1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 0-5525
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
CALIFORNIA 94-0787340
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
2008 - 21st. Street, P. O. Box 832 93302
Bakersfield, California
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number: (661) 325-1000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock NYSE AMEX
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Exchange Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ 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 such shorter period that the registrant was
required to submit and post such files). Yes [ ] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
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 [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [x]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [x]
The aggregate market value on June 30, 2009, (the last business day of the
registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) of the voting
shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $15,464,000 based on the
closing sales price of the registrant's Common Stock on such date.
At March 30, 2010, there were 4,677,728 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 2010 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal year are
incorporated by reference into Part III.
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PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
2009 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents
Page
PART I
Item 1. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . 14
Item 2. Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved) . . . . . . . . . 19
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related
Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . 19
Item 6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . 20
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 21
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . 32
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 33
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 68
Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . 68
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and
Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . 69
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . 70
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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . 70
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,
and Director Independence 70
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services . . 70
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Schedules . . . . . 71
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM
ACT OF 1995 AND OTHER FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
Pyramid Oil Company is including the following discussion to inform existing
and potential security holders generally of some of the risks and
uncertainties that can affect the Company and to take advantage of the "safe
harbor" protection for forward-looking statements afforded under the federal
securities laws. Statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be
forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, the Company may
otherwise make forward-looking statements to inform existing and potential
security holders about the Company. These statements may include projections
and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and the
Company's future (1) income, (2) oil and gas production, (3) oil and gas
reserves and reserve replacement and (4) capital spending. Forward-looking
statements are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project,"
"predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "goal" or other words
that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. In addition, except
for the historical information contained in this report, the matters discussed
in this report are forward-looking statements. These statements by their
nature are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and will be
influenced by various factors. Should any of the assumptions underlying a
forward-looking statement prove incorrect, actual results could vary
materially.
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PART I
------
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
GENERAL BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
Pyramid Oil Company is a California corporation that has been in the oil and
gas business continuously, since it was incorporated on October 9, 1909.
Pyramid Oil Company, hereinafter referred to as "Pyramid" or the "Company," is
engaged in the business of exploration, development and production of crude
oil and natural gas.
Pyramid acquires interests in land and producing properties through
acquisition and lease on which it drills and/or operates crude oil or natural
gas wells in efforts to discover and/or to produce oil and gas. Crude oil and
natural gas produced from these properties are sold to various refineries and
pipeline companies. The majority of all oil and gas properties that Pyramid
owns and operates is for its own account. Pyramid also participates in
specific joint ventures with other companies in the development of oil and gas
properties. Pyramid's interests in these properties will vary depending on
the availability of said interests and their locations. Although the Company
owns some minor oil and gas interests in New York, Wyoming and Texas, all of
the Company's operations and major revenue producing properties are in
California.
The Company's executive offices are located at 2008 21st Street, Bakersfield,
California, 93301, telephone (661) 325-1000, facsimile (661) 325-0100.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Pyramid operates in a highly competitive industry wherein many companies, from
large multinational companies to small independent producers, are competing
for a finite amount of oil and gas resources. The Company seeks out
properties to explore for oil and gas by drilling and also seeks out producing
oil and gas properties that can be purchased and operated. Management
believes that under the right economic conditions, several of the producing
properties that the Company owns could have further developmental potential.
Certain oil properties currently owned and operated by the Company may be
receptive to enhanced oil recovery procedures under certain economic
conditions.
OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
Pyramid owns and operates 27 oil and gas leases (properties) located within
Kern and Santa Barbara Counties in the State of California. Ten of these
properties were shut-in during 2009. Most of these properties are capable of
producing oil or natural gas, although not all of these properties are
considered profitable under certain economic conditions.
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During 2009, the Company operated 17 leases within California, 13 of these
leases had total annual gross oil production exceeding 1,000 barrels per
lease. Production activities primarily consist of the daily pumping of oil
from a well(s) into tanks, maintaining the production facilities both at the
well and tank settings, preparing and shipping the crude oil to buyers. Daily
operations differ from one property to another, depending on the number of
wells, the depth of the wells, the gravity of the oil produced and the
location of the property. All of Pyramid's oil production is classified as
primary recovery production at this time; although certain properties may be
conducive to secondary recovery operations in the future, depending on the
prevailing price of oil.
Primary recovery of oil and gas is by means of natural flow(s) or artificial
lift of oil and gas from a single well bore. Natural gas and petroleum fluids
enter the well bore by means of reservoir pressure or gravity flow; fluids and
gases are moved to the surface by natural pressure or by means of artificial
lift (pumping). In secondary recovery operations, liquids or gases are
injected into the reservoirs for the purpose of augmenting reservoir energy or
increasing reservoir temperatures. Secondary recovery operations, usually, but
not always, are done after the primary-recovery phase has passed.
The Company employs field personnel (i.e., pumpers, rig crews, roustabouts and
equipment operators) that perform basic daily activities associated with
producing oil and gas. Daily operations include inspections of surface
facilities and equipment, gauging, reporting and shipping oil, and routine
maintenance and repair activities on wells, production facilities and
equipment. The Company owns and maintains various pieces of equipment
necessary for employees to perform various repair and maintenance tasks on
Company properties. Such equipment consists of service rigs, mobile pumps,
vacuum trucks, hot oil truck, backhoe, trucks and trailers.
Occasionally, the Company drills new wells or redrills existing wells on
properties owned by the Company in an attempt to increase oil and gas
production. In the last five years, the Company has utilized the services of
outside drilling contractors for drilling new wells and redrilling existing
wells. Maintenance and repairs of existing wells to maintain or increase oil
and gas production are carried out by Company personnel on a continuing basis.
Most maintenance and repair work is performed with Company rigs.
Economic factors associated with the price of oil and gas and the productive
output of wells determine the number of active wells the Company operates.
Under certain economic conditions, the Company has the potential to operate
approximately 121 wells, and of these, approximately 56 were in operation
during 2009. The Company also owns other oil and gas interests outside of
California that it does not operate. These interests are located in Wyoming,
Texas and New York.
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MARKETING OF CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS
The Company sells its crude oil to ConocoPhillips and Kern Oil & Refining,
accounting for approximately 55% and 42%, respectively, of Pyramid's crude
oil and gas sales in 2009. While revenue from these customers is significant,
and the loss of any one could have an adverse effect on the Company, it is
management's opinion that the oil and gas it produces could be sold to other
crude oil purchasers, refineries or pipeline companies. ConocoPhillips, and
its predecessors, and Kern Oil have been customers of the Company for over
twenty years. Natural gas is sold to companies in the area of operations.
The Company sells its oil pursuant to short-term contracts. Accordingly, the
amount of oil the Company sells is dependent upon market demand. Market
demand for Pyramid's production is subject to various influences and can never
be assured, especially in an era of changing prices. The base values for
crude oil the Company sells is set by major oil companies in response to area
and market strengths and international influences. Types and qualities of
crude oil vary substantially in base values posted by crude oil buyers in
various areas of the country. Pyramid's crude oil sales are not seasonal, but
uniform throughout the year.
COMPETITION AND INDUSTRY CONDITIONS
The profitability of the Company's operations depends primarily on the
production of oil and gas in commercially profitable quantities. Oil and gas
properties often fail to provide a return sufficient to repay the substantial
sums of money required for their acquisition, exploration and development.
The acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties is a
highly competitive business. Many entities with which the Company competes
have significantly greater financial and staff resources. Such competitive
disadvantages could materially and adversely affect the Company's ability to
acquire new properties or develop existing properties.
REGULATIONS
The Company's business is affected by numerous governmental laws and
regulations, including energy, environmental, conservation, tax and other laws
and regulations relating to the petroleum industry. Changes in any of these
laws and regulations could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's
business and financial stability. In view of the many uncertainties with
respect to current laws and regulations, including their applicability to the
Company, the Company cannot predict the overall effect of such laws and
regulations on future operations.
TAXATION
The operations of the Company, as is the case in the petroleum industry
generally, are significantly affected by Federal tax laws. Federal, as well as
state, tax laws have many provisions applicable to corporations which could
affect the future tax liability of the Company.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
The Company's activities are subject to existing federal and state laws and
regulations governing environmental quality and pollution control. These laws
may require the acquisition of permits relating to certain ongoing operations,
for drilling, emissions, waste water disposal and other air and water quality
controls. In view of the uncertainty and unpredictability of environmental
statutes and regulations, the Company cannot ensure that such laws and
regulations will not materially and adversely affect the business of the
Company. The Company does not currently anticipate any material effect on its
capital expenditures or earnings as the result of governmental regulations,
enacted or proposed, concerning environmental protection or the discharge of
material into the environment. The Company is actively pursuing an ongoing
policy of upgrading and restoring older properties to comply with current and
proposed environmental regulations.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is liable for future dismantlement and abandonment costs
associated with its oil and gas properties. These costs include down-hole
plugging and abandonment of wells, future site restoration, post closure and
other environmental exit costs. The costs of future dismantlement and
abandonment have been accrued and recorded in the financial statements. See
Note 7 of Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form
10-K.
OTHER
The Company employed fourteen full-time and two part-time people as of
December 31, 2009. Three full-time and two part-time people were office or
administrative personnel, and the rest of whom were field personnel. The
Company contracts for additional labor services when needed. The Company is
not a party to any union or labor contracts.
The Company had no material research and development costs for the three years
ended December 31, 2009.
All of the Company's revenues during 2009 were derived from domestic sources.
The Company does not have any patents or trademarks, and it does not believe
that its business or operations are dependent upon owning any patents or
trademarks.
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ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
In addition to other information in this annual report, the following risk
factors should be carefully considered in evaluating the Company's business
because such factors may have a significant impact on the Company's business,
operating results, liquidity and financial condition. As a result of the risk
factors set forth below, actual results could differ materially from those
projected in any forward-looking statements. Additional risks and
uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently consider to be
immaterial, may also impact the Company's business, operating results,
liquidity and financial condition. If any such risks occur, the Company's
business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition could be
materially affected in an adverse manner. Under such circumstances, the
trading price of the Company's securities could decline, and you may lose all
or part of YOUR INVESTMENT in the Company.
RISKS RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS AND THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
THE COMPANY'S FUTURE PERFORMANCE IS DEPENDENT UPON THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO
CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY, ACQUIRE AND DEVELOP ADDITIONAL OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES,
THE FAILURE OF WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNDER USE OF CAPITAL AND LOSSES.
The Company's future performance depends upon the Company's ability to
continue to identify, acquire and develop additional oil and gas reserves that
are economically recoverable. The Company's success will depend upon the
Company's ability to continue to acquire working and revenue interests in
properties upon which oil and gas reserves are ultimately discovered in
commercial quantities, and the Company's ability to develop additional
prospects that contain proven oil and gas reserves to the point of production.
The successful acquisition and development of oil and gas properties requires
an assessment of recoverable reserves, future oil and gas prices and operating
costs, potential environmental and other liabilities, and other factors. Such
assessments are necessarily inexact and their accuracy inherently uncertain.
In addition, no assurance can be given that the Company's future exploitation
and development activities will result in the discovery of additional
reserves.
THE COMPANY HAS A VERY SMALL MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THE LOSS OF ANY MEMBER OF THE
COMPANY'S TEAM MAY PREVENT US FROM IMPLEMENTING THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS PLAN IN
A TIMELY MANNER.
The Company currently has two executive officers and a small number of full
time employees and consultants upon whom the Company's success largely
depends. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on the
Company's executive officers or consultants, the loss of which could seriously
harm the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. In
such an event, we may not be able to recruit personnel to replace the
Company's executive officers or consultants in a timely manner, or at all, on
acceptable terms.
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THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, AND THE COMPANY MAY NOT HAVE
SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY.
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with oil
and natural gas companies and other individual producers and operators, many
of which have substantially greater financial and other resources than the
Company. The Company's larger competitors, by reason of their size and
relative financial strength, can more easily access capital markets than the
Company can and may enjoy a competitive advantage in the recruitment of
qualified personnel. Competitors may be able to absorb the burden of any
changes in laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company does
business and handle longer periods of reduced prices for oil and gas more
easily than we can. The Company's competitors may be able to pay more for oil
and gas leases and properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and
purchase a greater number of leases and properties than the Company can.
Further, these companies may enjoy technological advantages and may be able to
implement new technologies more rapidly than the Company can. The Company's
ability to acquire additional properties in the future will depend upon the
Company's ability to conduct efficient operations, evaluate and select
suitable properties, implement advanced technologies and consummate
transactions in a highly competitive environment.
THE COMPANY'S EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT
TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS WHICH MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY'S COSTS OF
OPERATIONS.
In general, the Company's exploration and production activities are subject to
certain federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to
environmental quality and pollution control. Such laws and regulations
increase the costs of these activities and may prevent or delay the
commencement or continuance of a given operation. Specifically, the Company is
subject to legislation regarding emissions into the environment, water
discharges and storage and disposition of hazardous wastes. However, such laws
and regulations are frequently changed and any such changes may have material
adverse effects on the Company's activities. The Company is unable to predict
the ultimate cost of compliance with such laws and regulations. Generally,
environmental requirements do not appear to affect the Company any differently
or to any greater or lesser extent than other companies in the industry. To
date the Company has not been required to spend any material amounts on
compliance with environmental regulations. However, the Company may be
required to do so in future and this may affect the Company's ability to
expand or maintain the Company's operations.
ANY CHANGE TO GOVERNMENT REGULATION/ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES MAY HAVE A
NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO OPERATE AND THE COMPANY'S
PROFITABILITY.
The business of oil and gas exploration and development is subject to
substantial regulation under federal, state, local and foreign laws relating
to the exploration for, and the development, upgrading, marketing, pricing,
taxation, and transportation of oil and gas and related products and other
matters. Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations and
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activities of oil and gas exploration and development operations could have a
material adverse impact on the Company's business. In addition, there can be
no assurance that income tax laws, royalty regulations and government
incentive programs related to the Company's oil and gas properties and the oil
and gas industry generally, will not be changed in a manner which may
adversely affect the Company's progress and cause delays, inability to explore
and develop or abandonment of these interests.
Permits, leases, licenses, and approvals are required from a variety of
regulatory authorities at various stages of exploration and development. There
can be no assurance that the various government permits, leases, licenses and
approvals sought will be granted in respect of the Company's activities or, if
granted, will not be cancelled or will be renewed upon expiry. There is no
assurance that such permits, leases, licenses, and approvals will not contain
terms and provisions which may adversely affect the Company's exploration and
development activities.
THE COMPANY IS REQUIRED TO REPLACE, MAINTAIN OR EXPAND THE COMPANY'S OIL AND
GAS RESERVES IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE COMPANY'S FUTURE RESERVES AND PRODUCTION
FROM DECLINING, WHICH WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT FUTURE CASH FLOWS AND INCOME.
In general, production from oil and gas properties declines over time as
reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir
characteristics. The Company's future oil and gas production is highly
dependent upon the Company's ability to economically find, develop, acquire
and maintain reserves in commercial quantities.
To the extent cash flow from operations is reduced, either by a decrease in
prevailing prices for oil and gas or an increase in finding and development
costs, and external sources of capital become limited or unavailable, the
Company's ability to make the necessary capital investment to maintain or
expand the Company's asset base of oil and gas reserves would be impaired.
Even with sufficient available capital, the Company's future exploration and
development activities may not result in additional proved reserves, and we
might not be able to drill productive wells at acceptable costs.
THE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INDUSTRY IS HISTORICALLY A CYCLICAL
INDUSTRY AND MARKET FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICES OF OIL AND GAS COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS.
Prices for oil and gas tend to fluctuate significantly in response to factors
beyond the Company's control. These factors include:
- weather conditions in the United States and where the Company's
property interests are located;
- economic conditions, including demand for petroleum-based products, in
the United States and the rest of the world;
- actions by OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries;
political instability in the Middle East and other major oil and gas producing
regions;
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- governmental regulations;
- domestic tax policy;
- the price of foreign imports of oil and gas;
- the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and gas;
- the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves;
- the rate of decline of existing and new oil and gas reserves;
- available pipeline and other oil and gas transportation capacity;
- the ability of oil and gas companies to raise capital;
- the overall supply and demand for oil and gas; and
- the availability of alternate fuel sources.
Changes in commodity prices may significantly affect the Company's capital
resources, liquidity and expected operating results. Price changes will
directly affect revenues and can indirectly impact expected production by
changing the amount of funds available to reinvest in exploration and
development activities. Reductions in oil and gas prices not only reduce
revenues and profits, but could also reduce the quantities of reserves that
are commercially recoverable. Significant declines in prices could result in
non-cash charges to earnings due to impairment.
Changes in commodity prices may also significantly affect the Company's
ability to estimate the value of producing properties for acquisition and
divestiture and often cause disruption in the market for oil and gas producing
properties, as buyers and sellers have difficulty agreeing on the value of the
properties. Price volatility also makes it difficult to budget for and project
the return on acquisitions and the development and exploitation of projects.
We expect that commodity prices will continue to fluctuate significantly in
the future.
EXPLORATORY AND DEVELOPMENTAL DRILLING AND PRODUCTION OPERATIONS INVOLVES MANY
RISKS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE COMPANY'S CONTROL AND WHICH MAY RESULT IN A
MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION OR
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The business of exploring for, developing and producing oil and gas involves a
substantial risk of investment loss. Drilling and operating oil and gas wells
involves the risk that the wells may be unproductive or that, although
productive, the wells may not produce oil or gas in economic quantities. Other
hazards, such as unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures,
fires, blowouts, power outages, gas leakage, loss of circulation of drilling
fluids or other conditions may substantially delay or prevent completion of
any well. Adverse weather conditions can also hinder drilling operations. A
productive well may become uneconomic if water or other deleterious substances
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are encountered that impair or prevent the production of oil or gas from the
well. In addition, production from any well may be unmarketable if it is
impregnated with water or other deleterious substances. There can be no
assurance that oil and gas will be economically produced from all properties
in which the Company has interests.
AT TIMES THE COMPANY PARTICIPATES IN JOINT VENTURES WHEREIN THE COMPANY IS
DEPENDANT UPON THE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS THIRD PARTIES THAT THE COMPANY DOES NOT
CONTROL AND, AS A RESULT, THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE TIMING OF
DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, ASSOCIATED COSTS, OR THE RATE OF PRODUCTION OF RESERVES
(IF ANY).
The success of the Company's business interests in certain joint ventures,
where the Company owns less than a majority interest depends upon the efforts
of various third parties that the Company does not control. As a result, the
Company may have limited ability to exercise influence over certain joint
venture decisions, operations or costs in certain joint venture activities.
The Company's dependence on the operator and, where applicable, other working
interest owners for these projects and the Company's limited ability to
influence operations and associated costs could prevent the Company from
realizing targeted returns on capital in drilling or acquisition activities.
The success and timing of development and exploitation activities on joint
venture properties operated by others depend upon a number of factors that
will be largely outside of the Company's control, including:
- the timing and amount of capital expenditures;
- the operator's expertise and financial resources;
- approval of other participants in drilling wells;
- selection of technology;
- the rate of production of the reserves; and
- the availability of suitable drilling rigs, drilling equipment,
production and transportation infrastructure, and qualified operating
personnel.
The Company relies upon various consultants and service companies to provide
us with technical assistance and services. The Company relies upon the
services of geologists, geophysicists, chemists, engineers and other
scientists to explore and analyze oil and gas prospects to determine a method
in which the oil and gas prospects may be developed in a cost-effective
manner. Although the Company's management has relationships with a number of
third-party service providers, we cannot assure you that we will be able to
continue to rely on such consultants or services in the future.
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RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY
THE COMPANY' BY-LAWS CONTAIN PROVISIONS INDEMNIFYING THE COMPANY'S OFFICERS
AND DIRECTORS.
The Company's by-laws provide for the indemnification of the Company's
directors and officers to the fullest extent legally permissible under the
California corporate law against all expenses, liability and loss reasonably
incurred or suffered by them in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding. Furthermore, the Company's by-laws provide that the Company's
board of directors may cause the Company to purchase and maintain insurance
for the Company's directors and officers.
THE COMPANY'S BY-LAWS DO NOT CONTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS AND THUS THE
COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS MAY CHANGE IF THERE IS A TAKE-OVER OF THE
COMPANY.
We do not currently have a shareholder rights plan or any anti-takeover
provisions in the Company's by-laws. Without any anti-takeover provisions,
there is no deterrent for a take-over of the Company. If there is a take-over
of the Company, the Company's management and directors may change.
ITEM 1B - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
(a) DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
The principal assets of the Company consist of proven and unproven oil and
gas properties, oil and gas production related equipment and developed and
undeveloped real estate holdings. The Company's oil and gas properties are
located exclusively in the continental United States, in California, Wyoming,
Texas and New York.
The general business description and the description of the Company's oil and
natural gas operations are described on page 5 under Item 1. Business.
Information required by Subpart 1200 of Regulation S-K (Disclosure by
Registrants Engaged in Oil and Gas Producing Activities) is also contained in
Item 1. and in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,
Supplemental Information - Oil and Gas Producing Activities is on pages 61 to
66. The preceding information is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.
Developed oil and gas properties are those on which sufficient wells have been
drilled to economically recover the estimated reserves calculated for the
property. Undeveloped properties do not presently have sufficient wells to
recover the estimated reserves. The Company had proved undeveloped reserves
of 96,000, 9,500 and 79,600 at January 1, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company had no significant proved undeveloped properties at January 1,
2006, and 2005.
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(b) OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
The Company's estimated future net recoverable oil and gas reserves from
proved reserves, both developed and undeveloped properties, were assembled by
MHA Petroleum Consultants, independent petroleum engineers, and are as
follows:
Crude Oil Natural Gas
(BBLS) (MCF)
--------- -----------
January 1, 2010 506,000 81,000
2009 471,000 155,000
2008 806,000 331,000
2007 741,000 65,000
2006 715,000 94,000
The Company's estimated future net recoverable oil and gas reserves, noted in
the table above, have not been filed with any other Federal authority or
agency since January 1, 2009.
Using year-end oil and gas prices and lease operating expenses, the estimated
value of future net revenues before income taxes to be derived from Pyramid's
proved developed oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10%, were $9,158,000 at
December 31, 2009, $4,106,000 at December 31, 2008, $27,414,000 at December
31, 2007, $12,358,000 at December 31, 2006, and $12,694,000 at December 31,
2005.
Pyramid participates in the drilling of developmental wells, no single one of
which would cause a significant change in the net reserve figure.
INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER RESERVE ESTIMATION
Our proved reserve information as of December 31, 2009 included in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K was estimated by our independent petroleum consultant, MHA
Petroleum Consultants, LLC, in accordance with generally accepted petroleum
engineering and evaluation principles and definitions and guidelines
established by the SEC. For the company's estimation procedures, credentials
and statement of independence, see the MHA Petroleum Consultants, LLC, report
filed herein on Exhibit 99.1. The technical persons responsible for preparing
the reserves estimates presented herein meet the requirements regarding
qualifications, independence, objectivity and confidentiality set forth in the
Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves
Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. MHA Petroleum
Consultants, LLC, and their predecessors have been preparing the Company's
reserve information for over twenty years and thus, are very familiar with the
Company's operations and their oil and gas properties.
16
John H. Alexander, President and Lee Christianson, CFO, provides company data
(such as well ownership interests, oil and gas prices, production volumes and
well operating costs) to MHA Petroleum Consultants, LLC, and are the primary
Company employees responsible for reviewing MHA Petroleum Consultants, LLC,
use of our data and MHA Petroleum Consultants, LLC, estimation of our
reserves. Mr. Alexander and an employee who is a petroleum engineer provide
MHA Petroleum Consultants, LLC, with technical data (such as well logs,
geological information and well histories). Mr. Alexander and Mr.
Christianson have been with the Company for over twenty years. Mr. Alexander
has over forty years experience in the oil and gas exploration and production
industry.
John Alexander and Lee Christianson review the preliminary MHA Petroleum
Consultants, LLC, reserve estimates and the financial inputs in the estimates.
Mr. Christianson, CFO, calculates the disclosed changes in reserve estimates
and the disclosed changes in the Standardized Measure relating to proved oil
and gas reserves. Mr. Christianson has over thirty years experience in oil
and gas accounting.
Our company codes of business conduct and ethics are general internal controls
for preventing and detecting errors or fraud by our employees responsible for
the reserve estimation procedures and disclosure in our filings with the SEC.
Pyramid's net oil and gas production after royalty and other working interests
for the past five years ending December 31, were as follows.
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Crude oil (Bbls) 57,000 65,000 67,000 66,000 71,000
Natural gas (MCF) 5,000 5,000 5,000 7,000 7,000
17
Pyramid's average sales prices per barrel or per MCF of crude oil and natural
gas, respectively, and production costs per equivalent barrel (gas production
is converted to equivalent barrels at the rate of 6 MCF per barrel,
representing the estimated relative energy content of gas to oil) for the past
five years ending December 31, were as follows:
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Sales price:
Crude oil $57.16 $93.47 $67.83 $58.88 $47.96
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Natural gas $ 4.02 $ 7.94 $ 7.16 $ 7.28 $ 6.77
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Production costs $24.20 $27.20 $24.00 $22.80 $19.30
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
The average selling price of the Company's crude oil at December 31, 2009, was
approximately $71.88 per barrel and the average selling price of the Company's
natural gas at December 31, 2009, was approximately $4.50 per MCF.
As of December 31, 2009, Pyramid had the following gross and net position in
wells and proved acres:
WELLS PROVED ACRES
----------------- -----------------
Gross (1) Net (1) Gross (2) Net (2)
-------- ------ -------- ------
148 132 21,387 5,844
=== === ====== =====
(1) "Gross wells" represents the total number of wells in which the
Company has a working interest. "Net wells" represents the number
of gross wells multiplied by the percentage of the working
interests therein held by the Company.
(2) "Gross acreage" represents all acres in which the Company has a
working interest. "Net acres" represents the aggregate of the
working interests of the Company in the gross acres.
The Company drilled one well in 2008 on the Santa Fe lease. The Company also
participated as a non-operator, along with a group of partners, in the
drilling of two natural gas wells in Texas, one each in 2008 and 2009. The
Company drilled two wells in 2007 on the Anderson lease. The Company drilled
four new wells in 2006, two on the Santa Fe lease, one on the Anderson lease
18
and one joint-venture well. The Company participated with one other oil
company as non-operator in the drilling of the joint venture well in 2006.
No wells were drilled in 2005.
"Unproven" oil and gas properties are those on which the presence of
commercial quantities of reserves of crude oil or natural gas has not
been established.
"Undeveloped" acreage exists on those oil and gas properties where
economically recoverable reserves are estimated to exist in proved
reservoirs from wells to be drilled in the future.
As of December 31, 2009, Pyramid held positions in unproven acreage in the
following locations:
ACRES
------------------
Gross Net
------ ------
New York
Mount Morris and Livingston Counties 34,800 9,788
Texas
McMullen County 5,700 713
(c) REAL PROPERTY OWNED
Pyramid owned the following real property as of December 31, 2009, all located
in California.
County of Kern
Mullaney yard 20 acres
Miller property 112 acres
Ranton property 80 acres
City of Bakersfield 3 lots
Located on the three lots of real property in the city of Bakersfield is the
Company's executive offices. This property was acquired by the Company in
1986. The office building located on this property is a one story structure
with approximately 4,200 square feet in good condition.
19
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is subject to potential litigation within the normal course of
business. The resolution in any reporting period of such litigation could
have a material impact on Pyramid's financial position or results of
operations for that period. Pyramid is not party to any proceedings or
actions which management believes might have a material effect upon its
financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 4 - (REMOVED AND RESERVED)
PART II
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(a) PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES
The common stock of Pyramid is traded on the NYSE Amex under the symbol "PDO".
The following are high and low sales prices for each quarter of 2009 and 2008,
and reflect inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commission.
High Low
---- -----
Fiscal Quarter Ending 2009
March 31, $ 6.3100 $2.8000
June 30, 9.5000 3.4718
September 30, 6.1600 4.2000
December 31, 6.3900 4.3500
Fiscal Quarter Ending 2008
March 31, 3.9500 3.1000
June 30, 46.0000 3.2000
September 30, 38.2000 5.7000
December 31, 6.5000 2.7100
At December 31, 2009, the Company had 243 shareholders of record, and an
unknown number of additional holders whose stock is held in "street name".
The Company did not repurchase any securities during 2009, or issue any
securities during 2009 that were not registered under the Securities Act of
1933.
20
On June 5, 2008, the Company's Board of Directors approved a 5 for 4 stock
split payable on July 3, 2008, to shareholders of record as of June 24, 2008.
The effective date of the split is July 7, 2008.
ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data is not necessarily indicative of our
future financial position or results of future operations, and should be read
in conjunction with Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and the Financial Statements and Notes
thereto included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands except per share data)
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Total Revenue $3,312 $6,611 $4,945 $3,958 $3,761
Income from Operations ( 537) 1,094 1,767 923 1,087
Net Income ( 189) 1,514 1,495 949 1,089
Net Income per Share
Basic and Diluted ($0.04) $0.32 $0.32 $0.20 $0.23
Weighted Average Number of
Shares Outstanding
Basic and Diluted 4,678 4,678 4,678 4,678 4,678
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,439 $1,794 $ 618 $ 619 $1,333
Short-term Investments 3,344 2,789 1,479 1,451 1,409
Total Assets 10,142 10,277 8,460 6,696 5,907
Notes Payable 21 45 71 37 64
Stockholders' Equity 8,373 8,352 6,604 5,109 4,160
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity 10,142 10,277 8,460 6,696 5,907
PER SHARE DATA
Net Book Value per
Common Share $1.79 $1.79 $1.41 $1.09 $0.89
Common Shares Outstanding 4,678 4,678 4,678 4,678 4,678
21
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
IMPACT OF CHANGING PRICES
Average prices decreased by approximately $36.40 per equivalent crude oil and
gas barrel sold during 2009 as compared with average prices for 2008. In 2009
there were 247 separate crude oil price changes, as compared with 250 price
changes in 2008. The difference between the highest ($78.70) and lowest
($27.85) posted prices in 2009 was $50.85 per barrel. By comparison, this
same differential in 2008 was $111.45 per barrel.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company had cash and short-term investments of $4,783,000 at December 31,
2009, for a net increase of $200,000, when compared to December 31, 2008.
Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit having original
maturities of three months or more. Operating activities generated cash of
$573,000 during 2009. During 2009, cash was consumed by purchase of short-
term investments of $500,000, capital spending of $348,000 and principal
payments on the Company's long-term debt totaling $24,000. The components of
the changes in cash for 2009 are described in the Statements of Cash Flows
included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Adequate funds were available to carry
out all necessary oil and gas operations and to maintain its equipment. A
$500,000 line of credit, unused at December 31, 2009, also provided additional
liquidity during 2009.
The Company believes that its existing current assets and the amount of cash
it anticipates it will generate from current operations will be sufficient to
fund the anticipated liquidity and capital resource needs of the Company for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. In addition to its current assets,
the Company also has a credit facility for $500,000 available in the event
that it needs other resources to fund its liquidity and capital resource
needs. Although the Company may increase its capital expenditures during the
current fiscal year to enhance its current oil production capacities, it does
not anticipate that such expenditures would exceed the amount of liquidity
currently available to the Company. The Company's beliefs that its existing
assets and the cash expected to be generated from operations will be
sufficient during the current fiscal year are based on the following:
As of December 31, 2009, the amount of cash, cash equivalents, and short
term investments was equal to $4,783,000 in the aggregate.
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $5,712,000 in
current assets, and only $576,000 of current liabilities.
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had no long-term
indebtedness (net of current maturities).
22
The Company is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements and does not
engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. In
addition, the Company has no financial guarantees, debt or lease agreements or
other arrangements that could trigger a requirement for an early payment or
that could change the value of the Company's assets. Management continues to
examine various alternatives for increasing capital resources including, among
other things, participation with industry and/or private partners in drilling
and exploration prospects and specific rework of existing properties to
enhance production and expansion of its sales of crude oil and natural gas in
California. If necessary, Pyramid could sell certain nonessential assets to
raise capital for the benefit of these programs.
The Company participated as a non-operator in the drilling of a natural gas
well in Texas during 2009. The Company drilled two wells in the years ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007. The Company drilled four wells in the year ended
December 31, 2006. No wells were drilled in 2005. One of the wells drilled
in 2006 was an exploratory well which was abandoned due to non-economic
production of crude oil.
The Company's proved developed producing crude oil reserves decreased by
63,000 barrels at December 31, 2009. The decrease is due primarily to
production of approximately 57,000 barrels of crude oil during 2009. The
remaining decline of 6,000 barrels in the reserves is due to revisions of
previous estimates. The Company did not drill any crude oil wells during
2009.
The Company's proved developed producing natural gas reserves decreased by
56,000 MCF's at December 31, 2009. The decrease is due primarily to revisions
of previous estimates. The estimates of gas reserves for the Texas gas
prospect decreased by approximately 40,000 MCF's due to unfavorable production
results from a gas well that was drilled in 2008 by the Texas joint venture.
The Company's crude oil reserves for the year ended December 31, 2008
decreased due primarily to a decrease in crude oil sales prices. Proved
developed producing crude oil reserves decreased by 213,000 barrels at
December 31, 2008. The crude oil prices at the end of a given year are one of
the most significant factors used to determine the value of crude oil
reserves. The average prices at December 31, 2008 declined by approximately
$53.00 per barrel compared with the average prices at December 31, 2007.
Based on these prices, many of the Company's leases were uneconomic and no
reserves were attributed to these leases.
The Company's crude oil reserves for the year ended December 31, 2007
increased due primarily to revision of previous estimates. The drilling of
two new wells in 2007 and higher average crude oil prices at December 31,
2007, combined to generate higher year-end reserves of proved developed
producing properties. Proved developed producing crude oil reserves increased
by 120,600 barrels at December 31, 2007.
The Company's gas reserves increased by approximately 267,000 MCF's for the
year ended December 31, 2007. The increase is due to the Company's investment
in a joint venture gas prospect in Texas.
23
The Company's crude oil reserves for the year ended December 31, 2006
increased due primarily to the drilling of four wells in 2006. The Company's
crude oil reserves for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased due
primarily to the recognition of proved developed non-producing and proved
undeveloped reserves as a result of the review of the Company's geological
data by independent petroleum engineers.
Certain properties that the Company owns have become uneconomic and have been
shut-in. When these properties are not operated, any reserves that could be
assigned to these properties are not included in the year-end engineering
report of total Company reserves. Another major factor that directly affects
the Company's future reserve base is the price of crude oil at December 31, of
any given year. The year-end price of oil and gas has a significant impact on
the estimated future net recoverable oil and gas reserves from proved
developed properties. At certain depressed price levels, some of the
Company's oil and gas properties are not economical to operate and thus its
year-end engineering reserve reports do not assign any oil and gas reserves to
these properties. Conversely, if year-end prices should increase to a certain
level, the reserves on these leases would be economic to produce and would
increase the Company's reserves.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Looking forward into 2010, crude oil prices have increased by approximately
ninety cents per barrel as of March 26, 2010, compared to prices at December
31, 2009. There have been 56 separate price changes since December 31, 2009.
In January 2010, the Company successfully drilled a new well on its Anderson
property in the Carneros Creek field, located in Kern County, California. The
well was drilled to approximately 3,300 feet, logged, and completed by running
casing. In late February, a small portion of the Point of Rocks formation in
this well was hydraulically fractured with the injection of crude oil and
sand. The well's oil production after recovery of all treating fluids has
been in the range of 25 barrels of oil per day.
During December of 2009, Union Gas Company of Houston Texas commenced field
operations on the Company's Texas Joint Venture Farmout. The original joint
venture well, the Murray Franklin Estate #1, was horizontally re-drilled into
the Eagleford formation at a depth of approximately 4,500 feet. The well was
stimulated with a multi-stage hydraulic frac, and testing began in mid-March.
As of this writing, no specific production results were available.
In the fourth quarter of 2009, management began an extensive review of a
number of the Company's properties located in Kern, County. Management hired
a highly regarded independent geologist to help identify and target new
prospects on existing leases, as management seeks to increase production.
Several prospects were initially identified and management has chosen one of
these for drilling a new well utilizing horizontal technology. Current plans
call for drilling operations to begin during the second week of April.
Drilling results will be announced following completion and testing
operations.
24
In addition to this specific drilling prospect, the geological review is
progressing on various other properties the Company owns. Several other
prospects on existing properties have been identified during the review, and
management is in the process of evaluating their economics. Management plans
to continue with drilling several additional wells during the current year.
The Company continues to seek and evaluate opportunities within the energy
sector, to enhance the value of the Company. The Company's growth in 2009
will be highly dependant on the amount of success the Company has in its
operations and capital investments, including the outcome of wells that have
not yet been drilled. The Company's capital investment program may be
modified during the year due to exploration and development successes or
failures, market conditions and other variables. The production and sales of
oil and gas involves many complex processes that are subject to numerous
uncertainties, including reservoir risk, mechanical failures, human error and
market conditions.
The Company has positioned itself, over the past several years, to withstand
various types of economic uncertainties, with a program of consolidating
operations on certain producing properties and concentrating on properties
that provide the major revenue sources. The drilling of a new well and
several limited work-overs of certain wells have allowed the Company to
maintain its crude oil reserves for the last three years. The Company expects
to maintain its reserve base in 2009, by drilling new wells and routine
maintenance of its existing wells.
The Company may be subject to future costs necessary for compliance with the
new implementation of air and water environmental quality requirements of the
various state and federal governmental agencies. The requirements and costs
are unknown at this time, but management believes that costs could be
significant in some cases. As the scope of the requirements become more
clearly defined, management may be better equipped to determine the true costs
to the Company.
The Company continues to absorb the costs for various state and local fees and
permits under new environmental programs, the sum of which were not material
during 2008. The Company retains outside consultants to assist the Company in
maintaining compliance with these regulations. The Company is actively
pursuing an ongoing policy of upgrading and restoring older properties to
comply with current and proposed environmental regulations. The costs of
upgrading and restoring older properties to comply with environmental
regulations have not been determined. Management believes that these costs
will not have a material adverse effect upon its financial position or results
of operations.
25
ANALYSIS OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
REVENUES
OIL AND GAS SALES
The decrease in revenues of $3,298,733 is due primarily to lower average
prices combined with lower crude oil production/sales for 2009. Oil and gas
sales decreased by 50% for the year ended December 31, 2009, when compared
with the same period for 2008. The average price of the Company's oil and gas
decreased by approximately $36.40 per equivalent barrel for 2009 when compared
to 2008. Crude oil production/sales decreased by approximately 12,600
barrels. The decrease in crude oil production is primarily the result
of the decline in production on the Company's Anderson and Santa Fe leases.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses decreased by $530,167 for the year ended December 31, 2009,
when compared with the same period for 2008. Operating expenses decreased by
27% for the year ended December 31, 2009. The cost to produce an equivalent
barrel of crude oil during 2009 was approximately $24.21 per barrel, a
decrease of approximately $3.03 per barrel when compared with production costs
for 2008. The decrease in lease operating expenses is caused by many factors.
These include lower costs for labor, parts and supplies, pump repairs,
equipment rental and equipment fuel. The Company has reduced its maintenance
activities as a result of the lower crude oil sales prices.
Company labor as a component of total operating expenses decreased by
approximately 8% due to a reduction in overtime hours worked, a reduction in
hourly labor rates, a reduction in personnel and a reduction in bonuses paid.
Parts and supplies as a component of total operating expenses decreased by
approximately 6% due to a reduction in maintenance activities. Pump repairs
as a component of total operating expenses were lower by approximately 3% due
to the decline in maintenance work during 2009 and the replacement of
down-hole pumps in prior years with more expensive pumps that are more
efficient and have better longevity. Equipment rental costs as a component of
total operating expenses were lower by approximately 3% during 2009 due to the
discontinuance of the rental of crude oil storage tanks for the Santa Fe and
Anderson leases. Equipment fuel as a component of total operating expenses
was lower by approximately 3% due to lower overall maintenance activities and
lower prices for gasoline and diesel during 2009.
26
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
General and administrative expenses decreased by $77,114 for the year ended
December 31, 2009 when compared with the same period of 2008. Accounting
services decreased by approximately $54,400 due primarily to lower costs
incurred for SOX-404 internal control compliance and tax related matters.
PROVISION FOR DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
The provision for depletion, depreciation and amortization decreased by
$304,430 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, when compared with the
same period for 2008. The decrease is due primarily to a decrease in
depletion of the Company's oil and gas properties in the amount of $318,202.
The decrease in depletion is due to a decrease in crude oil production for
2009 and a decrease in the depletable base due to the write-down of certain
oil and properties in 2008.
VALUATION ALLOWANCES
Valuation allowance expense decreased by $803,622 for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2009, when compared with the same period for 2008. At December
31, 2008, the valuation of the Company's oil and gas properties declined due
primarily to lower crude oil prices. During 2009, crude oil prices have
increased and this has been reflected in higher valuations of the Company's
oil and gas properties at December 31, 2009.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
REVENUES
OIL AND GAS SALES
Oil and gas sales increased by 47% for the year ended December 31, 2008, when
compared with the same period for 2007. The increase in revenues of
$2,107,773 is due primarily to higher average prices for 2008. The average
price of the Company's oil and gas increased by approximately $26.16 per
equivalent barrel for 2008 when compared to 2007. Crude oil production/sales
increased by approximately 3,800 barrels due primarily to the fracturing of
three wells in the first quarter of 2008 and increased production on wells
that were drilled in 2007.
27
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses increased by 20% for the year ended December 31, 2008, when
compared with the same period of 2007. The cost to produce an equivalent
barrel of crude oil increased by approximately $3.25 per barrel for 2008 when
compared to 2007, for a total cost of approximately $27.24 per equivalent
barrel. The increase in operating expenses of approximately $321,000 was due
to many factors. These include higher costs for labor, down-hole pump
repairs, equipment fuel, parts and supplies, equipment rental and
insurance.
The increase in operating expenses is due primarily to the following (each as
a component of total operating costs):
Labor costs increased by 6% due primarily to an increase in the number of
field employees.
Down-hole pump repairs increased by approximately 4% due to the
replacement of down-hole pumps with more expensive pumps that are more
efficient and have better longevity.
Equipment fuel increased by approximately 2% due primarily to the
increased per unit costs of gasoline and diesel fuel during 2008.
Repair and maintenance parts and supplies increased by approximately 2%
due to increased levels of repair and maintenance activities.
Equipment rental increased by approximately 2% due primarily to the
rental of crude oil storage tanks for the new wells that were drilled in 2007
and 2008 on the Anderson and Santa Fe leases. The Company also rented crude
oil storage tanks for the three wells that were fraced in the first quarter of
2008.
Insurance costs increased by approximately 1.5% due primarily to higher
premiums for health insurance and workers' compensation insurance.
EXPLORATION COSTS
In the first quarter of 2008, the Company received a payment, from its joint
venture partner, in the amount of $28,812 for its share of certain tangible
completion equipment on an exploratory well that had been abandoned in 2006.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
General and administrative expenses increased by approximately 17% for the
year ended December 31, 2008, when compared with the same period for 2007.
The increase in General and administrative expenses of $144,045 is due
primarily to the following factors:
28
Legal fees increased by approximately 6%, as a component of total
administrative expense, due to services that were rendered for the stock split
that was declared on June 5, 2008 (see footnote 11), increased costs for
compliance with SEC filings and general corporate matters.
Compensation costs, as a component of total administrative expenses,
increased by 5% due to a number of factors. Compensation costs increased due
to the following: an increase in annual salaries that was effective June 1,
2008; an increase in bonuses for 2008 when compared with 2007; and the hiring
of a part-time employee that was effective July 1, 2007.
Accounting services increased by 3%, as a component of total
administrative expenses, due primarily to continuing compliance costs
associated with Sarbanes-Oxley.
PROVISION FOR DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
The provision for depletion, depreciation and amortization increased by
$483,364 for the year ended December 31, 2008, when compared with the same
period for 2007. The increase is due to an increase of approximately $274,000
in the depletion of the Company's oil and gas properties and an increase of
$202,000 in the amortization of the leaseholds on the Company's Texas gas
prospect.
VALUATION ALLOWANCES
Valuation allowances increased by $1,159,055 for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2008, when compared with the same period for 2007. At December
31, 2008, the valuation of the Company's oil and gas properties declined due
primarily to lower crude oil prices resulting in the write-down of certain
properties to the value of their estimated discounted cash flows.
ACCRETION EXPENSE
The increase in accretion expense of $46,697 for the year ended December 31,
2008, is due primarily to an increase in the Company's liability for asset
retirement obligations (ARO). The adjustment to the ARO is due to an increase
in the estimated costs associated with the retirement of its oil and gas
properties.
29
OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES
Other costs and expenses increased by approximately $91,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2008, when compared with the same period for 2007. The increase
is due to the retention of an investor relations consultant at a monthly fee
of $5,000 that was effective March 12, 2008 (see footnote 16). The remaining
increase in costs is due to an increase in the annual listing fees for the
NYSE AMEX and the payment of a one-time fee to the NYSE AMEX for the stock
split that was declared on June 5, 2008 (see footnote 11).
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
The Company has adopted the "successful efforts" method of accounting for its
oil and gas exploration and development activities, as set forth in FASB ASC
Topic No. 932.
The Company initially capitalizes expenditures for oil and gas property
acquisitions until they are either determined to be successful (capable of
commercial production) or unsuccessful. The carrying value of all undeveloped
oil and gas properties is evaluated periodically and reduced if such carrying
value appears to have been impaired. Leasehold costs relating to successful
oil and gas properties remain capitalized while leasehold costs which have
been proven unsuccessful are charged to operations in the period the leasehold
costs are proven unsuccessful. Costs of carrying and retaining unproved
properties are expensed as incurred.
The costs of drilling and equipping development wells are capitalized, whether
the wells are successful or unsuccessful. The costs of drilling and equipping
exploratory wells are capitalized until they are determined to be either
successful or unsuccessful. If the wells are successful, the costs of the
wells remain capitalized. If, however, the wells are unsuccessful, the
capitalized costs of drilling the wells, net of any salvage value, are charged
to operations in the period the wells are determined to be unsuccessful.
The Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" (the
Statement). The Statement specifies when an impairment loss should be
recognized and how impairment losses should be measured for long-lived assets
to be held and used and for long-lived assets to be disposed of. In
accordance with the Statement, the costs of proved oil and gas properties and
equipment are periodically assessed on a lease by lease basis to determine if
such costs exceed undiscounted future cash flows, and if conditions warrant an
30
impairment reserve will be provided based on the estimated future discounted
cash flows. The Company recorded an impairment reserve of $358,757 and
$1,162,379 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively (see Note 6 of Notes to
Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K). The accumulated
impairment reserve was $2,769,430 and $2,410,673 at December 31, 2009 and
2008, respectively.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION
Depletion of leasehold costs of producing oil and gas properties is provided
on the unit-of-production method, by individual property unit, based on
estimated recoverable proved reserves. Depreciation and amortization of the
costs of producing wells and related equipment are provided on the
unit-of-production method, by individual property unit, based on estimated
recoverable proved developed reserves. Amortization of the costs of
undeveloped oil and gas properties is based on the Company's experience,
giving consideration to the holding periods of leaseholds. The average
depletion per equivalent barrel of crude oil produced for 2009, 2008 and 2007
were $14.97, $27.86 and $5.03, respectively.
Drilling and operating equipment, buildings, automotive, office and other
property and equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost.
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over
the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the applicable lease terms (range
of 3 to 19 years). Any permanent impairment of the carrying value of property
and equipment is provided for at the time such impairments become known.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair
Value Measurements, which provides amendments to the FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10
that require new disclosures regarding (I) transfers in and out of Level 1 and
Level 2 fair value measurements and (ii) activity in Level 3 fair value
measurements. ASU 2010-06 also clarifies existing disclosures regarding (I)
the level of asset and liability disaggregation and (ii) fair value
measurement inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures and
clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the
disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll
forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim
periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the disclosure
impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue
Arrangements (ASU 2009-13). ASU 2009-13 provides guidance for arrangements
with multiple deliverables. Specifically, the updated accounting standard
requires an entity to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of
an arrangement to all of its deliverables based on their relative selling
prices. ASU 2009-13 also eliminates the residual method of allocation and
requires use of the relative-selling-price method in all circumstances in
PAGE <31>
which an entity recognizes revenue for an arrangement with multiple
deliverables. ASU 2009-13 is effective as of January 2011 with early adoption
permitted. We do not expect the adoption of ASU No. 13 to have a material
impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-05, Fair
Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASU 2009-05), which is effective for
financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after August
2009. ASU 2009-05 amends FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10 (FASB ASC 820-10). The
update provides clarification on the techniques for measurement of fair value
required of a reporting entity when a quoted price in an active market for an
identical liability is not available. The adoption of this statement did not
have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168 "The FASB Accounting Standards
Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles"
("SFAS 168"). SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification
("Codification") as the single source of authoritative GAAP to be applied by
nongovernmental entities, except for the rules and interpretive releases of
the SEC under authority of federal securities laws, which are sources of
authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the
Codification carries an equal level of authority. The Codification does not
change GAAP. SFAS 168 is effective for interim and annual periods ending on
or after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard only impacts the
references to the accounting standards. References to accounting standards in
this Form 10-K now refer to the relevant ASC topic.
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, "Subsequent Events". SFAS No. 165
was issued in order to establish principles and requirements for reviewing and
reporting subsequent events and requires disclosure of the date through which
subsequent events are evaluated and whether the date corresponds with the time
at which the financial statements were available for issue (as defined) or
were issued. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim reporting periods ending
after June 15, 2009. SFAS No. 165 was codified in the ASC topic on Subsequent
Events.
In April 2009, the FASB issued three related Staff Positions: (I) FSP 157-4,
Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or
Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are
Not Orderly, or FSP 157-4, (ii) SFAS 115-2 and SFAS 124-2, Recognition and
Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, or FSP 115-2 and FSP 124-2,
and (iii) SFAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of
Financial Instruments, or FSP 107 and APB 28-1, which are effective for
interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. FSP 157-4 provides
guidance on how to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities under
SFAS 157 in the current economic environment and reemphasizes that the
objective of a fair value measurement remains an exit price. If we were to
conclude that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of
activity of the asset or liability in relation to normal market activities,
quoted market values may not be representative of fair value and we may
conclude that a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation
PAGE <32>
techniques may be appropriate. FSP 115-2 and FSP 124-2 modify the
requirements for recognizing other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities
and revise the existing impairment model for such securities, by modifying the
current intent and ability indicator in determining whether a debt security is
other-than-temporarily impaired. FSP 107 and APB 28-1 enhance the disclosure
of instruments under the scope of SFAS 157 for both interim and annual
periods. The above staff positions did not have a material impact on our
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The above staff
positions and ABP 28-1 were codified in the ASC topic on Financial
Instruments.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 141R-1 Accounting for Assets Acquired
and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from
Contingencies, or FSP 141R-1. FSP 141R-1 amends the provisions in Statement
141R for the initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and
accounting, and disclosures for assets and liabilities arising from
contingencies in business combinations. The FSP eliminates the distinction
between contractual and non-contractual contingencies, including the initial
recognition and measurement criteria in Statement 141R and instead carries
forward most of the provisions in SFAS 141 for acquired contingencies. FSP
141R-1 is effective for contingent assets and contingent liabilities acquired
in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December
15, 2008. We will apply the requirements of SFAS 141R prospectively to any
future acquisitions. FAS 141R was codified in the ASC topic on Business
Combinations.
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
33
ITEM 8- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009
Page
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM . . . . . . 34
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Balance sheets - December 31, 2009 and 2008 . . . . . . . . . . 35-36
Statements of operations - years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37-38
Statements of shareholders' equity - years ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Statements of cash flows - years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41
Notes to financial statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
34
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
and Shareholders of
Pyramid Oil Company
Bakersfield, California
We have audited the balance sheets of Pyramid Oil Company (the Company) as
of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provided a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Pyramid Oil Company as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We were not engaged to examine management's assessment of the effectiveness
of Pyramid Oil Company's internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2009 included in the accompanying report of management in
Disclosure Controls and Procedures in Item 9A(T) of Form 10K, and,
accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.
SINGERLEWAK LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 30, 2010
35
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
December 31,
--------------------------
2009 2008
---------- ------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,438,825 $ 1,793,563
Short-term investments 3,344,061 2,789,099
Trade accounts receivable
(net of reserve for doubtful accounts
of $4,000 in 2009 and 2008) 375,954 213,588
Income taxes receivable 124,281 --
Crude oil inventory 62,760 82,025
Prepaid expenses and other assets 169,595 186,353
Deferred income taxes 196,200 108,000
--------- ----------
Total current assets 5,711,676 5,172,628
--------- ----------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
Oil and gas properties and equipment
(successful efforts method) 16,085,228 15,755,472
Capitalized asset retirement costs 382,550 382,550
Drilling and operating equipment 2,109,993 2,109,993
Land, buildings and improvements 1,065,371 1,065,371
Automotive, office and
other property and equipment 1,160,617 1,162,324
---------- ----------
20,803,759 20,475,710
Less - accumulated depletion,
depreciation, amortization
and valuation allowances (17,125,834) (16,147,157)
---------- ----------
3,677,925 4,328,553
---------- ----------
OTHER ASSETS
Deferred income taxes 485,400 509,245
Deposits 250,000 250,000
Other assets 17,013 17,013
---------- ----------
$10,142,014 $10,277,439
========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
36
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
December 31,
----------------------------
2009 2008
---------- ----------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 88,170 $ 40,820
Accrued professional fees 138,381 130,261
Accrued taxes, other than
income taxes 62,310 76,222
Accrued payroll and related costs 51,606 50,451
Accrued royalties payable 159,933 132,472
Accrued insurance 54,947 59,096
Accrued income taxes -- 239,815
Current maturities of long-term debt 20,640 23,901
--------- ----------
Total current liabilities 575,987 753,038
--------- ----------
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current
maturities -- 20,640
--------- ----------
LIABILITY FOR ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS 1,193,324 1,151,706
--------- ----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value (Note 13)
Authorized - 10,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - none -- --
Common stock, no par value
(Note 11,12 & 13)
Authorized - 50,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding -
4,677,728 shares 1,515,945 1,306,010
Retained earnings 6,856,758 7,046,045
---------- ----------
8,372,703 8,352,055
---------- ----------
$10,142,014 $10,277,439
========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
37
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
REVENUES:
Oil and gas sales $ 3,311,895 $ 6,610,628 $ 4,502,855
Gain on sales of fixed assets -- 500 441,927
---------- ---------- ----------
3,311,895 6,611,128 4,944,782
---------- ---------- ----------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating expenses 1,411,721 1,941,888 1,611,269
Exploration costs -- (28,812) 6,687
General and administrative 924,676 1,001,791 857,746
Stock based compensation 209,935 167,400 67,000
Taxes, other than income and
payroll taxes 147,724 131,215 111,909
Provision for depletion,
depreciation and amortization 639,738 944,168 460,804
Valuation allowances 358,757 1,162,379 3,324
Accretion expense 41,618 68,832 22,135
Other costs and expenses 115,164 128,090 36,818
--------- --------- ----------
3,849,333 5,516,951 3,177,692
--------- --------- ----------
OPERATING INCOME ( 537,438) 1,094,177 1,767,090
--------- --------- ----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income 75,427 88,792 85,003
Other income 14,400 28,431 19,886
Interest expense ( 1,313) ( 2,235) ( 1,768)
---------- --------- ---------
88,514 114,988 103,121
---------- --------- ---------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAX PROVISION (448,924) 1,209,165 1,870,211
Income tax provision (benefit)
Current ( 195,282) 312,710 375,150
Deferred ( 64,355) (617,245) --
---------- --------- ----------
( 259,637) (304,535) 375,150
---------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME $ ( 189,287) $ 1,513,700 $ 1,495,061
========== ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
38
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
BASIC INCOME PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.04) $ 0.32 $ 0.32
========== ========= =========
DILUTED INCOME PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.04) $ 0.32 $ 0.32
========== ========= =========
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding 4,677,728 4,677,728 4,677,728
========== ========= =========
Diluted average number of
common shares outstanding 4,686,249 4,713,055 4,677,728
========== ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
39
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Shares
Issued and Common Retained
Outstanding Stock Earnings
------------- ---------- ----------
Balances, December 31, 2006 3,741,721 $1,071,610 $4,037,284
Net income -- -- 1,495,061
--------- --------- ---------
Balances, December 31, 2007 3,741,721 1,071,610 5,532,345
5 for 4 stock split 936,007
Severance award agreement -- 165,400 --
Stock based compensation -- 69,000 --
Net income -- -- 1,513,700
--------- --------- ---------
Balances, December 31, 2008 4,677,728 1,306,010 7,046,045
Severance award agreement -- 209,935 --
Net (loss) -- -- ( 189,287)
--------- --------- ---------
Balances, December 31, 2009 4,677,728 $1,515,945 $6,856,758
========= ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
40
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
--------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $( 189,287) $1,513,700 $1,495,061
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Provision for depletion,
depreciation, and amortization 639,738 944,168 460,804
Valuation allowances 358,757 1,162,379 3,324
Accretion expense 41,618 68,832 22,135
Exploration costs -- (28,812) 6,687
Stock based compensation 209,935 167,400 67,000
Gain on sale of
property and equipment -- (500) (441,927)
Loss on disposal of fixed assets -- -- 18,000
Accrued termination costs -- -- (142,157)
Deferred income taxes (64,355) (617,245) --
Changes in operating assets
and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade
accounts receivable and
interest receivable (286,648) 429,752 (147,967)
Decrease (increase) in crude
oil inventories 19,265 (10,727) (14,759)
(Increase) in prepaid expenses 17,458 (12,988) (18,015)
Increase (decrease) in accounts
payable and accrued liabilities (173,790) 22,410 281,925
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by
operating activities 572,691 3,638,369 1,590,111
--------- --------- ---------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
41
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(CONTINUED)
Year ended December 31,
------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
------- ------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures $( 347,866) $(1,126,565) $(2,085,327)
Purchase of short-term investments ( 500,000) (1,250,000) (180,000)
Increase in short-term investments (54,962) (60,120) (28,069)
Redemption of certificate of deposit -- -- 200,000
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets -- 500 468,621
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities ( 902,828) (2,436,185) (1,624,775)
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from line of credit -- -- 150,000
Payments on line of credit -- -- (150,000)
Principal payments on long-term debt ( 23,901) ( 26,869) ( 37,054)
Proceeds from issuance
of long-term debt -- -- 71,165
Principal payments from
loans to employees 3,100 2,500 2,000
Loans to employees ( 3,800) ( 2,700) ( 2,000)
------- -------- -------
Net cash provided by
(used in) financing activities (24,601) (27,069) 34,111
------- -------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents (354,738) 1,175,115 (553)
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of year 1,793,563 618,448 619,001
--------- ---------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $1,438,825 $ 1,793,563 $ 618,448
========= ========== =========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year
for interest $ 1,313 $ 2,235 $ 1,768
======= ======= =======
Cash paid during the year
for income taxes $ 168,814 $ 232,946 $ 36,125
======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
42
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Pyramid Oil Company (the Company), a California Corporation, has been in the
oil and gas business continuously for 99 years since it was incorporated on
October 9, 1909. The Company is in the business of exploration, development
and production of crude oil and natural gas. The Company operated and has
interests in 27 oil and gas leases in Kern and Santa Barbara Counties in the
State of California. The Company also owns oil and gas interests in Wyoming
and New York that it does not operate. The Company grants short-term credit
to its customers and historically receives payment within 30 days.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents principally consist of demand deposits and
certificates of deposits having original maturities of three months or less.
At December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $1,200,000 of cash and
cash equivalents that were not fully insured by the FDIC.
INVESTMENTS
Investments consist of certificates of deposit having original maturities of
three months or more and are valued at cost.
INVENTORY
Inventories of crude oil and condensate are valued at the lower of cost,
predominately on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, or market, and include
certain costs directly related to the production process.
DEPOSITS
In April 2004, the Company replaced its state of California oil and gas
blanket performance surety bond, with a cash bond in the form of an
irrevocable certificate of deposit in the amount of $250,000.
43
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
The Company has adopted the "successful efforts" method of accounting for its
oil and gas exploration and development activities, as set forth in FASB ASC
Topic No. 932.
The Company initially capitalizes expenditures for oil and gas property
acquisitions until they are either determined to be successful (capable of
commercial production) or unsuccessful. The carrying value of all undeveloped
oil and gas properties is evaluated periodically and reduced if such carrying
value appears to have been impaired. Leasehold costs relating to successful
oil and gas properties remain capitalized while leasehold costs which have
been proven unsuccessful are charged to operations in the period the leasehold
costs are proven unsuccessful. Costs of carrying and retaining unproved
properties are expensed as incurred.
The costs of drilling and equipping development wells are capitalized, whether
the wells are successful or unsuccessful. The costs of drilling and equipping
exploratory wells are capitalized until they are determined to be either
successful or unsuccessful. If the wells are successful, the costs of the
wells remain capitalized. If, however, the wells are unsuccessful, the
capitalized costs of drilling the wells, net of any salvage value, are charged
to operations in the period the wells are determined to be unsuccessful.
The Company adopted FASB ASC Topic No. 360-10-15, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of"
(the Statement). The Statement specifies when an impairment loss should be
recognized and how impairment losses should be measured for long-lived assets
to be held and used and for long-lived assets to be disposed of. In
accordance with the Statement, the costs of proved oil and gas properties and
equipment are periodically assessed on a lease by lease basis to determine if
such costs exceed undiscounted future cash flows, and if conditions warrant an
impairment reserve will be provided based on the estimated future discounted
cash flows. The Company recorded an impairment reserve of $358,757 and
$1,162,379 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively (see Note 6). The
accumulated impairment reserve was $2,769,430 and $2,410,673 at December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
44
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION
Depletion of leasehold costs of producing oil and gas properties is provided
on the unit-of-production method, by individual property unit, based on
estimated recoverable proved reserves. Depreciation and amortization of the
costs of producing wells and related equipment are provided on the
unit-of-production method, by individual property unit, based on estimated
recoverable proved developed reserves. Amortization of the costs of
undeveloped oil and gas properties is based on the Company's experience,
giving consideration to the holding periods of leaseholds. The average
depletion per equivalent barrel of crude oil produced for 2009, 2008 and 2007
were $14.97, $27.86 and $5.03, respectively.
Drilling and operating equipment, buildings, automotive, office and other
property and equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost.
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over
the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the applicable lease terms (range
of 3 to 19 years). Any permanent impairment of the carrying value of property
and equipment is provided for at the time such impairments become known.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We account for share-based awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB
ASC Topic No. 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASC 718). Accordingly,
we measure share-based compensation expense at the grant date, based on the
fair value of the award, and recognize the expense over the employee's
requisite service period using the straight-line method. The measurement of
share-based compensation expense is based on several criteria including but
not limited to the valuation model used and associated input factors, such as
expected term of the award, stock price volatility, risk free interest rate
and award cancellation rate. These inputs are subjective and are determined
using management's judgment. If differences arise between the assumptions
used in determining share-based compensation expense and the actual factors,
which become known over time, we may change the input factors used in
determining future share-based compensation expense. Any such changes could
materially impact our results of operations in the period in which the changes
are made and in periods thereafter. We elected to adopt the alternative
transition method for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation
and continue to use the simplified method in developing the expected term used
for our valuation of share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
Maintenance, repairs and replacement expenditures are charged to operations as
incurred, while major renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated
over their useful lives.
45
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
RETIREMENT OR DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT
Costs and accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and valuation
allowances of property and equipment retired, abandoned, or otherwise disposed
of are removed from the accounts upon disposal, and any resulting gain or loss
is included in operations in the year of disposition. However, upon disposal
of a portion of an oil and gas property, any proceeds received are treated as
a recovery of cost and no gain or loss is recognized in the year of
disposition.
INCOME TAXES
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income
taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets
and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected
to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities
of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the
enactment date.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 740-10-25, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007 (ASC 740-10-25). As a
result of the implementation of ASC 740-10-25, the company made a
comprehensive review of its portfolio of tax positions in accordance with
recognition standards established by ASC 740-10-25. As a result of the
implementation of Interpretation 48, the Company recognized no material
adjustments to liabilities or stockholders equity.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction,
California and New York states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer
subject to U.S. Federal tax examination for the years before 2006. State
jurisdictions that remain subject to examination range from 2005 to 2008. The
Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its
unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.
The Company policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any
unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of the
date of adoption of FIN 48, the Company did not have any accrued interest or
penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest
expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2009.
46
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
The Company sells its crude oil to ConocoPhillips and Kern Oil & Refining,
accounting for approximately 55%, and 42%, respectively, of Pyramid's
crude oil and gas sales in 2009. Crude oil sales were approximately 65% and
32% attributable to ConocoPhillips and Kern Oil and Refining respectively at
December 31, 2008. While revenue from these customers is significant, and the
loss of any one could have a short-term adverse effect on the Company, it is
management's opinion that the oil and gas it produces could be sold to other
crude oil purchasers, refineries or pipeline companies. Trade receivables were
approximately 55% and 44% attributable to ConocoPhillips and Kern Oil and
Refining respectively at December 31, 2009. Trade receivables were
approximately 60% and 38% attributable to ConocoPhillips and Kern Oil and
Refining respectively at December 31, 2008.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair
Value Measurements, which provides amendments to the FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10
that require new disclosures regarding (I) transfers in and out of Level 1 and
Level 2 fair value measurements and (ii) activity in Level 3 fair value
measurements. ASU 2010-06 also clarifies existing disclosures regarding (I)
the level of asset and liability disaggregation and (ii) fair value
measurement inputs and valuation techniques. The new disclosures and
clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the
disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll
forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim
periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the disclosure
impact of adoption on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue
Arrangements (ASU 2009-13). ASU 2009-13 provides guidance for arrangements
with multiple deliverables. Specifically, the updated accounting standard
requires an entity to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of
an arrangement to all of its deliverables based on their relative selling
prices. ASU 2009-13 also eliminates the residual method of allocation and
requires use of the relative-selling-price method in all circumstances in
which an entity recognizes revenue for an arrangement with multiple
deliverables. ASU 2009-13 is effective as of January 2011 with early adoption
permitted. We do not expect the adoption of ASU No. 13 to have a material
impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-05, Fair
Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASU 2009-05), which is effective for
financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after August
47
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
2009. ASU 2009-05 amends FASB ASC Subtopic 820-10 (FASB ASC 820-10). The
update provides clarification on the techniques for measurement of fair value
required of a reporting entity when a quoted price in an active market for an
identical liability is not available. The adoption of this statement did not
have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168 "The FASB Accounting Standards
Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles"
("SFAS 168"). SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification
("Codification") as the single source of authoritative GAAP to be applied by
nongovernmental entities, except for the rules and interpretive releases of
the SEC under authority of federal securities laws, which are sources of
authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the
Codification carries an equal level of authority. The Codification does not
change GAAP. SFAS 168 is effective for interim and annual periods ending on
or after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard only impacts the
references to the accounting standards. References to accounting standards in
this Form 10-K now refer to the relevant ASC topic.
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, "Subsequent Events". SFAS No. 165
was issued in order to establish principles and requirements for reviewing and
reporting subsequent events and requires disclosure of the date through which
subsequent events are evaluated and whether the date corresponds with the time
at which the financial statements were available for issue (as defined) or
were issued. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim reporting periods ending
after June 15, 2009. SFAS No. 165 was codified in the ASC topic on Subsequent
Events.
In April 2009, the FASB issued three related Staff Positions: (I) FSP 157-4,
Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or
Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are
Not Orderly, or FSP 157-4, (ii) SFAS 115-2 and SFAS 124-2, Recognition and
Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, or FSP 115-2 and FSP 124-2,
and (iii) SFAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of
Financial Instruments, or FSP 107 and APB 28-1, which are effective for
interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. FSP 157-4 provides
guidance on how to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities under
SFAS 157 in the current economic environment and reemphasizes that the
objective of a fair value measurement remains an exit price. If we were to
conclude that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of
activity of the asset or liability in relation to normal market activities,
quoted market values may not be representative of fair value and we may
conclude that a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation
techniques may be appropriate. FSP 115-2 and FSP 124-2 modify the
requirements for recognizing other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities
and revise the existing impairment model for such securities, by modifying the
current intent and ability indicator in determining whether a debt security is
48
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
other-than-temporarily impaired. FSP 107 and APB 28-1 enhance the disclosure
of instruments under the scope of SFAS 157 for both interim and annual
periods. The above staff positions did not have a material impact on our
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The above staff
positions and ABP 28-1 were codified in the ASC topic on Financial
Instruments.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 141R-1 Accounting for Assets Acquired
and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from
Contingencies, or FSP 141R-1. FSP 141R-1 amends the provisions in Statement
141R for the initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and
accounting, and disclosures for assets and liabilities arising from
contingencies in business combinations. The FSP eliminates the distinction
between contractual and non-contractual contingencies, including the initial
recognition and measurement criteria in Statement 141R and instead carries
forward most of the provisions in SFAS 141 for acquired contingencies. FSP
141R-1 is effective for contingent assets and contingent liabilities acquired
in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December
15, 2008. We will apply the requirements of SFAS 141R prospectively to any
future acquisitions. FAS 141R was codified in the ASC topic on Business
Combinations.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior financial statements to
conform to the 2009 presentation.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company recognizes sales when: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists; (2) product delivery has occurred; (3) pricing is fixed or
determinable; and (4) collection is reasonably assured. To satisfy these
criteria, the Company: (1) has crude oil sales contracts with its crude oil
purchasers; (2) records revenue based upon receipt of evidence of shipment of
crude oil and when risk of loss and title transfer has occurred; (3) the
Company's crude oil contracts specify the pricing terms which are fixed and
determinable; (4) validates creditworthiness through past payment history and
other financial date. Sales rebates, discounts and customer returns are not
applicable to the oil and gas industry.
TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
Our accounts receivable are unsecured and are at risk to the extent such
amounts become uncollectible. The Company has had the same two major
customers for approximately 20 years with no history of non-payment or
49
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
default. Pursuant to the terms of the crude oil sales contracts, the Company
receives payment around the 20th of the month following crude oil shipments.
The Company has established a nominal allowance for doubtful accounts due to
the Company's evaluation of its customers past payment history,
creditworthiness and other financial data.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation is recorded on the straight-line basis over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 19 years.
Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, while
significant improvements are capitalized. Upon retirement or disposition of
property, the asset and related accumulated depreciation or amortization is
removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is charged to
operations. The carrying value of property and equipment is assessed
periodically and/or when factors indicating impairment are present. We
recognize impairment losses when the expected cash flows are less than the
asset's carrying value, in which case the asset is written down to its
estimated fair value.
2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance on
fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing
the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair
value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a
liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the guidance
establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in
the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable
in the marketplace.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market
activity.
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of
observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring
fair value.
50
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
In accordance with this guidance, we measure our cash equivalents and short-
term investments at fair value. Our cash equivalents and short term
investments are classified within Level 1. Cash equivalents and shot term
investments are valued primarily using quoted market prices utilizing market
observable inputs. At December 31, 2009, cash equivalents and short term
investments consisted of certificates of deposit measured at fair value on a
recurring basis. Fair values of our certificates of deposit were $3,684,895,
of which $340,833 was included in cash equivalents and $3,344,061 were
included in short-term investments at December 31, 2009.
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted, the FASB staff position that
delayed the guidance on fair value measurements for non financial assets and
non financial liabilities. The adoption of this guidance did not have a
material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
3. LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINE OF CREDIT
Long-term debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008, is summarized as follows:
December 31,
----------------------
2009 2008
--------- ---------
Note payable to GMAC, secured by equipment
purchased with the proceeds of the loan,
payable in monthly installments of $1,193
principal and interest, interest at 3.9%
final payment in 2010. $ 11,714 $ 25,279
Note payable to GMAC, secured by equipment
purchased with the proceeds of the loan,
payable in monthly installments of $909
principal and interest, interest at 3.9%
final payment in 2010. 8,926 19,262
------- -------
20,640 44,541
Less - current maturities -- ( 23,901)
------- -------
$ 20,640 $ 20,640
======= =======
At December 31, 2009 approximately $101,000 of gross property and equipment
was pledged as collateral to secure $20,640 principal amount of long-term
debt.
51
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
At December 31, 2009, the Company had an unsecured line of credit with a bank,
under which the Company may borrow up to $500,000 through May 31, 2010.
Interest on any borrowing is accrued at the bank's index rate plus 0.50
percentage points. The bank's index rate was 4.75% at December 31, 2009.
4. INCOME TAXES
Income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
------- ------- ------
Federal income taxes:
Current $(193,411) $276,170 $ 308,715
Deferred ( 54,975) (527,245) --
------- ------- -------
(248,386) (251,075) 308,715
------- ------- -------
State income taxes:
Current ( 1,871) 36,540 66,435
Deferred ( 9,380) (90,000) --
------- ------- -------
( 11,251) (53,460) 66,435
------- ------- -------
Income tax provision $(259,637) $(304,535) $375,150
======= ======= =======
52 PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
Differences exist between certain accounting policies and related provisions
included in federal income tax rules. The amounts by which these differences
and other factors cause the total income tax provision to differ from an
amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to financial
income is set forth in the following reconciliation:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
-------- -------- --------
Federal income tax expense
(benefit) at statutory rate $(152,634) $ 408,745 $ 635,872
Statutory depletion -- (551,762) (156,526)
Termination pay -- -- ( 44,433)
Intangible Drilling Costs -- -- (161,737)
Prior period tax changes ( 93,584) (136,960) --
State income taxes ( 15,094) 5,439 66,435
Other 1,675 ( 29,997) 35,439
-------- -------- --------
Income tax provision $(259,637) $(304,535) $ 375,150
======== ======== ========
The components of net deferred tax asset (liability) are as follows:
December 31,
---------------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
----------- ----------- -----------
Current deferred taxes:
Gross assets $ 196,200 $ 107,000 $ 69,842
Gross liabilities -- -- --
---------- ---------- ----------
196,200 107,000 69,842
---------- ---------- ----------
Noncurrent deferred taxes:
Gross assets 2,251,600 2,272,245 2,287,049
Gross liabilities -- -- ( 599,537)
Valuation allowance (1,766,200) (1,762,000) (1,757,354)
---------- --------- ---------
485,400 510,245 ( 69,842)
---------- --------- ---------
$ 681,600 $ 617,245 $ --
========== ========= =========
53
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The tax effect of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax
assets and (liabilities) are as follows:
December 31,
---------------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
----------- ----------- -----------
Accounts receivable $ 1,600 $ 1,600 $ 1,712
Asset retirement obligations 466,000 449,000 432,666
Statutory depletion
carryover 1,766,200 1,762,000 1,825,707
Accrued liabilities 194,600 107,000 96,806
---------- --------- ---------
Total deferred tax assets 2,428,400 2,319,600 2,356,891
Property and equipment 19,400 59,645 ( 599,537)
Valuation allowance (1,766,200) (1,762,000) (1,757,354)
---------- --------- ---------
$ 681,600 $ 617,245 $ --
========== ========= =========
At December 31, 2009, a valuation allowance has been provided against the
statutory depletion carryover due to the uncertainty of its future
utilization.
The Company believes that its estimate of deferred tax assets and
determination to record a valuation allowance against the statutory depletion
carryover are critical accounting estimates because they are subject to, among
other things, an estimate of future taxable income, which is susceptible to
change and dependent upon events that may or may not occur, and because the
impact of recording a valuation allowance may be material to the assets
reported on the balance sheet and results of operations.
At December 31, 2009, the Company has Federal income tax net operating loss
carrybacks/carryforwards of approximately $88,000. For California franchise
tax purposes, as of December 31, 2009, the Company has net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $15,000.
At December 31, 2009, the Company has, for Federal income tax purposes, a
statutory depletion carryover of approximately $4,544,000, which currently has
no expiration date.
54
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 740-10-25 (ASC 740-
10-25), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. As a
result of the implementation of ASC 740-10-25, the company made a
comprehensive review of its portfolio of tax positions in accordance with
recognition standards established by ASC 740-10-25. As a result of the
implementation of ASC 740-10-25, the Company recognized no material
adjustments to liabilities or stockholders equity.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction,
California and New York states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer
subject to U.S. Federal tax examination for the years before 2006. State
jurisdictions that remain subject to examination range from 2005 to 2008. The
Company does not believe there will be any material changes in its
unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.
The Company policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any
unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of the
date of adoption of ASC 740-10-25, the Company did not have any accrued
interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was
any interest expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2009.
5. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTION
Effective January 1, 1990, John H. Alexander, an officer and director of the
Company participated with a group of investors that acquired the mineral and
fee interest on one of the Company's oil and gas leases (Santa Fe Energy
lease) in the Carneros Creek field after the Company declined to participate.
The thirty-three percent interest owned by Mr. Alexander represents a minority
interest in the investor group. Royalties on oil and gas production from this
property paid to the investor group approximated $188,500, $462,800 and
$324,700 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
In December of 2007, Mr. Alexander purchased a used pickup truck from the
Company for $20,150. The sale of the vehicle to Mr. Alexander in December of
2007, resulted in a gain to the Company of approximately $1,500.
As a director, Mr. Alexander has abstained from voting on any of the above
matters that have been brought before the Board of Directors, involving the
Santa Fe lease. See Note 15 for discussion of severance awards entered into
with Mr. Alexander.
55
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
6. FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
During the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008, the Company made adjustments to
the carrying value of some of its oil and gas properties. The Company
recorded a valuation allowance in the amount of $358,757 and $1,162,379, as of
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to reflect the change in the
projected future undiscounted net cash flows for the properties, as the
result of the analysis of the Company's oil and gas reserves by independent
consultants. The adjustment at December 31, 2009, of $358,727, is due to
write-downs of the Company's investment in two natural gas wells drilled by
the Texas joint venture. The economic results from the first well during 2009
and the projected future discounted net cash flows from the second well did
not support the costs that had been capitalized at December 31, 2009.
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded additional depletion
of approximately $60,000 on its oil and gas properties as a result of the
analysis of the Company's oil and gas reserves by independent consultants.
There were no significant adjustments made during the fourth quarter of 2007.
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is liable for future dismantlement and abandonment costs
associated with its oil and gas properties. These costs include down-hole
plugging and abandonment of wells, future site restoration, post closure and
other environmental exit costs. The costs of future dismantlement and
abandonment have been accrued and recorded in the financial statements. See
Note 10, Assets Retirement Obligations.
The Company is subject to potential litigation within the normal course of
business. In management's opinion, the resolution of such litigation would
not have a material adverse effect upon the financial position of the Company,
although the resolution in any reporting period of such litigation could have
a material impact on Pyramid's results of operations for that period.
In February 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
John H. Alexander pursuant to which Mr. Alexander agreed to serve as the
Company's Vice President. On June 3, 2004, Mr. Alexander was appointed as the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement is
for an initial term of six years, which term automatically renews annually if
written notice is not tendered.
Pursuant to the employment agreement, the Company may terminate Mr.
Alexander's employment with or without cause at any time before its term
expires upon providing written notice. In the event the Company terminates
Mr. Alexander's employment without cause, Mr. Alexander would be entitled to
receive a severance amount equal to his annual base salary and benefits for
the balance of the term of his employment agreement. In the event of
56
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
termination by reason of Mr. Alexander's death or permanent disability, his
legal representative will be entitled to receive his annual salary and
benefits for the remaining term of his employment agreement. In the event of,
or termination following, a change in control of the Company, as defined in
the agreement, Mr. Alexander would be entitled to receive his annual salary
and benefits for the remainder of the term of his agreement. In the event
that Mr. Alexander is terminated the Company would incur approximately
$600,000 in costs.
The Company has been notified by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) of a final settlement offer to settle its potential liability as
a generator of waste containing hazardous substances that was disposed of at a
waste disposal site in Santa Barbara County. The Company has responded to the
EPA by indicating that the waste contained petroleum products that fall within
the exception to the definition of hazardous substances for petroleum-related
substances of the pertinent EPA regulations. Management has concluded
that under both Federal and State regulations no reasonable basis exists for
any valid claim against the Company. As such, the likelihood of any
settlement is deemed remote.
8. GAIN ON SALE OF FIXED ASSETS
During 2007, the Company sold real property (160 acres of grazing land) for a
gain of approximately $441,000. All of the assets sold in 2007 had
insignificant net book values.
9. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
The Company has a defined contribution plan (Simple IRA) available to all
employees meeting certain service requirements. Employees may contribute up
to a maximum of $6,000 of their compensation to the plan. The Company will
make a contribution to the plan in an amount equal to the employees
contributions up to 3% of their salaries. Contributions of $10,428, $12,834
and $13,119 were made during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
10. ASSETS RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company recognizes a liability at discounted fair value for the future
retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated assets retirement cost
associated with the petroleum and natural gas properties. The fair value of
the liability is capitalized as part of the cost of the related asset and
amortized to expense over its useful life. The liability accretes until the
date of expected settlement of the retirement obligations. The related
accretion expense is recognized in the statement of operations. The provision
will be revised for the effect of any changes to timing related to cash flow
57
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
or undiscounted abandonment costs. Actual expenditures incurred for the
purpose of site reclamation are charged to the asset retirement obligations to
the extent that the liability exists on the balance sheet. Differences between
the actual costs incurred and the fair value of the liability recorded are
recognized in income in the period the actual costs are incurred.
There are no legally restricted assets for the settlement of asset retirement
obligations. The Company has recognized deferred tax benefits of
approximately $466,000 for the asset retirement obligations as of December 31,
2009. A reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligations from the
periods presented are as follows:
December 31,
---------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
--------- --------- ---------
Beginning balance $1,151,706 $1,010,903 $ 982,389
Incurred during the period -- -- --
Additions for new wells -- 9,394 6,379
Accretion expense 41,618 131,409 22,135
--------- --------- ---------
Ending Balance $1,193,324 $1,151,706 $1,010,903
========= ========= =========
11. STOCK SPLIT
On June 5, 2008, the Company's Board of Directors approved a 5 for 4 stock
split payable on July 3, 2008, to shareholders of record as of June 24, 2008.
The effective date of the split is July 7, 2008.
Common Stock
---------
Shares outstanding at June 30, 2008 3,741,721
Shares issued 5 for 4 stock split July 3, 2008 936,007
---------
Shares outstanding at July 7, 2008 4,677,728
=========
All share and per share data for the periods presented have been retroactively
restated to reflect this stock split.
58
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
12. WARRANTS ISSUED
Effective, November 13, 2008, the Company's Board of Directors approved the
issuance of warrants to Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc. (PHIR), see
footnote 17. The Company approved the issuance of 25,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $3.20 per share. The warrants will have a
two-year term, will be assignable and will have piggyback registration rights
and cashless exercise provisions. The Company valued the warrants using the
Black-Scholes model using inputs of a 2 year expected life, 135% volatility
and a 1.19% risk free interest rate. The Company recorded stock based
compensation of $69,000 for the period ended December 31, 2008. The Company
has adopted FASB ASC Topic No. 718 (ASC 718) which requires the measurement
and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards
made to employees, directors and consultants based on estimated fair values.
ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of the award that is
ultimately expected to vest to be recognized as expense. ASC 718 requires
companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date
of the grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the award that is
ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite
service periods.
The Company's determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the
date of grant uses the Black-Scholes model, which is affected by the Company's
stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and
subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the
expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the awards, and
actual and projected option exercise behaviors. The Company estimated
expected volatility using historical data. The fair value of each warrant was
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
with the following assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate 1.19%
Expected term (years) 2.0
Volatility 135%
Expected annual dividends -
Stock price at November 13, 2008 $3.96
59
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The following table summarizes the warrant activity for the twelve months
ended December 31, 2009:
Number Weighted-Average
of Warrants Exercise Price
----------- ----------------
Outstanding, December 31, 2008 25,000 $3.20
Granted -- --
Exercised -- --
Cancelled -- --
------ ----
Outstanding, December 31 , 2009 25,000 $3.20
====== ====
The following summarizes the warrants issued, outstanding and exercisable as
of December 31, 2009:
Grant Date November, 2008
Strike Price $3.20
Expiration Date November, 2010
Warrants Remaining 25,000
Proceeds if Exercised $80,000
Call Feature None
13. SEVERANCE AWARD AGREEMENTS
On June 4, 2009, the Company and John Alexander entered into a Severance
Award Agreement pursuant to which the Company awarded Mr. Alexander a
supplemental payment in connection with his future severance of employment
with the Company and recorded an increase to stockholders' equity of $209,935.
Pursuant to the Severance Award Agreement and following the termination of Mr.
Alexander's employment, he will be entitled to receive (at the Company's
option) 25,000 shares of the Company's common stock or the then-fair market
value of the shares. As of June 30, 2009, the Company intends to deliver
the Company's common shares for the Severance Award; therefore, in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, management has
classified the share-based compensation as stockholders' equity at June 30,
2009.
On December 30, 2008, the Company and John Alexander entered into a Severance
Award Agreement pursuant to which the Company awarded Mr. Alexander a
supplemental payment in connection with his future severance of employment
with the Company and recorded an increase to stockholders' equity of $100,000.
Pursuant to the Severance Award Agreement and following the termination of Mr.
Alexander's employment, he will be entitled to receive (at the Company's
60
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
option) 25,000 shares of the Company's common stock or the then-fair market
value of the shares. As of December 31, 2008, the Company intends to deliver
the Company's common shares for the Severance Award; therefore, in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, management has
classified the share-based compensation as stockholders' equity.
On January 9, 2007, the Company and John Alexander entered into a Severance
Award Agreement pursuant to which the Company awarded Mr. Alexander a
supplemental payment in connection with his future severance of employment
with the Company and recorded a liability for share-based compensation of
$65,400. Mr. Alexander serves as the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
Pursuant to the Severance Award Agreement and following the termination of Mr.
Alexander's employment, he will be entitled to receive (at the Company's
option) 25,000 shares of the Company's common stock or the then-fair market
value of the shares. As of December 30, 2008, the Company intends to deliver
the Company's common shares for the Severance Award; therefore, in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, management has
reclassified the liability for share-based compensation to stockholders'
equity.
14. INCENTIVE AND RETENTION PLAN
On January 9, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors adopted an Incentive and
Retention Plan pursuant to which the Company's officers and other employees
selected by the Company's Compensation Committee are entitled to receive
payments if they are employed by the Company as of the date of a 'Corporate
Transaction,' as defined in the Incentive and Retention Plan. A 'Corporate
Transaction' includes certain mergers involving the Company, sales of Company
assets, and other changes in the control of the Company, as specified in the
Incentive and Retention Plan. In general, the amount that is payable to each
plan participant will equal the number of plan units that have been granted to
him or her, multiplied by the increase in the value of the Company between
January 9, 2007 and the date of a Corporate Transaction. There has been no
Corporate Transaction since the adoption of the Incentive and Retention Plan.
15. REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3
The Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 22,2009, that became
effective on January 14, 2010. The registration statement is designed to
provide the Company the flexibility to offer and sell from time to time up to
$20 million of the Company's common stock. The Company may offer and sell
such securities through one or more methods of distribution, subject to market
conditions and the Company's capital needs. The terms of any offering under
the shelf registration statement will be established at the time of such
offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC
prior to the completion of the offering. The Company has not filed any
supplemental prospectus with the SEC or sold any common stock under this
registration statement.
61
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
DECEMBER 31, 2009
FASB ASC Topic 932, Extraction Activities - Oil and Gas, requires disclosure
of certain financial data for oil and gas operations and reserve estimates of
oil and gas. This information, presented here, is intended to enable the
reader to better evaluate the operations of the Company. All of the Company's
oil and gas reserves are located in the United States.
The aggregate amounts of capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing
activities and the related accumulated depletion, depreciation, and
amortization and valuation allowances as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
were as follows:
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
Proved properties $15,906,600 $15,576,800 $14,556,300
Unproved properties
being amortized 178,600 178,600 178,600
Unproved properties
not being amortized -- -- --
Capitalized asset retirement costs 382,600 382,600 310,600
Accumulated depletion,
depreciation, amortization
and valuation allowances (14,093,800) (13,209,000) (11,228,400)
---------- ---------- ----------
$ 2,374,000 $ 2,929,000 $ 3,817,100
========== ========== ==========
62
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The estimated quantities and the change in proved reserves, both developed and
undeveloped, for the Company are as follows:
2009 2008 2007
------------ ------------- -------------
Oil Gas Oil Gas Oil Gas
(MBbls) (MMCF) (MBbls) (MMCF) (MBbls) (MMCF)
----- ---- ----- ---- ----- ----
Proved developed and
undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year 471 155 806 331 741 65
Revisions of previous
estimates 92 ( 69) (270) (228) 132 4
Extensions, discoveries
and other additions -- -- -- 57 -- 267
Production (57) ( 5) (65) ( 5) (67) ( 5)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
End of year 506 81 471 155 806 331
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Proved developed reserves:
Beginning of year 447 59 660 64 556 65
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
End of year 383 43 447 59 660 64
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
Proved undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year 24 96 146 267 185 --
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
End of year 123 38 24 96 146 267
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
The foregoing estimates have been prepared by the Company from data prepared
by an independent petroleum engineer in respect to certain producing
properties. Revisions in previous estimates as set forth above resulted from
analysis of new information, as well as from additional production experience
or from a change in economic factors.
The reserve estimates are believed to be reasonable and consistent with
presently known physical data concerning size and character of the reservoirs
and are subject to change as additional knowledge concerning the reservoirs
becomes available.
63
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The present value of estimated future net revenues of proved developed
reserves, discounted at 10%, were as follows:
December 31,
--------------------------------------
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
Proved developed and
undeveloped reserves
(Present value before
income taxes) $ 9,158,000 $ 4,106,000 $27,414,000
========== ========== ==========
FASB ASC Topic 932, Extraction Activities - Oil and Gas, requires certain
disclosures of the costs and results of exploration and production activities
and established a standardized measure of oil and gas reserves and the
year-to-year changes therein.
In addition to the foregoing disclosures, FASB ASC Topic 932 established a
"Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows and Changes Therein
Relating to Proved Oil and Gas Reserves".
Costs incurred, both capitalized and expensed, of oil and gas property
acquisition, exploration and development for the years ended December 31,
2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
2009 2008 2007
-------- ------- -------
Property acquisition costs $ -- $ 393,200 $ --
Exploration costs - expensed -- (28,800) 7,000
Development costs 329,800 1,030,500 1,176,000
Asset retirement costs -- 72,000 6,400
64
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The results of operations for oil and gas producing activities for the years
ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
Sales $ 3,312,000 $ 6,611,000 $ 4,503,000
Production costs 1,552,000 2,066,000 1,716,000
Exploration costs -- (29,000) 7,000
Accretion expense 42,000 69,000 22,000
Depletion, depreciation,
amortization and
valuation allowance 885,000 1,981,000 349,000
--------- --------- ---------
833,000 2,524,000 2,409,000
Income tax (benefit) provision (260,000) (305,000) 375,000
--------- --------- ---------
Results of operations from
production activities $ 1,093,000 $ 2,829,000 $ 2,034,000
========= ========= =========
The standardized measure of discounted estimated future net cash flows
relating to proved oil and gas reserves for the years ended December 31, 2009,
2008 and 2007 were as follows:
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
Future cash inflows $30,177,000 $18,529,000 $75,649,000
Future development and
production costs 15,063,000 11,501,000 29,961,000
Future abandonment costs 1,193,000 1,152,000 1,011,000
Future income tax expense 2,744,000 473,000 12,856,000
---------- ---------- ----------
Future net cash flow 11,177,000 5,403,000 31,821,000
10% annual discount 3,824,000 1,612,000 12,283,000
Standardized measure ---------- ---------- ----------
of discounted future
net cash flow $ 7,353,000 $ 3,791,000 $19,538,000
========== ========== ==========
65
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
The principal changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net
cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as
follows:
2009 2008 2007
---------- ---------- ----------
Extensions $ -- $ -- $ 3,741,000
Revisions of previous estimates
Price changes 2,784,000 (19,066,000) 11,969,000
Quantity estimate 3,297,000 (4,023,000) 2,581,000
Change in production rates,
timing and Other 1,421,000 (594,000) (3,138,000)
Development costs incurred 248,000 1,236,000 1,853,000
Changes in estimated future
development costs (1,464,000) 919,000 (455,000)
Estimated future
abandonment costs 33,000 ( 27,000) ( 14,000)
Sales of oil and gas, net of
production costs (1,760,000) (4,574,000) (2,780,000)
Accretion of discount 492,000 2,821,000 1,298,000
---------- ---------- ----------
5,051,000 (23,308,000) 15,055,000
Net change in income taxes 1,489,000 (7,561,000) 4,939,000
---------- ---------- ----------
Net (decrease) increase $ 3,562,000 $(15,747,000) $10,116,000
========== ========== ==========
Estimated future cash inflows are computed by applying year-end prices of oil
and gas to year-end quantities of proved reserves. Estimated future
development and production costs are determined by estimating the expenditures
to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and gas reserves, as
well as certain abandonment costs, based on year-end cost estimates and
assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. Estimated future
income tax expense is calculated by applying the year-end effective tax rate
to estimated future pretax net cash flows related to proved oil and gas
reserves, less the tax basis of the properties involved.
These estimates are furnished and calculated in accordance with requirements
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Because of the unpredictable variances in expenses and capital
forecasts, crude oil and natural gas price changes being largely influenced
and controlled by United States and foreign governmental actions, and the fact
that the basis for such estimates vary significantly, management believes the
66
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DECEMBER 31, 2009
usefulness of these projections is limited. Estimates of future net cash
flows do not represent management's assessment of future profitability or
future actual cash flows of the Company. It should be recognized that
applying current costs and prices and a ten percent standard discount rate
allows for comparability but does not convey absolute value. The discounted
amounts arrived at are only one measure of financial quantification of proved
reserves.
The standardized measure of discounted future cash flows before income taxes
increased by $5,051,000 at December 31, 2009. The increase in income taxes
offset discounted future cash flows by $1,489,000 for a net increase in
future cash flows of $3,562,000 after income taxes as of December 31, 2009.
The major factor contributing to the increase in cash flows is higher average
crude oil prices. Average crude oil prices at December 31, 2009, increased by
approximately $21.90 per barrel. This price increase contributed to an
increase in discounted cash flows due to price changes of $2,784,000 and a
change in quantity estimates of $3,297,000. The increase in estimated
discounted future income taxes is due to the increase in the value
of the Company's oil and gas reserves due to the higher crude oil prices.
The standardized measure of discounted future cash flows before income taxes
decreased by $23,308,000 at December 31, 2008. The decrease in income taxes
offset discounted future cash flows by $7,561,000 for a net decrease in
future cash flows of $15,747,000 after income taxes as of December 31, 2008.
The major factor contributing to the decrease in cash flows is lower
crude oil prices. Average crude oil prices at December 31, 2008, decreased by
approximately $53.00 per barrel. This price decrease contributed to a
decrease in discounted cash flows due to price changes of $19,066,000 and a
decrease in quantity estimated revisions of $4,023,000. The decrease in
estimated discounted future income taxes is due to the decrease in the value
of the Company's oil and gas reserves due to the lower crude oil prices.
The standardized measure of discounted future cash flows before income taxes
increased by $15,055,000 at December 31, 2007. The change in income taxes
decreased discounted future cash flows by $4,939,000 for a net increase in
future cash flows of $10,116,000 after income taxes as of December 31, 2007.
Average crude oil prices at December 31, 2007, increased by approximately
$34.60 per barrel when compared with prices at December 31, 2006. This price
increase generated an increase in discounted cash flows due to price changes
of $11,969,000. The Company acquired an interest in a joint venture gas
prospect in Texas that caused an increase in discounted future cash flows of
$3,741,000.
67
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
QUARTERLY RESULTS
2009 2008
---------- ----------
REVENUES:
Quarter Ended:
March 31 $ 594,045 $ 1,589,896
June 30 801,901 2,123,186
September 30 945,413 1,999,619
December 31 970,536 898,427
---------- ----------
$ 3,311,895 $ 6,611,128
========== ==========
NET INCOME (LOSS):
Quarter Ended:
March 31 $ (189,215) $ 834,271
June 30 ( 38,918) 907,994
September 30 221,374 704,285
December 31 (a) (182,528) (932,850)
---------- ----------
$ (189,287) $ 1,513,700
========== ==========
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
Quarter Ended:
March 31 $ (.04) $ .18
June 30 (.01) .19
September 30 .05 .15
December 31 (a) (.04) (.20)
---------- ----------
$ (.04) $ .32
========== ==========
(a) Reflects valuation allowances of $359,000 and $1,162,000 at December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively, due to the write-down of certain oil and gas
properties (see Note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements included in Item 8
of this Form 10-K).
68
ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
ITEM 9A(T) - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the
Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (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 principal executive and financial
officers, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), the Company carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its
management, including it principal executive and financial officers, of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls
and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
Based on the foregoing, the Company's principal executive and financial
officers concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are
effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the
Company's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is timely
recorded, processed and reported within the time periods specified in the
SEC's rules and forms.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
This report is provided by the Company's management pursuant to Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC rules promulgated thereunder.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting and for assessing the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting.
The Company's control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the Untied States.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that,
in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the Company's assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States, and that the Company's receipts and expenditures are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of the Company's management and
directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use, or disposition of the
Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
69
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting
may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation
of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has assessed the Company's internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2009 based on criteria established in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the assessment of
the Company's internal control over financial reporting, management has
concluded that, as of December 31, 2009 the Company's internal control over
financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's
registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the
Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the
SEC that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this Annual
Report.
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial
reporting during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's
internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B - OTHER INFORMATION
The Company is aware of no information that was required to be disclosed in a
report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2009 but was not reported.
PART III
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information to be contained
under the section entitled "Directors and Executive Officers" or a similarly
entitled section from its definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its 2010 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders.
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that is applicable to all of its
directors, officers and employees. A copy of the code is available at no
charge to any person who sends a request for a copy to the Corporate
Secretary, Pyramid Oil Company, P.O. Box 832, Bakersfield, California 93302.
70
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information to be contained
under the section entitled "Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers"
or a similarly entitled section from its definitive Proxy Statement to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its 2010
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information to be contained
under the section entitled "Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof"
or a similarly entitled section from its definitive Proxy Statement to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its 2010
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Effective January 1, 1990, John H. Alexander, an officer and director of the
Company participated with a group of investors that acquired the mineral and
fee interest on one of the Company's oil and gas leases (Santa Fe Energy
lease) in the Carneros Creek field after the Company declined to participate.
The thirty-three percent interest owned by Mr. Alexander represents a minority
interest in the investor group. Royalties on oil and gas production from this
property paid to the investor group approximated $188,500 in 2009, $462,800 in
2008 and $324,700 in 2007.
As a director, Mr. Alexander has abstained from voting on any of the above
matters that have been brought before the Board of Directors involving the
Santa Fe lease.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information contained under
the section entitled ''Principal Accounting Fees and Services'' or a similarly
entitled section from its definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its 2010 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders.
71
ITEM 15 - EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL SCHEDULES
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Pyramid Oil Company
(previously filed by the registrant on December 17, 2009
as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Current Report on
Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Pyramid Oil Company
(previously filed by the registrant on December 17, 2009
as Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant's Current Report on
Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1 Employment Agreement of John H. Alexander, dated
February 21, 2002 (previously filed by the registrant
on March 29, 2002 as Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, and incorporated
herein by reference).
23.1 Consent of SingerLewak LLP.
23.2 Consent of MHA Petroleum Consultants, LLC.
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
Section 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.1 Report dated February 23, 2010 of MHA Petroleum Consultants,
LLC, independent petroleum engineers.
72
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
PYRAMID OIL COMPANY
March 30, 2010 By: JOHN H. ALEXANDER
----------------------
John H. Alexander
Director/President
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
JOHN H. ALEXANDER Director/President March 30, 2010
--------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
John H. Alexander
MICHAEL D. HERMAN Director March 30, 2010
--------------------------- Chairman of the Board
Michael D. Herman
THOMAS W. LADD Director March 30, 2010
---------------------------
Thomas W. Ladd
GARY L. RONNING Director March 27, 2010
---------------------------
Gary L. Ronning
JOHN E. TURCO Director March 27, 2010
---------------------------
John E. Turco
LEE G. CHRISTIANSON Corporate Secretary/ March 27, 2010
--------------------------- Principal Accounting and
Lee G. Christianson Financial Officer