MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORP /DE/
10-Q, 1999-02-04
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
Previous: KIRBY CORP, SC 13G, 1999-02-04
Next: MARK IV INDUSTRIES INC, 424B3, 1999-02-04




                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

[X]      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended               December 31, 1998
                               ------------------------------------------

[  ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ____________________

Commission file number     1-5507    

                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION
 ................................................................................
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                                             06-0842255
 ................................................................................
 (State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

149 Durham Road, Madison, Connecticut                               06443
 ................................................................................
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

                                  203-245-7664
 ................................................................................
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 ................................................................................
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
l934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                                                          |X|  Yes      |_|   No

         The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's single class of common
stock as of February 4, 1999 was 25,032,495.



<PAGE>





                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.      Financial Statements

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               December 31,             June 30,
                                                                                  1998                    1998
                                                                               -----------             -----------
                                ASSETS
Current assets:
<S>                                                                            <C>                     <C>        
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $10,156,321             $12,436,297
  Accounts receivable                                                            1,130,297                 567,175
  Marketable securities                                                          2,050,630               1,265,495
  Reimbursable development costs                                                   270,845                 191,266
  Inventories                                                                      172,621                 218,359
  Other assets                                                                     241,748                 296,933
                                                                               -----------             -----------
          Total current assets                                                  14,022,462              14,975,525
                                                                               -----------             -----------

Marketable securities                                                              735,000               1,201,890
                                                                               -----------             -----------

Property and equipment:
  Oil and gas properties (successful efforts method)                            40,018,892              39,196,101
  Land, buildings and equipment                                                  1,683,701               1,510,666
  Field equipment                                                                1,252,116               1,262,464
                                                                               -----------             -----------
          Total property and equipment                                          42,954,709              41,969,231
  Less accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization                    (19,855,532)            (18,949,917)
                                                                               -----------             -----------
  Net property and equipment                                                    23,099,177              23,019,314
                                                                               -----------             -----------

  Other assets                                                                     575,577                 582,251
                                                                               -----------             -----------
  Total assets                                                                 $38,432,216             $39,778,980
                                                                               ===========             ===========
       LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                                             $ 1,206,231             $ 1,918,880
  Accrued liabilities                                                              713,816                 806,150
                                                                               -----------             -----------
          Total current liabilities                                              1,920,047               2,725,030
                                                                               -----------             -----------

Long term liabilities:
  Deferred income taxes                                                          5,994,791               5,854,261
  Reserve for future site restoration costs                                        712,723                 657,288
                                                                               -----------             -----------
          Total long term liabilities                                            6,707,514               6,511,549
                                                                               -----------             -----------

Minority interests                                                              12,773,035              13,123,313
                                                                               -----------             -----------

Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share:
    Authorized  50,000,000 shares
    Outstanding 25,032,495 and 24,982,495 shares, respectively                     250,325                 249,825
  Capital in excess of par value                                                43,572,363              43,532,238
                                                                               -----------             -----------
  Total capital                                                                 43,822,688              43,782,063
  Accumulated deficit                                                          (19,465,156)            (19,350,036)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                          (7,325,912)             (7,012,939)
                                                                               -----------             -----------
          Total stockholders' equity                                            17,031,620              17,419,088
                                                                               -----------             -----------
Total liabilities, minority interests and stockholders' equity                 $38,432,216             $39,778,980
                                                                               ===========             ===========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.      Financial Statements

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three months ended                  Six months ended
                                                                    December 31,                       December 31,
                                                               1998              1997             1998              1997
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
Revenues:
<S>                                                         <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>       
  Oil sales                                                 $  666,132        $1,229,381       $1,356,302        $2,372,928
  Gas sales                                                  2,565,181         2,864,909        4,765,022         5,748,035
  Other production related revenues                            167,840           235,647          298,198           564,264
  Interest income                                              170,728           167,355          350,539           363,877
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
                                                             3,569,881         4,497,292        6,770,061         9,049,104
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
Costs and expenses:
  Production costs                                           1,025,342           871,305        2,101,235         1,805,214
  Exploration and dry hole costs                               315,704           181,260        1,374,130         1,784,306
  Salaries and employee benefits                               375,679           465,839          723,332           870,937
  Depletion, depreciation and amortization                     535,426           595,274        1,055,097         1,115,943
  Auditing, accounting and legal services                      171,534            98,216          352,407           278,026
  Shareholder communications                                   107,413           112,085          141,377           131,700
  Other administrative expenses                                250,260           294,880          431,880           575,724
  Bad debts                                                          -           239,201                -           239,201
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
                                                             2,781,358         2,858,060        6,179,458         6,801,051
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
Income before income taxes and minority interests              788,523         1,639,232          590,603         2,248,053
  Income tax provision                                         372,386           520,420          319,551           771,709
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
Income before minority interests                               416,137         1,118,812          271,052         1,476,344
  Minority interests                                           357,955           652,504          386,172           940,173
                                                            ----------        ----------       ----------        ----------
Net income (loss)                                           $   58,182        $  466,308       $ (115,120)       $  536,171
                                                            ==========        ==========       ===========       ==========

Average number of shares outstanding
  Basic                                                     25,032,495        24,973,120       25,025,352        24,920,888
                                                            ==========        ==========       ==========        ==========
  Diluted                                                   25,128,482        25,257,495       25,121,339        25,257,495
                                                            ==========        ==========       ==========        ==========

Net income per share
  Basic and Diluted EPS                                        $ -               $.02             $ -               $.02
                                                               ====              ====             ====              ====
</TABLE>



            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Accumulated
                                                      Capital in                         Other                       Comprehensive
                             Number       Common      excess of      Accumulated     Comprehensive                       income
                           of shares      stock       par value        Deficit            loss           Total           (loss)
                           ----------     --------   -----------     ------------    -------------    -----------    -------------- 

<S>                        <C>            <C>        <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>          
June 30, 1998              24,982,495     $249,825   $43,532,238     $(19,350,036)    $(7,012,939)    $17,419,088      $(26,362,975)
  Net income (loss)                 -            -             -         (115,120)              -        (115,120)         (115,120)
  Currency translation
    adjustments                     -            -             -                -        (312,973)       (312,973)         (312,973)
  Exercise of stock
    options                    50,000          500        40,125                -               -          40,625                 -
                           ----------     --------   -----------     ------------     -----------     -----------      ------------ 
Comprehensive
    income (loss)                                                                                                          (428,093)
                                                                                                                       -------------
December 31, 1998          25,032,495     $250,325   $43,572,363     $(19,465,156)    $(7,325,912)    $17,031,620      $(26,791,068)
                           ==========     ========   ===========     =============    ============    ===========      =============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.       Financial Statements

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Six months ended
                                                                                          December 31,
                                                                                 1998                     1997
                                                                              -----------              -----------

Operating Activities:
<S>                                                                           <C>                      <C>        
  Net (loss) income                                                           $  (115,120)             $   536,171
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash provided by operating activities:
    Depletion, depreciation and amortization                                    1,055,097                1,115,943
    Deferred income taxes                                                         140,530                 (262,893)
    Minority interests                                                            386,172                  940,173
   Increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable                                                          (345,558)                (165,918)
    Reimbursable development costs                                                (17,089)                (321,836)
    Other assets                                                                   68,533                   36,463
    Inventories                                                                    98,111                  145,677
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                     (196,865)                (441,718)
                                                                              -----------              -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                       1,073,811                1,582,062
                                                                              -----------              -----------

Investing Activities:
  Purchase of marketable securities (net)                                        (318,245)               1,334,868
  Net additions to property and equipment                                      (2,288,146)              (2,015,219)
                                                                              -----------              -----------
Net cash used in investing activities                                          (2,606,391)                (680,351)
                                                                              -----------              -----------

Financing Activities:
  Dividends to MPAL minority shareholders                                        (686,567)              (1,506,103)
  Exercise of stock options                                                        40,625                  123,375
                                                                              -----------              -----------
Net cash provided in financing activities                                        (645,942)              (1,382,728)
                                                                              -----------              -----------

  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  and cash equivalents                                                           (101,454)              (1,537,644)
                                                                              -----------              -----------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                      (2,279,976)              (2,018,661)
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                               12,436,297               12,942,862
                                                                              -----------              -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at
    end of period                                                             $10,156,321              $10,924,201
                                                                              ===========              ===========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                December 31, 1998

Item 1.       Financial Statements - Notes

         The  information  for the six month period ended  December 31, 1998 and
1997,  is unaudited  but includes all  adjustments  which the Company  considers
necessary  for a fair  presentation  of the  results  of  operations  for  those
periods.  All adjustments are of a normal  recurring  nature.  The  consolidated
financial  statements  include the Company's  50.7% owned  subsidiary,  Magellan
Petroleum Australia Limited ("MPAL").

Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations

         Statements   included  in  Management's   Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations which are not historical in nature
are intended to be, and are hereby  identified as, "forward looking  statements"
for  purposes  of the  "Safe  Harbor"  Statement  under the  Private  Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions readers that forward looking
statements  are  subject to certain  risks and  uncertainties  that could  cause
actual results to differ  materially from those indicated in the forward looking
statements.

         The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its
oil and gas operations; therefore, the results of operations may vary materially
from  quarter to quarter.  An active  exploration  program may result in greater
exploration and dry holes costs.  Under this method,  the cost of drilling a dry
hole is written off immediately.

         As of July 1,  1998,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  130,  Reporting
Comprehensive Income.  Statement 130 establishes new rules for the reporting and
display of  comprehensive  income and its components;  however,  the adoption of
this  Statement  had no  impact on the  Company's  net  income or  shareholders'
equity.  Statement  130  requires  unrealized  gains or losses on the  Company's
available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustments to be
included in other comprehensive  income. Prior to the adoption of Statement 130,
these  items  were  reported  separately  in  stockholders'  equity.  Prior year
financial  statements have been  reclassified to conform to the  requirements of
Statement 130.

         The Company has assessed its Year 2000  readiness  and believes that it
is  presently  compliant.  The cost to  implement  this  plan was  approximately
$120,000  and is not  considered  material  and would have been  incurred in the
normal  course of  equipment  replacement.  The Year 2000 change  should have no
material  impact on the  Company's  internal  operations  or financial  results.
However, the Company will be dependent on its suppliers,  partners and customers
to make their systems Year 2000 compliant.



<PAGE>


                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                                December 31, 1998

Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

         Total  comprehensive  loss during the three and six month periods ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three months ended                   Six months ended
                                                          December 31,                        December 31,
                                                      1998             1997               1998             1997
                                                   ----------      ------------        ----------      ------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>                 <C>             <C>        
Net income (loss)                                   $ 58,182       $   466,308         $(115,120)      $   536,171
Currency translation adjustments                     391,338        (3,348,320)         (312,973)       (2,450,830)
                                                    --------       ------------        ----------      ------------
Total comprehensive income (loss)                   $449,520       $(2,882,012)        $(428,093)      $(1,914,659)
                                                    ========       ============        ==========      ============
</TABLE>

         Liquidity and Capital Resources

Consolidated

         At  December  31,  1998,  the  Company  on  a  consolidated  basis  had
approximately $12,942,000 in cash and securities.

         A summary of the major changes in cash and cash equivalents  during the
period is as follows:

         Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period           $12,436,000
         Cash provided by operations                                  1,074,000
         Net additions to property and equipment                     (2,288,000)
         Purchase of marketable securities                             (318,000)
         Dividend to MPAL minority shareholders                        (687,000)
         Other                                                          (61,000)
                                                                    -----------
         Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                 $10,156,000
                                                                    ===========

As to MPC

         At December 31, 1998,  Magellan Petroleum  Corporation  ("MPC"),  on an
unconsolidated  basis,  had working capital of approximately  $4,020,000.  MPC's
annual operating budget is approximately  $700,000 and its current cash position
and  annual  MPAL  dividend   should  be  adequate  to  meet  its  current  cash
requirements.  During fiscal 1999, MPC has budgeted  approximately  $300,000 for
oil and gas  exploration  compared to the $111,000  expended during fiscal 1998.
MPC has in the past invested and may in the future invest  substantial  portions
of its  cash to  maintain  its  majority  interest  in its  subsidiary  company,
Magellan Petroleum Australia Limited ("MPAL").



<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

         During November 1998,  MPAL paid a dividend of A.$.05 per share.  MPC's
share of this dividend after withholding taxes was approximately $600,000, which
was added to its working capital.

As to MPAL

         At  December  31,  1998,  MPAL had  working  capital  of  approximately
$8,818,000.  MPAL has budgeted  approximately  $3.6 million for  exploration  in
fiscal 1999 as compared to the $3.3 million  expended  during  fiscal 1998.  The
current  composition  of MPAL's oil and gas reserves are such that the Company's
future revenues in the long term are expected to be derived from the sale of gas
in Australia.

         Results of Operations

Three month period ended December 31, 1998 vs. December 31, 1997.

         The Company had  consolidated net income of $58,182 for the three month
period  ended  December  31, 1998  compared  to net income of  $466,308  for the
comparable  1997  period.  The  components  of  consolidated  net income for the
comparable periods were as follows:

                                                       Three month period ended
                                                              December 31,
                                                          1998           1997
                                                       ----------     ----------
MPC unconsolidated pretax loss                         $(203,592)     $(203,604)
MPC income tax                                          (105,732)             -
Share of MPAL pretax income                              502,587        933,547
Share of MPAL income tax (provision) credit             (135,081)      (263,635)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Consolidated net income                                $  58,182      $ 466,308
                                                       =========      =========

Net loss per share (basic & diluted)                     $ -           $.02
                                                         ====          ====


<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

                                    Revenues

          Oil sales  decreased  by 46% in the current  quarter to $666,000  from
$1,229,000 in 1997 because of a 35% decrease in oil prices,  the 10%  Australian
foreign exchange rate decrease  discussed below and a 12% decrease in the number
of units sold. Oil sales are expected to continue to decline  unless  additional
development wells are drilled to maintain production levels.  Current oil prices
make  additional  drilling  uneconomic  at this time.  MPAL is  dependent on the
operator (65% control) of the Mereenie  field to maintain  production.  Oil unit
sales (before deducting royalties) in barrels ("bbls") and the average price per
barrel sold during the periods indicated were as follows:

                                 Three month period ended December 31,
                               1998 Sales                     1997 Sales
                       --------------------------     --------------------------
                                    Average price                  Average price
                        bbls           per bbl         bbls           per bbl
Australia-Mereenie     61,518          A.$18.94       69,879          A.$29.00

         Gas sales  decreased 10% to $2,565,000 in 1998 from  $2,865,000 in 1997
primarily because of the 10% Australian foreign exchange rate decrease discussed
below.  Total gas sales  increased  primarily  because of the 1995  Mereenie gas
contract. The volumes in billion cubic feet ("bcf") (before deducting royalties)
and the average  price of gas per  thousand  cubic feet  ("mcf") sold during the
periods indicated were as follows:

                                   Three month period ended December 31,
                                 1998 Sales                     1997 Sales
                            ---------------------          ---------------------
                                    Average price                  Average price
                             bcf       per mcf              bcf       per mcf
Australia:                              (A.$)                          (A.$)
Palm Valley                                                       
  Alice Springs contract     .325       2.98                .312       2.93
  Darwin contract            .593       2.02                .587       2.02
Mereenie:                                                          
  Darwin contract            .642       2.08                .583       2.03
  Other                      .340       2.72                .415       2.76
                            -----                          -----   
       Total                1.900                          1.897   
                            =====                          =====   
                                                                 
         Other  production  related  revenues  decreased 29% to $168,000 in 1998
compared to $236,000 in 1997.  The  primary  reason for this  decrease  was that
MPAL's share of gas pipeline  tariffs  decreased to $136,000 in 1998 compared to
$203,000 in 1997 because of a continuing  dispute regarding the producers' share
of the tariffs.



<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

         Interest  increased 2% to $171,000 in 1998 from  $167,000 in 1997.  The
increase in interest  income from the additional  funds available for investment
was partially  offset by the 10%  Australian  foreign  exchange rate decrease as
discussed below.

                               Costs and Expenses

         Production  costs  increased 18% in 1998 to $1,025,000 from $871,000 in
1997. The increase relates to the costs at Mereenie where  substantial  remedial
work was performed on certain wells.

         Exploration  and dry hole costs  totaled  $316,000 in 1998  compared to
$181,000 in 1997. During the 1998 period, MPAL continued to evaluate various oil
and gas prospects more aggressively than in the 1997 period.

          Auditing,  accounting and legal expenses increased 75% from $98,000 in
1997 to $171,000 in 1998.  The increase in the 1998 period  relates to the legal
and tax advice sought in connection with an unsuccessful  bid to acquire certain
oil and gas properties in Australia.

          Other  administrative  expenses decreased 15% from $295,000 in 1997 to
$250,000  in 1998.  Rent and  travel  expenses  decreased  and  there  was a 10%
Australian foreign exchange rate decrease as discussed below.

                                  Income Taxes

          Income tax expense decreased from $520,000 in 1997 to $372,000 in 1998
because  of  MPAL's  reduced  income.  In  addition,  there  was  no  Australian
withholding  tax on  MPC's  1997  dividend  from  MPAL.  Generally,  there is no
Australian  withholding tax on dividends in any year that a corporation tax pays
income taxes.  The components of tax income expense between MPC and MPAL were as
follows:


                                                   1998                1997
                                                   ----                ----
MPC                                              $106,000            $      -
MPAL                                              266,000             520,000
                                                 --------            --------
Consolidated tax (credit)                        $372,000            $520,000
                                                 ========            ========



<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

                                 Exchange Effect

         The  value  of  the  Australian  dollar  relative  to the  U.S.  dollar
increased  to $.6123  at  December  31,  1998  compared  to a value of $.5933 at
September 30, 1998. This resulted in a $391,000  credit to the foreign  currency
translation  adjustments  account for the three month period ended  December 31,
1998. The average exchange rate used to translate MPAL's operations in Australia
was $.6240 for the quarter  ended  December  31,  1998,  which is a 10% decrease
compared to the $.6922 rate for the quarter ended December 31, 1997.

Six month period ended December 31, 1998 vs. December 31, 1997.

         The Company had a  consolidated  net loss of $115,120 for the six month
period  ended  December  31, 1998  compared  to net income of  $536,171  for the
comparable  1997  period.  The  components  of  consolidated  net income for the
comparable periods were as follows:

                                                      Six month period ended
                                                            December 31,
                                                      1998              1997
                                                   -----------       -----------
MPC unconsolidated pretax loss                     $ (405,863)       $ (428,085)
MPC income tax                                       (105,732)           (1,000)
Share of MPAL pretax income                           504,791         1,355,683
Share of MPAL income tax provision                   (108,316)         (390,427)
                                                   -----------       -----------
Consolidated net income (loss)                     $ (115,120)       $  536,171
                                                   ===========       ==========

Net income (loss) per share (basic & diluted)        $( - )             $.02
                                                     ======             ====

                                    Revenues

          Oil sales  decreased by 43% in the current  period to $1,356,000  from
$2,373,000  in 1997 because of a 27% decrease in oil prices,  an 11% decrease in
the number of units sold and the 14%  Australian  foreign  exchange  decrease as
discussed below. Oil sales are expected to continue to decline unless additional
development wells are drilled to maintain production levels.  Current oil prices
make  additional  drilling  uneconomic  at this time.  MPAL is  dependent on the
operator (65% control) of the Mereenie  field to maintain  production.  Oil unit
sales in barrels  ("bbls")  and the  average  price per barrel  sold  during the
periods indicated were as follows:



<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

                                  Six month period ended December 31,
                               1998 Sales                     1997 Sales
                        -------------------------      -------------------------
                                    Average price                  Average price
                        bbls           per bbl         bbls           per bbl
Australia-Mereenie      125,807       A.$19.91         140,730        A.$27.23

         Gas sales  decreased 17% to $4,765,000 in 1998 from  $5,748,000 in 1997
primarily  because of the 14% Australian  foreign exchange decrease as discussed
below and a small  decrease  in the volume of gas sold.  Total gas  volumes  are
expected to continue at least at current  levels in the short term.  The volumes
in billion  cubic feet ("bcf"),  (before  deducting  royalties)  and the average
price of gas per thousand  cubic feet ("mcf") sold during the periods  indicated
were as follows:

                                      Six month period ended December 31,
                                    1998 Sales                  1997 Sales
                              ----------------------      ----------------------
                                       Average price               Average price
                               bcf        per mcf          bcf        per mcf
Australia:                                 (A.$)                       (A.$)
Palm Valley                                             
  Alice Springs contract       .611        2.97            .592        2.94
  Darwin contract             1.315        2.02           1.220        2.02
Mereenie:                                               
  Darwin contact              1.168        2.04           1.037        1.99
  Other                        .585        2.70            .842        2.79
                               ----                        ----
       Total                  3.679                       3.691
                              =====                       =====
                                                        
         Other  production  related  revenues  decreased 47% to $298,000 in 1998
compared to $564,000 in 1997.  The  primary  reason for this  decrease  was that
MPAL's share of gas pipeline  tariffs  decreased to $235,000 in 1998 compared to
$502,000 in 1997 because of a continuing  dispute regarding the producers' share
of the tariffs.

         Interest  decreased 4% in 1998.  The decrease  from $364,000 in 1997 to
$351,000 in 1998 resulted from the combination of lower interest rates,  and the
14% Australian  foreign exchange decrease as discussed below which was partially
offset by additional capital available for investment.

                               Costs and Expenses

         Production costs increased 16% in 1998 to $2,101,000 from $1,805,000 in
1997. The increase relates to the costs at Mereenie where  substantial  remedial
work was performed on certain wells.


<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

         Exploration  and dry hole costs totaled  $1,374,000 in 1998 compared to
$1,784,000 in 1997.  The costs in 1998 relate  primarily to the cost of drilling
the Schilling-1 well offshore Western  Australia which was plugged and abandoned
during the first quarter of the fiscal year.

          Depreciation,  depletion  and  amortization  decreased  5% in  1998 to
$1,055,000  from  $1,116,000 in 1997. The decrease  reflects the decrease in the
number  of  units  sold  and the  increase  in gas  reserves  used to  calculate
depletion.

         Auditing,  accounting  and  legal  services  increased  27% in  1998 to
$352,000 from $278,000 in 1997.  The increase in the 1998 period  relates to the
legal and tax advice sought in connection  with an  unsuccessful  bid to acquire
certain oil and gas properties in Australia.

          Other  administrative  expenses decreased 23% from $561,000 in 1997 to
$432,000 in 1998.  MPAL's rent,  business  taxes and travel  expenses  decreased
during the 1998 period.  Rent expense  decreased in the 1998 period because MPAL
renegotiated its Brisbane office lease. The 1997 period included a stamp duty on
the  consolidation of certain  properties.  During the 1998 period,  there was a
substantial  decrease in MPAL's  foreign  operations  which  reduced the related
travel expenses.

                                  Income Taxes

          Income tax  expense  decreased  from  $772,000  in 1997 to $320,000 in
1998.  The  effective  income tax rate for 1998 was 54% compared to 34% in 1997.
The  statutory  income tax rate in Australia  is 36%. In addition,  there was no
Australian withholding tax on MPC's 1997 dividend from MPAL. Generally, there is
no Australian  withholding  tax on dividends in any year that a corporation  tax
pays income taxes.  The  components of tax income  expense  between MPC and MPAL
were as follows:


                                                1998                     1997
                                                ----                     ----
MPC                                           $106,000                 $  1,000
MPAL                                           214,000                  771,000
                                              --------                 --------
Consolidated                                  $320,000                 $772,000
                                              ========                 ========


<PAGE>


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations (Cont'd)

                                 Exchange Effect

         The  value  of  the  Australian  dollar  relative  to the  U.S.  dollar
decreased to $.6123 at December  31, 1998  compared to a value of $.6194 at June
30, 1998. This resulted in a $313,000 charge to the foreign currency translation
adjustments  account for the six month  period ended  December 31, 1998.  The 1%
decrease in the value of the Australian  dollar decreased the reported asset and
liability  amounts in the  balance at  December  31, 1998 from the June 30, 1997
amounts.  The average  exchange  rate used to  translate  MPAL's  operations  in
Australia was $.6114 for the six month period ended December 31, 1998,  which is
a 14%  decrease  compared to the $.7138 rate for the period  ended  December 31,
1997.

Item 3.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

         The Company  does not have any  significant  exposure to market risk as
the only market risk  sensitive  instruments  are its  investments in marketable
securities.  At December 31, 1998,  the carrying value of such  investments  was
approximately $12,820,000,  which approximates the fair value of the securities.
Since the Company  expects to hold the  investments  to  maturity,  the maturity
value should be realized. During the first half of fiscal 1999, the value of the
Australian  dollar  relative  to the U.S.  dollar  decreased  1% and reduced the
reported asset amounts at December 31, 1998 from the June 30, 1998 amounts.



<PAGE>



                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

                                December 31, 1998

Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

                  (a) On December 2, 1998,  the Company held its Annual  General
Meeting of Stockholders for the year ended June 30, 1998.

                  (b) The following directors were reelected as directors of the
Company. The vote was as follows:

                                   Shares                      Stockholders
                           For             Withheld        For          Withheld
Dennis D. Benbow        21,379,690          940,270       2,840            201
Benjamin W. Heath       21,359,849          960,111       2,825            216

                  (c) The  firm  of  Ernst & Young  LLP,  was  appointed  as the
Company's  independent  auditors for the year ending June 30, 1999. The vote was
as follows:

                                   Shares                      Stockholders
For                              21,700,093                        2,878
Against                             381,221                           76
Abstain                             238,546                           87

                  (d) The 1998 Stock Option Plan was  approved.  The vote was as
follows:

                                   Shares                      Stockholders
For                              19,030,343                        2,309
Against                           2,546,025                          575
Abstain                             743,592                          157

Item 5.           Other Information.

          During  January 1999,  MPAL was granted  exploration  blocks W98-2 and
W98-3 in the Eastern  Browse Basin  offshore  Western  Australia.  The following
exploration  program was  submitted  to obtain the blocks  with the  exploration
expenditures in years 1-3 required by accepting the permits:

                 Year                          W98-2                    W98-3
                   1                         A.$100,000               A.$180,000
                   2                            200,000                  500,000
                   3                            200,000                  200,000
            Total Years 1-3                     500,000                  880,000
                                             ----------               ----------
                   4                          3,500,000                3,500,000
                   5                            250,000                  250,000
                   6                          3,500,000                3,500,000
                                              ---------                ---------
            Total Years 4-6                   7,250,000                7,250,000
                                            -----------              -----------
            Total All Years                 A$7,750,000              A$8,130,000
                                            ===========              ===========
                                 

<PAGE>


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

                         MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION

                                December 31, 1998

          During January 1999,  MPAL  surrendered its 17% interest in Block D of
ATP 244P in Queensland, Australia. MPAL did not consider the project to have the
requisite technical merit for further exploration expenditures.

          Mallon Oil Company (2% interest) and Mountain  States  Corporation  (4
1/2%) have notified the Belize  Southern  Offshore Block PSA  participants  that
they will withdraw from the venture effective March 25, 1999.

          During the quarter ended December 31, 1998, MPAL  relinquished  its 5%
interest in WA-199-P  which is located in the  Bonaparte  Basin in the Timor Sea
offshore Western Australia.

          The  participants  (MPC 18% interest) in the Tapia Canyon,  California
heavy oil recovery project have agreed to postpone any further  development work
until oil prices  recover.  Approximately  $125,000 of the $600,000  pilot steam
flood project will have been spent by March 31, 1999.

          Plans to install the  proposed  LPG plant in the  Mereenie oil and gas
field in Australia have been suspended  pending a reevaluation  of the economics
of the project.

Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)      Exhibits

                  None.

         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K

                  None.


<PAGE>





                                   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:






                                       MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION
                                                  Registrant





Date:  February 4, 1999                By /s/ James R. Joyce
                                          James R. Joyce, President and
                                          Chief Financial and Accounting Officer


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                      5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         10,156,321
<SECURITIES>                                   2,050,630
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1,401,142
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    172,621
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               14,022,462
<PP&E>                                         42,954,709
<DEPRECIATION>                                 19,855,532
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 38,432,216
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1,920,047
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       250,325
<OTHER-SE>                                     16,781,295
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   38,432,216
<SALES>                                        6,121,324
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               6,770,061
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  6,170,204
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               386,172
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             9,254
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                204,431
<INCOME-TAX>                                   319,551
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (115,120)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (115,120)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.00
        


</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission