SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the
fiscal year ended: December 31, 2008
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the
transition period from __________ to __________
Commission
File No.
000-30219
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Nevada
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50-0024298
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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Incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
No.)
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216 South
Price Road, Pampa, TX 79065
(Address
of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Issuer's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (806)
688-9697
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.001
par value per share
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.Yes
o
No
x
Indicate
by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports to Section 13 or
15(d) of the
Act.
o
Yes
x
No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
x
Yes
o
No
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not
be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. (Check
One):
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Large accelerated filer
o
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Accelerated
filer
o
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Non-accelerated
filer
o
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Smaller
reporting company
x
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(Do not
check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o
Yes
x
No
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by
non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most
recently completed second fiscal quarter was $1,688,551.
Number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 27, 2009:
64,232,781.
Documents
incorporated by reference: None
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PART
I
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1
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Item
1. Business.
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1
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Item
1A. Risk Factors.
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2
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Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
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5
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Item
2. Properties.
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5
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Item
3. Legal Proceedings.
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5
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Item
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
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5
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PART
II
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6
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Item
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
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6
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Item
6. Selected Financial Data.
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6
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Item
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operations.
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6
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Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk.
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9
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Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
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10
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Item
9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.
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24
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Item
9A (T). Controls and Procedures.
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24
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Item
9B. Other Information.
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24
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PART
III
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25
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Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate
Governance.
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25
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Item
11. Executive Compensation.
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26
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Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters.
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28
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Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
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28
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Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
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30
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Item
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
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30
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SIGNATURES
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33
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PART I
Item
1. Business.
Chancellor
Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“we”, “us”, “Chancellor” or the “Company”),
was organized under the laws of the state of Utah in 1986 and subsequently
reorganized under the laws of Nevada in 1993. We are an independent oil and gas
exploration and development company focused on building and revitalizing our oil
and gas properties located in the State of Texas. We are in the business of
acquisition, exploration, and development of natural gas and oil properties, and
in April 2007 completed an initial acquisition of oil and gas leases
and related facilities and equipment through the acquisition of
assets from Caldwell Production Company, Inc., consisting of 48 mineral leases
with 631 wells, and in addition purchased an office warehouse facility and
equipment. The purchase price for the oil and gas properties was $5,000,000, and
for the equipment $291,500. This acquisition was financed with debt
provided by two Texas financial institutions.
Our
common stock is quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board market and trades
under the symbol CHAG.OB. As of December 31, 2008, there were
64,232,781 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
Recent
Developments
On
October 30, 2007, we had filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern
District of Texas. On July 22, 2008, we had entered into an Agreement, effective
as of June 1, 2008 with Legacy Reserves Operating LP (“Legacy”) for the sale of
oil and gas wells accounting for approximately 84% of our oil and gas production
to Legacy for a purchase price of $13,250,000. We operated the Company in the
bankruptcy proceeding until August 15, 2008, when the Court, based on the
Agreement with Legacy, issued an order dismissing the bankruptcy cases of the
Company and of its two operating subsidiaries, Gryphon Production Company, LLC
and Gryphon Field Services, LLC. At the August 29, 2008 closing under this
Agreement with Legacy, all of the debt held by our lenders, plus interest
thereon to the date of closing, was paid in full.
Description
of Properties
The
Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Gryphon Production Company, LLC and
Gryphon Field Services, LLC, owns 127 wells, of which some 84 are actively
producing (two of which are natural gas wells). The Company owns and
operates from a 15.9 acres property, with its shop, service yard and office
complex. The Company owns and operates two work-over rigs as well as
various other oil field related equipment. In addition, the Company
owns approximately 4,200 acres of production rights on six leases which includes
500 acres of undrilled acreage. The six leases have all of the
production rights for oil, casing-head gas and natural gas. The Company is
organized as a producing oil and gas company, licensed as an operator by the
Texas Railroad Commission.
We
commenced operations on April 16, 2007 with what were 84 actually producing
wells. Following the sale to Legacy as of June 1, 2008 of approximately 45
producing oil and gas wells, productive capacity on December 31, 2008 is
estimated to be approximately 60 bopd and 33 mcfd gas. The oil is
light sweet crude and the natural gas has very high heat content, 1600 to 2600
btu/scf.
The
current production levels are approximately 1,200 barrels of oil per month and
are anticipated to expand to 2,500 barrels per month within the next month to
six months. With additional developments and improvements to the
current lease-holdings, production could be expanded to as much as 4,500 barrels
per month within the next year, although there is no assurance that we will be
able to accomplish this level of production increase. Current
equipment and staffing levels are adequate for the Company to acquire additional
producing wells in the numbers of 75 to 150 wells without purchasing additional
maintenance or repair equipment.
Our
near-term plans include continued maintenance of existing wells, our primary
focus being to operate our properties and to restore 5-10 wells per month to
production. Of primary importance are approximately 10 to 20 wells that have
been temporarily abandoned that need to be repaired and brought on line as
producing wells, which should be accomplished within the next 60 to 90 days. A
typical well restoration has cost us $2,500 to $5,000. In some
circumstances enhanced production is expected to be achieved by an ongoing
treatment plan to reduce paraffin down-hole, in flow lines, treatment equipment,
and salt water disposal wells. Additionally, production is expected
to increase by remedial repairs that improve and prolong the production life of
existing wells. The Company also has plans to reenter certain
abandoned wells, which were taken out of production due to extremely low oil and
gas prices, bringing that oil and gas into the market. Several of the
leases need to studied and reviewed for the possibility of drilling the wells
deeper to reach additional producing strata. Feasibility studies are
planned to consider drilling replacement wells in the locations of wells that
were previously plugged and abandoned due to either low prices or integrity
issues with the well bore casing. There is approximately 500 acres of
undeveloped leased property that needs to be reviewed and studied for the
possibility of drilling for new production.
The
Company has begun to enter into contracts with other local producers to provide
well and roustabout services to increase cash flows.
We expect
to generate future growth in reserves and production both through development
and possibly seeking to acquire properties that complement and enhance our
inventory of development, exploitation and exploration projects. We plan to
focus on evaluating purchases of underdeveloped properties in our core areas of
expertise either through negotiated property acquisitions or acquisitions of
companies with oil and natural gas properties.
Industry
and economic factors
In
managing our business we must deal with many factors inherent in our industry.
First and foremost is wide fluctuation of oil and gas prices. Oil and gas
markets are cyclical and volatile, with future price movements difficult to
predict. While our revenues are a function of both production and prices, wide
swings in prices often have the greatest impact on our results of
operations.
In
addition, the condition of the general economy of the local area is beginning to
show some of the strain from the national economic morass, as is the general
economy in the State of Texas. The national and international
economic environment is unsettled and will present challenges to any form of
business operations.
It is
uncertain what structural changes in the industry (mining for oil and gas) may
need to be modified due to political changes in the national government,
availability of financing, and concerns created by expectations that evolve
around the concepts of carbon credits. In general it is a buyers
market if financing were available. The Company does not anticipate
any severe effects upon its structure in the short-term due to any of the above
because of the size and nature of the Company’s operations.
Our
operations entail significant complexities. Advanced technologies requiring
highly trained personnel are utilized in restoration of wells and production.
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. We compete with major and
diversified energy companies, independent oil and gas companies, and individual
operators. In addition, the industry as a whole competes with other businesses
that supply energy to industrial, commercial, and residential end
users.
Approach
to our business
Implementation
of our business approach relies on our ability to fund ongoing development
projects with cash flow provided by operating activities and external sources of
capital.
Item
1A. Risk Factors.
Crude
oil and natural gas prices are volatile and a substantial reduction in these
prices could adversely affect our results and the price of our common
stock.
Our
revenues, operating results and future rate of growth depend highly upon the
prices we receive for our crude oil and natural gas production. Historically,
the markets for crude oil and natural gas have been volatile and are likely to
continue to be volatile in the future. For example, the NYMEX daily settlement
price for the prompt month oil contract in 2008 ranged from a high of $145.29
per barrel to a low of $33.87 per barrel. The NYMEX daily settlement price for
the prompt month natural gas contract in 2008 ranged from a high of $13.58 per
MMBtu to a low of $5.29 per MMBtu. The markets and prices for crude oil and
natural gas depend on factors beyond our control. These factors include demand
for crude oil and natural gas, which fluctuates with changes in market and
economic conditions, and other factors, including:
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worldwide
and domestic supplies of crude oil and natural gas;
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actions
taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations;
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political
conditions and events (including instability or armed conflict) in crude
oil or natural gas producing regions;
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the
level of global crude oil and natural gas inventories;
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the
price and level of foreign imports;
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the
price and availability of alternative fuels;
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the
availability of pipeline capacity and infrastructure;
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the
availability of crude oil transportation and refining
capacity;
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weather
conditions;
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electricity
dispatch;
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domestic
and foreign governmental regulations and taxes; and
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the
overall economic environment.
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Significant
declines in crude oil and natural gas prices for an extended period may have the
following effects on our business:
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limiting
our financial condition, liquidity, ability to finance planned capital
expenditures and results of operations;
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reducing
the amount of crude oil and natural gas that we can produce
economically;
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causing
us to delay or postpone some of our capital projects;
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reducing
our revenues, operating income and cash flows;
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reducing
the carrying value of our crude oil and natural gas properties;
or
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limiting
our access to sources of capital, such as equity and long-term
debt.
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The
current recession could have a material adverse impact on our financial
position, results of operations and cash flows.
The oil
and gas industry is cyclical in nature and tends to reflect general economic
conditions. The US and other world economies are in a recession which could last
well into 2009 and beyond. The recession may lead to significant fluctuations in
demand and pricing for our crude oil and natural gas production, such as the
decline in commodity prices which occurred during 2008 and into 2009. If
commodity prices continue to decline, there could be impairments of our
operating assets.
Our
business involves many operating risks that may result in substantial losses for
which insurance may be unavailable or inadequate.
Our
operations are subject to hazards and risks inherent in operating and restoring
oil and gas wells, such as fires, natural disasters, explosions, casing
collapses, surface cratering, pipeline ruptures or cement failures, and
environmental hazards such as natural gas leaks, oil spills and discharges of
toxic gases. Any of these risks can cause substantial losses resulting from
injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, natural resources
and equipment, pollution and other environmental damages, regulatory
investigations and penalties, suspension of our operations and repair and
remediation costs. In addition, our liability for environmental hazards may
include conditions created by the previous owners of properties that we purchase
or lease.
We
maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses. We do
not believe that insurance coverage for all environmental damages that could
occur is available at a reasonable cost. Losses could occur for uninsurable or
uninsured risks, or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The
occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could harm our
financial condition and results of operations.
Our
proved reserve estimates may be inaccurate and future net cash flows are
uncertain.
Estimates
of proved oil and gas reserves and their associated future net cash flow
necessarily depend on a number of variables and assumptions. Among others,
changes in any of the following factors may cause estimates to vary considerably
from actual results:
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production
rates, reservoir pressure and other subsurface
information;
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future
oil and gas prices;
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assumed
effects of governmental regulation;
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future
operating costs;
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future
property, severance, excise and other taxes incidental to oil and
gas
operations;
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capital
expenditures; and
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work-over
and remedial costs.
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Our
business depends on natural gas transportation pipelines, most of which are
owned by others.
The
marketability of our natural gas production depends in large part on the
availability, proximity and capacity of pipeline systems owned by third parties.
The unavailability of or lack of available capacity on these systems and
facilities could result in the shut-in of producing wells or the delay or
discontinuance of development plans for properties. The lack of availability of
these facilities for an extended period of time could negatively affect our
revenues. Federal and state regulation of oil and natural gas production and
transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and demand, pipeline
pressures, damage to or destruction of pipelines and general economic conditions
could adversely affect our ability to produce, gather and transport natural
gas.
Competition
in our industry is intense and many of our competitors have greater financial
and technological resources.
We
operate in the competitive area of oil and gas exploration and production. Many
of our competitors are large, well-established companies that have larger
operating staffs and significantly greater capital resources than we
do.
We
are subject to various governmental regulations and environmental risks that may
cause us to incur substantial costs.
From time
to time, in varying degrees, political developments and federal and state laws
and regulations affect our operations. In particular, price controls, taxes and
other laws relating to the crude oil and natural gas industry, changes in these
laws and changes in administrative regulations have affected and in the future
could affect crude oil and natural gas production, operations and economics. We
cannot predict how agencies or courts will interpret existing laws and
regulations or the effect these adoptions and interpretations may have on our
business or financial condition.
Our
business is subject to laws and regulations promulgated by federal, state and
local authorities relating to the exploration for, and the development,
production and marketing of, crude oil and natural gas, as well as safety
matters. Legal requirements are frequently changed and subject to interpretation
and we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with these
requirements or their effect on our operations. We may be required to make
significant expenditures to comply with governmental laws and
regulations.
Our
operations are subject to complex federal, state and local environmental laws
and regulations including, for example, in the case of federal laws, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as
amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act. Environmental laws and regulations change
frequently and the implementation of new, or the modification of existing, laws
or regulations could negatively impact our operations. The discharge of natural
gas, crude oil, or other pollutants into the air, soil or water may give rise to
significant liabilities on our part to the government and third parties and may
require us to incur substantial costs of remediation. In addition, we may incur
costs and penalties in addressing regulatory agency procedures involving
instances of possible non-compliance.
Our
acquisition activities may not be successful, which may hinder our replacement
of reserves and adversely affect our results of operations.
Under
certain circumstances, we may pursue acquisitions of businesses that complement
or expand our current business and acquisition and development of new prospects
that complement or expand our prospect inventory. We may not be successful in
identifying or acquiring any material property interests, which could hinder us
in replacing our reserves and adversely affect our financial results and rate of
growth. Even if we do identify attractive opportunities, there is no assurance
that we will be able to complete the acquisition of the business or prospect on
commercially acceptable terms. If we do complete an acquisition, we must
anticipate difficulties in integrating its operations, systems, technology,
management and other personnel with our own. These difficulties may disrupt our
ongoing operations, distract our management and employees and increase our
expenses.
Competition
for experienced, technical personnel may negatively impact our
operations.
Our
exploratory and development drilling success depends, in part, on our ability to
attract and retain experienced professional personnel. The loss of any key
executives or other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our
operations. In particular, the loss of the services of our President, Thomas
Grantham, could adversely affect our business, revenues and results of
operations. As we continue to grow our asset base and the scope of our
operations, our future profitability will depend on our ability to attract and
retain qualified personnel, particularly individuals with a strong background in
geology, geophysics, engineering and operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not
applicable.
Item
2. Properties.
The
Company owns its office building, consisting of 7,620 square feet of office
space, including shop, warehouse and office complex, in Pampa,
Texas.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not
applicable.
Item
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a)
Principal Market or Markets: The Company's common stock trades under the symbol
CHAG.OB on the OTC Bulleting Board.
High and
low bids for the Company's common stock for the previous eight quarters are
shown below.
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Class
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Quarter
Ended
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High*
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Low*
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Common
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Mar. 31,
2008
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0.15
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0.05
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Common
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June 30,
2008
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0.20
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0.04
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Common
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Sept.
30, 2008
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0.15
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0.02
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Common
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Dec. 31,
2008
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0.05
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0.10
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Common
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Mar. 31,
2007
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0.00
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0.00
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Common
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June 30,
2007
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0.20
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0.00
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Common
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Sept.
30, 2007
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0.20
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0.11
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Common
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Dec. 31,
2007
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0.05
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0.01
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________________________________
*$0.00
denotes less than $0.01 per share
(b)
Common Stock: On December 31, 2008 there were 64,232,781 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding, which were held by more than 400 shareholders of record
excluding individuals holding securities in street name.
The
Company has never paid cash dividends on its common stock and currently intends
to continue its policy of retaining all of its earnings for use in its
business.
(c)
Preferred Stock: The Company at December 31, 2008 had -0- preferred shares
issued and outstanding.
Item
6. Selected Financial Data.
Not
applicable.
Item
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations.
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Throughout
this report, we make statements that may be deemed "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. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address
activities, events, outcomes and other matters that Chancellor plans, expects,
intends, assumes, believes, budgets, predicts, forecasts, projects, estimates or
anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the
future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's current belief, based on currently available information,
as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking
statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary
statements in this report.
We
caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the
risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, incident to the
exploration for and development, production and sale of oil and gas. These risks
include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of
availability of goods and services, environmental risks, operating
risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating proved oil and
natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production and timing of
development expenditures and other risks described herein.
BACKGROUND
We are in
the business of acquisition, exploration, and development of natural gas and oil
properties, and have completed an initial acquisition of oil and gas leases and
related facilities and equipment as described below under “Plan of Operation.”
This acquisition was financed with debt provided by two Texas financial
institutions and. On October 30, 2007, we had filed for reorganization under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States
Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas. We operated the Company in the
bankruptcy proceeding until August 15, 2008, when the Court issued an order
dismissing the bankruptcy cases of the Company and of its two operating
subsidiaries, Gryphon Production Company, LLC and Gryphon Field Services,
LLC.
On July
22, 2008, we had entered into an Agreement, effective as of June 1, 2008 with
Legacy Reserves Operating LP (“Legacy”) for the sale of oil and gas wells
accounting for approximately 84% of our oil and gas production to Legacy for a
purchase price of $13,250,000. At the August 29, 2008 closing under this
Agreement with Legacy, the notes held by the lenders that provided the financing
for our initial acquisition of oil and gas leases, plus interest thereon to the
date of closing, were paid in full.
Our
common stock is quoted on the Over-The-Counter market and trades under the
symbol CHAG.PK. As of November 1, 2008, there were 64,232,781 shares
of our common stock issued and outstanding.
Twelve
Months Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had no
production operations in the first three months of calendar year
2007. Our oil production operations began April 16
th
, 2007
with an effective date of April 1
st
,
2007. During the period ending December 31, 2007 we produced and sold
23,120 barrels of oil and produced and sold 55,831 mcf gas, generating
$2,075,956 revenues after royalties, with a one month lag in receipt of revenues
for the prior months sales, as compared with 24,114 barrels of oil and 48,759
mcf of gas, generating $2,351,433 in gross revenues in 2008. Start up
expenditures, included debt origination expenditures, and the required prepaid
hedge were $251,456. Effective June 1, 2008, we sold producing properties with
173 producing wells to Legacy. We had 84 wells actually producing oil
and gas on December 31, 2008. The terms of our loan agreement for the initial
acquisition of our oil and gas properties required us to hedge initial oil
production; we purchased two 1000 barrel hedge contracts covering the first 24
months production at a cost of $88,900. We also experienced
non-recurring expenses related to start-up.
We have a
stockholders' equity in the amount of $4,372,212 at December 31,
2008.
PLAN OF
OPERATION
On April
16, 2007, we closed the acquisition of assets from Caldwell Production Company,
Inc., consisting of 48 mineral leases with 621 wells, of which approximately 100
were considered to be producing wells and 531 inactive well bores equipped with
necessary production equipment, and related operating facilities and equipment
including an office warehouse facility, ten pickup trucks, two pulling rigs, a
backhoe, a winch truck and a water truck. The purchase price for the mineral
leases and an existing office building including an attached warehouse/shop
building valued at $81,630, was $5,000,000, and for the equipment
$291,500. The oil and natural gas leases purchased are on
approximately 8,000 acres in Gray and Carson Counties, Texas, with a well
spacing of 10 acres, and are in the Panhandle Field, discovered in 1920. After
closing the acquisition, we has opened corporate offices for our production and
oil field service subsidiaries at the purchased facilities in Pampa, Texas.
After the initial acquisition, the Gryphon Production Company subsidiary we have
acquired additional trucks, including an electrical repair “bucket” truck, which
is needed to restore electric power to several previously non-producing wells.
The cost of this additional equipment was $34,000 and associated tools and
equipment was $6,422. We have also acquired a replacement backhoe machine for
$67,000. Subsequently, additional Field equipment and tools were purchased for
$31,184. We were also required to invest $38,949 in the rehabilitation and
restoration of the office building.
We
commenced operations on April 16, 2007 with what were 84 actually producing
wells. As of December 31, 2007, 203 wells are producing. Productive
capacity on April 16, 2007 was estimated to be 70 bopd and 90 mcfd. Productive
capacity at December 31, 2008 is estimated to be 60 bopd and 33 mcfd
gas. The oil is light sweet crude and the natural gas has very high
heat content, 1600 to 2600 btu/scf.
Our
near-term plans include continued maintenance of existing wells, our primary
focus being to operate our properties and to restore 5-10 wells per month to
production. Of primary importance are approximately 10 to 20 wells that have
been temporarily abandoned that need to be repaired and brought on line as
producing wells, which should be accomplished within the next three to six
months. A typical well restoration has cost us $2,500 to $5,000. In
some circumstances enhanced production is expected to be achieved by an ongoing
treatment plan to reduce paraffin down-hole, in flow lines, treatment equipment,
and salt water disposal wells. Additionally, production is expected
to increase by remedial repairs that improve and prolong the production life of
existing wells. The Company also has plans to reenter certain
abandoned wells, which were taken out of production due to extremely low oil and
gas prices, bringing that oil and gas into the market. Several of the
leases need to studied and reviewed for the possibility of drilling the wells
deeper to reach additional producing strata. Feasibility studies are
planned to consider drilling replacement wells in the locations of wells that
were previously plugged and abandoned due to either low prices or integrity
issues with the well bore casing. There is approximately 500 acres of
undeveloped leased property that needs to be reviewed and studied for the
possibility of drilling for new production.
The
following table is for the twelve months ended:
|
|
December
31, 2008 %
|
|
|
December
31, 2007 %
|
|
Oil
and Gas Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil
Sales(Bbl)
|
|
|
24,114
|
|
|
|
23,120
|
|
Natural
Gas Sales (Mcf)
|
|
|
48,759
|
|
|
|
55,831
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
Sales Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil,
per Bbl:
|
|
$
|
82.92
|
|
|
|
73.09
|
|
Gas,
per MMCF:
|
|
$
|
7.22
|
|
|
|
7.11
|
|
There is
no assurance that management will be able to continue to increase production, or
to maintain current production levels.
Generally,
in managing our business we must deal with many factors inherent in our
industry. First and foremost is wide fluctuation of oil and gas prices. Oil and
gas markets are cyclical and volatile, with future price movements difficult to
predict. While our revenues are a function of both production and prices, wide
swings in prices often have the greatest impact on our results of
operations.
Our
operations entail significant complexities. Advanced technologies requiring
highly trained personnel are utilized in restoration of wells and production.
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. We compete with major and
diversified energy companies, independent oil and gas companies, and individual
operators. In addition, the industry as a whole competes with other businesses
that supply energy to industrial, commercial, and residential end users. Our
ability to recruit and retain experienced personnel is vital to the success of
our endeavors.
Liquidity
& Capital Resources
As of
December 31, 2008 the Company had $2,531,525 of cash on
hand. We have an retained earnings of $1,187,704 and have a
stockholders' equity of $4,372,212 at December 31, 2008.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
Securities and Exchange Commission recently issued "Financial Reporting Release
No. 60 Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical
Accounting Policies" ("FRR 60"), suggesting companies provide additional
disclosures, discussion and commentary on those accounting policies considered
most critical to its business and financial reporting
requirements. FRR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if
it is important to the Company's financial condition and results of operations,
and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in the
application of the policy. For a summary of the Company's significant
accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies discussed below,
please refer to the accompanying notes to the financial statements.
The
Company assesses potential impairment of its long-lived assets, which include
its property and equipment and its identifiable intangibles such as deferred
charges under the guidance of SFAS 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". The Company must continually
determine if a permanent impairment of its long-lived assets has occurred and
write down the assets to their fair values and charge current operations for the
measured impairment.
The
process of estimating quantities of oil and gas reserves is complex, requiring
significant decisions in the evaluation of all available geological,
geophysical, engineering and economic data. The data for a given field may also
change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors including, but
not limited to, additional development activity, evolving production history and
continual reassessment of the viability of production under varying economic
conditions. As a result, material revisions to existing reserve estimates may
occur from time to time. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure that
reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, the
subjective decisions and variances in available data for various fields make
these estimates generally less precise than other estimates included in the
financial statement disclosures.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Risk - Interest rate
risk refers to fluctuations in the value of a security resulting from changes in
the general level of interest rates. Investments that are classified as cash and
cash equivalents have original maturities of three months or less. Our interest
income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest
rates. Due to the short-term nature of our investments, we believe
that there is not a material risk exposure.
Credit Risk - Our accounts receivables
are subject, in the normal course of business, to collection risks. We regularly
assess these risks and have established policies and business practices to
protect against the adverse effects of collection risks. As a result we do not
anticipate any material losses in this area.
Commodity Price Risk – We are exposed
to market risks related to price volatility of crude oil and natural gas. The
prices of crude oil and natural gas affect our revenues, since sales of crude
oil and natural gas comprise all of the components of our revenues. A
decline in crude oil and natural gas prices will likely reduce our revenues,
unless we implement offsetting production increases. We do not use derivative
commodity instruments for trading purposes.
The
prices of the commodities that the Company produces are unsettled at this
time. At times the prices seem to be drift down and then either
increase or stabilize for a few days. Current price movement seems to
be slightly up but with the prices of the traditionally marketed products
(gasoline, diesel, and natural gas as feed stocks for various industries, power
generation, and heating) are not showing material increases. Although
prices are difficult to predict in the current environment, the Company
maintains the expectation that demand for its products will continue to increase
for the foreseeable future due to the underling factors that oil and natural gas
based commodities are both sources of raw energy and are fuels that are easily
portable.
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2008 and 2007
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
Consolidated
Financial Statements
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
|
12
|
|
|
Consolidated
balance sheet
|
13
|
|
|
Consolidated
statements of operations
|
14
|
|
|
Consolidated
statements of stockholders’ equity
|
15
|
|
|
Consolidated
statements of cash flows
|
16
|
|
|
Notes
to consolidated financial statements
|
17
|
Larry
O'Donnell, CPA, P.C.
Telephone
(303)
745-4545
2228
South Fraser Street
Fax (303)
369-9384
Unit
I
Email
larryodonnellcpa@msn.com
Aurora,
Colorado 80014
www.larryodonnellcpa.com
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of Directors
Chancellor
Group, Inc.
I have
audited the accompanying balance sheet of Chancellor Group, Inc. as
of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of operations, changes
in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for each years then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company’s management. My responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on my audits.
I
conducted my audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
that I plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. I believe that my audits provide a reasonable basis for
my opinion.
In my
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Chancellor Group, Inc. as of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the years then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America.
/s/ Larry
O’Donnell, CPA, P.C.
Larry
O’Donnell, CPA, P.C.
March 25,
2009
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
For The
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
in Bank
|
|
$
|
2,531,525
|
|
|
$
|
218,118
|
|
Revenue
Receivable
|
|
|
201,455
|
|
|
|
248,680
|
|
Prepaid
Insurance
|
|
|
23,665
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Total
Current Assets
|
|
|
2,756,645
|
|
|
|
466,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leasehold
Costs – Developed
|
|
|
1,396,252
|
|
|
|
4,938,564
|
|
Office
Building & Equipment
|
|
|
132,065
|
|
|
|
126,073
|
|
Fleet
– Road
|
|
|
218,661
|
|
|
|
62,263
|
|
Heavy
Field Equipment & Tools
|
|
|
442,746
|
|
|
|
405,593
|
|
Accumulated
Depreciation
|
|
|
(262,479
|
)
|
|
|
(411,495
|
)
|
Total
Fixed Assets
|
|
|
1,927,246
|
|
|
|
5,120,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unamortized
Debt Expense
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
55,500
|
|
Unamortized
Letter of Credit
|
|
|
834
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Prepaid
Long Term Hedge
|
|
|
11,100
|
|
|
|
70,848
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
4,975
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
Total
Other Assets
|
|
|
16,908
|
|
|
|
126,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
|
4,700,799
|
|
|
$
|
5,714,394
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
Payable—Chancellor
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
109,828
|
|
Accounts
Payable – Gryphon Production
|
|
|
224,598
|
|
|
|
264,800
|
|
Accrued
Interest Payable
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
113,028
|
|
Miscellaneous
Accounts Payable & Suspense
|
|
|
5,949
|
|
|
|
10,044
|
|
Estimated
Income Tax
|
|
|
96,439
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Stock
Subscription Payable
|
|
|
1,602
|
|
|
|
1,602
|
|
Total
Current Liabilities
|
|
|
328,587
|
|
|
|
499,302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
Term Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
Payable—Senior Debt
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,108,332
|
|
Note
Payable – Subordinated Debt
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
3,797,345
|
|
Installment
Loan – Equipment
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
63,576
|
|
Note
Payable – Investors
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
5,160
|
|
Total
Long Term Liabilities
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
5,974,413
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock: $.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized,
65,232,781
shares issued and outstanding including 1,000,000
shares
held as treasury stock
|
|
|
65,233
|
|
|
|
64,803
|
|
Paid
in Capital
|
|
|
3,229,905
|
|
|
|
3,221,735
|
|
Retained
Earnings
|
|
|
(4,045,659
|
)
|
|
|
(3,323,438
|
)
|
Treasury
Stock
|
|
|
(110,000
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
Net
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
5,232,732
|
|
|
|
(722,221
|
)
|
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
|
|
|
4,372,212
|
|
|
|
(759,321
|
)
|
Total
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
|
|
$
|
4,700,799
|
|
|
$
|
5,714,394
|
|
See Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
Consolidated
Statement of Operations
For The
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Sales
– Net of Royalties Paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil
|
|
$
|
1,408,179
|
|
|
$
|
1,689,931
|
|
Natural
Gas
|
|
|
351,846
|
|
|
|
397,152
|
|
Other
Income
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
2,165
|
|
Gross
Revenue
|
|
|
1,760,025
|
|
|
|
2,089,248
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance
Taxes
|
|
|
107,664
|
|
|
|
105,461
|
|
Marketing
Fees
|
|
|
3,459
|
|
|
|
17,326
|
|
Royalties
Paid
|
|
|
44,468
|
|
|
|
11,127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Revenue
|
|
|
1,604,433
|
|
|
|
1,955,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
Operating Expense
|
|
|
2,221,615
|
|
|
|
1,120,162
|
|
General
& Administrative Expense
|
|
|
451,529
|
|
|
|
539,230
|
|
Depreciation,
Depletion & Amortization
|
|
|
397,254
|
|
|
|
411,495
|
|
Total
Operating Expense
|
|
|
3,070,398
|
|
|
|
2,034,887
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) From Operations
|
|
|
(1,465,964
|
)
|
|
|
(115,554
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Income (Expenses)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
6,707
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Income
|
|
|
39,971
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
of Assets (Net of Cost)
|
|
|
7,436,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
Organization
Costs
|
|
|
(0
|
)
|
|
|
(49,299
|
)
|
Hedge
Income (Net of Amortization)
|
|
|
(18,484
|
)
|
|
|
(33,300
|
)
|
Total
Other Income (Expense)
|
|
|
7,463,401
|
|
|
|
(82,599
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
Charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
(597,417
|
)
|
|
|
(481,559
|
)
|
Bank
Fees Amortization
|
|
|
(70,848
|
)
|
|
|
(42,509
|
)
|
Total
Financing Charges
|
|
|
(668,265
|
)
|
|
|
(524,068
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(Loss) before provision for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
Taxes
|
|
|
5,329,172
|
|
|
|
(722,221
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision
for Income Taxes
|
|
|
96,439
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income (Loss)
|
|
$
|
5,232,733
|
|
|
$
|
(722,221
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income (Loss) per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Basic
and Fully Diluted)
|
|
$
|
0.0811
|
|
|
$
|
(
|
*)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Number of Common Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
64,511,585
|
|
|
|
64,802,781
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Less than $.01 per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes
to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
For The
Twenty Four Months Ended 12/31/2008
|
|
COMMON
Par
Value
Shares
|
|
|
STOCK
$.001
Amount
|
|
|
PREFERRED
Series
B
Amount
|
|
|
Paid
in
Capital
|
|
|
TREASURY
Shares
|
|
|
TREASURY
Amount
|
|
|
(Accumulated
Deficit)
|
|
Balance
at
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
60,755,030
|
|
|
$
|
60,755
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
3,152,083
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
(3,323,438
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
issued for Cash
|
|
|
1,550,000
|
|
|
|
1,550
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensatory
stock issuances
|
|
|
2,497,751
|
|
|
|
2,498
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
issued for stock subscription payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
gain (loss) for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(722,221
|
)
|
Balance
at
December
31, 2007
|
|
|
64,802,781
|
|
|
$
|
64,803
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
3,221,535
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
(4,045,659
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
issued for Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensatory
stock issuances
|
|
|
430,000
|
|
|
|
430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
issued for stock subscription payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
gain (loss) for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,123,733
|
|
Balance
at
December
31, 2008
|
|
|
65,232,781
|
|
|
$
|
65,233
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
3,229,905
|
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,187,074
|
|
See Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows
For The
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Cash
Flows From Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(1,465,964
|
)
|
|
$
|
(722,221
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income
(loss)
to net cash provided by
(used
for) operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
& Amortization
|
|
|
421,940
|
|
|
|
411,494
|
|
(Increase)
Decrease in Operating Assets
|
|
|
51,064
|
|
|
|
(375,277
|
)
|
Increase
(Decrease) in Operating Liabilities
|
|
|
(160,454
|
)
|
|
|
387,872
|
|
Net
Cash Provided by (used for)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Activities
|
|
|
(1,153,414
|
)
|
|
|
(298,132
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
Flows From Investing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale
of Assets
|
|
|
10,880,049
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
Income
|
|
|
6,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Capital Expenditure
|
|
|
(860,565
|
)
|
|
|
(5,532,494
|
)
|
Net
Cash Provided by (used for)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
Activities
|
|
|
9,916,191
|
|
|
|
(5,532,494
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
Flows From Financing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
Payable
|
|
|
(5,974,414
|
)
|
|
|
5,974,414
|
|
Interest
Paid
|
|
|
(483,556
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
Treasury
Stock
|
|
|
(110,000
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
Paid
in Capital
|
|
|
430
|
|
|
|
69,652
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
8,170
|
|
|
|
4,048
|
|
Net
Cash Provided by (used for)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
Activities
|
|
|
(6,559,370
|
)
|
|
|
6,047,914
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Increase (Decrease) in Cash
|
|
|
2,313,407
|
|
|
|
217,288
|
|
Cash
at the Beginning of the Period
|
|
|
218,118
|
|
|
|
830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
at the End of the Period
|
|
$
|
2,531,525
|
|
|
$
|
218,118
|
|
See Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2008
NOTE
1. ORGANIZATION, OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES:
Organization
Chancellor
Group, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the state of Utah on May 2,
1986, and then, on December 31, dissolved as a Utah corporation and
reincorporated as a Nevada corporation. The Company's primary business purpose
is to engage in the exploration and production of oil and gas. In 1996 the
Company's corporate name was changed from Nighthawk Capital, Inc. to Chancellor
Group, Inc.
Operations
The
Company is licensed by the Texas Railroad Commission as oil and gas producers
and operators. The Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Gryphon
Production Company, LLC and Gryphon Field Services, LLC, own 127 wells, of which
84 are actively producing (two of which are natural gas wells). We
also own and operate from our 15.9 acre property, with its shop, yard and office
complex. The Company equipment includes two work-over rigs as well as other oil
field related equipment.
In
addition, we own approximately 4,200 acres of production rights on six leases
which includes 500 acres of undrilled acreage, approximately 300 acres of which
was previously owned by Mobil and the balance approximating 200 or so acres on
the Worley Combs lease. The six leases have the production rights for
oil, casing-head gas and natural gas.
As of
December 31, 2008, 84 wells are producing. Productive capacity at December 31,
2008 is estimated to be 60 bopd and 33 mcfd gas. The oil is light sweet crude
and the natural gas has very high heat content, 1600 to 2600
btu/scf.
Significant Accounting
Policies
Principles of
Consolidation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Chancellor Group, Inc., and those of its wholly owned subsidiaries: Gryphon
Production Company, LLC, and Gryphon Field Services, LLC. These entities are
collectively hereinafter referred to as "the Company". Any inter-company
accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Oil and Gas
Properties
The
Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas
activities. Under this accounting method, costs associated with the acquisition,
drilling and equipping of successful exploratory and development wells are
capitalized. Geological and geophysical costs, delay rentals and drilling costs
of unsuccessful exploratory wells are charged to expense as incurred. The
carrying value of mineral leases is depleted over the minimum estimated
productive life of the leases, or ten years. Undeveloped properties are
periodically assessed for possible impairment due to un-recoverability of costs
invested. Cash received for partial conveyances of property interests
is treated as a recovery of cost and no gain or loss is recognized.
Income
Tax
Deferred
taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are
recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss
carry-forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary
differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax
assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management,
it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the
effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less as cash equivalents.
Accounting
Year
The
Company employs a calendar accounting year. The Company recognizes income and
expenses based on the accrual method of accounting.
Use of
Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Net Income (loss) Per
Share
The net
income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) by the
weighted average number of shares of common outstanding. Warrants, stock
options, and common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Company's
preferred stock (if any), are not included in the computation if the effect
would be anti-dilutive and would increase the earnings or decrease loss per
share.
Property and
Equipment
Property
and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated under the straight line
method over the estimated useful life of the equipment. This life is estimated
to be five years. The useful life of the office building and warehouse is
estimated to be 20 years.
Depletion
The
carrying value of the mineral leases is depleted over the minimum estimated
productive life of the leases, or ten years.
Accounts
Receivable
The
Company reviews accounts receivable periodically for collectibles and
establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts and records bad debt expense when
deemed necessary.
Products and Services,
Geographic Areas and Major Customers
The
Company plans to develop its domestic oil and gas properties, located in Gray
and Carson counties, Texas, and possibly to acquire additional producing oil and
gas properties. The Company’s major customers are Valero Marketing, DCP
Midstream, and Eagle Rock Energy.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company recognizes revenue when a product is sold to a customer, either for cash
or as evidenced by an obligation on the part of the customer to
pay.
Financial
Instruments
The
carrying value of the Company's financial instruments, including cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and long term debt, as
reported in the accompanying balance sheet, approximates fair
value.
Employee Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company uses the intrinsic value method of accounting for employee stock-based
compensation.
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements
In March
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 155, "Accounting for Certain Hybrid
Financial Instruments." SFAS 155 resolves certain accounting issues related to
various hybrid financial instruments. The Company has adopted the provisions of
SFAS No. 155 which are effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15,
2006. The adoption did not have a material effect on the results of operations
of the Company.
In March
2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156 "Accounting for Servicing of Financial
Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities". This
statement requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing
liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and permits for
subsequent measurement using either fair value measurement with changes in fair
value reflected in earnings or the amortization and impairment requirements of
Statement No. 140. The Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 156, which
are effective in general for an entity's fiscal year beginning after September
15, 2006. The adoption did not have a material effect on the results of
operations of the Company.
In
December 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 "Fair Value Measurements", to
improve consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, and to expand
related disclosures. The Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157,
which are effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007. The adoption did not have a material effect on the results of
operations of the Company.
In
September 2006 the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans”. SFAS No. 158 requires the
Company to recognize the funded status of its post retirement plans on the
balance sheet and recognize as a component of accumulated other comprehensive
income the gains and losses, prior service costs or credits that occur during
the financial year but are not recognized as components of the Company’s pension
costs This Statement is effective as of the beginning of its first
fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008. The Company does not expect
application of SFAS No. 156 to have a material affect on its financial
statements.
In
February 2007 the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No.
115”. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value. The amendment to SFAS No. 115
applies to all entities with investments in available-for-sale or trading
securities. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November
15, 2007. The Company does not expect application of SFAS No. 159 to have a
material affect on its financial statements.
NOTE 2.
INCOME TAXES
Deferred
income taxes arise from the temporary differences between financial statement
and income tax recognition of net operating losses. These loss carryovers are
limited under the Internal Revenue Code should a significant change in ownership
occur. The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to SFAS 109.
At
December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $4.6 million in unused federal
net operating loss carry-forwards (NOL), which was to expire in the year 2011.
The entire NOL was used this tax year. The resulting income tax
liability is $96,439.
At
December 31, 2008, the Company has approximately $118,000 in deferred income tax
liability attributable to timing differences between federal income tax
depreciation, depletion and book depreciation.
NOTE 3.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred
Stock
The
Company has provided for the issuance of 250,000 shares, par value $1,000 per
share, of convertible Preferred Series B stock ("Series B"). Each Series B share
is convertible at into 166.667 shares of the Company's common stock upon
election by the shareholder, with dates and terms set by the Board. No shares of
Series B preferred stock are outstanding.
Common
Stock
The
Company has 250,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $.001, with
65,232,781 shares issued and outstanding (which includes 1,000,000 shares of
Treasury Stock not held for retirement) as of December 31, 2008 (see footnotes
regarding Treasury Stock, Sale of Assets and Related Party Transactions for
additional information).
Treasury
Stock
During
the proceeding of the Bankruptcy the Company entered into a relationship with
New Concepts Energy, Inc. (NCE). In the process of negotiations the
Company arranged for NCE to receive 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock and
obligated itself to pay an additional $10,000 at the closing of the Bankruptcy
proceedings. At the conclusion of the Bankruptcy proceeding when NCE
was no longer involved in the Company’s financial plans the Company agreed to
acquire the 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for $110,000. The
Company has acquired 1,000,000 shares for a purchase price of $110,000 which are
currently being held as treasury stock but will be reissued at sometime in the
future (see footnotes regarding Sale of Assets and Related Party
Transactions).
Stock Options and
Warrants
Non-employee Stock Options
and Warrants
The
Company accounts for non-employee stock options under SFAS 123 (as amended by
SFAS 148), whereby options costs are recorded based on the fair value of the
consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued,
whichever is more reliably measurable. During the years ended December 31, 2007
and 2008, no options were issued, exercised or cancelled. There were no stock
options issued in the first quarter of 2008.
The
Company currently has outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 6,000,000
shares of common stock expiring December 31, 2009, of which warrants to purchase
2,000,000 shares are at an exercise price of $.025 per share, and 4,000,000 of
which are at an exercise price of $0.02 per share.
At the closing of the purchase of the
Caldwell Assets, pursuant to an Agreement to Issue Warrants, dated April 13,
2007, with CapWest, we had issued CapWest a warrant (“CapWest Warrants”) to
purchase 2,000,000 shares of our common stock, at a purchase price of $0.001 per
share.
At the August
29,
2008 closing under the Agreement with Legacy, for a total additional
consideration of $1,550,000, Capwest assigned the CapWest Warrants back to the
Company for cancellation and conveyed to the Company the twenty (20%) percent
production payment and two (2%) percent overriding royalty held by
Capwest.
Employee Stock
Options
The
Company accounts for non-employee stock options under SFAS 123 (as amended by
SFAS 148). The Company issued no employee stock options and had none outstanding
at the end of 2005, 2006 or as of the close of the year ending December 31,
2007. There were no stock options issued in the first and second quarters of
2008.
NOTE 4.
FIXED ASSETS
|
A
summary of fixed assets at December 31, 2008,
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
|
December
31, 2007
|
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
Deletions
|
|
|
December
31, 2008
|
|
Auto/Transportation
Equipment
|
|
$
|
65,298
|
|
|
$
|
161,765
|
|
|
$
|
8,402
|
|
|
$
|
218,661
|
|
Buildings
& Improvements
|
|
|
125,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,280
|
|
Leases
& Lease Equipment
|
|
|
4,956,916
|
|
|
|
634,268
|
|
|
|
4,194,932
|
|
|
|
1,396,252
|
|
Furniture,
Fixtures & Office Equipment
|
|
|
793
|
|
|
|
5,992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,785
|
|
Machinery
& Equipment
|
|
|
84,207
|
|
|
|
58,540
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
442,747
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,532,494
|
|
|
$
|
860,565
|
|
|
$
|
4,203,334
|
|
|
$
|
2,189,725
|
|
Less:
Accum. Depr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
262,479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,927,246
|
|
NOTE 5.
CONTINGENT LIABILITY
On August
4, 2007, the Company received a letter from David L. Kagel, a former attorney
for the Company, indicating his intention to initiate an arbitration proceeding
or to file a lawsuit for recovery of $50,489 (including interest) for services
rendered over several years under prior management. The Company believes the
claim is without merit and that it has a number of counterclaims against Mr.
Kagel. No further action has occurred regarding this issue.
NOTE 6.
LONG-TERM DEBT
To
finance the acquisition of the assets purchased from Caldwell Production
Company, Inc., on April 13, 2007, we closed on a Loan Agreement with Western
National Bank, Midland, Texas (“WNB”) for a senior loan facility (the “WNB Loan
Agreement”). At the closing of the purchase of the Caldwell Assets,
we drew down $2.3 million under the WNB Loan Agreement The interest rate under
the WNB Loan Agreement was a variable rate equal to the prime rate as defined in
this Agreement plus 2%, but in no event to be less than 9.25%.
On April
13, 2007, we had also entered into a Loan Agreement with CapWest Resources, Inc.
of Midland, Texas (“CapWest”) for an advancing line of credit/term loan
facility, under which we drew down at closing $2,700,000 for the balance of the
purchase price of the leases, $291,500 for the equipment, $111,000 for bank
fees, legal expenses and associated costs, and $130,000 for initial working
capital. The interest rate under the CapWest Loan Agreement was a variable rate
equal to the prime rate as defined in this Agreement plus 4%. Under the CapWest
loan agreement, CapWest had a 2% overriding royalty interest in the
Leases.
At the
August 29, 2008 closing under the Agreement, the notes held by our lenders, WNB
and Capwest, plus interest thereon to the date of closing, were paid in full
with payments of $2,063,549.53 and $4,220,617.47, respectively.
The
Company had no long-term debt at December 31, 2008.
NOTE 7.
ACCUMULATED COMPENSATED ABSENCES
It is the
Company’s policy to permit employees to accumulate a limited amount of earned by
unused vacation, which will be paid to employees upon separation from the
Company’s service. The cost of vacation and sick leave is recognized when
payments are made to employees. These amounts are immaterial and not
accrued.
NOTE 8.
SALE OF ASSETS
On April
16, 2007, the Company closed the acquisition of assets from Caldwell Production
Company, Inc., consisting of 48 mineral leases with 631 wells, of which
approximately 100 were believed to be producing wells and 531 inactive well
bores equipped with necessary production equipment, and related operating
facilities and equipment including an office warehouse facility, ten pickup
trucks, two pulling rigs, a backhoe, a winch truck and a water truck. The
purchase price for such oil field equipment was $291,500. The
purchase price for the mineral leases and an existing office building, including
an attached warehouse/shop building valued at $81,630, was
$5,000,000. The oil and natural gas leases purchased were on
approximately 14,000 acres in Gray and Carson Counties, Texas, with a well
spacing of 10 acres, and are in the Panhandle Field, discovered in 1920. After
closing the acquisition, the Company opened corporate offices for our production
and oil field service subsidiaries at the purchased facilities in Pampa,
Texas.
To
finance the acquisition of the assets purchased from Caldwell Production
Company, Inc., on April 13, 2007, we closed on a Loan Agreement with WNB for a
senior loan facility. At the closing of the purchase of the Caldwell
Assets, we drew down $2.3 million under the WNB Loan Agreement. On April 13,
2007, we also entered into a Loan Agreement with CapWest for an advancing line
of credit/term loan facility, under which we drew down at closing $2,700,000 for
the balance of the purchase price of the leases, $291,500 for the equipment,
$111,000 for bank fees, legal expenses and associated costs, and $130,000 for
initial working capital.
On
October 30, 2007, we filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern
District of Texas. We operated the Company in the bankruptcy
proceeding until August 15, 2008, when the Court issued an order dismissing the
bankruptcy cases of the Company and of its two operating subsidiaries, Gryphon
Production Company, LLC and Gryphon Field Services, LLC.
On July
22, 2008, we had entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement, effective as of
June 1, 2008 (the “Agreement”), by and among the Company, Gryphon Production
Company, LLC and Gryphon Field Services, LLC, collectively acting as sellers,
and Legacy Reserves Operating LP, acting as buyer (“Legacy”), and WNB and
CapWest, collectively acting as sellers’ lenders. The Agreement
provided for the sale of oil and gas wells accounting for approximately 80% of
the Company’s oil and gas production (the “Oil and Gas Assets”) to Legacy for a
purchase price of $13,250,000. At the August 29, 2008 closing under the
Agreement, the notes held by our lenders, WNB and CapWest, plus interest thereon
to the date of closing, were paid in full.
The
financial statements reflect the sale of the Oil and Gas Assets, effective
retroactively to June 1, 2008. The following is the details of the
sale and closing costs.
Sales
Price
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
13,250,000
|
|
Adjustments
to Sales Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated
Liability for Well Plugging Expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
( 160,000
|
)
|
Retention
of HH Merten Lease
|
|
|
|
|
|
( 9,642
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
13,130,358
|
|
Closing
Costs and Other Related Expenditures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
of Warrants
|
|
$
|
850,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
of 2% ORRI
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
of 6% ORRI
|
|
|
232,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
of NCE Stock
|
|
|
110,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions
|
|
|
232,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal
|
|
|
350,494
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,599
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
payable (including accrued interest)
|
|
|
6,284,167
|
|
|
|
(8,761,260
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Received from Sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,319,098
|
|
NOTE 9.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The
Company uses the services of a local accounting firm to provide the disbursing
of the payroll with related expense and accounts payable while maintaining the
general ledger. The Company’s President has a one-half interest in
that firm. The Company has paid $25,134 for those accounting services
this year.
Axis
Network Pty. Ltd.(Axis), a company controlled by the Chairman of the Board,
through a prior arrangement had the rights to receive a 6.25% Overriding Royalty
Interest (ORRI) in the leases owned by the Company. That ORRI was to
begin paying at the time the acquisition debt of the Company was
retired. The purchaser of the leases would not accept the sale with
the burden of a 6.25% ORRI being implemented at the time of its taking control
of the subject leases. In lieu of receiving a 6.25% ORRI, Axis agreed
to accept $232,500 and the 2% ORRI that was purchased from CapWest Resources,
Inc.
The
Company has used the services of a consulting company owned by the Chairman of
the Board. The Company has paid $102,000 for those services this
year.
During
the proceeding of the Bankruptcy the Company entered into a relationship with
New Concepts Energy, Inc. (NCE). In the process of negotiations the
Company arranged for NCE to receive 1 million shares of Common Stock from Koala
Pictures Proprietary, Ltd. (a company controlled by the Chairman of the Board)
and obligated itself to pay an additional $10,000 at the closing of the
Bankruptcy proceedings. At the conclusion of the Bankruptcy
proceeding when NCE was no longer involved in the Company’s financial plans the
Company agreed to acquire the 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for
$110,000. The company has acquired 1,000,000 shares for a purchase
price of $110,000 which are currently being held as treasury stock.
Item
9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A (T). Controls and Procedures.
As
supervised by our board of directors and our principal executive and principal
financial officers, management has established a system of disclosure controls
and procedures and has evaluated the effectiveness of that
system. The system and its evaluation are reported on in the below
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting. Our principal executive and financial officer
has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the
1934 Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of December 31, 2008, are
effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by
paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15.
Management's
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management
is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Internal control over
financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
Management
assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2008. We carried out this assessment using the criteria of the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in
Internal Control—Integrated Framework.
This
annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our
registered public accounting firm, pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management's report in
this annual report. Management concluded in this assessment that as
of December 31, 2008, our internal control over financial reporting is
effective.
There
have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act)
during the fourth quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
Item
9B. Other Information.
None.
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.
The
Directors and Officers of the Registrant as of the date of this report are as
follows:
|
|
|
Served
as a
|
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
Director
since
|
|
|
|
|
Maxwell
Grant
|
71
|
Chairman
and Director
|
May
23, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
Grantham
|
60
|
President,
Chief Financial
|
December
5, 2008
|
|
|
Officer
and Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Gordon
|
64
|
Director
|
May
1, 2002
|
All
Directors of the Company hold office until successors are elected according to
the Company's by-laws.
Officers
of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors according to the Company's
by-laws and hold office until their death, resignation, or removal from
office.
Maxwell
Grant whose company, Koala Pictures, is Chancellor’s largest shareholder, has a
business degree and a journalism diploma in 1960 from Melbourne University. A
former international journalist and university lecturer in the early 1960’s in
labor relations at Monash University, Melbourne, his New York-published novels
have been translated into several languages. His wide range of interests include
TV and film production, film financing and more recently oil and gas. For the
last three years, Mr. Grant has primarily concentrated on locating a suitable
acquisition for the Company and worked on several other film and investment
projects. He co-founded in the late 1990’s and was a 19% shareholder of Majestic
Film Management Limited, Melbourne, Australia, which raised several
million dollars for international feature films for Village Roadshow Pictures.
The film JOEY, which he conceived and on which he was Associate Producer, was
sold internationally to MGM. Mr. Grant devoted his time and efforts to locate
for Chancellor its recently-acquired producing oil and gas property,
Caldwell Production Company, in Texas. He participated in negotiations on behalf
of the Company for the purchase of the property and identified the sources of
financing for the Company to complete the acquisition.
Mr.
Grantham is a Certified Public Accountant and received his BAA degree in
accounting from West Texas A&M University. Mr. Grantham has
extensive oil and gas experience, for the past two years having managed a
four-lease, 18-well neighboring property in Gray County Texas. After
working for Peat Marwick Mitchell, a major accounting firm and a large firm in
the financial services sector, Mr. Grantham, for the past 21 years, has been a
partner in Grantham, Cory and Hare, P.C., Pampa, Texas, a full-service
accounting firm.
Mr.
Robert Gordon is a former senior editor with Mr. Rupert Murdoch's News
Corporation. Since 1998, Mr. Gordon has been the CEO of Corporate Writers
Australia, an investor relations firm in Melbourne, Australia, specializing in
the oil and gas industry. He joined our Board of Directors in
2002.
Item
11. Executive Compensation.
Compensation
paid to Officers and Directors is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table
below. The Company may reimburse its Officers and Directors for any and all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred relating to the business of the Company.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
Change
in
Pension
Value
and
Nonquali
fied
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
All
Other
Compen
sation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
(e)
|
(f)
|
(g)
|
(h)
|
(i)
|
(j)
|
Bradley
W. Fischer, Chief Executive Officer
|
2007
|
$100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000
|
Thomas
H. Grantham President and
Chief
Financial Officer (1)
|
2007
|
$10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$10,000
|
|
2008
|
$80,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$80,000
|
Alan
Wright, Chief Financial Officer
|
2007
|
$50,000
|
|
$36,000
|
|
|
|
|
$86,000
|
Maxwell
Grant, Chairman of the
Board
of Directors (2)
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$43,000
|
$43,000
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$135,340
|
$135,340
|
(1) The
Board of Directors of the Company has approved a stock award of 250,000 shares
for Thomas H. Grantham, the Company’s President and Chief Financial
Officer. Such stock award was deferred until the Company’s emergence
from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding and, accordingly, is not considered
compensation to Mr. Grantham in 2007 or 2008.
(2) Mr.
Grant owns 100% of the equity interests in Koala Pictures Proprietary Ltd.
(“Koala”) and Axis Network Proprietary Ltd. In March and April 2007, Axis was
paid consultancy fees of $25,000 for past work, some of which dated back to
previous years. In May, June and July, 2007, Peninsula Oil & Gas Proprietary
Ltd. (formerly MG Consulting Proprietary Ltd) was paid $6,000 for each of those
three months for a total payment of $18,000. In September, 2008, Koala was paid
by the Company $29,340, consisting of a reimbursement to Koala of $25,000 of
Court costs awarded in the 2002 shareholders derivative Nevada case to Koala but
never paid, $3,000 owing to Koala for funding retainer to a law firm for the
Supporting Shareholders’ Group to oppose New Concepts Energy, Inc. in the
Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, and $1,134 which Koala had loaned Chancellor
some years ago and had been carried on the books as a debt.
In
September, 2009, Peninsula Oil and Gas (formerly MG Consulting), controlled by
Mr. Grant, was paid $78,000 for past due consulting fees which had not
been paid since July, 2007 due to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding,
and a $6,000 consulting fee for September, 2009. In October through
December, 2008, Peninsula Oil and Gas was paid $6,000 consulting fees for each
of those months.
In
addition, in 2008, Mr. Grant was paid $4,000 in director fees.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Name
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid
in
Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
Change
in
Pension
Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
(e)
|
(f)
|
(g)
|
(h)
|
Maxwell
Grant
|
$4,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$4,000
|
Robert
Gordon
|
$4,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$4,000
|
John
C. Y. Lee (1)
|
|
$5,200
|
|
|
|
$14,000
|
$19,200
|
Peter
Harris (1)
|
|
$3,400
|
|
|
|
$14,000
|
$17,400
|
(1)
The
Company on December 9, 2008 entered into Director’s Settlement Agreements with
John C. Y. Lee and Peter Harris. The agreements provided for payment
by the Company of $10,000 to each director, and for the issuance of 260,000
shares of our common stock to John C. Y. Lee (valued at $5,200) and 170,000
shares to Peter Harris (valued at $3,400) in lieu of directors fees dating back
to 2006 for Mr. Lee and 2007 for Mr. Harris.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The
following table sets forth, as of March 27, 2009, on which date 64,802,781
shares of common stock were outstanding, the ownership of each person known by
the Registrant to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of the
Company’s common stock, each Officer and Director individually and all Directors
and Officers of the Registrant as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO.
OF
|
|
|
%
OF
|
|
NAME
|
|
|
SHARES
|
|
|
CLASS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maxwell
Grant (1)
|
Chairman
and Director
|
|
|
24,517,253
|
|
|
|
36.43
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Gordon
|
Director
|
|
|
5,084,800
|
|
|
|
7.85
|
%
|
401
Collins Street
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Melbourne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victoria
3000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Grant owns 100% of the equity interests in Koala Pictures Proprietary Ltd.
(“Koala”) which owns 22,017,253 shares of common stock. Axis Network (an
affiliate of Koala) owns 8,453 shares of common stock. Mr. Grant’s address
is c/o the Company, 216 South Price Road, Pampa, TX 79065. As
previously reported, Koala holds warrants expiring December, 2009, to
purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $.02 per
share.
|
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
In March
and April 2007, a private company controlled by Maxwell Grant, a major
stockholder (who became our Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2007) was
paid consultancy fees of $25,000 for past work, some of which dated back to
previous years.
In May,
June and July 2007, a private company controlled by Maxwell Grant was paid
$6,000 for each of those three months for a total payment of
$18,000.
Axis Overriding
Royalty
Pursuant
to an agreement dated 12th August, 2004, between Chancellor and Axis Network
Pty, Ltd. (a private company controlled by Maxwell Grant), Axis was entitled to
a six and one-quarter percent (6.25%) override for identifying and helping
secure the producing property Chancellor subsequently bought. At a Board meeting
on 15th January, 2007, Mr. Grant volunteered, on behalf of Axis, to freeze the
Axis override to help secure a loan to purchase the producing oil and gas
property in Pampa, Texas which Chancellor and its subsidiaries now own. At that
Board meeting, the directors agreed, in view of the override blockage, that the
override due Axis should accrue, except that, at any time, Axis had the right,
at its sole discretion, to take warrants for shares of common stock in lieu of
override amounts according to the following formula:
1. For
the first 12 months after the acquisition of the property, warrants at an
exercise price of 5 (five) cents.
2. For
the next 12 months after acquisition, at a price of 10 (ten) cents.
3. For
the third 12 months after acquisition and thereafter at a price of 15 (fifteen)
cents.
Mr. Grant
did not join the Board until May, 2007. No warrants were issued.
This
overriding royalty interest was subordinated to the payment in full of the loans
made by the lenders that provided acquisition financing to the Company for its
initial acquisition of its oil and gas properties.
Sale of Oil and Gas
Properties; Axis Override and Closing Fee
In
connection with the August 29, 2008, sale of a portion of our oil and gas
properties following the August 15, 2008 dismissal of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy
proceeding, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement, effective as of June 1,
2008 (the “Agreement”), by and among the Company, Gryphon Production Company,
LLC and Gryphon Field Services, LLC, collectively acting as sellers, and Legacy
Reserves Operating LP, acting as buyer (“Legacy”), and our lenders, we sold
certain of our oil and gas properties and other assets (the “Assets”) to Legacy
for a purchase price of approximately $13,250,000. Pursuant to the terms of the
Agreement, the Company acquired the contractual but unrecorded 1/16
th
overriding royalty interest held by Axis on all of the Company’s oil and gas
properties prior to the sale of certain of the properties to Legacy (the
“Original Oil and Gas Properties”), which overriding royalty interest (the “Axis
Overriding Royalty Interest”) was merged with and became part of the Assets sold
to Legacy. At Closing, the Company conveyed to Axis, as partial consideration
for Axis having given up the 6.25% Axis Overriding Royalty, a two (2%) percent
overriding royalty on the Original Oil and Gas Properties. To help secure
execution of the agreement by all parties, Axis had offered to give up the Axis
Overriding Royalty Interest in return for a 2% override and a Lehman formula fee
of $232,500, which was paid to Axis at Closing. The Axis Overriding Royalty had
been agreed to by the Company in 2004 in return for Axis conducting an extensive
search for the Original Oil and Gas Properties, which purchase was completed in
April 2007. Axis had further assisted in the search by finding the
financing for the purchase of the Original Oil and Gas Properties. Axis is
controlled by Maxwell Grant, who was not then on the board of Chancellor. Mr.
Grant, who also controls Koala Pictures, the Company's largest shareholder,
eventually joined the Board in May, 2007 and became Chairman. Mr. Grant was
instrumental negotiating the agreement with Legacy and in the Company’s engaging
Simplex Energy Solutions of Midland, Texas, to assist in identifying Legacy as
the purchaser of the Assets.
Closing Letter Agreement and
Settlement with New Concept Energy, Inc.
On June
21, 2008, we filed a Motion to Dismiss the Chapter 11 cases for us and our two
operating subsidiaries seeking to dismiss the bankruptcy proceedings so that we
could proceed to close the transaction contemplated by the Agreement. Prior to
June 2008, New Concept Energy, Inc. (“NCE”) had entered into discussions with us
and had acquired one million shares of our common stock from Koala Pictures
Proprietary Ltd. (the “NCE Stock”). On July 3, 2008, NCE filed its
Objection to our Motion to Dismiss. On August 11, 2008, a hearing was held on
our Motion to Dismiss, and on August 15, 2008, the “Order of Dismissal”
dismissing our and our two operating subsidiaries’ bankruptcy cases was entered.
On August 22, 2008, NCE filed its Motion for Reconsideration of the Orders
Entered on August 15, 2008 dismissing the Chapter 11 cases. In recognition of
the actions filed by NCE, related to the bankruptcy cases, and the
indemnification provisions of the Agreement, the parties to the Agreement
agreed, pursuant to a letter agreement dated August 29, 2008, to increase the
amount held in the Escrow Account under the Agreement to $1,500,000, as well as
to the terms for full release of funds from the escrow account by the Escrow
Agent. On September 4, 2008, a Compromise Settlement Agreement and
Release of All Claims (the “Settlement Agreement”) was fully executed by and
between the Company and its two operating subsidiaries and NCE. The Settlement
Agreement provided for cross releases between the parties and for the repurchase
by us of the NCE Stock for a payment of $110,000, which repurchase was
implemented.
Local Accounting
Firm
The
Company uses the services of a local accounting firm to provide the disbursing
of the payroll with related expense and accounts payable while maintaining the
general ledger. The Company’s President has a one-half interest in
that firm. The Company has paid $25,134 for those accounting services
in 2008.
Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
(1) Audit
Fees.
The
aggregate fees billed by our current independent auditors, Larry O'Donnell, CPA,
P.C., for professional services rendered for the audit of our financial
statement filed as part of our 2008 Form 10-K filing and for review of our
interim financial statements filed as part of our first, second and third
quarter reports on Form 10-Q filed for the fiscal year of 2008 are
$11,470.
The
aggregate fees billed by Larry O’Donnell, CPA, P.C. for professional services
rendered for the audit of our financial statement filed as part of our 2007 Form
10-K filing and for review of our interim financial statements filed as part of
our first, second and third quarter reports on Form 10-QSB filed for the fiscal
year of 2007 are $6,800.
(2)
Audit-Related Fees.
There
have been no audit-related fees billed by our accountants in each of the last
two fiscal years of our Company.
(3) Tax
Fees.
There
have been no tax fees billed by our accountants in each of the last two fiscal
years of our Company.
(4) All
Other Fees.
There
have been no other fees billed by our accountants in each of the last two fiscal
years of our Company.
(5)
|
It
is the policy of our board of directors that before the accountant is
engaged to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement is approved
by the Board of Directors that is at present acting as the Audit
Committee.
|
(6) Not
applicable.
Item
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(3)
Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
2.1
|
Plan
of Reorganization dated March 1, 2008, filed with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division,
filed herewith.
|
2.2
|
Order
dated August 15, 2008, of United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern
District of Texas, Dismissing the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ Chapter
11 Cases (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 2.2 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 19, 2008).
|
3.1
|
Certificate
of Incorporation of Nighthawk Capital, Inc. (Utah)(incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
10-SB12G, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5,
2000).
|
3.2
|
Articles
of Incorporation of Nighthawk Capital, Inc. (Nevada) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
10-SB12G, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5,
2000).
|
3.3
|
Articles
of Merger of Nighthawk Capital, Inc. (Utah) into Nighthawk Capital, Inc.
(Nevada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 10-SB12G, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 5, 2000).
|
3.4
|
By-Laws
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form 10-SB12G, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 5, 2000).
|
10.1
|
Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 19, 2000, between Chancellor
Group, Inc. and Southwin financial, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21,
2000).
|
10.5
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2007, by and between Gryphon
Production Company, LLC and Caldwell Production Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
10.6
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2007, by and between Gryphon
Field Services, LLC and Caldwell Production Company(incorporated by
reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
10.7
|
Loan
Agreement, dated April 13, 2007, by and among the Company, Gryphon
Production Company, LLC, and Gryphon Field Services Company, LLC, as
borrowers, and Western National Bank, as lender(incorporated by reference
to Exhibit No. 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
10.8
|
Form
of Multiple Advance Term Promissory Note issued by the Company pursuant to
the Western National Bank Loan Agreement(incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
10.9
|
Loan
Agreement, dated April 13, 2007, by and among the Company, Gryphon
Production Company, LLC, and Gryphon Field Services, LLC, as borrowers,
and CapWest Resources, Inc., as lender(incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
10.10
|
Form
of Multiple Advance Term Promissory Note issued by the Company pursuant to
the CapWest Resources, Inc. Loan Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10.10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
10.11
|
Agreement
to Issue Warrants, dated April 13, 2007, between the Company and CapWest
Resources, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.11 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 23, 2007).
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10.12
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Employment
Letter Agreement, effective April 16, 2007, between the Company and
Bradley W. Fischer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.12 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 23, 2007).
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10.13
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Modification
dated as of July 27, 2007, to Form of Multiple Advance Term Promissory
Note issued by the Company pursuant to the CapWest Resources, Inc. Loan
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.13 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 30, 2007).
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10.14
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First
Amendment, dated as of August 9, 2007, to Loan Agreement, dated April 13,
2007, by and among the Company, Gryphon Production Company, LLC, and
Gryphon Field Services, LLC, as borrowers, and CapWest Resources, Inc., as
lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.14 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 30, 2007).
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10.15
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Bill
of Sale and Assignment of Contractual Rights, dated as of August 9, 2007,
by and among the Company, Gryphon Production Company, LLC, and Gryphon
Field Services, LLC, as borrowers, and CapWest Resources, Inc., as lender
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.15 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 30, 2007).
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10.16
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First
Modification and Amendment, dated as of August 9, 2007 to Advancing Line
of Credit/Term Note issued by the Company pursuant to the CapWest
Resources, Inc. Loan Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No.
10.16 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2007).
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10.17
|
Separation
Agreement and Release, dated October 16, 2007, between the Company and
Bradley W. Fischer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.17 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 22,
2007).
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10.18
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement, effective as of June 1, 2008, by and among the
Company, Gryphon Production Company, LLC and Gryphon Field Services, LLC,
collectively acting as sellers, and Legacy Reserves Operating LP, acting
as buyer, and Capwest Resources, Inc. and Western National Bank,
collectively acting as sellers’ lenders
(incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10.18 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19,
2008).
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10.19
|
Letter Agreement, dated August
29, 2008, amending the Purchase and Sale Agreement, effective as of June
1, 2008, by and among the Company, Gryphon Production Company, LLC and
Gryphon Field Services, LLC, collectively acting as sellers, and Legacy
Reserves Operating LP, acting as buyer, and Capwest Resources, Inc. and
Western National Bank, collectively acting as sellers’ lenders
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.19 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 5, 2008).
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10.20
|
Compromise
Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims, effective September 4,
2008, by and between the Company, Gryphon Production Company, LLC and
Gryphon Field Services, LLC, and New Concept Energy, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10.20 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 5,
2008).
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10.21
|
Director’s Settlement Agreement,
dated December 9, 2008, between the Company and John C. Y. Lee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.21 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 11, 2008).
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10.22
|
Director’s
Settlement Agreement, dated December 9, 2008, between the Company and
Peter Harris
(incorporated
by reference to Exhibit No. 10.22 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 11,
2008).
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14
|
The
Chancellor Group and Gryphon Production Code of Conduct (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit No. 14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23,
2007).
|
31
|
Certification of
Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, filed
hereiwth.
|
32
|
Certification
of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Oxley Act of 2002, filed
herewith.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 30, 2009.
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CHANCELLOR
GROUP, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Thomas
Grantham
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President,
Principal
Executive
Officer and
Chief
Financial Officer
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Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the
capacities indicated, on March 30, 2009.
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Chairman
and Director:
|
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/s/ Maxwell Grant
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Maxwell
Grant
|
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Director:
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/s/ Robert Gordon
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Robert
Gordon
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President,
Chief Financial Officer and Director:
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/s/ Thomas Grantham
|
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Thomas
Grantham
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