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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 12B-25
Commission File Number 0-23431
NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
(Check One): [X] Form 10-K [ ] Form 11-K [ ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 10-Q
[ ] Form N-SAR
For Period Ended: DECEMBER 31, 1998
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
For the Transition Period Ended: _______________________________________
READ ATTACHED INSTRUCTION SHEET BEFORE PREPARING FORM. PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE.
Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
has verified any information contained herein.
If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the item(s) to which the notification relates: ______________________
______________________________________________________________________________
PART I
REGISTRANT INFORMATION
Full name of registrant MILLER EXPLORATION COMPANY
Former name if applicable
______________________________________________________________________________
Address of principal executive office (STREET AND NUMBER)
3104 LOGAN VALLEY ROAD
City, state and zip code TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN 49685-0348
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PART II
RULE 12B-25(b) AND (c)
If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)
(a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
expense;
(b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
on Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof
will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the
[X] prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or
transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed
on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due
date; and
(c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.
PART III
NARRATIVE
STATE BELOW IN REASONABLE DETAIL THE REASONS WHY FORM 10-K, 11-K, 20-F,
10-Q, N-SAR OR THE TRANSITION REPORT PORTION THEREOF COULD NOT BE FILED
WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME PERIOD. (ATTACH EXTRA SHEETS IF NEEDED.)
Miller Exploration Company (the "Registrant") is currently engaged in
discussions with its senior lender, other creditors and potential new
sources of capital regarding a potential recapitalization of the
Registrant. There can be no assurance that the Registrant will complete any
recapitalization, or if completed the time frame in which it could be
completed. The Registrant's personnel engaged in these discussions are
also responsible for the preparation of the Registrant's financial
statements and Form 10-K. Due to the time restraints on these persons and
the Registrant's limited staff, the Registrant is unable to present a
complete set of financial statements to its auditors and as a result is
unable to file its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 within
the prescribed time period without unreasonable effort or expense.
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PART IV
OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification
WILLIAM J. BAUMGARTNER 616 941-0004
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(Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed?
If the answer is no, identify report(s).
[X] Yes [ ] No
(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report
or portion thereof?
[X] Yes [ ] No
If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why
a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.
Although the Registrant's audited financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 1998 have not been completed, the Registrant expects to
record a cost ceiling writedown of approximately $35.0 million in 1998.
The writedown is a result of significantly depressed commodity prices and a
large downward revision of proved oil and gas reserve quantities.
MILLER EXPLORATION COMPANY
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
Date March 31, 1999 By ______________________________________________
William J. Baumgartner
Chief Financial Officer
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ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
April 1, 1999
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
Dear Sirs:
We have read the applicable Sections of Form 12b-25 and are in agreement
with the statements made therein.
Yours truly,
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
