Petroteq Energy (PQEFF) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q4, 2021
Source: the company's latest filing for the period ended Nov 30, 2021, filed Jan 19, 2022
Risk Change Over Time
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Issuances of common shares upon exercise or conversion of convertible securities, including pursuant to our equity incentive plans and outstanding share purchase warrants and convertible notes could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause our share price to fall.
We currently have share purchase warrants to purchase 70,371,047 common shares outstanding at exercise prices ranging from US$0.05517 to US$0.35 and options to purchase 7,250,000 common shares with a weighted average exercise price of CDN $0.79 and notes convertible into an estimated 44,116,827 common shares based on conversion prices ranging from $0.055 to $0.18 per share and contractual obligations to issue a further 25,785,869 common shares. The issuance of the common shares underlying the share purchase warrants, options, convertible notes and contractual obligations will have a dilutive effect on the percentage ownership held by holders of our common shares.
- Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2We had concluded that certain of our previously issued financial statements should not be relied upon and have restated certain of our previously issued financial statements which was time-consuming and expensive and could expose us to additional risks that could have a negative effect on our Company.
We have concluded that certain of our previously issued financial statements should not be relied upon. We have restated our previously issued unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related note disclosures for the periods ended May 31, 2019 to February 28, 2021 and our previously issued audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2020. We do not intend to restate our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related note disclosures as of and for the three and six months ended February 28, 2019 and 2018 which were included in our initial registration statement on Form 10 originally filed with the SEC on May 22, 2019, and amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the SEC on June 24, 2019 and by Amendment No. 2 thereto filed with the SEC on July 5, 2019, and such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related note disclosures should not be relied on. The restatement process was time consuming and expensive and, along with the failure to file our quarterly report on this Form 10-Q for the period ended May 31, 2021 with the SEC in a timely manner, could expose us to additional risks that could have a negative effect on our Company. In particular, we incurred substantial unanticipated expenses and costs, including audit, legal and other professional fees, in connection with the restatement of our previously issued financial statements. Our management's attention was also diverted from some aspects of the operation of our business in connection with the restatement.
- Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3We have suffered operating losses since inception and we may not be able to achieve profitability.
At November 30, 2021, August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $(102,683,840), $(100,138,592) and $(97,047,409), respectively and we expect to continue to incur increasing expenses in the foreseeable future as we develop our oil extraction business. We incurred a net loss of $(2,545,248) for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and $(9,474,243) and $(12,379,067) as of the years ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. As a result, we are sustaining substantial operating and net losses, and it is possible that we will never be able to sustain or develop the revenue levels necessary to attain profitability. Our ability to be profitable will depend in part upon our ability to manage our operating costs and to generate revenue from our extraction operations. Operating costs could be impacted by inflationary pressures on labor, volatile pricing for natural gas used as an energy source in transportation of fuel and in oil sands processes, and planned and unplanned maintenance.
- Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4The restatement of our financial statements may in the future lead to, among other things, future stockholder litigation, loss of investor confidence, negative impacts on our stock price and certain other risks.
There can be no assurance that litigation against the Company and/or its management or Board of Directors might not be threatened or brought in connection with matters related to our restatements. As a result of the circumstances giving rise to the restatements, we have become subject to certain additional risks and uncertainties, including unanticipated costs for accounting and legal fees in connection with or related to the restatements, potential stockholder litigation, government investigations, and potential claims by Redline Capital Management S.A. as described under Part II, Item 1. – Legal Proceedings and elsewhere in this Amendment. Any such proceeding could result in substantial defense costs regardless of the outcome of the litigation or investigation. If we do not prevail in any such litigation, we could be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs. In addition, the restatements and related matters could impair our reputation and could cause our counterparties to lose confidence in us. Each of these occurrences could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and stock price.
- Debt & Financing - Risk 5The failure to comply with the terms of our secured notes could result in a default under the terms of the note and, if uncured, it could potentially result in action against the pledged assets.
As of November 30, 2021, we had issued and outstanding promissory notes in the principal amount of $23,298 and convertible notes in the principal amount of $5,826,246 to certain private investors which have already matured or mature between December 2021 and July 2025, and are secured by a pledge of all of our assets. If we fail to comply with the terms of the notes, the note holder could declare a default under the notes and if the default were to remain uncured, as secured creditors they would have the right to proceed against the collateral secured by the loans. Any action by secured creditors to proceed against our assets would likely have a serious disruptive effect on our operations.
- Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 6There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
At November 30, 2021, we had not yet achieved profitable operations, had accumulated losses of ($102,683,840) since our inception and a working capital deficit of ($2,979,405), and expect to incur further losses in the development of our business, all of which casts substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have incurred net losses for the past four years. The opinion of our independent registered accounting firm on our audited financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2021 and 2020 draws attention to our notes to the financial statements, which describes certain material uncertainties regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to generate future profitable operations and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet our obligations and repay our liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management's plan to address our ability to continue as a going concern includes (1) obtaining debt or equity funding from private placement or institutional sources, (2) obtaining loans from financial institutions, where possible, or (3) participating in joint venture transactions with third parties. Although management believes that it will be able to obtain the necessary funding to allow us to remain a going concern through the methods discussed above, there can be no assurances that such methods will prove successful. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2021
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 52
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1ChangedIssuances of common shares upon exercise or conversion of convertible securities, including pursuant to our equity incentive plans and outstanding share purchase warrants and convertible notes could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause our share price to fall.
We currently have share purchase warrants to purchase 70,371,047 common shares outstanding at exercise prices ranging from US$0.05517 to US$0.35 and options to purchase 7,250,000 common shares with a weighted average exercise price of CDN $0.79 and notes convertible into an estimated 44,116,827 common shares based on conversion prices ranging from $0.055 to $0.18 per share and contractual obligations to issue a further 25,785,869 common shares. The issuance of the common shares underlying the share purchase warrants, options, convertible notes and contractual obligations will have a dilutive effect on the percentage ownership held by holders of our common shares.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2There presently is a limited market for our common shares, and the price of our common shares may continue to be volatile.
Our common shares are currently quoted on the TSXV, the Frankfurt Exchange and the OTC Pink Sheets markets. Our common shares are currently subject to a cease trade order on the TSXV, as mentioned above. Our common shares, however, are very thinly traded, and we have a very limited trading history. There could continue to be volatility in the volume and market price of our common shares moving forward. This volatility may be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of readily available quotations, the absence of consistent administrative supervision of "bid" and "ask" quotations and generally lower trading volume. In addition, factors such as quarterly variations in our operating results, changes in financial estimates by securities analysts or our failure to meet our or their projected financial and operating results, litigation involving us, factors relating to the oil and gas industry, actions by governmental agencies, national economic and stock market considerations as well as other events and circumstances beyond our control could have a significant impact on the future market price of our common shares and the relative volatility of such market price.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common shares may cause the price of our common shares to decline.
Our shareholders could sell substantial amounts of common shares in the public market, including shares sold upon the filing of a registration statement that registers such shares and/or upon the expiration of any statutory holding period under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), if available, or upon trading limitation periods. Such volume could create a circumstance commonly referred to as an "overhang" and in anticipation of which the market price of our common shares could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make it more difficult for us to secure additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4The market price and trading volume of our common shares may continue to be volatile and may be affected by variability in our performance from period to period and economic conditions beyond management's control.
The market price of our common shares may continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. This means that our shareholders could experience a decrease in the value of their common shares regardless of our operating performance or prospects. The market prices of securities of companies operating in the oil and gas sector have often experienced fluctuations that have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating results of these companies. In addition, the trading volume of our common shares may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our common shares declines significantly, our shareholders may be unable to resell our common shares at or above their purchase price, if at all. There can be no assurance that the market price of our common shares will not fluctuate or significantly decline in the future. Some specific factors that could negatively affect the price of our common shares or result in fluctuations in their price and trading volume include: - actual or expected fluctuations in our operating results;- actual or expected changes in our growth rates or our competitors' growth rates;- our inability to raise additional capital, limiting our ability to continue as a going concern;- changes in market prices for our product or for our raw materials;- changes in market valuations of similar companies;- changes in key personnel for us or our competitors;- speculation in the press or investment community;- changes or proposed changes in laws and regulations affecting the renewable energy industry as a whole;- conditions in the renewable energy industry generally; and - conditions in the financial markets in general or changes in general economic conditions. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of the securities of other companies, shareholders have often instituted securities class action litigation against such companies. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert the attention of senior management and, if adversely determined, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5Some of our officers and directors have conflicts of interest and cannot devote a substantial amount of time to our company.
Certain of our current directors and officers are, and may continue to be, involved in other industries through their direct and indirect participation in corporations, partnerships or joint ventures which may be potential competitors of ours. Several of our officers work for us on a part time basis. These officers have discretion as to what time they devote to our activities, which may result in lack of availability when needed due to responsibilities at other jobs. In addition, situations may arise in connection with potential acquisitions or opportunities where the other interests of these directors and officers may conflict with our interests. Directors and officers with conflicts of interest will be subject to and follow the procedures set out in applicable corporate and securities legislation, regulation, rules and policies. Certain of our directors and officers will only devote a portion of their time to our business and affairs and some of them are or will be engaged in other projects or businesses.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6Our ability to issue an unlimited number of common shares and preferred shares may have anti-takeover effects that could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control and may result in dilution to our investors.
Our charter documents currently authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of common shares without nominal or par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without nominal or par value in one or more series without the requirement that we obtain any shareholder approval. The Board could authorize the issuance of additional preferred shares that would grant holders rights to our assets upon liquidation, special voting rights, redemption rights. That could impair the rights of holders of common shares and discourage a takeover attempt. In addition, in an effort to discourage a takeover attempt, our Board could issue an unlimited number of additional common shares. There are currently no preferred shares outstanding. If we issue any additional shares or enter into private placements to raise financing through the sale of equity securities, investors' interests in our company will be diluted and investors may suffer substantial dilution in their net book value per share depending on market conditions and the price at which such securities are sold. If we issue any such additional shares, such issuances also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other shareholders.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7The risks associated with penny stock classification could affect the marketability of our common shares and shareholders could find it difficult to sell their shares.
Our common shares are currently subject to "penny stock" rules as promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The SEC adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Transaction costs associated with purchases and sales of penny stocks are likely to be higher than those for other securities. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities listed on certain national securities exchanges, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange). The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such rules, the broker- dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for our common shares in the United States and shareholders may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8The rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights typically offered to shareholders of a U.S. corporation.
We are incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). The rights of holders of our common shares are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, including the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), by the applicable laws of Canada, and by our Articles, as amended (the "Articles"), and our bylaws (the "bylaws"). These rights differ in certain respects from the rights of shareholders in typical U.S. corporations. The principal differences include without limitation the following: Under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), we have a lien on any common share registered in the name of a shareholder or the shareholder's legal representative for any debt owed by the shareholder to us. Under U.S. state law, corporations generally are not entitled to any such statutory liens in respect of debts owed by shareholders. Our bylaws also provide that at least 25% of our Board of Directors must be resident Canadians. With regard to certain matters, we must obtain approval of our shareholders by way of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called for such purpose being cast in favor of the proposed matter. Such matters include without limitation: (a) the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets out of the ordinary course of our business; and (b) any amendments to our Articles including, but not limited to, amendments affecting our capital structure such as the creation of new classes of shares, changing any rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions in respect of our shares, or changing the number of issued or authorized shares, as well as amendments changing the minimum or maximum number of directors set forth in the Articles. Under many U.S. state laws, the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation generally requires approval by a majority of the outstanding shares, although in some cases approval by a higher percentage of the outstanding shares may be required. In addition, under U.S. state law the vote of a majority of the shares is generally sufficient to amend a company's certificate of incorporation, including amendments affecting capital structure or the number of directors. Pursuant to our bylaws, two persons holding 5% of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting present in person or represented by proxy and each entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders. Under U.S. state law, a quorum generally requires the presence in person or by proxy of a specified percentage of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting, and such percentage is generally not less than one-third of the number of shares entitled to vote. Under rules of the Ontario Securities Commission, a meeting of shareholders must be called for consideration and approval of certain transactions between a corporation and any "related party" (as defined in such rules). A "related party" is defined to include, among other parties, directors and senior officers of a corporation, holders of more than 10% of the voting securities of a corporation, persons owning a block of securities that is otherwise sufficient to affect materially the control of the corporation, and other persons that manage or direct, to a substantial degree, the affairs or operations of the corporation. At such shareholders' meeting, votes cast by any related party who holds common shares and has an interest in the transaction may not be counted for the purposes of determining whether the minimum number of required votes have been cast in favor of the transaction. Under U.S. state law, a transaction between a corporation and one or more of its officers or directors can generally be approved either by the shareholders or by a majority of the directors who do not have an interest in the transaction. Neither Canadian law nor our Articles or bylaws limit the right of a non-resident to hold or vote our common shares, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (the "Investment Act"), as amended by the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act (the "WTOA Act"). The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a direct reviewable investment in a Canadian business, as defined in the Investment Act, by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a "Canadian," as defined in the Investment Act (a "non-Canadian"), unless, after review, the Minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in our common shares by a non-Canadian (other than a "WTO Investor," as defined below) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to directly acquire control of our company, and the value of our assets were CDN$5.0 million or more (provided that immediately prior to the implementation of the investment in our company, it was not controlled by WTO Investors). An investment in our common shares by a WTO Investor (or by a non- Canadian other than a WTO Investor if, immediately prior to the implementation of the investment our company was controlled by WTO Investors) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to directly acquire control and the value of our assets or our enterprise value was equal to or exceeded certain threshold amounts determined on an annual basis. The threshold for a pre-closing net benefit review depends on whether the purchaser is: (a) controlled by a person or entity from a member of the WTO; (b) a state-owned enterprise (SOE); or (c) from a country considered a "Trade Agreement Investor" under the Investment Act. A different threshold also applies if the Canadian business carries on a cultural business. The 2021 threshold for WTO investors that are state-owned enterprises ("SOEs"), as defined in the Investment Act, will be CDN$415 million based on the book value of the Canadian business' assets. The 2021 thresholds for review for direct acquisitions of control of a publicly-traded Canadian entity by private sector investor WTO investors (CDN$1.043 billion) and private sector trade agreement investors (CDN$1.565 billion) are both based on the "enterprise value" of the Canadian business being acquired, where the enterprise value is the target's market capitalization, plus total liabilities (less operating liabilities), minus cash and cash equivalents. A non-Canadian, whether a WTO Investor or otherwise, would be deemed to acquire control of our company for purposes of the Investment Act if he or she acquired a majority of our common shares. The acquisition of less than a majority, but at least one-third of the shares, would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of our company, unless it could be established that we are not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of the shares. In general, an individual is a WTO Investor if he or she is a "national" of a country (other than Canada) that is a member of the WTO ("WTO Member") or has a right of permanent residence in a WTO Member. A corporation or other entity will be a "WTO Investor" if it is a "WTO Investor-controlled entity," pursuant to detailed rules set out in the Investment Act. The U.S. is a WTO Member. Certain transactions involving our common shares would be exempt from the Investment Act, including (i) an acquisition of our common shares if the acquisition were made in connection with the person's business as a trader or dealer in securities; (ii) an acquisition of control of our company in connection with the realization of a security interest granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act; and (iii) an acquisition of control of our company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control of our company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged. Under U.S. law, except in limited circumstances, restrictions generally are not imposed on the ability of non- residents to hold a controlling interest in a U.S. corporation. The Canadian government may review and prohibit any level of investment by a non-Canadian in a Canadian business if it determines that the investment may be "injurious to national security".
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9We are required to comply with the Exchange Act's domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.
We are required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirements for foreign private issuers. We may also be required to make changes in our corporate governance practices in accordance with various SEC rules. As a result, we expect that compliance would increase our legal and financial compliance costs and is likely to make some activities highly time consuming and costly. We also expect that as we are now required to comply with the securities rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, it would make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These rules and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and intend to take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act even if we cease to be a smaller reporting company with annual revenues of less than $100 million, exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As an emerging growth company, we are required to report only two years of financial results and selected financial data compared to three and five years, respectively, for comparable data reported by other public companies. We may take advantage of these exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year: (a) following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common shares pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act; (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion; or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which generally means the market value of our common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. We cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and the price of our common shares may be more volatile in the event that we decide to make an offering of our common shares following this direct listing.
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