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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 18, 2007
Registration No. 333-145164
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form S-3
(Amendment No. 2)
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933
Teton Energy
Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as
specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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84-1482290
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 565-4600
(Address, including zip code,
and telephone number,
including area code, of
Registrants principal executive offices)
Karl F. Arleth
President and Chief Executive Officer
Teton Energy Corporation
410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 565-4600
(Name, address, including zip
code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent
for service)
Copies to:
David Danovitch, Esq.
Gersten Savage LLP
600 Lexington Avenue,
9th
Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 752-9700
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: From time to time after this Registration
Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being
offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans,
please check the following
box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than
securities offered in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following
box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General
Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that
shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration
statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to
register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities
Act, check the following
box. o
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be
changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities
until the registration statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an
offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer
to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is
not permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
SEPTEMBER 18, 2007
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
5,760,000 Shares
of
Common Stock
We are registering 5,760,000 shares of our Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the Common Stock),
for resale by the selling stockholders identified in this
prospectus, which are issuable to them upon conversion of the
Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes (the Notes)
held by them, and upon exercise of the Common Stock Purchase
Warrants (the Warrants) held by them. The selling
stockholders will receive all of the net proceeds from this
offering. You should carefully read this prospectus together
with the documents we incorporate by reference before you invest
in our Common Stock.
Our Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbol TEC. The closing sale price of our Common
Stock as reported on the American Stock Exchange on
September 14, 2007 was $4.72 per share.
The selling stockholders may sell the shares of Common Stock
described in this prospectus in public or private transactions,
on or off the American Stock Exchange, at prevailing market
prices, or at privately negotiated prices. The selling
stockholders may sell shares directly to purchasers or through
brokers or dealers. Brokers or dealers may receive compensation
in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling stockholders.
Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk.
See Risk Factors, beginning on page 5 of this
prospectus and those contained in our incorporated documents, to
read about factors you should consider before buying shares of
the Common Stock.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE
SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR
COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus
is ,
2007
This summary highlights selected information about us. This
summary is not complete and does not contain all of the
information that you should consider before investing in our
securities. You should carefully read the entire prospectus and
the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein,
including the Risk Factors section and the financial
statements and related notes, before making an investment
decision in our securities. Unless the context requires
otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this
prospectus to Company, Teton,
we, us, and our are to Teton
Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries. Unless otherwise
indicated, the term year, fiscal year or
fiscal refers to our fiscal year ending
December 31st.
About the
Company
Teton Energy Corporation was formed in November 1996 and is
incorporated in the State of Delaware. From our inception until
2004, we were primarily engaged in oil and gas exploration,
development, and production in Western Siberia, Russia. In July
2004, our shareholders voted to sell our Russian operations to
our Russian partner. The gross proceeds received by us in this
transaction totaled $15,000,000. Since July 2004, we have
actively pursued opportunities primarily in North America in
order to (1) redeploy the cash generated in the sale of our
Russian operations and (2) continue our growth.
We are an independent energy company engaged primarily in the
development, production and marketing of natural gas and oil in
North America. Our strategy is to increase shareholder value by
profitably growing reserves and production, primarily through
acquiring under-valued properties with reasonable risk-reward
potential and by participating in or actively conducting
drilling operations in order to exploit our properties. We seek
high-quality exploration and development projects with potential
for providing long-term drilling inventories that generate high
returns. Our current operations are focused in four basins in
the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Piceance
Basin
In February 2005, we acquired 25% of the membership interests in
Piceance Gas Resources, LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company (Piceance LLC). Piceance LLC owned certain
oil and gas rights and leasehold assets covering
6,314 gross acres in the Piceance Basin in Western
Colorado. The properties owned by Piceance LLC carried a net
revenue interest of 78.75%. During the first quarter of 2006,
the members of Piceance LLC applied to and received the consent
of the fee owner of the land on which Piceance LLCs oil
and gas rights and leases are located for Piceance LLC to
transfer the underlying interest directly to each of the
members. As a result, on February 28, 2006, our 25%
interest in the oil and gas rights and leases was transferred
directly to Teton Piceance LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company. Through February 28, 2006, we accounted for our
investment in Piceance LLC using pro rata consolidation. We
currently have 29 wells producing, 14 wells awaiting
completion and 3 wells drilling in the Piceance Basin.
DJ
Basin
During 2005, we acquired approximately 195,252 undeveloped gross
acres in the Eastern Denver-Julesburg Basin (the DJ
Basin) located in Nebraska on the Nebraska-Colorado
border. The properties carried a net revenue interest of
approximately 81.0%. Effective December 31, 2005, we
entered into an Acreage Earning Agreement (the Earning
Agreement) with Noble Energy, Inc. (Noble),
which closed on January 27, 2006. Under the terms of the
Earning Agreement, Noble was entitled to return 75% working
interest in our DJ Basin acreage within the Area of Mutual
Interest (AMI) after drilling 20 wells by
March 1, 2007, at no cost to us. Pursuant to the Earning
Agreement, we were entitled to receive 25% of any net revenues
derived from the first 20 wells drilled and completed. The
Earning Agreement also provides that after completion of the
first 20 wells, we and Noble will split all costs
associated with future drilling, operating and other project
costs according to each partys working interest percentage.
Noble paid us $3,000,000 under the Earning Agreement and we
recorded the entire $3,000,000 (including $300,000, which was
reflected as a deposit at December 31, 2005) as a
reduction of the investment in our DJ Basin undeveloped
property. On December 8, 2006, we received notification
from Noble that the first 20 wells had been drilled and
completed and thus Noble has now earned a 75% working interest
in all acreage within the AMI. In
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2006, we acquired an additional 14,932 gross acres in the
DJ Basin which brought our total gross acreage in the DJ Basin
to 210,184 gross acres. On December 15, 2006, we
closed on an agreement to purchase an additional leasehold
interest in the DJ Basin with an undisclosed third party. The
agreement called for the acquisition of approximately
56,389 gross acres. Approximately 45,773 net acres
were within the Teton / Noble AMI and approximately
10,616 gross acres outside the AMI. Noble agreed to accept
its 75% interest in the acreage within the AMI. As of
December 31, 2006, our total gross acreage in the DJ Basin
was 266,572 acres, of which 255,956 gross acres are in
the Teton / Noble AMI and 10,616 gross acres are
outside of the AMI. As a result of these transactions we
currently have a net acreage position of 57,834 net acres
within the Teton / Noble AMI and 8,550 net acres
outside the AMI.
On March 14, 2007, we announced that five of the 20 pilot
wells in the DJ Basin were put on production by Noble in the
Chundy area as part of a flow rate test to ascertain commercial
viability. On May 17, 2007, we announced that the Chundy
pilot was testing for over 40 days and was flowing 400
thousand cubic feet per day of gas sales into the Kinder Morgan
Pony Express pipeline from seven wells. Based on well
performance, the pilot area appeared to be economic, and, in
order to further evaluate, an additional six wells were drilled
to allow the compression system to operate more efficiently. Six
wells in the Grant pilot area have commenced testing and were
connected to gas sales in early June 2007, and we are continuing
to flow test these wells for stabilized rates.
In June 2007, we formed a drilling partnership with privately
held Targe Energy E&P, LLC (Targe) to evaluate
the approximately 8,550 net acres we hold outside of the
AMI with Noble in the eastern DJ Basin. The acreage block is
named the Frenchman Creek prospect. Pursuant to the partnership,
Targe will carry us on a two well pilot program and their
proportionate share of
3-D seismic
to earn a 50% interest in the acreage block. We are the operator
of the project and plan to utilize coiled tubing drilling and
completion technology. The two initial exploratory wells will be
followed up by infill drilling on
40-acre
spacing, assuming commercial success. The initial tests are
targeting the Niobrara formation at a depth of 2,500 feet.
Williston
Basin
On May 5, 2006, we acquired a 25% working interest in
approximately 87,192 gross acres in the Williston Basin
located in Williams County, North Dakota. We purchased this
acreage position from American Oil and Gas Inc.
(American) for a total purchase price of
approximately $6.17 million. Evertson Energy Company
(Evertson) is the operator and has a 25% working
interest in the acreage block with American holding the
remaining 50% working interest. Per the terms of the purchase
and sale agreement with American we paid American
$2.47 million in cash at closing and agreed to pay an
additional $3.7 million in respect of Americans 50%
share of the costs of the first two planned wells through
June 1, 2007. As of June 30, 2007, we have paid to
American the full $3.7 million purchase consideration.
Evertson began drilling the first well on this acreage, the
Champion 1-25H, a tri-lateral horizontal test on
September 25, 2006. The estimated cost for the Champion
1-25H is approximately $7.6 million to drill, complete and
test. As of the date of this prospectus, Evertson was testing
the Champion 1-25H. We are currently paying our 25% working
interest share of the drilling, completion and testing costs of
the Champion 1-25H, and will do so on subsequent wells that we
participate in at this ownership level.
The Champion 1-25H well is targeting the Mississippian Bakken
Formation as the primary target zone. All three horizontal
laterals have been drilled, made ready for completion and
fracture stimulation occurred on January 19, 2007. The
production-testing period commenced following flow back of the
liquids used during the fracture stimulation process, and
testing is still ongoing.
Big Horn
Basin
In May 2007, we acquired approximately 12,000 gross and net
acres in the Big Horn Basin in the state of Wyoming with a
100 percent working interest for approximately $900,000.
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Recent
Developments
On February 1, 2007, we executed an employment agreement
with Dominic J. Bazile II to become our Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer. The employment agreement
provides for an initial salary for Mr. Bazile of $225,000
per year. Under the terms of the employment agreement,
Mr. Bazile is entitled to 12 months severance pay in
the event of a change of position or change in control of the
Company. The employment agreement contains an evergreen
provision, which automatically extends the term of
Mr. Baziles employment for a two-year period if the
employment agreement is not terminated by notice by either party
during 60 days prior to the end of the initial stated
two-year term. In addition, Mr. Baziles employment
agreement includes an indemnification agreement.
On May 15, 2007, we announced that we are considering the
monetization of a portion of certain of our oil and gas assets
in order to fund our ongoing capital program.
On May 17, 2007, we closed on $9.0 million of proceeds
from the sale of 8% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes,
based on an earlier announced offering of $7.0 million and
an additional $2.0 million of oversubscriptions. We
received net proceeds of approximately $8.3 million after
fees and costs. The conversion price for the Notes is $5.00 per
share. Investors of the Notes also received warrants to purchase
a total of 3,600,000 shares of our Common Stock at an
exercise price of $5.00 per share. The warrants also contain a
cashless exercise feature.
On June 15, 2007, we added to our natural gas hedging
program by entering into a Colorado Interstate Gas fixed price
swap at a strike price of $5.78 per MMBtu for
30,000 million British Thermal Units (MMBtu)
per month, commencing July 2007 and continuing through October
2008, for a total of 480,000 MMBtu for the respective
period.
On July 3, 2007, the Compensation Committee of our Board of
Directors finalized the award of a total of up to
460,000 shares of performance-vesting Restricted Stock
under the Companys 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Awards
were granted to Dominic J. Bazile II, Chief Operating Officer of
the Company, and William P. Brand, the Companys
Controller, in accordance with the terms of Messrs. Bazile
and Brands previously disclosed Employment Agreements, and
to Robert Bailey, a director of the Company. The Restricted
Stock Awards are performance-based awards and the terms of these
grants are governed by Restricted Stock Award Agreements. The
period being measured for the Restricted Stock is June 30,
2007 to June 30, 2010.
On July 25, 2007, we closed on an offering to a selected
group of investors to purchase an aggregate of
964,060 shares of Common Stock, at a price of $5.05 per
share, for gross proceeds of approximately $4.9 million,
before fees and expenses. The offering also included 337,421
warrants to purchase 337,421 shares of Common Stock with an
exercise price of $6.06 per share with a five year term. Ferris,
Baker Watts, Incorporated acted as lead placement agent, with
Commonwealth Associates, L.P. as co-placement agent for the
offering.
On August 9, 2007, we entered into an amended and restated
$50 million revolving credit facility (the Credit
Facility) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorgan
Chase), as administrative agent. JPMorgan Chase assumed
our previous credit facility with BNP Paribas. The Credit
Facility matures on August 9, 2011, and is available to be
used for working capital requirements, capital expenditures,
acquisitions, general corporate purposes and to support letters
of credit.
The Credit Facility has an initial borrowing base of
$14 million with an initial conforming borrowing base of
$11 million. As of the date of this prospectus, we are
fully drawn on the existing line. The borrowing base (and, until
November 1, 2008, the conforming borrowing base) is
scheduled to be redetermined on a semi-annual basis, based upon
an engineering report we deliver from an approved petroleum
engineer. The first redetermination of the borrowing base is
scheduled for November 1, 2007. We may request, and
JPMorgan Chase may permit, additional rederminations of the
borrowing base and/or conforming borrowing base between
scheduled redeterminations.
On August 20, 2007, Bill I. Pennington resigned from his
positions as our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President for personal reasons, and on August 21, 2007,
William K. White resigned from his position on our Board of
Directors, each effective as of August 31, 2007.
Mr. Pennington will be joining our Board of Directors as a
director, effective September 14, 2007.
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On August 31, 2007, we announced that William P. Brand, our
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, was appointed to serve
as Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective as of
September 1, 2007, until a replacement CFO is named.
Our principal executive offices are located at 410 Seventeenth
Street, Suite 1850. Our main telephone number is
(303) 565-4600.
We maintain a website at www.teton-energy.com. Information
contained on our website does not constitute part of this
prospectus.
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Shares of Common Stock Offered by the Selling Stockholders:
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5,760,000 shares |
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Selling Stockholders: |
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Holders of the Notes and Warrants. See Offering and
Selling Stockholders below. |
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Shares of Common Stock Outstanding on a Fully Diluted Basis
Prior to this Offering:
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22,910,039 shares |
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Shares of Common Stock Outstanding on a Fully Diluted Basis
After this Offering:
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22,910,039 shares |
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Use of Proceeds: |
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We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares
of Common Stock by the selling stockholders identified in this
prospectus. The selling stockholders will receive all net
proceeds from the sale of the shares of our Common Stock offered
by this prospectus. |
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Dividend Policy: |
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We have not paid any dividends on our Common Stock since
inception, and we do not anticipate the declaration or payment
of any dividends at any time in the foreseeable future. |
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Risk Factors: |
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See Risk Factors beginning on page 5 of this
prospectus and other information included in this prospectus for
a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before
deciding to invest in our Common Stock. |
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American Stock Exchange Symbol: |
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TEC |
The number of shares of Common Stock to be outstanding after
this offering is based on 17,150,039 shares of Common Stock
outstanding on September 14, 2007.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk.
Before making an investment decision, you should carefully
consider the risks described below, in the accompanying
prospectus and in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, which is incorporated
by reference herein, all of which set forth additional important
risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect
the Companys business, financial condition or operating
results. Additional risks and uncertainties that the Company
does not presently know or that the Company currently deems
immaterial may also impair the Companys business,
financial condition or operating results.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
have incurred significant losses. We expect future losses and we
may never become profitable.
We have incurred significant losses in the past. For the fiscal
quarter ended June 30, 2007, we incurred a net loss of
$7,244,967. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005,
and 2004, we incurred net losses from continuing operations of
$5,724,469, $3,777,449, and $5,193,281, respectively. In
addition, we had an accumulated deficit of $39,270,108 at
June 30, 2007 and $30,224,195 at December 31, 2006. We
may fail to achieve significant revenues or sustain
profitability. There can be no assurance of when, if ever, we
will be profitable or, if we do become profitable, if we will be
able to maintain profitability.
Substantially
all of our producing properties are located in the Rocky
Mountains, making us vulnerable to risks associated with
operating in one geographic area.
Our operations are focused in the Rocky Mountain region, which
means our producing properties are geographically concentrated
in that area. As a result, we may be disproportionately exposed
to the impact of delays or interruptions of production from
these wells caused by significant governmental regulation,
transportation capacity constraints, curtailment of production
or interruption of transportation of natural gas produced from
the wells in these basins.
If we
are unable to obtain additional funding our business operations
will be harmed.
We recently received an aggregate of approximately $12,718,000,
after expenses and fees, from the sales of our Notes, shares of
Common Stock and warrants, which we intend to use for our 2007
capital expenditure program. In addition to raising funds
through the issuance of Notes, warrants and shares of our Common
Stock, we are pursuing property sales in order to fund our
capital program. We will require additional funding to meet
increasing capital costs associated with our operations. Based
on our operating partners current capital expenditure
plans, we will be unable to fund our planned capital program if
we are unable to secure additional funding. We will not receive
any proceeds of this offering. In addition, although our
revolving credit facility provides availability of up to
$50 million, our current borrowing base is only
$14 million, and there can be no assurance that our
borrowing base will be increased or that additional advances
will be made under the revolving credit facility. We do not know
if additional financing will be available when needed, or if it
is available, if it will be available on acceptable terms. The
lack of available future funding may prevent us from
implementing our business strategy.
Drilling
for and producing oil and natural gas are high-risk activities
with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our
business, financial condition, or results of
operations.
Our future success will depend on the success of our
exploitation, exploration, development, and production
activities. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production
activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control,
including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially
viable oil or natural gas production. Any future decision to
purchase, explore, develop, or otherwise exploit prospects or
properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data
obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production
data and engineering studies, the results of which are often
inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. Our cost of
drilling, completing and operating wells are often uncertain
before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are
common
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risks that can make a particular project uneconomic. Further,
many factors may curtail, delay, or cancel drilling, including
the following:
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delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory
requirements;
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pressure or irregularities in geological formations;
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shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment, including
drilling rigs, and qualified personnel;
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equipment failures or accidents;
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adverse weather conditions;
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reductions in oil and natural gas prices;
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title problems; and
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limitations in the market for oil and natural gas.
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We may
incur non-cash charges to our operations as a result of current
and future financing transactions.
Under current accounting rules and requirements, we have
incurred $5,018,151 of non-cash charges for the three months
ended June 30, 2007 and may incur additional non-cash
charges to future operations beyond the stated contractual
interest payments required under our current and potential
future financing arrangements. While such charges are generally
non-cash, they impact our results of operations and earnings per
share and have been and are expected to be material.
Our
business involves numerous operating hazards for which our
insurance and other contractual rights may not adequately cover
our potential losses.
Our operations are subject to certain hazards inherent in
drilling for oil or natural gas, such as blowouts, reservoir
damage, loss of production, loss of well control, punchthroughs,
craterings, or fires. The occurrence of these events could
result in the suspension of drilling operations, equipment
shortages, damage to or destruction of the equipment involved
and injury or death to rig personnel.
Operations also may be suspended because of machinery
breakdowns, abnormal drilling conditions, failure of
subcontractors to perform or supply goods or services or
personnel shortages. Damage to the environment could also result
from our operations, particularly through oil spillage or
extensive uncontrolled fires. We may also be subject to damage
claims by other oil and gas companies.
Although we
and/or our
operating partners maintain insurance in the areas in which we
operate, pollution and environmental risks generally are not
fully insurable. Our insurance policies and contractual rights
to indemnity may not adequately cover our losses, and we do not
have insurance coverage or rights to indemnity for all risks. If
a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully
covered by insurance or contractual indemnity, it could
adversely affect our financial position and results of
operations.
Acquisitions
are a part of our business strategy and are subject to the risks
and uncertainties of evaluating recoverable reserves and
potential liabilities.
Our business strategy includes a continuing acquisition program.
During 2005 and 2006, we completed two separate leasehold
acquisitions each year. In addition to the leaseholds, we are
seeking to acquire producing properties including the
possibility of acquiring a producing property through the
acquisition of an entire company. Possible future acquisitions
could result in our incurring additional debt, contingent
liabilities, and increased expenses, all of which could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating
results. We could be subject to significant liabilities related
to our acquisitions.
The successful acquisition of producing and non-producing
properties requires an assessment of a number of factors, many
of which are inherently inexact and may prove to be inaccurate.
These factors include: evaluating recoverable reserves,
estimating future oil and gas prices, estimating future
operating costs, future development costs, the costs and timing
of plugging and abandonment and potential environmental and
other liabilities, assessing
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title issues, and other factors. Our assessments of potential
acquisitions will not reveal all existing or potential problems,
nor will such assessments permit us to become familiar enough
with the properties fully to assess their capabilities and
deficiencies. In the course of our due diligence, we may not
inspect every well, platform, or pipeline. Inspections may not
reveal structural and environmental problems, such as pipeline
corrosion or groundwater contamination, when they are made.
We may not be able to obtain contractual indemnities from a
seller of a property for liabilities that we assume or the
contractual indemnification we do receive may be inadequate to
cover the liabilities we do assume. We may be required to assume
the risk of the physical condition of acquired properties in
addition to the risk that the acquired properties may not
perform in accordance with our expectations. As a result, some
of the acquired businesses or properties may not produce
revenues, reserves, earnings or cash flow at anticipated levels
and in connection with these acquisitions, we may assume
liabilities that were not disclosed to or known by us or that
exceed our estimates.
Our
ability to complete acquisitions could be affected by
competition with other companies and our ability to obtaining
financing or regulatory approvals.
In pursuing acquisitions, we compete with other companies, many
of which have greater financial and other resources to acquire
attractive companies and properties. Competition for
acquisitions may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain
from, completing acquisitions. Our strategy of completing
acquisitions is dependent upon, among other things, our ability
to obtain debt and equity financing and, in some cases,
regulatory approvals. Our ability to pursue our acquisition
strategy may be hindered if we are not able to obtain financing
or regulatory approvals.
Our
acquisitions may pose integration risks and other
difficulties.
Increasing our reserve base through acquisitions is an important
part of our business strategy. Our failure successfully to
integrate acquired businesses successfully into our existing
business or consummating future acquisitions could result in our
incurring unanticipated expenses and losses. In addition, we may
have to assume cleanup or reclamation obligations or other
unanticipated liabilities in connection with these acquisitions.
The scope and cost of these obligations may ultimately be
materially greater than estimated at the time of the acquisition.
In addition, the process of integrating acquired operations into
our existing operations may result in unforeseen operating
difficulties and may require significant management attention
and financial resources that would otherwise be available for
the ongoing development or expansion of existing operations.
Possible future acquisitions could result in our incurring
additional debt, contingent liabilities and expenses, all of
which could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and operating results.
Substantial
acquisitions or other transactions could require significant
external capital and could change our risk and property
profile.
In order to finance acquisitions of additional producing
properties, we may need to alter or increase our capitalization
substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities,
the sale of production payments, or other means. These changes
in capitalization may significantly affect our risk profile.
Additionally, significant acquisitions or other transactions can
change the character of our operations and business. The
character of the new properties may be substantially different
in operating or geological characteristics or geographic
location than our existing properties. Furthermore, we may not
be able to obtain external funding for future acquisitions,
other transactions, or on terms acceptable to us.
Competitive
industry conditions may negatively affect our ability to conduct
operations.
Competition in the oil and gas industry is intense, particularly
with respect to the acquisition of producing properties and of
proved undeveloped acreage. Major and independent oil and gas
companies actively bid for desirable oil and gas properties, as
well as for the equipment, supplies, labor and services required
to operate and
7
develop their properties. Many of our competitors have financial
resources that are substantially greater than ours, which may
adversely affect our ability to compete within the industry.
There
is currently a shortage of available drilling rigs and equipment
which could cause us to experience higher costs and delays that
could adversely affect our operations.
Although equipment and supplies used in our business are usually
available from multiple sources, there is currently a general
shortage of drilling equipment, drilling supplies, and personnel
or firms that provide such services on a contract basis. It is
possible that these shortages are likely to intensify. The costs
of equipment and supplies are substantially greater now than in
prior periods and continue to escalate. In addition, the
delivery time associated with such equipment and supplies is
substantially longer from the date of order until receipt and
continues to increase. We and our joint venture partners are
also attempting to establish arrangements with others to assure
adequate availability of certain other necessary drilling
equipment and supplies on satisfactory terms, but there can be
no guarantee that we will be able to do so. Accordingly, we
cannot assure you that we will not experience shortages of, or
material price increases in, drilling equipment and supplies,
including drill pipe, in the future. Any such shortages could
delay and adversely affect our ability to meet our drilling
commitments.
We
have limited operating control over our
properties.
A significant portion of our business activities are conducted
through joint operating agreements under which we own partial
non-operated interests in oil and natural gas properties, and
consequently, we do not have control over normal operating
procedures, expenditures, or future development of those
underlying properties. Therefore, our operating results for that
portion of our business activities are beyond our control. The
failure of an operator of our wells to perform operations
adequately, or an operators breach of the applicable
agreements, could reduce our production and revenues. In
addition, the success and timing of our drilling and development
activities on properties operated by others depends upon a
number of factors outside of our control, including the
operators timing and amount of capital expenditures,
expertise and financial resources, inclusion of other
participants in drilling wells, and use of technology. Since we
do not have a majority interest in any of our current properties
in which we have a non-operated interest, we may not be in a
position to remove the operator in the event of poor
performance. Further, significant cost overruns of an operation
in any one of our current projects may require us to increase
our capital expenditure budget and could result in some wells
becoming uneconomic.
We
have no long-term contracts to sell oil and gas.
We do not have any long-term supply or similar agreements with
governments or other authorities or entities for which we act as
a producer. We are therefore dependent upon our ability to sell
oil and gas at the prevailing wellhead market price. There can
be no assurance that purchasers will be available or that the
prices they are willing to pay will remain stable.
Oil
and gas prices fluctuate, and low prices for an extended period
of time are likely to have a material adverse impact on our
business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Our revenues, profitability and future growth and reserve
calculations depend substantially on reasonable prices for oil
and gas. These prices also affect the amount of our cash flow
available for capital expenditures and working capital. In
addition, the prices of oil and natural gas may affect our
ability to borrow money or raise equity capital. The amount we
can borrow under our senior revolving credit facility (see
Note 6 to the financial statements included in our Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006) is
subject to periodic asset redeterminations based in part on
changing expectations of future crude oil and natural gas
prices. Lower prices may also reduce the amount of oil and gas
that we can produce economically. Among the factors that can
cause fluctuations in the prices for oil and gas are:
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domestic and foreign supply, and perceptions of supply, of oil
and natural gas;
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level of consumer demand;
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political conditions in oil and gas producing regions;
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weather conditions;
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world-wide economic conditions;
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domestic and foreign governmental regulations; and
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price and availability of alternative fuels.
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We have multiple hedges placed on our oil and gas production.
See Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
about Market Risk, included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, which is
incorporated in this prospectus by reference, and Recent
Developments on page 3 of this prospectus.
Our
use of oil and natural gas price hedging contracts involves
credit risk and may limit future revenues from price increases
and result in significant fluctuations in our net income and
shareholders equity.
We enter into hedging transactions for our oil and natural gas
production to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the price
of oil and natural gas. Our only hedging transactions to date
have consisted of a so-called costless collar and a fixed price
swap, which are hedging transactions that limit both our
downside loss and our upside gain between a certain price range
over a defined period of time.
We may in the future enter into these and other types of hedging
arrangements to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the
market prices of oil and natural gas. Hedging transactions
expose us to risk of financial loss in some circumstances,
including if production is less than expected, the other party
to the contract defaults on its obligations or there is a change
in the expected differential between the underlying price in the
hedging agreement and actual prices received. Hedging
transactions may limit the benefit we otherwise would have
received from increases in the price for oil and natural gas.
Furthermore, if we do not engage in hedging transactions, then
we may be more adversely affected by declines in oil and natural
gas prices than our competitors that engage in hedging
transactions. Additionally, hedging transactions may expose us
to cash margin requirements.
The
marketability of our production depends mostly upon the
availability, proximity and capacity of gas gathering systems,
pipelines and processing facilities, which are owned by third
parties.
The marketability of our production depends upon the
availability, operation, and capacity of gas gathering systems,
pipelines and processing facilities, which are owned by third
parties. The unavailability or lack of capacity of these systems
and facilities could result in the shut-in of producing wells or
the delay or discontinuance of development plans for properties.
We currently own an interest in several wells that are capable
of producing but may be curtailed from time to time at some
point in the future pending gas sales contract negotiations, as
well as construction of gas gathering systems, pipelines, and
processing facilities.
Our
credit facility has substantial restrictions and financial
covenants and we may have difficulty obtaining additional
credit, which could adversely affect our
operations.
Our revolving credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow
to a borrowing base amount, determined by our lenders in their
sole discretion, based upon, among other things, our level of
proven reserves and the projected revenues from the oil and
natural gas properties securing our loan. The lenders can
unilaterally adjust the borrowing base and the borrowings
permitted to be outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
Any increase in the borrowing base requires the consent of all
of the lenders. If the lenders do not agree on an increase, then
the borrowing base will be the lowest borrowing base acceptable
to the required number of lenders.
Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base must be
repaid immediately, or we must pledge other oil and natural gas
properties as additional collateral. Upon a downward adjustment
of the borrowing base or if borrowings in excess of the revised
borrowing base are outstanding, we could be forced to repay our
indebtedness under the revolving credit facility if we do not
have enough unpledged properties to pledge as additional
collateral.
We may not have sufficient funds to make repayments under our
revolving credit facility. We cannot assure you that we will be
able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our
debt, or will be able to refinance such debt through equity
financings or by selling assets. The terms of our revolving
credit facility also may prohibit us
9
from taking such actions. Factors that will affect our ability
to raise cash through an offering of our capital stock, a
refinancing of our debt or a sale of assets include financial
market conditions and our market value and operating performance
at the time of such offering or other financing. We cannot
assure you that any such offering, refinancing or sale of assets
can be successfully completed.
Our
debt level and the covenants in the agreements governing our
debt could negatively impact our financial condition, results of
operations and business prospects.
Our level of indebtedness, and the covenants contained in the
agreements governing our debt, could have important consequences
for our operations, including:
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increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions and detracting from our ability to withstand
successfully a downturn in our business or the economy generally;
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requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow
from operations to required payments on debt, thereby reducing
the availability of cash flow for working capital, capital
expenditures and other general business activities;
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limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the
future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions
and general corporate and other activities;
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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to,
changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
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placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other less
leveraged competitors; and
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making us vulnerable to increases in interest rates, because
borrowings under our credit facility may be at rates prevailing
at the time of each borrowing.
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The
instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants
limiting the discretion of our management in operating our
business.
Our revolving credit facility contains various restrictive
covenants that limit our managements discretion in
operating our business. In particular, these agreements will
limit our and our subsidiaries ability to, among other
things:
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pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our capital stock or
redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt;
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make loans to others;
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make investments;
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incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock;
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create certain liens;
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sell assets;
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enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments
from our subsidiaries to us;
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consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the
assets of us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole;
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engage in transactions with affiliates;
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enter into hedging contracts;
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create unrestricted subsidiaries; and
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enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
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In addition, our revolving credit facility also requires us to
maintain a certain working capital ratio and a certain debt to
EBITDAX (as defined in the revolving credit facility) ratio. If
we fail to comply with the restrictions in the revolving credit
facility (or any other subsequent financing agreements), a
default may allow the creditors (if
10
the agreements so provide) to accelerate the related
indebtedness as well as any other indebtedness to which a
cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In
addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they
had made to make available further funds.
Our
development and exploration operations require substantial
capital and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or
financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a loss of
properties and a decline in our natural gas and oil
reserves.
The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. We make
and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures
in our business and operations for the exploration for and
development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas
reserves. To date, we have financed capital expenditures
primarily with equity financings. We anticipate being able to
finance our future capital expenditures with a combination of
cash flow from operations, future financing arrangements, and
equity financings. Our cash flow from operations and access to
capital is subject to a number of variables, including:
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our proved reserves;
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the level of oil and natural gas we are able to produce from
existing wells;
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the prices at which oil and natural gas are sold; and
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our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves.
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If our revenues or the borrowing base under our revolving credit
facility decrease as a result of lower oil and natural gas
prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any
other reason, then we may have limited ability to obtain the
capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels.
We may, from time to time, need to seek additional financing. We
cannot assure you of the availability or terms of any additional
financing.
If additional capital is needed, we may not be able to obtain
debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us, or at all. If
cash generated by operations or available under our revolving
credit facility is not sufficient to meet our capital
requirements, the failure to obtain additional financing could
result in a curtailment of our operations relating to
exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn
could lead to a possible loss of properties and a decline in our
natural gas and oil reserves.
Reserve
estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be
inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates
or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities
and present value of our reserves.
The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves is
complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data
and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to economic
factors. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations
or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities
and present value of reserves shown in our financial statements.
In order to prepare our estimates, we must project production
rates and timing of development expenditures. We also must
analyze available geological, geophysical, production and
engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this
data can vary. The process also requires economic assumptions
about matters such as oil and natural gas prices, drilling and
operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability
of funds. Therefore, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves
are inherently imprecise.
Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues,
taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and
quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves most
likely will vary from our estimates. Any significant variance
could materially affect the estimated quantities and present
value of reserves in our financial statements. In addition, we
may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production
history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil
and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are
beyond our control.
You should not assume that the present value of future net
revenues from our proved reserves is the current market value of
our estimated oil and natural gas reserves. In accordance with
SEC requirements, we generally base
11
the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved
reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual
future prices and costs may differ materially from those
presented using the present value estimate.
Seasonal
weather conditions and lease stipulations can adversely affect
the conduct of drilling activities on our
properties.
Oil and natural gas operations can be adversely affected by
seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations designed to
protect various wildlife, particularly in the Rocky Mountain
region where we currently operate. In certain areas, drilling
and other oil and natural gas activities can only be conducted
during the spring and summer months. This may limit operations
in those areas and can intensify competition during those months
for drilling rigs, oil field equipment, services, supplies and
qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages.
Resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and
materially increase our operating and capital costs.
Unless
we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our level of
reserves and production will decline, which would adversely
affect our cash flows and income.
Unless we conduct successful development, exploitation, and
exploration activities or acquire properties containing proved
reserves, our proved reserves will decline as those reserves are
produced. Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are
characterized by declining production rates that vary depending
upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our future oil
and natural gas reserves and production, and, therefore our cash
flow and income, are highly dependent on our success in
efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and
economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable
reserves. We may not be able to develop, exploit, find or
acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future
production.
The
loss of key personnel could adversely affect our
business.
We currently have three employees who serve in senior management
roles. In particular, our Chief Executive Officer, Karl F.
Arleth, our Chief Operating Officer, Dominic J. Bazile II, and
our Vice President of Production, Andrew N. Schultz, are
responsible for the operation of our oil and gas business. The
loss of any one of these employees could severely harm our
business. Although we have a life insurance policy on
Mr. Arleth, of which we are a beneficiary, we do not
currently maintain key man insurance on the lives of any of the
other three individuals. Furthermore, competition for
experienced personnel is intense. If we cannot retain our
current personnel or attract additional experienced personnel,
our ability to compete could be adversely affected.
Our former Chief Financial Officer, Bill I. Pennington,
resigned from his positions effective as of August 31,
2007. Although our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer has
agreed to serve as Interim CFO until a permanent CFO is named,
if we are unable to hire a permanent CFO in a timely manner, our
business could be harmed.
Rising
inflation and price increases could have a negative effect on
the Companys value and increase our costs.
We may experience increased costs during the second half of 2007
and in 2008 due to increased demand for oil and gas field
products and services. The oil and natural gas industry is
cyclical and the demand for goods and services of oil field
companies, suppliers and others associated with the industry can
place extreme pressure on the economic stability and pricing
structure within the industry. Typically, as prices for oil and
natural gas increase, so do all associated costs. Historically
in the oil and gas industry, material changes in prices also
impact the current revenue stream, estimates of future reserves,
borrowing base calculations of bank loans and values of
properties in purchase and sale transactions. Material changes
in prices can impact the value of oil and natural gas companies
and their ability to raise capital, borrow money and retain
personnel. While we do not currently expect business costs to
materially increase, continued high prices for oil and natural
gas could result in increases in the costs of materials,
services and personnel.
Our
prices may be impacted adversely by new taxes.
The federal, state and local governments in which we operate
impose taxes on the oil and gas products we sell. In the past,
there has been a significant amount of discussion by legislators
and presidential administrations
12
concerning a variety of energy tax proposals. In addition, many
states have raised state taxes on energy sources and additional
increases may occur. We cannot predict whether any of these
measures would have an adverse impact on oil and natural gas
prices.
Our
inability to meet operating and financial obligations could
adversely affect our business.
We have obligations and commitments related to our operations as
well as our general and administrative activities. Our partners
in our various projects have expectations that we will fund our
proportionate share of drilling and related capital costs each
year. Our commitments are expected to increase significantly as
our operating partners increase their drilling activities and we
incur additional cash calls in respect of these projects. In the
event that we are unable to maintain our funding obligations in
respect of our projects, we may be deemed to have gone
non-consent, which will result in a projects
other partners funding a wells operating costs
without us. If we go non-consent on a well, the
consequences to us likely will enable the consenting partners to
recover their costs plus an
agreed-upon
percentage (typically 300% to 400%) before we will be entitled
to participate in any of the future economics of the well, if at
all. Our general and administrative commitments principally
include our office lease, under which we are contractually
obligated until 2009.
We are
subject to extensive government regulations.
Our business is affected by numerous federal, state and local
laws and regulations, including energy, environmental,
conservation, tax and other laws and regulations relating to the
oil and gas industry. These include, but are not limited to:
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the prevention of waste,
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the discharge of materials into the environment,
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the conservation of oil and natural gas,
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pollution,
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permits for drilling operations,
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drilling bonds, and
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reports concerning operations, the spacing of wells, and the
unitization and pooling of properties.
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Failure to comply with any laws and regulations may result in
the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties,
the imposition of injunctive relief or both. Moreover, changes
in any of these laws and regulations could have a material
adverse effect on our business. In view of the many
uncertainties with respect to current and future laws and
regulations, including their applicability to us, we cannot
predict the overall effect of such laws and regulations on our
future operations.
We may
be subject to certain claims by the holders of some of our
securities.
We initially registered an off-the-shelf offering by
the selling stockholders named in this prospectus of the shares
of Common Stock underlying the Notes and Warrants by way of a
prospectus supplement to an earlier registration statement on
Form S-3.
We now believe that, based on further correspondence with the
SEC, such offering was not an approved use of our existing
Form S-3
registration statement for that particular financing.
Accordingly, we filed the current registration statement on
Form S-3
to register these shares. Since the holders of the Notes and
Warrants believed that their shares underlying such securities
would be immediately freely tradeable, such holders may request
rescission of their investment, and we may be subject to certain
claims, including for breach of representations and warranties,
by the holders of the Notes and Warrants, which, if not resolved
in our favor, could have a material adverse impact on our
financial condition.
13
Our
failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in
accordance with Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley
Act could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
We will be subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 (Section 404) beginning with our annual
report on
Form 10-K
for the period ending December 31, 2007. This will require
us to include in our annual reports managements
assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over
financial reporting and a report by our independent auditors
that provides the independent auditors assessment of the
effectiveness of our internal controls. Accordingly, we are in
the process of documenting and testing our internal control
procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of
Section 404. We have prepared documentation as to our
internal control structure, have added staff to the Chief
Financial Officers department, including a Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer, and have developed detailed testing
plans that will be implemented during the third and fourth
quarters of 2007. However, during the course of our testing, we
may identify deficiencies which we may not be able to remediate
in time to meet our deadline for compliance with
Section 404, and accordingly, we may not be able to
conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal
controls over financial reporting in accordance with
Section 404. In addition, testing and maintaining internal
controls also will involve significant costs and can divert our
managements attention from other matters that are
important to our business. Failure to achieve and maintain an
effective internal control environment could harm our operating
results, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and
could require that we restate our financial statements for prior
periods, any of which could cause investors to lose confidence
in our reported financial information and cause a decline, which
could be material, in the trading price of our Common Stock.
Risks
Related To Our Common Stock
Our
stock price and trading volume may be volatile, which could
result in losses for our stockholders.
The equity trading markets may experience periods of volatility,
which could result in highly variable and unpredictable pricing
of equity securities. The market price of our Common Stock could
change in ways that may or may not be related to our business,
our industry, or our operating performance and financial
condition. In addition, the trading volume in our Common Stock
may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur.
Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price
or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our
Common Stock include:
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actual or anticipated quarterly variations in our operating
results;
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changes in expectations as to our future financial performance
or changes in financial estimates, if any, of public market
analysts;
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announcements relating to our business or the business of our
competitors;
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conditions generally affecting the oil and natural gas industry;
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the success of our operating strategy; and
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the operating and stock price performance of other comparable
companies.
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Many of these factors are beyond our control, and we cannot
predict their potential effects on the price of our Common Stock.
Our
insiders and affiliated parties beneficially own a significant
portion of our stock.
As of September 14, 2007, our executive officers, directors
and affiliated parties beneficially owned approximately 12.9% of
our Common Stock. As a result, our executive officers, directors
and affiliated parties will have significant influence to:
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elect or defeat the election of our directors;
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amend or prevent amendment of our articles of incorporation or
bylaws;
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effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other corporate
transaction; and
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affect the outcome of any other matter submitted to the
stockholders for vote.
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In addition, sales of significant amounts of shares held by our
directors and executive officers, or the prospect of these
sales, could adversely affect the market price of our Common
Stock. Managements stock ownership may discourage a
potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise
attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could reduce
our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a
premium over our stock price.
We do
not expect to pay dividends to holders of our Common Stock in
the foreseeable future. As a result, holders of our Common Stock
must rely on stock appreciation for any return on their
investment.
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. Our existing credit agreement
prohibits the payment of cash dividends without lender consent.
Any payment of cash dividends also will depend on our financial
condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other
factors and will be at the discretion of our board of directors.
Further, our current business strategy calls for the
reinvestment of cash flow from operations back into our
business. Accordingly, holders of our Common Stock will have to
rely on capital appreciation, if any, to earn a return on their
investment in our Common Stock.
The
anti-takeover effects of provisions of our charter, by-laws, and
shareholder rights plan, and of certain provisions of Delaware
corporate law, could deter, delay, or prevent an acquisition or
other change in control of us and could adversely
affect the price of our Common Stock.
Our amended certificate of incorporation, our by-laws, our
shareholder rights plan and Delaware General Corporation Law
contain various provisions that could have the effect of
delaying or preventing a change in control of us or our
management which shareholders may consider favorable or
beneficial. These provisions include the following:
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We are authorized to issue blank check preferred
stock, which is preferred stock that can be created and issued
by the board of directors without prior shareholder approval,
with rights senior to those of our common shareholders;
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We have a shareholder rights plan that could make it more
difficult for a third party to acquire us without the support of
our board of directors and principal shareholders;
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We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or the DGCL. In general, Section 203 of
the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from
engaging in a business combination with an interested
stockholder for a period of three years after the date of
the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder. A business combination includes a
merger, sale of 10% or more of our assets and certain other
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the
stockholder. For purposes of Section 203, an
interested stockholder includes any person that is:
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the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation;
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an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner
of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation, at any time within three years immediately prior to
the relevant date; and
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an affiliate or associate of the persons defined as an
interested shareholder.
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Any one of these provisions could discourage proxy contests and
make it more difficult for our shareholders to elect directors
and take other corporate actions. These provisions also could
limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the
future for shares of our Common Stock.
15
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference
contain both historical and forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking
statements, written, oral or otherwise made, represent the
Companys expectation or belief concerning future events.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are or
may be forward-looking statements. For example, statements
concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or
forecasts, and statements that describe our objectives, future
performance, plans or goals are, or may be, forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements reflect
managements current expectations concerning future results
and events and can generally be identified by the use of words
such as may, will, should,
could, would, likely,
predict, potential,
continue, future, estimate,
believe, expect, anticipate,
intend, plan, foresee, and
other similar words or phrases, as well as statements in the
future tense.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors that may
cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be
different from any future results, performance and achievements
expressed or implied by these statements. The following
important risks and uncertainties could affect our future
results, causing those results to differ materially from those
expressed in our forward-looking statements:
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general economic conditions;
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the market price of, and demand for, oil and natural gas;
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our ability to service future indebtedness;
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our success in completing development and exploration activities;
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expansion and other development trends of the oil and gas
industry;
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our present company structure;
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our accumulated deficit;
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acquisitions and other business opportunities that may be
presented to and pursued by us;
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reliance on outside operating companies for drilling and
development of our oil and gas properties;
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our ability to integrate our acquisitions into our company
structure;
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changes in laws and regulations; and
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other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Risk
Factors section and elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other
factors, including unknown or unpredictable ones could also have
material adverse effects on our future results.
The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are
made only as of the date set forth on the front of the document.
We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect new information,
subsequent events, changed circumstances, or otherwise.
We are not providing any tax advice as to the acquisition,
holding or disposition of the securities offered herein. In
making an investment decision, investors are strongly encouraged
to consult their own tax advisor to determine the
U.S. federal, state and any applicable foreign tax
consequences relating to their investment in our securities.
16
The investors identified in the table below are offering
5,400,000 shares of our Common Stock, which are issuable to
them upon conversion of the Senior Subordinated Convertible
Notes (the Notes) they purchased from us on
May 17, 2007, and upon exercise of the Common Stock
Purchase Warrants (the Warrants) they received in
connection with the purchase of the Notes. The Notes are
convertible into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion
price of $5.00 per share. This conversion price may be adjusted
in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, stock
combination, reclassification or similar transaction. The
conversion price may also be adjusted in the event that we
offer, sell or issue shares of our Common Stock, or securities
entitling any person to acquire shares of our Common Stock, at
any time while the Notes are outstanding, at an affective price
per share which is less than the then-effective conversion price
of the Notes; except that the conversion price of the Notes may
not be adjusted under this provision to less than $5.00 per
share (as adjusted for a stock dividend, stock split, stock
combination, reclassification or similar transaction), unless we
obtain shareholder approval.
The Notes bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, payable
quarterly on April 1, July 1, October 1 and
January 1, in cash or in shares of Common Stock, for an
aggregate interest amount of $732,000, convertible into shares
of Common Stock at a conversion price of the Variable Weighted
Average Price (VWAP) (as such term is defined in the
Notes) on the interest payment date; provided, however, that
interest may not be paid in shares of Common Stock if the price
of the Companys Common Stock at the stated value of the
VWAP on the interest payment date would be less than the
conversion price.
The table below sets forth the principal amount of the Notes
purchased by each investor, as well as the number of shares of
our Common Stock issuable to each investor upon conversion of
such investors Note. In addition, the investors received
Warrants to purchase the number of shares of our Common Stock
shown in the table below, at an exercise price of $5.00 per
share. The Warrants also contain a cashless exercise feature.
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Number of Shares
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Number of Shares
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of Common Stock
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of Common Stock
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Issuable upon
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Principal Amount
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Issuable upon
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Exercise of the
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Investor
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of Notes Purchased
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Conversion of Notes
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Warrants
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Mike McCoy
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$
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400,000
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80,000
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160,000
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HSP Multiple Strategy Fund, LLC
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$
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1,000,000
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200,000
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400,000
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E&M RP Trust
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$
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200,000
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40,000
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80,000
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Savant Resources LLC
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$
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1,000,000
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200,000
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400,000
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Tahoe Partnership I
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$
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200,000
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40,000
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80,000
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Shea Diversified Investments,
Inc.
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$
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1,000,000
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200,000
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400,000
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MicroCapital Fund, LP
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$
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1,400,000
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280,000
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560,000
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MicroCapital Fund, Ltd.
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$
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600,000
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120,000
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240,000
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Siam Partners II, LP
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$
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200,000
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40,000
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80,000
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Dolphin Offshore Partners, LP
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$
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3,000,000
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600,000
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1,200,000
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TOTAL:
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$
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9,000,000
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1,800,000
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3,600,000
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In addition to the 5,400,000 shares offered by the
investors listed above, the following selling stockholders are
offering an aggregate of 360,000 shares of our Common
Stock, which shares are issuable to them upon exercise of
Warrants they received as placement agent compensation in
connection with the sale of the Notes and Warrants to the
investors.
17
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Number of Shares
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of Common Stock
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Issuable upon
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Holder
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Exercise of the Warrants
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Bonnie Giusto
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1,710
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Robert A. OSullivan
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129,276
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Commonwealth Associates, LP
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187,290
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Joseph Pallotta
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26,163
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Michael S. Falk
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15,561
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TOTAL:
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360,000
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The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock being offered by
the selling stockholders is 5,760,000 shares. This number
assumes that (i) the principal amount of the Notes are
fully converted and (ii) all Warrants are fully exercised.
This offering does not include an aggregate of
132,000 shares of Common Stock which the Company has
reserved to cover up to 11 months of interest on the Notes
in the event that the Company elects to pay such interest in
shares of Common Stock rather than in cash. The Company intends
to register such shares for resale by the investors in a future
registration statement or prospectus supplement when and if
necessary.
The selling stockholders will receive all proceeds from the sale
of the shares of our Common Stock in this offering. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our
Common Stock by the selling stockholders. We will pay all
expenses (other than transfer taxes) of the selling stockholders
in connection with this offering.
PRICE
RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
Our Common Stock is listed and principally traded on the
American Stock Exchange, under the symbol TEC. Our
Common Stock is also listed for trading on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange (Germany) under the symbol TP9.
The following table sets forth, on a per share basis, the high
and low closing price on the American Stock Exchange:
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Price Range
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High
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Low
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2007 period
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First quarter
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$
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5.50
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$
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4.60
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Second quarter
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$
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5.75
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$
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4.05
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2006 period
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First quarter
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$
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8.75
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$
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6.01
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Second quarter
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$
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7.49
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$
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5.06
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Third quarter
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$
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5.84
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$
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4.34
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Fourth quarter
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$
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5.30
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$
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4.20
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2005 period
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First quarter
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$
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3.81
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$
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1.32
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Second quarter
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$
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4.53
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$
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2.06
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Third quarter
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$
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8.00
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$
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4.45
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Fourth quarter
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$
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7.20
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$
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4.90
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18
The closing sale price of Common Stock, as reported by the
American Stock Exchange on September 14, 2007 was $4.72. As
of September 14, 2007, there were approximately 162 holders
of record of our Common Stock.
We have not paid any dividends on our Common Stock since
inception, and we do not anticipate the declaration or payment
of any dividends at any time in the foreseeable future.
We are registering for resale certain shares of our Common
Stock. The term selling stockholder includes the
stockholders listed below and their transferees, pledgees,
donees or other successors.
Except as provided below, none of the selling stockholders has
held any position or office or had any other material
relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates
within the past three years other than as a result of the
ownership of our securities. We may amend or supplement this
prospectus from time to time to update the disclosure set forth
in it.
The following table sets forth, for the selling stockholders to
the extent known by us, the amount of our Common Stock
beneficially owned, the number of shares of our Common Stock
offered hereby and the number of shares and percentage of
outstanding Common Stock to be owned after completion of this
offering. The number of shares owned and the percentage
ownership figures presented in this table assumes that
(i) the principal amount of the Notes are fully converted
and (ii) all Warrants are fully exercised.
All information contained in the table below is based upon
information provided to us by the selling stockholders, and we
have not independently verified this information.
The number of shares outstanding and the percentages of
beneficial ownership are based on 17,150,039 shares of
Common Stock of Teton issued and outstanding on a fully diluted
basis as of September 14, 2007.
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Number of
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Number of
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Shares to
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Percentage of
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|
Number of Shares
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|
|
Shares
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be Beneficially
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|
Shares to be
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Name of Selling
|
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Beneficially Owned
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Being Offered
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Owned After the
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
Stockholder
|
|
Prior to the Offering
|
|
|
Hereby
|
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|
Offering
|
|
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After the Offering
|
|
|
Mike McCoy(1)
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|
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240,000
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240,000
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0
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HSP Multiple Strategy Fund, LLC(2)
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600,000
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600,000
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|
|
0
|
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E&M RP Trust(3)
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120,000
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|
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120,000
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0
|
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Savant Resources LLC(4)
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600,000
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|
|
600,000
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|
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0
|
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|
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|
Tahoe Partnership I(3)
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|
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120,000
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|
|
|
120,000
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|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
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|
Shea Diversified Investments,
Inc.(3)(10)
|
|
|
798,020
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
198,020
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
MicroCapital Fund, LP(5)
|
|
|
840,000
|
|
|
|
840,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
MicroCapital Fund, Ltd.(5)
|
|
|
360,000
|
|
|
|
360,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Siam Partners II, LP(3)
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dolphin Offshore Partners, LP(6)
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
|
1,800,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commonwealth Associates,
L.P.(7)(9)(11)
|
|
|
187,290
|
|
|
|
187,290
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonnie Giusto(7)(9)(11)
|
|
|
1,710
|
|
|
|
1,710
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. OSullivan(7)(9)(11)
|
|
|
129,276
|
|
|
|
129,276
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph Pallotta(7)(9)(11)
|
|
|
26,163
|
|
|
|
26,163
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael S. Falk(8)(9)(11)
|
|
|
15,561
|
|
|
|
15,561
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL:
|
|
|
5,958,020
|
|
|
|
5,760,000
|
|
|
|
198,020
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than one percent. |
|
(1) |
|
The address for Mike McCoy is 5950 Berkshire Lane, Dallas, TX
75225. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
The address for HSP Multiple Strategy Fund, LLC is
3366 N. Torrey Pines Ct., Suite 210,
La Jolla, CA 92037. Brian Potiker and Lowell Potiker share
voting and/or dispositive powers with respect to the shares to
be offered by HSP Multiple Strategy Fund, LLC. |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
The address for each of E&M RP Trust, Tahoe
Partnership I, Shea Diversified Investments, Inc. and Siam
Partners II, LP is 655 Brea Canyon Road, Walnut, CA 91789.
Edmund H. Shea, Jr. has sole voting
and/or
dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be offered by
each of E&M RP Trust and Siam Partners II, LP. Peter O.
Shea has sole voting
and/or
dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be offered by
Tahoe Partnership I. John F. Shea, Edmund H. Shea, Jr. and
Peter O. Shea share voting
and/or
dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be offered by
Shea Diversified Investments, Inc. |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
The address for Savant Resources LLC is 730
17th
Street, Suite 410, Denver, CO 80202. Patterson Shaw,
Gregory Vigil, Keith Engler, Anthony Mayer, John Martin, James
Wallace and Douglas Pluss share voting
and/or
dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be offered by
Savant Resources LLC. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
The address for each of MicroCapital Fund, LP and MicroCapital
Fund, Ltd. is 623 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2502, New York,
NY 10022. Ian P. Ellis and Chris Jarrous share voting and/or
dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be offered by
these selling stockholders. |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
The address for Dolphin Offshore Partners, LP is 129 East
17th
Street, New York, NY 10003. Peter E. Salas has sole voting
and/or dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be
offered by Dolphin Offshore Partners, LP. |
|
|
|
(7) |
|
The address for each of Commonwealth Associates, L.P., Bonnie
Giusto, Robert A. OSullivan and Joseph Pallotta is 830
Third Avenue,
8th
Floor, New York, NY 10022. Robert A. OSullivan and Michael
S. Falk share voting
and/or
dispositive powers with respect to the shares to be offered by
Commonwealth Associates, L.P. |
|
|
|
(8) |
|
The address for Michael S. Falk is One North Clemetis,
Suite 300, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. |
|
(9) |
|
Each of these selling stockholders is a broker-dealer or is
affiliated with a broker-dealer, who received the securities as
placement agent compensation in the ordinary course of business,
and at the time had no understandings or agreements, directly or
indirectly, with any party, to distribute such securities. |
|
(10) |
|
Amounts shown include 198,020 shares of our common stock
purchased by Shea Diversified Investments, Inc. in a registered
direct offering of shares of our common stock subsequent to the
Notes offering, which closed on July 25, 2007 (the
July 25, 2007 Offering). In addition to the
shares of common stock purchased in the July 25, 2007
Offering, Shea Diversified Investments, Inc. also received
warrants exercisable for 69,307 shares of our common stock,
at an exercise price of $6.06 per share. These warrants have not
yet been exercised, and therefore the 69,307 shares of
common stock underlying the warrants are not included in the
above table. |
|
(11) |
|
Reflects shares of our common stock underlying the Warrants
received as placement agent compensation in connection with the
Notes offering. In addition to serving as placement agent in
connection with the Notes offering, we also have the following
relationships with Commonwealth Associates, L.P.
(COMW): |
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
COMW served as our placement agent (together with Ferris Baker,
Watts, Incorporated (FBW)) in the July 25, 2007
Offering, for which COMW received placement agent compensation
consisting of $170,297.50 (3.5% of the total proceeds to us in
the July 25, 2007 Offering) and warrants exercisable for an
aggregate of 38,563 shares of our common stock (4% of the
aggregate number of shares sold in the July 25, 2007
Offering), allocated as follows:
|
Commonwealth Associates, L.P. warrants for
19,088 shares
Bonnie Giusto warrants for 193 shares
Robert A. OSullivan warrants for
14,982 shares
Joseph Pallotta warrants for 2,950 shares
Michael S. Falk warrants for 1,350 shares
These warrants have not yet been exercised, and therefore the
38,563 shares of common stock underlying the warrants are
not included in the above table.
20
In connection with the July 25, 2007 Offering, we also
agreed to reimburse COMW and FBW for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses they incurred (up to $50,000 in the aggregate), and to
indemnify them and each of their controlling persons from and
against, and to make contributions for payments made by such
person with respect to, certain liabilities, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
The arrangement described in this section (a) is pursuant
to a Placement Agency Agreement between us, COMW and FBW dated
July 19, 2007.
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Pursuant to the Placement Agent Agreement between us and COMW
dated May 11, 2007, COMW has agreed to serve as our
exclusive transaction advisor for a period of 2 years from
the closing date of the Notes offering (May 17, 2007).
Under this arrangement, in the event that we enter into a
merger, acquisition, or sale of assets or securities (provided
that in the case of the sale of securities in which COMW acts as
placement agent, COMW will receive its standard placement agent
fee for acting as advisor for such transaction), COMW as
placement agent shall be entitled to receive a fee determined by
the following formula. Such fee shall be in the same form of
consideration related to such transaction on the same terms over
the same period (i.e., if the transaction is a cash transaction,
then COMW will be compensated in cash) based on the total value
of the transaction. The formula is as follows: 5% of
the first $1 million of the consideration, 4% of the next
$1 million, 3% of the next $1 million, and 2% of all
consideration thereafter. Consideration means the
aggregate value, whether in cash, securities, assumption (or
purchase subject to) of debt or liabilities (including without
limitation, indebtedness for borrowed money, pension liabilities
and guarantees), license fees, royalty fees, joint venture
interests or other property, obligations or services, paid or
payable by us directly or indirectly (in escrow or otherwise) or
otherwise assumed in connection with a transaction.
|
With respect to transactions not introduced to us by COMW, we
agreed that during such 2 year period, if we elect to use
the services of an advisor or investment bank, we will appoint
COMW at customary industry rates.
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
We entered into a letter of engagement with COMW effective as of
July 1, 2007 (the Engagement Letter), pursuant to
which COMW will provide us with general financial advisory and
investment banking services. The terms of this engagement are
subject to the terms of the May 11, 2007 agreement
described in subsection (b) above. As compensation for its
services under the Engagement Letter, we will pay COMW a monthly
fee of $15,000 commencing July 1, 2007. We will also pay
COMW a monthly fee of 1% of the aggregate sale price for the
sale of selected oil and gas assets, payable on the closing date
of any such sale (which constitutes a modification to the
May 11, 2007 agreement described above, but only with
respect to the compensation formula described in subsection (b)
above). In addition to these fees, we will also pay for
COMWs reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, whether or not
any financing is consummated.
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The selling stockholders and any of their pledgees, assignees
and
successors-in-interest
may offer and sell the shares of Common Stock offered by this
prospectus from time to time in one or more of the following
transactions:
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through the American Stock Exchange or any other securities
exchange that quotes the Common Stock;
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in the over-the-counter market;
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in transactions other than on such exchanges or in the
over-the-counter market (including negotiated transactions and
other private transactions);
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in short sales of the Common Stock, in transactions to cover
short sales or otherwise in connection with short sales;
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by pledge to secure debts and other obligations or on
foreclosure of a pledge; or
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in a combination of any of the above transactions.
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21
The selling stockholders may sell their shares at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices or at fixed
prices. The transactions listed above may include block
transactions.
The selling stockholders may use broker-dealers to sell their
shares or may sell their shares to broker-dealers acting as
principals. If this happens, broker-dealers will either receive
discounts or commissions from the selling stockholders, or they
will receive commissions from purchasers of shares for whom they
acted as agents, or both. If a broker-dealer purchases shares as
a principal, it may resell the shares for its own account under
this prospectus.
We have informed the selling stockholders that the
anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to their sales of
Common Stock.
The selling stockholders and any agent, broker, or dealer that
participates in sales of Common Stock offered by this prospectus
may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act
of 1933, and any commissions or other consideration received by
any agent, broker, or dealer may be considered underwriting
discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. The selling
stockholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent
that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares
against certain liabilities in connection with the offering of
the shares arising under the Securities Act.
Instead of selling Common Stock under this prospectus, the
selling stockholders may sell Common Stock in compliance with
the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of
1933, if available.
The selling stockholders may from time to time pledge or grant a
security interest in some or all of the shares of Common Stock
owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their
secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer
and sell the shares of Common Stock from time to time under this
prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under
Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the
Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to
include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest
as selling stockholders under this prospectus.
Gersten Savage LLP, New York, New York will pass upon the
validity of the Common Stock offered hereby. Certain partners of
Gersten Savage LLP and their families have ownership interests
totaling approximately 0.5% in us.
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of Ehrhardt Keefe
Steiner & Hottman PC, independent registered public
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and
current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Our
SEC filings (File
No. 1-31679)
are available to the public over the Internet at the SECs
web site at
http://www.sec.gov,
and at our web site at http.//www.teton-energy.com. You may also
read and copy any document we file at the SECs public
reference room located at 100 F. Street, N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C., 20549. You may request copies of these
documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying
cost. You may call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for more information about the operation of the public reference
room.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have
filed with the SEC relating to the Companys Common Stock.
As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all
of the information we have included in the registration
statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file
with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, the
exhibits and schedules for more information about us and our
Common Stock.
22
The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available
at the SECs public reference room or through its Web site.
Our Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under
the symbol TEC. Our reports, proxy statements and
other information also may be read and copied at the American
Stock Exchange at 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information that we file with them, which means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is an
important part of this prospectus, and information that we file
later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings made with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (other than information deemed to have been
furnished to, and not filed in accordance with, SEC rules) until
we sell all of the securities or until the offering is completed.
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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007;
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Our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended March 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on
May 15, 2007;
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Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the SEC on
March 19, 2007;
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Our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on
March 19, 2007;
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Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K,
filed with the SEC on January 12, February 6,
March 20, May 22 (as amended on August 31, 2007),
July 10, July 23, July 26, August 10,
August 24 and August 31, 2007; and
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The description of our Common Stock set forth in our
registration statement on Form 10-SB/A filed July 11,
2001 (File No. 000-31170), and any subsequent amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating this description.
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You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing
or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
Teton Energy Corporation
410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
Denver, Colorado
80202-4444
Attn: Investor Relations
(303) 565-4600
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION OF
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable.
23
GLOSSARY
OF COMMONLY USED TERMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS
Within this document, the following terms and conventions have
specific meanings:
Commonly
Used Terms and Abbreviations
Bakken The Bakken formation of the Williston
Basin.
Basin A depressed sediment-filled area,
roughly circular or elliptical in shape, sometimes elongated.
Regarded as a good area to explore for oil and gas.
Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin A
geologic depression encompassing eastern Colorado and western
Nebraska.
Field A geographic region situated over one
or more subsurface oil and gas reservoirs encompassing at least
the outermost boundaries of all oil and gas accumulations known
to be within those reservoirs vertically projected to the land
surface.
Gas All references to gas in this
report refer to natural gas.
Gross Gross natural gas and oil
wells or gross acres equal the total number of wells
or acres in which the Company has a working interest.
Hedging The use of derivative commodity and
interest rate instruments to reduce financial exposure to
commodity price and interest rate volatility.
Piceance Basin A 6,000 square mile area
in Western Colorado encompassing portions of Garfield and Mesa
counties, with portions extending northward into Rio Blanco
County and south into Gunnison and Delta counties.
Productive Able to economically produce oil
and/or gas.
Proved reserves Reserves that, based on
geologic and engineering data, appear with reasonable certainty
to be recoverable in the future from known oil and gas reserves
under existing economic and operating conditions.
Proved developed reserves Proved reserves
which can be expected to be recovered through existing wells
with existing equipment and operating methods.
Reserves The estimated value of oil, gas
and/or
condensate, which is economically recoverable.
Reservoir A porous and permeable underground
formation containing a natural accumulation of producible
natural gas
and/or oil
that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is
separate from other reservoirs.
Transportation Moving gas through pipelines
on a contract basis for others.
Williston Basin An area located in western
North Dakota, northwestern South Dakota and eastern Montana.
Working interest An interest that gives the
owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating
activities on a property and receive a share of any production.
24
You should rely only on the information incorporated by
reference or contained in this prospectus. We have not
authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give you
different information. This prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell nor are they seeking an offer to buy the
securities referred to in this prospectus in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information
contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference are correct only as of the date shown on the cover
page of these documents, regardless of the time of the delivery
of these documents or any sale of the securities referred to in
this prospectus.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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SUMMARY
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1
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OFFERING SUMMARY
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4
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RISK FACTORS
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5
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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16
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TAX CONSIDERATIONS
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16
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OFFERING
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17
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USE OF PROCEEDS
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18
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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
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18
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DIVIDEND POLICY
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19
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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
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19
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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21
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LEGAL MATTERS
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22
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EXPERTS
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22
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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22
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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
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23
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DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION
OF INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
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23
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GLOSSARY OF COMMONLY USED TERMS,
ABBREVIATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS
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24
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5,760,000
Shares
of
Common Stock
,
2007
PART II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other
Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the securities being registered are set forth in the following
table (all amounts, except the registration fee, are estimated):
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SEC Registration Fee
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$
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822.27
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Legal fees and expenses
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$
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15,000.00
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Accounting fees and expenses
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$
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5,000.00
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Printing and miscellaneous expenses
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$
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1,500.00
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Total
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$
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22,322.27
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Item 15.
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Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
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The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the state of
Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify
any and all persons whom it shall have the power to indemnify
under said section from and against any and all of the expenses,
liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by said
section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
indemnified may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of
the stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both
as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue
as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, Officer,
Employee or Agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such person.
The Board of Directors of the Company may also authorize the
Company to indemnify employees or agents of the Company, and to
advance the reasonable expenses of such persons, to the same
extent, following the same determinations and upon the same
conditions as are required for the indemnification of and
advancement of expenses to directors and officers of the Company.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or
persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of
the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act) and is therefore unenforceable.
Indemnification
Agreements
The Company may enter into indemnification agreements with its
directors and officers for the indemnification of and advancing
of expenses to such persons to the fullest extent permitted by
law.
II-1
(a) Exhibits.
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Exhibit
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No.
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Description
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4
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.1
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Form of Senior Subordinated
Convertible Note, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
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4
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.2
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Form of Common Stock Purchase
Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of
Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
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5
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.1
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Opinion of Gersten Savage
LLP*.
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10
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.1
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Placement Agent Agreement,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
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10
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.2
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Form of Subscription
Agreement*.
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10
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.3
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Placement Agency Agreement,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
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10
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.4
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Advisory Services Agreement, dated
as of July 1, 2007, between Teton and Commonwealth
Associates, L.P.
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23
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.1
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Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe
Steiner & Hottman PC, Independent Registered Public
Accountants.
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23
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.2
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Consent of Gersten Savage LLP
(Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1).
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* Previously filed.
We hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
(a) To include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price, set forth in the
Calculation of Registration Fee table in the
effective registration statement; and
(c) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.
provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and
(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference into the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof;
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and
II-2
We hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in
the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of Teton Energy Corporation.
pursuant to the provisions referenced above or otherwise, we
have been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of Teton Energy Corporation. in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered hereunder, we will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on
Form S-3
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Denver, state of Colorado, on September 18, 2007.
TETON ENERGY CORPORATION
Karl F. Arleth
President and Chief Executive Officer
William P. Brand
Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ *
James
J. Woodcock
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Chairman and Director
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September 18, 2007
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/s/ Karl
F. Arleth
Karl
F. Arleth
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President and CEO
(principal executive officer)
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September 18, 2007
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/s/ *
Thomas
F. Conroy
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Director
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September 18, 2007
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/s/ *
John
T. Connor
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Director
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September 18, 2007
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/s/ *
Robert
Bailey
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Director
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September 18, 2007
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/s/ William
P. Brand
William
P. Brand
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Interim Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
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September 18, 2007
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*By:
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/s/ Karl
F. Arleth
Karl
F. Arleth
Attorney-in-Fact, granted in the Companys Registration
Statement on Form S-3 filed August 6, 2007
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II-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
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No.
|
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Description
|
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4
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.1
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Form of Senior Subordinated
Convertible Note, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
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4
|
.2
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Form of Common Stock Purchase
Warrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of
Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
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5
|
.1
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|
Opinion of Gersten Savage
LLP*.
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|
10
|
.1
|
|
Placement Agent Agreement,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
|
|
10
|
.2
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Form of Subscription
Agreement*.
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10
|
.3
|
|
Placement Agency Agreement,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Tetons
Form 10-Q
filed August 14, 2007.
|
|
10
|
.4
|
|
Advisory Services Agreement, dated
as of July 1, 2007, between Teton and Commonwealth
Associates, L.P.
|
|
23
|
.1
|
|
Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe
Steiner & Hottman PC, Independent Registered Public
Accountants.
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23
|
.2
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Consent of Gersten Savage LLP
(Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1).
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* Previously filed.