Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-32167

 

 

VAALCO Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   76-0274813

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4600 Post Oak Place

Suite 309

Houston, Texas

  77027
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(713) 623-0801

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨.

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨        Accelerated filer  x        Non-accelerated filer  ¨        Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

As of October 31, 2009, there were outstanding 56,593,564 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of the registrant.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

 

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   3

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

   4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity Nine months ended September  30, 2009 and 2008

   5

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows Nine months ended September  30, 2009 and 2008

   6

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   16

QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   25

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   25

PART II.

  OTHER INFORMATION    26

ITEM 1A.

  RISK FACTORS    26

ITEM 2.

  ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009    27

ITEM 6.

  EXHIBITS    28


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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and par value amounts)

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 84,386      $ 125,425   

Funds in escrow

     5,528        7,445   

Receivables:

    

Trade

     8,495        9,513   

Accounts with partners

     5,807        3,796   

Other

     5,250        2,074   

Crude oil inventory

     455        1,381   

Materials and supplies

     408        425   

Prepayments and other

     1,684        2,351   
                

Total current assets

     112,013        152,410   
                

Property and equipment - successful efforts method:

    

Wells, platforms and other production facilities

     137,553        84,693   

Undeveloped acreage

     12,586        12,841   

Work in progress

     827        43,288   

Equipment and other

     3,054        2,844   
                
     154,020        143,666   

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (76,116     (61,379
                

Net property and equipment

     77,904        82,287   
                

Other assets:

    

Deferred tax asset

     1,349        1,349   

Funds in escrow

     10,873        15,637   

Other long term assets

     347        347   
                

Total Assets

   $ 202,486      $ 252,030   
                

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 28,598      $ 57,773   

Current portion of long term debt

     5,000        —     

Accounts with partners

     —          5,394   
                

Total current liabilities

     33,598        63,167   
                

Long term debt

     —          5,000   

Other liabilities

     1,500        —     

Asset retirement obligations

     10,664        10,071   
                

Total liabilities

     45,762        78,238   
                

VAALCO Energy Inc. shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000,000 authorized shares, 61,157,324 and 61,116,324 shares issued with 4,563,760 and 2,860,642 shares in treasury at Sept. 30, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2008, respectively

     6,116        6,112   

Additional paid-in capital

     55,641        53,983   

Retained earnings

     107,025        117,205   

Less treasury stock, at cost

     (18,623     (11,422
                

Total VAALCO Energy Inc. shareholders’ equity

     150,159        165,878   

Noncontrolling interest

     6,565        7,914   
                

Total Equity

     156,724        173,792   
                

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 202,486      $ 252,030   
                

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Revenues:

        

Oil and gas sales

   $ 29,262      $ 55,543      $ 82,668      $ 153,054   

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Production expenses

     5,674        5,949        15,852        14,880   

Exploration expense

     853        265        34,825        8,314   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     4,413        6,034        15,689        16,207   

General and administrative expenses

     3,268        1,540        7,120        7,092   

Other operating income

     (4,519     —          (6,504     —     
                                

Total operating costs and expenses

     9,689        13,788        66,982        46,493   
                                

Operating income

     19,573        41,755        15,686        106,561   

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     (92     604        554        1,960   

Interest expense

     (309     (63     (450     (482

Other, net

     (793     119        247        91   
                                

Total other income (expense)

     (1,194     660        351        1,569   
                                

Income before income taxes

     18,379        42,415        16,037        108,130   

Income tax expense

     13,301        17,372        23,003        65,243   
                                

Net income (loss)

     5,078        25,043        (6,966     42,887   

Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (891     (2,697     (3,147     (5,714
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy Inc.

   $ 4,187      $ 22,346      $ (10,113   $ 37,173   
                                

Earnings per share - basic:

        

Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy Inc. common shareholders

   $ 0.07      $ 0.38      $ (0.18   $ 0.63   
                                

Earnings per share - diluted:

        

Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy Inc. common shareholders

   $ 0.07      $ 0.38      $ (0.18   $ 0.63   
                                

Basic weighted shares outstanding

     56,790        58,244        57,765        58,818   
                                

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     57,174        58,976        57,765        59,459   
                                

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

 

     VAALCO Energy, Inc. Shareholders              
     Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-In Capital
   Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2009

   $ 6,112    $ 53,983    $ 117,205      $ (11,422   $ 7,914      $ 173,792   

Proceeds from stock issuance

     4      155      —          —          —          159   

Stock based compensation

     —        1,503      —          —          —          1,503   

Treasury stock purchase

     —        —        —          (7,201     —          (7,201

Net income (loss)

     —        —        (10,113     —          3,147        (6,966

Redemption of rights agreement

     —        —        (67     —          —          (67

Distrib. to noncontrolling interest

     —        —        —          —          (4,496     (4,496
                                              

Balance at September 30, 2009

   $ 6,116    $ 55,641    $ 107,025      $ (18,623   $ 6,565      $ 156,724   
                                              

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

  

     VAALCO Energy, Inc. Shareholders              
     Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-In Capital
   Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2008

   $ 6,105    $ 51,294    $ 87,483      $ (2,552   $ 8,396      $ 150,726   

Proceeds from stock issuance

     6      122      —          —          —          128   

Stock based compensation

     —        745      —          —          —          745   

Treasury stock purchase

     —        —        —          (8,870     —          (8,870

Net income

     —        —        37,172        —          5,714        42,886   

Distrib. to noncontrolling interest

     —        —        —          —          (4,995     (4,995
                                              

Balance at September 30, 2008

   $ 6,111    $ 52,161    $ 124,655      $ (11,422   $ 9,115      $ 180,620   
                                              

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (6,966   $ 42,887   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     15,689        16,207   

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     —          125   

Unrealized foreign exchange gain

     (456     —     

Dry hole costs

     32,578        6,198   

Stock based compensation

     1,503        745   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Trade receivables

     1,018        (2,656

Accounts with partners

     (7,405     3,015   

Other receivables

     (3,202     (684

Crude oil inventory

     926        722   

Materials and supplies

     17        (85

Deferred tax asset

     —          22   

Prepayments and other

     763        (2,702

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities

     (14,731     2,049   

Other long term assets

     —          (116

Income taxes payable

     —          (200
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     19,734        65,527   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Decrease (increase) in funds in escrow

     6,680        (2,522

Property and equipment expenditures

     (61,585     (22,226

Reimbursement of property and equipment expenditures by partner

     5,737        —     
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (49,168     (24,748
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

     159        128   

Purchase of treasury shares

     (7,201     (8,870

Redemption of rights agreement

     (67     —     

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

     (4,496     (4,995
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (11,605     (13,737
                

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (41,039     27,042   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     125,425        76,450   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

     84,386        103,492   
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 21,533      $ 66,768   
                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 15      $ 265   
                

Supplemental disclosure of non cash flow information

    

Property and equipment additions incurred during the period but not paid at period end

   $ 592      $ 2,053   
                

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The condensed consolidated financial statements of VAALCO Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, “VAALCO” or the “Company”), included herein are unaudited, but include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals which the Company deems necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim period. Such results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which also contains a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. These policies were also followed in preparing the quarterly report included herein. The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and development costs.

VAALCO is a Houston-based independent energy company, principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. VAALCO owns producing properties and conducts exploration activities as the operator of two production sharing contracts in Gabon, West Africa, conducts exploration activities in one concession in Angola, West Africa and conducts exploration activities on two blocks in the British North Sea. Domestically, the Company has interests in the Texas Gulf Coast area.

VAALCO’s subsidiaries holding interests in Gabon are VAALCO Energy (International), Inc., VAALCO Gabon (Etame), Inc. and VAALCO Production (Gabon), Inc. In Angola VAALCO holds its concession interest in VAALCO Angola (Kwanza), Inc. In Great Britain VAALCO holds its North Sea interests in VAALCO UK (North Sea), Ltd. VAALCO Energy (USA), Inc. holds interests in certain properties in the United States.

 

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company accounts for earnings per share in accordance with the FASB Topic - Earnings per Share, (“EPS”). This Topic requires the presentation of “basic” and “diluted” EPS on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is calculated using the average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS assumes the exercise of all stock options and warrants having exercise prices less than the average market price of the common stock using the treasury stock method. For purposes of computing EPS in a loss period, potential common shares are excluded from the computation of weighted average common shares outstanding as their effect is antidilutive. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, 581,540 potential common shares were excluded.

Diluted shares consist of the following:

 

     Three months ended    Nine months ended

Item

   Sept. 30, 2009    Sept. 30, 2008    Sept. 30, 2009    Sept. 30, 2008

Basic weighted average common stock issued and outstanding

   56,789,977    58,243,758    57,765,099    58,817,577

Dilutive options

   384,078    732,607    0    641,750
                   

Total diluted shares

   57,174,055    58,976,365    57,765,099    59,459,327
                   

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Options to purchase 1,090,606 and 1,087,273 shares were excluded in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 1,678,677 and 1,797,640 shares were excluded in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive.

 

3. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”): No. 2009-01, Topic 105 – Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – amendments based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as of September 30, 2009. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168 replaces SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants as a result of this statement. As a result of the Company’s adoption of this ASU, references to the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM are included in this report.

Business Combinations and Noncontrolling Interests – The Company adopted SFAS No. 141 (R), Business Combinations (currently included in ASC 805), which replaced SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51, on January 1, 2009. These statements significantly change the accounting for business combinations and noncontrolling interests. Among other things, and compared to the predecessor guidance, these statements will require more assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be measured at fair value as of the acquisition date, liabilities related to contingent consideration to be remeasured to fair value each subsequent reporting period, an acquirer in preacquisition periods to expense all acquisition-related costs, and noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries initially to be measured at fair value and classified as a separate component of equity. SFAS 160 changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which are re-characterized as noncontrolling interests, and classified as a component of equity. The Company retroactively applied the presentation and disclosure requirements of SFAS 160 to all periods presented.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (currently included in ASC 820), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures about instruments carried at fair value, but does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) SFAS 157-2, Effective Date for FASB Statement 157. This FSP permits the delayed application of SFAS 157 for all non-recurring fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 157, as amended, on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2008, for its financial assets and liabilities and January 1, 2009 for its non-financial assets and liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 for our nonfinancial assets and liabilities did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company adopted FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (currently included in ASC 825-10-65-1), as of June 30, 2009. This FSP amends SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also requires disclosure about the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments and changes in those methods and significant assumptions, if any, during the period.

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash, funds in escrow, trade accounts, trade payables and debt. The book values of cash, trade receivables, and trade payables are representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The book value of the Company’s debt instruments are considered to approximate the fair value, as the interest rates are adjusted based on rates currently in effect.

Subsequent Events – The Company adopted SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (currently included in ASC 855-10), as of June 30, 2009. This statement requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 9, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

Final Rule, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting – In December 2008, the SEC released Final Rule, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, to revise the existing Regulation S-K and Regulation S-X reporting requirements to align with current industry practices and technological advances. Further, the SEC on December 31, 2008, published the final rules and interpretations. Many of the revisions are updates to definitions in the existing oil and gas rules to make them consistent with the petroleum resource management system, which is a widely accepted standard for the management of petroleum resources that was developed by several industry organizations. Key revisions include the ability to include nontraditional resources in reserves, the use of new technology for determining reserves, permitting disclosure of probable and possible reserves, and changes to the pricing used to determine reserves in that companies must use a 12-month average price. The average is calculated using the first-day-of-the-month price for each of the 12 months that make up the reporting period. The SEC will require companies to comply with the amended disclosure requirements for registration statements filed after January 1, 2010, and for annual reports for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2009. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption will have on our disclosures, operating results, financial position and cash flows.

Consolidation – In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (pending integration to the ASC). This statement amends FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to replace the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with a qualitative approach. This new approach focuses on identifying which

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. It also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, and it requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. This statement will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2010. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption will have on its disclosures, operating results, financial position and cash flows.

 

4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock options are granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan and have an exercise price that may not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. In general, stock options granted will become exercisable over a period determined by the Compensation Committee which in the past has been a five year life, with the options vesting over a three year period. In addition, stock options will become exercisable upon a change in control, unless provided otherwise by the Compensation Committee. At September 30, 2009, there were 1,570,896 shares subject to options authorized but not granted.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company granted no stock options.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $0.4 million and $1.5 million respectively, related to stock options. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. These amounts were recorded as general and administrative expense. Because the Company does not pay significant United States taxes, no amounts were recorded for tax benefits related to excess stock based compensation deductions.

A summary of the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is provided below:

 

     Number of
Shares
Underlying
Options

(in thousands)
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(in millions)

Outstanding at beginning of period

   4,763      $ 5.33    3.24   

Granted

   —          —      —     

Exercised

   (41     3.85    0.04   

Forfeited

   (205     7.79    0.34   
                    

Outstanding at end of period

   4,517      $ 5.23    2.50    $ 4.0
                        

Exercisable at end of period

   3,158      $ 5.17    2.50    $ 4.0
                        

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. As of September 30, 2009, unrecognized compensation costs totaled $0.9 million. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of one year. No stock options vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

5. GUARANTEES

In September 2007, the Company entered into an amendment to the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (“FPSO”) contract for the fields within the Etame Marin block to extend the contract until September 2015. In connection with the charter of the FPSO, the Company, as operator of the Etame field, guaranteed the charter payments through the same time period. The charter continues for two years beyond that period unless one year’s prior notice is given to the owner of the FPSO. The Company obtained several guarantees from its partners for their share of the charter payment. The Company’s share of the charter payment is 28.1%. The Company believes the need for performance under the charter guarantee is remote. The estimated obligations for the annual charter payment and the Company’s share of the charter payments through the end of the charter are as follows: (in thousands)

 

Year

   Full Charter Payment    Company Share

2009 (remainder)

   $ 4,373    $ 1,228

2010

   $ 17,171    $ 4,820

2011

   $ 16,971    $ 4,764

2012

   $ 16,833    $ 4,726

2013

   $ 16,879    $ 4,739

Thereafter

   $ 28,454    $ 7,988

The Company has recorded a liability of $0.6 million at September 30, 2009 representing the guarantee’s fair value.

 

6. COMMITMENTS

In January 2006, the partners elected to extend the Etame Production Sharing Contract related to the Etame Marin block for an additional five-year term commencing July 2006. The extension consists of a three-year and a two-year follow-on term. The first term carries a minimum work obligation of one exploration well for a minimum $7.0 million exploration expenditure commitment ($2.1 million net to the Company). The exploration well commitment was met with the drilling of the North Etame prospect in February 2009, which was abandoned after encountering water bearing sands. For the optional two year extension, an additional exploration well is required. The Company is pursuing the extension and is working on the terms with the Republic of Gabon.

In November 2005, the Company signed a production sharing contract for the Mutamba Iroru block onshore Gabon. The five-year contract awards the Company exploration rights along the central coast of Gabon. During the first three years of the contract the Company is required to drill one exploration well and expend a minimum of $4.0 million. During the optional two-year extension to the contract, the Company is required to acquire specified levels of seismic data, drill one exploration well and expend a minimum of $5.0 million. In February 2009, the Company drilled the exploration well required under the first exploration period after receiving an extension on the first period to complete the well. The well was abandoned after

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

encountering water bearing sands. A second exploration well was drilled in the first quarter of 2009. The well also found water bearing sands and was abandoned. The Company has given notice that it will enter into the second exploration period and is seeking clarification as to whether the second well drilled on the Mutamba Iroru block fulfills the exploration well commitment in the extension.

In November 2006, the Company signed a production sharing contract for Block 5 offshore Angola. The seven-year contract awards the Company exploration rights to 1.4 million acres offshore central Angola. The Company’s working interest in the contract is 40%, plus the Company is required to carry the Angolan National Oil Company, Sonangol P&P, for 10% of the work program. During the first four years of the contract, the consortium is required to acquire and process 1,000 square kilometers of 3-D seismic, drill two exploration wells and expend a minimum of $29.5 million ($14.8 million net to the Company). During the optional three-year extension to the contract, the consortium is required to acquire 600 square kilometers of 3-D seismic data, drill two exploration wells and expend a minimum of $27.2 million ($13.6 million net to the Company). The consortium acquired the 1,175 square kilometers of 3-D data called for in the first exploration period at a cost of $7.5 million ($3.75 million net to the Company) in January 2007. Subsequently, the consortium acquired 524 square kilometers of proprietary 3-D seismic data on the block during the fourth quarter of 2008 at a cost of $6.0 million ($3.0 million net to the Company), and this seismic data is currently being processed. The Company has identified several potential exploration well locations and expects the consortium will drill the two exploration wells in the second half of 2010.

In January 2008, the Company signed a farm-in agreement for a 25% working interest in Block 48/25c offshore in the British North Sea. The Company was obligated to pay its share of the drilling of one well on the block and a portion of the share of the farminee’s share of the well. The block is located in the Southern Gas Basin and an exploration well began drilling in February 2009. The well was deemed to be non-commercial and was abandoned.

 

7. PARTNER REALIGNMENT AGREEMENT

On June 3, 2009, a realignment agreement was signed with a joint venture partner that originally did not participate in an appraisal well and one of the development wells in the Ebouri field, offshore Gabon. Pursuant to the realignment agreement, the joint venture partner paid its proportionate share of capital expenditures for the wells, which reduced the Company’s capital expenditures by $5.7 million. In addition, the Company benefits from a $15.0 million ($6.5 million net to the Company) risk premium being paid by the partner benefiting the other joint venture partners that originally participated in those two wells. In the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company received a $2.0 million payment from the partner and the payment was recorded as other operating income. The remaining proceeds of $4.5 million were received and recognized as other operating income in the third quarter of 2009.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. TAX AUDIT

During the second quarter of 2009, the Gabon Ministry of Finance initiated a withholding tax audit for the Company’s Gabon operations for the period 2005 through 2007. The results of the audit were received on September 22, 2009 and the Ministry of Finance has asserted a claim of $3.1 million net to the Company plus penalties of $1.5 million net to the Company. The Company has replied, contesting much of the claim for the underpayment of withholding tax primarily on the basis that withholding tax did not apply for the goods or services involved. As of November 6, 2009, the Company has not received a reply from the Ministry of Finance. However, in preparing its response, the Company identified some invoices which were paid to certain vendors without calculating and paying the appropriate withholding tax to the Republic of Gabon. An additional estimated liability of $0.6 million net to the Company was recorded in the third quarter of 2009 considering the audit claim plus an estimate for the 2008 and 2009 timeframe. This amount is in addition to the $0.4 million net to the Company recorded as an accrued liability in the second quarter of 2009. The actual amount to settle the audit claim will not be known until a reply is received and the matter is resolved, perhaps through negotiations. The actual amount to correct the tax payments for the 2008 and 2009 timeframe will not be known until clarity of the tax application is known by virtue of resolving the audit.

 

9. REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK

On June 24, 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Company’s common stock over the next 12 months. Under the share buyback program, shares of common stock will be purchased on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time-to-time. The share buyback program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares in any period, and may be modified, suspended, extended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company repurchased 146,354 shares at an average price of $4.15 per share totaling $0.6 million. During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company repurchased an additional 1,556,764 shares at an average price of $4.24 per share totaling $6.6 million. Total repurchases under this program as of November 9, 2009 are 1,703,118 shares acquired at an average price of $4.23 totaling $7.2 million.

 

10. REDEMPTION OF RIGHTS AGREEMENT

On September 14, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Rights Agreement dated as of September 14, 2007 between the Company and the Registrar and Transfer agent of the Company, as Rights Agent. Ratification of the rights plan required the affirmative vote of at least a majority vote of shares entitled to vote at the June 3, 2009 Annual Meeting. Stockholders did not approve the ratification. The Rights Agreement was redeemed at the rate of  1/10th of $.01 per share and paid to shareholders at a cost to the Company of $67,000.

 

11. TERMINATION OF IFC CREDIT FACILITY

In June 2005, the Company executed a loan agreement with the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”) for a $30.0 million revolving credit facility secured by the assets of the Company’s Gabon subsidiary. The Company was required to comply with certain covenants including maintaining certain loan to property value ratios and interest coverage ratios. This facility became

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

effective during the first quarter of 2006 and replaced an existing term credit facility, which was paid in full on February 15, 2006. The Company had drawn a balance of $5.0 million on the facility at September 30, 2009.

The facility was available to finance the Ebouri field development activities or other Etame Marin block projects. Under the loan agreements, the IFC held a pledge of the Company’s interest in the Etame Marin block, and a pledge of the shares of VAALCO Gabon (Etame), Inc., the subsidiary which owns the Company’s interest in the Etame Marin block. The IFC also had a security interest in the crude oil sales contract with Total Oil Trading SA (“Total”).

The facility extended until October 2009 at which point it could be extended by mutual agreement, and the loan drawdown amount could be converted to a term loan at the Company’s option. Because of the Company’s limited use of the facility, the IFC elected to not extend an offer to extend the unused capacity in the credit facility. The Company elected to not convert the loan balance to a term loan and instead repaid the loan balance plus interest in mid-October 2009.

 

12. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s operations are based in Gabon, Angola, the British North Sea and in the United States. Management reviews and evaluates the operation of each geographic segment separately. The operations of all segments include exploration for and production of hydrocarbons where commercial reserves have been found and developed. Revenues are based on the location of hydrocarbon production. The Company evaluates each segment based on income (loss) from operations. Segment activity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows: (in thousands)

 

Three months ended September 30,

              North
Sea
    Corporate
and Other
     
     Gabon    Angola         Total

2009

           

Revenues

   $ 29,243    $ —        $ —        $ 19      $ 29,262

Income (loss) from operations

     22,504      (355     (123     (2,453     19,573

2008

           

Revenues

     55,458      —          —          85        55,543

Income (loss) from operations

     43,875      (359     157        (1,918     41,755

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Nine months ended September 30,               North
Sea
    Corporate
and Other
     
     Gabon    Angola         Total

2009

           

Revenues

   $ 82,607    $ —        $ —        $ 61      $ 82,668

Income (loss) from operations

     32,376      (2,492     (9,371     (4,827     15,686

2008

           

Revenues

     152,862      —          —          192        153,054

Income (loss) from operations

     120,980      (1,218     (6,198     (7,003     106,561

 

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

This report includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report (and the exhibits hereto), including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s financial position and estimated quantities and net present values of reserves, and statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the word “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “should,” or similar expressions or variations of such expressions are forward looking statements. The Company can give no assurances that the assumptions upon which such statements are based will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations (“Cautionary Statements”) include the volatility of oil and natural gas prices; future production costs; future production quantities; the uncertainty of estimates of oil and natural gas reserves; the impact of competition; the availability and cost of seismic, drilling and other equipment; operating hazards inherent in the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas; difficulties encountered during the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas; difficulties encountered in delivering oil to commercial markets; general economic conditions, including the current economic and financial market crisis; changes in customer demand and producers’ supply; the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to attract capital; compliance with, or the effect of changes in, the foreign governmental regulations regarding the Company’s exploration and production, including those related to climate change; action of operators of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties; political turmoil in the Republic of Gabon; weather conditions; and statements set forth in the “Risk Factors” section included in this report and in the Company’s Form 10-K. All subsequent written and oral forward looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified by the Cautionary Statements.

INTRODUCTION

The Company operates oil production sharing contracts in Gabon and Angola, and has non-active interests in two blocks in the British North Sea. In addition, the Company has minor onshore and offshore domestic United States production in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Company’s primary source of revenue is from the Etame Production Sharing Contract related to the Etame Marin block located offshore the Republic of Gabon. The Company has a 30.35% interest (28.1% net interest after the government back-in) in the block and produces from the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields on the block. Oil production commenced from the Etame field in September 2002 and from the Avouma and South Tchibala fields in January 2007. Most recently, the Company developed the Ebouri field. Production from the first well in this field began in January 2009. A second development well began producing oil in April 2009. During the first nine months of 2009, the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields produced approximately 6.2 million barrels (1.5 million barrels net to the Company).

 

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Beginning in November 2008, drilling began on the first of two exploration wells, both of which are located within the Etame Marin block. The first of these wells, the North Ebouri, encountered substantial oil-filled Gamba sandstone, proving-up significant additional reserves north of the originally mapped field development outline. The second well, the North Etame prospect, encountered water bearing sands and has been abandoned. Additional drilling prospects have been identified and planning is underway to conduct a multi-well drilling program which is expected to commence in December 2009.

Onshore Gabon, the Company has a 100% working interest in the Mutamba Iroru block located near the coast in central Gabon. The Mutamba Iroru block contains approximately 270,000 acres for exploration. The Company acquired aeromagnetic gravity data in 2008 and, together with seismic data acquired from previous operators over the Mutamba Iroru block in 2006 and 2007, drilled two exploration wells on this block in 2009. Both wells encountered water bearing sands and were abandoned. Future plans for this block are being evaluated.

In November 2006, the Company signed a production sharing contract for a 40% working interest in Block 5 offshore Angola. The seven-year contract awards the Company exploration rights to approximately 1.4 million acres along the central coast of Angola. The Company has acquired approximately 1,700 square kilometers of seismic data over a portion of the Block 5 and has been interpreting the seismic data. Assuming consortium agreement on the well objectives and rig availability, the Company expects to begin drilling the two exploration wells in the second half of 2010.

In January 2008, the Company signed a farm-in agreement for a 25% working interest in Block 48/25c located in the Southern Gas Basin offshore in the British North Sea. The Company was obligated to pay its share of the drilling of one exploratory well on the block, the drilling of which took place in the first quarter of 2009. A substantial gas column was present but with low permeability and porosity. The well was deemed to be non-commercial and was abandoned.

Impact of the Current Financial and Credit Markets

The financial markets continue to undergo unprecedented disruptions although there are recent measures of improvement in this area. Many financial institutions have had liquidity concerns prompting intervention from governments. The Company’s exposure to the disruptions in the financial markets includes the Company’s ability to access the capital markets and investments exposure.

Because of limited use, the Company’s credit facility with the International Finance Corporation (“IFC”) was terminated in October 2009 and the outstanding loan balance was repaid in mid-October 2009. The Company does not believe that it is necessary to replace the facility at this time. However, if the disruption in the financial markets continues for an extended period of time, replacement of the credit facility may be more expensive.

 

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Current market conditions also elevate concerns with the Company’s cash investments, which at September 30, 2009 totaled $100.8 million including funds in escrow. With regard to the Company’s cash investments, the Company invests in bankers acceptances and money market instruments primarily with JPMorgan Chase & Co. The Company’s production in Gabon is purchased by Total Oil Trading SA (“Total”), which the Company believes to be a creditworthy purchaser.

Oil and gas prices are also volatile as evidenced by the fluctuations seen in the past two years. In periods where commodity prices are relatively low, the Company’s cash flows from operations will be negatively impacted.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $19.6 million, as compared to $65.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in net cash provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to lower net income and changes in working capital other than cash which used $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $0.6 million used for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $49.1 million, compared to net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 of $24.7 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred $32.6 million in dry hole costs and the remaining cash used in investing activities was primarily invested in an appraisal well and two development wells in the Ebouri field. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company invested $16.0 million in the Etame Marin block operations, primarily for development of the Ebouri field and incurred $6.2 million of dry hole costs for a British North Sea well.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cash used in financing activities was $11.6 million, consisting primarily of distributions to a noncontrolling interest holder of $4.5 million and purchase of treasury shares worth $7.2 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, cash used in financing activities was $13.7 million consisting of $5.0 million used for distributions to a noncontrolling interest holder and $8.9 million for the purchase of treasury shares.

Capital Expenditures

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company invested $20.9 million in net property and equipment additions (including amounts carried in accounts payable at September 30, 2009 and excluding exploration dry hole costs), primarily associated with the drilling of the three wells in the Ebouri field (the appraisal well plus the two development wells drilled from the Ebouri

 

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platform) totaling $19.9 million. Partially offsetting these equipment additions was a realignment agreement with a joint venture partner that originally did not participate in an appraisal well and one of the development wells in the Ebouri field. Pursuant to the realignment agreement, the joint venture partner paid its proportionate share of capital expenditures for the wells, which reduced the Company’s property and equipment by $5.7 million. Also partially offsetting the net property and equipment additions were 2008 capitalized exploration well costs that were subsequently charged to expense in 2009 totaling $3.0 million. During the remainder of 2009, the Company anticipates drilling one exploration well in the Etame Marin block at a cost of $4.4 million and expending an additional $2.0 million for equipment for the 2010 drilling program.

Liquidity

Historically, the Company’s primary sources of capital have been cash flows from operations, private sales of equity, and debt. At September 30, 2009, the Company had cash of $100.8 million including amounts in escrow. The Company believes that this cash combined with cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund the Company’s remaining 2009 and 2010 capital expenditure budgets, and operational needs. The Company invests cash, not required for immediate operational and capital expenditure needs, in short-term bankers acceptance and money market instruments primarily with JPMorgan Chase & Co. As operator of the Etame Marin block and Block 5 in Angola, the Company enters into project related activities on behalf of its working interest partners. The Company generally obtains advances from it partners prior to significant funding commitments.

In June 2005, the Company executed a loan agreement with the IFC for a $30.0 million revolving credit facility which is secured by the assets of VAALCO Gabon (Etame), Inc., the subsidiary which owns the Company’s interest in the Etame Marin block. Because of limited use of the credit facility by the Company, the IFC elected not to offer an extension of the undrawn balance capacity. Although the loan balance could have been converted to a term loan, the Company, decided to repay the outstanding debt obligation of $5 million plus interest in mid-October 2009. Under the revolving credit facility, the IFC held a pledge of the Company’s interest in the Etame Marin block, and a pledge of the shares of VAALCO Gabon (Etame), Inc. The IFC also had a security interest in any crude oil sales contract the Company entered into for the sale of crude oil from the Etame Marin block. The pledges are in the process of being released. The Company does not have plans to replace the credit facility at this time.

Substantially all of the Company’s crude oil and gas is sold at the well head at posted or index prices under short-term contracts. In Gabon, the Company markets its crude oil under an agreement with Total. While the loss of Total as a buyer might have a material adverse effect on the Company in the near term, management believes that the Company would be able to obtain other customers for its crude oil.

Domestically, the Company produces from wells in Brazos County Texas and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, which contributed $61,000 to revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Domestic production is sold via separate contracts for oil and gas. The Company has access to several alternative buyers for oil and gas sales domestically.

 

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Oil and Gas Exploration Costs

The Company uses the “successful efforts” method of accounting for its oil and gas exploration and development costs. All expenditures related to exploration, with the exception of costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged as an expense when incurred. The costs of exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether commercially producible oil and gas reserves have been discovered. If the determination is made that a well did not encounter potentially economic oil and gas quantities, the well costs are charged as an expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company spent $32.6 million on unsuccessful exploration wells, including $20.7 million for two wells in onshore Gabon, $2.7 million for a well in offshore Gabon, and $9.2 million for a well in the British North Sea.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to three months ended September 30, 2008

Revenues

Total revenues were $29.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $55.5 million for the comparable period in 2008. The Company sold approximately 436,000 net barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $67.07 per barrel in the three months ended September 30, 2009. In the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company sold approximately 517,000 barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $107.48 per barrel. Crude oil production from the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields averaged 23,300 barrels of oil per day (“BOPD”) in the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to approximately 20,800 BOPD in the three months ended September 30, 2008. Crude oil sales are a function of the number and size of crude oil liftings in each quarter from the FPSO and thus crude oil sales do not always coincide with volumes produced in any given quarter.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Total production expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were $5.7 million compared to $5.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2008. The Company matches production expenses with crude oil sales. Any production expenses associated with unsold crude oil inventory are capitalized. Production expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2009 were slightly lower than in the three months ended September 30, 2008 due to higher unsold crude oil inventory offset by higher FPSO costs.

Exploration expense was $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $0.3 million in the comparable period in 2008. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, exploration expense consisted primarily of additional dry hole costs incurred on the two unsuccessful exploration wells in onshore Gabon of $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the unsuccessful exploration well in the British North Sea. Exploration expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 consisted of seismic processing costs in Angola.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses were $4.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $6.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2008. The lower depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to lower volumes of oil sold.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $3.3 million and $1.5 million for each period, respectively. Included in the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was an expense for retirement benefits of $0.3 million, and other employee related expenses of $0.4 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the Company incurred stock based compensation expense of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. In the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company benefited from overhead reimbursement

 

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associated with production and development operations on the Etame Marin block which reduced general and administrative expenses by $0.3 million compared to a $0.6 million reduction of general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2008. Included in the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008 were non-recurring legal and solicitation costs associated with the Company’s annual meeting.

Other operating income for the period ended September 30, 2009 was $4.5 million attributable to receipt of proceeds from a joint venture partner that originally elected to not participate in two wells drilled in the Ebouri field, offshore Gabon. The partner later elected to participate and paid for their proportionate share of the capital expenditures for the wells. The $4.5 million payment received in the period ended September 30, 2009 plus the $2.0 million payment received in the period ended June 30, 2009 represents the Company’s share of an agreed risk premium benefiting the other joint venture partners that originally participated in those two wells.

Other Income (Expense)

Other expense was $1.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $0.6 million in other income in the three months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in other expense in the three months ended September 30, 2009 included foreign exchange losses of $0.8 million, an interest adjustment to interest accrued on an escrow account of $0.2 million and lower interest rates on deposits in the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period of 2008.

Income Taxes

Income taxes amounted to $13.3 million and $17.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In the three months ended September 30, 2009 and in the three months ended September 30, 2008, the income taxes were all paid in Gabon. Income taxes in the three months ended September 30, 2009 were lower due to lower oil prices and crude oil sales volumes, which decreased taxable revenues.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $5.1 million, compared to net income of $25.0 million for the same period in 2008. Lower oil prices and lower crude volumes sold were the primary reasons for the lower net income in 2009. Net income allocated to noncontrolling interest was $0.9 million and $2.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The noncontrolling interest is associated with VAALCO Energy (International), Inc., a subsidiary that is 90.01% owned by the Company.

 

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Nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2008

Revenues

Total revenues were $82.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $153.1 million for the comparable period in 2008. The Company sold approximately 1,483,000 net barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $55.69 per barrel in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. In the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company sold approximately 1,428,000 barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $107.21 per barrel. Crude oil production from the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields averaged 22,900 BOPD in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to approximately 21,800 BOPD in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Crude oil sales are a function of the number and size of crude oil liftings in each quarter from the FPSO and thus crude oil sales do not always coincide with volumes produced in any given quarter.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Total production expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $15.9 million compared to $14.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The Company matches production expenses with crude oil sales. Any production expenses associated with unsold crude oil inventory are capitalized. Production expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were higher than in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to increased sales volumes and higher FPSO costs.

Exploration expense was $34.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $8.3 million in the comparable period in 2008. Exploration expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $32.6 million of dry hole costs. The dry hole costs included $9.2 million for a well in the British North Sea, $20.7 million for two wells in onshore Gabon and $2.7 million for a well in offshore Gabon. Additionally, seismic processing costs in Angola totaled $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Exploration expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 included $6.4 million of dry hole costs associated with a well drilled by the Company in the British North Sea. Also included in 2008 exploration expenses were aeromagnetic gravity data acquired over the Mutamba Iroru block, onshore Gabon, and seismic costs associated with the Company’s Etame Marin block and Angola.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses were $15.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $16.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The lower depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were due to lower depletion rates, primarily associated with the Avouma field. The lower depletion rates more than offset the slightly higher volumes of crude sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same time period in 2008.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $7.1 million for each period. Included in the general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was an expense for retirement benefits of $1.5 million which was partially offset by a retroactive compensation adjustment of $0.9 million that benefited the Company by charging the adjustment to the Gabon partners. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred $1.5 million of stock based compensation compared to $0.7 million incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

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Included in the general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were non-recurring legal and solicitation costs associated with the Company’s annual meeting. In both of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, the Company benefited from overhead reimbursement associated with production and development operations on the Etame Marin block.

Other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $6.5 million attributable to receipt of proceeds from a joint venture partner that originally elected to not participate in two wells drilled in the Ebouri field, offshore Gabon. The partner later elected to participate and paid for their proportionate share of the capital expenditures for the wells. The $4.5 million payment received in the period ended September 30, 2009 plus the $2.0 million payment received in the period ended June 30, 2009 represents the Company’s share of an agreed risk premium benefiting the other joint venture partners that originally participated in those two wells.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $0.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Interest income received on amounts on deposit was $0.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $2.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in interest income received on amounts on deposit reflects lower interest rates and amounts invested in 2009. Interest expense and financing charges was $0.5 million, net of capitalized interest expense in both the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, all associated with the Company’s IFC loan.

Income Taxes

Income taxes amounted to $23.0 million and $65.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the income taxes were all paid in Gabon. The lower income taxes paid in Gabon in nine months ended September 30, 2009 were due to substantially lower oil prices, which decreased taxable revenues.

Net Income

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $7.0 million, compared to net income of $42.9 million for the same period in 2008. A combination of exploration dry hole write-offs, and lower oil prices contributed to the lower net income in 2009. Net income allocated to noncontrolling interest was $3.1 million and $5.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The noncontrolling interest is associated with VAALCO Energy (International), Inc., a subsidiary that is 90.01% owned by the Company.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s results of operations are dependent upon the difference between prices received for its oil and gas production and the costs to find and produce such oil and gas. Oil and gas prices have been and are expected in the future to be volatile and subject to fluctuations based on a number of factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company does not presently have any active hedges in place, but may do so in the future.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal operating officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the disclosure on this matter in our annual report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 other than the risk factor added in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009 pertaining to the Presidential election in the Republic of Gabon, which we believe is no longer applicable. The election was conducted as scheduled on August 30, 2009 and the new President was inaugurated on October 16, 2009.

 

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ITEM 2. ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

The following table provides information regarding the number of shares of common stock of the Company purchased by the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

     Number of shares
purchased
   Average price
per share
   Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
   Maximum number of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs
 

July 2009

   1,353,646    $ 4.14    1,353,646   

August 2009

   203,118    $ 4.88    203,118   

September 2009

   —         —     
                   

Total

   1,556,764    $ 4.24    1,556,764    (See note 1
                   

Note 1—On June 24, 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Company’s common stock over the next 12 months. Under the share buyback program, shares of common stock will be purchased on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time-to-time. The share buyback program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares in any period, and may be modified, suspended, extended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The remaining amount authorized at September 30, 2009 is $2.8 million.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

(a) Exhibits

 

  3. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

  3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on July 15, 1998, Reg. No. 333-59095).

 

  3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on July 15, 1998, Reg. No. 333-59095).

 

  3.3 Amended and Restated Bylaws dated March 24, 2005 filed with the Commission on May 2, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005).

 

  31. Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

 

  31.1 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  31.2 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Section 1350 Certificates

 

  32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

 

  32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

VAALCO ENERGY, INC.
(Registrant)
By  

/S/    GREGORY R. HULLINGER        

  Gregory R. Hullinger,
  Chief Financial Officer
 

(on behalf of the Registrant and as the principal

financial officer)

Dated: November 9, 2009

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

  3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on July 15, 1998, Reg. No. 333-59095).

 

  3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on July 15, 1998, Reg. No. 333-59095).

 

  3.3 Amended and Restated Bylaws dated February 26, 2009 filed with the Commission on March 3, 2009 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 3, 2009).

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

 

  31.1 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  31.2 Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Section 1350 Certificates

 

  32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

 

  32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

 

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