ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statements
Certain of the statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q,
including those regarding future financial performance or results or that are
not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined
in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The words
"expect," "plan," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Blue Dolphin
Energy Company (referred to herein, with its predecessors and subsidiaries, as
"Blue Dolphin," "we," "us" and "our") cautions readers that these statements are
not guarantees of future performance or events and such statements involve risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ
materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements. Some of the
important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
vary from forward-looking statements include:
§ the level of utilization of our pipelines;
§ availability and cost of capital;
§ actions or inactions of third party operators for properties where we have
an interest;
§ the risks associated with exploration;
§ the level of production from our oil and gas properties;
§ oil and gas price volatility;
§ uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection
of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures;
§ regulatory developments; and
§ general economic conditions.
Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed under the
caption "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and Item 1A of Part II of this quarterly report. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which
speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no duty to update these
forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider
the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of
the additional factors which may affect our business, including the disclosures
made under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in this quarterly report.
Executive Summary
We are engaged in two lines of business: (i) provision of pipeline
transportation services to producer/shippers, and (ii) oil and gas exploration
and production. Our assets are located offshore and onshore in the Texas Gulf
Coast area. Our goal is to create greater long-term value for our stockholders
by increasing the utilization of our existing pipeline assets and acquiring
additional strategic assets that diversify our asset base, improve our
competitive position and are accretive to earnings. Although we are primarily
focused on acquisitions of pipeline assets, we also continue to review and
evaluate opportunities to further develop our existing oil and gas properties
and acquire additional oil and gas properties.
During 2007, we benefited from an increase in revenues from our pipeline
operations resulting from the commencement of deliveries of production from
shippers on both the Blue Dolphin Pipeline System and the GA 350 Pipeline. On
the Blue Dolphin Pipeline System, one shipper commenced deliveries in July 2007
from two wells. Currently, the Blue Dolphin Pipeline System is transporting an
aggregate of approximately 24 MMcf of gas per day representing production from
ten wells from eight shippers.
The GA 350 Pipeline throughput has also increased from the addition of two
shippers in 2007. It is currently transporting an aggregate of approximately 24
MMcf of gas per day representing production from six wells from five shippers.
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
In our oil and gas exploration and production business, we continue to see a
decline in production and resulting revenues from our interests in wells in the
High Island area. High Island Block 37 is currently not producing due to damage
to third party onshore facilities resulting from Hurricane Ike. We expect
production to resume late in the fourth quarter of 2008 or early in the first
quarter of 2009. In early 2008, we elected to participate in an exploratory well
in High Island Block 37 at our 2.8% working interest. Drilling of the well
commenced in mid April 2008. The well was determined to be non-commercial and
was plugged and abandoned in the third quarter.
During the second quarter of 2007, a well in High Island Block 115 in which we
had previously earned a 2.5% working interest was re-entered and successfully
sidetracked. Production from this well commenced in late-November 2007. The well
is currently not producing due to damage to third party onshore facilities
resulting from Hurricane Ike. We expect production to resume late in the fourth
quarter of 2008 or early in the first quarter of 2009.
Despite gains in throughput in recent years, the level of throughput has
decreased and our pipeline assets remain significantly underutilized. The Blue
Dolphin Pipeline System is currently operating at approximately 15% of capacity,
the GA 350 Pipeline is currently operating at approximately 37% of capacity and
the Omega Pipeline is inactive. Production declines, temporary stoppages or
cessations of production from wells tied into our pipelines or from our High
Island area wells could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and
liquidity if the resulting revenue declines are not offset by increases in
revenues from our interests in oil and gas properties or revenues from other
sources. Due to our geographically concentrated asset base and limited capital
resources, any negative event has the potential to have a material adverse
impact on our financial condition. We are continuing our efforts to increase the
utilization of our existing assets and acquire additional assets that will
diversify the risks to our cash flows and be accretive to earnings.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 2008, our available working capital was approximately
$4.4 million, a decrease of $1.2 million from approximately $5.6 million at
December 31 and September 30, 2007. The decrease in working capital was due
primarily to the property insurance renewal and payments for the drilling of an
exploratory well in High Island Block 37. Due to the low utilization of our
pipeline assets, and without the revenues and resulting cash inflows we receive
from oil and gas sales, we have used our available cash and cash equivalents to
cover our operating and general and administrative expenses.
The following table summarizes our financial position at September 30, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 (in thousands):
September 30, December 31,
2008 2007
Amount % Amount %
Working capital $ 4,412 48 % $ 5,598 55 %
Property and equipment, net 4,789 52 % 4,504 45 %
Other noncurrent assets 9 - 11 -
Total $ 9,210 100 % $ 10,113 100 %
Long-term liabilities $ 1,845 20 % $ 1,883 19 %
Stockholders' equity 7,365 80 % 8,230 81 %
Total $ 9,210 100 % $ 10,113 100 %
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Our financial condition continues to be adversely affected by the low
utilization of our pipeline assets. The Blue Dolphin Pipeline System is
currently transporting approximately 24 MMcf of gas per day. The GA 350 Pipeline
is currently transporting approximately 24 MMcf of gas per day. This time last
year, the Blue Dolphin Pipeline System was transporting approximately 27 MMcf of
gas per day and the GA 350 Pipeline was transporting an aggregate of 35 MMcf of
gas per day.
During the first nine months of 2008, revenues from pipeline operations were
$1,804,390 compared to $1,808,693 in 2007. Throughput on the Blue Dolphin
Pipeline System averaged 21.8 MMcf and 22.4 MMcf of gas per day during the first
nine months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Throughput on the GA 350 Pipeline
averaged 24.2 MMcf and 20.3 MMcf of gas per day during the first nine months of
2008 and 2007, respectively.
We have significant available capacity on the Blue Dolphin Pipeline System, the
GA 350 Pipeline and the inactive Omega Pipeline. We believe that the pipelines
are in geographic market areas that are of interest to oil and gas operators.
This assessment is based on leasing activity and information obtained directly
from the operators of properties near our pipelines.
Ultimately, the future utilization of our pipelines and related facilities will
depend upon the success of drilling programs around our pipelines, as well as
attraction and retention of producers/shippers to the pipeline systems. The
recent decline in commodity prices and economic downturn could decrease the
level of exploration and production activity in the areas around our pipelines
and have a significant impact on our ability to attract additional shippers. If
we are successful in our efforts to attract additional shippers to our
pipelines, we would gain additional throughput resulting in additional revenues.
Additional throughput will be required to offset the natural decline in
throughput from existing wells as reserves are depleted.
We recognized gross oil and gas sales revenues of $544,381 and $452,818 for the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. We believe that the
recent decline in commodity prices could have a significant impact on our
revenue from oil and gas sales.
Revenues from our working interest in High Island Block 37 have declined
primarily due to normal production decline. High Island Block 37 production
averaged approximately 5.4 MMcf of gas per day in 2007. The A-2 well experienced
production problems in April 2007 and was shut in for approximately eight
months. The well began producing again in December 2007, and is currently not
producing due to damage to third party onshore facilities resulting from
Hurricane Ike. We expect production to resume late in the fourth quarter of 2008
or early in the first quarter of 2009. We believe that the A-2 well could
continue to produce through 2009. However, the well could deplete faster than
currently anticipated or could develop production problems resulting in the
cessation of production. The B-1 well went off production in January 2008.
Production from that well has not yet been re-established. At this time last
year, the B-1 well was producing approximately 2.5 MMcf of gas per day.
In early 2008, we elected to participate in an exploratory well in High Island
Block 37, at our 2.8% working interest. Drilling of the well commenced in
mid-April 2008. The well was determined to be non-commercial and was plugged and
abandoned in the third quarter of 2008.
During the second quarter of 2007, a well in High Island Block 115 in which we
had previously earned a 2.5% working interest was re-entered and successfully
sidetracked. The well commenced production in late November 2007 and produced at
an average rate of approximately 6.3 MMcf of gas per day during the remainder of
2007. The well is currently not producing due to damage to third party onshore
facilities resulting from Hurricane Ike. We expect production to resume late in
the fourth quarter of 2008 or early in the first quarter of 2009.
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The following table summarizes certain of our contractual obligations and other
commercial commitments at September 30, 2008 (in thousands):
Payments Due by Period
1 Year 5 Years
Total or Less 1-3 Years 3-5 Years or More
Operating leases $ 306 $ 106 $ 200 $ - $ -
Employment agreement 277 175 102 - -
Asset retirement obligations 2,161 342 34 - 1,785
Other long-term liabilities 52 26 26 - -
Total contractual obligations
and other commercial
commitments $ 2,796 $ 649 $ 362 $ - $ 1,785
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Results of Operations
For the three months ended September 30, 2008 (the "current quarter"), we
reported a net loss of $442,737 compared to a net loss of $238,148 for the three
months ended September 30, 2007 (the "previous quarter"). For the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 (the "current period"), we reported a net loss of
$1,143,590 compared to a net loss of $1,341,821 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 (the "previous period").
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
Revenue from Pipeline Operations. Revenues from pipeline operations decreased by
$155,947, or 22%, in the current quarter to $561,171. Revenues in the current
quarter from the Blue Dolphin System decreased to approximately $468,000
compared to approximately $612,000 in the previous quarter due to decreased
throughput from existing shippers. Daily gas volumes transported on the Blue
Dolphin System averaged 22.9 MMcf of gas per day in the current quarter, down
from 24.9 MMcf of gas per day in the previous quarter. Revenues on the GA 350
Pipeline decreased by approximately $12,000 in the current quarter due to a
decrease in average daily gas volumes transported to 21.7 MMcf of gas per day in
the current quarter from 23.4 MMcf of gas per day in the previous quarter.
Revenue from Oil and Gas Sales. Revenues from oil and gas sales increased by
$51,638, or 75%, to $120,108 in the current quarter primarily due to production
from High Island Block 115, which commenced in November 2007. Revenue breakdown
for the current quarter by field was $79,730 for High Island Block 115 and
$40,378 for High Island Block 37. The sales mix by product was 93% gas and 7%
condensate. Our average realized gas price per Mcf in the current quarter was
$9.97 compared to $6.32 in the previous quarter. Our average realized price per
barrel of condensate was $140.34 compared to $70.82 in the previous quarter.
Pipeline Operating Expenses. Pipeline operating expenses in the current quarter
increased by $66,288 to $415,581 due to increases in storage tank repairs of
approximately $65,000.
Lease Operating Expenses. Lease operating expenses decreased in the current
quarter by $50,492 to $40,710. The decrease was primarily due to the cessation
of production at High Island Block A-7 during the previous quarter.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased by $21,367 to $501,564 in the current quarter primarily due to an
increase in stock option expense of approximately $21,000 from the previous
quarter.
Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization. Depletion, depreciation and
amortization increased in the current quarter by $30,648 to $164,689 due to
costs associated with drilling an exploratory well at High Island Block 37.
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Interest and Other Income. Interest income decreased by $36,505 to $24,884 in
the current quarter due to decreases in both the amount of available funds and
the interest rate earned on those funds.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30,
2007
Revenue from Pipeline Operations. Revenues from pipeline operations were
$1,804,390 in the current period. Revenues in the current period from the Blue
Dolphin Pipeline System decreased to approximately $1,494,000 compared to
approximately $1,548,000 in the previous period due to decreased throughput from
existing shippers. Daily gas volumes transported on the Blue Dolphin System
averaged 21.8 MMcf of gas per day in the current period compared to 22.4 MMcf of
gas per day in the previous period. Revenues on the GA 350 Pipeline increased by
approximately $49,000 in the current period due to an increase in average daily
gas volumes transported to 24.2 MMcf of gas per day in the current period from
20.3 MMcf of gas per day in the previous period.
Revenue from Oil and Gas Sales. Revenues from oil and gas sales increased by
$91,563, or 20%, to $544,381 in the current period primarily due to production
from High Island Block 115, which commenced in November 2007. Revenue breakdown
for the current period by field was $296,334 for High Island Block 115 and
$248,047 for High Island Block 37. The sales mix by product was 97% gas and 3%
condensate. Our average realized gas price per Mcf in the current period was
$11.83 compared to $6.63 in the previous period. Our average realized price per
barrel of condensate was $118.40 in the current period compared to $56.01 in the
previous period.
Pipeline Operating Expenses. Pipeline operating expenses in the current period
decreased by $194,523 to $1,233,633 due to decreases in pipeline repair costs of
approximately $176,000, compressor repair expense of approximately $123,000,
legal costs of approximately $81,000 and plant site maintenance expense of
approximately $49,000. The decrease was partially offset by increases in
property insurance of approximately $103,000 and storage tank repairs of
approximately $114,000.
Lease Operating Expenses. Lease operating expenses decreased in the current
period by $75,007 to $173,977 due primarily to the cessation of production at
High Island Block A-7 during the previous period.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased by $96,532 to $1,696,921 in the current period due to increases in
employee related costs of approximately $175,000, which includes an increase of
approximately $166,000 of stock option expense, and office rent of approximately
$23,000. The increase was partially offset by decreases in other accounting fees
of approximately $29,000, legal costs of approximately $30,000 and office
expense of approximately $31,000.
Interest and Other Income. Interest income decreased by $81,239 to $107,552 in
the current period due to a decrease in both the amount of available funds and
the interest rate earned on those funds.
Recent Accounting Developments
See Note 1 in Item 1.
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES