potential conflicts of interest in negotiations with related parties, including in negotiations with Trio LLC, an entity which certain of our officers and directors serve as employees, officers or directors, concerning whether we should exercise our option to acquire Trio LLC’s assets.

Stan Eschner, our Executive Chairman and a director, and Steven Rowlee, our Chief Operating Officer, are employed by Trio LLC. Stan Eschner is Trio LLC’s Chairman and Steven Rowlee is its Vice President. Terry Eschner, our President, also works as a consultant to Trio LLC through his company Sarlan Resources, Inc. Trio LLC and its management team are part owners of the Company and will continue as Operator of the South Salinas Project and the McCool Ranch Oil Field on behalf of Trio Corp and of the other working interest partners.

Under the Fourth Amendment (as defined below), we were granted a 120-day option (commencing on January 1, 2023) to acquire three assets currently owned in part by Trio LLC: the Hangman Hollow Field (aka the McCool Ranch Oil Field) asset with the option to acquire Trio LLC’s 44% working interest and their Operatorship; the Kern Front Field asset with an option to acquire Trio LLC’s 22% working interest and their Operatorship; and the Union Avenue Field with an option to acquire Trio LLC’s 20% working interest and their Operatorship. This 120-day option has expired, but the Company did successfully acquire part of Trio LLC’s interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field.

In May 2023, subsequent to the 120-day option window referenced above, the Company announced that it had signed an acquisition agreement with Trio LLC to potentially acquire up to 100% of the working interest in the Union Avenue Field, including Trio LLC’s 20% working interest. However, the Company and Trio LLC did not agree on the terms and transaction was not closed.

In October 2023, the Company acquired an approximate 22% working interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field from Trio LLC, which the Company announced in a press release on October 18, 2023. The Company is acquiring this interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field primarily through work commitment expenditures that will be allocated to restart production at the field.

Since Trio LLC is partly owned and controlled by members of our management, acquisitions of Trio LLC’s assets by the Company constitute related party transactions and, therefore, a special committee of our board of directors, comprised of Mr. Peterson, Mr. Randall and Mr. Hunter (the “Trio Special Committee”) was formed to evaluate and negotiate the terms of such acquisitions. In addition, in accordance with our Related Person Transaction Policy, we will have such transactions reviewed and approved by our Board’s Audit Committee. Trio has engaged KLS Petroleum Consulting LLC (“KLSP”) to conduct comprehensive analyses and providing valuations of such assets, which analyses have been delivered to the Company and evaluated by the Trio Special Committee.

We may also enter into future transactions with Trio LLC. These transactions can give rise to potential conflicts of interest. We believe that the terms and conditions of our transactions have been, and will continue to be at arm’s length and on commercial terms that are normal, considering the characteristics of the goods or services involved. However, there can be no assurance that if such transactions had been concluded between or with third parties, such parties would have negotiated or entered into agreements or carried out such transactions under the same or substantially similar terms and conditions.

We are operating in a highly capital-intensive industry, and any sales of produced oil and gas may be insufficient to fund, sustain, or expand revenue-generating operations.

The oil/gas drilling exploration and production business are capital intensive due to the cost of experienced personnel; equipment and other assets required to drill, produce and store oil; regulatory compliance costs; potential liability exposures and financial impact; and risk of unpredictable volatility in oil market prices and predatory pricing by competitors. Drilling requires an upfront payment of operational costs with no guarantee that actual oil/gas production will cover such expenses. “Dry” holes and/or non-economic results at planned oil/gas wells could deplete available funding raised by the Company and render the Company insolvent. The actual amount and timing of our future capital expenditures may differ materially from our estimates as a result of, among other things, market oil prices, actual drilling results, the availability of drilling rigs and other services and equipment, and regulatory, technological, and competitive developments.

Future cash flow from our operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including: (i) the market prices at which our produced oil and gas are sold; (ii) our oil and/or gas reserves; (iii) our ability to acquire, locate and produce new oil/gas reserves; and (iv) the levels of our operating expenses.

We face substantial uncertainties in estimating the characteristics of our prospects, so you should not place undue reliance on any of our measures.

In this prospectus, we provide numerical and other measures of the characteristics, including with regard to size and quality, of our prospects. These measures may be incorrect, as the accuracy of these measures are functions of available data, geological, geophysical, petrophysical and engineering interpretation and judgment. To date, approximately seven wells have been drilled at our South Salinas Project, of which we consider two wells to be discovery wells. Any analogies drawn by us from other wells, discoveries or producing fields may not prove to be accurate indicators of the success of developing reserves from our discoveries and prospects. Furthermore, we may have inaccurately evaluated the accuracy of the data from analog wells or prospects produced by other parties, which we may have used.

There are uncertainties in reserve forecasts and in associated estimates of future cash flows in the South Salinas Project due to uncertainties in various matters including, for example, in the following:

It is possible that few or none of our wells to be drilled in the future will find accumulations of oil/gas in commercial quality or quantity. Any significant variance between actual results and our assumptions could materially affect the quantities of oil attributable to any particular prospect.

The drilling of wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than our estimates, and drilling may not result in any discoveries or additions to our future production or future reserves. Any material inaccuracies in drilling costs, estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect our business.

Exploring for and developing oil involves a high degree of operational and financial risk, which precludes definitive statements as to the time required and costs involved in reaching certain objectives. The budgeted costs of planning, drilling, completing and operating wells are often exceeded and can increase significantly when drilling costs rise due to a tightening in the supply of various types of oilfield equipment and related services or unanticipated geologic and/or mechanical conditions. Before a well is spud, we may incur significant geological and geophysical (seismic) costs, which are incurred whether a well eventually produces commercial quantities of oil/gas, or is drilled at all. Drilling may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including geologic conditions, weather, cost overruns, equipment shortages and mechanical difficulties. Exploratory wells bear a much greater risk of loss than development wells. Furthermore, the successful drilling of a well does not necessarily result in the commercially viable development of a field. A variety of factors, including regulatory, geologic and/or market-related, can cause a field to become uneconomic or only marginally economic. All of our prospects will require significant additional exploration and development, regulatory approval and commitments of resources prior to commercial development. The successful drilling of a single well may not be indicative of the potential for the development of a commercially viable field. Furthermore, if our actual drilling and development costs are significantly more than our estimated costs, we may not be able to continue our business operations as proposed and may be forced to modify our development plans.

We have been an exploration stage entity and our future performance is uncertain.

We have been an exploration stage entity and will continue to be so until we generate revenue. Exploration stage entities face substantial business risks and may suffer significant losses. We have generated substantial net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since our inception and expect to continue to incur substantial net losses as we continue our exploration and appraisal program. We face challenges and uncertainties in financial planning as a result of the unavailability of historical data and uncertainties regarding the nature, scope and results of our future activities. We will need to develop additional business relationships, establish additional operating procedures, hire additional staff, and take other measures necessary to conduct our intended business activities. We may not be successful in implementing our business strategies or in completing the development of the facilities necessary to conduct our business as planned. In the event that one or more of our drilling programs is not completed, is delayed or terminated, our operating results will be adversely affected and our operations will differ materially from the activities described in this prospectus. There are uncertainties surrounding our future business operations that must be navigated if we transition from an exploration stage entity and commence generating revenues, some of which may cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are dependent on certain members of our management and technical team.

Investors in our Common Stock must rely upon the ability, expertise, judgment and discretion of our management and the success of our technical team in identifying, discovering, evaluating and developing reserves. Our performance and success are dependent, in part, upon key members of our management and technical team, and their loss or departure could be detrimental to our future success. In making a decision to invest in our Common Stock, you must be willing to rely to a significant extent on our management’s discretion and judgment. A significant amount of the interests in our Company held by members of our management were previously vested. While the Company currently has an equity incentive plan in place, there can be no assurance that our management and technical team will remain in place. The loss of any of our management and technical team members could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, as well as on the market price of our Common Stock. See “Management.”

Seismic studies do not guarantee that oil or gas is present or, if present, will produce in economic quantities.

Oil exploration and production companies, like the Company, rely on seismic studies to assist in assessing prospective drilling opportunities on oil and gas properties, as well as on properties that a company may acquire. Such seismic studies are merely an interpretive tool and do not necessarily guarantee that oil or gas is present or, if present, will produce in economic or profitable quantities.

The potential lack of availability of, or cost of, drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel, and crude oil field services could adversely affect our ability to execute on a timely basis exploration and development plans within any budget.

We may encounter an increase in the cost of securing needed drilling rigs, equipment, and supplies. Larger producers may be more likely to secure access to such equipment by offering more lucrative terms. If we are unable to acquire access to such resources or can obtain access only at higher prices, its ability to convert oil reserves into cash flow could be delayed, and the cost of producing from those oil reserves could increase significantly, which would adversely affect results of operations and financial condition. Our current drilling operations are limited, and availability of essential drilling assets may not become a risk factor until such time as we increase drilling operations.

Our business plan requires substantial additional capital, which we may be unable to raise on acceptable terms in the future, which may in turn limit our ability to develop our exploration, appraisal, development and production activities.

We expect our capital outlays and operating expenditures to be substantial over the next several years as we expand our operations. Obtaining and/or reprocessing and/or reinterpreting seismic data, as well as exploration, appraisal, development and production activities entail considerable costs, and we expect that we will need to raise substantial additional capital, through future private or public equity offerings, strategic alliances or debt financing.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

As a result of the first closing of the Private Placement on October 4, 2023, we raised approximately $1.86 million in net proceeds. On December 29, 2023, as a result of the closing of the Second Tranche (as defined below), we raised an additional approximately $420,522 in net proceeds. Notwithstanding that we are able to raise all of these additional funds we will need additional capital to continue to fully fund our drilling operations. Additional capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. The securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will, in all likelihood, if converted and/or exercised into or for shares of Common Stock, result in significant dilution to our existing stockholders. In addition, if we are successful raising additional capital through the sale of our securities, at such time our existing shareholders would, in all likelihood, be further diluted and new investors may demand rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing shareholders. If we raise additional capital through debt financing, the financing may involve covenants that restrict our business activities. If we choose to farm-out our interests, we may lose operating control or influence over such assets.

Assuming we are able to timely commence exploration, appraisal, development and/or production activities, and/or to maintain oil/gas production, and/or to maintain force majeure status, then our rights to our mineral leasehold should extend for certain periods of time and/or for life of production. If we are unable to meet our commitments we may be subject to significant potential forfeiture of all or part of the mineral leasehold. If we are not successful in raising additional capital, we may be unable to continue our future exploration and production activities or successfully exploit our assets, and we may lose the rights to develop said assets.

A substantial or extended decline in global and/or local oil and/or natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The prices that we will receive for our oil and natural gas will significantly affect our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future growth rate. Historically, the oil and natural gas markets have been volatile and will likely continue to be volatile in the future. The prices that we will receive for our future production and the levels of our future production depend on numerous factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

Lower oil prices may not only decrease our revenues on a per share basis but also may reduce the amount of oil that we can produce economically. A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures.

Unless we replace our oil reserves, our reserves and production will decline over time. Our business is dependent on our continued successful identification of productive fields and prospects and the identified locations in which we drill in the future may not yield oil or natural gas in commercial quantities.

Production from oil properties may decline as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics and other factors. Similarly, our current reserves will decline as the reserves are produced. Our future oil reserves and production, and therefore our cash flows and income, are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing our current reserves and/or economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves. While our team members have had success in identifying and developing commercially exploitable deposits and drilling locations in the past, we may be unable to replicate that success in the future. We may not identify any more commercially exploitable deposits or successfully drill, complete or produce more oil reserves, and the wells which we have drilled and currently plan to drill within our South Salinas Project area may not discover or produce any further oil or gas or may not discover or produce additional commercially viable quantities of oil or gas to enable us to continue to operate profitably. If we are unable to replace our future production, the value of our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.

Our inability to access appropriate equipment and infrastructure in a timely manner may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our future oil and natural gas production.

Our ability to market our future oil/gas production will depend substantially on the availability and capacity of processing facilities, tanker trucks, pipelines and other infrastructure. Our failure to obtain such facilities on acceptable terms could materially harm our business. We will rely on access to drilling rigs suitable for our projects. The availability of drilling rigs may be problematic or delayed, and we may not be able to gain timely access to suitable rigs. We may be required to shut-in oil/gas wells because of the absence of markets or because facilities are inadequate or nonexistent. If that were to occur, then we would be unable to realize revenue from those wells until arrangements were made to deliver the production to market, which could cause a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, the exploitation and sale of associated and non-associated natural gas and liquids will be subject to timely commercial processing and marketing of these products, which may depend on the contracting, financing, building and operating of infrastructure by third parties.

We are subject to numerous risks inherent to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.

Oil and natural gas exploration and future production activities involve many risks that a combination of experience, knowledge and interpretation may not be able to overcome. Our future will depend on the success of our exploration and future production activities and on the development of infrastructure that will allow us to take advantage of our discoveries. As a result, our oil and natural gas exploration and future production activities are subject to numerous risks, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil and natural gas production. Our decisions to purchase, explore or develop discoveries, prospects or licenses will depend in part on the evaluation of seismic data through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations.

Furthermore, the marketability of expected oil and natural gas production from any future discoveries and prospects will also be affected by numerous factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, market fluctuations of prices, proximity, capacity and availability of processing facilities, transportation vehicles and pipelines, equipment availability and government regulations (including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, allowable production, domestic supply requirements, importing and exporting of oil and natural gas, environmental protection and climate change). The effect of these factors, individually or jointly, may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.

In the event that our currently undeveloped discoveries and prospects are developed and become operational, they may not produce oil and natural gas in commercial quantities or at the costs anticipated, and our projects may cease production, in part or entirely, in certain circumstances. Discoveries may become uneconomical as a result of an increase in operating costs to produce oil and natural gas. Our actual operating costs may differ materially from our current estimates. Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental, climate change, health and safety laws and regulations and enforcement policies thereunder and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from our operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities, delays, an inability to complete the development of our discoveries or the abandonment of such discoveries, which could cause a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to drilling and other operational environmental hazards.

The oil and natural gas business involves a variety of operating risks, including, but not limited to:

The development schedule of oil and natural gas projects, including the availability and cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oilfield services, is subject to delays and cost overruns.

Historically, some oil and natural gas development projects have experienced delays and capital cost increases and overruns due to, among other factors, the unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs and other essential equipment, supplies, personnel and oilfield services. To the extent we locate commercially viable reserves through our exploration and development activities, the cost to develop our projects will not have been fixed and will remain dependent upon a number of factors, including the completion of detailed cost estimates and final engineering, contracting and procurement costs. Our construction and operation schedules may not proceed as planned and may experience delays or cost overruns. Any delays may increase the costs of the project, requiring additional capital, and such capital may not be available in a timely and cost-effective fashion.

Participants in the oil and gas industry are subject to numerous laws that can affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.

Exploration and production activities in the oil and gas industry are subject to local laws and regulations. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations, particularly in respect of the following matters:

Under these and other laws and regulations, we could be liable for personal injuries, property damage and other types of damages. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in the suspension or termination of our operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws and regulations could change, or their interpretations could change, in ways that could substantially increase our costs. These risks may be higher in developing countries in which we may at some point in the future decide to conduct our operations, where there could be a lack of clarity or lack of consistency in the application of these laws and regulations. Any resulting liabilities, penalties, suspensions or terminations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We and our operations are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety regulations which may result in material liabilities and costs.

We and our operations are subject to various international, foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, the emission and discharge of pollutants into the ground, air or water, the generation, storage, handling, use and transportation of regulated materials and the health and safety of our employees. We are required to obtain environmental permits from governmental authorities for our operations, including drilling permits for our wells. We have not been or may not be at all times in complete compliance with these permits and the environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject, and there is a risk that these laws and regulations could change in the future or become more stringent. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations or permits, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators, including through the revocation of our permits or the suspension or termination of our operations. If we fail to obtain permits in a timely manner or at all (due to opposition from community or environmental interest groups, governmental delays or any other reasons), or if we face additional requirements imposed as a result of changes in or enactment of laws or regulations, such failure to obtain permits or such changes in or enactment of laws could impede or affect our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We, as an interest owner or as the designated operator of certain of our current and future discoveries and prospects, could be held liable for some or all environmental, health and safety costs and liabilities arising out of our actions and omissions as well as those of our block partners, third-party contractors or other operators. To the extent we do not address these costs and liabilities or if we do not otherwise satisfy our obligations, our operations could be suspended or terminated. We have contracted with and intend to continue to hire third parties to perform services related to our operations. There is a risk that we may contract with third parties with unsatisfactory environmental, health and safety records or that our contractors may be unwilling or unable to cover any losses associated with their acts and omissions. Accordingly, we could be held liable for all costs and liabilities arising out of the acts or omissions of our contractors, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We maintain insurance at levels that we believe are consistent with industry practices, but we are not fully insured against all risks. Our insurance may not cover any or all environmental claims that might arise from our future operations or at any of our asset areas. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not covered by insurance, such accident or event could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We expect continued and increasing attention to climate change issues and associated regulations to constrain and impede the oil/gas industry.

We expect continued and increasing attention to climate change issues. Various countries and regions have agreed to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases, including methane (a primary component of natural gas) and carbon dioxide (a byproduct of oil and natural gas combustion). The regulation of greenhouse gases and the physical impacts of climate change in the areas in which we, our customers and the end-users of our products operate could adversely impact our operations and the demand for our products.

Environmental, health and safety laws are complex, change frequently and have tended to become increasingly stringent over time. Our costs of complying with current and future climate change, environmental, health and safety laws, the actions or omissions of our block partners and third party contractors and our liabilities arising from releases of, or exposure to, regulated substances may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. See “Business-Environmental Matters and Regulation.”

We may incur substantial losses and become subject to liability claims as a result of future oil and natural gas operations, for which we may not have adequate insurance coverage.

We intend to maintain insurance against risks in the operation of the business we plan to develop and in amounts in which we believe to be reasonable. Such insurance, however, may contain exclusions and limitations on coverage. For example, we are not insured against political or terrorism risks. We may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. Losses and liabilities arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions and the integration of significant acquisitions may be difficult.

We periodically evaluate acquisitions of prospects, properties, mineral leases, licenses, reserves and other strategic transactions that appear to fit within our overall business strategy. The successful acquisition of these assets requires an assessment of several factors, including:

The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject assets that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the assets to fully assess their deficiencies and potential recoverable reserves. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. We may not be entitled to contractual indemnification for environmental liabilities and could acquire assets on an “as is” basis. Significant acquisitions and other strategic transactions may involve other risks, including:

The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our business. Members of our senior management may be required to devote considerable amounts of time to this integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage our business. If our senior management is not able to effectively manage the integration process, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, our business could suffer.

If we fail to realize the anticipated benefits of a significant acquisition, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

The success of a significant acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to realize anticipated growth opportunities from combining the acquired assets or operations with those of ours. Even if a combination is successful, it may not be possible to realize the full benefits we may expect in estimated proved reserves, production volume, cost savings from operating synergies or other benefits anticipated from an acquisition or realize these benefits within the expected time frame. Anticipated benefits of an acquisition may be offset by operating losses relating to changes in commodity prices, or in oil and gas industry conditions, or by risks and uncertainties relating to the exploratory prospects of the combined assets or operations, or an increase in operating or other costs or other difficulties, including the assumption of environmental or other liabilities in connection with the acquisition. If we fail to realize the benefits we anticipate from an acquisition, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, result in more litigation and divert management’s attention.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the NYSE American and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Complying with these rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time consuming or costly, and increase demand on our systems and resources, including management. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We are required to disclose changes made in our internal control and procedures on a quarterly basis. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may also need to hire additional employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

These new rules and regulations may make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and, in the future, we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

By disclosing information in this prospectus and in other filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If those claims are successful, our business could be seriously harmed. Even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, the time and resources needed to resolve them could divert our management’s resources and seriously harm our business.

We are subject to the examination of our tax returns and other tax matters by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, states in which we conduct business, and other tax authorities. If our effective tax rates were to increase, or if the ultimate determination of our taxes owed is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, our financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

U.S. federal, state and local tax laws are being re-examined and evaluated. New laws and interpretations of the law are taken into account for financial statement purposes in the quarter or year that they become applicable. Tax authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the tax positions of companies. If U.S. federal, state or local tax authorities change applicable tax laws, our overall taxes could increase, and our business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely impacted.

In addition, any significant changes enacted by the current U.S. presidential administration to the Code or specifically to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “U.S. Tax Act”) enacted in 2017, or to regulatory guidance associated with the U.S. Tax Act, could materially adversely affect our effective tax rate.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our shareholders, which could limit its stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporate Law (“DGCL”) or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws, or (5) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, this exclusive form provision will not apply to claims which are vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or for which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have subject matter jurisdiction. For instance, the exclusive forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not apply to actions arising under federal securities laws, including suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or the rules and regulations thereunder. This provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any person or entity holding, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this choice of forum provision. It is possible that a court of law could rule that the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is inapplicable or unenforceable if it is challenged in a proceeding or otherwise. Therefore, the exclusive forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not relieve us of our duty to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and shareholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.

In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We note, however, that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for state and federal courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

This exclusive forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us or our directors, officers or other employees. In addition, shareholders who do bring a claim in the state or federal court in the State of Delaware could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Delaware. The state or federal court of the State of Delaware may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a shareholder would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments or results may be more favorable to us than to our shareholders. However, the enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation have been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find this type of provision to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings. If a court were to find the exclusive forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we might incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

Our business and results of operations may be materially adversely effected by inflationary pressures.

As of the date of this prospectus, inflationary pressures have led to increased construction materials and labor costs, specifically associated with steel, cement, and other materials. We believe we will continue to experience such pressures in future quarters, as well as potential delays in our contractors’ ability to requisition such materials. These pressures have led to an overall increase in budgeted construction costs. No assurance can be given that the costs of our projects will not exceed budgets. Any such cost overruns or delays could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Risks Relating to This Offering

There can be no assurance that an active and liquid trading market for our Common Stock will continue or that we will be able to continue to comply with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards.

Our common stock began trading on the NYSE American exchange in April 2023, as a result of our consummation of an initial public offering of our shares of Common Stock. Our Common Stock is currently listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “TPET.” There can be no assurance an active and liquid trading market in our Common Stock will continue.

There is no guarantee that we will be able to maintain such listing for any period of time by perpetually satisfying the NYSE American’s continued listing requirements. Our failure to continue to meet these requirements may result in our Common Stock being delisted from the NYSE American.

Our share price may be volatile, and purchasers of our Common Stock could incur substantial losses.

Our share price may be volatile. The stock market in general has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, investors may not be able to sell their Common Stock at or above the price paid for such shares. The market price for our Common Stock may be influenced by many factors, including, but not limited to:

The concentration of our share capital ownership among our largest shareholders, and their affiliates, will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.

As of October 31, 2023, our five largest shareholders collectively own approximately 25.6% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock. Consequently, these shareholders have significant influence over all matters that require approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership will limit your ability to influence corporate matters, and as a result, actions may be taken that you may not view as beneficial.

Our Common Stock may be subject to the “penny stock” rules in the future. It may be more difficult to resell securities classified as “penny stock.”

Our Common Stock may be subject to “penny stock” rules (generally defined as non-exchange traded stock with a per-share price below $5.00) in the future. While our Common Stock is not currently considered a “penny stock” since it is listed on the NYSE American, if we are unable to maintain listing and our Common Stock is no longer listed on the NYSE American, unless we maintain a per-share price above $5.00, our Common Stock will become a “penny stock.” These rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons other than those who qualify as “established customers” or “accredited investors.” For example, broker-dealers must determine the appropriateness for non-qualifying persons of investments in penny stocks. Broker-dealers must also provide, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, disclose the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, furnish monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account, provide a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser, and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction.

Legal remedies available to an investor in “penny stocks” may include the following:

These requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity, if any, in the secondary market for a security that becomes subject to the penny stock rules. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of our securities. These requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our Common Stock or our warrants and may affect your ability to resell our Common Stock and our warrants.

Many brokerage firms will discourage or refrain from recommending investments in penny stocks. Most institutional investors will not invest in penny stocks. In addition, many individual investors will not invest in penny stocks due, among other reasons, to the increased financial risk generally associated with these investments.

For these reasons, penny stocks may have a limited market and, consequently, limited liquidity. We can give no assurance at what time, if ever, our Common Stock or our warrants will not be classified as a “penny stock” in the future.

Certain of our executive officers and directors have significant duties with, and spend significant time serving, entities that may compete with us in seeking acquisitions and business opportunities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating time or pursuing business opportunities.

Certain of our executive officers and directors, who are responsible for managing the direction of our operations, hold positions of responsibility with other entities (including affiliated entities) that are in the oil and natural gas industry. These executive officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as to the other entities with which they are, or may become, affiliated. Due to these existing and potential future affiliations, they may present potential business opportunities to other entities prior to presenting them to us, which could cause additional conflicts of interest. They may also decide that certain opportunities are more appropriate for other entities with which they are affiliated, and as a result, they may elect not to present those opportunities to us. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor. For additional discussion of our management’s business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest of which our stockholders should be aware, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain reporting requirements, including those relating to accounting standards and disclosure about our executive compensation, that apply to other public companies.

We are classified as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, which may be up to five full fiscal years, unlike other public companies, we will not be required to, among other things: (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; (ii) comply with any new requirements adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer; (iii) provide certain disclosures regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies; or (iv) hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation. We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, although we will lose that status sooner if we have more than $1.235 billion of revenues in a fiscal year, have more than $700 million in market value of our Common Stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.

To the extent that we rely on any of the exemptions available to emerging growth companies, you will receive less information about our executive compensation and internal control over financial reporting than issuers that are not emerging growth companies. If some investors find our Common Stock to be less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock and, consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our shares appreciates.

We do not plan to declare dividends on shares of our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment in us will be if the market price of our Common Stock appreciates, which may not occur, and you sell your shares at a profit. There is no guarantee that the price of our Common Stock that will prevail in the market after this offering will ever exceed the price that you pay.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that can involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products, product approvals, research and development costs, future revenue, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, future results of anticipated products and prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about:

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about our business, the industry in which we operate and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or development. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein until after we distribute this prospectus, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

This prospectus contains industry, market and competitive position data from our own internal estimates and research as well as industry and general publications and research surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications, studies and surveys generally state that they have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Our internal data and estimates are based upon information obtained from trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate and our management’s understanding of industry conditions. While we believe that each of these studies and publications is reliable, we have not independently verified market and industry data from third-party sources. While we believe our internal company research is reliable and the market definitions are appropriate, neither such research nor definitions have been verified by an independent source.

The industry in which we operate is subject to risks and uncertainties due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.

We may receive proceeds from the exercise of any of the Warrants if they are exercised, for cash, and not pursuant to the applicable “cashless exercise” provision in such Warrants. Any proceeds will be used for general corporate and working capital or for other purposes that the board of directors, in its good faith, deems to be in the best interest of the Company. No assurances can be given that any of such Warrants will be exercised.

MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Market Information

Our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “TPET.” A description of our Common Stock is set forth under the heading “Description of Our Securities” beginning on page 76 of this prospectus.

The last reported sale price for our Common Stock on January 26, 2024 was $0.191 per share.

Holders

As of January 22, 2024, there were 31,898,294 shares of our Common Stock, held by approximately 41 stockholders of record. No shares of our preferred stock are designated, issued or outstanding.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in any future financing instruments.

PRIVATE PLACEMENTS

January 2022 Private Placement

On January 28, 2022, the Company entered into the January 2022 SPA with an investor, pursuant to which (i) in exchange for $4,500,000 in consideration, the Company issued senior secured convertible promissory notes with an aggregate principal amount of $4,500,000, (ii) the January 2022 Warrants” to purchase up to 2,519,451 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.03 per share, and (iii) 375,000 shares of Common Stock to the investors on the date of the Company’s initial public offering.

In connection with the January 2022 SPA, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “January 2022 RRA”), pursuant to which the Company registered for resale, in the July 2023 Registration Statement, 3,149,314 shares of Common Stock, which was equal to 125% of the 2,519,451 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the January 2022 Warrants. In the event the Company had not registered such shares of Common Stock for resale, within the time period proscribed in the January 2022 RRA, or fails to maintain such registration, pursuant to the provisions of the January 2022 RRA, the Company will owe certain liquidated damages to the holders of the January 2022 Warrants, as more fully described in the January 2022 RRA.

September 2022 Private Placement

On September 20, 2022, the Company entered into the September 2022 SPA with three investors, which included original issue discount senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $444,000, a 10% Original Issue Discount of $44,000 and placement agent fees of $70,438, for net proceeds of $329,562 to the Company. The September 2022 SPA included Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 400,000 shares of Common Stock which can be exercised from the date of the warrant agreement until five years from the date of the Company’s initial public offering at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.

In connection with the September 2022 SPA, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “September 2022 RRA”), pursuant to which the Company registered for resale, in the July 2023 Registration Statement, 500,000 shares of Common Stock, which was equal to 125% of the 400,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants. In the event the Company had not registered such shares of Common Stock for resale, within the time period proscribed in the September 2022 RRA, or fails to maintain such registration, pursuant to the provisions of the September 2022 RRA, the Company will owe certain liquidated damages to the holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants, as more fully described in the September 2022 RRA.

October 2023 Private Placement (First Tranche)

On October 4, 2023, the Company entered into the October 2023 SPA with the October 2023 Investor. The October 2023 SPA provides for loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.5 million under two tranches. On October 4, 2023, the initial closing date, the October 2023 Investor funded approximately $1.86 million (less commitment fees and net of original issue discount of 7%) in a private placement offering, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the October 2023 SPA (the “First Tranche”), and the October 2023 Investor also agreed to fund the remaining $1.395 million (less commitment fees and net of original issue discount of 7%) in a second closing (the “Second Tranche”), after the Company provided written confirmation to the October 2023 Investor and subject to the mutual consent of the October 2023 Investor and the Company that (i) stockholder approval of the transactions has been obtained for the purpose of complying with the NYSE/NYSE American Rules requiring stockholder approval for the issuance by the Company of shares of its Common Stock equal to or in excess of 5,899,299 shares of Common Stock (20% of 29,496,492 shares of Common Stock outstanding on October 4, 2023, in connection with the conversion and exercise of the securities issued pursuant to the provisions of the October 2023 SPA); (ii) that a resale registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC for the registration of Registrable Securities (defined hereafter) relating to the First Tranche and (iii) there is no Event of Default (as defined in the October 2023 SPA) that has occurred or will occur as a result of such additional funding and in full force and effect.

In consideration for the October 2023 Investor’s funding provided at the closing of the First Tranche, the Company issued and sold to the October 2023 Investor (i) the First Tranche Note and (ii) the October 2023 Warrant.

The Company also entered into a registration rights agreement (the “October 2023 RRA”) with the October 2023 Investor, pursuant to which the Registrable Securities (as defined therein) held by the October 2023 Investor, subject to certain conditions, are entitled to registration under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the October 2023 RRA, on November 3, 2023, the Company filed this Registration Statement with the SEC to register all of the Registrable Securities relating to the First Tranche and this Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 15, 2023.

Under the terms of the October 2023 SPA, the October 2023 RRA, the First Tranche Note and the First Tranche Warrant, the Company reserved and registered an aggregate of 13,161,976 shares of Common Stock in this Registration Statement, which represents 200% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the First Tranche Note at an exercise price equal to the floor price of $0.35 per share set forth in the First Tranche Note and 200% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the First Tranche Warrant.

Additionally, pursuant to the terms of an Engagement Agreement, dated May 17, 2023, between the Company and the Placement Agent (the “Placement Agent Agreement”), the Company issued the Placement Agent Warrants to the Placement Agent exercisable for up to 83,333 shares of Common Stock, at an initial exercise price of $1.32 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The Company also registered the shares of Common Stock issuable to the Placement Agent upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants in this Registration Statement.

Subsequent Financing

October 2023 Private Placement (Second Tranche)

On December 29, 2023, the Company and the October 2023 Investor entered into an amendment to the October 2023 SPA (the “October 2023 Amendment”, and together with the October 2023 SPA, the “October 2023 SPA, as amended”), and related agreements, whereby in connection with the closing of the Second Tranche, the fixed conversion price of the Second Tranche Note was reduced from $1.20 to $0.50, subject to certain adjustments (the “Second Tranche Conversion Price”) and the exercise price of the Second Tranche Warrant was also reduced from $1.20 to $0.50. In addition, the October 2023 Amendment also provided for the Company’s reimbursement of the October 2023 Investor for its legal fees and expenses in the amount of $10,000 and that the closing of the Second Tranche was in the principal amount of $550,000.

On January 2, 2024, the Company closed on the Second Tranche, pursuant to which the Company received gross proceeds of $511,500 (less commitment fees and reflecting an original issue discount of 7%) and net proceeds of $420,522 after payment of commissions to the Placement Agent and certain legal and other expenses. In consideration for the October 2023 Investor’s funding of the Second Tranche, on January 2, 2024, the Company issued and sold to the October 2023 Investor, in a private placement, (i) the Second Tranche Note in the principal amount of $550,000 with a Second Tranche Conversion Price of $0.50, subject to certain adjustments and (ii) the Second Tranche Warrant to purchase up to 445,561 shares of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $0.50 per share of Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments.

Under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as amended, the October 2023 RRA, the Second Tranche Note and the Second Tranche Warrant, the Company is required to reserve and register an aggregate of 4,033,980 shares of Common Stock in a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Second Tranche Registration Statement”), which represents 200% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Second Tranche Note at an exercise price equal to the floor price of $0.35 per share set forth in the Second Tranche Note and 200% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Second Tranche Warrant.

Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the Placement Agent Agreement, the Company issued the Second Tranche Placement Agent Warrant to the Placement Agent exercisable for up to 55,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The Company has also agreed to include the 55,000 shares of Common stock underlying the Second Tranche Placement Agent Warrant for registration in the Second Tranche Resale Registration Statement.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The shares of Common Stock being offered by the Selling Stockholders are those issuable to the Selling Stockholders upon conversion of the First Tranche Note and/or exercise of the Warrants. For additional information regarding the issuances of the First Tranche Note and the Warrants, see “Private Placements” above.

We are registering the shares of Common Stock in order to permit the Selling Stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the shares of Common Stock, the First Tranche Note and the Warrants, and as otherwise provided below, the Selling Stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.

The table below lists the Selling Stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock by each of the Selling Stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each of the Selling Stockholders, based on its ownership of the shares of Common Stock, including the number of shares of Common Stock which may be received by the October 2023 Investor upon conversion of the First Tranche Note at a conversion price of $0.35 per share (the conversion floor price under the First Tranche Note), and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be received by the applicable Selling Stockholders upon the exercise of the Warrants, assuming the full conversion of the First Tranche Note by the October 2023 Investor, and the full exercise of the applicable Warrants by the Selling Stockholders for all shares of Common Stock thereunder, without regard to any limitations on exercises. The third and fourth columns assume the sale of shares of Common Stock convertible under the First Tranche Note by the October 2023 Investor, and exercisable by the Selling Stockholders under the Warrants, pursuant to this prospectus.

The third column also lists the shares of Common Stock being registered by this prospectus for the resale of the shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.

This prospectus generally covers the resale of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the First Tranche Note, and the exercise of the Warrants by the Selling Stockholders.

Under the terms of the First Tranche Note and the Warrants, the October 2023 Investor may not convert the First Tranche Note, and none of the Selling Stockholders may exercise Warrants, as applicable, to the extent such exercise or conversion would cause such party, together with its affiliates and attribution parties, to beneficially own a number of shares of Common Stock which would exceed 4.99% or 9.99%, as applicable, of our then outstanding shares of Common Stock following such conversion or exercise, as applicable, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the First Tranche Note or exercise of such Warrants which have not been exercised. The number of shares of Common Stock in the table below being registered by this prospectus for resale by the Selling Stockholders does not reflect this limitation. The Selling Stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this Offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Material Relationships with Selling Stockholders

Except for the ownership of the First Tranche Note and the Warrants, and the transactions described below, none of the Selling Stockholders have had any material relationship with us within the past three years:

Initial Public Offering

On April 17, 2023, we entered into an Underwriting Agreement with the Placement Agent, as representative of the underwriters named on Schedule 1 thereto relating to a firm commitment underwritten initial public offering of our Common Stock. On April 20, 2023, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, we issued a warrant to the Placement Agent to purchase up to an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Common Stock. As of October 31, 2023, this warrant had not been exercised for any of the shares available for exercise thereunder.

October 2023 Securities Purchase Agreement

On May 17, 2023, we entered into the Placement Agent Agreement with the Placement Agent. On October 4, 2023, pursuant to the Placement Agent Agreement and in connection with the First Tranche, we issued the Placement Agent Warrants to the Placement Agent to purchase up to an aggregate of 83,333 shares of Common Stock, such warrant not being exercisable until April 1, 2024. On January 2, 2024, pursuant to the Placement Agent Agreement and in connection with the Second Tranche, we issued the Second Tranche Placement Agent Warrant to the Placement Agent to purchase up to an aggregate 55,000 shares of Common Stock, such warrant not being exercisable until June 30, 2024.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each Selling Stockholder of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their securities covered hereby on the principal trading market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.

Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.

In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Stockholders may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.

The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of: (i) the date that all securities covered by the October 2023 RRA have been sold, (ii) the date that all securities covered by the September 2022 RRA and the January 2022 RRA no longer constitute registrable securities, (iii) the two year anniversary of the dates of the September 2022 RRA and January 2022 RRA or (iv) the two years after the date that this Registration Statement was declared effective. The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the shares of common stock for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the shares of common stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and operating results together with our financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. We assume no obligations to update any of these forward looking statements. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth in the section of the prospectus captioned “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. For convenience of presentation some of the numbers have been rounded in the text below.

Overview

The Company was incorporated in the state of Delaware on July 19, 2021. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of the South Salinas Project, a non-producing oil and gas property it acquired from Trio LLC. The Company is headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with its principal offices located at 4115 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 100, Danville, CA, 94506.

On September 14, 2021, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Trio LLC to acquire an 82.75% working interest in the South Salinas Project (which was subsequently increased to a 85.75% working interest in April 2023); the working interest includes the purchased percentage of the South Salinas Project’s leases, wells and inventory in exchange for $300,000 cash, a non-interest-bearing note payable of $3,700,000 due to Trio LLC on December 17, 2021 and 4,900,000 shares of the Company’s $0.0001 par value common stock. At the time of the acquisition, this share issuance constituted 45% of the total amount of issued shares of the Company. In April 2023, the Company purchased an additional approximate 3% working interest in the SSP and, as of October 31, 2023, there were no proved reserves attributable to the approximate 9,300 acres of the property.

In April 2023, the Company consummated its initial public offering (“IPO”) and sold 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $3.00 per share for gross proceeds of $6,000,000. After deducting the underwriting commissions, discounts and offering expenses payable by the Company, it received net proceeds of approximately $4,940,000. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol TPET. The Company also issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to the underwriters at an exercise price of $3.30 per share (110% of public offering price).

One of our objectives was to drill the HV-1 confirmation well at the President Oil Field immediately after the consummation of our IPO. This objective has been accomplished. The HV-1 well spud on about May 5, 2023, and was completed at its total depth (“TD”) of about 6,641feet (measured depth) on about May 15, 2023.

The HV-1 well is located at Presidents Oil Field about two miles northwest of the HV-3A discovery well and for this reason it is considered a “confirmation well” intended to help confirm the size of lateral extent of the field. The HV-1 surface hole location (“SHL”) is located in about the center of T24S-R10E-Section 14. The well was directionally drilled approximately 2,600 feet toward the southeast and its bottom hole location (“BHL”) is located in T24S-R10E-Section 13.

There were primarily three reservoir objectives in the HV-1 well, being the Yellow Zone (aka Yellow Chert), the underlying Brown Zone (aka Brown Chert) and the underlying Mid-Monterey Clay, all of which are stratigraphic subunits of the Miocene-age Monterey Formation. The Yellow and Brown zones are both attributed oil and gas reserves at Presidents in the Company’s reserve report as filed with the SEC. The Mid-Monterey Clay is nowhere assigned reserves in the Company’s reserve report, although it did have significant oil/gas shows in the HV-3A discovery well and periodically may have contributed to the flow of oil and gas to surface at said well.

The Yellow Zone, Brown Zone and Mid-Monterey Clay were encountered in the HV-1 well largely as predicted including with respect to depth, thickness, lithology, wireline-log characteristics and oil and gas shows including free oil in cuttings and in the mud pit. The Company believes that the HV-1 well has confirmed that there is a major oil and gas accumulation in the Presidents Oil Field, as the Company announced in a press release on May 16, 2023.

Confirmation of a major oil and gas accumulation by itself does not confirm whether economic oil/gas production can be established. The HV-1 well has undergone production testing to evaluate commerciality. Production testing at the HV-1 well was initially carried-out from the bottom up (i.e., by testing the deeper Mid-Monterey Clay zone first and working upward to the shallower Brown and Yellow zones), and the Brown and Mid-Monterey Clay zones were subsequently retested. The Mid-Monterey Clay, Brown Zone and Yellow Zone all underwent production testing. Oil and gas were recovered but commercial oil/gas production has not been established. Operations continue at the HV-1 well, but it may soon be idle.

In addition to the aforementioned HV-1 and HV-3A wells, the Company has drilling permits from Monterey County for two undrilled wells (i.e., the HV-2 and HV-4 wells) and, given adequate funding, the Company expects to drill these two wells in 2024. In such case, the South Salinas Project may have three producing wells (e.g., HV-2, HV-3A & HV-4) in 2024, which may largely confirm favorable project economics and underpin an aggressive permitting and subsequently an aggressive drilling and development program.

On October 16, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of an Undivided Interest (the “McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement”) in the McCool Ranch Oil Field (the “McCool Ranch Oil Field”) with Trio LLC. Pursuant to the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement, effective October 1, 2023, we acquired an approximate 22% working interest undivided interest in and to certain oil and gas assets at the McCool Ranch Oil Field, which is located in Monterey, County, California, just seven miles from our flagship South Salinas Project. The acquired property is a relatively new oil field developed with six oil wells, one water-disposal well, steam generator, boiler, three 5,000 barrel tanks, 250 barrel test tank, water softener, two freshwater tanks, two soft water tanks, in-field steam pipelines, oil pipelines and other facilities. The property is fully and properly permitted for oil and gas production, cyclic-steam injection and water disposal and is currently idle (i.e., not producing), although operations to restart production have begun. We are acquiring the working interests at the McCool Ranch Oil Field through work commitment expenditures that will be allocated to restart production at the field and establish cash flow for us, with upside potential given the numerous undrilled infill and development well locations. See Note 5 to our financial statements for further information on our acquisition of working interests in the McCool Ranch Oil Field.

Going Concern Considerations

The Company has not generated any revenues and has incurred significant losses since inception. As of October 31, 2023, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $10,446,882 and a working capital deficit of $156,045, and for the year ended October 31, 2023, a net loss of $6,544,426 and cash used in operating activities of $4,036,834. To date, the Company has been funding operations through proceeds from the issuance of common stock, financing through certain investors and the consummation of its IPO in April 2023. Additionally, on October 4, 2023, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (“October 2023 SPA”) with an institutional investor for convertible note financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.5 million under two tranches; on that same date, the investor funded the first tranche for approximately $1.9 million (net of original issue discount of 7%). However, there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of our accumulated deficit and no source of revenue sufficient to cover our costs of operations as well as our dependence on private equity and financing.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As we are not generating revenues, we need to raise a significant amount of capital to pay for our development, exploration, drilling and operating costs. While the Company raised capital in April 2023 with its IPO and in October 2023 with its convertible note financing, we expect to require additional funding in the future and there is no assurance that we will be able to raise additional needed capital or that such capital will be available under favorable terms. We are subject to all the substantial risks inherent in the development of a new business enterprise within an extremely competitive industry. Due to the absence of a long-standing operating history and the emerging nature of the markets in which we compete, we anticipate operating losses until we can successfully implement our business strategy, which includes all associated revenue streams. We may never achieve profitable operations or generate significant revenues.

The Company will require additional capital funding in order to drill our planned HV-2 and HV-4 wells and to provide for additional development costs and other payment obligations and operating costs until our planned revenue streams are fully implemented and begin to offset our operating costs, if ever.

Since our inception, we have funded our operations with the proceeds from equity and debt financing. We have experienced liquidity issues due to, among other reasons, our limited ability to raise adequate capital on acceptable terms. We have historically relied upon the issuance of equity and promissory notes that are convertible into shares of our common stock to fund our operations and have devoted significant efforts to reduce that exposure. We anticipate that we will need to issue equity to fund our operations for the foreseeable future. If we are unable to achieve operational profitability or we are not successful in securing other forms of financing, we will have to evaluate alternative actions to reduce our operating expenses and conserve cash.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The financial statements included in this report also include a going concern footnote. See Note 3 to our financial statements.

Emerging Growth Company Status

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023 compared to the Year Ended October 31, 2022

Our financial results for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

Exploration expenses

Under the successful efforts method of accounting for crude oil and natural gas properties, exploration expenses consist primarily of exploratory geological and geophysical costs, delay rentals and exploratory overhead, and are expensed as incurred. Exploration expenses increased by approximately $0.2 million as compared to the prior year period due to an increase in exploratory, geological, and geophysical costs incurred during the year.

Given adequate funding, the Company expects drill two additional wells (the HV-2 and HV-4 wells) in 2024.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense for employees and consultants in executive, finance and accounting, legal, operations support, information technology and human resource functions. General and administrative expenses also include corporate facility costs including rent, utilities, depreciation, amortization and maintenance, as well as legal fees related to intellectual property and corporate matters and fees for accounting and consulting services.

General and administrative expenses increased for the year ended October 31, 2023 by approximately $2.5 million as compared to the prior period due to director fees of approximately $160,000, consulting fees of approximately $430,000, insurance expenses of approximately $120,000, increased advertising and marketing fees of approximately $400,000, increased legal fees of approximately $800,000 and increased salaries expenses of approximately $600,000.

Stock-based compensation expense

The Company records stock-based compensation expense for costs associated with options and restricted shares granted in connection with the Plan, as well as for shares issued as payment for services. Stock-based compensation expense increased by approximately $1.0 million for the year ended October 31, 2023 as compared to the prior year due to the amortization of approximately $965,000 in expense for restricted shares, and approximately $40,000 in expense for options granted in the period.

Accretion expenses

The Company has an Asset Retirement Obligation (“ARO”) recorded that is associated with its oil and natural gas properties in the SSP; the fair value of the ARO was recorded as a liability and is accreted over time until the date the ARO is to be paid. For the year ended October 31, 2023, accretion expenses remained consistent with that of the prior year period.

Other expenses, net

For the year ended October 31, 2023, other expenses, net decreased by approximately $1.1 million when compared to the prior year period. The decrease is attributable to decreases in interest expense of approximately $0.9 million, a nominal decrease in license fees and a one-time penalty fee in the prior year of approximately $1.3 million that did not recur in the current year. These decreases were offset by losses on settlements and note conversions of approximately $15,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital/(Deficiency)

Our working capital deficit as of October 31, 2023, in comparison to our working capital deficit as of October 31, 2022, can be summarized as follows:

Current assets decreased slightly because of i) an increase to the cash account of approximately $1.5 million, offset by ii) a decrease in deferred offering costs of approximately $1.6 million, both of which are due to the closing of the IPO, which resulted in net cash proceeds of $4,940,000 and the complete reduction of deferred offering costs asset account. The decrease in current liabilities is due to i) the conversion of the $4.5 million January 2022 SPA to equity, ii) the repayment of approximately $1.4 million in notes payable, both of which occurred upon consummation of the IPO and iii) the funding of a convertible note, net of discounts, in the amount of approximately $1.2 million.

Cash Flows

Our cash flows for the year ended October 31, 2023, in comparison to our cash flows for the year ended October 31, 2022, can be summarized as follows:

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

For the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, cash used in operating activities was $4,036,834 and $502,144, respectively. The cash used in operations for the year ended October 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $6,544,426, adjusted for non-cash expenses in the aggregate amount of $2,520,829, as well as $13,237 of net cash used to fund changes in the levels of operating assets and liabilities. Our cash used in operations for the year ended October 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $3,800,392, adjusted for non-cash expenses in the aggregate amount of $2,729,551, as well as $568,697 of net cash provided to fund changes in the levels of operating assets and liabilities.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, cash used in investing activities was $2,189,859 and $0, respectively. The cash used during the current period is attributable to approximately $3.7 million related to drilling exploratory wells and approximately $0.4 million related to acquisition and reserve analysis costs, both of which were capitalized and are reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of October 31, 2023. These amounts were offset by approximately $1.9 million in amounts used from the Advance to Operators account, which is designated for costs for the HV-1 well.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, cash provided by financing activities was $7,714,969 and $496,915, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended October 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to $6.7 million in gross proceeds from the issuance of common stock, $1.8 million in net proceeds from the exercise of warrants and $1.6 million in net proceeds from the convertible note financing, offset by the payment of offering costs of approximately $1.0 million and the payment of notes payables of approximately $1.5 million. Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended October 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to approximately $4.8 million in gross proceeds from the issuance of notes payables to investors, offset by the repayment of notes payables of approximately $2.9 million and $1.5 million for the aggregate payment of debt issuance costs and deferred offering costs.

The Company’s cash change was an increase of approximately $1.5 million as of October 31, 2023 from the prior year end. Management believes that the cash on hand and working capital are sufficient to meet its current anticipated cash requirements for anticipated capital expenditures and operating expenses for the next twelve months.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Unproved Property Leases

As of October 31, 2023, the Company holds various leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project (see Note 5 to our financial statements); two of the leases are held with the same lessor. The first lease, which covers 8,417 acres, was amended on May 27, 2022 to provide for an extension of then-current force majeure status for an additional, uncontested twelve months, during which the Company would be released from having to evidence to the lessor the existence of force majeure conditions. As consideration for the granting of the lease extension, the Company paid the lessor a one-time, non-refundable payment of $252,512; this amount was capitalized and reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of October 31, 2022. The extension period commenced on June 19, 2022; as of October 31, 2023, the “force majeure” status has been extinguished by the drilling of the HV-1 well, and the validity of the lease is maintained by the drilling of the well, which is in production testing.

The second lease covers 160 acres of the South Salinas Project; it is currently held by delay rental and is renewed every three years. Until drilling commences, the Company is required to make delay rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the delay rental payment for the period from October 2022 through October 2023.

During February and March of 2023, the Company entered into additional leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project with two groups of lessors. The first group of leases covers 360 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $25/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period from February 2023 through February 2024. The second group of leases covers 307.75 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period from March 2023 through March 2024.

As of October 31, 2023, the Company assessed the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project and those adjacent to it for impairment, analyzing future drilling plans, leasehold expiration and the existence of any known dry holes in the area. Management concluded there is no impairment allowance required as of the balance sheet date.

Board of Directors Compensation

On July 11, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved compensation for each of the non-employee directors of the Company, which would be effective upon the consummation of the IPO. Such compensation is structured as follows: an annual retainer of $50,000 cash plus an additional $10,000 for each Board committee upon which the Director serves, each paid quarterly in arrears. Payment for this approved compensation commenced upon successful completion of the Company’s IPO and as of October 31, 2023, the Company has recognized $156,154 in directors’ fees.

Agreements with Advisors

On July 28, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC (“Spartan”) whereby Spartan will serve as the exclusive agent, advisor or underwriter in any offering of securities of the Company for the term of the agreement, which is one year. The agreement provides for a $25,000 non-refundable advance upon execution of the agreement and completion of a bridge offering to be credited against the accountable expenses incurred by Spartan upon successful completion of the IPO, a cash fee or an underwriter discount of 7.5% of the aggregate proceeds raised in the IPO, warrants to purchase a number of shares of common stock equal to 5% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock placed in the IPO, an expense allowance of up to $150,000 for fees and expenses of legal counsel and other out-of-pocket expenses and 1% of the gross proceeds of the IPO to Spartan for non-accountable expenses. The agreement also provides for an option to Spartan that is exercisable within 45 days after the closing of the IPO to purchase up to an additional 15% of the total number of securities offered by the Company in the IPO.

On April 20, 2023, pursuant to the agreement above, the Company issued representative warrants to Spartan to purchase up to an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock; these warrants may be exercised commencing from the closing of the offering on April 20, 2023, and expiring five years from the effective date of the registration statement on April 17, 2028, at an exercise price of $3.30 (110% of the public offering price of the common stock).

Trio LLC – Monthly Consulting Fee

Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to the PSA, the Company agreed, commencing on May 1, 2022, to accrue a monthly consulting fee of $35,000, due and payable by the Company to Trio LLC. This fee is intended to cover the work being done for the Company by Trio LLC’s employees prior to the closing date of the Company’s IPO. As of October 31, 2023, the Company has accrued and paid $406,000 in fees for these services.

On May 1, 2023, the Company entered into six employment agreements with Trio LLC employees; the agreements provide for compensation and restricted shares pursuant to the Plan (see Note 9 to our financial statements) with a start date of May 1, 2023, provided that each individual continues to serve as an employee of Trio LLC on a part-time basis.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Oil and Gas Assets and Exploration Costs - Successful Efforts

The Company is in the exploration stage and has not yet realized any revenues from its operations. It applies the successful efforts method of accounting for crude oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, exploration costs such as exploratory geological and geophysical costs, delay rentals and exploratory overhead are expensed as incurred. If an exploratory property provides evidence to justify potential development of reserves, drilling costs associated with the property are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending a determination as to whether a commercially sufficient quantity of proved reserves can be attributed to the area as a result of drilling. At the end of each quarter, management reviews the status of all suspended exploratory property costs in light of ongoing exploration activities; in particular, whether the Company is making sufficient progress in its ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts. If management determines that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated exploratory well costs are expensed.

Costs to acquire mineral interests in crude oil and/or natural gas properties, drill and equip exploratory wells that find proved reserves and drill and equip development wells are capitalized. Acquisition costs of unproved leaseholds are assessed for impairment during the holding period and transferred to proven crude oil and/or natural gas properties to the extent associated with successful exploration activities. Significant undeveloped leases are assessed individually for impairment, based on the Company’s current exploration plans, and a valuation allowance is provided if impairment is indicated. Capitalized costs from successful exploration and development activities associated with producing crude oil and/or natural gas leases, along with capitalized costs for support equipment and facilities, are amortized to expense using the unit-of-production method based on proved crude oil and/or natural gas reserves on a field-by-field basis, as estimated by qualified petroleum engineers.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties

Unproved oil and natural gas properties consist of costs incurred to acquire unproved leases. Unproved lease acquisition costs are capitalized until the lease expires or when the Company specifically identifies a lease that will revert to the lessor, at which time it charges the associated unproved lease acquisition costs to exploration costs.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties are assessed periodically for impairment on a property-by-property basis based on remaining lease terms, drilling results or future plans to develop acreage.

Impairment of Other Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate. The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and estimated fair value. With regards to oil and gas properties, this assessment applies to proved properties; unproved properties are assessed for impairment either at an individual property basis or a group basis.

Asset Retirement Obligations

ARO consists of future plugging and abandonment expenses on oil and natural gas properties. In connection with the South Salinas Project acquisition described above, the Company acquired the plugging and abandonment liabilities associated with six temporarily shut-in, idle wells. The fair value of the ARO was recorded as a liability in the period in which the wells were acquired with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties. The Company plans to utilize the six wellbores acquired in the South Salinas Project acquisition in future production, development and/or exploration activities. The liability is accreted for the change in its present value each period based on the expected dates that the wellbores will be required to be plugged and abandoned. The capitalized cost of ARO is included in oil and gas properties and is a component of oil and gas property costs for purposes of impairment and, if proved reserves are found, such capitalized costs will be depreciated using the units-of-production method. The asset and liability are adjusted for changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate when deemed necessary. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

All recently issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements have been deemed to be not applicable or immaterial to the Company.

BUSINESS

Overview

We are a California-focused oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with operations in Monterey County, California, and Uintah County, Utah. The Company was incorporated on July 19, 2021, under the laws of Delaware to acquire, fund, and operate oil exploration and production from assets in California. We have no revenue-generating operations as of the date of this prospectus. The Company was formed to acquire an approximate 82.75% (which was subsequently increased to approximately an 85.75% working interest) working interest in the large, approximately 9,300-acre South Salinas Project located in Monterey, California (the “South Salinas Project”), and subsequently partner with certain members of Trio LLC’s management team to develop and operate those assets. Trio LLC holds an approximate 3.8% working interest in the South Salinas Project. We hold an approximate 68.6% interest after the application of royalties (“net revenue interest”) in the South Salinas Project. California is a significant part of our geographic focus currently and we recently acquired an interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field in Monterey County, California, whereas recently we expanded our focus by acquiring an interest in the Asphalt Ridge Project in Utah. We may acquire additional assets both inside and outside of California.

Trio LLC is a licensed Operator in California and operates the South Salinas Project and McCool Ranch Oil Field on behalf of us and of the other working interest partners pursuant to Joint Operating Agreements. Trio LLC operates the South Salinas Project pursuant to a Joint Operating Agreement dated February 1, 2004, by and among Trio Petroleum Inc. (the predecessor corporation to Trio LLC), as Operator, and the other working interest parties. The parties to the JOA are partial owners of the oil and gas leases and/or oil and gas interests in the South Salinas Project and the parties agreed to have the Operator explore and develop these leases and/or interests for the production of oil and gas as provided therein. Trio LLC, as Operator, generally conducts and has full control of the operations and acts in the capacity of an independent contractor. Trio LLC is obligated to conduct its activities under the JOA as a reasonable prudent operator, in good workmanlike manner, with due diligence and dispatch, in accordance with good oilfield practices, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Recent Business Developments

McCool Ranch Oil Field

On October 16, 2023, we entered into an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of an Undivided Interest (the “McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement”) in the McCool Ranch Oil Field (the “McCool Ranch Oil Field”) with Trio LLC. Pursuant to the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement, effective October 1, 2023, we acquired an approximate 22% working interest in and to certain oil and gas assets at the McCool Ranch Oil Field, which is located in Monterey, County, California, just seven miles from our flagship South Salinas Project. The assets are situated in what is known as the “Hangman Hollow Area” of the McCool Ranch Field. The acquired property is a relatively new oil field developed with six oil wells, one water-disposal well, steam generator, boiler, three 5,000 barrel tanks, 250 barrel test tank, water softener, two freshwater tanks, two soft water tanks, in-field steam pipelines, oil pipelines and other facilities. The property is fully and properly permitted for oil and gas production, cyclic-steam injection and water disposal and is currently idle (i.e., not producing), although operations to restart production have begun. We are acquiring the working interests at the McCool Ranch Oil Field through primarily work commitment expenditures that will be allocated to restart production at the field and establish cash flow for us, with upside potential given the numerous undrilled infill and development well locations. See “Business - Recent Developments” for further information on our acquisition of working interests in the McCool Ranch Oil Field.

The McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement provided for an initial payment of $100,000 to Trio LLC (the “Stage 1 Purchase Price”) by the Company, which payment was accomplished. Subsequently, refurbishment operations (“Refurbishment’) were to commence at the San Ardo WD-1 water disposal well (the “WD-1”) to determine if the well is capable of reasonably serving the produced water needs for the Assets (as such term is defined in the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement). The Company had the option to be refunded the Stage 1 Purchase price in the event the Refurbishment was unsuccessful, and thereby terminate the acquisition. Alternatively, in the event the Refurbishment was successful, the Company was to commit to an additional payment to Trio LLC of $400,000 (the “Stage 2 Purchase Price”) of work-commitment funds to be used by Trio LLC in restarting production operations. The Refurbishment was deemed successful and the Company is paying to Trio LLC the Stage 2 Purchase Price, which may be paid in tranches as needed for operations. Funds paid for the Refurbishment by Trio LLC out of its own account were reimbursed to it from the Stage 2 Purchase Price funds.

Oil production from the restart of operations at McCool Ranch is expected to resume in Q1, 2024. Once oil production is realized from the restart of operations, the revenue stream from oil sales, after royalties and over and above operating costs, collectively attributable to the Company and Trio LLC before payout of the Stage 1 Purchase and Stage 2 Purchase Price of $500,000.00 (the “Total Purchase Price”), shall be apportioned 80% to the Company and 20% to Trio LLC. Upon payout to the Company of the Total Purchase Price, such revenue stream shall be apportioned 40% to the Company and 60% to Trio LLC until Trio LLC has been reimbursed for The working interest indebtedness (“WI Indebtedness”) of third-party working interest owners, which WI Indebtedness at the execution of the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement was approximately $870,000. Trio LLC shall be reimbursed no more than the total amount of the WI Indebtedness; however, regardless of the source of its reimbursement of same, upon payout of the WI Indebtedness, the Company and Trio LLC will revert to their proportionate 50/50 working interest shares.

Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement

On November 10, 2023, the Company entered into a Leasehold Acquisition and Development Option Agreement (the “Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement”) with Heavy Sweet Oil LLC (“Heavy Sweet”). Pursuant to the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, the Company acquired an option to purchase up to a 20% production share in certain leases in a long-recognized, major oil accumulation in eastern Utah, southwest of Vernal, Utah, totaling 960 acres. Heavy Sweet holds the right to such leases below 500 ft depth from surface (the “Asphalt Ridge Leases”) and the Company acquired the option to participate in Heavy Sweet’s initial 960 acre drilling and production program on such Asphalt Ridge Leases (the “Asphalt Ridge Option”).

The Asphalt Ridge Option has a term of nine months, through August 10, 2024. Pursuant to the Asphalt Ridge Option, the Company has the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to acquire up to a 20% interest in the Asphalt Ridge Leases for $2,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”), which may be invested in tranches, provided that the initial tranche closing occurs during the Asphalt Ridge Option period and subsequent tranches occurring as soon thereafter as practical within the Asphalt Ridge Option period, with each tranche providing the Company a portion of the ownership of the Asphalt Ridge Leases equal to 20% multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total consideration paid by the Company, and denominator of which is $2,000,000. Upon receipt of any funding from the Company pursuant to the Asphalt Ridge Option, Heavy Sweet is required to pay that amount to the named operator of the properties, to pay for engineering, procurement, operations, sales, and logistics activities on the properties. The Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement provides that additional development capital is expected to be secured by Heavy Sweet, and made available for the Company’s participation, by way of a reserve base lending facility (RBL), provided that if such RBL cannot be obtained or does not cover all subsequent capital costs, Heavy Sweet agreed to fund a maximum of $5,000,000 of the first funding required for the development program, with the parties splitting any costs thereafter according to their ownership interests. The initial target is three wells, with an estimated cost of $5,000,000 for roads, pads, drilling, and above ground steam and storage facilities, and thereafter the parties anticipate working together to fund further well development based on their proportionate ownership thereof.

On or around the date the parties entered into the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, Heavy Sweet entered into a Leasehold Acquisition and Development Option Agreement with Lafayette Energy Corp (“LEC”), of which Michael Peterson, the Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, is also the Chief Executive Officer and director, and Frank C. Ingriselli, the Company’s Vice Chairman, is also a director (the “LEC Option”). The LEC Option has similar terms as the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, except that it allows LEC to obtain a 30% interest in the Asphalt Ridge Leases and requires LEC to pay certain equity compensation to Heavy Sweet.

The Company and Heavy Sweet further agreed that, to the extent LEC does not fully exercise the LEC Option, the Company has the right to acquire up to all 30% of the rights set forth in the LEC Option (or such lesser amount which LEC has not exercised), from Heavy Sweet, for $3,000,000 cash.

The exercise of the Asphalt Ridge Option is contingent, unless waived by the Company, upon the following: (a) Heavy Sweet providing the Company the statements of revenues and direct operating expenses for the prior two years for the asset and the unaudited stub period for 2023, through the date of closing; (b) satisfactory due diligence review by the Company of Heavy Sweet, the leases, the property and other information; (c) the negotiating of a mutually-acceptable joint operations agreement or other development and operations agreement(s) as agreed by the parties; and (d) Heavy Sweet providing the Company an updated independent reserves report including proved undeveloped reserves (PUDs) and an estimate of gross valuation and discounted net present values, and indicating best estimate original oil-in-place (OOIP) volumes and gross (100%) contingent oil resources, as of a date no earlier than August 31, 2023, for discoveries located in Northwest Asphalt Ridge, Uinta Basin, Utah.

On December 29, 2023, the Company and Heavy Sweet entered into an Amendment to Leasehold Acquisition and Development Agreement (the “Amendment”), pursuant to which the Company and Heavy Sweet amended the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement to provide that, within three (3) business days of the effective date of the Amendment, the Company would fund $200,000 of the $2,000,000 total Purchase Price in advance of Heavy Sweet satisfying the closing conditions set forth in the Asphalt Ridge Option Agreement, in exchange for the Company receiving an immediate 2% interest in the Asphalt Ridge Leases, which advanced funds would be used solely for the building of roads and related infrastructure in furtherance of the development plan.

On December 29, 2023, the Company paid the $200,000 advance of the total $2,000,000 Purchase Price to Heavy Sweet as required pursuant to the Amendment, and Heavy Sweet immediately assigned a 2% interest in the Asphalt Ridge Leases to the Company.

Competition

There are many large, medium, and small-sized oil and gas companies and third-parties that are our competitors. Some of these competitors have extensive operational histories, experienced oil and gas industry management, profitable operations, and significant reserves and funding resources. Our efforts to acquire additional oil/gas properties in California and elsewhere may be met with competition.

Government Regulation

We are subject to a number of federal, state, county and local laws, regulations and other requirements relating to oil and natural gas operations. The laws and regulations that affect the oil and natural gas industry are under constant review for amendment or expansion. Some of these laws, regulations and requirements result in challenges, delays and/or obstacles in obtaining permits, and some carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business, can affect and even obstruct our operations and, consequently, can affect our profitability.

Various permits for exploratory drilling and production-testing are in-hand for the South Salinas Project, whereas permits for long-term production, conditional use permits, water disposal and other matters have not yet been obtained. There are challenges and uncertainties in obtaining permits, which may result in delays and/or obstacles to developing our oil/gas assets. California and Colorado are two States that are considered to have challenging regulatory environments and Monterey County in California also has this reputation. We may experience delays and/or obstacles to exploiting our assets, and also may be required to make large expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations and to obtain permits, particularly in respect of the following matters:

Regulation of Drilling and Production

The drilling, completion and monitoring of wells and the production of oil and natural gas are subject to regulation under a wide range of local, county, state and federal statutes, rules, orders and regulations. Federal, state, county and local statutes and regulations require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations. The trend in oil and natural gas regulation has been to increase regulatory restrictions and limitations on such activities. Any changes in, or more stringent enforcement of, these laws and regulations may result in delays or restrictions in permitting or development of projects or more stringent or costly construction, drilling, water management or completion activities or waste handling, storage, transport, remediation, or disposal emission or discharge requirements which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Currently, a significant portion of our properties and operations are in California, which has regulations governing conservation matters, such as the California Environmental Quality Act, such as protecting air and water quality, such as minimizing visual and noise impacts of operations, such as regulating the disposal of produced water and more-specifically on regulating Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) water-disposal projects, such as limitations on hydraulic-fracking and on acid-matrix stimulation, such as the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, such as establishing maximum allowable rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, such as the regulation of well spacing, such as requirements for the plugging and abandonment of wells, and other similar matters. Regulatory agencies that are probably most-pertinent to the South Salinas Project include Monterey County, the California Geologic Energy Management Division of the Department of Conservation (“CalGEM”), California Water Boards, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, although there are many others. Negative effects of these regulations may include delaying or even blocking projects and increasing project costs. Trio Petroleum has considerable expertise and experience in successfully navigating through California’s regulatory environment, which will be utilized in Trio Petroleum’s efforts to successfully develop the South Salinas Project. Our competitors in the oil and natural gas industry are subject to the same regulatory requirements and restrictions that affect our operations.

Regulation of Transportation of Oil

Sales of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids are not currently regulated and are made at negotiated prices; however, Congress could reenact price controls in the future. Our sales of crude oil are affected by the availability, terms, and cost of transportation.

We anticipate that oil produced from the South Salinas Project will initially be trucked to market, and that it may be trucked to market over the long-term. Similarly, most if not all of the oil produced from the nearby San Ardo Oilfield (approximately cumulative 500 million barrels of produced oil), which has been in operations for about 70 years, is trucked to market. Nevertheless, there are two idle oil pipelines at the South Salinas Project that we may at some time in the future, but not initially, be able to utilize to move oil to market.

The transportation of oil in common carrier pipelines is also subject to rate regulation. The Federal Energy Regulation Commission (“FERC”) regulates interstate oil pipeline transportation rates under the Interstate Commerce Act. Intrastate oil pipeline transportation rates are subject to regulation by state regulatory commissions. The basis for intrastate oil pipeline regulation, and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate oil pipeline rates, varies from state to state. Insofar as effective interstate and intrastate rates are equally applicable to all comparable shippers, we believe that the regulation of oil transportation rates will not affect our operations in any way that is of material difference from those of our competitors. Further, interstate, and intrastate common carrier oil pipelines must provide service on a non-discriminatory basis. Under this open access standard, common carriers must offer service to all shippers requesting service on the same terms and under the same rates. When oil pipelines operate at full capacity, access is governed by pro-rationing provisions set forth in the pipelines’ published tariffs. Accordingly, we believe that access to oil pipeline transportation services generally will be available to us to the same extent as to our competitors.

Regulation of Transportation and Sale of Natural Gas

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

Since 1985, the FERC has endeavored to make natural gas transportation more accessible to natural gas buyers and sellers on an open and non-discriminatory basis. The FERC has stated that open access policies are necessary to improve the competitive structure of the interstate natural gas pipeline industry and to create a regulatory framework that will put natural gas sellers into more direct contractual relations with natural gas buyers by, among other things, unbundling the sale of natural gas from the sale of transportation and storage services. Although the FERC’s orders do not directly regulate natural gas producers, they are intended to foster increased competition within all phases of the natural gas industry. We cannot accurately predict whether the FERC’s actions will achieve the goal of increasing competition in markets in which our natural gas is sold. Therefore, we cannot provide any assurance that the less stringent regulatory approach established by the FERC will continue. However, we do not believe that any action taken will affect us in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other natural gas producers.

Intrastate natural gas transportation is subject to regulation by state regulatory agencies. The basis for intrastate regulation of natural gas transportation and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate natural gas pipeline rates and services varies from state to state. Insofar as such regulation within a particular state will generally affect all intrastate natural gas shippers within the state on a comparable basis, we believe that the regulation of similarly situated intrastate natural gas transportation in any states in which we operate and ship natural gas on an intrastate basis will not affect our operations in any way that is of material difference from those of our competitors.

South Salinas Project Oil Rights

We have an approximate 85.75% working interest in the South Salinas Project, and a mineral-leasehold of approximately 9,300 gross mineral acres in one largely contiguous land package. There are six existing idle wells and one active well (i.e., the HV-1 well) in the South Salinas Project, and permits are approved by Monterey County for the drilling and testing of two additional wells (i.e., the HV-2 and HV-4 wells) at the project.

Description of South Salinas Property and Current Operations

We initiated operations with the acquisition from Trio LLC of 82.75% working interest in the South Salinas Project under the terms of a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “South Salinas Purchase Agreement”) dated September 14, 2021. Our working interest was later increased by 3.026471% and we currently hold an approximate 85.75% working interest and an approximate 68.6% net revenue interest (after all royalties) in the South Salinas Project. The working interest we own includes leases, wells, inventory and 3D seismic data.

Trio LLC and its management team are part owners of the Company and will continue as Operator of the South Salinas Project on behalf of the Company and of the other working interest partners.

There are two contiguous areas of notable oil/gas accumulations in the South Salinas Project, being the Humpback Area (“Humpback Oil Field”) that occurs in the northern part of the project, and the Presidents Area (“Presidents Oil Field”) that occurs in the southern part of the project. Discovery wells have been drilled and completed at both Humpback Oil Field and Presidents Oil Field. The HV-3A well is the first well drilled at the Presidents Oil Field and is its discovery well. About five wells have been drilled at the Humpback Oil Field and of these we consider the BM 2-2 well as its discovery well.

The Company has determined that production testing may resume at the HV-3A discovery well at Presidents Field. Operations are in-progress to put the HV-3A well back on pump. Testing on pump at this well is expected to resume in Q1, 2024.

We believe the South Salinas Project has the potential to be significant, with an estimated 39.0 million barrels of oil (“MMBO”) plus 40.0 billion cubic feet of gas (“BCFG”), or 45.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), in Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and an approximate 92.4 MMBO plus 148.8 BCFG, or 117.2 million BOE, in Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves. Note that the conversion rate used is 6.0 Mcf per 1 BOE.

We own approximately 30 square miles of three dimensional seismic data (“3D seismic”) at the project. An integrated interpretation of the 3D seismic data and of well data indicates that Presidents Oil Field is a large anticlinal feature covering an area of approximately 1,300 acres, with a major structural, anticlinal high at the location of the HV-3A discovery well, and with two separate, four-way closed anticlines at the northwest, down-plunge-end of the feature. The structural feature at Presidents Oil Field is best characterized as a positive flower structure resulting from transpressional deformation along strike slip faults including the major Rinconada Fault.

One of our objectives was to drill the HV-1 confirmation well at the President Oil Field immediately after the consummation of our IPO. This objective has been accomplished. The HV-1 well spud on about May 5, 2023, and was completed at its total depth (“TD”) of about 6,641feet (measured depth) on about May 15, 2023.

The HV-1 well is located at Presidents Oil Field about two miles northwest of the HV-3A discovery well and for this reason it is considered a “confirmation well” intended to help confirm the size of lateral extent of the field. The HV-1 surface hole location (“SHL”) is located in about the center of T24S-R10E-Section 14. The well was directionally drilled approximately 2,600 feet toward the southeast and its bottom hole location (“BHL”) is located in T24S-R10E-Section 13.

The HV-1 confirmation well is located on the larger of the aforementioned two down-plunge, four-way closed anticlines. The down-plunge anticline at the HV-1 well covers about 160 acres, or about 12% of Presidents Oil Field. Establishing commercial oil/gas production at the HV-1 well would help confirm that there are about 1,300 oil/gas productive acres at Presidents, whereas noncommercial oil/gas production at the HV-1 well might be considered to reduce the potential productive area of the Yellow Zone at Presidents by about 12% to about 1,140 acres, whereas potentially productive deeper targets would remain under the larger 1,300 acre area.

There were primarily three reservoir objectives in the HV-1 well, being the Yellow Zone (aka Yellow Chert), the underlying Brown Zone (aka Brown Chert) and the underlying Mid-Monterey Clay, all of which are stratigraphic subunits of the Miocene-age Monterey Formation. The Yellow and Brown zones are both attributed oil and gas reserves at Presidents in the Company’s reserve report as filed with the SEC. The Mid-Monterey Clay is nowhere assigned reserves in the Company’s reserve report, although it did have significant oil/gas shows in the HV-3A discovery well and periodically may have contributed to the flow of oil and gas to surface at said well.

The 3D seismic data indicate that the Yellow and Brown zones have four-way closure (i.e., anticlinal rollover in one of the subsidiary, down-plunge anticlines) at the location of the HV-1 well, whereas at this location the Mid-Monterey Clay may have fault closure (within the positive flower structure) but lacks rollover. The directional drilling plan for the HV-1 well was designed such that the well would penetrate the Yellow and Brown zones near the tops of their anticlinal closures and to continue downward into the Mid-Monterey Clay where anticlinal closure apparently does not occur.

The Yellow Zone, Brown Zone and Mid-Monterey Clay were encountered in the HV-1 well largely as predicted including with respect to depth, thickness, lithology, wireline-log characteristics and oil and gas shows including free oil in cuttings and in the mud pit. The Company believes that the HV-1 well has confirmed that there is a major oil and gas accumulation in the Presidents Oil Field, as the Company announced in a press release on May 16, 2023.

Confirmation of a major oil and gas accumulation by itself does not confirm whether economic oil/gas production can be established. The HV-1 has undergone production testing to evaluate commerciality. Production testing at the HV-1 well was initially carried-out from the bottom up (i.e., by testing the deeper Mid-Monterey Clay zone first and working upward to the shallower Brown and Yellow zones), and the Brown and Mid-Monterey Clay zones were subsequently retested. The Mid-Monterey Clay, Brown Zone and Yellow Zone all underwent production testing. Oil and gas were recovered but commercial oil/gas production has not been established. Operations continue at the HV-1 well, but it may soon be idle.

The primary oil and gas objectives in the South Salinas Project are classic fractured Monterey Formation reservoirs (i.e., zones with abundant brittle/fractured intervals of chert, dolomite, limestone and porcelanite) and the Vaqueros Sand. Fractured Monterey Formation is one of the most important and prolific oil/gas reservoirs in California. The primary oil and gas reservoirs occur at approximately 4,000-8,000’ depth. The oil is mid- to high-gravity (18-40° API). The oil and gas targets are in structural traps - this is not a resource play. The structural traps are imaged in 30 square miles of 3D seismic data that is owned by the Company. Importantly, the 3D seismic was acquired after the drilling of all wells in the area except for our HV-3A and HV-1 wells. The 3D seismic provides critical information about how prior wells were not properly located and, more importantly, how the South Salinas Project potentially may be successfully exploited going forward.

The Monterey Formation oil and gas zones have been tested as various wells at the South Salinas Project. The Vaqueros Sand has not yet been tested but it is behind-pipe in the BM 2-2 well that the Company intends to perforate and test as soon as the necessary permits are in-hand.

We have a leasehold of approximately 9,300 gross and 7,946 net mineral acres from one Lessor, Bradley Minerals. The surface lands at the approximate 9,300 mineral acres are all part of the private Porter Ranch.

The HV-1 well was drilled in May 2023, and is the newest well in the South Salinas Project. The HV-1 well has undergone production testing but commercial oil/gas production has not been established. The HV-1 well is the only exploratory well drilled in the last three fiscal years at the South Salinas Project. The Company considers it premature to deem HV-1 either a dry development well or a net productive well. Additional operations, including possibly deepening or sidetracking, and additional testing, are feasible at HV-1. Thus, there has been no net productive well or dry development well drilled in the last three fiscal years at the South Salinas Project. Prior to the drilling of the HV-1 well, the newest well at the Project was the HV-3A discovery well that was drilled in 2018.

All of the Company’s acreage and reserves in the South Salinas Project are considered undeveloped. The new HV-1 well may or may not be capable of commercial oil and/or gas production but, regardless, additional investments (e.g., installing production facilities), will be required and commercial oil/gas production established before acreage and reserves associated with the well may potentially be moved out of the undeveloped category. Similarly, the HV-3A and BM 2-2 wells are and/or may be capable of oil and/or gas production but additional investments at both of these wells are anticipated in Phase 1 prior to establishing commercial oil/gas production and, therefore, the reserves and acreage at both of these wells are considered undeveloped. Thus, the total gross undeveloped acreage is approximately 9,300 acres and the total net undeveloped acreage (i.e., net to the Company) is approximately 7,927 acres (i.e., 9,300 acres x 0.8575 = 7,927 acres). The total gross developed acreage is zero acres and the total net developed acreage (i.e., net to the Company) is also zero acres.

As noted elsewhere, on the Company’s leases there is one existing active well (i.e., the HV-1 well) and there are six existing idle wells (i.e., the BM 1-2-RD1, BM 2-2, BM 2-6, HV-3A, HV 3-6 and HV 1-35 wells). Of these seven wells only the HV-1, HV-3A and BM 2-2 wells are considered to probably and/or possibly be capable of economic oil/gas production, whereas it cannot be ruled-out that economic oil/gas production could be established at the other four wells. Thus, on the Company’s leases there may be considered to be three (3) gross productive wells (i.e., the HV-1, HV-3A and BM 2-2 wells) and 2.5725 net productive wells (i.e., 85.75% WI times 3 gross wells = 2.5725 net productive wells).

The Porter Ranch is an active working property that supports farming operations, livestock grazing, and the exploitation of oil and gas reserves, as well as the preservation of open space that preserves natural habitat. There is partly overlapping ownership in Bradley Minerals (the Lessor) and in Porter Ranch (the surface owner) and the interests and objectives of the two entities are closely aligned. In some projects there are conflicts between surface and mineral owners, for example with the surface owner discouraging and the mineral owner encouraging development. Importantly, in this project the mineral and surface owners have aligned interests/objectives, and this is highly beneficial to the South Salinas Project. Total royalty burden at the South Salinas Project is 20%, all of which is held by lessors. The Company and Trio LLC and their associates hold no royalty interests in the South Salinas Project.

Infrastructure at the South Salinas Project includes seven existing wells (including the recently drilled HV-1 well), six expansive well pads, and three idle Exxon and/or AERA Energy oil and gas pipelines. The expansive well pads are important because they can accommodate significant project development without additional disturbance of the surface - this should help expedite the approval of necessary additional permits.

South Salinas Project Property and Future Operations

The Company has drilling permits from Monterey County for two additional wells at the South Salinas Project, being the HV-2 well and the HV-4 well. The Company may drill one or both of these wells in 2024. The Company is evaluating whether to directionally drill both of these wells into the Presidents Oil Field, or to drill one into the Presidents Oil Field and one into the Humpback Oil Field. This determination will be made, in part, based on the results of production tests at the HV-1 and HV-3Awells.

The Company anticipates that it may be desirable in the future to obtain access or ownership of the Exxon pipelines to move oil and gas to markets and possibly to move produced water off-site. AERA Energy (“AERA”), which is Exxon-Mobil’s California subsidiary, has significant operations a few miles north at the San Ardo Field. It is noted here that it has recently been reported that AERA’s holdings in California have been acquired by the companies IKAV, which is self-described as an international asset management group headquartered in Germany, and CPP Investments, which is self-described as a professional investment management organization that manages investments of contributors and beneficiaries of the Canada Pension Plan. There may be synergies between our project and AERA’s and/or IKAV’s/CPP’s nearby operations that may include our use of one or more of the three pipelines.

There is an application for an UIC water disposal operation at the South Salinas Project that is under review by CalGEM and being modified and updated by Trio LLC. Approval of this water disposal project by CalGEM and Water Boards will be an important part of establishing an economic oil and gas operations.

One of the existing seven wells is currently operationally active (i.e., the HV-1 well) but may soon be idle, whereas six of the seven wells are currently idle and are temporarily shut-in. One of the seven wells (i.e., HV-3A) is expected to be active and returned to oil/gas production in Q1, 2024. When the appropriate permits are in-hand, which may be in about 8 to 12 months, and when the required funding is in-place, the Company plans to return the BM 2-2 well to oil and gas production, to reenter and sidetrack three of the wells (the HV 1-35, BM 2-6 and HV 3-6 wells) to optimal locations that are indicated in the 3D seismic data and to then put them on production, and to utilize one well (the BM 1-2-RD1 well) as a water disposal well. The Company is evaluating the new HV-1 well, as discussed above. The Company may drill one or both of the HV-2 and HV-4 wells in 2024. The HV-1, HV-2 and HV-4 wells may each be produced for its own 18-month period, under the Company’s current exploration/testing permits. The Company intends to work diligently with Monterey County, CalGEM and WaterBoards toward the goal of obtaining permits in about 8 to 12 months for full field development, including long-term production and water disposal. This would allow continued and uninterrupted oil and gas production at the HV-1, HV-2, HV-3A and HV-4 wells, the recompletion and return to production of the BM 2-2 well, the utilization of the BM 1-2-RD1 well for water disposal, and the sidetracking of the HV 1-35, BM 2-6 and HV 3-6 wells to the oil and gas targets that are indicated in the 3D seismic data.

Evaluation of Reserves and Net Revenue

Our evaluation and review of oil and gas reserves and future net revenue attributable to the Company’s interests in the South Salinas Project, as of the end of October 31, 2021, are based on independent analyses prepared by KLS Petroleum Consulting LLC (“KLSP”), Denver, Colorado, as documented in the report that it prepared that is entitled “Reserves Attributable to Trio Petroleum Corp South Salinas Area for Development Plan Phases 1 and 2” (the “Reserve Report”), and a parallel and related analysis by KLSP for the entire Project that is entitled “S. Salinas Area, Full Development Reserves Supplement to SEC Report Dated 1-28-2022” (the “Reserve Supplement Report”). KLSP is an independent, third-party, petroleum engineering firm that meets industry-standards for qualifications, independence, objectivity and confidentiality. The primary technical person, Kenneth L. Schuessler, responsible for preparing the Reserve Report is a registered professional petroleum engineer with decades of experience in the petroleum industry and in analyses of reserves. Mr. Schuessler has significant experience in the petroleum industry and has held important positions with Bergeson Associates, Malkewitz-Hueni Associates, SI International, System Technology Associates and MHA Petroleum Consultants. Importantly, Mr. Schuessler has significant experience in the evaluation and exploitation of Monterey Formation fractured-reservoirs at the giant Elk Hills and Coles Levee Fields in the San Joaquin Basin in California. Mr. Schuessler’s knowledge of the Monterey Formation is highly-relevant to the evaluation of our South Salinas Project at which the fractured Monterey Formation is of critical importance.

KLSP states that the reserves in the “Reserve Report” referenced as Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement and the “Reserve Supplement Report” referenced as Exhibit 99.2 to the Registration Statement and their determination are consistent with definitions found in Rule 4-10 of SEC Regulation S-X (17CFR part 210), and Subpart 1200 of Regulation SK. The net reserves, costs and revenues are those attributable to the Company. Future net revenue and discounted present value are on a before federal income tax (BFIT) basis.

KLSP is an independent third-party that does not own an interest in any of our properties. Mr. Schuessler is not a permanent employee of our company but we continue to employ the services of KLSP on an as-needed basis.

Our internal staff including our geoscience, drilling, facilities, regulatory, compliance, land, legal and accounting professionals communicated as needed with KLSP to ensure the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of data furnished to KLSP, to review and discuss the properties, methods and assumptions used by KLSP in KLSP’s preparation of the reserve estimates, and to review and discuss KLSP’s conclusions. As discussed immediately above, KLSP is a highly-qualified, independent, petroleum-engineering consulting firm. Mr. Terence B. Eschner, the Company’s President and a registered professional geologist, who is very knowledgeable about the South Salinas Project, was the Company’s primary contact with KLSP regarding the reserve analyses that were conducted by KLSP. Mr. T. Eschner played a key role providing the Company’s internal controls on the reserve estimation effort that was carried-out by KLSP, while not interfering with KLSP’s analyses so as to ensure that KLSP’s analyses would truly be that of an independent third-party. The Company recognizes that estimating volumes of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves is somewhat subjective and that the accuracy of any reserve estimate is partly a function of the quality and accuracy of the available data and interpretations: for this reason and others the Company strove to provide the best available data and interpretations to KLSP. Reserve estimates typically require revision as new information becomes available and/or due to change in conditions and/or due to unforeseen circumstances. Reserve estimates commonly differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas and of future net revenues are based on a number of variables and assumptions, some or all of which may prove to be incorrect.

The technologies utilized by KLSP in their reserve estimation efforts are discussed in detail in the Reserve Report. These technologies included the evaluation and incorporation of data from analog oilfields. Analogs are widely used in reserves estimating, particularly in the early development stages when direct measurement information (production history) is limited. As described in the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Petroleum Resource Management System (PRMS Section 4.1.1) “The methodology is based on the assumption that the analogous reservoir is comparable to the subject reservoir in regard to reservoir description, fluid properties, and most likely recovery mechanism(s) applied to the project that control the ultimate recovery of petroleum. By selecting appropriate analogs, where performance data of comparable development plans are available, a similar production profile may be forecast. Analogs are frequently applied in aiding in the assessment of economic producibility, production decline characteristics, drainage area, and recovery factor.” The technologies utilized by KLSP also included constructing several numerical models that evaluated the expected oil and gas production under an appropriate range of reservoir characteristics, and which allowed probabilistic estimates of reserves. These models required reservoir properties and, therefore, OOIP as input. The Probabilistic method defined a distribution representing the full range of possible values for input parameters. This included dependencies between parameters that are also defined and applied. These distributions were randomly sampled using Monte Carlo simulation to compute a full distribution of potential in-place and recoverable quantities of oil, gas, and water. Input distributions were included for porosity, permeability, water saturation and net productive thickness. In addition, pore volume compressibility was described with a distribution because its range of uncertainty can impact reservoir pressure and therefore future productivity. IHS’ Harmony Enterprise software was used to construct the numerical models for the various reservoir units, being Monterey Yellow, Monterey Blue and Vaqueros Sand reservoir units. A ‘type well’ or calibration model was constructed for each reservoir using the average conditions and reservoir properties cited above. In addition, using the probabilistic distributions of porosity, net thickness, water saturation, permeability and pore volume compressibility, the reservoir model was run 500 times, each time the model selecting via Monte Carlo sampling the input parameters according to the ranges and distributions defined. Each simulation run resulted in a particular value of oil and gas recovery. The cumulative probabilities of the resulting forecasts of ultimate oil and gas recovery were used to identify the reported reserve values.

We have consulted with KLSP, and concluded that it is unnecessary at this time to update the provided estimates of net reserves and/or cash flows, which are dated October 31, 2021, to the fiscal year-end of October 31, 2023. While there are new technical data as a result of drilling the HV-1 well in 2023, the geologic and completion results appear to indicate that while the productive area of the Yellow Zone of the President’s Area may be somewhat smaller than mapped in 2021, the swab test completion results of the Mid-Monterey Clay below the Yellow Zone may warrant attribution of reserves to the Mid-Monterey Clay at up-structure locations. Further integration of seismic data with the new well control and completion results will be required to assess the net impact of this new information on the President’s Area reserves, but the addition of the Mid-Monterey Clay pay is expected to offset the small reduction in the Yellow Zone productive area. Oil and gas prices have increased notably since October 2021 and, whilst material and operating costs have also risen, we believe that these factors will positively impact (i.e., favorably impact the Company’s estimated reserves and cash flows) and/or not significantly impact the aforementioned estimates.

Disclosure of Reserve Volumes and Reserve Values as of the End of October 31, 2021

KLSP in the aforementioned reserve analyses recognizes the occurrence at the South Salinas Project of both Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and of Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves (see: “Glossary of Terms Used to Characterize Reserves & Projects” in Table 22 in the Reserve Report). SEC criteria stipulate that reserves cannot be classified as P1 Proved (i.e., PDP or Proved Developed Producing, PDNP or Proved Developed Not Producing, PUD or Proved Undeveloped) if said reserves are not fully permitted for long-term production. Permits for full field development and long-term production have not yet been sought by the Company and thus are not yet issued for the South Salinas Project and, therefore, KLSP does not recognize Proved reserves at the South Salinas Project.

KLSP provided estimates of net oil and gas reserves and future net revenues, attributable to the Company, for Phase 1, Phase 2 and for the entire South Salinas Project, as shown in the below Table. Future net revenue and discounted present value are on a before federal income tax (BFIT) basis. Both undiscounted and discounted net cash flow to the Company are shown. The discounted dollar amounts shown in the below Table are discounted at 10% and, therefore, are net present value (“NPV”) 10 amounts, whereas KLSP also provided estimated NPV5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75. Reserve volumes are expressed in stock tank barrels of oil and thousands of standard cubic feet of gas (MCF).

There are uncertainties in reserve forecasts and in associated estimates of future cash flows due to uncertainties in various matters that are elaborated above (see: We face substantial uncertainties in estimating the characteristics of our prospects, so you should not place undue reliance on any of our measures.). The Company’s estimates of Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves, Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves and their respective estimated future cash flows are discussed more-fully above (see Evaluation of Reserves and Net Revenue) and are described in detail in the Reserve Report. The Company’s reserve estimates are based on field analogs, numerical models and probabilistic modeling. Copied below are two paragraphs from the Full Development Reserve Report that further explain the Company’s estimated reserves:

“Because decline curve analysis could not be used to forecast reserves, and since the development of type curves was problematic due to the early historical time frame in which the analog fields were developed, probabilistic methods were employed. The interpretations of open hole logs, core, and test information were used to describe ranges and distributions of key reservoir parameters. These were then input to numerical simulation models that used Monte Carlo sampling and hundreds of runs to derive forecasts of production and ultimate recovery representing P90 (1P), P50 (2P) and P10 (3P) reserve estimates. As indicated in the nomenclature of TABLE 22, these estimates are also known as Proved, Proved+Probable, and Proved+Probable+Possible, respectively. The designation ‘P50’ means there is a 50 percent probability that the actual production will exceed the value reported as the P50 reserves. The P50 value, also considered the Best or Most Likely estimate, is derived from a cumulative frequency distribution of forecast reserves from the Monte Carlo simulations. If Proved reserves have been assigned, Probable reserves are then represented by the difference between the P50 and P90 probabilistic estimates. However, as explained below, Proved reserves have not been assigned in this report because project approval has not been secured by all necessary government entities. Therefore, since there are no Proved or P90 volumes, the Probable reserves disclosed herein, derived from the P50 probabilistic forecasts, are incremental volumes and presented as Probable (P2) reserves. The P10 reserve estimate has a 10 percent probability of exceeding the estimated recovery and is also known as the High estimate. Possible reserves are represented by the difference between the P10 and P50 estimates. Possible reserves are typically larger than Probable reserves. This is the result of the key reservoir parameter distributions reflecting their variation in nature, and when the most favorable parameters are sampled together the resulting calculation provides the highest, but least likely, values of estimated recoveries.”

“Probable reserves are assigned in certain areas where, as described above, reserves could be considered Proved if all regulatory approvals and permits were in place. Probable reserves are also assigned in areas where well control and interpretations of available data provide sufficient geologic evidence of reservoir continuity at structural positions above lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH), and where engineering evidence indicates the reservoir will have the requisite porosity, permeability and oil saturation to produce commercial quantities of oil and gas. The assignment of Possible reserves does not incorporate a larger reservoir area, but rather Possible reserves are assigned to the same wells having Probable reserves because the probabilistic methods employed indicate there may be a greater percentage recovery of hydrocarbons than is appropriate for the ‘Most Likely’ reserve estimates.”

The estimates of Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves and their respective estimated future cash flows have different risk and/or uncertainty profiles and should not be summed arithmetically with each other. For example, estimates of permeability, oil saturation, reservoir thickness and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) are higher for the P3 reserve estimates than for the P2 reserve estimates (see for example Figure 25 and Table 2 in the Reserve Report).

The Probable (P2) and Possible (P3) reserves in the below Table are considered to be undeveloped as of the end of October 31, 2021. The HV-3A and BM 2-2 wells are capable of oil and/or gas production but additional investments at both of these wells are anticipated in Phase 1 prior to establishing commercial oil/gas production and, therefore, the reserves at both of these wells are considered undeveloped.

The effective date of the data in the below Table is as of the end of October 31, 2021. The date (i.e., as of the end of October 31, 2021) is noted because the reserve estimates are date-specific, and might be, will likely be, revised at later dates. For example, if the Company’s working-interest in the South Salinas Project, and/or the size of the Company’s leasehold position at the South Salinas Project, were in the future to increase or decrease, then the reserve estimates would increase or decrease accordingly (note: the Company’s %WI and leasehold position may increase but are not expected to decrease). Similarly, changes in the future of estimates of oil and/or gas that can be economically recovered, in the market values of oil and/or gas, in estimates of reservoir properties such as thickness, oil saturation, porosity, etc., and various other possible changes in the future, would accordingly result in revised reserve estimates and/or revised estimates of net cash flow. No significant discovery or other favorable or adverse event has occurred since the end of October 31, 2021, that would cause a substantial change in estimated reserves and/or cash flow, as of that date, other than the recent (i.e., March 2022) significant increase in oil price stemming, in part, from Russia’s war on Ukraine, which oil price increase is not incorporated into the analysis provided here.

Phase 1 is a development project with expenditures that are appropriately scaled to the capital raises that the Company anticipates may be realized in the near term now that the Company has completed its IPO. Phase 2, upon demonstration of success in Phase 1, is a development project with expenditures that are appropriately scaled to anticipated future capital raises.

Phase 1 assumes that existing exploration permits will be utilized to drill three new wells (HV-1, HV-2 and HV-4 wells), which drilling was completed for the HV-1 well in May 2023, and may commence for HV-2 and/or HV-4 in 2024, and that four additional wells (HV-3A, BM 2-2, HV 1-35, BM 3-6 wells) will be either recompleted or sidetracked/redrilled in 2024 upon securing necessary permits. The Company’s estimated total Phase 1 investment is $18.6 million and provides for work to secure regulatory permits and to drill/sidetrack and/or recomplete the aforementioned seven (7) wells. The Phase 1 analysis includes capital to plug and abandon the wells, including surface-location cleanup and restoration as per CalGEM guidelines and regulations.

Phase 2 is assumed to begin in the third quarter of 2024, and employs $37.7 million to establish 12 additional oil and gas wells (i.e., sidetracking/redrilling the HV 2-6 well and drilling 11 new wells) and install necessary associated infrastructure. The Phase 2 analysis includes capital to plug and abandon the wells, including-surface location cleanup and restoration as per CalGEM guidelines and regulations.

Phase 1 is estimated to comprise an approximate 2.0 MMBO plus 2.0 BCFG, or 2.3 million BOE, in Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and an approximate 3.7 MMBO plus 6.7 BCFG, or 4.9 million BOE, in Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves, as shown in part “A” of the below Table. The Phase 1 estimated net cash flow to the Company, discounted at 10%, is $28 million for the Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and $109 million for the Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves, as shown in part “A” of the below Table. Note that the conversion rate used in the below Table is 6.0 Mcf per 1 BOE.

Phase 2 is estimated to comprise an approximate 3.1 MMBO plus 3.2 BCFG, or 3.7 million BOE, in Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and an approximate 7.3 MMBO plus 11.6 BCFG, or 9.2 million BOE, in Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves, as shown in part “B” of the below Table. The Phase 2 estimated net cash flow to the Company, discounted at 10%, is $34 million for the Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and $175 million for the Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves, as shown in part “B” of the below Table.

The Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves in Phases 1 and 2 combined comprise an approximate 5.1 MMBO plus 5.2 BCFG, or 6 million BOE, as shown in part “C” of the below Table. The estimated net cash flow to the Company, discounted at 10%, is $62.2 million for the Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves in the combined Phases 1 and 2, as shown in part “C” of the below Table.

The Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves in Phases 1 and 2 combined comprise an approximate 11 MMBO plus 18.3 BCFG, or 14.1 million BOE, as shown in part “D” of the below Table. The estimated net cash flow to the Company, discounted at 10%, is $283.5 million for the Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves in the combined Phases 1 and 2, as shown in part “D” of the below Table.

Full field development of the entire Project, as documented in the Reserve Supplement Report, incorporates the SEC Report Phase 1 Development Project (i.e., Phase 1 in the Reserve Report) and deploys a subsequent drilling schedule (i.e., an expanded “Phase 2”) that reflects full field development and that captures the reserve and value proposition that may be achieved with a capital commitment that could result from a successful Phase 1. As described in the Reserve Report, Phase 1 uses existing exploration permits to drill three wells beginning in May 2022. Four additional wells will be drilled upon securing a Development Permit from Monterey County in October 2023. Trio’s total Phase 1 investment is $18.6 million and provides for work to secure regulatory permits and drill or recomplete seven (7) wells. Full field development (i.e., the expanded Phase 2 in the Reserve Supplement Report) begins July 2024 and employs $463.2 million to drill 144 wells by the end of 2027 and install associated infrastructure. The number of wells reflects full leasehold development of the targeted Monterey productive intervals and areas using vertical wells on 80-acre spacing. The prospective Vaqueros Sand is developed using horizontal wells on 160-acre spacing.

Full field development of the entire Project is estimated to comprise an approximate 39.0 MMBO plus 40.0 BCFG, or 45.7 million BOE, in Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and an approximate 92.4 MMBO plus 148.8 BCFG, or 117.2 million BOE, in Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves, as shown in part “E” of the below Table. The entire Project estimated net cash flow to the Company, discounted at 10%, is $407.6 million for the Probable (P2) Undeveloped reserves and $2 billion for the Possible (P3) Undeveloped reserves, as shown in part “E” of the below Table.

Table 1: Estimated Undeveloped Reserves and Cash Flow

Reasonable Expectations of Reserve Analyses

This prospectus provides a summary of risks and detailed discussions of risks relating to our business and risks related to this offering. The Company recognizes these risks as being real and substantial. Nevertheless, the Company has reasonable expectations that the Company’s South Salinas Project will prove to have reserves approximately as estimated, that the Company will have adequate funding to develop the reserves, and that there will exist the legal right to develop the Company’s reserves in the South Salinas Project, including the rights to full-field development, to long-term production and to deliver natural gas to market via pipeline, recognizing as discussed elsewhere hereunder that there may be project delays and/or obstacles related to obtaining necessary permits from regulatory agencies. Furthermore and more specifically, the Company has a reasonable expectation that the primary governmental regulatory agencies that are currently and/or that will be involved in the permitting processes, which agencies will primarily be CalGEM, State Water Boards and Monterey County, will determine to approve the Company’s applications for permits for various reasons that are discussed below. See “Risks Relating to Our Business - We may face delays and/or obstacles in project development due to difficulties in obtaining necessary permits from federal, state, county and/or local agencies, which may materially affect our business;” “Risks Relating to Our Business - We face substantial uncertainties in estimating the characteristics of our prospects, so you should not place undue reliance on any of our measures;” “Risks Relating to Our Business - The drilling of wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than our estimates, and drilling may not result in any discoveries or additions to our future production or future reserves; “Risks Relating to Our Business - Any material inaccuracies in drilling costs, estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect our business;” “Risks Relating to Our Business - Seismic studies do not guarantee that oil or gas is present or, if present, will produce in economic quantities; and “Risks Relating to Our Business - We are subject to numerous risks inherent to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.”

The Company currently is preparing a full-field development plan that is expected to include the following key elements:

The Company during Phase 1 or shortly thereafter expects to engage a third-party expert consulting company (“Environmental Consultant”) to prepare a Full Environmental Impact Report (Full EIR) on the Company’s full-field development plan. It is customary in Monterey County in these matters for the Environmental Consultant to be chosen by and/or agreed to by the County, for the Environmental Consultant to report directly to the County’s technical staff, and to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest for County to directly compensate the Environmental Consultant from funds paid to County by the Operator. The Company has a reasonable expectation that the Full EIR will determine that the full-development project will have “a less than significant environmental impact” with a “mitigated negative declaration”, meaning that the Project will be deemed environmentally acceptable with specific, delineated mitigation-measures being taken to protect and prevent, as far as possible, damage to life, health, property, natural resources, climate and other similar matters (e.g., water and air quality, scenic views or “viewshed”, etc.). The Company has a reasonable expectation that it will be able to obtain a Full EIR with a mitigated negative declaration for the full-field development project that should help expedite approval of necessary permits.

The surface lands at the Project are privately owned by the Porter Ranch and the subsurface mineral rights are privately owned by Lessor Bradley Minerals Company. The Porter Ranch is a multi-use working-ranch with operations that include the Company’s oil and gas operations as well as extensive agricultural and livestock operations. The Porter Ranch (surface owners) and the Bradley Minerals Company (mineral owners) are fully-aligned in their desire to develop the oil and gas resources at the Project. The Company has a reasonable expectation that the surface and mineral owners will be fully-aligned and fully-supportive of the Company’s full-field development plan and that this undivided support should help expedite approval of necessary permits.

CalGEM has statutory mandates to ensure both energy production and environmental protection. The Company has a reasonable expectation that CalGEM will have a favorable view of the Company’s full-development plan for the South Salinas Project and that CalGEM accordingly will determine that the Company’s applications for necessary permits should be approved. The Company furthermore has a reasonable expectation that State Water Boards will, similarly to CalGEM, have a favorable view of the Company’s full-development plan for the South Salinas Project and that Water Boards accordingly will determine that the Company’s applications for necessary permits should be approved.

The Company has a reasonable expectation that the County Commissioners and more importantly the County Supervisors (the Supervisors are a higher authority than the Commissioners) of Monterey County will determine that the Company’s applications for necessary permits should be approved. This reasonable expectation is based, in part, on the expected benefits of the Project to the County and to the State of California that include the following statistics and claims from Californians for Energy Independence:

The Company has a reasonable expectation that the primary governmental regulatory agencies (i.e., CalGEM, State Water Boards and Monterey County) that are and/or that will be involved in the permitting process will endeavor to avoid any unconstitutional takings of private property that might result from denying permits for the South Salinas Project. The Company has a reasonable expectation that governmental regulatory agencies will wish to avoid any unconstitutional takings of private property and that this should help expedite approval of necessary permits.

Trio LLC, which is Operator of the South Salinas Project, has significant experience in Monterey County in obtaining necessary permits (e.g., drilling permits for exploration and development wells, permits for Underground Injection Control water-disposal projects, permits for constructing facilities, permits for constructing pipelines and power lines, etc.) from governmental regulatory agencies (e.g., CalGEM, Monterey County, and other local agencies). More specifically, Trio LLC, as Operator, developed both the Lynch Canyon Oil Field and the Hangman Hollow Area of the McCool Ranch Oil Field, both of which oilfields are located in Monterey County approximately seven miles north of the Company’s South Salinas Project. The Company has a reasonable expectation that, given its own expertise and the expertise and local experience of Trio LLC as an Operator, that the necessary permits may be obtained from governmental regulatory agencies and thus that there will exist the legal right to develop the Company’s reserves in the South Salinas Project.

The Company has a reasonable expectation that it will be able to negotiate an agreement with Exxon/AERA to utilize their existing idle gas pipeline and one or more of their two idle oil pipelines that exist at the Company’s South Salinas Project. The pipelines extend from the Company’s South Salinas Project to the San Ardo Oil Field that is located approximately three miles to the north. San Ardo is a giant oilfield with cumulative oil recovery to-date of approximately 500 million barrels of oil - it is ranked among the largest 100 oilfields in the United States by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy and is commonly cited as being among the largest ten oilfields in California. San Ardo uses significant natural gas for operations including to run steam-generators to generate steam for steam-injection into wells as part of thermal oil-recovery operations (i.e., to produce the heavy oil that occurs at the field). An additional supply of natural gas would be beneficial at San Ardo and the high-gravity oil that occurs in the Company’s South Salinas Project could be beneficially blended with the heavy oil at San Ardo (source: personal communication between Trio personnel and AERA Energy personnel: September, 2022). It is feasible that opening the three mile section of the pipelines will be agreeable to the Company and to Exxon/AERA to the financial benefit of all parties. If this arrangement cannot be realized, and if funding and the oil and gas reserves in the Project are sufficient, the Company and the Operator Trio LLC will seek permits for new oil and/or gas pipelines, perhaps along the right-of-way of the existing pipelines to minimize new surface disturbance. The Company has a reasonable expectation that it will be able to establish the transport of oil and/or gas, and especially gas, to market via pipelines, whether through the existing Exxon/AERA pipelines or new pipelines.

The Company has a reasonable expectation that the Company’s South Salinas Project will prove to have reserves approximately as estimated. The Company has this reasonable expectation because it believes that:

The Company has a reasonable expectation that it will have adequate funding to develop the reserves at the South Salinas Project. This reasonable expectation of adequate funding is based on anticipated proceeds from additional capital raises and anticipated operating revenues:

For all of the reasons discussed above in this section, the Company has a reasonable expectation that the Company’s South Salinas Project will prove to have reserves approximately as estimated, that the Company will have adequate funding to develop the reserves, and that there will exist the legal right to develop the Company’s reserves in the Project.

Employees

As of December 31, 2023, we had 7 employees, all of whom are located in the United States.

Subsidiaries

The Company has no subsidiaries.

DESCRIPTION OF REAL PROPERTY

Other than our interest in the South Salinas Project described herein, we do not own any real property.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or in which any director, officer or affiliate of ours, any owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or security holder is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us.

LOCATION

Our principal executive office and operations are located at 4115 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 100, Danville, CA 94506 and our telephone number is (661) 324-3911. Our website address is www.trio-petroleum.com. The information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers, Non-executive employees and Directors

The following table sets forth the name and age as of January 29, 2024, and position of the individuals who currently serve as directors and executive officers of the Company. The following also includes certain information regarding the individual experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of our directors and executive officers as well as brief statements of those aspects of our directors’ backgrounds that led us to conclude that they are qualified to serve as directors.

Executive Officers

Michael L. Peterson (Chief Executive Officer and Director) has served as our Chief Executive Officer since October 2023 and formerly as a Director since July 2022. Mr. Peterson has served as CEO of Lafayette Energy Corporation since March 2022, Director of Danam Health, Inc., a private company, since January 2024, Director of Integrated Wellness Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: WEL) and Director of Indonesia Energy Corporation (NYSE:INDO) since January 2021. Since August 2016, Mr. Peterson has also served as an independent director on the board of TrxAde Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDS), a web-based pharmaceutical market platform headquartered in Florida. In terms of directorships on special purpose acquisition corporations, Mr. Peterson currently serves as Director of OceanTech Acquisitions I Corp. (NASDAQ: OTEC) since March 2023, Semper Paratus Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: LGST) since May 2023, and Powerup Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: PWUP) since August 2023 each a SPAC in the final stages of De-Spac. Since December 2020, he has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nevo Motors, Inc., a company that is commercializing low carbon emission trucks. From 2011 to 2018, Mr. Peterson served in several executive officer positions at PEDEVCO Corp. (NYSE American: PED), a public company engaged primarily in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas shale plays in the United States. These positions included as Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. From 2006 and 2012, he served in several executive positions at Aemetis, Inc. (formerly AE Biofuels Inc.), a Cupertino, California-based global advanced biofuels and renewable commodity chemicals company. These positions included as Interim President, Director and Executive Vice President. From December 2008 to July 2012, Mr. Peterson also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nevo Energy, Inc. (formerly Solargen Energy, Inc.), a Cupertino, California-based developer of utility-scale solar farms which he helped form, which is currently operating as Nevo Motors, Inc.). From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Peterson served as a managing partner of American Institutional Partners, a venture investment fund based in Salt Lake City. From 2000 to 2004, he served as a First Vice President at Merrill Lynch, where he helped establish a new private client services division to work exclusively with high-net-worth investors. From September 1989 to January 2000, Mr. Peterson was employed by Goldman Sachs & Co. in a variety of positions and roles, including as a Vice President with the responsibility for a team of professionals that advised and managed over $7 billion in assets. Since Mr. Peterson’s retirement from Pedevco in 2018, he has served as the President of the Taipei Taiwan Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Taipei, Taiwan. Mr. Peterson received his Master degree of Business Administration at the Marriott School of Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics and Computer Science from Brigham Young University.

Terry Eschner (President) has served as our President since May 1, 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Terry Eschner has served as Senior Associate Geological Advisor to Trio LLC from 2015 to 2022, as President of Sarlan Resources Inc. from 1995 to 2022, and as Manager of Core Description LLC from 2010 to 2022. Mr. Terry Eschner has a BS in Geology from San Diego State University and a MA in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin.

Steven Rowlee (Chief Operating Officer) has served as our Chief Operating Officer since May 1, 2023. Mr. Rowlee has served as Vice President and director of Trio LLC, the operator of the South Salinas Project, since 1984. Prior to that, Mr. Steven Rowlee served as West Coast Division Land Manager for Hanna Petroleum Company from 1982 until 1984. Mr. Steven Rowlee has a B.A. in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and M.A. in Education from California State University Bakersfield.

Stan Eschner (Executive Chairman and Director) has served as our Executive Chairman since inception. Since 1983, Mr. Eschner has served as the Chairman Trio LLC, the operator of the South Salinas Project. From 1961 until 1983, Mr. Eschner held various positions at Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), including geologist, Vice President of Domestic Operations and Vice President - Chief Geologist- Worldwide. Before that, Mr. Eschner was a geologist (lieutenant) with the Army Corp of Engineers from 1955 until 1957, and a production geologist with Shell Oil Co.1958 until 1961. Mr. Eschner has a Master of Arts degree in Geology from University of California, Los Angeles.

Greg Overholtzer (Chief Financial Officer) has served as our Chief Financial Officer since February 2022. Since 2019, Mr. Overholtzer has worked as a part-time Chief Financial Officer of Indonesia Energy Corp. (NYSE AMERICAN: INDO). In addition, since November 2019, Mr. Overholtzer has served as a Consulting Director of Ravix Consulting Group. From December 2018 until November 2019, Mr. Overholtzer served as a Field Consultant at Resources Global Professionals. From January 2012 until December 2018, Mr. Overholtzer served as the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of Pacific Energy Development (NYSE AMERICAN: PED). Mr. Overholtzer holds a BA in Zoology and an MBA in Finance from the University of California, Berkeley.

Non-Employee Directors

Frank C. Ingriselli (Vice Chairman and Director) served as our Chief Executive Officer from February 2022 to October 2023, and has served as a Director since February 2022. Also since February 2022, Mr. Ingriselli has served as a Director of Elephant Oil Corp., an oil and gas company with assets in Africa, and as a Director of Lafayette Energy Corp., a privately held oil and gas company with assets in the State of Louisiana. Since February 2019, Mr. Ingriselli has served as the President of Indonesia Energy Corp. (NYSE AMERICAN: INDO). With over 44 years of experience in the energy industry, Mr. Ingriselli is a seasoned leader and entrepreneur with wide-ranging exploration and production experience in diverse geographies, business climates and political environments. From 2005 to 2018, Mr. Ingriselli was the founder, President, CEO and Chairman of PEDEVCO Corp. and Pacific Asia Petroleum, Inc., both energy companies which are or were listed on the NYSE American. Prior to founding these two companies, from 1979 to 2001, Mr. Ingriselli worked at Texaco in diverse senior executive positions involving exploration and production, power and gas operations, merger and acquisition activities, pipeline operations and corporate development. The positions Mr. Ingriselli held at Texaco included President of Texaco Technology Ventures, President and CEO of the Timan Pechora Company (owned by affiliates of Texaco, Exxon, Amoco, Norsk Hydro and Lukoil), and President of Texaco International Operations, where he directed Texaco’s global initiatives in exploration and development. While at Texaco, Mr. Ingriselli, among other activities, led Texaco’s initiatives in exploration and development in China, Russia, Australia, India, Venezuela and many other countries. Mr. Ingriselli is also on the Board of Trustees of the Eurasia Foundation, and is the founder and Chairman of Brightening Lives Foundation, Inc., a charitable public foundation. Mr. Ingriselli served as an independent member of the Board of Directors of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (TSX:SFD; OTC QB:NSFDF) from 2019 until January 2023. From 2016 through 2018, Mr. Ingriselli founded and was the President and CEO of Blackhawk Energy Ventures Inc. which endeavored to acquire oil and gas assets in the United States for development purposes. Mr. Ingriselli graduated from Boston University in 1975 with a B.S. in business administration. He also earned an M.B.A. from New York University in both finance and international finance in 1977 and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1979.

William J. Hunter (Director) has served as a Director since July 2022. From 2015 until 2022, Mr. Hunter served as Managing Partner of Hunter Resources LLC, a strategic and financial consulting firm. From 2017 until 2021, Mr. Hunter served as the President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Advent Technologies post-merger with AMCI Acquisition Corp. From 2013 until 2015, Mr. Hunter served as Managing Director of the Industrial Group of Nomura Securities. Mr. Hunter is currently a director at Tonogold Resources (OTCBB:TNGL) since 2022 and a former director at American Battery Technology Corporation (NADAQ: ABAT) from 2016 to 2022. William Hunter received his B.Sc. from DePaul University in Chicago and an MBA with distinction from the Kellstadt School of Business at DePaul University.

John Randall (Director) has served as a Director since November 2021. From November 2022 to March 2023, Mr. Randall served as a professional geologist for Shopoff Reality Investment L.P. in connection with obtaining oil permits from the California Geologic Management Division for re-abandoned oil wells in Huntington Beach, California. From April 2017 until November 2021, Mr. Randall served as a professional geologist where he consulted to various companies and lenders. From April 2016 until April 2017, Mr. Randall was Vice President of the California Business Unit of Azimuth Energy. Before this, from 2003 until April 2016, Mr. Randall served as Senior Geologist at Freeport-McMoran Oil and Gas. From 1984 until 2001 Mr. Randall was a Geologist and senior manager at various divisions of Chevron in California and also during that time spent 4 years as an expatriate as the geological operations manager at Chevron’s Tengiz operations in Kazakhstan. From 1977 until 1984 Mr. Randall was a Geology Manager for Gulf Oil Corp and from 1970 until 1977 he was a development geologist for Union Oil Company. Mr. Randall holds an MS in Geology and a BS in Geology from Southern Illinois University. Mr. Randall also holds a registered professional geologic license in the states of California, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Thomas J. Pernice (Director) has served as a Director since November 2021. Mr. Pernice has served as the President of Modena Holding Corporation, a company providing corporate and executive advisory services, since 2000. In addition, he has served as a partner with The Abraham Group, an international strategic consulting firm and with Green Partners USA, LLC, a private equity real estate fund dedicated to green building since 2007. In 2004, he was appointed Senior Policy Advisor and Executive Director of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Energy where he served until 2006. He was a partner and Managing Director of Cappello Group, a boutique investment and merchant bank in Los Angeles from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Pernice also served in the Family Offices of billionaire industrialist David H. Murdock where he was a member of the Chairman’s Global Leadership Team and Executive Officer of Dole Food Company, Inc. (NYSE: DOL) from 1992 to 2000. Mr. Pernice was as a Presidential Appointee and member of the senior White House staff serving from 1984 to 1992 where he traveled as a diplomatic representative of the United States to more than 92 countries. Further, Mr. Pernice has served as Executive Vice Chairman, a member of the board of director and an officer to Vaxanix Bio, Ltd since December 2023, as a member of the board of directors and officer to Vaxanix Bio Acquisition Corp I since January 2023, as a member of the board of director and officer to Vaxanix Bio Acquisition Corps II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII since December 2023, as a member of the board of director of DrillWaste Corp. since October 2023, as a member of the board of directors of D3 Energy Corporation since 2022, and Panvaxal, LLC, a private biotechnology company since 2019. Mr. Pernice is also member of the board of advisors to JMS Energy Impact Fund since October 2023 and a member of the board of advisors to IOCharge Corp since September 2023. Mr. Pernice holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California.

Family Relationships

Stan Eschner is Terry Eschner’s father. There are no other family relationships among our directors or executive officers.

Director or Officer Involvement in Certain Prior Legal Proceedings

Our directors and executive officers were not involved in any legal proceedings as described in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K in the past ten years, other than Mr. Pernice who served as a co-founder of Gibraltar Associates, LLC, a private company, from 2007 until 2013, which entity went into receivership in approximately September 2014.

Board Composition and Election of Directors

Our board of directors currently consists of six members. Under our amended and restated bylaws, the number of directors will be determined from time to time by our board of directors.

Director Independence

Our board has determined that Frank Ingriselli, Stan Eschner and Michael Peterson currently have relationships that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, such that they cannot be deemed “independent” as that term is defined under the rules of the NYSE American, or the NYSE American rules. As permitted by the NYSE American, we intend to phase-in compliance with the NYSE American’s director independence requirements within the schedule outlined in the NYSE American rules. Our board has determined that William Hunter, John Randall and Thomas J. Pernice are all “independent” as that term is defined under the NYSE American rules. That schedule requires a majority of the members of our Board to be independent within one year of listing. It also requires one member of each Board committee be independent at the time of listing, a majority of Board committee members to be independent within 90 days of listing, and all Board committee members to be independent within one year from listing.

Classified Board of Directors

In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered, three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election. Our directors are divided among the three classes as follows:

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The division of our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control of our company. Our directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Board Leadership Structure

Our corporate governance guidelines provide that, if the chairman of the board is a member of management or does not otherwise qualify as independent, the independent directors of the board may elect a lead director. The lead director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: presiding over all meetings of the board of directors at which the chairman is not present, including any executive sessions of the independent directors; approving board meeting schedules and agendas; and acting as the liaison between the independent directors and the chief executive officer and chairman of the board. Our corporate governance guidelines further provide the flexibility for our board of directors to modify our leadership structure in the future as it deems appropriate.

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our board of directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. Our board of directors will not have a standing risk management committee, but will rather administer this oversight function directly through our board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure and our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. Our Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance practices, including whether they are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our entire board of directors will be regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

Board Committees

We have the following board of directors committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The composition and responsibilities of each committee are described below. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Each committee’s charter is available under the Corporate Governance section of our website at www.trio-petroleum.com. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: