Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Throughout this report, unless otherwise indicated by the context, references herein to “we,” our,” and “us” mean Caspian Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and our subsidiaries and predecessors. Unless otherwise indicated by the context, all dollar amounts stated in this Part I, Item 2, other than share and per share amounts, are presented in thousands and all references to dollar amounts ($) refer to U.S. dollars.
The following discussion is intended to assist you in understanding our results of operations and our present financial condition. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q contain additional information that should be referred to when reviewing this material and this document should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this report and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, and our other filings with the Commission.
Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements
This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. For this purpose any statement contained in this quarterly report that is not a statement of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking, including
, but not limited to those relating to future demand for the services we offer, the commodity price environment, economic conditions in the markets where we operate, the availability to our customers of financing to pursue projects, our ability to restructure our existing debts, changes in the composition of the services we offer, future revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources or cash flows, foreign currency exchange risk, managing our asset base, our ability to restructure our existing debts in a manner that will allow us to continue operating or to obtain additional debt or equity financing, management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting, opportunities, growth, business plans, strategies and objectives. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “budget,” “plan,” “forecast,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” or “anticipate” or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements or the industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, commodity price fluctuations, market economic conditions, the availability of funding, market factors, market prices, future revenues and costs, unsettled political conditions, civil unrest and governmental actions, foreign currency fluctuations and local currency devaluations, and environmental and labor laws and other factors detailed herein and in our other filings with the Commission.
24
Forward-looking statements are predictions and not guarantees of future performance or events. Forward-looking statements are based on current industry, financial and economic information, which we have assessed but which by its nature, is dynamic and subject to rapid and possibly abrupt changes. Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business. We hereby qualify all our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of their dates and should not be unduly relied upon. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements (other than pursuant to reporting obligations imposed on registrants pursuant to the Exchange Act), whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Business Review
As a result of the prolonged significant decline in world oil prices and the continued delay in development of the Kashagan oil field, we anticipate demand for our services will be lower throughout the remainder of fiscal 2016, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2015. Current projections place commencement of the second phase of development of the Kashagan oil field some time in 2019. We do not anticipate significant growth in demand for our services until the second phase of the Kashagan development project ramps up and world oil prices rebound materially. We continue to work to expand our vessel operations to Turkmenistan and Russian sectors of Caspian Sea in hopes of replacing some of the lost demand in Kazakhstan for our vessels.
During the nine months ended
June 30, 2016
, we operated three business segments: Vessel Operations, Geophysical Services and Marine Base Services.
|
For the Three Months
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
% change
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
% change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VESSEL OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Revenue
|
$ 5,033
|
$ 2,620
|
92%
|
|
$ 11,137
|
$ 9,128
|
22%
|
Pretax Operating Income (Loss)
|
1,950
|
(336)
|
-680%
|
|
3,374
|
(826)
|
-508%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Revenue
|
$ 12
|
$ 746
|
-98%
|
|
$ 12
|
$ 2,842
|
-100%
|
Pretax Operating Loss
|
(221)
|
(776)
|
-72%
|
|
(1,742)
|
(2,542)
|
-31%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARINE BASE SERVICES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Revenue
|
$ 2,242
|
$ 2,205
|
2%
|
|
$ 5,605
|
$ 5,792
|
-3%
|
Pretax Operating Loss
|
(1,330)
|
(2,340)
|
-43%
|
|
(18,875)
|
(7,913)
|
139%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Revenue
|
$ -
|
$ -
|
n/a
|
|
$ -
|
$ -
|
n/a
|
Pretax Operating Loss
|
(524)
|
(662)
|
-21%
|
|
(2,491)
|
(2,297)
|
8%
|
25
This table includes intercompany revenues, which are eliminated on a consolidation level. For details, please, refer to Note 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Summary of Operations
Three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2015
Total revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2016, was $5,011 compared to $3,268 during the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of 53%, while total costs and operating expenses decreased 21% during the three months June 30, 2016, compared to the same period 2015.
Vessel revenues were up 112% due to more utilization of our vessels in the third fiscal quarter 2016. During the same period, vessel operating costs increased 9%.
We expect demand for our vessels to be flat or lower during the remainder of fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.
Revenue from geophysical services decreased 98% from $746 during the third fiscal quarter 2015, to $12 during the third fiscal quarter 2016. We completed one successful project during the third fiscal quarter 2015. By comparison, during the third fiscal quarter 2016, we engaged in a small one-time project. We were able to reduce our cost of geophysical services during the three months ended June 30, 2016 by 77%. As a result of the significant decrease in world oil prices and the difficult local credit market, we expect less demand for our geophysical services until oil prices rebound and the local credit market improves.
Marine base service revenues were 10% lower and cost of marine base services revenue was 41% higher during the third fiscal quarter 2016, mostly due to fewer vessel standby contracts which resulted in the generation of less revenue. We expect demand for our marine base to be lower throughout the remainder of fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we also realized a 36% decrease in depreciation and amortization and a 16% decrease in general and administrative expenses.
During the third fiscal quarter 2016, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services of $423 compared to $3,486 during the same period 2015. Our comprehensive loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. decreased from $3,473 during the third fiscal quarter 2015, to $1,352 during the third fiscal quarter 2016.
Vessel Operations
Third fiscal quarter 2016 revenue from vessel operations of $4,750 was 112% higher than the third fiscal quarter 2015, as more vessels were utilized during the 2016 period. We believe this increase in utilization was principally due to efforts by the operators of the Kashagan field to complete works to allow it to recommence production at the Kashagan field by the end of 2016 or early 2017. We believe this increase in utilization is
26
short-term in nature and does not reflect a trend toward higher vessel utilization in future periods. As a result, we anticipate vessel revenues will be flat or lower throughout the remainder of fiscal 2016. We do not expect significant growth in demand for our vessels in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea until commencement of the second phase of the Kashagan oil field project, if then. We continue to seek opportunities to utilize our vessel fleet outside of Kazakhstan, in the Turkmen and Russian sectors of the Caspian Sea.
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, vessel operating costs of $1,633 were 9% higher than during the three months ended June 30, 2015, primarily as a result of the increase in vessel utilization. As a result of the improved profit margins, we had net income from vessel operations in the third fiscal quarter 2016 of $1,758 compared to net income of $147 in the third fiscal quarter of 2015. As noted above, we view this as a short-term event due to increased efforts to recommence commercial production at the Kashagan field and do not believe it signals a trend toward higher vessel utilization in upcoming periods.
Geophysical Services
Revenue from geophysical services decreased 98% from $746 during the third fiscal quarter 2015, to $12 during the third fiscal quarter 2016. This is a result of completing one successful project during the third fiscal quarter 2015, compared to a small one-time job during the third fiscal quarter 2016. As a result of the decreased activity, cost of geophysical service revenues decreased by 77% to $184. Even though we performed no significant projects during the third fiscal quarter 2016, we continue to incur certain fixed costs to maintain our geophysical service assets.
As a result of low activity, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. from geophysical operations of $167 during the third fiscal quarter 2016, compared to a loss of $621 during the third fiscal quarter 2015.
The local market, from which much of our seismic work is generated, remains depressed as a result of the difficult local credit market and reduced oil prices and we continue to struggle to obtain payment from overdue accounts from non-related parties.
Although we continue to make attempts to diversify into other geophysical services, particularly mining, we anticipate that fiscal 2016, will be worse for seismic work as the credit required by local Kazakh companies to finance seismic projects remains elusive. In addition, current world oil prices continue to result in the postponement of seismic works by our potential customer. Currently, we are not engaged in any projects. We are pursuing work from potential customers, but there is no guarantee we will be successful in securing this work. We anticipate this trend will continue in future periods until world oil prices rebound materially and the credit market in Kazakhstan improves.
27
Marine Base Services
Our marine base services revenues decreased 10% to $249 during the third fiscal quarter 2016, mostly due to having fewer vessel standby contracts. The revenue generated was insufficient to cover our fixed costs, including depreciation.
Additionally, interest expense of $1,778 was accrued to reflect our liability under the Balykshi Loan, the potential accelerated put option and the portion of interest on the Investor’s Notes that relates to the marine base.
During
the third fiscal quarter 2016,
we realized
a marine base services loss of $1,490 compared to a loss of $2,343 during the third fiscal quarter 2015.
Although we have been able to enter into agreements with some customers to use our base’s services we do not expect an increase in demand for the marine base until the second phase of Kashagan field development and construction activity increases, if then, which is currently anticipated to start no earlier than 2019. Until activity in the Caspian Sea region increases, we do not expect the marine base to be able to service its current debt obligations or to operate profitably.
Corporate Administration
During the third fiscal quarter 2016, net loss from corporate administration was $524, which is in line with net loss of $662 realized during the third fiscal quarter 2015.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense of $763 during the third fiscal quarter 2016, was 36% lower compared to the third fiscal quarter 2015, mainly due to the effect of devaluation of Kazakh tenge, as our major assets are denominated in Kazakh tenge.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expenses of $1,166 during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, was 16% less than general and administrative expenses incurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2015, mostly due to salary cuts to administrative personnel, as well as the effect of Kazakh tenge devaluation, as most of general and administrative expenses are denominated in Kazakh tenge.
Interest Expense
Interest expense of $2,471 was $131 higher during the three months ended June 30, 2016, than during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The increase represents the effect of the capitalization of Investor’s Notes, and the Balykshi Loan and MOBY Loan interest during the third fiscal quarter 2016.
28
Foreign Currency Transaction Income (Loss)
In August 2015, the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan changed its monetary policy to switch the Kazakh tenge to a free-floating exchange rate, which resulted in the value of the Kazakh tenge falling approximately 80% against the US dollar as of June 30, 2016. During the third quarter 2016, however, the Kazakh tenge
was more stable. Additionally, $607 of foreign currency translation gain was recognized to reflect the effect of revaluation of short-term notes from Caspian Geo. As a consequence, we realized foreign currency transaction income of $768 during the third fiscal 2016, compared to a loss of $147 during the third fiscal quarter 2015.
It is our policy to try to match Euro costs with Euro income and we were able to reduce some of the loss as Euro costs for vessel rental were also lower. It is not our business to speculate on currency movements and we have not historically engaged in currency hedging.
Net Other Expenses
As a result of the change from a foreign currency transaction loss in the third fiscal quarter 2015 to foreign currency transaction income in the third fiscal quarter 2016, net other expenses decreased 50% to $1,216, during the third fiscal quarter 2016.
Benefit from Income Tax
During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we realized a provision for income tax in the amount of $138, compared with benefit from income tax of $638 realized during the three months ended June 30, 2015. This change is the result of less taxable loss recognized in CSG LLP entity during the third fiscal quarter 2016.
Net Loss Attributable to Caspian Services, Inc.
As a result of the aforementioned factors, during our third fiscal quarter 2016, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. of $423. By comparison, during our third fiscal quarter 2015, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. of $3,486.
Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Caspian Services, Inc.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, we realized a foreign currency translation adjustment of ($845) and comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $84, compared to a foreign currency translation adjustment of $10 and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $3 during the quarter ended June 30, 2015. As a result, comprehensive loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. was $1,352 during the third fiscal quarter 2016, compared to $3,473 during the third fiscal quarter 2015.
29
Nine months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2015
Total revenue during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, was $11,123 compared to $12,030 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of 8%.
Vessel revenues were up 27% and vessel operating costs were lower by 10% due to more utilization of our vessels during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.
As discussed in more detail herein, we expect demand for our vessels to be flat or lower during the remainder of fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.
Revenue from geophysical services decreased almost 100% from $2,842 during the period ended June 30, 2015, to $12 during the period ended June 30, 2016, and cost of geophysical service revenue decreased 77% to $600 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016. While we completed two successful projects during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, we were engaged to undertake only one small one-time project during the nine months ended June 30, 2016. As a result of the ongoing weakness in world oil prices and the depressed local credit market, we expect lower demand for our geophysical services until oil prices rebound, materially and the local credit market improves substantially.
Marine base service revenues were 29% lower during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, and cost of marine base service revenue was 6% lower during the same period, mostly due to fewer winter vessel standby contracts which resulted in the generation of less revenue. We expect demand for our marine base to be lower throughout the remainder of fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.
In August 2015, the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan changed its monetary policy to switch the Kazakh tenge to a free-floating exchange rate, which resulted in the value of the Kazakh tenge falling approximately 80% against the US dollar as of June 30, 2016. No such devaluation happened during the nine months ended June 30, 2015.
Due to this significant devaluation, and the remeasurement of our debt obligations, our foreign currency transaction loss increased by $10,059 during the
nine months ended June 30
, 2016, compared to the
nine months ended June 30
, 2015.
As a result of the foregoing, during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2016, net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. was $16,150 compared to $11,829 during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2015, and comprehensive loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. decreased from $12,381 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, to $12,101 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.
30
Vessel Operations
During the
nine months ended June 30
, 2016,
revenue from vessel operations of $10,367 was 27% more than revenue
during the
nine months ended June 30
, 2015
. As noted above, we believe this increase in vessel revenue is the result of a short-term increase in activity to recommence commercial production at the Kashagan field. We do not view this as a trend toward higher demand for our vessel fleet. We expect vessel revenues will be flat or lower throughout the remainder of fiscal 2016 compared to the same period of fiscal 2015, and we do not expect significant growth in demand for our vessels in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, if at all, until commencement of the second phase of the Kashagan oil field project and until world oil prices rebound materially. Therefore, we continue to seek opportunities to utilize our vessel fleet outside of Kazakhstan, in the Turkmen and Russian sectors of the Caspian Sea.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, vessel operating costs of $4,768 were 10% lower than during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, as we were able to improve our operational margins.
As a result of improved vessel operating margins we realized net income attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. of $3,540 from vessel operations during the nine months ended June 30, 2016 compared to net loss of $187 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015.
Geophysical Services
Revenue from geophysical services decreased nearly 100% from $2,842 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, to $12 during nine months ended June 30, 2016. During the nine months ended June 30, 2015, we were able to complete two successful projects. By comparison, during the same period of fiscal 2016, we have completed only one small one-time project. As a result of the decreased activity, cost of geophysical service revenues decreased by 77% to $600. Even though we performed no significant projects during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, we continue to incur certain fixed costs to maintain our geophysical service assets.
As a result of low activity, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. from geophysical operations of $1,585 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, compared to a loss of $2,052 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015.
The local market, from which much of our seismic work is generated, remains depressed as a result of the difficult credit market and reduced oil prices and we continue to struggle to obtain payment from overdue accounts from non-related parties.
Although we continue to make attempts to diversify into other geophysical services, particularly mining, we anticipate that fiscal 2016 will be worse for seismic work as the credit required by local Kazakh companies to finance seismic projects remains elusive. In addition, the ongoing depressed world oil prices continue to result in the postponement of seismic works by our potential customer. Currently, we are not engaged in any projects. We are pursuing work from potential customers, but there is no guarantee we will be successful in securing this work. We anticipate this trend will continue in future periods until world oil prices rebound and the credit market in Kazakhstan improves.
31
Marine Base Services
Our marine base services revenues decreased 29% to $744 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.
The revenue generated from marine base services was insufficient to cover our fixed costs, including depreciation.
Additionally, interest expense of $5,582 was accrued to reflect our liability under the EBRD loan, the potential accelerated put option and the portion of interest on the loans from Investor, which relate to the marine base.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, we realized a marine base services loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. of $15,614 compared to a loss of $7,267 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015. This increase in loss was mostly due to $12,169 of foreign currency transaction loss resulting from the revaluation of our obligations to EBRD denominated in US dollars following the 80% devaluation of the Kazakh tenge against the US dollar from August 2015, through the end of our third fiscal quarter 2016.
Although we have been able to enter into agreements with some customers to use our base’s services we do not expect significant demand for the marine base, if ever, until Kashagan field development and construction activity increases, which is currently anticipated to start some time in 2019. Until world oil prices rebound and activity in the Caspian Sea region increases significantly, we do not expect the marine base to be able to service its current debt obligations or to operate profitably.
Corporate Administration
During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. from corporate administration was $2,491, which was $194 higher than the net loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2015. The increase represents the effect of the capitalization of interest on Investor’s Notes.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense of $2,251 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, was 38% lower compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2015, mainly due to the effect of devaluation of Kazakh tenge, as our major assets are denominated in Kazakh tenge.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses of $4,203 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, was 27% less than general and administrative expenses incurred during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, mostly due to salary cuts to administrative personnel, as well as the effect of Kazakh tenge devaluation, as most of general and administrative expenses are denominated in Kazakh tenge.
32
Interest Expense
Interest expense of $7,573 for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, was 11% higher than during the nine months ended June 30, 2015. The increase represents the effect of the capitalization of Investor’s Notes, and the Balykshi Loan and MOBY Loan interest during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.
Foreign Currency Transaction Income (Loss)
As result of this devaluation of the Kazakh tenge in August 2015, as discussed above, and the remeasurement of the debt obligations of our subsidiaries, our foreign currency transaction loss increased by $10,059 during nine months ended June 30, 2016, compared to nine months ended June 30, 2015. The Kazakh tenge was stable during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2016.
It is our policy to try to match Euro costs with Euro income and we were able to reduce some of the loss as Euro costs for vessel rental were also lower. It is not our business to speculate on currency movements and we have not historically engaged in currency hedging.
Other Non-operating Income, Net
During the nine months ended June 30
, 2016,
we realized a net other non-operating income of $179, which is in line with net other non-operating income of $127 during the nine months ended June 30
, 2015
.
Net Other Expenses
As a result of the significant increase in foreign currency transaction loss, net other expenses increased 138% to $18,581, during the nine months ended June 30, 2016.
Benefit from Income Tax
During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, we realized a benefit from income tax in the amount of $323, compared to the benefit from income tax of $1,125 realized during the nine months ended June 30, 2015. The decrease in tax benefit was caused by less CSG LLP taxable loss recognized during the nine months ended June 30, 2016. In Kazakhstan each entity is taxed independently.
Net Loss Attributable to Caspian Services, Inc.
As a result of the aforementioned factors, during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. of $16,150. By comparison, during the nine months ended June 30, 2015, we realized a net loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. of $11,829.
33
Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Caspian Services, Inc.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, we realized a foreign currency translation adjustment of $4,255 and comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $206, compared to a foreign currency translation adjustment of $94 and comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests of $646 during nine months ended June 30, 2015. As a result, comprehensive loss attributable to Caspian Services, Inc. was $12,101 during the nine months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $12,381 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At June 30, 2016, we had cash on hand of $1,229 compared to cash on hand of $1,372 at September 30, 2015. At June 30, 2016, total current liabilities exceeded total current assets by $106,464. This was mainly attributable to the Balykshi and MOBY Loans, the put option and the Investor’s Notes being classified as current liabilities.
As of June 30, 2016, the outstanding loan balance and accrued interest of the Balykshi Loan was $30,046. The Balykshi Loan matured in May 2015. As of the date of this report none of the required installment payments have been made and the loan is now due and payable in full. The default interest rate of the Balykshi Loan of 9% per annum is applied to the payments due but not paid. The Balykshi Loan is collateralized by the property, including the marine base, and bank accounts of Balykshi and CRE and is additionally secured by a CSI corporate guarantee.
The balance of our put option liability to EBRD, had EBRD accelerated its put option and required us
to repurchase its 22% equity interest in Balykshi, was $25,135 as of
June 30, 2016
.
As of June 30, 2016, the outstanding balance of the MOBY Loan was $6,589 including the accrued and unpaid interest. We are currently accruing interest under the MOBY Loan at the default interest rate which is equal to the interbank rate plus 5.6% per annum. As of June 30, 2016, MOBY had made none of the required semi-annual installment payments and was in violation of certain financial covenants under the MOBY Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the MOBY Loan Agreement, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, EBRD may declare all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest of the loan due and payable on demand, or immediately due and payable without further notice and without presentment, demand or protest.
As of June 30, 2016, the outstanding balance of the Non-Negotiable Note was $10,934 and the outstanding balance of the Consolidated Note was $40,122. We have agreed to secure these Notes with non-marine base assets that have not been pledged to EBRD.
Pursuant to the terms of the Non-Negotiable Note, Investor may, at any time, demand and receive payment of the Non-Negotiable Note by the issuance of our common stock. The price per share for principal and interest is $0.12. Investor has the right, at any time, to demand the issuance of shares in satisfaction of the Non-Negotiable Note. If the issuance of common stock has not been demanded by Investor or made at our election by the June 30, 2017, maturity date, we will be required to repay the principal and interest in cash.
34
As of the date of this report, none of the semi-annual interest payments under the Consolidated Note have been made to Investor when due. We have, however, made partial payments to Investor in the aggregate amount of $3,420 to reduce the balance of the Consolidated Note. The failure to make the full semi-annual payments under the Consolidated Note when due may constitute an event of default under the Consolidated Note. The default interest rate under the Consolidated Note is 13% per annum. In the event of a default that remains uncured, Investor may, at any time, demand immediate repayment of the Consolidated Note. The maturity date of the Consolidated Note is June 30, 2017. As noted herein the Investor may elect to have the Consolidated Note repaid in common stock of the Company in lieu of cash repayment. The price per share for principal and interest is $
0
.1
0.
To our knowledge, as of the date of this report neither EBRD nor Investor has sought to accelerate our obligations to them. Should EBRD seek to collect the Balykshi Loan or to accelerate the MOBY Loan or the put option, or to enforce the MOBY Loan Guarantee or the Company corporate guarantee, or any of our other financial obligations to EBRD, or should Investor seek to accelerate repayment of the Consolidated Note we would have insufficient funds to satisfy any of those obligations, collectively or individually. If we are unable to satisfy those obligations, EBRD or Investor could seek any legal remedy available to it or him to obtain repayment, including forcing the Company into bankruptcy, or in the case of EBRD, foreclosing on the loan collateral, which includes the marine base and other assets and bank accounts of Balykshi and CRE, enforcing the Company corporate guarantee, and pursuing the other assets of the Company.
While we have made significant efforts to increase our revenues and control our operating expenses, we continue to generate net losses. As noted above, we do not expect a reversal in the trend of lower revenues from operations to improve until world oil prices rebound materially, the credit markets in Kazakhstan improve and the second phase of the Kashagan development ramps up, if then, which at this time is projected to occur no earlier than 2019. In order to diversify our operations, we have worked to enter the Turkmen and Russian markets. To date, however, these efforts have not been successful in replacing the lost demand in Kazakhstan. Unless we are able to exploit other new markets outside of Kazakhstan for our services, we do not believe we will be able to continue to sustain net losses until the second phase of Kashagan development ramps up. Moreover, we expect the ongoing weakness of world oil prices will continue to have a significantly negative impact on our revenues until such time as oil prices rebound materially.
With ongoing depressed oil prices and the contracted market for the services we offer, we continue to search for new opportunities to generate income.
35
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to (i) successfully restructure our financial obligations to EBRD and Investor, (ii) increase our revenues and improve our operating results to a level that will allow us to service our financial obligations, and/or (iii) attract other significant sources of funding, and (iv) a return to higher world oil prices. Uncertainty as to the outcome of each of these events raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Cash Flows
We typically realize decreasing cash flows during our first fiscal quarter and limited cash flow during our second fiscal quarter as weather conditions in the north Caspian Sea dictate when oil and gas exploration and development work can be performed. Usually, the work season commences in late March or early April and continues until the Caspian Sea ices over in November. As a result, other than TatArka, which can continue to provide some onshore geophysical services between November and March and the receipt of winter standby rates on vessels, we generate very little revenue from November to March each year.
The following table provides an overview of our cash flow during the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.
|
For the nine months
ended June 30
,
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
$ 2,172
|
|
$ 2,287
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(2,150)
|
|
(3,001)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
(300)
|
|
(450)
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
|
135
|
|
(597)
|
Net Change in Cash
|
$ (143)
|
|
$ (1,761)
|
Net cash flow from operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, was positive, mostly due to a decrease in long term prepaid taxes of $641 and a decrease in other receivables of $219.
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, mostly represented the cost of vessel dry-dock incurred during the period.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, net cash was used in financing activities to make a partial payment of the balance due to Investor under the Consolidated Note.
36
|
|
|
Payment Period
|
Contractual Commitments
|
|
Less than
|
|
|
After
|
|
Total
|
1 Year
|
1-3 Years
|
3-5 Years
|
5 years
|
Loans from Investor
|
$ 51,056
|
$ 51,056
|
$ -
|
$ -
|
$ -
|
Loans from EBRD
|
36,635
|
36,635
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Accelerated put option liability
|
25,135
|
25,135
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Operating leases - vessels
|
6,150
|
663
|
1,868
|
1,763
|
1,856
|
Operating leases - other
|
165
|
54
|
108
|
3
|
-
|
Total
|
$119,141
|
$113,543
|
$ 1,976
|
$ 1,766
|
$ 1,856
|
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Because we are a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of June 30, 2016, our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the 2013 framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report in timely alerting them to information required to be included in the Company’s periodic filings with the Commission.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Excluding ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business, we are not currently a party to any legal proceedings that we believe would reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
37
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We believe there are no additions to the risk factors disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, filed on January 13, 2016.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
See
Note 1 – Business Condition
to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits. The following exhibits are included as part of this report:
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description of Exhibit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 31.01
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to
|
|
|
|
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 31.02
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to
|
|
|
|
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 32.01
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as
|
|
|
|
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 101
|
|
The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016, formatted in XBRL (eXtensive Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements*
|
|
|
|
|
* Filed herewith.
38
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
CASPIAN SERVICES, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
August 15, 2016
|
By:
|
/s/
Alexey Kotov
|
|
|
|
|
Alexey Kotov
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Date:
August 15, 2016
|
By:
|
/s/
Indira Kaliyeva
|
|
|
|
|
Indira Kaliyeva
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
39