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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
(MARK ONE)
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO .
COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-25006
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
Delaware 13-3103494
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
4867 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37918
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
Issuer's telephone number, including area code: 423-688-0582.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.01
par value per share.
Check whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or 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: Yes /X/ No / /
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to
Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained in this form and no disclosure will
be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB
or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ ]
State issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year: $13,234,309.
State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by
nonaffiliates (based on the closing price on April 7, 1997 of $0.50.):
$5,811,233.
State the number of shares outstanding of the registrant's $.01 par
value common stock as of the close of business on the latest practicable date
(April 7, 1997): 13,940,679.
Documents Incorporated By Reference: None.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format
(check one): Yes [ ] No [ X ]
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
History of the Company
United Petroleum Corporation ("Company") was organized under the laws
of the State of Delaware on May 19, 1970, under the name "Don Reid Productions,
Inc." The Company was formed as an independent producer of television programs.
On May 20, 1970, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding
securities and succeeded to the business operations of Don Reid Productions,
Inc., a New York corporation, which had been organized on July 17, 1967. The
Company publicly offered and sold shares of its common stock pursuant to a
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 15, 1970, which became effective on May 18, 1971.
From 1971 until the early part of 1977, the Company developed and
produced a number of new series and special programs for television and acquired
various interests in scripts and other original literary rights for stage,
television and motion picture production, all with limited success. The Company
was inactive from 1977 until 1982.
Effective November 12, 1982, United Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("United Petroleum - Delaware"), merged with and into the Company,
and the Company changed its name to "United Petroleum Corporation" and commenced
to engage in the business of acquiring and developing oil and gas leases,
primarily in the State of Kentucky. The Company continued to engage in these
activities through fiscal 1985, drilling thirteen wells in Mullenberg County,
Kentucky, with very limited success; the Company then moved its principal
executive offices to Corpus Christi, Texas, and drilled one well in Duvall
County, Texas, in 1986, through its wholly-owned and newly formed Texas
subsidiary, Texas United Resources. This well was unsuccessful, and the Company
ceased oil and gas exploration activities in 1986, and abandoned Texas United
Resources.
The Company was inactive from 1986 until receiving a proposal in the
latter part of 1992 from Calibur Systems, Inc., a newly-formed Tennessee
corporation ("Calibur Systems"), and its sole stockholder, Michael F. Thomas,
pursuant to which the Company eventually acquired Calibur Systems in a
transaction viewed as a "reverse merger." In contemplation of this transaction,
the Company organized a wholly-owned subsidiary in December 1992, Calibur-United
Petroleum Corporation, a Tennessee corporation ("Calibur-United Petroleum"). On
April 22, 1993, an Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Plan") between the Company,
Calibur-United Petroleum, Calibur Systems and the sole stockholder of Calibur
Systems, Mr. Thomas, was completed; this Plan was deemed effective for
accounting purposes as of December 31, 1992.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Company issued 9,795,200 restricted shares of
its common stock to Mr. Thomas, and Calibur-United Petroleum merged with and
into Calibur Systems, with Calibur Systems being the surviving corporation;
Calibur Systems became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company
succeeded to its business operations. Calibur
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Systems was formed on October 1, 1992; it is a successor to Calibur Car Wash
Systems, a sole proprietorship owned and operated by Mr. Thomas, which commenced
operations in 1977.
In the early part of 1993, the Company changed its fiscal year from
June 30 to December 31. This accounting year end change was made so that the
Company's accounting year end would coincide with the accounting year ends of
Calibur Systems and Calibur Car Wash Systems.
On November 18, 1993, the Company acquired the interest of Jackson
County Gas in certain oil and gas properties comprised of approximately 33,000
acres situated in Jackson and Rock Castle Counties, Kentucky, for the sum of $2
million, payable by the issuance of 666,667 shares of the Company's Common Stock
at a price of $3 per share. The interest acquired in these oil and gas
properties is held by Jackson-United Petroleum Corporation, a Kentucky
corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Jackson-United").
In 1993 and 1994 the Company completed an equity financing through a
private placement of units, with each unit consisting of four (4) shares of
common stock, three (3) Class A warrants, three (3) Class B warrants and four
(4) Class C warrants to accredited investors and raised net proceeds of
$931,833. Additionally, the Company received net proceeds of approximately
$53,000 from the exercise of an option.
In February 1994, trading of the Company's shares of common stock
resumed in the over-the-counter market. The Company has two operating
subsidiaries: Calibur Systems and Jackson-United. See note 14 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning the Company's two
(2) industry segments.
In June 1995 the Company effected a one for three (1:3) reverse stock
split of the Company's outstanding common stock.
The Debenture Offering
During the period from May 1996 through October 1996 the Company
completed the private placement of thirteen (13) convertible debentures (the
"Debentures") pursuant to an exemption from registration afforded by Regulation
S ("Regulation S") as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Code of Federal
Regulations 230.901-904. The Debentures have a maturity of approximately two
years with interest rates of six percent (6%) and seven percent (7%). The
aggregate face value of the Debentures issued was $27,500,000 with net proceeds
to the Company of approximately $20,631,500 before expenses of approximately
$2,890,000. Debentures with a face value of approximately $14,200,000 carry an
interest rate of seven percent (7%) and the remaining Debentures with a face
value of approximately $13,300,000 carry an interest rate of six percent (6%).
The Debentures are convertible into common stock of the Company. The conversion
price is equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the average market price per
share as reported by
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NASDAQ for the five (5) business days prior to conversion. The Debentures were
sold to nine (9) foreign entities or individuals.
The Company in connection with the offer and sale of the Debentures,
required all purchasers to execute a Subscription Agreement which included
representations and warranties by the purchasers that they were acquiring the
Debentures for investment purposes and had no present intention to sell the
Debentures or to convert the Debentures and sell the shares received on
conversion. Each purchaser further represented they would not maintain any short
position in securities of the Company from the date of acquisition of the
Debentures through the applicable conversion dates, including selling the
Company's stock short in anticipation of conversion of the Debentures.
The Company intended to use the funds raised from the sale of
Debentures to finance oil and gas drilling operations and acquisitions in its
United Jackson subsidiary, expansion of the number of the Company's full service
auto care centers and convenience stores operated by its Calibur subsidiary and
working capital and other corporate purposes.
In June 1996 the Company engaged TAJ Global Equities, Inc. ("TAJ") to
act as the Company's underwriter for a planned twenty million dollar
($20,000,000) offering of the Company's common stock which was to take place in
the third quarter of 1996. In connection therewith, the Company paid TAJ an
underwriting fee of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
TAJ also acted as a consultant to the Company in connection with the
proposed offering and sale of Debentures.
Notwithstanding the representations in the Subscription Agreement
executed by the Debenture Holders, commencing in the middle of June 1996 and
continuing during the period from July 1996 through September 1996 certain of
the Debenture Holders, at the earliest date possible, converted large amounts of
the Debentures into a substantial number of shares of the Company's common stock
which they immediately then sold and in many cases they sold short prior to
converting their Debentures and then upon conversion, used the shares to cover
their short positions.
During the period from July 1996 through September 1996 the Company
issued 1,533,183 shares of its common stock to Debenture Holders who had
exercised their conversion rights under the terms of the Debentures at prices
ranging from $2.93 to $4.00 per share. Most, if not all of those shares that
were issued were immediately sold by the Debenture Holders or used by the
Debenture Holders to cover their short positions. The unauthorized selling and
improper short selling by the Debenture Holders, placed enormous pressure on
Plaintiff's stock causing the price of the stock to decrease sharply.
On or about July 11, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company, in an
effort to send a clear message to the marketplace that the Company was serious
about shareholder value,
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authorized the Company to purchase up to one million (1,000,000) shares of the
Company's stock in the open market. The public was notified of the decision by
the Company's Board of Directors by a press release and the filing of a Current
Report on Form 8-K with the SEC.
The Company employed TAJ as a stockbroker, agent, depository and
fiduciary to purchase shares for the Company through an account it had opened
with TAJ. The Company ordered TAJ to purchase the shares at the then prevailing
market price for its stock.
Thereafter, at the direction of TAJ and its President Wilbur Jurdine
("Jurdine"), the Company, commencing on July 16, 1996 and continuing through
August 14, 1996, advanced, by means of four wire transfers sent to the account
of TAJ, the sum of $1,725,997.40 for use by TAJ in the repurchase of the
Company's shares on behalf of the Company.
During the period from July 16, 1996 through August 14, 1996 when the
Company was wiring money to TAJ, Jurdine and TAJ told the Company that TAJ was,
as instructed by the Company, using those funds to purchase the Company's stock
and the stock was being held in the Company's account with TAJ.
In fact, TAJ did not use any of the funds advanced to it to purchase
Company shares for the Company's account as instructed. Instead, TAJ and Jurdine
used the Company's funds wired to TAJ for their own purposes, including the
purchase of the Company's stock for their own account.
During August and September, 1996 the Debenture Holders continued to
convert their Debentures and sell large amounts of the Company's stock and/or
sell short large volummes of the Company's stock in anticipation of conversion
of their Debentures. TAJ, as a market maker of the Company's stock, purchased
for its own trading account and its retail customers large quantities of shares
of the Company's stock. TAJ continued purchasing shares of the Company's stock
at an increasing rate, purchasing approximately 1,259,843 shares of the
Company's stock in August 1996 and approximately 1,940,187 shares in September
1996 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Shares"). TAJ did not
consult with the Company when it made these purchases and did not advise the
Company of these purchases until long afterward.
Thereafter, TAJ attempted to sell the Shares it had purchased to its
customers, but it was unsuccessful. TAJ's customers refused to pay the price TAJ
had paid for the Shares since the price of the Company's's stock continued to
decline due to the enormous amount of selling and short selling of the Debenture
Holders and the selling off by TAJ's retail customers of large amounts of shares
of the Company's stock that they had purchased. As a result, TAJ was not able to
pay for the Shares. When TAJ did not pay for these shares within seven days, its
clearing broker, National Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS") was required by
Regulation T promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to sell the shares in the
open market. NFS, however, failed to sell the Shares as required.
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TAJ contacted the Company and demanded that the Company advance the
funds to pay for the Shares and threatened that if it did not, NFS, in
accordance with the regulatory requirements of the SEC and the National
Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD"), would be compelled to force TAJ to
commence selling the Shares in the open market. If the Shares were dumped in the
open market in this manner it would have caused a substantial and dramatic drop
in the price of the Company's stock.
In order to avoid the liquidation of the Shares, the Company, at the
direction of TAJ and Jurdine, during the period from August 19, 1996 to
September 5, 1996 wire transferred to NFS's account a total of $4,300,000 to
cover a portion of the purchase price of the Shares.
In a further effort to circumvent the rules and regulations of the SEC
and the NASD, TAJ, with the knowledge and approval of NFS, transferred to and/or
purchased a portion of the Shares for the account of Strategic Holdings Corp.
(hereinafter "Strategic") which acted as a consultant to the Company and
maintained an account with TAJ.
The sale of the Shares from TAJ to Strategic and/or purchase of the
Shares by TAJ for Strategic's account was accomplished through TAJ's use of a
power of attorney that had been given to it by Strategic. Strategic claims that
it never authorized the transfer or purchase of the Shares. At the time of these
transactions, TAJ and Jurdine knew that Strategic had no assets and was unable
to pay for any of the Shares.
Despite the fact that the price of the Company's stock had decreased
significantly since the dates on which TAJ purportedly purchased the Shares, TAJ
sold the Shares to Strategic and/or purchased the Shares for Strategic's account
for prices far greater than the market price or the price it had paid for the
Shares. TAJ and Jurdine represented to the Company that the prices at which it
had sold the Shares into the account of Strategic were bona fide prices arrived
at by arms length negotiations. In fact, they were prices that TAJ and Jurdine
had created in order to cover their commissions on the original sales, purchases
and repurchases and purported sales to Strategic together with substantial
mark-ups.
Rather than selling the Shares in the open market at prevailing prices
as required by Regulation T since neither TAJ or Strategic had paid for the
Shares which would have resulted in a significant loss to TAJ, as well as NFS
since TAJ had insufficient funds to pay for the Shares, NFS continued to permit
TAJ and/or Strategic to retain the Shares in Strategic's account.
Thereafter, TAJ and NFS made numerous telephone calls and faxed
numerous letters to the Company demanding that it advance the money to pay for
the Shares TAJ had purchased and then sold to Strategic and/or purchased for
Strategic's account in the form of a loan to Strategic or else it would
liquidate Strategic's account and dump the Shares in the open market.
TAJ represented to the Company that the "loan" to Strategic would be
repaid within a short period of time from the proceeds received from the sale of
shares in Strategic's account.
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In response to the demands of TAJ and NFS, and, in order to protect its
shareholders' interests, the Company agreed to advance the funds needed to pay
for the balance of the Shares and during the period from September 9, 1996 to
October 21, 1996, arranged for wire transfers to TAJ's account in the aggregate
amount of $1,617,959.53 and wire transfers to NFS in the amount of $3,102,713.96
to pay for the Shares in Strategic's account with TAJ.
In June 1996 Strategic executed a promissory note to the Company in the
amount of $100,000. In December 1996, to insure that the Company was either
repaid for the funds it had advanced to TAJ and NFS to pay for the Shares or to
have the remaining Shares purchased by TAJ transferred to the Company, an
additional promissory note, in the principal amount of $10,776,660.90 was
executed by Strategic in favor of the Company. This note which covered all of
the funds the Company had advanced to TAJ and NFS to purchase the Shares was
secured by 1,834,407 of the Company's shares held in Strategic's account with
TAJ. The Company and Strategic further entered into an Escrow Agreement which
provided that 1,500,000 of the aforementioned shares held as collateral for the
note would be placed in escrow with Neal Melnick, who is counsel to the Company
and a Director of the Company. The remaining 334,407 shares would be held in
escrow by another attorney as security for management fees due to Strategic.
Strategic shall also receive a minimum of $465,000 or 5% of the sales price
of such shares whichever is greater, payable at a minimum of $200,000 in 1997
and $265,000 in 1998. The Company also agreed to pay Strategic a management
fee of $5,000 per month for January and February, 1997 and $7,500 a month
thereafter for a minimum of one year or until such time as all of the
collateral shares have been sold or transferred, whichever is later. At
present all of the shares are held in escrow by Neal Melnick in two
certificates, both of which are in his name as Escrow Agent. The Escrow
Agreement further provides that Strategic will execute a proxy in favor of the
Escrow Agent for all of the these shares upon his request. The Escrow
Agreement further provides that the obligation of Strategic under the note is
non-recourse and that at the Company's request, Strategic must sell all or any
part of the collateral shares at such prices and to such persons as the
Company may designate, the proceeds of which will, after deduction for
expenses of sale be paid to the Company. The Escrow Agreement also provides
that in the event of an acquisition approved by the Company, payment may be
made in whole, or in part, by use of the collateral shares.
In March 1996, a civil action was filed by the Company against TAJ,
Jurdine and NFS in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Tennessee alleging conspiracy to engage in a course of misconduct intended to
defraud the Company, conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and
associated causes of action claiming compensatory and punitive damages in excess
of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000). Notice of suit and waiver of
service have been sent to each defendant pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure. No responses to the complaint have been received as of this date. See
"Item 3 - Legal Proceedings".
Beginning in November 1996 the Company began discussions with several
of the remaining Debenture Holders who had not fully converted their Debentures
in an attempt to resolve the issues relating to short selling, investment
intent, foreign beneficial ownership and
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conversion of Debentures into common stock. Agreements have been reached, in
principal, through the execution of Term Sheets, with most of the Debenture
Holders, subject to execution of a definitive agreement(s), which provide for: a
conversion of a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the remaining face
amount of the Debenture debt into convertible preferred stock; a hold period
during which no conversions will be made; a schedule of conversions based on a
percentage of the face amount of the preferred stock and Debentures; setting a
conversion price based upon the five (5) day average closing bid price per
share, with the addition of a floor price for conversions which begins at $2.50
per share and adjusts downward by $0.50 per three (3) month period to a minimum
floor price of $1.00 per share and a maximum price of $3.00 per share, provided,
however, that the minimum and maximum prices shall be increased to 66 2/3% of
the market price for the prior month if that price is greater than the maximum
or minimum; support of the Debenture Holders for current management of the
Company; providing for the Company to negotiate and enter into a non-competition
agreement with Michael Thomas, the CEO and Chairman of the Company, based upon
specific criteria; setting forth certain restrictions on the sale of the
Company's equity securities; and, the optional right of the preferred
shareholders to elect one director. The definitive agreement is currently being
reviewed and is expected to be executed within the next thirty (30) days. It is
the intent of the Company in negotiating the agreement to provide stability for
the stock by restricting and scheduling conversions into common shares, reducing
dilution of existing shareholders positions; and avoiding protracted and
expensive litigation which would, by its nature, divert the Company's attention
from improving and maximizing shareholder value.
The Company is presently located at 4867 North Broadway, Knoxville,
Tennessee 37918. The Company's telephone number is (423) 688-0582 and its fax
number is (423) 688-2266.
Retail Car Wash and Related Automotive Services
Calibur Systems, formerly Calibur Car Wash Systems, was founded by
Michael F. Thomas in 1977. As of the end of fiscal 1996, the Company operated
sixteen (16) car wash facilities, all of which provided other services. Ten (10)
of the car wash facilities also served as gas stations. In addition, Calibur
Systems operated three (3) gas stations which did not provide car washing
facilities. All of the car wash facilities and gas stations have convenience
stores and four (4) have a food court. Eight (8) of the car wash facilities also
provide express lubrication services. In addition, the Company opened its first
free standing lube center in Knoxville, Tennessee on Merchants Road in 1996. At
year end the Company had three additional free standing lube center locations
under construction. All three of these centers are on leased property. All of
the Company's facilities are located in Tennessee and Georgia. The Company owns
all but ten (10) of the facilities. Those ten (10) are leased by the Company,
three (3) from the controlling stockholder of the Company, Michael F. Thomas,
the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. After the
end of the year, the Company sold two of these facilities it owned to Mr.
Thomas. These facilities were located at Farragut, Tennessee which was a car
wash, food court, convenience store and Exxon branded gasoline station and
Cookeville, Tennessee which was a self-serve gasoline AMOCO branded station,
convenience store and free standing court. Both of these facilities were
operating at a loss. The Company was
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unable to refinance the mortgages on these properties and determined it was in
the best interests of the Company to sell them. See Item 12. "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions".
In January 1994, Calibur Systems signed an agreement with Pennzoil to
distribute Pennzoil gasoline and other products to retailers in the Company's
service area and to feature Pennzoil gasoline and other products on an exclusive
basis at Calibur Systems stations offering such products. In addition, Pennzoil
subsidized the conversion and re-imaging of Calibur Systems locations to provide
identification with the well-known and respected Pennzoil name, in order to
enhance Calibur Systems's image as well as providing a more uniform appearance
throughout the chain.
In October 1994 the Company entered into a Distributor Agreement with
Exxon Company, USA, for a three (3) year period, which expires on October 31,
1997. The agreement provides that the Company will convert two (2) existing
retail locations into Exxon brand locations, as well as acquire three (3) Exxon
retail locations. The five (5) Exxon outlets are to feature Exxon brand motor
products, accept Exxon credit card purchases, and bear the Exxon trademark. As
of the end of 1996 the Company had converted three (3) existing Company
locations to Exxon brand fuel locations and has begun operations of a fourth
Exxon brand location at a leased property. There can be no assurance that the
agreement with Exxon will be renewed when its expires.
The Company, through retail locations, provides full service car wash
facilities, car accessories, food, sundries and related convenience store items,
express lube and detail service, oil and related products and gasoline and
diesel fuel. The Company's primary customer is the car owner who wants the
professional touch in caring for their cars, whether it be a full service car
wash, a detail center or an express lube center, with access to convenience
store items and recognized car related products. There is also a special
emphasis placed on catering to women, since more and more today, women are
becoming involved in the various aspects of car care. The principal market for
these services and products is comprised of the residences and businesses
situated within a three mile radius of the particular location where these
services and products are available. Facilities are located at premium sites in
affluent neighborhoods. Calibur Systems has achieved a reputation for quality
and valuable name recognition in its services areas.
On June 29, 1993, TCS Systems, Inc., a Tennessee corporation ("TCS", of
which Michael F. Thomas, the President and CEO of the Company, is the sole
stockholder), granted the Company a license, for nominal consideration, to
manufacture and utilize car wash systems, cleaning soaps, waxes, and related
chemicals under the TCS name using the proprietary TCS design process for use at
the Company's locations. TCS was organized by Mr. Thomas in 1984. Previously,
the Company had purchased cleaning soaps, waxes, and related chemicals used in
its operations from TCS. Since July 1, 1993, certain former employees of TCS
have been employed by the Company, and the Company manufactures the TCS Car Wash
System (the "TCS System") and related cleaning soaps, waxes, and chemicals for
its own use.
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The TCS System is a computerized car wash system comprised of multi-use
arch systems, complete low-volume pumping systems, vacuum systems and
illuminating light columns and high pressure wash systems. The TCS System uses
biodegradable soaps and chemicals, water and air pumped through high pressure
and a series of cloth or foam appendages to clean the outside surface of each
car; no corrosive materials or brushes are used. There are thirty (31) TCS
Systems in operation throughout the United States, including those systems in
use by the Calibur Systems locations.
The Company sold approximately 4,150,000 and 4,600,000 gallons of
gasoline during the calendar years ended December 31, 1996 and December 31,
1995, respectively. The Company will determine on a case by case basis whether
or not to include gasoline sales at new locations.
Oil and Gas
In November 1993, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary
Jackson-United Petroleum Corporation, acquired approximately 33,000 acres under
lease in Jackson County, Kentucky, located in Central Kentucky, in consideration
of the issuance of Common Stock and Common Stock purchase warrants valued at
$2,000,000. During 1994 the Company acquired leases of an additional 28,000
acres adjoining its existing holdings, which brought the Company's total
holdings under lease to approximately 61,000 acres (the "Central Kentucky
Leases"). During 1996 the Company determined to allow the lease entered into in
1994 for approximately 28,000 acres to expire. In order to have extended that
lease the Company would have had to drill on unproven properties contained
within the leased acreage. No proven reserves were associated with that acreage
and management made the decision that drilling on the lease would not be in the
best interests of the Company.
The Central Kentucky Leases include an area known as the Gray Hawk
Field, a previously-producing 5,000 acre section of the lease. An engineering
report of this Field was prepared by Coburn Petroleum Engineering of Tulsa,
Oklahoma (the "Coburn Engineering Report") utilizing standard petroleum
engineering methods including volummetric analysis, pressure decline analysis
and analogy with comparable wells in the general area. In addition, the report
assumes that the Company will conduct a drilling program consisting of fifty
(50) wells, ten (10) wells per year over a five (5) year period.
According to the Coburn Engineering Report, gas was discovered in the
Coniferous Zone, 1,050 feet below the surface, in 1933 and some 1.3 million mcf
(million cubic feet) were produced between 1942 and 1945. The Gray Hawk Field
has been virtually abandoned since that time when only 29 wells were drilled.
Analysis indicates that a large amount of acreage in the Gray Hawk Field could
be productive in the Coniferous Zone. Reserves also include a 1991 discovery in
the Knox Formation at 3,500 feet which has never been developed.
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During fiscal years ended December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1994, the
Company drilled four (4) exploratory wells in the Gray Hawk Field. Natural gas
was discovered in three (3) of these wells, but no gas was discovered in the
fourth well. The Company did not engage in any drilling activity in the Gray
Hawk Field during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31,
1996.
As of the date of this report, although the Central Kentucky Leases
contain 5,000 proved acres, there has been no production of oil or gas by the
Company on this acreage.
In December 1994 the Company announced that it had signed an agreement
with Enron Oil & Gas of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ("Enron"), to engage in
drilling, development and production activities for existing oil and gas
interests of the Company in Kentucky, as well as to acquire and exploit
additional oil and gas properties in Kentucky. Subject to the terms of the
agreement, Enron was to be the operator of the oil and gas wells, and was to
drill a minimum of 115 wells over the ten (10) year term of the agreement,
subject to earlier termination as set forth therein. The Agreement had
contemplated that Enron would drill twenty (20) wells during the first year.
In May 1995 the Company and Enron agreed to terminate their agreement
as a result of depressed prices for natural gas and other unanticipated
difficulties. As a result of the termination of the agreement with Enron, the
Company has a much larger working interest in the Kentucky Leases. However,
without Enron to finance the drilling of the wells, the Company will require a
substantial capital infusion in order to conduct drilling operations. No
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to raise the required
capital. Alternatively, the Company will have to convey a portion of its
interests in order to have a third party conduct drilling operations.
In July 1994 Jackson-United signed an agreement with Varega Financial
Management of California ("Verega"), under which Verega committed to use its
best efforts to raise $1.5 million over the one year period commencing on August
1, 1994, which was later extended for a one (1) year period. To date Verega has
raised approximately $100,000 for Jackson-United and has drilled two (2)
exploratory wells, one of which was dry and one (1) of which contained natural
gas. During 1996 the well containing natural gas was connected to a pipeline and
placed into production.
If Verega can raise more than a nominal amount of capital, which
management believes is doubtful, then these funds may be used to complete up to
twenty (20) coniferous gas and/or oil wells in Jackson's leased acreage in the
Gray Hawk Field of Jackson County, Kentucky. Under this joint venture agreement
and in return for the financing of the drilling by Verega, fifty percent (50%)
of all net revenues and seventy-five percent (75%) of all tangible and
intangible losses will be assigned to Verega, with Jackson retaining the balance
for each well drilled under the agreement. However, no assurances can be given
that Verega will raise any additional funds for drilling.
10
<PAGE>
Management of the Company had previously anticipated that drilling in
the Gray Hawk Field would have commenced during the prior fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995. However, there has been no drilling in that field for the
past three fiscal years. Although management of the Company is reasonably
certain that marketable quantities of natural gas from its wells on the Gray
Hawk Field can be economically produced, the Company would be required to drill
a sufficient number of additional wells to reach a production level of
approximately one million cubic feet of gas per day prior to being allowed
access to the nearby pipeline by the owners of the pipeline. In order to attain
such production in this Field, the Company estimates it would have to drill at
least 30 additional wells at an approximate cost of two million dollars
($2,000,000). As a result, management has determined to pursue other
opportunities in the oil and gas industry with a potentially greater return.
In November 1995 the Company entered into a farmout agreement with Penn
Virginia Oil & Gas Corporation ("Penn Virginia") which allowed the Company to
drill three (3) wells in Eastern Kentucky on the Penn Virginia leases subject to
landowner royalties of approximately 12.5% and an overriding royalty to Penn
Virginia of 6.125%. During 1996 three (3) wells were drilled under the farmout
agreement and natural gas was discovered in each well. One of the wells was
placed in production in September 1996. The other two wells are awaiting
pipeline connection and are expected to be placed in production in 1997.
In addition, the Company drilled a fourth well in Eastern Kentucky on
property located in Martin County, Kentucky leased to the Company. The presence
of natural gas was discovered in this well. The well was connected to a pipeline
and placed in production in 1996.
In September 1996 the Company entered into a joint venture drilling
agreement with Kastle Resources Enterprises, Inc. ("Kastle") of Edinboro,
Pennsylvania to participate in the drilling of wells with Kastle in
Pennsylvania. During 1996 the Company acquired a 75% ownership interest in 16
wells drilled with Kastle in Pennsylvania under the joint venture agreement. The
wells were placed in production in the later part of 1996.
Management is actively seeking to acquire additional oil and gas
interests, as well as raise capital in order to continue with additional
drilling. No assurances can be given that any such leasehold interests will be
obtained; that the Company will be able to raise the capital required to operate
in the oil and gas business; or that assuming the oil and gas interests can
be acquired and capital raised, that the oil and gas interests can be profitably
exploited.
The Company is not a party to any contract or agreement obligating it
to provide a fixed and determinable quantity of oil or gas in the future.
Environmental Impact
The present and contemplated business operations of the Company are
subject to compliance with numerous federal, state and local environmental laws,
rules and regulations designed to protect the environment and require
remediation of environmental contamination.
11
<PAGE>
Many of these risks cannot be insured against, and when insurance is available,
the cost is often prohibitive. The Company does not carry any environmental
hazard insurance coverage.
Federal The federal government has broad discretion in matters
relating to the enforcement of environmental laws and remediation of
environmental contamination. Under the enabling statutes, the Environmental
Protection Agency (the "EPA") has the discretionary power to conduct
investigations into suspected violations, to enjoin questionable business
practices and to bring civil or criminal proceedings against persons or
companies that violate the federal environmental laws. While the Company
believes that its business operations are conducted in a manner that no laws,
rules or regulations are violated, there can be no assurance that the EPA will
not institute enforcement proceedings or conduct investigations and issue
injunctions against the Company, if it reaches a determination that its
practices violate applicable laws, rules or regulations. Any violations of these
regulations could have a material adverse effect on the business and financial
resources of the Company.
State Regulation In addition to the potential for EPA
regulation of the Company, many states have created administrative agencies that
have the statutory authority to regulate operations such as those conducted by
the Company, thereby increasing regulatory burdens on the Company. The adverse
impact these regulations will have on the Company's potential profitability
might preclude the Company from operating in certain markets.
Most states, including Georgia and Tennessee, the two states in which
the Company presently conducts its principal retail business operations, have
adopted statutes regulating installation of underground storage tanks for
gasoline, diesel fuel or other hazardous products, which contain stringent
guidelines relative to the location of such tanks to ground water resources,
tank design, tank composition, installation and leakage monitoring.
In Georgia, a fine of up to $10,000 per day per tank may be levied for
non-compliance. A tax equal to $0.002 per gallon for all fuel sales is deposited
in the Georgia Underground Storage Trust Fund ("GUS Trust Fund") to help
remediate environmental spills. Owners or operators owning less than one hundred
underground storage tanks are required to pay the first $10,000 in clean-up and
remediation expenses, and the total liability of the GUS Trust Fund is $1
million; if the owner or operator has in excess of two hundred underground
storage tanks, the total liability of the GUS Trust Fund is $2 million.
Registration of underground storage tanks is required, but there is no initial
or annual filing fee.
In Tennessee, a fine of up to $5,000 per day per tank may be levied for
non-compliance. A tax equal to $0.004 per gallon for all fuel sales is deposited
in the Petroleum Storage Tank Environmental Assurance Fund Commission
("Assurance Fund") to help remediate environmental spills. Owner or operators
owning six (6) or more underground storage tanks are required to pay the first
$25,000 in clean-up and remediation expenses. For owners or operators owning
less than one hundred underground storage tanks, the total liability of the
Assurance Fund is $1 million; if the owner or operator has in excess of two
hundred underground storage tanks, the total liability of the Assurance Fund is
$2 million. Tennessee law requires registration of all
12
<PAGE>
underground storage tanks and provides for the owner or operator to pay the
first $75,000 and everything over $1 million, and the first $150,000 and
everything over $1 million on third party claims. Each underground storage tank
must be registered at an annual fee of $100; the Company's estimated annual
expense for registration for underground storage tanks is approximately $3,600.
The Company estimates that it expends approximately fifty (50)
man-hours per month on environmental compliance, at an estimated cost of
approximately $1,000 per month. The Company believes it is presently in
compliance with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws,
rules or regulations. However, continued compliance or failure to comply with
future legislation may have a material adverse impact on the Company's present
and contemplated operations.
Potential Liability; No Insurance for Environmental Claims.
The Company does not presently maintain insurance and has not posted bonds in
material amounts to compensate for any environmental damage that may occur at
any of its retail business locations, or in the drilling of any oil or gas wells
other than the legally required insurance and/or cash bonds which assure that
funds will be available to plug any dry holes which might be drilled; the cost
of these types of insurance policies are deemed to be prohibitive, even if
available. However, liability may in some instances be limited in connection
with claims made against the GUS Trust Fund and Assurance Fund for environmental
spills. The Company does maintain general liability coverage for personal
injuries and damages occurring at its locations, and will review the possibility
of obtaining similar insurance for any contemplated oil and gas operations. Any
claim filed for environmental contamination at any business location of the
Company could have a materially adverse impact on the Company's financial
condition.
Competition
The Company's oil and gas exploration activities are a highly
competitive and speculative business. In seeking any other suitable oil and gas
properties for acquisition, or drill rig operators and related personnel and
equipment, the Company will be competing with a number of other companies,
including large oil and gas companies and other independent operators with
greater financial resources, and in many cases, management with more experience
in this industry. The Company's competitive position in the oil and gas industry
is not significant. The Company will be in direct competition with numerous oil
and gas companies in the acquisition of oil and gas properties, and the
availability of drilling rigs, including many companies with resources that are
substantially greater than those of the Company. No assurance can be given that
the Company can successfully compete with these companies.
The major competition in the markets where the Company presently has
operating locations generally follow regional guidelines. In central Tennessee,
there is no substantial direct competition for the Company's car washes. Exxon,
Amoco, Shell and Texaco compete in gasoline sales. Car wash competition in the
Chattanooga area include Eastgate, Hy's and King of Clean; in Knoxville, the
major competitor is the "Clean Machine"; oil and lube sales competitors are
13
<PAGE>
Mastercare, Express Lube, Jiffy Lube, Midas and Valvoline; gasoline sale
competitors are BP, Conoco, Texaco, Golden Gallon and Favorite Market. The
principal car wash competition in the Tri-City area is Southern Classic, Wash
Rite and West Market Street; oil and lube sales competition includes Magic Lube
and Jiffy Lube; and gasoline sales includes Chevron, United, Texaco and Amoco.
The Company believes its competitive position in the southeastern United States
in the car wash industry is number one; its competitive position in the express
lube and gasoline sales is not presently believed to be a significant one.
Employees
As of December 31, 1996, the Company employed one hundred thirty two
(132) full time personnel as follows: thirty-five (35) in management and
supervision; seventy nine (79) in sales and service; and eighteen (18) in
administration and clerical. In addition, the Company has approximately four
hundred (400) part time employees. Employee turnover is high, but is considered
within the norm for the car wash industry.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
The Company's executive offices consist of space located at 4867 North
Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee. These premises are leased from Michael F.
Thomas, the Company's President, CEO and Chairman, for a term ending in 2003, at
a monthly rental of approximately $3,735, which is subject to escalations. This
facility consists of office space of approximately 3125 square feet, warehouse
space of approximately 5,000 square feet and approximately 875 square feet of
storage space.
As of the end of fiscal 1996, the Company operated sixteen (16) car
wash facilities, all of which provided other services. Ten (10) of the car wash
facilities also serve as gas stations. In addition, Calibur Systems operated
three (3) gas stations which did not provide car washing facilities. All of the
car wash facilities and gas stations have convenience stores and four (4) have a
food court. Eight (8) of the car wash facilities also provide express
lubrication services. In addition, the Company opened its first free standing
lube center in Knoxville, Tennessee on Merchants Road in 1996. At year end the
Company had three additional free standing lube center locations under
construction. All three of these locations are on leased property. All of the
Company's facilities are located in Tennessee and Georgia. The Company owns all
but ten (10) of the facilities. Of the ten (10) leased by the Company, three
(3) are leased from the Company's President, CEO and a Director, Michael F.
Thomas. After the end of 1996, the Company sold two of these facilities to
Mr. Thomas. These facilities were located at Farragut, Tennessee which was a car
wash, food court, convenience store and Exxon branded gasoline station and
Cookeville, Tennessee which was a self-serve gasoline AMOCO branded station,
convenience store and free standing court. Both of these facilities were
operating at a loss. The Company was unable to refinance the mortgages on these
properties and determined it was in the
14
<PAGE>
best interests of the Company to sell them. See Item 12. "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions".
During 1996 the Company intends to upgrade existing locations by the
addition of several new services, such as convenience stores, lubrication
centers and gasoline facilities, and to add new locations with some or all of
such services. See Item 6, "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operation".
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nature of
Address and Interest Year
Location # Approximate in Operations
of Each Parcel Facilities Size land Monthly Rent Commenced
- -------------- ---------- ---- ---- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
#1 Self Serve Gas Land, 42,500 Fee Simple 1978
977 South Self Serve Car sq. ft. Mortgage as
Jefferson Wash Canopy, 3,500 of 12/31/96
Cookville, TN Convenience sq. ft. $883,622.47
38501 Store Bldg. #1,
1,600 sq. ft.
Bldg. #2,
3,000 sq. ft.
#2 Self Serve Gas Land, 30,000 Fee Simple 1980
795 South Full Serve Car sq. ft. Mortgage as
Jefferson Wash Canopy, 2,000 of 12/31/96
Cookville, TN sq. ft. $367,273.49
38501 Bldg., 3,500
sq. ft.
#3 Full Service Land, 33,000 Fee Simple 1983
917 Keith Car Wash sq. ft. Mortgage as
Street Express Lube Bldg., 4,456 of 12/31/96
Cleveland, TN Center sq. ft. 461,012.86
37311 Food Court
#4 Self Serve Gas Land, 54,000 Leased(1) $4,035.43 1984
8871 Kingston Full Service sq. ft.
Pike Car Wash Canopy, 2,000
Knoxville, TN Convenience sq. ft.
37923 Store Bldg., 3,600
sq. ft.
#5 Self Serve Gas Land, 62,500 Fee Simple 1984
1291 Oak Ridge Full Service sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Turnpike Car Wash Canopy, 2,000 $643,739.06(2)
Oak Ridge, TN Convenience sq. ft.
37830 Store Bldg., 3,600
sq. ft.
#6 Self Serve Gas Land, 90,000 Leased(3) See Note(3) 1984
4867 North Full Service sq. ft.
Broadway Car Wash Bldg. #1,
Knoxville, TN Express Lube 4,500 sq. ft.
37923 Center Bldg. #2,
Detail Shop 2,000 sq. ft.
Convenience Bldg. #3,
Store 12,000 sq. ft.
#7 Full Service Land, 42,000 Fee Simple 1985
1500 East Car Wash sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Stone Drive Bldg., 4,000 $420,707.82
Kingsport, TN sq. ft.
37660
#8 Full Service Land, (#8 and Leased(3) See Note(3) 1986
5909 Lee Car Wash #9)
Highway Express Lube 94,500 sq.
Chattanooga, TN and Detail ft.
37422 Center Bldg., 5,000
sq. ft.
#9 Full Service Land, (#8 and Leased(3) See Note(3) 1986
5907 Lee Gas #9)
Highway Convenience 94,500 sq.
Chattanooga, TN Store ft.
37422 Canopy, 4,000
sq. ft.
Bldg., 2,000
sq. ft.
#10 Self Serve Gas Land, 37,500 Leased(4) $5,000.00 1985
9213 Oak Ridge Convenience sq. ft.
Highway Store Canopy, 3,000
Oak Ridge, TN sq. ft.
37830 Bldg., 2,800
sq. ft.
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nature of
Address and Interest Year
Location # Approximate in Operations
of Each Parcel Facilities Size land Monthly Rent Commenced
- -------------- ---------- ---- ---- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
#11 Self Serve Gas Land, 54,000 Fee Simple 1987
4717 Hixson Full Service sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Pike Car Wash Canopy, 2,000 $545,289.25
Chattanooga, Express Lube sq. ft.
TN 37343 and Detail Bldg. #1,
Center 3,500 sq. ft.
Convenience Bldg. #2,
Store 2,200 sq. ft.
#12 Car Wash Land, 39,442 Leased (5) and 1750.00 1995
708 Parkway Express Lube sq. ft. Fee Simple
Seviereville, Bldg., 6,100 Mortgage as of 12/31/96
TN 37862 sq. ft. $598,767.13
#13 Self Serve Gas Land, 189,000 Fee Simple 1988
11133 Kingston Full Service sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Pike Car Wash Canopy, 4,000 $903,474.38
Knoxville, TN Detail Shop sq. ft.
37922 Convenience Bldg., 6,000
Store sq. ft.
#14 Self Serve Gas Land, 40,500 Fee Simple 1989
1107 West Full Service sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Market Car Wash Canopy, 2,000 $381,933.35
Johnson City, Detail Shop sq. ft.
TN 37601 Food Court Bldg., 4,500
Convenience sq. ft.
Store
#15 Self Serve Gas Land, 96,000 Fee Simple 1989
700 Full Service sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Battlefield Parkway Car Wash Canopy, 2,000 $622,742.39
Ft. Oglehorpe, Convenience sq. ft.
GA 37601 Store Bldg., 4,500
Express Lube sq. ft.
Center(under
construction)
#16 Full Service Land, 37,500 Fee Simple 1991
1330 West Car Wash sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Broad Street Detail Shop Canopy, 2,000 $396,023.28
Murfreesboro, sq. ft.
TN 37129 Bldg., 4,000
sq. ft.
#17 Full Service Land, 40,000 Fee Simple 1993
1014 East Car Wash sq. ft. Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Walnut Avenue Bldg., 4,300 $456,725.29
Dalton, GA sq. ft.
30721
#18 Self Service Land 45,280 Fee Simple 1994
5510 Memorial Gas sq. ft Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Drive Detail Shop Bldg. 6,000 $981,648.38
Atlanta, Convenience sq. ft.
Georgia 30083 Store
Full Service
Car Wash
Lube Center
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
#19 Self Service Land 45,280 Fee Simple 1994
3028 Canton Gas sq. ft Mortgage as of 12/31/96
Highway Convenience Bldg. 6,000 $967,919.92
Marietta, Store sq. ft.
Georgia 30066 Full Service
Car Wash
#20 Self Service Land 23,500 Lease(6) 1000.00 1995
8016 Kingston Car Wash sq. ft.
Pike [Express Lube Bldg.:
Knoxville, TN Center existing-900
37919 under sq. ft.
construction] proposed-2,056
sq. ft.
#21 Express Lube Land, 36,000 Leased(7) 4,475.00 1996
1039 Cosby Road Center sq. ft.
Newport, TN Bldg, 2,688
37821 sq. ft.
#22 Express Lube Land, 23,000 Leased(8) 3,750.00 under construction
2519 E. Morris Center sq. ft.
Blvd. Bldg, 2,688
Morristown, TN sq. ft.
#23 Express Lube Land, 10,675 Leased(9) 4,100.00 1996
816 Merchants Center sq. ft.
Road Bldg, 2,552
Knoxville, TN sq. ft.
37912
</TABLE>
(1) Ten years beginning October 21, 1983, with four five year options.
(2) Of this amount, a mortgage of $300,000 is held by Michael F. Thomas,
the Company's Chief Executive Officer, President and a Director. The balance of
this mortgage, as well as all the other mortgages are held by independent
financial institutions.
(3) Ten years beginning January, 1993, with a ten year option. Nos. 6, 8
and 9 are leased from Michael F. Thomas, the Company's Chief Executive Officer,
President and a Director, for the total amount of $27,000 per month. See Item 12
of this Report.
(4) Five years beginning July 1, 1983, with three five year options.
(5) Approximately one half of the Seivreville property is owned in fee
simple and the balance is leased for five year period beginning December 31,
1991 with five-year options and a right of first refusal to purchase such
property.
(6) Twelve years from February 12, 1996 together with two ten-year options.
(7) Fifteen year lease beginning upon completion of construction plus two
five year options.
(8) Fifteen year lease beginning upon completion of construction plus two
five year options
(9) The Company assumed a twenty year lease which began June 26, 1987.
18
<PAGE>
In November 1993, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary
Jackson-United Petroleum Corporation, acquired approximately 33,000 acres under
lease in Jackson County, Kentucky, located in central Kentucky, in consideration
of the issuance of Common Stock and Common Stock purchase warrants valued at
$2,000,000. During 1994 the Company acquired leases of an additional 28,000
acres adjoining its existing holdings, which brings the Company's total holdings
under lease to approximately 61,000 acres (the "Central Kentucky Leases").
During 1996 the Company determined to allow the lease entered into in 1994 for
approximately 28,000 acres to expire. In order to have extended that lease the
Company would have had to drill on unproven properties contained within the
leased acreage. No proven reserves were associated with that acreage and
management made the decision that drilling on the lease would not be in the best
interests of the Company.
The Central Kentucky Leases include an area known as the Gray Hawk
Field, a previously-producing 5,000 acre section of the lease. An engineering
report of this Field was prepared by Coburn Petroleum Engineering of Tulsa,
Oklahoma (the "Coburn Engineering Report"). The report was prepared utilizing
standard petroleum engineering methods including volummetric analysis, pressure
decline analysis and analogy with comparable wells in the general area. In
addition, the report assumes that the Company will conduct a drilling program
consisting of fifty (50) wells, ten (10) wells per year over a five (5) year
period.
According to the Coburn Engineering Report, gas was discovered in the
Coniferous Zone, 1,050 feet below the surface, in 1933 and some 1.3 million mcf
(million cubic feet) were produced between 1942 and 1945. The Gray Hawk Field
has been virtually abandoned since that time when only 29 wells were drilled.
Analysis indicates that a large amount of acreage in the Gray Hawk Field could
be productive in the Coniferous Zone. Reserves also include a 1991 discovery in
the Knox Formation at 3,500 feet which has never been developed.
During fiscal years ended December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1994, the
Company drilled four (4) exploratory wells in the Gray Hawk Field. Natural gas
was discovered in three (3) of these wells, but no gas was discovered in the
fourth well. The Company did not engage in any drilling activity in the Gray
Hawk Field during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31,
1996.
As of the date of this report, although the Central Kentucky Leases
contain 5,000 proved acres, there has been no production of oil or gas by the
Company on this acreage.
In December 1994 the Company announced that it had signed an agreement
with Enron Oil & Gas of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ("Enron"), to engage in
drilling, development and production activities for existing oil and gas
interests of the Company in Kentucky, as well as to acquire and exploit
additional oil and gas properties in Kentucky. Subject to the terms of the
agreement, Enron was to be the operator of the oil and gas wells, and was to
drill a minimum of 115 wells over the ten (10) year term of the agreement,
subject to earlier termination as set forth therein. The Agreement had
contemplated that Enron would drill twenty (20) wells during the first year.
19
<PAGE>
In May 1995 the Company and Enron agreed to terminate their agreement
as a result of depressed prices for natural gas and other unanticipated
difficulties. As a result of the termination of the agreement with Enron, the
Company has a much larger working interest in the Kentucky Leases. However,
without Enron to finance the drilling of the wells, the Company will require a
substantial capital infusion in order to conduct drilling operations. No
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to raise the required
capital. Alternatively, the Company will have to convey a portion of its
interests in order to have a third party conduct drilling operations.
In July 1994 Jackson-United signed an agreement with Varega Financial
Management of California ("Verega"), under which Verega committed to use its
best efforts to raise $1.5 million over the one year period commencing on August
1, 1994, which was later extended for a one (1) year period. To date Verega has
raised approximately $100,000 for Jackson-United and has drilled two (2)
exploratory wells, one of which was dry and one (1) of which contained natural
gas. During 1996 the well containing natural gas was connected to a pipeline and
placed into production.
If Verega can raise more than a nominal amount of capital, which
management believes is doubtful, then these funds may be used to complete up to
twenty (20) coniferous gas and/or oil wells in Jackson's leased acreage in the
Gray Hawk Field of Jackson County, Kentucky. Under this joint venture agreement
and in return for the financing of the drilling by Verega, fifty percent (50%)
of all net revenues and seventy-five percent (75%) of all tangible and
intangible losses will be assigned to Verega, with Jackson retaining the balance
for each well drilled under the agreement. However, no assurances can be given
that Verega will raise any additional funds for drilling.
Management of the Company had previously anticipated that drilling on
the Gray Hawk Field would have commenced during the prior fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995. However, there has been no drilling in that field for the
past three fiscal years. Although management of the Company is reasonably
certain that marketable quantities of natural gas from its wells on the Gray
Hawk Field can be economically produced, the Company would be required to drill
a sufficient number of additional wells to reach a production level of
approximately one million cubic feet of gas per day prior to being allowed
access to the nearby pipeline by the owners of the pipeline. In order to attain
such production in this Field, the Company estimates it would have to drill at
least 30 additional wells at an approximate cost of two million dollars
($2,000,000). As a result, management has determined to pursue other
opportunities in the oil and gas industry with a potentially greater return.
In November 1995 the Company entered into a farmout agreement with Penn
Virginia Oil & Gas Corporation ("Penn Virginia") which allowed the Company to
drill three (3) wells in Eastern Kentucky on the Penn Virginia leases subject to
landowner royalties of approximately 12.5% and an overriding royalty to Penn
Virginia of 6.125%. During 1996 three (3) wells were drilled under the farmout
agreement and natural gas was discovered in each well. One of the wells was
placed in production in September 1996. The other two wells are awaiting
pipeline connection and are expected to be placed in production in 1997.
20
<PAGE>
In addition, the Company drilled a fourth well in Eastern Kentucky on
property located in Martin County, Kentucky leased to the Company. The presence
of natural gas was discovered in this well. The well was connected to a pipeline
and placed in production in 1996.
In September 1996 the Company entered into a joint venture drilling
agreement with Kastle Resources Enterprises, Inc. ("Kastle") of Edinboro,
Pennsylvania to participate in the drilling of wells with Kastle in
Pennsylvania. During 1996 the Company acquired a 75% ownership interest in 16
wells drilled with Kastle in Pennsylvania under the joint venture agreement. The
wells were placed in production in the later part of 1996.
Management is actively seeking to acquire additional oil and gas
interests, as well as raise capital in order to continue with additional
drilling. No assurances can be given that any such leasehold interests will be
obtained; that the Company will be able to raise the capital required to operate
in the oil and gas business; or that assuming the oil and gas interests can
be acquired and capital raised, that the oil and gas interests can be profitably
exploited.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
1. The Company is named as a defendant in an action
commenced in New York State Supreme Court, New York County entitled Mantel
International Investments, Limited, Plaintiff, vs. United Petroleum Corporation
and Interwest Transfer Co., Inc., Defendants, Index No. 119965/96. Mantel
International Investments, Limited ("Plaintiff") is a British Virgin Islands
corporation with its principal place of business in Israel. In May, 1996
Plaintiff purchased $2,666,666 of 7% Convertible Debentures (the "Debenture")
offered by the Company pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended for the sum of $2,000,000. The Debenture was convertible
into common stock of the Company at the market price or $4.00 per share,
whichever is less. Plaintiff alleges in its complaint that on July 15, 1996 it
elected to convert $100,000 of the face amount of the Debenture into 45,454
shares of the Company's common stock at the conversion price of $2.20 per share.
Plaintiff further alleges that the Company and its transfer agent, Interwest
Transfer Co., Inc. ("Interwest"), refused to permit the conversion due to a
dispute that had arisen with respect to the price at which Plaintiff was
entitled to convert. As a result, Plaintiff claims an alleged settlement
agreement was entered into pursuant to which Plaintiff would convert the
Debenture at a price of $4.00 per share and receive options from the Company to
acquire a sufficient number of shares of the Company's common stock at a price
of $2.25 per share to offset any losses sustained by Plaintiff as a result of
converting the Debenture at a price of $4.00 per share. To effectuate the
conversion a stock certificate for 666,667 shares of the Company's common stock
was deposited with and held in escrow by Plaintiff's counsel.
Thereafter, Plaintiff alleges that it attempted to convert $1,600,000
of the Debenture into 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock in accordance
with the terms of the alleged settlement agreement. Plaintiff further alleges
that the Company and Interwest refused to permit
21
<PAGE>
the conversion. As a result, Plaintiff claims it was compelled to enter into a
second settlement agreement pursuant to which it was allowed to convert and sell
200,000 of the shares held in escrow and the remaining 446,667 escrowed shares
would be permitted by joint order of Plaintiff and the Company to be sold by
Plaintiff at the rate of 80,000 shares per month. In addition, Plaintiff claims
that pursuant to the alleged second agreement it would receive the options
granted to it under the purported prior settlement agreement. Plaintiff alleges
that the Company has refused, in violation of its obligations under the terms of
the alleged second settlement agreement, to execute a joint order releasing any
more of the shares being held in escrow. The complaint seeks specific
performance directing the Company and Interwest to release the shares held in
escrow to Plaintiff, as well as to issue the options Plaintiff claims it is
entitled to under the alleged prior settlement agreement. The complaint also
seeks damages against the Company in the amount of $2,000,0000.
The complaint was served with a motion for a preliminary injunction
requesting that the Company be directed to release the shares being held in
escrow to Plaintiff. The Company thereafter moved to dismiss the complaint on
the ground that the New York Court did not have jurisdiction over it.
Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction was denied . In its decision
denying the motion the Court stated that, "At this stage, these circumstances
make it appear unlikely that the Plaintiff will prevail on the merits." The
Court subsequently referred the Company's motion to dismiss for a hearing on the
issue of jurisdiction. The hearing has been scheduled, but as of this date, has
not taken place. If the matter can not be settled, the Company intends to pursue
its motion to dismiss. The Company believes that it will eventually be
successful in defending this claim since it believes that the Plaintiff violated
the terms of the subscription agreement it executed when it purchased the
Debenture wherein it represented, among other things, that it would not sell the
Company's stock short. Plaintiff has admitted it sold short Plaintiff's stock in
anticipation of the conversion of the Debenture.
2. The President and Secretary of the Company, who are also
directors of the Company, along with three former directors of the Company and
three other unrelated corporations are Defendants in a shareholders derivative
action commenced in the Chancery Court of Delaware entitled Viola J. Heitz,
Plaintiff, vs. Michael F. Thomas, William Ted Philips, Dwight F. Thomas, James
F. Rose, James R. Fitzgerald, TAJ Global Equities, Strategic Holdings Corp.,
National Financial Service Corporation, Defendants, Civil Action No. 15548-NC.
The Company is also named as a nominal Defendant in the action. The Plaintiff
alleges that the individual Defendants violated their fiduciary duty to the
Company's shareholders by authorizing and causing the Company to loan over
$10,000,000 to Strategic Holdings Corp. ("Strategic") to enable Strategic to pay
for over 3,000,000 shares of the Company's stock which had been purchased by
Defendant TAJ Global Equities ("TAJ") and placed in Strategic's account by TAJ
when it could not pay for those shares. Plaintiff claims that TAJ "parked" the
shares of the Company's stock it had purchased in Strategic's account with the
knowledge and consent of its clearing broker, Defendant National Financial
Service Corporation ("NFS"), although they knew that Strategic did not have the
assets to pay for these shares, in order to circumvent regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and National Association of Securities
Dealers which
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required either TAJ to pay for the shares or NFS to sell them in the open market
to cover TAJ's purchase. Plaintiff further alleges that the individual
Defendants agreed to cause the Company to loan Strategic the money to pay for
the shares to prevent TAJ and NFS from dumping these shares in the open market
in order to prevent a significant decline of the purchase price of the Company's
stock that would have resulted from such action, although they knew that
Strategic had no assets to repay the loan and the stock purchased with the loan
to Strategic was worth less than sixty percent of the amount of the loan made by
the Company to Strategic.
A motion to dismiss the action has been filed on behalf of the
individual Defendants and the Company on the grounds the Court lacks
jurisdiction over them, the Plaintiff should have made a demand upon the
Company's Board of Directors before commencing this action, and, alternatively,
to stay the action pending the outcome of an action filed by the Company against
TAJ, its principal shareholder, William Jurdine and NFS, in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee entitled United petroleum
Corporation, Plaintiff, vs. TAJ Global Equities, Inc., William Jurdine and
National Financial Service Corporation, Defendants, Case No. 3:97-CV-202, in
which the Company is seeking to recover the funds it loaned to Strategic to pay
for the stock purchased by TAJ, as well as all other monies advanced by the
Company to TAJ to repurchase the Company's stock for its account. The motion to
dismiss was only recently filed and the Plaintiff has not, as of this time,
submitted its answering papers to the motion. It is anticipated that the motion
to dismiss will be successful. In the event that its is not, the action will be
actively defended. In any event, any recovery made by the Plaintiff in the
shareholders' derivative action will not have to be paid by the Company, but by
the other Defendants for the benefit of the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
On December 3, 1996, the following corporate actions were authorized
pursuant to Delaware Law by the Company's Board of Directors and a majority of
the Company's shareholders by written consent without a meeting:
(1) The amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate") to increase the number of authorized outstanding shares of the
Company's stock to 60 million shares of which 10 million shares would be a new
class of preferred stock, $.01 par value, issuable by the Company's Board of
Directors in classes or series;
(2) The amendment of the Certificate to provide for a classified Board
of Directors and related matters including:
(a) classifying the Board of Directors into three classes, as
nearly equal in number as possible, with members of one of the three classes
being elected each year for a term of three years;
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(b) providing that any Director may be removed with or without
cause only with the approval of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power
of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
(c) providing that any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by
a vote of the majority of the Directors then in office, even though less than a
quorum;
(d) requiring that a special meeting of stockholders can only
be called by the chairman, the Board of Directors or at the request of the
holders of at least 35% of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting;
(e) requiring advance notice of stockholder introduction of
business at stockholder meetings; and
(f) increasing the stockholder vote required to alter, amend
or repeal the foregoing amendments to the Certificate from a majority to 75% of
the voting power of the Company.
(3) The amendment of the Certificate to clarify that the
Company is authorized to engage in any lawful activity; and
(4) To increase the size of the Board from five (5) to seven (7)
members.
An amended Certificate incorporating the foregoing amendments was filed
with the State of Delaware on March 18, 1997.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Company's common stock is presently traded on The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Small Cap, under the symbol UPET. Trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market
commenced in June 1995. All prices have been adjusted to give effect to the one
for three (1:3) reverse stock split effected in June 1995.
The range of high and low bid quotations for the Company's common stock
during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995 are set
forth below. Such bids represent prices between dealers without retail mark-up,
mark-down or commissions, and do not necessarily reflect actual transactions.
The bid prices for the Common Stock for the period June 1995 through December
31, 1996 are reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market, and the bid prices for the
Common Stock for the period prior to June 1995 shown below are reported by
market makers in the Company's common stock. Prior to listing of its common
stock on The Nasdaq, Stock Market, the Company's common stock was listed on the
"Electronic Bulletin Board" of the National Association of Securities Dealers
effective on February 24, 1994.
Fiscal Year Ended High Bid Low Bid
December 31, 1996
First Quarter $ 3.69 $ 2.00
Second Quarter $ 3.12 $ 1.75
Third Quarter $ 5.68 $ 1.87
Fourth Quarter $ 3.12 $ 0.21
Fiscal Year Ended High Bid Low Bid
December 31, 1995
First Quarter $ 7.20 $ 2.04
Second Quarter $ 6.75 $ 3.93
Third Quarter $ 7.00 $ 3.62
Fourth Quarter $ 6.25 $ 1.50
As of April 7, 1997, the number of shareholders of record of the
Company's Common Stock was four hundred eighty-three (483). Management believes
that there are approximately
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one thousand three hundred sixty two (1,362) beneficial owners of the Company's
shares of common stock.
The Company has paid no dividends since its inception. The loan
agreement between the Company and First American Bank prohibits the payment of
dividends in excess of fifty (50%) percent of net income without prior consent
of such bank. Further, Delaware Corporation law provides that dividends are to
be paid out of capital surplus only, and the declaration and payment of a
dividend must not render the Company insolvent.
The payment by the Company of dividends, if any, in the future, rests
within the discretion of its Board of Directors and will depend, among other
things, upon the Company's earnings, its capital requirements, its financial
condition and other relevant factors. By reason of the Company's present
financial status and its contemplated financial requirements, the Company does
not anticipate paying any dividends on its common stock during the foreseeable
future, but intends to retain any earnings for future expansion of its business.
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION
The Company realized a net loss of ($11,572,293) in 1996 as
compared to a net income of $180,536 in 1995. A summary of the comparative
results between fiscal year 1996 and fiscal year 1995 is as follows:
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Retail Car Wash and Related Automotive Services
Revenues were realized as follows:
Revenue 1996 1995
Gasoline $ 4,905,987 $ 5,188,348
Car Wash $ 5,641,815 $ 5,954,493
Oil & Lube $ 1,212,934 $ 863,692
Grocery $ 631,389 $ 683,682
Other Sales $ 843,857 $ 687,267
Credit Card Discounts $ (93,567) $ (79,673)
----------- -----------
$13,142,415 $13,297,809
The Company sold approximately 4,150,000 gallons of gasoline in 1996 as
compared to approximately 4,600,000 gallons in 1995. This represents a decrease
of approximately 450,000 gallons. A large portion of this decrease is attributed
to the fact that the Company closed several gasoline locations during 1996 in
order to update the underground tanks and lines.
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The updates represent the final improvements necessary to bring the Company's
gasoline locations up to 1998 standards. Management believes that the remaining
decrease in gasoline volume is attributed to the conversion of many Company
locations to Pennzoil gasoline as the Pennzoil name, although associated with
motor oil, has not been recognized by customers as being associated with
gasoline. The Company has no plans to add additional Pennzoil gasoline locations
at this time. During 1996 the Company converted two gasoline locations, formerly
branded Pennzoil, to branded Exxon locations. Volummes at each newly imaged
Exxon location have been increasing since the re-imaging. The decrease in volume
was partially offset by increased retail gasoline prices in 1996 as compared to
1995. Gasoline margins were 7.14% in 1996 as compared to 8.89% in 1995. The
decrease in margins is primarily attributed to aggressive gasoline pricing on
behalf of Company competitors which in turn required the Company to lower prices
beyond the desired levels in an attempt to maintain volume levels at each
location subject to extreme competition.
Same store car wash revenue decreased from $5,954,493 in 1995 to $5,641,815
in 1996. This represents a decrease of $312,678 or approximately 5.25% over the
previous fiscal year. No new car wash locations were built during 1996 nor are
there any plans to build any new car wash locations in 1997. Management believes
the decrease in revenues is primarily attributed to above average rain fall
which occurred in the Southeastern United States during 1996.
Oil and lube revenues increased to $1,212,934 in fiscal year 1996 as
compared to $863,692 in fiscal year 1995. This increase of $349,242 equates to
an increase of approximately 40.4% over the previous fiscal year. During 1996
the Company opened or acquired three new oil and lube centers as follows: (1)
one in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and (2) two locations in Knoxville, Tennessee. The
new lube centers accounted for approximately $87,022 of the increased revenues.
Increased utilization of the six existing Company oil and lube centers accounted
for the remaining increase of approximately $262,220 which equates to an
increase of approximately 30.4% in same store revenues. This trend is expected
to continue as oil and lube centers require two to three years to reach maximum
utilization. None of the new oil and lube centers were open for the full fiscal
year. The new locations were opened in July, September and December of 1996. At
year end the Company had four new lube centers under construction as follows:
(1) one in Knoxville, Tennessee, (2) one in Newport, Tennessee, (3) one in
Morristown, Tennessee and (4) one in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. Management
continues to be pleased with the continued growth of this division and expects
similar growth in 1997.
During 1997 the Company intends to open a minimum of four new oil and lube
centers. The status and location of each new location is as follows: (1) 8031
Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee - financing is in place and construction
is approximately 75% as of the date of this report; (2) 1039 Cosby Highway in
Newport, Tennessee - financing is in place and the location opened subsequent to
the year end and prior to the printing of this report; (3) 2519 E. Morris Blvd.
in Morristown, Tennessee - the majority of the financing is in place and
construction is approximately 75% complete as of the date of this report and (4)
700
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Battlefield Parkway in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia - financing is in place and
construction is approximately 60% complete as of the date of this report.
Additional new oil and lube locations are presently being reviewed by the
Company. The ability of the Company to add additional oil and lube locations
beyond the four already under construction will be subject to the availability
of appropriate financing. No assurance can be given that such financing will be
available to the Company.
Grocery revenues decreased to $631,389 in fiscal year 1996 as compared to
$683,682 in fiscal year 1995 which represents a decrease of approximately
$52,293 or 7.6%. Management believes that the decrease is primarily attributable
to construction at several of the locations during the year which negatively
influenced inside store sales.
Other sales increased to $843,857 in fiscal year 1996 as compared to
$687,267 in fiscal year 1995 for an increase of approximately $156,590 or 22.8%.
The increase is attributed to the addition of food court sales in the amount of
$171,517 which was partially off-set by a decrease in same store sales of
$14,927. During 1996 the Company opened three new food court operations at
existing Company locations. Operating results from these three new food court
operations as of the date of this report have been below expectation and
management is presently examining the marketing strategy regarding these
operations.
The subsidiary had a net loss of ($225,632) in fiscal year 1996 as compared
to a net income of $208,636 in fiscal year 1995. Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $3,067,305 in fiscal year 1996 as compared to
$2,905,774 in fiscal year 1995. Other income(expense) was ($588,976) in fiscal
year 1996 as compared to ($247,401) in fiscal year 1995. The primary difference
is attributed to a one time gain on the sale of real estate in the amount of
$241,783 which occurred in 1995. The subsidiary had a tax benefit of $74,000 in
fiscal year 1996. Included in expenses for 1996 were $88,276 in amortized costs
and $556,974 in depreciation.
In 1996 the Company continued to expand the Calibur Systems, Inc.
subsidiary. The following is a summary of the expansion:
(1) May 1996-The Company opened a new food court inside the existing
car wash and gasoline facility located in Farragut, Tennessee. The limited menu
food court offered T.J. Cinnamon's bakery products and gourmet coffees. The T.J.
Cinnamon's bakery was closed prior to the end of the year due to the fact that
the costs associated with the operation were prohibitive as compared to the
sales volume being achieved. Concurrent with the addition of the food court the
Company converted the location to a branded Exxon gasoline facility. Financing
for the improvements was provided by Kenesaw Leasing of Knoxville, Tennessee in
the form of a lease. Subsequent to the end of the year this location was sold to
Michael F. Thomas, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. See
"Item 12 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".
(2) July 1996-The Company opened a new two bay Pennzoil Ten Minute Lube
Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee which was constructed as an addition to the
Company's existing
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car wash facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. At present the location is performing
approximately 375 oil changes per month which is in line with the expectations
of management. Break-even is expected to occur at approximately 500 oil changes
per month. Management expects the location to achieve break-even status and be
profitable in fiscal year 1997. Concurrent with the addition of the new lube
center the Company converted the location to a branded Exxon gasoline facility.
This conversion required extensive remodeling of the facility including the
addition of a food court, a new gasoline canopy and a complete updating of all
gasoline equipment above and below ground. Financing for the improvements was
provided by Nations Bank in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the form of a term loan in
the amount of $360,000 amortized over a period of ten years with an interest
rate of 9.3%. The loan has a maturity of three years.
(3) July 1996-The Company purchased the land associated with the
Company's existing facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for $575,000 plus closing
costs of approximately $5,000. The Company had leased the property for
approximately ten years prior to the purchase. The annual rental payments were
approximately $50,000 per year prior to the purchase. No financing was required
as the acquisition was made in the form of a cash payment.
(4) July 1996-The Company opened its first free standing food court in
Cookeville, Tennessee. The food court was constructed on vacant land at one of
the Company's existing locations in Cookeville, Tennessee. The new food court
had an operating loss of approximately $10,000 in 1996. Financing was provided
for via a construction/permanent loan at Transfinancial Bank in Cookeville,
Tennessee in the amount of $890,000 (which included the pay-off of the existing
first mortgage) amortized over a period of fifteen years with an interest rate
of 9.25%. The loan has a maturity of five years. Subsequent to the end of 1996
this location was sold to Michael F. Thomas, the Company's President, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. See "Item 12 Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions".
(5) September 1996-The Company acquired a new two bay lube center
located at 816 Merchants drive in Knoxville, Tennessee. The location, formerly
branded Quaker State, was converted into a Pennzoil Ten Minute Lube Center by
the Company. This location had an operating loss of approximately $2,200 in
1996. Management is pleased with progress at this location and is expecting the
location to be profitable in 1997. No financing was required as the Company was
able to obtain the location by purchasing the inventory for approximately
$30,000 in the form of a cash payment and assuming the lease on the facility.
The lease is for twenty years beginning July 21, 1987 with a monthly lease
payment of $4,100. The lease contains an option for two additional five year
periods.
(6) December 1996-The Company began operations on a test basis of a new
Pennzoil Ten Minute Lube Center on Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The facility was leased from Michael F. Thomas, the Company's President and CEO,
on a month to month basis as of the end of the year. Management made the
decision to not to continue to
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operate at this location subsequent to the end of fiscal 1996 and ceased
operations at this location in January 1997.
Gas and Oil
Revenues were realized as follows:
Revenue 1996 1995
Natural Gas $90,899 $0
Oil $ 995 $0
------- ------
Total Revenues $91,894 $0
Natural gas revenue increased to $90,899 in fiscal year 1996 as compared to
$0 in fiscal year 1995. This increase is attributed to successful drilling
operations in both Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Oil revenue increased to $995 for fiscal year 1996 as compared to $0 in
fiscal year 1995. This increase is attributed to incidental oil production from
natural gas wells drilled by the Company in 1996.
The subsidiary had a net loss of ($35,133) for fiscal year 1996 as compared
to a net loss of ($42,696) in fiscal year 1995. Cost of sales for fiscal year
1996 was $5,725 as compared to $0 in fiscal year 1995. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the subsidiary were $132,282 for fiscal year 1996 as
compared to $42,696 in fiscal year 1995. Included in the selling, general and
administrative expenses for fiscal year 1996 is $58,056 which is depletion,
depreciation and amortization. The subsidiary had a tax benefit of $11,000 in
fiscal year 1996.
In 1996 the Company continued to expand the Jackson-United Petroleum
Corporation subsidiary. The following is a summary of the expansion:
(1) August 1996-The Company entered into a pilot participation
agreement with Western Engineering, Inc. (Western) related to a water-flood
project on leased properties of Western. The cost to the Company for this
participation interest was approximately $275,000. Under the terms of the
agreement Western receives the first 40 barrels of production per day and the
Company receives the next 55 barrels. Production above these levels are shared
equally between Western and the Company. The agreement grants the Company the
production described above for twenty-four (24) months or until the Company has
received $550,000. The agreement further provides that the Company will be
granted the exclusive right to participate in the continued development of the
Western field upon the successful completion of the pilot project. No revenue
was realized from this arrangement in 1996. No assurance can be given that the
pilot project will ultimately produce revenues for the Company.
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(2) September 1996-The Company placed the first of three wells drilled
under a farmout agreement with Penn Virginia Oil and Gas Corporation into
production. Revenues from this well totaled approximately $16,650 during 1996 on
a volume of approximately 7,595 MCF. The presence of natural gas was also
discovered in the two additional wells drilled under the farmout agreement.
However, these two wells are presently shut-in awaiting pipeline connection. The
costs to connect the remaining two wells to the pipeline are estimated to be
approximately $20,000 to $25,000. The cumulative costs associated with these
three wells totaled approximately $796,000.
(3) September 1996-The Company placed the only successful well drilled
under an agreement with Varega Financial Management into production. Revenues
from this well totaled approximately $5,400 during 1996 on volume of
approximately 2,600 MCF.
(4) October 1996-The Company placed the first four of sixteen wells
drilled under a joint venture agreement with Kastle Resources Enterprises, Inc.
into production. All sixteen of the wells were placed into production as of year
end 1996. Four of the wells were placed into production in October 1996, six
additional wells were placed into production in November 1996 and the remaining
six wells were placed into service in December 1996. Revenues from the sixteen
wells totaled approximately $58,100 in 1996 on a volume of approximately 36,900
MCF. Subsequent to the end of the year, the Company collected revenues of
approximately $31,500 for the month of January 1997 which represents revenues
from all sixteen wells. The cumulative costs associated with these sixteen wells
totaled approximately $3,000,000.
(5) October 1996-The Company participated in the drilling of three
wells in Ohio with Kastle Resources Enterprises, Inc. No presence of marketable
quantities of oil or natural gas was discovered in these wells. The cumulative
costs associated with these three wells totaled approximately $270,000.
(6) November 1996- The Company successfully completed a well on a lease
acquired by the Company in Martin County, Kentucky. The cumulative costs
associated with this well totaled approximately $205,000. Revenues from the well
in 1996 totaled approximately $12,000 on a volume of approximately 3,100 MCF.
These revenues represent production for only two months in 1996.
Selling, general and administrative expenses on a consolidated basis,
including the parent company and both subsidiaries, increased from $3,137,665 in
fiscal year 1995 to $4,014,670 in fiscal year 1997. This equates to an increase
of $877,005 or 27.9%. This increase can be attributed to many areas but the
greatest increases can be attributed to insurance, legal, professional fees,
accounting fees and wages.
Shareholder relations expense increased to $292,014 in fiscal year 1996 as
compared to $166,308 in fiscal year 1995.
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Non-recurring charges totaling $11,779,872 were expensed in fiscal year
1996 as compared to $0 in fiscal year 1995. These charges consisted of the
following: (1) the cost of withdrawn offerings was $97,919, (2) investment
banking expenses were $541,600, (3) guaranty fees of $98,682, and (4) a loss
recognized related to dealings with a brokerage firm in Tampa, Florida, TAJ
Global Equities, Inc. in the amount of $11,041,671. See "Item 1 Business,
Debenture Offering" and "Item 3 Legal Proceedings".
Provisions for income taxes in fiscal year 1996 resulted in a tax benefit
equal to ($3,480,000) due to the loss experienced in fiscal year 1996 as
compared to a provision for tax expense of $134,822 in fiscal year 1995.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
As of December 31, 1996 the financial condition of the Company had
deteriorated as compared to the year ended December 31, 1995. The working
capital deficit of approximately $495,000 as of December 31, 1995 increased to a
deficit of approximately $1,915,734 as of December 31, 1996. A substantial
portion of the increased deficit can be attributed to the following items: (1)
increases in accounts payable, (2) increases in accrued expenses and (3)
increases in current maturities of long term debt. The balance sheet experienced
significant deterioration as a result of the write off a note receivable in the
amount of approximately $11,041,671 See, "Item 1 Business, Debenture Offering."
The note is a non-recourse obligation executed by Strategic Holdings Corporation
and is secured by 1,834,407 shares of the Company's common stock. It was the
decision of management to report the full amount of the receivable as a loss
during fiscal year 1996. In the event of a recovery of all or a portion of the
funds, the Company will show a corresponding gain at the time of the recovery.
As of the date of this report a lawsuit has been filed in an attempt to recover
the $11,041,671. There can be no assurance that the receivable can or will be
collected by the Company.
The condition of the balance sheet and the losses sustained by the Company
in fiscal year 1996 have caused the Company to be in violation of loan covenants
with two of the Company's lenders. A loan in the approximate amount of $900,000
was called by First Tennessee Bank in Knoxville, Tennessee during third quarter
of 1996. The loan was secured by a first mortgage on the Company's Calibur
location in Farragut, Tennessee. As of year end the loan was in technical
default and the bank demanded that the Company pay-off the loan. Subsequent to
the end of the year and prior to the date of this report, the loan was paid in
full by the Company through the sale of the Farragut, Tennessee location to
Michael F. Thomas, the President and CEO of the Company. See "Item 12 Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions". The location was an excellent facility.
However, due to the fact that the location was highly leveraged and had a
negative cashflow after debt service in 1996 the sale of the location improved
the balance sheet and will have a positive effect on the cashflow of the Company
in 1997.
The financial condition of the Company was also in violation of the loan
covenants related to approximately $2,000,000 in loans from First American Bank
of Knoxville,
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Tennessee. Subsequent to the end of the quarter and prior to the date of this
report, First American Bank waived the violations of the loan covenants existing
at December 31, 1996. The majority of the loans with First American Bank are
first mortgage loans on real estate owned by the Company. One of the mortgages
matured on January 1, 1997 and was not renewed by the Bank. However, the Company
has a contract to sell a portion of the collateral for an amount sufficient to
retire the matured mortgage. The Company entered into a forbearance agreement
with the Company on April 7, 1997. The forbearance agreement allows the Company
a three month period of time to cause the matured loan to be paid in full. No
demand for payment has been issued by the Bank as of the date of this report.
During 1996 the Company completed the private placement of thirteen (13)
convertible debentures (the "Debentures") pursuant to an exemption from
registration afforded by Regulation S, as promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, under the Securities Act of 1933, with an aggregate face
value of $27,500,000. The net proceeds to the Company were approximately
$20,631,500 before expenses of approximately $2,890,000. Debentures with a face
value of approximately $14,200,000 carry an interest rate of seven percent (7%)
and the remaining debentures with a face value of approximately $13,300,000
carry an interest rate of six percent (6%). The debentures are convertible into
common stock of the Company. The conversion price is equal to one hundred
percent (100%) of the average market price per share as reported by NASDAQ for
the five (5) business days prior to conversion or $4.00 whichever is lower.
During 1996 approximately $10,000,000 face value of the debentures was
converted into 6,436,955 shares of the Company's common stock. Interest expense
totaled approximately $548,000 in 1996, of which $136,604 was paid for in
123,545 shares of the Company's common stock. Accrued and unpaid interest on the
debentures as of December 31, 1996 totaled $347,104.
Subsequent to the end of the year and prior to the date of this report,
debentures with an aggregate face value of approximately $667,600 were converted
into 1,411,840 shares of the Company's common stock. During this same period the
Company issued 93,230 shares of the Company's common stock as payment for
interest payable to debenture holders.
Subsequent to the end of the year and prior to the date of this report, the
Company has reached agreements with the majority of the debenture holders to
convert the majority of the debentures into preferred stock of the Company.
These conversions are expected to occur in the second quarter of 1997 and will
result in a substantial increase in the net worth of the Company and improve the
balance sheet.
During 1997, the Company will continue to seek additional sources of
capital or financing for the following reasons:
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(1) To increase overall balance sheet liquidity of the Company. Without
the necessary liquidity to be able to act quickly the Company is deprived of the
opportunity to make acquisitions that could prove beneficial.
(2) To further expand the Company's drilling programs and to acquire
producing oil and gas properties. Management is presently negotiating with
several firms in asset based lending segment of the oil and gas industry. Firms
of this type are willing to finance oil and gas properties based on the value of
each individual acquisition as opposed to requiring a fixed amount of equity. By
means of this type financing the Company may have the opportunity to acquire oil
and gas properties without the issuance of additional equity securities. Lenders
of this type are also accustomed to production payments as opposed to fixed
payments as required by more traditional lenders. This would allow the Company
to be assured of a positive cashflow associated with the properties being
acquired via this means of financing. There can be no assurance that the Company
will locate any attractive oil and gas acquisition candidates nor is there any
assurance that the appropriate capital and/or debt financing will be available
to the Company.
(3) Although the focus of the Company will be on the growth of the oil
and gas subsidiary, the Company will continue to look for attractive
acquisitions in the retail automotive subsidiary. In the event such an
opportunity should arise, capital would be required. There can be no assurance
that the Company will locate any attractive acquisition candidates for the
retail automotive subsidiary nor is there any assurance that appropriate equity
and/or debt financing will be available to the Company.
EXPANSION and CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
As of December 31, 1996 the Company is committed to certain expansion
projects in the retail subsidiary and they are as follows:
(1) The Company presently has a new Pennzoil Ten Minute Lube Center
under construction in Ft. Oglethorpe. Georgia. No further financing is required.
A construction and permanent loan was acquired from Northwest Georgia Bank in an
amount sufficient to cover the estimated costs of the project. No provisions
have been made for cost overruns which may occur related to this project.
(2) The Company presently has a new Pennzoil Ten Minute Lube Center
under construction in Morristown, Tennessee. This location is a "build to suit"
and is being leased by the Company. The lessor provided $135,000 in financing
for the project. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately
$200,000. The Company will be financing the remaining costs associated with this
project from cashflow.
(3) The Company presently has a new Pennzoil Ten Minute Lube Center
under construction on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee. Although this
location is being constructed on leased property the Company is responsible for
the development costs. No further financing is required. The Company obtained a
construction/permanent loan from
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<PAGE>
a division of Citicorp, N.A. in conjunction with a loan program sponsored by
Pennzoil prior to beginning construction in an amount sufficient to cover the
costs of the anticipated project costs.
(4) As of the date of this report, the Company has accounts payable in
the energy subsidiary of approximately $375,000 related to the drilling of wells
in Eastern Kentucky. The Company intends to leverage the producing wells in the
energy subsidiary during 1997 to enable the Company to pay the payables. No
assurance can be given that appropriate financing will become available in order
for the Company to pay the accounts payable in the energy subsidiary.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements and supplementary data commence on page F-1.
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENT WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
On July 15, 1996 the Board of Directors of the Company voted to dismiss
Dunn Cresswell Sparks Smith Horne & Downing (the "Dunn Cresswell Firm") as the
Company's certifying accountants. On the same day the Dunn Cresswell Firm
resigned.
During the two most recent fiscal years prior to the termination of the
Dunn Creswell Firm, and any subsequent interim periods preceding the termination
of its employment, there were no disagreements between the Company and the Dunn
Creswell Firm with respect to (i) auditing principles, (ii) practices and
financial statements, and, (iii) disclosure or auditing scope and procedure.
During the two most recent fiscal years and any subsequent interim
periods preceding its termination, the Dunn Creswell Firm, did not advise the
Company that: (i) internal controls necessary for the Company to develop
reliable financial statements did not exist; (ii) information had come to its
attention that had led it to no longer be able to rely on management's
representations or that it was unwilling to be associated with the financial
statements prepared by management; (iii) it needed to expand significantly the
scope of its audit, or that information had come to its attention during the
Company's two most recent fiscal years and any subsequent interim period
preceding the termination of its employment, that, if further investigated,
might materially impact the fairness or reliability of either a previously
issued audit report or the underlying financial statements, or the financial
statements issued or to be issued covering the fiscal periods subsequent to the
date of the most recent financial statements covered by an audit report,
including information that might prevent them from rendering an unqualified
audit report on those financial statements, or cause them to be unwilling to
rely on management's representations or be
35
<PAGE>
associated with the Company's financial statements; and, (iv) information had
come to its attention that it had concluded materially impacted the fairness or
reliability of either a previously issued audit report or the underlying
financial statements or the financial statements issued or to be issued covering
the fiscal periods subsequent to the date of the most recent financial
statements covered by an audit report (including information that, unless
resolved to the their satisfaction), would prevent them from rendering an
unqualified audit report on those financial statements.
On July 15, 1996 the Board of Directors of the Company voted to retain
the firm of Cooper & Lybrand to act as the Company's certifying accountants.
Coopers & Lybrand began conducting an audit of the Company's financial
statements for the period ending June 30, 1996 in anticipation of a registration
of the Company's securities which was eventually aborted. On November 18, 1996,
prior to the completion of the June 30, 1996 audit, Coopers & Lybrand resigned
as the Company's certifying accountants. Accordingly, a report for that period
did not issue. Coopers & Lybrand did not state that a report, if issued would
contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion or would be qualified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the interim period preceding the termination of Coopers &
Lybrand's employment, there were no disagreements between the Company and
Coopers & Lybrand with respect to (i) auditing principles, (ii) practices and
financial statements, and, (iii) disclosure or auditing scope and procedure.
During the interim period preceding the termination of Coopers &
Lybrand's employment, Coopers & Lybrand did not advise the Company that: (i)
internal controls necessary for the Company to develop reliable financial
statements did not exist; (ii) information had come to its attention that had
led it to no longer be able to rely on management's representations or that it
was unwilling to be associated with the financial statements prepared by
management; (iii) it needed to expand significantly the scope of its audit, or
that information had come to its attention during the interim period preceding
the termination of its employment, that, if further investigated, might
materially impact the fairness or reliability of either a previously issued
audit report or the underlying financial statements, or the financial statements
issued or to be issued covering the fiscal periods subsequent to the date of the
most recent financial statements covered by an audit report, including
information that might prevent them from rendering an unqualified audit report
on those financial statements, or cause them to be unwilling to rely on
management's representations or be associated with the Company's financial
statements; and, (iv) information had come to its attention that it had
concluded materially impacted the fairness or reliability of either a previously
issued audit report or the underlying financial statements or the financial
statements issued or to be issued covering the fiscal periods subsequent to the
date of the most recent financial statements covered by an audit report
(including information that, unless resolved to the their satisfaction), would
prevent them from rendering an unqualified audit report on those financial
statements.
On January 7, 1997, the Company engaged the firm of Reel & Swafford,
PLLC, of Nashville, Tennessee (the "New Accountants") as its new certifying
accountants. The principals of the New Accountants were formerly associated with
the Dunn Creswell Firm,
36
<PAGE>
the Company's prior certifying accountants firm and which firm had certified the
Company's financial statements for 1995.
37
<PAGE>
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE
WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each
current director and executive officer of the Company:
Name, Age and Address Position
Michael F. Thomas, 44 Chief Executive Officer, President and
4867 North Broadway Director
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Dwight S. Thomas, 44 Secretary, Treasurer and Director
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Walter L. Helton, 63 Director
c/o Tennessee Tech University
P.O. Box 5062
Cookeville, Tennessee 38505
Donald D. Patton, 42 Director and Executive Vice-President
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Neal S. Melnick, 50 Director
1518 Broadway N.
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
Arthur H. VanBuren, 31 Director
Suite # 10
118 South Dixie Hwy.
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
Charles S. Lobetti, 34 Chief Financial Officer
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
L. Douglas Keene, Jr., 43 Executive Vice President
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Michael F. Thomas and Dwight S. Thomas are cousins. There are no other
family relationships between any directors or executive officers of the Company.
Michael F. Thomas
Mr. Thomas, age 44, received a B.A. Degree in Accounting in 1975 from
Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee. He was the manager
of the finance
38
<PAGE>
billing department for the City of Cookeville from 1975 to 1976, and from 1976
to 1977, he was the department manager for Fleetguard, Inc., a manufacturer of
heavy-duty filters, which is a division of Cummins Engine. As department
manager, he supervised thirty employees and coordinated production. Mr. Thomas
founded Calibur Car Wash Systems, a predecessor of Calibur Systems, in 1977; he
operated Calibur Car Wash Systems as a sole proprietorship until organizing
Calibur Systems on October 1, 1992. In 1984, Mr. Thomas also formed TCS, which
designs, manufactures and sells car wash equipment and related supplies. In his
Form 5 filing for fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 which was not timely
filed, Mr. Thomas noted that he failed to file Form 4s reporting eight (8)
transactions during such fiscal year.
Dwight S. Thomas
Mr. Thomas, age 44, received an A.S. Degree in Criminology in 1975 and
a B.S. Degree in Sociology in 1977 from Tennessee Technological University in
Cookeville, Tennessee. From June, 1981 until March, 1987, he was location
manager for Calibur Car Wash Systems, responsible for approximately twenty
hourly employees, hiring, dismissals, training, labor, inventory controls, daily
reports, bank deposits, customer relations and quality control. From 1987 until
the present, he has been the District Manager for Calibur Car Wash Systems,
responsible for fifteen salaried managers, hiring and training managers and
communicating daily with the Company's locations. Mr. Thomas was also
responsible for implementing training programs for all phases of operations,
setting goal incentives for management programs and organizing and implementing
testing for OSHA guidelines.
Walter L. Helton
Mr. Helton, age 63, is the founder of the geology department at
Tennessee Tech University located in Cookeville, Tennessee and has been a member
of the faculty there since 1966. He earned a Doctorate in Geology from the
University of Tennessee in 1967. He has formerly served as a consultant to other
public companies such as Marathon Oil and as a consultant to numerous private
energy companies including B. Ray Thompson Coal Company. Among his other
accomplishments he is widely published in the energy field and has authored many
university level text books as well as been contacted to perform mapping
services for both the States of Tennessee and Kentucky Geological departments.
Donald D. Patton
Mr. Patton, age 42, joined the Company in August 1996 as an Executive
Vice-President concentrating on the oil and gas division. Mr. Patton has over
nineteen years of experience in the energy field with industry leading companies
such as Ashland Exploration, Inc., Union Texas Petroleum Corporation, Mosbacher
Energy Co. and Home Petroleum Corporation. He has been involved in a number of
significant acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures. He received a B.S. degree
from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate,
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<PAGE>
Tennessee in 1976 and an M.B.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas in
Houston, Texas in 1989. He is a Certified Professional Landman. For the five
years prior to joining the Company he was employed by Ashland Exploration, Inc.
involved primarily in the areas of acquisition and development. His experience
includes the Appalachian and Michigan Basins, Gulf Coast, the Rocky Mountain
Region, Texas, Canada and Offshore areas.
Neal S. Melnick
Mr. Melnick, age 50, is an attorney in private practice in Knoxville,
Tennessee specializing in the areas of business and commercial law. He received
a J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore in 1971. He was admitted to
practice in Maryland in 1971, the District of Columbia in 1978 and Tennessee in
1989. He is admitted to practice before the 4th, 6th and 11th United States
Court of Appeals, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals and the
United States Supreme Court. From 1978 to 1989 he was a member of the firm of
Weinstock, Stevens & Harris, P.A. located in Baltimore, Maryland. From 19789 to
1995 he was the senior partner of the firm of Melnick & Moore in Knoxville,
Tennessee. He has served on the Board of Governors of the American Bankruptcy
and Insolvency Section Council. In 1983, he was selected to represent the
Bankruptcy Trustee in the C.H. Butcher, Jr. case, involving the failure of
numerous banks and savings and loan associations in Tennessee. He has served on
the Board of Directors of Union County Bank and C&C Life Insurance Company. He
represents the Company in Tennessee regarding issues other than securities.
Arthur H. VanBuren.
Mr. VanBuren, age 31, is a certified public accountant with VanBuren &
Company located in Cookeville, Tennessee. He was formerly in the tax department
of Ernst & Young in Tampa, Florida. Mr. VanBuren represents the Company in their
tax matters, including preparation of the Company's federal and state income tax
returns. In 1987 he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the
University of Tennessee located in Knoxville, Tennessee and later received a
Master of Accountancy degree in 1988. Mr. VanBuren serves on the Board of
Directors of Short Bark Industries, L.L.C.
L. Douglas Keene, Jr.
Mr. Keene, age 43, received a B.S. Degree in Business Administration,
majoring in Banking and Finance, from the University of Tennessee in 1976. Mr.
Keene graduated from the Tennessee School of Banking at Vanderbilt University in
1980, where he achieved the highest score in his class. He graduated from the
National Commercial Lending School in Norman, Oklahoma in 1981. Mr. Keene's
banking career began in 1976 with the Citizens Bank in Pikeville, Kentucky. He
remained in the banking industry until April, 1985, when he resigned as Vice
President, Commercial Loans, at First Tennessee Bank in Knoxville, Tennessee, to
establish Keene Financial Corporation. He was the principal of Keene Financial
Corporation from April 1983 to August 1993, which was established to provide
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<PAGE>
mortgage banking services and financial consultation to entrepreneurs in the
Southeast. Mr. Keene joined the Company in August 1993. In his Form 5 filing for
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 which was not timely filed, Mr. Keene noted
that he failed to file a Form 4 reporting one (1) transaction during such fiscal
year.
Charles B. Lobetti
Mr. Lobetti, age 33, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the
State of Tennessee. He formerly served as President of Lobetti, Dunn, Creswell,
Sparks & Reel, P.C. ("LDCSR"), a Knoxville, Tennessee based Certified Public
Accounting Firm. During his employment with LDCSR he served as client service
executive to a diversified client base and was responsible for the delivery of
accounting, tax and consulting services to the Company. Prior to joining LDCSR,
he was employed by the Tampa, Florida offices of Ernst & Young, LLP as a Senior
Tax Consultant. Mr. Lobetti received both a B.S. Degree in Business
Administration and a Master of Accountancy Degree from the University of
Tennessee. He joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in January 1997.
There is no understanding or arrangement between any director or any
other persons pursuant to which such individual was or is to be selected as a
director or nominee of the Company.
Directors of the Company hold office for a term of three years, until
successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or
removal. The officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors and
hold office until their successors are elected and qualified, until their death
or until they resign or have been removed from office. All corporate officers
serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
41
<PAGE>
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded
to, earned by or paid to, the Company's Chief Executive Officer for services
rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during fiscal
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. No other executive
officer was paid or accrued compensation in excess of $100,000 per annum for
such fiscal years.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long Term Awards
Name and Year Salary Bonus Other Annual Number of All Other
Principal Position ($) ($) Compensation Options Compensation
($)(1)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael F. Thomas,(2) 1996 $300,000 -0- -0- 1,183,334(3) 98,682(4)
Chief Executive
Officer 1995 $300,000 -0- -0- -0- -0-
1994 $300,000 -0- -0- -0- -0-
</TABLE>
Compensation of Directors
During fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, all directors of the
Company were granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of restricted Common
Stock of the Company for a five year term at an exercise price for outside
directors equal to $0.38 and an exercise price to inside directors equal to
$1.00. The fair market value of the Company's stock at the time of grant,
December 17, 1996 was $0.38 per share. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year,
in January 1997 replacement options were granted with a lower exercise price of
$0.26 per share, the twenty day (20) average price of the Company's shares as
reported by NASDAQ. The lower price was granted to all directors with no
distinction as to whether the director was considered inside or
- --------
(1) For fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and
December 31, 1994, Mr. Thomas was paid the sum of $356,000, $324,000, $356,000,
respectively, which approximates the debt service for the lease of three Calibur
retail locations. See Item 12. "Certain Relationships and Related Party
Transactions".
(2) As of December 31, 1996, Mr. Thomas held 2,114,214 restricted
shares of the Company's Common Stock with an aggregate value of $591,979.92
based upon the closing price of $0.28 per share, as reported by The Nasdaq Stock
Market.
(3) Represents four (4) options granted to Mr. Thomas. All of which
have been replaced with options having a lower exercise price.
(4) Represents a one percent (1%) fee charged to the Company for Mr.
Thomas' personal guaranty of the Company's debt.
42
<PAGE>
outside the Company. The term of the replacement options remained the same as
the options which were replaced. The replacement options were granted in order
to provide the incentive for increased service to the Company by the option
holders, which was negated by the decline in the market price of the Company's
common stock.
Employment Agreements
On September 18, 1996 the Company entered into a five (5) year
employment agreement with Michael F. Thomas. The agreement provides that Mr.
Thomas will act as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company during
the term of the agreement. The agreement provides for the following
compensation: (1) an annual salary of $400,000 (it should be noted, however,
that Mr. Thomas and the Company agreed that Mr. Thomas' salary would continue at
its prior rate of $300,000 per year and he is currently being paid at that
rate); (2) an option to purchase 500,000 restricted shares of the Company's
common stock at the market price as of the date of the agreement (this option
has subsequently been repriced and presently has an exercise price equal to
$0.26 per share); (3) a Company provided automobile; and, (4) Company provided
health insurance.
Consulting Agreements
On April 17, 1996 the Company entered into a consulting agreement with
Strategic Holdings Corporation ("Strategic"). Strategic was to assist the
Company in the areas of enhancing its corporate image, increasing the number of
market makers in the Company's stock, improving investor relations and media
relations. In consideration for these services, the Company agreed to issue
Strategic warrants to purchase 1,125,000 shares of the Company's common stock at
the price of $2.25 per share. The agreement further provides that 350,000 of the
shares covered by the warrants would be from shares registered by the Company
pursuant to Regulation S-8. Subsequently, the Company and Strategic entered into
an escrow agreement in connection with a promissory note issued by Strategic to
the order of the Company. See "Item 1 - Business Debenture Offering". No shares
have been issued by the Company to Strategic subsequent to the execution of that
escrow agreement and it is not anticipated that the Company will issue any
further shares of its stock to Strategic.
On December 19, 1996 the Company entered into a consulting agreement
with Mongoose Investments, L.L.C. ("Mongoose"). The manager of Mongoose, Rick
Smyth, has experience in managing both public and private companies. He has
agreed to assist the Company in the areas of management, finance, corporate
governance, shareholders issues, corporate marketing and strategic planning. The
Agreement provides that the Company will pay Mongoose for its services at the
rate of $125 per hour with a minimum fee of $10,000 per month to be paid
one-half in cash and the balance in shares of the Company's stock registered
pursuant to Regulation S-8 at an agreed valuation of $1.00 per share. In
addition, the agreement provides that Mongoose shall have an option to acquire
500,000 shares of the Company's stock registered pursuant to
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<PAGE>
Regulation S-8. The option is exercisable at the price of $1.00 per share which
was above the market price on the date the option was granted. The option may be
exercised as follows: (1) 100,000 shares may be purchased at any time; (2)
100,000 shares may be purchased at any time after the market price of the
Company's stock reaches $2.00 per share; (3) 100,000 shares may be purchased at
any time after the market price of the Company's stock reaches $3.00 per share;
(4) 100,000 shares may be purchased at any time after the market price of the
Company's stock reaches $4.00 per share; and, (5) 100,000 shares may be
purchased at any time after the market price of the Company's stock reaches
$5.00 per share. The options expire as of December 31, 1999. The agreement is
for a term of one year and may be cancelled by the Company upon ninety (90) days
written notice. The Company has paid Mongoose for its services through March
1997 when, by mutual agreement, Mongoose ceased providing services to the
Company. At this time, it is not anticipated that any further payments will be
made by the Company to Mongoose.
The following table sets forth certain information relating to stock
option grants during Fiscal 1996 to the Company's Chief Executive Officer:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Individualized Grants
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Number of Securities Percent of Total Exercise or Expiration
Underlying Options/SARs Base Price Date
Options/SARs Granted to ($/Sh)
Granted (#) Employees in Fiscal
1996
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael F. Thomas 500,000 39% $3.25 09/18/06
50,000 $1.00 12/17/01
</TABLE>
44
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth certain information relating to option
exercises effected during Fiscal 1996, and the value of options held as of such
date by each of the Company's Chief
Executive Officer for Fiscal 1996:
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES FOR FISCAL 1996
AND YEAR END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value(5) of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1996
Name Shares Acquired VALUE ($) Exercisable/ Exercisable/
on Exercise REALIZED(6) Unexercisable Unexercisable
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael F. Thomas -0- -0- 1,183,334-0- $0/-0-
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth certain information regarding repricings
of o options held by all executive officers during the past fiscal year.
OPTION REPRICINGS DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996(7)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Date Number of Length of
Securities Market Price Exercise Original
Underlying of Stock at Price at Time Option Term
Options Time of of Repricing Remaining at
Repriced or Repricing or or New Exercise Date of
Amended (#) Amendment Amendment Price ($) Repricing or
($) ($) Amendment
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael F. Thomas 12/17/96 33,334 $0.38 $2.04 $1.00 9/7/99
600,000 $0.38 $2.00 $1.00 11/20/00
500,000 $0.38 $3.25 $1.00 9/18/06
1/22/97 33,334 $0.38 $1.00 $0.26 9/7/99
600,000 $0.38 $1.00 $0.26 11/20/00
500,000 $0.38 $1.00 $0.26 9/18/06
50,000 $0.38 $1.00 $0.26 12/17/01
</TABLE>
- --------
(5) Represents four (4) options granted to Mr. Thomas. As of the of end
of fiscal 1996 the market price of the Company's stock was less than the
exercise price of all these options. All of which were replaced in 1997 with a
lower exercise price which at the time was lower than the market price of the
Company's stock.
(6) Value realized in dollars is based upon the difference between the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise, and the exercise
price of the option.
(7) As adjusted to give effect to the one for three (1:3) reverse stock
split effected in June 1995. The replacement options were granted by the Company
in order to provide the incentive for increased services by the option holder
which was negated by the decline in the market price of the Company's stock.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 1996 by (i) those
persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the
total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each director and
executive officer, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:
Name and Address of Amount of Approximate
Beneficial Owner Beneficial Percent of Class
Ownership(8)
Michael F. Thomas 3,947,548(9) 25%
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Dwight S. Thomas 341,334(10) 2.4%
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Walter L. Helton 113,000(11) Less than 1%
c/o Tennessee Tech University
P.O. Box 5062
Cookeville, Tennessee 38505
Donald D. Patton 175,000(12) 1.2%
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Neal S. Melnick. 106,000(13) Less than .1%
1518 Broadway N.
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
- --------
(8) Unless otherwise stated, all shares of Common Stock are directly
held with sole voting and dispositive power.
(9) Consists of 2,114,214 shares held directly and options to purchase
1,833,334 shares.
(10) Consists of 8,000 shares held directly and options to purchase
333,334 shares.
(11) Consists of 63,000 shares held directly and options to purchase
50,000 shares.
(12) Consists of 25,000 shares held directly and options to purchase
150,000 shares.
(13) Consists of 56,000 shares held directly and options to purchase
50,000 shares.
46
<PAGE>
Arthur H. VanBuren 50,000(14) Less than 1%
Suite 10
South Dixie Hwy.
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
L. Douglas Keene, Jr. 302,000(15) 2.1%
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37928
Charles B. Lobetti 250,000(16) 1.8%
4867 N. Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
Strategic Holdings Corporation 1,834,407(17) 13.2%
8881 North Lake Dasha Drive
Plantation, Florida 33324
All Directors and Officers as a 5,284,882(18) 31.2%
Group (8 persons)
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following related party transactions were not negotiated or
consummated at arms' length, but management believes that such transactions were
favorable to the Company.
Leases
The Company leases three (3) of its retail car wash locations (see Item
2, Description of Properties, facility nos. 6, 8 and 9) from Mr. Thomas, the
Chairman of the Board, Chief
- --------
(14) Consists of options to purchase 50,000 shares.
(15) Consists of 52,000 shares held directly and options to purchase
250,000 shares.
(16) Consists of options to purchase 250,000 shares.
(17) These shares have been pledged by Strategic Holdings Corporation
("Strategic") as security for a promissory note executed on October 18, 1996 by
Strategic to the order of the Company in the amount of $10,776,660.90. These
shares are being held in escrow in connection with that transaction pursuant to
an escrow agreement between Strategic and the Company. The escrow agreement
provides that Strategic will execute a proxy in favor of the escrow agent for
all of these shares upon the request of the escrow agent. See "Item 1 -
Business, Debenture Offering.
(18) Consists of 2,318,214 shares held directly and options to purchase
2,966,668 shares.
47
<PAGE>
Executive Officer, President of the Company. The monthly rental for these
properties is $27,000. The lease payments on properties to Mr. Thomas for fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996 and fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 was
$356,000 and $324,000, respectively. The lease term for these properties run
through December 2002 and includes one ten year option renewal. Included in the
$356,000 for 1996 was $32,000 which was two monthly lease payments expensed
associated with the month to month lease of a property on Cumberland Avenue in
Knoxville, Tennessee. Effective January 1, 1997 the Company ceased operations at
this location.
In addition, the Company rents certain vehicles from Mr. Thomas, under
month-to-month operating leases. Expenses related to these transactions were
approximately $45,000 and $30,000 during fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and
December 31, 1995, respectively.
The Company has issued 48,149 shares of its common stock as partial
consideration for the sale to the Company of certain oil and gas lease rights by
Circle R Company. Of these shares, 31,482 were issued in fiscal 1996. The three
general partners of the Selling Security Holder are Gary Reece, A. Douglas Reece
and James L. Rose. James L. Rose is the father of a former director of the
Company, James R. Rose.
Acquisition of Retail Location and Equipment and Construction Activities
Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 1996 the Company sold two retail
facilities it owned to Mr. Thomas. These facilities were located at Farragut,
Tennessee which was a car wash, food court, convenience store and Exxon branded
gasoline station and Cookeville, Tennessee which was a self-serve gasoline AMOCO
branded station, convenience store and free standing court. The Farragut,
Tennessee location was sold for $1,140,000 on February 25, 1997 which was
slightly more than the appraised value of the property as obtained by the
Company from Hop Bailey & Company, an M.A.I. appraisal firm, in the amount of
$1,100,500. The Cookeville, Tennessee location was sold for $879,000 on March
16, 1997 which was slightly less than the appraised value of $961,500 as
obtained by the Company from the Furman Appraisal Agency in Cookeville,
Tennessee. Both of these facilities were operating at a loss. The Company was
unable to refinance the mortgages on these properties and determined it was in
the best interests of the Company to sell them. (see Item 2, Description of
Properties, facility nos. 1 and 13)
During fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 the Company sold at net book
value a planned retail outlet located in Knoxville, Tennessee that was under
construction to Mr. Thomas in exchange for his assumption of $286,000 of the
Company's debt on the property and the recognition of a receivable from Mr.
Thomas to the Company of $343,421. The aggregate sales price was $624,421 which
was higher than the appraised value of the property obtained by the Company from
Scott Collins, an M.A.I. appraiser located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Company
also borrowed $300,000 from Mr. Thomas during 1996 and the Company's Board of
Directors authorized payment in the amount of $99,000 to Mr. Thomas in
consideration for his personal guarantee of the payment of Company debt. Net
indebtedness to Mr. Thomas as of the end of fiscal year 1996 as a result of
these and other transactions was approximately $18,049.
48
<PAGE>
During fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 the Company acquired an
existing self-servicN car wash facility from Mr. Thomas. Financing for the
$200,000 purchase price was in the form of a loan assumption in the amount of
approximately $131,000 with the remaining balance of approximately $69,000 paid
by the Company in fiscal 1996.
TCS
On June 29, 1993, TCS Systems, Inc., a Tennessee corporation ("TCS", of
which Michael F. Thomas is the sole stockholder), granted the Company a license,
for nominal consideration, to manufacture and market car wash systems, cleaning
soaps, waxes, and related chemicals under the TCS name and using the proprietary
TCS design process for use at Company locations. TCS was organized by Mr. Thomas
in 1984. Previously, the Company had purchased cleaning soaps, waxes, and
related chemicals used in its operations from TCS. Since July 1, 1993, certain
employees of TCS have been employed by the Company, and the Company manufactures
the TCS Car Wash System (the "TCS System") and related cleaning soaps, waxes,
and chemicals for its own use.
During fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995,
the Company paid to TCS the sums of $182,603 and $290,521 relating to equipment
sales and construction activities, respectively, for Company retail locations.
Strategic Holdings Corporation
On April 17, 1996 the Company entered into a consulting agreement with
Strategic Holdings Corporation ("Strategic"). In consideration for Strategic's
services, the Company agreed to issue Strategic warrants to purchase 1,125,000
shares of the Company's common stock at the price of $2.25 per share. The
agreement further provides that 350,000 of the shares covered by the warrants
would be from shares registered by the Company pursuant to Regulation S-8.
In June 1996 Strategic Holdings Corporation ("Strategic") executed a
note to the Company in the amount of $100,000 in consideration for an advance
made by the Company to Strategic in that amount for expenses to be incurred by
Strategic on behalf of the Company in connection with a proposed secondary
public offering. In December 1996 Strategic executed a promissory note in the
amount of $10,776,660.90 to the order of the Company in connection with shares
of the Company's stock that were purchased either for its account by TAJ Global
Equities, Inc. or sold to Strategic by TAJ and which were paid for by the
Company. See "Item 1 - Business, Debenture Offering. Strategic also pledged
1,834,407 shares of the Company's stock which was still in its account with TAJ
to secure the note. The Company and Strategic further entered into an Escrow
Agreement which provided that 1,500,000 of the aforementioned shares held as
collateral for the note would be placed in escrow. The remaining 334,407 shares
would also be held in escrow as security for management fees due to Strategic.
The agreement provides that
49
<PAGE>
Strategic will receive a minimum of $465,000 or 5% of the sales price of such
shares whichever is greater, payable at a minimum of $200,000 in 1997 and
$265,000 in 1998. The Company also agreed to pay Strategic a management fee of
$5,000 per month for January and February, 1997 and $7,500 a month thereafter
for a minimum of one year or until such time as all of the collateral shares
have been sold or transferred, whichever is later. As of the date of this report
the Company has paid Strategic the sum of $15,000 under the terms of the
agreement. At present the Company has no plans to make any further payments to
Strategic pursuant to the agreement. At present all of the shares are held in
escrow by Neal Melnick, who is counsel to the Company and a Director of the
Company, in two certificates, both of which are in his name as Escrow Agent. The
Escrow Agreement further provides that the obligation of Strategic under the
note is non-recourse and that at the Company's request, Strategic must sell all
or any part of the collateral shares at such prices and to such persons as the
Company may designate, the proceeds of which will, after deduction for expenses
of sale be paid to the Company.
Subsequent to the execution of the aforementioned escrow agreement, the
Company has not issued any shares of its stock to Strategic pursuant to the
Consulting Agreement between the parties and it is not anticipated that the
Company will issue any further shares of its stock to Strategic.
Fees paid to Strategic in fiscal year 1996 in connection with
acquisitions and issuance of debentures totaled $875,000 and $787,500,
respectively.
Miscellaneous
The Company is one of the sponsors of an NHRA racing team headed by Mr.
Thomas. Advertising costs associated with the sponsorship of the racing team in
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 were $60,000. Advertising costs associated
with the sponsorship in 1996 were $64,767. The Board of Directors of the
Company had approved expenditures of up to $100,000 for the sponsorship in
fiscal 1996. The advertising associated with the racing team provided benefits
to the Company, i.e., it facilitated the Penzoil Distributorship as well as the
raising of private placement equity for the Company.
50
<PAGE>
PART IV
ITEM 13 EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
1. Financial Statements:
Balance Sheets
Statement of Income
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
Statements of Cash Flows
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedule II - Accounts Receivable from
Related Parties,
Underwriters, Promoters
and Employees other than
Related Parties
Schedule X - Supplementary Income Statement Information
3. Exhibits.
(a) The following documents heretofore filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are hereby incorporated by reference:
3.1 Initial Articles of Incorporation
3.2 Bylaws
(i) from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1991:
Exhibit Number and Description
3.3 Minutes of Special Meeting of Stockholders authorizing 6 for 1
forward split
3.4 Agreement and Certificate of Merger pursuant to which United
Petroleum Delaware merged into the Company
3.5 Certificate of Authority to do business in the State of Kentucky
3.6 Certificate of Amendment authorizing 1 for 10 reverse split
51
<PAGE>
3.7 Certificate of Withdrawal of authority to do business in the State
of Kentucky
3.8 Certificate of Amendment authorizing increase in capitalization to
50,000,000 shares
3.9 Amendment to the Bylaws
20 Notice to Stockholders
(ii) from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 22, 1993
Exhibit Number and Description
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger with following exhibits thereto
(not numbered in original filing)
Exhibit A Calibur Systems Stockholder
Exhibit B United Petroleum Audited Financial
Statements for the periods ended
June 30, 1992 and 1991
Exhibit C Exceptions to United Petroleum
Financial Statements
Exhibit D United Petroleum Material Contracts
Exhibit E-1 Calibur Systems Balance Sheet dated
October 1, 1992
Exhibit E-2 Depreciation Schedule listing real and
personal property to be assigned by the
Calibur Systems Stockholder to Calibur
Systems
Exhibit E-3 Real and personal property which is not
being assigned by the Calibur Systems
Stockholder to Calibur Systems
Exhibit F Exceptions to Calibur Systems Financial
Statements
Exhibit G Calibur Systems Material Contracts
Exhibit H Investment Letter
52
<PAGE>
Exhibit I Calibur Systems Compliance Certificate
Exhibit J United Petroleum Compliance Certificate
(iii) from the Company's Transition Report on Form 10-KSB for the
period June 30, 1993 to December 31, 1993:
Exhibit Number and Description
3.10 Certificate of Amendment authorizing 3 for 4 reverse split
(referred to in the original filing as number 3)
16.1 Letter of Rodes and Associates regarding change of accountants
16.2 Letter of Cherry Baekert & Holland regarding change of accountants
10.1 Jackson County Gas Purchase Agreement
10.2 Lease Agreement
29 Notice
2.3 Articles of Merger regarding the Plan (referred to in original
filing as number 30)
(iv) from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for fiscal year
ended December 31, 1993:
Exhibit Number and Description
10.3 Pennzoil Distributorship Agreement (referred to in original filing
as number 10)
20.1 Lease Schedule of Kentucky Leases
20.2 Engineering Evaluation of the Kentucky Oil and Gas Leases
23 Consent of R.W. Coburn, Registered Petroleum Engineer
99 October 15 Supplement to Confidential Limited Offering and Exchange
Offer Memorandum
(v) from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (date of report:
December 20, 1994):
53
<PAGE>
Exhibit Number and Description
10.4 Drilling & Exploration Agreement between Enron Oil & Gas Company,
Jackson- United Petroleum, Inc. and United Petroleum Corporation dated
November 15, 1994 (referred to in original filing as number 10.1)
(vi) from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994:
Exhibit Number and Description
4.0 1994 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan
4.1 1995 Amendment to 1994 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan
10.5 License Agreement dated June 29, 1993 between TCS Systems, Inc.
and Calibur System, Inc. (referred to in original filing as number
10.1)
10.6 Lease Modification Agreement dated as of May 1, 1994 between
Michael F. Thomas and Calibur Systems, Inc. (referred to in original
filing as number 10.2)
10.7 Distributor Sales Agreement dated October 26, 1994, between
Calibur Systems, Inc. and Exxon Company USA (referred to in original
filing as number 10.3)
23 Consent of R.W. Coburn, Registered Petroleum Engineer
99.1 Schedule of Kentucky Leases
(vii) from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995:
Exhibit Number and Description
99.2 Engineering Evaluation of the Kentucky Oil and Gas Leases
(viii) from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (date of report:
November 18, 1996):
Exhibit Number and Description
16.3 Letter dated February 20, 1997 from Morton S. Robson to Larry
Felts of Coopers & Lybrand (referred to as number 16.1 in original
filing)
54
<PAGE>
16.4 Letter dated February 28, 1997 from Coopers & Lybrand to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (referred to as number 16.2 in
original filing)
(b) The following documents are filed herewith:
Exhibit Number and Description
3.10 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation dated
March 14, 1997
10.8 Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Thomas
10.9 Promissory Note made by Strategic Holdings Corporation to the
order of the Company in the amount of $10,776,660.90 dated October 18,
1996
10.9.1 Security Agreement granted by Strategic Holdings Corporation to
the Company dated December 11, 1996
10.9.2 Joint Unanimous Written Consent of the Shareholders and
Directors of Strategic Holdings Corporation authorizing execution of
promissory note to the order of the Company in the amount of
$10,776,660.90
10.9.3 Escrow Agreement between The Company and Strategic Holdings
Corporation dated December 11, 1996
10.10 Consulting Agreement between the Company and Mongoose
Investments, L.L.C. dated December 18, 1996
21 List of Subsidiaries
55
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Michael F. Thomas
----------------------------
Michael F. Thomas, President
Dated: April 15, 1997
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in their capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
/s/Michael F. Thomas Chief Executive April 15, 1997
- ------------------------- Officer, and Director
Michael F. Thomas
/s/ Dwight S. Thomas Director April 15, 1997
- -------------------------
Dwight S. Thomas
Director April , 1997
- -------------------------
Walter L. Helton
Director April , 1997
- -------------------------
Donald D. Patton
/s/ Neal S. Melnick Director April 15, 1997
- -------------------------
Neal S. Melnick
/s/ Arthur H. VanBuren Director April 15, 1997
- -------------------------
Arthur H. VanBuren
/s/ Charles B. Lobetti Principal Financial April 16, 1997
- ------------------------- and Accounting Officer
Charles Lobetti
56
<PAGE>
REEL & SWAFFORD, PLLC
Certified Public Accountants
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Office Address Mailing Address
222 Second Avenue N., Suite 416 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants P. O. Box 198664
Nashville, Tennessee 37201 SEC Practice Section-AICPA Nashville, TN 37219-8664
(615) 242-0100 Telephone Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (615) 297-5215 Facsimile
</TABLE>
Independent Auditors' Consent
To the Board of Directors
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and the use
in the Form 10-KSB of United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries (UPET) of
our report dated April 3, 1997, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and the
related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the years then ended.
/s/ Reel & Swafford, PLLC
Certified Public Accountants
April 14, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nashville, Tennessee o Knoxville, Tennessee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
REEL & SWAFFORD, PLLC
Certified Public Accountants
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Office Address Mailing Address
222 Second Avenue N., Suite 416 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants P. O. Box 198664
Nashville, Tennessee 37201 SEC Practice Section-AICPA Nashville, TN 37219-8664
(615) 242-0100 Telephone Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (615) 297-5215 Facsimile
</TABLE>
Report of Independent Auditors
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of United Petroleum
Corporation and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. The financial
statements of United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31,
1995 were audited by other auditors whose report dated April 8, 1996, expressed
an unqualified opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of United Petroleum
Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
REEL & SWAFFORD, PLLC
Certified Public Accountants
Nashville, Tennessee
April 3, 1997
F 2
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash $ 19,759 $ 37,941
Marketable securities 122,373 -0-
Accounts and notes receivable 472,123 150,532
Inventories 634,265 572,808
Other current assets 71,081 452,937
----------------- -----------------
1,319,601 1,214,218
Property and Equipment
Gas and oil properties, net 8,236,094 3,050,680
Premises and equipment, net 12,875,902 11,026,031
Deferred Tax Assets 2,972,100 -0-
Intangibles and Other Assets 1,663,553 251,314
----------------- -----------------
Total Assets $ 27,067,250 $ 15,542,243
================= =================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $ 636,966 $ 602,137
Accrued expenses 678,533 337,503
Accrued federal and state income taxes -0- 5,160
Bank line of credit 250,000 250,000
Current maturities of long-term debt 1,669,836 514,968
----------------- -----------------
3,235,335 1,709,768
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt, less current maturities 22,229,143 8,359,890
Unearned revenue 200,000 200,000
Deferred Income Taxes 87,100 595,000
----------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities 25,751,578 10,864,658
----------------- -----------------
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares
authorized, issued 11,828,156 and 4,602,840 118,281 46,028
Additional paid-in capital 13,696,878 5,681,124
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit) (11,262,484) 309,809
----------------- -----------------
2,552,675 6,036,961
Less: Stockholder note receivable (1,237,003) (1,359,376)
----------------- -----------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 1,315,672 4,677,585
----------------- -----------------
$ 27,067,250 $ 15,542,243
================= =================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F 3
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Sales $ 13,234,309 $ 13,297,809
Cost of Sales 9,791,491 9,431,077
----------------- -----------------
Gross Profit 3,442,818 3,866,732
Operating Expenses
Selling, general and administrative 4,014,670 3,137,665
Shareholder relations expense 292,014 166,308
Non-recurring charges 11,779,872 -0-
----------------- -----------------
16,086,556 3,303,973
----------------- -----------------
Operating Income (Loss) (12,643,738) 562,759
----------------- -----------------
Other Income (Expense):
Lease and other income 93,666 34,717
Gain on sale of assets -0- 241,835
Amortization of loan costs (457,554) (41,804)
Interest expense, including amortization of discount
on convertible debentures of $950,418 in 1996 (2,044,667) (482,149)
----------------- -----------------
(2,408,555) (247,401)
----------------- -----------------
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes (15,052,293) 315,358
Provision for Income Taxes
Current 0 20,822
Deferred (3,480,000) 114,000
----------------- -----------------
(3,480,000) 134,822
----------------- -----------------
Net Income (Loss) $ (11,572,293) $ 180,536
================= =================
Earnings per Common and Common Equivalent Share $ (2.04) $ 0.05
================= =================
Earnings per Common Share - Assuming Issuance of
All Dilutive Contingent Shares $ (2.04) $ 0.05
================= =================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F 4
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Additional
------------------------------------------- Paid-In
Shares Amount Capital
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1995 3,413,992 $ 34,140 $ 3,004,449
Shares issued to effect
acquisitions of real estate 150,001 1,500 336,500
Shares issued related to
private placement 95,810 958 (958)
Shares issued for services 86,374 864 296,179
Shares issued for exercise of
options less registration
costs of $41,004 614,334 6,144 2,055,313
Shares cancelled in settlement
of receivable from stockholder (1,867) (19) (7,918)
Shares issued in cancellation of warrants 244,073 2,440 (2,440)
Rounding caused by split 123 1 (1)
Net income
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Balance, January 1, 1996 4,602,840 46,028 5,681,124
Shares issued to effect acquisitions
of oil and gas properties 384,982 3,850 951,173
Shares issued in cancellation of warrants 2,334 23 (23)
Shares issued for services 277,500 2,775 544,303
Shares issued to effect conversion
of debentures, net of costs of issuance,
discounts and fees of $3,707,298 6,436,955 64,370 6,228,332
Payments received on stockholder
note receivable
Shares issued in payment of interest
on debentures 123,545 1,235 129,369
Issuance of options to non-employees 162,600
Net loss
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 11,828,156 $ 118,281 $ 13,696,878
================= ================= =================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stockholder Total
Retained Earnings Note
(Accumulated Deficit) Receivable
-------------------- -------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1995 $ 129,273 $ -0- $ 3,167,862
Shares issued to effect
acquisitions of real estate 338,000
Shares issued related to
private placement 0
Shares issued for services 297,043
Shares issued for exercise of
options less registration
costs of $41,004 (1,359,376) 702,081
Shares cancelled in settlement
of receivable from stockholder (7,937)
Shares issued in cancellation of warrants 0
Rounding caused by split 0
Net income 180,536 180,536
----------------- ----------------- ----------------
Balance, January 1, 1996 309,809 (1,359,376) 4,677,585
Shares issued to effect acquisitions
of oil and gas properties 955,023
Shares issued in cancellation of warrants 0
Shares issued for services 547,078
Shares issued to effect conversion
of debentures, net of costs of issuance,
discounts and fees of $3,707,298 6,292,702
Payments received on stockholder
note receivable 122,373 122,373
Shares issued in payment of interest
on debentures 130,604
Issuance of options to non-employees 162,600
Net loss (11,572,293) (11,572,293)
----------------- ----------------- ----------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 $ (11,262,484) $ (1,237,003) $ 1,315,672
================= ================= ================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F 5
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Operating Activities
Net income (loss) $ (11,572,293) $ 180,536
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,074,549 507,589
Deferred income taxes (3,480,000) 114,000
Gain on sale of assets -0- (241,835)
Write-off of receivables 11,041,671 8,865
Write-off of prepaid costs for withdrawn offering 45,819 -0-
Stock and options issued for services 671,528 176,207
Stock issued in payment of interest 130,604 -0-
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in -
Notes and accounts receivable 1,830 (44,276)
Inventories (61,457) (164,245)
Other current assets 244,402 (69,744)
Increase (decrease) in -
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 370,699 332,445
Unearned revenue -0- 40,000
------------------- ------------------
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities (532,648) 839,542
------------------- ------------------
Investing Activities
Acquisition of gas and oil properties (4,289,237) (428,751)
Acquisition of other property and equipment (2,996,983) (3,114,154)
Investment in franchise rights and other (32,170) (39,704)
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets -0- 375,000
Investment in notes receivable (11,041,671) -0-
------------------- ------------------
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (18,360,061) (3,207,609)
------------------- ------------------
Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures
net of discount of $6,828,500 20,631,500 -0-
Payment of issuance cost of debentures (2,890,551) -0-
Proceeds from short-term borrowings 276,000 303,839
Repayments of short-term borrowings (276,000) (113,839)
Proceeds from issuance of debt 2,881,549 3,007,961
Principal payments on debt (1,747,971) (1,400,797)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock -0- 419,494
------------------- ------------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 18,874,527 2,216,658
------------------- ------------------
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (18,182) (151,409)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 37,941 189,350
------------------- ------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 19,759 $ 37,941
=================== ==================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F 6
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation - The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of United Petroleum Corporation and
its wholly owned subsidiaries, Calibur Systems, Inc. and Jackson-United
Petroleum Corporation (the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Results of operations of
companies purchased are included from the dates of acquisition.
Business Activities - The Company's business activities are conducted through
its subsidiaries and are contained within two primary industry segments. Calibur
Systems, Inc. operates convenience stores, express lube centers, and car washes
providing a variety of car wash and detail services, gasoline, automotive, food
and beverage and related products throughout middle and eastern Tennessee and
northern Georgia. Jackson-United Petroleum Corporation is in the business of
developing gas and oil properties and marketing gas and oil production. The
Company's gas and oil properties are located within the United States, primarily
in eastern Kentucky and western Pennsylvania, and include producing properties
and properties under development.
Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes its ownership interest in gas and
oil sales as revenue. It records revenues on an accrual basis, estimating
volumes and prices for any months for which actual information is not available.
If actual production sold differs from its allocable share of production in a
given period, such differences would be recognized as deferred or accounts
receivable.
Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results
inevitably will differ from those estimates and such differences may be material
to the financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers cash on hand, deposits in
banks, certificates of deposit and investments with original maturities of three
months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.
Marketable Securities - The Company carries marketable securities at current
market value as listed by national securities exchanges.
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost of
gasoline sales is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Cost of
convenience store sales is determined using the average retail cost method.
Property and Equipment -
Costs of Development and Expansion Activities The Company is currently
undertaking significant development and expansion activities to add new
retail outlets, modernize and expand existing locations, acquire additional
gas and oil properties, and continue development of existing gas and oil
properties. In connection with these activities, the Company is incurring
additional costs of staffing and overhead. It is the Company's policy to
allocate to these assets an estimate of incremental overhead costs.
Additionally, it is the Company's policy to capitalize the cost of the
estimated time of employees and independent contractors that are
specifically
F 7
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Costs of Development and Expansion Activities (continued) assigned to these
activities, including the Company's chief executive officer, to the assets
under construction or development. These costs totaled $818,538 for 1996 and
$846,730 for 1995.
Retail Operations Property and equipment are recorded at cost including
direct labor and allocations of overhead for internally constructed and
developed assets. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements are
capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs greater than $1,000
are capitalized. Other repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to
expense as incurred.
The Company generally depreciates property and equipment on a straight-line
basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets: 15 to 20 years
for used buildings and improvements, 6 to 10 years for equipment, 3 to 4
years for vehicles and 40 years for new construction.
Gas and Oil Properties The Company follows the full cost method of
accounting for gas and oil properties. Accordingly, all costs associated
with acquisition, exploration and development of gas and oil reserves,
including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized.
All capitalized costs of gas and oil properties, including the estimated
future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized on the
unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in
unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until
proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until
impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the
properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is added to the
capitalized costs to be amortized.
In addition, the capitalized costs are subject to a "ceiling test," which
basically limits such costs to the aggregate of the "estimated present
value," discounted using a 10-percent rate on future net revenues from
proved reserves, based on current economic and operating conditions, plus
lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties.
Capitalized Interest The Company capitalizes interest on construction in
progress and expenditures made in connection with exploration and
development projects that are not subject to current amortization. Interest
is capitalized only for the period that activities are in progress to bring
these projects to their intended use and is amortized over the expected life
of the related asset.
Loan and Debt Issuance Costs - Loan and debt issuance costs related to
financings are stated at cost and are amortized over the life of the obligation
using methods approximating the interest method. Upon retirement of the related
debt, any unamortized loan costs are charged to expense.
Income Taxes - Deferred taxes are provided in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards Number 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Deferred
taxes are provided for accumulated temporary differences due to basis
differences for assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax
purposes, including alternative minimum taxes. The Company's temporary
differences are primarily due to different financial reporting and tax methods
of accounting for depreciation and intangible drilling costs.
F 8
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Stock Options - The Company measures its equity transactions with non-employees
using the fair value based method of accounting prescribed by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123. The Company continues to use the
intrinsic value approach as prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25 in measuring equity
transactions with employees. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized for the stock option plan with employees.
Earnings per Share - Primary earnings per common and common equivalent share
were computed using the treasury method and by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents
outstanding at the end of December 31, 1996 and 1995. Fully diluted earnings per
share were computed by adjusting shares outstanding as if conversion of all
convertible debentures had occurred at December 31, 1996 based on conversion
terms of the debenture agreements.
Note 2 - Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Cash paid for:
Interest $ 986,359 $ 737,854
Interest capitalized 372,141 245,427
Income taxes -0- 5,719
Noncash transactions:
Sale of retail outlet to stockholder under debt
assumption agreement (Note l3) $609,421 $ -0-
Reduction of stockholder note receivable in exchange for
marketable securities 122,373 -0-
Prepaid issuance costs recognized through equity accounts 137,454 -0-
Issuance of common stock for -
Retail Outlets -0- 338,000
Debentures (Note 8) 6,292,702 -0-
Services, net of amounts capitalized as retail property,
plant and equipment; oil and gas properties; and
other assets (Note 11) 671,528 212,957
Acquisition of gas and oil properties (Note 3) 955,023 82,800
Property, plant and equipment 28,400 92,051
Other assets 9,750 14,300
Other current assets -0- 196,002
Settlement of accounts payable -0- 18,268
Other 23 7,956
</TABLE>
F 9
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 3 - Acquisitions and Arrangements for Oil & Gas Properties
During 1996 and 1995, the Company acquired working and participating interests
and entered into a farmout agreement in various gas and oil properties as
follows.
Penn Virginia - In November 1995, the Company entered into a farmout agreement
with Penn Virginia Oil & Gas Corporation that permits the Company to drill up to
three wells in Eastern Kentucky on proved undeveloped properties. During 1996,
the Company successfully completed the wells related to this agreement. The
cumulative costs of these wells totaled approximately $796,000. Revenue from
production of one of these wells totaled $16,650 for 1996. The other two wells
did not produce revenue in 1996 and are presently awaiting pipeline.
Eastern Kentucky - During 1996, the Company acquired a lease in Martin County,
Kentucky and successfully completed one well at an approximate cost of $205,000
which produced revenues of approximately $12,000 in 1996.
Central Kentucky - During 1996 and 1995, the Company participated in the
drilling and completion of a well in Clay County, Kentucky. Cumulative costs for
this well approximated $75,000 and revenue from the well totaled $5,500 for
1996.
Pennsylvania - In September 1996, the Company entered into a joint venture
agreement with Kastle Resources Enterprises, Inc. (Kastle) which provides the
Company with a seventy-five percent (75%) ownership of each of the sixteen (16)
wells drilled and completed under the terms of the agreement. The Company's cost
for these wells approximated $3,000,000. The Company is responsible for its pro
rata share of the cost of operations. The wells are located in Crawford County,
Pennsylvania. Revenue from these wells totaled approximately $58,000.
Ohio - During 1996, the Company participated in the drilling of three wells in
Ohio under the Kastle joint venture agreement at an approximate cost of
$270,000. No presence of marketable quantities of hydrocarbons was discovered in
these wells.
Missouri - In August 1996, the Company entered into a pilot participation
agreement with Western Engineering, Inc. (Western) related to a water-flood
project on leased properties of Western. The cost to the Company for this
participation interest was approximately $275,000. Under the terms of the
agreement, Western receives the first forty (40) barrels of production per day
and the Company receives the next fifty-five (55) barrels. Production above
these levels are shared equally between Western and the Company. The agreement
grants the Company the production described above for twenty-four (24) months or
until the Company has received $550,000. The agreement further provides that the
Company will be granted the exclusive right to participate in the continued
development of the Western field upon the successful completion of the pilot
project. No revenue was realized from this arrangement in 1996.
Fees and costs to brokers and others associated with the acquisitions discussed
above totaling approximately $884,000 were paid in 384,982 shares of the
Company's common stock.
F 10
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 4 - Information About Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains cash on deposit at various financial institutions, each
having federal deposit insurance of $100,000 to benefit the Company and each of
its subsidiaries.
Note 5 - Property and Equipment
Gas and Oil Properties - The Company's gas and oil properties are located within
the United States and consist of the following:
States and consist of the following
1996 1995
---- ----
Costs incurred -
Leasehold properties
Proved $ 478,424 $ 452,738
Unproved 70,835 -0-
Exploration costs -0- -0-
Development costs 4,694,210 58,813
---------- -----------
$5,243,469 $ 511,551
========== ===========
Capitalized Costs
Proved properties not subject to amortization $4,441,801 $ 2,925,680
Proved properties being amortized 3,656,514 -0-
Unproved properties 195,835 125,000
Less accumulated amortization (58,056) -0-
---------- -----------
Net capitalized costs $8,236,094 $ 3,050,680
========== ===========
Initial production from the Company's gas and oil properties commenced in
October 1996, and total revenues and associated production costs for 1996
totaled approximately $91,894 and $5,725 respectively.
Premises and equipment - Premises and equipment at December 31 consisted of
the following:
1996 1995
---- ----
Land and buildings $ 8,863,547 $ 7,850,927
Leasehold, paving and other improvements 1,783,707 1,526,371
Fixtures and equipment 6,633,280 5,825,605
Vehicles 144,996 97,301
Construction in progress 530,538 239,902
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (5,080,166) (4,514,075)
------------ -----------
$ 12,875,902 $11,026,031
============ ===========
F 11
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 5 - Property and Equipment- Continued
Premises and equipment (continued) - Depreciation expense for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995 totaled $566,091 and $465,785, respectively
Note 6 - Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following:
1996 1995
---------- ----------
Other Current Assets
Prepaid offering costs $ -0- $ 127,456
Prepaid shareholder relations 26,606 186,278
Other prepaid expenses 44,475 139,203
--------- ---------
$ 71,081 $ 452,937
========= =========
Intangibles and Other Assets
Debenture issuance and loan costs, less
accumulated amortization of $626,200
and $145,911 $1,568,809 $ 179,585
Franchise costs, less amortization of
$18,905 in 1996 75,618 54,004
Deposits 19,126 17,725
--------- ---------
$1,663,553 $ 251,314
========= =========
Amortization expense for intangibles and other assets totaled $499,194 and
$41,804 in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Note 7 - Line of Credit
The Company had short-term borrowings of $250,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
on a revolving bank line of credit. The line bears interest at prime plus 1% and
is secured by inventory and receivables. Maximum borrowings under the line are
$250,000.
Note 8 - Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt is summarized as follows:
1996 1995
---------- ----------
Convertible debentures, maturing from
May, 1998, through October, 1998,
with coupon rates ranging from 6.0%
to 7.0%, net of discount of
$3,412,385 $14,087,615 $ -0-
F 12
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 8 - Long-Term Debt -Continued
1996 1995
---------- ----------
Bank installment notes -
Payable $57,840 monthly including
interest at rates ranging from
7.4% to 9.5% $ 5,402,875 $ 4,659,408
Payable $46,170 monthly plus interest
at rates ranging from prime plus
.75% to prime plus 2% 3,587,436 3,329,976
Notes payable on seller financed real
estate payable $7,490 monthly with an
interest rate of 10% -0- 484,219
Notes payable to suppliers, payable
$11,871 monthly including interest at
rates ranging from 8% to 12%. 417,546 272,638
Note payable to stockholder, interest
payable monthly at 9% 300,000 -0-
Obligations under capital leases, payable
$3,311 monthly with an interest rate
of 12.45% 103,507 128,617
---------- ----------
23,898,979 8,874,858
Less current maturities (1,669,836) (514,968)
---------- ----------
$22,229,143 $ 8,359,890
========== ==========
Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
Year Ending
- -----------
1997 $ 1,669,836
1998 14,861,962
1999 3,146,092
2000 1,575,927
2001 697,009
Thereafter 1,948,153
------------
23,898,979
Less current maturities (1,669,836)
------------
Long-term debt $ 22,229,143
============
The convertible debentures represent the carrying balance of debentures in the
original face amount of $27,500,000 issued between May and November 1996 in
connection with a Regulation-S offering. Proceeds of the offering totaled
$20,631,500 net of discount, with issuance costs totaling
F 13
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 8 - Long-Term Debt -Continued
approximately $2,890,000. Interest on the debentures is due quarterly at rates
ranging from 6% to 7% of the face amount of the debentures and is generally
payable in cash or shares of the Company's common stock at the Company's
election. If not otherwise converted, the debentures mature two years from date
of issuance. Debenture holders may request conversion into shares of the
Company's common stock after passage of the statutory holding period (generally
forty-five days from date of issuance). After one year from date of issuance,
the Company may require conversion of the debentures into common stock. The
debentures are generally convertible at a price determined by the average of the
closing bid prices as quoted by NASDAQ for the five days previous to the
election to convert.
During 1996, approximately $10,000,000 face value of the debentures was
converted into 6,436,955 shares of the Company's common stock. Interest expense
associated with the debentures totaled approximately $548,000 for 1996, of which
$136,604 was paid for in 123,545 shares of the Company's common stock. Accrued
and unpaid interest on the debentures as of December 31, 1996 totaled $347,104,
In the last quarter of 1996 the Company was in dispute with a number of the
debenture holders with regard to required conversions. As discussed in Note 15,
the Company subsequently reached an agreement in principal with substantially
all of the debenture holders resolving the disputes and providing for the
immediate conversion of a majority of the balance of the debentures into equity
securities of the Company.
Substantially all of the Company's assets are pledged as collateral for
long-term borrowings other than the convertible debentures.
Additionally, some of the note obligations contain covenants regarding certain
financial statement amounts, ratios and activities of the Company. At December
31, 1996, the Company had obtained waivers for all such covenants for which they
were in technical default.
As discussed further in Note 15, in early 1997 the Company had either entered
into agreements for sales or had sold retail outlets with accompanying related
debt of approximately $2.4 million included in the balance sheet at December 31,
1996. Had these transactions taken place in 1996, maturities in 1997 would have
been approximately $450,000 less than as scheduled above.
Note 9 - Commitments
The Company leases a portion of its equipment and facilities under operating and
capital leases (Note 8). Rental expense related to operating leases totaled
$733,885 and $607,094 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases having
initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December
31, 1996, are as follows:
F 14
<PAGE>
Note 9 - Commitments -Continued
Year Ending
-----------
1997 $ 624,704
1998 553,526
1999 509,340
2000 509,340
2001 509,340
Thereafter 1,527,100
----------
$4,233,350
==========
The Company has ongoing operating agreements with Pennzoil Products Company,
Inc., through which the Company acts as a regional distributor and retail vendor
of Pennzoil gasoline. Under terms of the agreements Pennzoil has provided
$200,000 in front-end purchase discounts to be earned ratably by the Company
over the period of the agreement. Should the Company fail to reach certain
annual sales levels in 1997, and years subsequent, the Company may be liable to
remit the shortfall, as calculated under a controlling formula.
Note 10 - Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:
1996 1995
---------- ---------
Current portion
Federal $ -0- $ -0-
State -0- 20,822
------------- ----------
-0- 20,822
------------- ----------
Deferred
Federal (3,457,000) 87,000
State (23,000) 27,000
------------- ----------
(3,480,000) 114,000
------------- ----------
$ (3,480,000) $ 134,822
============= ==========
A reconciliation of the expected federal tax expense, based on the federal
statutory rate of 34%, to the actual consolidated tax expense for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, is as follows:
F 15
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 10 - Income Taxes - Continued
1996 1995
------------ ----------
Expected federal tax expense (benefit) $ (5,118,000) $ 107,100
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
Reversal of tax depreciation in excess of
book depreciation 654,810 -0-
Reversal of intangible drilling costs
deducted for tax purposes 1,125,352 -0-
Benefit of federal and state net operating
loss carryforwards (124,780) (25,000)
Effect of reversal at lesser tax bracket 602,092 (12,100)
State taxes, net of federal effect (602,393) 60,622
Other (17,081) 4,200
----------- ----------
$ (3,480,000) $ 134,822
The tax effects of temporary differences were as follows:
Deferred tax asset:
1996 1995
------------ ----------
Depreciation $ (654,810) $ -0-
Intangible drilling costs (1,125,352) -0-
Net operating loss carryforwards 4,742,802 -0-
AMT credit carryforwards 9,460 -0-
----------- ---------
Net Deferred Tax Asset $ 2,972,100 $ -0-
=========== =========
Deferred Tax Liability:
1996 1995
------------ ----------
Depreciation $ (130,962) $ 611,200
Intangible drilling costs (225,070) 107,700
Net operating loss carryforwards 268,932 (114,500)
AMT credit carryforwards -0- (9,400)
----------- ---------
Net Deferred Tax Liability $ (87,100) $ 595,000
=========== =========
The Company has available net operating loss carryforwards, resulting primarily
from non-recurring charges in 1996 and excess depreciation and intangible
drilling costs, of approximately $15,809,339, $83,000 and $284,000 from the
years 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The carryforwards expire in the years
2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
F 16
<PAGE>
Note 11 - Non-Recurring Charges
During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company had the following
non-recurring expenses which were charged to operations:
Write-off of Receivables and Cost of Withdrawn Offering - In June, 1996, the
Company engaged TAJ Global Equities (TAJ) to act as the underwriter for a
planned $20,000,000 offering of the Company's common stock. TAJ and Strategic
Holdings, Inc. (Strategic) also acted as consultants to the Company in
connection with the offering and sale of the debentures discussed in Note 8. The
planned $20,000,000 offering was subsequently withdrawn due to the events
explained in the following five paragraphs, and costs of $97,919 associated with
the planned offering were charged to expense.
During the last two quarters of 1996, unusual and significant short selling
occurred in the Company's stock. This activity caused the Company to believe
that purchasers of the debentures were involved in short sales in violation of
the terms of the subscription agreements executed with the Company. The short
sales activity caused the Company's stock prices to fall significantly. The
Company's Board of Directors therefore authorized the purchase in the open
market of up to one million (1,000,0000) shares of the Company's common stock in
an attempt to protect shareholders' interests.
The Company engaged TAJ for this purpose and initially remitted approximately
$1,800,000 to TAJ for acquiring shares. The Company believes 117,000 shares at
an approximate cost of $300,000 were initially purchased by TAJ for the Company,
but the trade was soon thereafter canceled with the Company ultimately having no
position in its stock. However, the Company learned that TAJ did purchase a
significant number of shares (estimated at approximately 3,200,000 shares) for
either its own account or customers' accounts and the Company believes some
portion of those shares were subsequently resold by TAJ.
It is the Company's position that TAJ acted without authority in the timing and
volume of the share acquisitions. Strategic is one of the customers for which
TAJ acquired shares. Strategic advised the Company that TAJ was not expressly
authorized to acquire the Company's shares on its behalf. The Company was also
advised that TAJ's acquisitions of the Company's shares were placed through its
clearing broker, National Financial Service Corporation (National) and were not
paid for. National advised the Company that if it did not advance to TAJ and
Strategic the funds necessary to cover the unpaid trades, that it would
liquidate its position in the Company's shares, therefore causing a tremendous
fall in the price of the Company's stock and severe loss to shareholders. In
response to National's communication, the Company advanced an additional
$1,617,959 and $7,382,703 as payment for the TAJ and Strategic shares
respectively.
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 11 - Non-Recurring Charges - Continued
The total cost to the Company for these transactions is $11,041,671. The Company
has received cooperation from Strategic in pursuing recovery of this amount. The
Company obtained eight percent (8%) notes from Strategic totaling $10,876,600.
The loan agreement generally provides that proceeds of 1,834,407 shares
purchased by TAJ for Strategic, now held in escrow, will serve as collateral for
repayment of the Strategic note.
The Company is vigorously pursuing litigation against TAJ and National as
discussed in Note 15. Because of the uncertainty of the Company's potential for
recovery, the entire cost of $11,041,671 has been charged to expense.
Investment Banking Expense - During the year ended December 31, 1996, the
Company issued investment bankers 214,000 shares and granted options to acquire
an additional 1,300,000 shares of its common stock for purposes of heightening
awareness of and expanding markets in the Company's common stock. Approximately
$541,600 has been charged to operations as a non-recurring item for the year
ended December 31, 1996 for these transactions.
Shareholder Guaranty Fee - During the year ended December 31, 1996, the
Company's chief executive officer agreed to guarantee certain debts of the
Company. The Company paid the officer a guarantee fee of approximately $98,682
which has been charged to operations as a non-recurring item for the year ended
December 31, 1996.
Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity
Effective June 14, 1995, the Company amended its charter for a one for three (1
for 3) reverse split of the Company's outstanding stock, retaining the par value
at one cent. All per share amounts for each period presented give effect for the
reverse split.
In 1996 and 1995, the Company issued 2,334 and 244,073 restricted shares,
respectively, of its common stock to warrant holders in cancellation of warrants
related to a prior private placement limited offering (PPLO).
The Company also issued Sales Agent Warrants to its selling agent (Agent) for
the PPLO. These warrants permit the Agent to purchase up to approximately 3,334
shares of the Company's common stock at a price of ten and one eighth (10 1/8)
dollars per share. During 1995, 2,000 of these warrants were exercised.
As discussed in Note 8, the Company issued $27,500,000 face value of convertible
debentures in 1996. Conversions to the Company's common stock totaled 6,436,955
shares for 1996, representing $10,000,000 in face value of the debentures.
Primary and fully diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average
number of common and common stock equivalent shares outstanding, 5,671,698 in
1996 and 3,812,482 for 1995. In
F 18
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity - Continued
1995 there were no dilutive securities, and in 1996 the dilutive effect of
convertible securities is not applicable since the Company incurred a loss.
The Company has a stock option plan (Plan) that provides for the granting of
incentive and non-qualified options to purchase shares of the Company's common
stock. The Plan's coverage extends to selected key employees, officers,
directors and consultants.
The Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options that may be
exercised at prices equal to or exceeding fair market value at the date of grant
and permits granting of non-qualified options at prices below fair market value
at the date of grant. Options granted employees are non-transferable and are for
both active shares and restricted shares that carry continuing legal
restrictions on transfer upon exercise of the options. Options granted to
employees during 1996 and 1995 were at exercise prices that exceeded fair market
value of the underlying shares at date of grant. Generally, the options are
exercisable upon grant date with expiration dates ranging from five to ten years
from date of grant.
Options under the Plan granted to and exercised by the Company's public
relations firm during 1995 totaled 607,334 shares. The shares represented
consideration to the public relations firm to retain their services for a two
year period. Compensation expense related to the public relations firm totaled
$159,672 and $133,056 for 1996 and 1995 respectively, and is included in the
consolidated statements of income under the caption "Shareholder relations."
Included in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption "Other current
assets" is $26,606 and $186,278 representing the prepaid portion of the firm's
services at December 31, 1996 and 1995.
In addition to the above, the public relations firm is indebted to the Company
in the amount of $1,237,000 and $1,359,376 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
reflected in the consolidated financial statements under the caption
"Stockholder note receivable." This represents the amount owed for 375,000
shares of the Company's common stock. The Company holds a demand note from the
public relations firm for the balance due and has received assignments of
collateral consisting primarily of equity securities of small public companies.
The amount due from the public relations firm is treated as a reduction of
equity in the consolidated financial statements pending collection in cash or
other assets readily convertible to cash.
As discussed in Note 11, the Company granted to investment bankers options to
acquire 1,300,000 shares of its common stock at exercise prices ranging from $1
to $2.25 per share. At December 31, 1996, none of the options had been
exercised.
The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the employee option
plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plan been determined
based on the fair value at the grant date for awards in 1996
F 19
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity - Continued
consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings and
earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated
below:
1996 1995
---- ----
Net income (loss) - as reported $(11,572,293) $180.536
Net income (loss) - pro forma (11,674,527) 83,323
Earnings (loss) per share - as reported $ (2.04) 0.05
Earnings (loss) per share - pro forma (2.06) 0.02
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted -average
assumptions used for grants in 1996 and 1995: 40% volatility, four-year life,
zero dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate of 6.19% for 1996 and 5.98% for
1995.
Information regarding the option plan for 1996 is as follows:
1996 1995
----------------------- -------------------
Weighted Average Weighted Average
Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price
------ --------- ------ -------
Options outstanding,
beginning of year 800,004 $3.56 200,004 $3.36
Options canceled -0- (200,004) 3.36
Options exercised -0- -0-
Options granted 1,400,000 $2.05 800,004 $3.56
--------- --------
Options outstanding,
end of year 2,200,004 $2.60 800,004 $3.56
========= ========
Options exercisable,
end of year 2,100,004 $2.47 800,004 $3.56
========= ========
Option price range,
end of year $.375 to $3.625 $2.04 to $4.06
Option price range
for exercised shares na na
Options available for
grant at end of year 869,332 4,832
Weighted average fair
value of options
granted during the year $ 0.10 $ 0.17
F 20
<PAGE>
Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity - Continued
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during 1996 and
1995, all of whose exercise prices exceeded market value of the stock at date of
grant, is $33,869 and $85,736, respectively.
Weighted
Average Weighted Weighted
Number Remaining Average Number Average
Range of Exercise Outstanding Contractual Exercise Exercisable Exercise
Prices at 12/31/96 Life Price at 12/31/96 Price
------ ----------- ---- ----- ----------- -----
$2.8125 to $3.625 850,000 10 yrs $2.91 750,000 $2.81
$0.75 to $1.00 400,000 8 1/8 yrs $0.84 400,000 $0.84
$0.38 150,000 5 yrs $0.38 150,000 $0.38
$2.04 200,004 5 yrs $2.04 200,004 $2.04
$4.06 600,000 5 yrs $4.06 600,000 $4.06
--------- ---------
2,200,004 2,100,004
========= =========
Note 13 - Related Party Transactions
During 1996 the Company sold at net book value a planned retail outlet
undergoing construction to its chief executive officer in exchange for his
assumption of $286,000 of related debt and the recognition of a receivable of
$323,421. Also the Company borrowed from the officer $300,000 in 1996, and the
Board of Directors authorized payment to the officer of approximately $99,000 as
a 1% fee for his guarantee of Company debt. Net indebtedness to the officer by
the Company at December 31, 1996 as a result of these and other transactions in
the ordinary course of business was approximately $18,049. Receivables in the
amount of $281,951 are included in the balance sheet under the caption "Accounts
Receivable" at December 31, 1996. A $300,000 note payable to the officer is
included in the balance sheet under the caption "Notes Payable" at December 31,
1996.
The chief executive officer leases certain properties to the Company for a
monthly rental of $27,000. The lease payments on these properties, included on
the income statements among general and administrative expenses, amounted to
approximately $356,000 and $324,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively. The lease
term for these properties runs through December, 2002, and includes one ten-year
renewal option.
In other leasing transactions with the chief executive officer, the Company
rents, under month-to-month operating leases, certain vehicles. Expenses related
to these transactions were approximately $45,000 and $30,000 in 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
F 21
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 13 - Related Party Transactions - Continued
In 1996 and 1995, transactions between the Company and a manufacturing
corporation controlled by the chief executive officer included equipment sales
and certain ongoing construction activities conducted for the Company by the
corporation. Equipment sales and construction activities totaled $182,603 and
$290,521, in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
During 1995, the Company acquired an existing self-serve car wash facility from
its chief executive officer. Financing for the $200,000 purchase price was in
the form of a loan assumption in the amount of approximately $131,000 with the
remaining balance of approximately $69,000 paid by the Company in 1996.
The Company was formerly one of the sponsors of a racing team headed by its
chief executive officer. Advertising expense associated with the sponsorship of
the racing team was $60,000 in 1995. Prepayments of $64,767 related to the
racing team were included under the caption "Other current assets" on the
Balance Sheet in 1995.
Included in the accompanying balance sheet under the caption, "Accounts
payable," at December 31, 1995, is $46,476 payable to the Company's chief
executive officer. Also included on the Balance Sheet at December 31, 1995 were
$4,040 in trade accounts receivable due from a minority stockholder. Sales to
this minority stockholder totaled $4,321 in 1995.
It is the opinion of counsel to the Company that, in view of the large
percentage of shares held in escrow in the name of Strategic Holdings, Inc. as
discussed in Note 11, Strategic should be considered an affiliate and therefor a
related party. In addition to the transaction discussed in Note 11, the Company
also issued options to Strategic in 1996 to acquire up to 350,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at an exercise price of $2.25. Fees paid to Strategic in
connection with acquisitions and issuance of debentures totaled $875,000 and
$787,500, respectively.
Note 14 - Business Segments
The retail segment is comprised of the Company's convenience store, express
lube, and car wash operations. The energy products segment is comprised of gas
and oil properties that are currently producing or under development and located
within the United States. Corporate amounts represent general and administrative
expenses which are not allocated to the other business segments.
In determining operating income (loss) by business segment, none of the
following have been added or deducted: interest expense, income taxes, and other
income and expense.
Segment information is outlined in the following summary:
<PAGE>
Note 14 - Business Segments - Continued
1996 1995
------------- -----------
Net Sales -
Retail $ 13,142,415 $ 13,297,809
Energy products 91,894 -0-
Corporate -0- -0-
------------ ------------
$ 13,234,309 $ 13,297,809
============ ============
Operating income (loss)
Retail $ 289,344 $ 960,958
Energy products (46,113) (42,696)
Corporate (12,886,969) (366,778)
------------ ------------
$(12,643,738) $ 551,484
============ ============
Identifiable assets
Retail $ 14,031,214 $ 12,182,763
Energy Products 8,443,495 3,065,858
Corporate 4,592,541 293,622
------------ ------------
$ 27,067,250 $ 15,542,243
============ ============
Capital expenditures -
Retail $ 3,067,303 $ 3,744,205
Energy products 5,244,260 511,551
Corporate -0- -0-
------------ ------------
$ 8,311,563 $ 4,255,756
============ ============
Note 15 - Contingencies and Subsequent Events
The Company is subject to extensive and evolving federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations that have been enacted in response to
technological advances and the public's increased concern over environmental
issues. As a result of changing governmental attitudes in this area, management
anticipates that the Company will continually modify or replace facilities and
alter methods of operation. The majority of the expenditures necessary to comply
with the environmental laws and regulations are made in the normal course of
business.
The Company participates in a Superfund established to clean up environmental
problems associated with petroleum caused contamination. Coverage under the
Superfund is conditional on the Company's continued compliance with all federal
and state regulations regarding the sale and
F 23
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 15 - Contingencies and Subsequent Events - Continued
underground storage of petroleum products. Under the terms of the Superfund
program, the Company's liability is limited to $20,000 per incident, per
location. The Company carries no insurance with respect to environmental claims
not covered by the Superfund. To the best of its knowledge, the Company is in
compliance in all material respects with laws and regulations affecting its
operations.
As a result of the transactions discussed in Note 11, the Company has become a
party to two lawsuits. The first lawsuit is a stockholder derivative suit naming
TAJ, National Financial Service Corporation and Strategic as respondents and
seeking repayment of money paid to TAJ, Strategic or National. Named as well are
certain members of the Company's board of directors for alleged violation of
their fiduciary duty in authorizing the Company to lend over $10,000,000 to
Strategic to pay for shares of the Company's stock, purchased by TAJ and placed
in Strategic's account. The nature of this action is that even in the event of
recovery, recovery will be for the benefit of the Company.
The second lawsuit related to the litigation described in the previous paragraph
was filed by the Company against TAJ and National seeking compensatory and
exemplary damages in excess of $100,000,000. Recovery for the Company from
either of the lawsuits is uncertain and, accordingly, no gain that may result
from these actions has been recorded in these financial statements.
Additionally, the Company is a party to various other legal proceedings
generally incidental to its business and primarily related to employee matters.
The Company does not believe that any of these lawsuits will have a materially
adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the Company amended its charter to permit
issuance of preferred stock to implement agreements reached with debenture
holders as discussed below.
In February and March, 1997, the Company reached agreement in principal with
debenture holders of $2,090,000 (Group A) and $12,760,000 (Group B) face value,
respectively, which will settle all prior disputes and provide for immediate
conversions of substantial blocks of the debentures to shares in the Company's
preferred and common stock.
For Group A debenture holders, terms of the agreement in principal will require
the entire debenture balance to be immediately converted into the Company's
preferred stock. Dividends on the preferred stock will accrue based on rates
stated on the face of the original debentures and be paid in additional shares
of preferred stock. Additional terms will provide that the preferred shares may
be converted into common shares at a time mutually agreeable to the Company and
the debenture holders or after the expiration of nine months from the date of
the agreement. Additionally, the agreement is to preclude the Group A debenture
holders from selling any of its position for a period of nine months following
the agreement and from, directly or indirectly, engaging in any "short-selling"
of the Company's securities. Further terms provide that the Group A debenture
holders may change the terms of their agreement to be equal to any subsequent
agreements with other debenture holders. Conversion price from preferred to
common is to be the average of the closing bid price for the five previous
trading days as quoted on the NASDAQ
F 24
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 15 - Contingencies and Subsequent Events - Continued
exchange, subject to a "floor price." The "floor price" is to be $3.00 per share
for months nine through twelve from the date of the agreement, subsequently
reduced by $0.50 per share for each following three month period.
For Group B debenture holders, terms of the agreement in principal will require
the immediate conversion of four percent (4%) of the outstanding face amount of
the debentures into common shares of the Company at a per share price of $0.50
per share and a portion of the remaining balance (13/18ths), to be immediately
converted into shares of the Company's preferred stock. The unconverted balance
of the debentures are to retain their original terms. Dividends on the preferred
stock will accrue based on rates stated on the face of the original debentures
and be paid in cash or shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's
option. The preferred stock may be converted to common stock after July 1, 1997,
pursuant to the following terms:
Conversion prices for both the preferred stock and debentures will be based
on the average closing bid price for the common stock for the five prior
trading days as quoted on the NASDAQ exchange, subject to a "floor" and
"ceiling" price. The floor price is to remain at $2.50 per share through
September 1997 at which time it will be reduced $0.50 per share for each
subsequent three month period, provided that the floor cannot fall below
$1.00 per share. Following September 30, 1997 the floor price may be adjusted
when the average closing bid price for the preceding month is greater than
the floor price, in which case the floor price is to be the greater of the
otherwise fixed floor price or an amount computed as two thirds of the
average of the closing bid price in the preceding month, as quoted on the
NASDAQ exchange. The ceiling price will be $3.00, except that after September
30, 1997, when the average closing bid price for the preceding month is
greater than the fixed ceiling price, then the ceiling price is to be the
greater of the otherwise fixed ceiling price or two thirds of the average of
the closing bid price in the preceding month, as quoted on the NASDAQ
exchange.
The preferred stock for Group B debenture holders will be convertible into
shares of the Company's common stock in thirteen equal monthly tranches,
commencing July 1, 1997. At the expiration of thirty months from the date of
the formal agreement, any remaining shares of preferred stock may be
converted into shares of the Company's common stock at the election of the
Company. The remaining debentures will be convertible into shares of the
Company's common stock at the foregoing conversion prices in five equal
monthly tranches commencing August 1, 1998. These conversion features are to
be cumulative.
Additionally, the agreement in principal will preclude the Group B debenture
holders from selling any of its position until after July 1, 1997 and from,
directly or indirectly, engaging in any "short-selling" of the Company's
securities. Further terms provide that the Group B debenture holders may change
the terms of their agreement to be equal to any subsequent agreements with other
debenture holders.
F 25
<PAGE>
Note 15 - Contingencies and Subsequent Events - Continued
The agreement in principal is to preclude the Company from selling or offering
to sell any of its equity securities, other than offerings in connection with
mergers and acquisitions, offerings pursuant to compensatory plans that are
approved by the Company's shareholders, offerings in a "firm commitment"
underwritten offering, or as reasonable compensation for services rendered. The
foregoing provision will not apply if such securities are not eligible for
public resale prior to January 1, 1999.
Additionally, the Group B debenture holders are to retain the right to place one
position on the Company's board of directors as long as any of their preferred
shares are outstanding.
Presented below is a pro-forma balance sheet, assuming conversion of the
debentures had taken place at December 31, 1996 in accordance with the more
favorable terms of the Group B debenture holders as discussed above.
December 31, 1996 Pro-Forma Balance Sheet
ASSETS
Current Assets $ 1,319,601
Property and Equipment 21,111,996
Deferred Tax Assets 2,972,100
Intangibles and Other Assets 1,663,553
-------------
$ 27,067,250
=============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities $ 3,235,335
Long-Term Liabilities 11,626,243
-------------
Total Liabilities 14,861,578
Preferred Stock 10,296,000
Common Stock 130,161
Additional Paid-in Capital 14,278,998
Accumulated Deficit (11,262,484)
-------------
13,442,675
Less: Stockholder note receivable (1,237,003)
-------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 12,205,672
-------------
$ 27,067,250
=============
Also subsequent to December 31, 1996, the Company sold two of its retail
locations to its chief executive officer. The sales were made at approximate
appraised values totaling $2,019,000. Additionally, in March 1997 the Company
entered into a contract for the sale of undeveloped property with a carrying
value of $282,468 at a price of $325,000. Liabilities under long-term notes
payable associated with these locations were assumed by the purchasing parties
in the amount of approximately $2,930,000. As a result of these transactions,
monthly fixed rate, variable rate and capital lease payments were reduced by
approximately $17,300, $4,700 and
F 26
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 15 - Contingencies and Subsequent Events - Continued
$3,300, respectively. Had these transactions occurred on December 31, 1996,
current maturities would have been approximately $1,219,000 rather than
$1,669,83 as disclosed in Note 8.
Note 16 - Supplemental Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited)
The Company's proved gas and oil reserves are located in the United States.
Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas and crude oil which, upon
analysis of geological and engineering data, demonstrate with reasonable
certainty to be recoverable in the future from known gas and oil reservoirs.
Proved developed (producing and non-producing) reserves are those proved
reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with
existing equipment and operating methods. Proved undeveloped gas and oil
reserves are proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on
undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure
is required for recompletion.
Financial Data - The Company's activities related to the exploration and
development of gas and oil represent a valuable aspect of the Company's
business. The following costs include all such costs incurred during each period
and capitalized cost at December 31, 1996 and 1995:
1996 1995
------------ ------------
Costs incurred-
Leasehold properties
Proved $ 478,424 $ 452,738
Unproved 70,835 0
Exploration costs 0 0
Development costs 4,694,210 58,813
------------ ------------
$ 5,243,469 $ 511,551
============ ============
Capitalized Costs
1996 1995
------------ ------------
Proved properties not subject
to amortization $ 4,441,801 $ 2,925,680
Proved properties being amortized 3,656,514 0
Unproved properties 195,835 125,000
Less accumulated amortization (58,056) 0
------------ ------------
Net capitalized costs $ 8,236,094 $ 3,050,680
============ ============
F 27
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
Note 16- Supplemental Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) - Continued
Estimated Quantities of Proved Gas and Oil Reserves - The estimates of proved
developed and undeveloped reserves in Kentucky were provided by independent
petroleum engineers, Coburn Petroleum Engineering, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Coburn). The
estimates of proved developed reserves in Pennsylvania were provided by
independent petroleum engineers, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., of
Houston, Texas. Proved reserves cannot be measured exactly and the estimation of
reserves involves numerous judgmental and arbitrary determinations. Accordingly,
reserve estimates must be continually revised as a result of new information
obtained from drilling and production history or as a result of changes in
economic conditions.
Estimated quantities of proved gas and oil net reserves are as follows:
Natural Gas (MCF) Oil (BBL)
(In Thousands) (In Thousands)
----------------- ----------------
1996 1995 1996 1995
------ ------ ------ ------
Proved developed and undeveloped
reserves
Beginning of period 86,366 28,806 -0- -0-
Purchases of minerals-in-place -0- -0- -0- -0-
Sales of minerals-in-place -0- -0- -0- -0-
Other revisions (209) (6,446) -0- -0-
Revisions of previous estimates
to give effect to drilling
arrangements -0- 63,006 -0- -0-
Extensions, discoveries and
other additions 3,212 -0- 18 -0-
Production (50) -0- -0- -0-
------ ------ ---- ------
End of period 88,319 85,366 18 -0-
====== ====== ==== ======
Proved developed reserves
Beginning of period 1,134 1,134 -0- -0-
====== ====== ==== ======
End of period 4,086 1,134 18 -0-
====== ====== ==== ======
Estimated quantities of proved gas and oil reserves do not include any natural
gas liquids for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.
Reserves of wells that have performance history were estimated through analysis
of production trends and other appropriate performance relationships. Where
production and reservoir data were limited, the volumetric method was used which
is more susceptible to subsequent revisions.
F 28
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
16 - Supplemental Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) - Continued
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows - The standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows is based on criteria established by
Financial Accounting Standards Statement Number 69, Accounting for Oil and Gas
Producing Activities and is not intended to be a "best estimate" of the fair
value of the Company's gas and oil properties. For this to be the case,
forecasts of future economic conditions, varying price and costs estimates,
varying discounts rates and consideration of other than proved reserves (i.e.,
probable reserves) would have to be incorporated into the valuations.
Future net cash inflows are based on the future production of proved reserves of
natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and condensate as estimated by
petroleum engineers by applying current prices of gas and oil (with
consideration of price changes only to the extent fixed and determinable and
with consideration of the timing of gas sales under existing contracts or spot
market sales) to estimated future production of proved reserves. Prices used in
determining future cash inflows for natural gas and oil for the periods ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995, were $2.75 and $3.00 for Pennsylvania and Kentucky
properties for 1996 and $2.03 per MCF - Gas in 1995, and $20 per BBL-oil in
1996. These rates reflect respective year end spot prices for oil and natural
gas, as adjusted for BTU levels. Future net cash flows are then calculated by
reducing such estimated cash inflows by the estimated future expenditures (based
on current costs) to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves
and by the estimated future income taxes. Estimated future income taxes are
computed by applying the appropriate year-end tax rate to the future pretax net
cash flows relating to the Company's estimated proved gas and oil reserves. The
estimated future income taxes give effect to permanent differences and tax
credits and allowances. The underlying assumption taken into consideration by
the Coburn engineering report is that the Company complete ten dually completed
wells into the coniferous and knox geological zones per year for a period of
five years. The drilling of these fifty wells will require a substantial amount
of capital to be raised by the Company. No assurance can be given that the said
capital can be raised by the Company.
Presented below is the Company's estimated standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows and reconciliation of the changes during the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1995. The calculations take into consideration the
cancellation of an agreement with Enron Oil and Gas Company which was in effect
as of December 31, 1994. Said agreement called for Enron Oil and Gas to provide
the necessary moneys to drill 115 wells on the leasehold of the Company in
return for the majority of the working interest associated with the wells
drilled. As a result of this agreement the engineering report changed
substantially to reflect the much lesser working interest position retained by
the Company. During 1995 the agreement with the Enron Oil and Gas Company was
terminated and as a result the working interest position of the Company as
reflected in the engineering report has increased substantially.
F 29
<PAGE>
================================================================================
United Petroleum Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
================================================================================
16 - Supplemental Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) - Continued
1996 1995
-------------- --------------
Future cash inflows $ 254,543,440 $ 199,612,720
Future development and production costs (15,315,984) (13,434,240)
Future income taxes (71,768,237) (51,385,260)
-------------- --------------
Future net cash flow 167,459,219 134,793,220
100% annual discount (104,432,384) (80,875,932)
-------------- --------------
Standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows $ 63,026,835 $ 53,917,288
============== ==============
1996 1995
-------------- --------------
Balance, beginning of period $ 53,917,288 $ 7,674,414
Net change due to extensions,
discoveries and other additions 15,318,557 -0-
Net change due to revisions in
quantity estimates (Enron agreement) -0- 44,751,350
Net change in sales and transfer pricing -0- 71,126,783
Net change in estimated future development
costs (Enron agreement) -0- (24,678,999)
Net change in estimated future (524,763) -0-
development costs
Net change in income taxes (5,684,211) (44,956,260)
Purchases of minerals in place -0- -0-
-------------- --------------
Standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows, end of period $ 63,026,871 $ 53,917,288
============== ==============
F 30
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3.10
<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
to the
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
of
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law
United Petroleum Corporation hereby certifies that:
A. The name of the Corporation is United Petroleum Corporation ( the
"Corporation"), and its original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the
Secretary of the State of Delaware on May 19, 1970 under the name Don Reid
Productions, Inc.
B. The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by striking
out Article 3 in its entirety, and substituting in lieu thereof the new
Article 3 as follows:
ARTICLE 3
The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or
promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may
be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware now or hereafter
permitted by law.
C. The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by
striking out Article 4 in its entirety, and substituting in lieu
thereof the new Article 4 as follows:
ARTICLE 4
(A) The maximum number of shares of all classes of stock which
the Corporation is authorized to have outstanding at any one time is 60,000,000
shares, of which 10,000,000 shares shall be preferred stock, par value $.01 per
share, issuable in one or more classes or series (the "Preferred Stock"), and
50,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"0. All or any part of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock may be issued
by the Corporation from time to time and for such consideration as the Board of
Directors may determine. All of such shares, if and when issued, and upon
receipt of such consideration by the Corporation, shall be fully paid and
non-assessable.
(B) The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt
resolutions at any time and from time to time dividing the
<PAGE>
Preferred Stock into one or more classes or series, which classes or series may
have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as the Board may specify
in such resolutions and as may mow or hereafter be permitted by Delaware law.
(C) Except as otherwise required by law, each holder of Common
Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share standing in such person's
name on the books of the Corporation. Subject to the rights of any outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock having preferential dividend rights, holders of Common
Stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds lawfully available therefor. Upon any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up the affairs of the Corporation, holders of Common
Stock are entitled to receive pro rata the remaining assets of the Corporation,
after the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock having preferential
rights to such assets have received in full the distributions to which they are
entitled.
D. The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended by
adding the following new Articles 6, 7, 8 and 9 as follows:
ARTICLE 6
(A) Number, election and terms of Directors. Except as
otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 hereof relating to
the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference
over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect additional
directors under specified circumstances, the number of the Directors of the
Corporation shall be fixed from time to time or pursuant to the By-Laws of the
Corporation. The Directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders
of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to
dividends or upon liquidation, shall be classified, with respect to the time for
which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number
as possible, as shall be provided in the manner specified in the By-Laws of the
Corporation, one class to be originally classified for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1997, another class to be
originally classified for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders
to be held in 1998, and another class to be originally classified for a term
expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 1999, with each
director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected
and qualified. At each meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the
successors of the class of Directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be
elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders
held in the third year following the year of their election or until his or her
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
<PAGE>
(B) Newly created directorships and vacancies. Except as
otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article 4
hereof relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock
having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to
elect additional directors under specified circumstances, newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors and any
vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, even though less
than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any Director elected in accordance with
the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of
the class of Directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy
occurred and until such Director's successor shall have been duly elected and
qualified. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the Board of
Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.
(C) Removal. Subject to the rights of any class or series of
stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon
liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances, any Director may
be removed from office, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of
the holders of 75% of the voting power of all shares of the Corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single
class.
(D) Amendment, repeal, or alteration. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this
Article 6.
ARTICLE 7
(A) Calling of Special Stockholders Meetings. Subject to the
rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock
as to dividends or upon liquidation, special meetings of stockholders of the
Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, by the Board of
Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of
Directors or by written requests signed, dated and delivered to the Secretary of
the Corporation by the holders of record of at least 35% of all the votes
entitled to be cast on the issues proposed to be considered at the meetings and
describing the purposes for which it is held.
(B) Amendment, repeal, or alteration. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote
<PAGE>
generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall
be required to alter, amend or repeal this Article 7.
ARTICLE 8
(A) Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of
the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been
properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual
meeting, business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any
supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b)
otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly before the meeting by a
stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to
the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be
delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive office of the
Corporation, no later that the date designated for receipt of stockholders'
proposals in a prior public disclosure made by the Corporation. If there has
been no such prior public disclosure, then to be timely, a stockholders' notice
must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal business office of
the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days
prior to the annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the
event that less than seventy (70) days' notice of the date of the meeting is
given to stockholders by notice or prior public disclosure, notice to a
stockholder, to be timely, must be received by the Corporation not later than
the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the
Corporation gave notice or made a public disclosure of the date of the annual
meeting of the stockholders. A stockholders' notice to the Secretary shall set
forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual
meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual
meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of
the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of
the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (d) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything
in this Certificate to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual
meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article 8.
The Chairman of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and
declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting
and in accordance with the provisions of this Article 8 and if he should so
determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly
before the meeting shall not be transacted.
(B) Amendment, repeal, or alteration. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 75% of
<PAGE>
the voting power of all shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required
to alter, amend or repeal this Article 8.
ARTICLE 9
(A) Eligibility to Make Nominations. Nominations of candidates
for election as directors of the Corporation at any meeting of stockholders
called for election of directors, in whole or in part (an "Election Meeting"),
may be made by the Board of Directors ("Board") or by any stockholder entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors at such Election Meeting.
(B) Procedure for Nomination by the Board of Directors.
Nominations made by the Board shall be made as provided in the ByLaws.
(C) Procedure for Nomination by Stockholders. Any stockholder
who intends to make a nomination at the Election Meeting shall deliver a timely
notice to the Secretary of the Corporation by the deadline set forth below
setting forth (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of each
nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of
each such nominee, (iii) the number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee and (iv) such
other information concerning each such nominee as would be required under the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in a proxy statement soliciting
proxies for the election of such nominees. Such notice shall include a signed
consent to serve as a director of the Corporation, if elected, of each such
nominee. To be timely, a stockholders' notice for an Election Meeting that also
will be an annual meeting shall be received at the principal business office of
the Corporation no later than the date designated for receipt of stockholders'
proposals in a prior public disclosure made by the Corporation. If there has
been no such prior public disclosure, or if the Election Meeting will be a
special meeting of stockholders, then to be timely, a stockholders' notice must
be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal business office of the
Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior
to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event less than seventy (70)
days' notice of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders by notice or
public disclosure, notice by a stockholder to be timely must be so received not
later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which
the Corporation gave notice or made a public disclosure of the date of the
meeting.
(D) Substitution of Nominees. In the event that a person is
validly designated as a nominee in accordance with Article 9 and shall
thereafter become unable or unwilling to stand for election to the Board, the
Board or the stockholder who proposed such nominee, as the case may be, may
designate a substitute nominee.
<PAGE>
(E) Determination of Compliance with Procedures. If the
Chairman of the Election Meeting determines that a nomination was not made in
accordance with the foregoing procedures, such nomination shall be void.
(F) Amendment, repeal, or alteration. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this
Article 9.
E. The foregoing Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation were
authorized pursuant to Section 141 of the Delaware Corporation Law by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
present at a meeting at which a quorum was present followed by the written
consent of holders of a majority of all of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the said Amendments to the
Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to Section 228 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. Written notice of such written consent has been given to
stockholders in the manner set forth in Section 228(d) of the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
F. This Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
shall be effective upon the filing of same with the Secretary of the State
of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have subscribed this document on the date set
forth below and do hereby affirm, under the penalties of perjury, that the
statements contained therein have been examined by us and are true and correct.
Date: March 14, 1997
/s/ Michael F. Thomas
----------------------------------
Michael F. Thomas, President
/s/ Dwight S. Thomas
----------------------------------
Dwight S. Thomas, Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.8
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
AND
MICHAEL THOMAS
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of September 18, 1996 by and between UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and MICHAEL THOMAS ("Employee").
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement
to assure the Company of the services of Employee and to set forth the
respective rights and duties of the parties hereto;
WHEREAS, the Company (a) is presently in the business of oil and gas
production distribution and marketing and (b) intends to invest its available
resources in one or more new business ventures, (such activities, present and
future, being hereinafter referred to as the "Business");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants, terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company and Employee agree
as follows:
ARTICLE I
Employment
1.1 Employment and Title. The Company hereby employs Employee, and
Employee hereby accepts such employment, as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
1.2 Services.
(a) During the Term (as hereinafter defined) hereof, Employee
agrees to perform diligently and in good faith the duties of
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company under the
direction of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board
of Directors") or the Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Executive Committee"). Employee agrees to use
his best efforts for the benefit of the Company. The Company
acknowledges that Employee is, and has been, involved in
various projects and activities (i.e. Mike Thomas Racing),
some of which provide indirect benefit to the Company. The
Company further acknowledges that such projects and activities
have not adversely affected Employee's performance of his
duties and responsibilities; and nothing herein shall restrict
or prohibit Employee's involvement in such projects and
activities, provided that such projects and activities do not
compete with, or unduly interfere with, in the sole discretion
of the Executive Committee, Employee's duties and
responsibilities hereunder. Employee shall be vested
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<PAGE>
with such authority as is generally commensurate with the
position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, as further outlined below.
(b) Employee shall be the person primarily responsible for
insuring that the management of the Company operates within
and institutes the various directives of the Board of
Directors. Employee will work and consult with, as well as
keep fully informed, the Chairman of the Executive Committee
as to all pertinent aspects of the Company's planning,
operations, and general businesses activities. As appropriate,
Employee, in coordination with the Chairman of the Executive
Committee, will communicate and report to the Executive
Committee and the Board of Directors on a periodic basis as to
all pertinent aspects of the Company's planning, operations,
general business activities, industry developments, business
prospects and other such information reasonably required by
the Board of Directors to fulfill its duties to the Company's
stockholders.
1.3 Location. The principal place of employment and the location of
Employee's principal office shall be in Knoxville, Tennessee; provided, however,
Employee shall, when requested by the Board of Directors, or may, if he
determines it to be reasonably necessary, temporarily perform outside of
Knoxville, Tennessee such services as are reasonably required for the proper
execution of his duties under this Agreement.
1.4 Representations. Each party represents and warrants to the other
that he/it has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement
and that his/its execution and performance of this Agreement shall not
constitute a default under or breach of any of the terms of any agreement to
which he/it is a party or under which he/it is bound. Each party represents that
no consent or approval of any third party is required for his/its execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement or that all consents or approvals of
any third party required for his/its execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement have been obtained.
1.5 Sole Discretion. As the term "sole discretion" is used in this
Agreement, unless otherwise defined, it will be interpreted as the exercise of
reasonable discretion applying normal business practices to a contractual
relationship between a company and its President and Chief Executive Officer.
ARTICLE II
Term
2.1 Term. The term of Employee's employment hereunder (the "Term")
shall commence as of the date hereof (the "Commencement Date") and shall
continue through the of the contract year following the fifth anniversary of the
Commencement Date (the "Scheduled Termination Date") unless earlier terminated
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
Compensation
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<PAGE>
3.1 Base Salary. As compensation for the services to be rendered by
Employee, the Company shall pay Employee, during the Term of this Agreement, an
annual base salary of not less than Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000),
which base salary shall accrue monthly (prorated for periods less than a month)
and shall be paid in equal monthly installments, in arrears. The base salary
will be adjusted annually for changes in the cost of living and will be reviewed
annually, or, more frequently, as appropriate, by the Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, in its
sole discretion.
3.2 Incentive Compensation. The Company may pay Employee, during the
Term of this Agreement, a performance/incentive bonus which shall be based on
the attainment of the annual sales and profits levels forth on Exhibit A, to be
attached hereto upon completion, which have been prepared after review of a
report and recommendations of an independent consultant.
3.3 Non-qualified Stock Options. Upon the execution of this Agreement,
and subject to the provisions of Section 3.6, the Company shall grant to
Employee nonqualified options to acquire Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares
of its common stock (the "Option Shares"), subject to the following terms and
conditions:
The option price per Option Share will be equal to the fair market value of a
share of Company common stock on the date of grant which, for purposes of this
Section 3.4, shall be the average of the bid and asked prices per share of
Company common stock on the business day immediately preceding the effective
date of this Agreement.
(b) The Option Shares shall vest in full upon grant.
(c) The Option Shares shall expire (unless previously
exercised in accordance with the terms of this
Section 3.4), on May 1, 2006. Vested Option Shares
shall be exercisable by Employee, in whole or in
part, on or before such expiration date by payment in
full, in cash or by check, to the Company of the
aggregate option price for the Option Shares so
acquired.
3.4 Additional Compensation
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<PAGE>
(a) Restricted Stock Grants. The Company may grant
Employee, during the Term of this Agreement,
unregistered shares of its Common Stock, which
grants, if any, shall be determined by the Board of
Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors, as the case may be, in its sole
discretion.
(b) Fee for Guaranty of Company Obligations. The Company
agrees to pay to Employee, annually, commencing on
the anniversary of this Agreement, and on each
anniversary date thereafter, an amount equal to one
percent (1%) of the principal balance of all Company
(inclusive of subsidiaries) obligations and/or debts
for which he has executed a guaranty; which principal
balance shall be determined as of the anniversary
date of this Agreement in each subsequent year.
(b) Commissions. The Company will pay Employee a
commission (payable in cash or in unregistered shares
of its Common Stock, at the Employee's option) for
each acquisition consummated by the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company during the Term hereof. For
purposes of this Section 3.5(b). The commissions
shall be based upon the consideration (whether such
consideration is in the form of cash, stock, notes,
bonds, debentures, reserved production payments or
other reserved interests or any other thing of value,
or any combination of the foregoing) actually paid or
agreed to be paid by the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company in connection with an acquisition, shall
be paid to Employee within sixty (60) days of the
closing of the acquisition, and shall be in an amount
of one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the total
consideration. The term "Affiliate" as used in this
Agreement includes any individual, corporation,
partnership, trust, estate or other legal entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control
with the Company, with the concept of control in such
context meaning the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of another,
whether through the ownership or voting securities,
by contract or otherwise, and shall also include any
employee, officer, director, or agent of the Company
acting for or in behalf of the Company.
(c) Overrides. The Company (and any Affiliate of the
Company) will assign to Employee an overriding
royalty interest of 1.5% (reduced proportionately in
the event the Company or such Affiliate owns less
than a 100% interest) of all the production of oil,
gas and other hydrocarbon substances produced from
any well drilled subsequent to the Commencement Date
on lands covered by any oil and gas lease or oil, gas
and mineral lease included in any producing and/or
non-producing oil and/or gas properties acquired
during the Term hereof, the assignment with respect
to any such lease to be in the form of Assignment of
Overriding Royalty Interest attached hereto as
Exhibit B and by this reference incorporated herein,
properly completed with the name and address of the
Assignor, the address of the Assignee and
descriptions of the leases involved. The Company (and
any Affiliate of the Company) will convey to Employee
an interest of 1.5% (reduced proportionately in the
event the Company or such Affiliate owns less than a
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<PAGE>
100% interest) of all the production of oil, gas and
other hydrocarbon substances produced from any well
drilled subsequent to the Commencement Date on lands
not covered by an oil and gas lease or oil, gas and
mineral lease in which Employee is entitled to an
overriding royalty interest pursuant to the next
preceding sentence hereof but included in any
producing and/or non-producing oil and/or gas
properties acquired during the Term hereof, the deed
with respect to any such interest to contain a
special warranty of title and to be in a form
customarily used in the oil and gas industry to
convey royalty interests or mineral interests, as
applicable, or to convey a portion of a production
payment interest, net profits interest and like or
similar interests. Each such assignment and deed will
be made and delivered as soon as is practicable after
the acquisition of the producing and/or non-producing
oil and/or gas properties to be affected thereby.
3.5 Effect of Changes in Capitalization.
(a) If the number of outstanding shares of common stock
of the Company is increased or decreased or changed
into or exchanged for a different number or kind of
shares or other securities of the Company by reason
of any merger, share exchange, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification,
stock split, combination of shares, exchange of
shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable
in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in
such shares effected without receipt of consideration
by the Company, a proportionate and appropriate
adjustment shall be made by the Company with respect
to the number Option Shares then outstanding under
Section 3.4, so that the proportionate interest of
Employee immediately following such event shall, to
the extent practicable, be the same as immediately
prior to such event. Any such adjustment in the
number of Option Shares shall not change the
aggregate option price payable with respect to the
then unexercised Option Shares, but shall include a
corresponding proportionate adjustment in the option
price per Option Share.
(b) Adjustments under this Section 3.6 relating to Option
Shares or securities of the Company shall be made by
the Board of Directors, whose determination in that
respect shall be final and conclusive. No fractional
shares or units of other securities shall be issued
pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions
resulting from any such adjustment shall be
eliminated in each case by rounding upward to the
nearest whole share or unit.
3.6 Employee's Legal Fees. Employee may, and the Company has encouraged
the Employee to, engage competent independent legal counsel for advice and
guidance with respect to this Agreement, including, without limitation, advice
as to the federal income tax consequences of this Article III. The Company shall
reimburse Employee for all reasonable legal fees incurred by Employee in
connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement. Further, during
the term of this agreement, and any extension hereof, in the event an action is
filed against Employee, individually, based upon allegations involving
Employee's performance of his duties hereunder, the Company shall reimburse
Employee for all reasonable legal fees incurred by Employee in defense thereof.
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<PAGE>
3.7 Relocation Costs. The Company agrees to reimburse Employee for
reasonable moving expenses incurred by Employee in connection with any
relocation required by the Company (including the costs of any temporary rental
accommodations), subject to requirements for acceptable documentation and any
applicable Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements. Such reimbursement
shall include the Company's purchase of Employee's residence located in
Knoxville, Tennessee as determined by the average of appraisals performed by two
qualified appraisers, one selected by the Company and one selected by Employee.
3.8 Benefits. Employee shall be entitled, during the Term hereof, to
the same medical, hospital, dental and life insurance coverage and benefits as
are available to the Company's most senior executive officers on the
Commencement Date together with the following additional benefits.
(a) A Company automobile of a type, model and style
satisfactory to Employee;
(b) Reimbursement of all operating expenses of the
Company automobile;
(c) Comprehensive medical coverage, including dependent
coverage, paid fully by the Company;
(d) The Company shall purchase and maintain "Key Man"
Life insurance on Employee in an amount equal to the
aggregate balance of all Company obligations which
the Employee has guaranteed plus $1,000,000, the
beneficiary and owner of which shall be the Company;
(e) Long-term disability insurance in an amount, adjusted
annually, equal to Employee's prior year base salary
and incentive compensation, if any, excluding
compensation earned through Company stock options or
other securities; the beneficiary and owner of which
policy shall be the Company, which agrees that it
shall continue Employee's compensation so long as the
Company receives payments or benefits from said
policy, including continuation of said compensation
beyond termination of this agreement;
(f) All fees, dues and expenses at:
(i) one downtown Knoxville luncheon club of
Employee's choice; and
(ii) a Knoxville, Tennessee Country Club of
Employee's choice.
(g) The Company's normal vacation allowance for all
employees who are executive officers of the Company,
but not less than four weeks annually.
(h) An Officers and Directors Indemnity Agreement,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
C.
3.9 Withholding. Any and all amounts payable under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, amounts payable under this Article III and
Article VII, are subject to withholding for such federal, state and local taxes
as the Company, in its reasonable judgment, determines to be required pursuant
to any applicable law, rule or regulation.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
Working Facilities, Expenses and Insurance
Working Facilities and Expenses. Employee shall be furnished with an
office at the principal executive offices of the Company, and at such
other location as agreed to by Employee and the Company, and other
working facilities and secretarial and other assistance suitable to his
position and reasonably required for the performance of his duties
hereunder. The Company shall reimburse Employee for all of Employee's
reasonable expenses incurred while employed and performing his duties
under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, subject to Employee's full and appropriate documentation,
including, without limitation, receipts for all such expenses in the
manner required pursuant to Company's policies and procedures and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and applicable
regulations as are in effect from time to time.
4.2 Insurance. The Company may secure in its own name or otherwise, and
at its own expense, life, disability and other insurance covering Employee or
Employee and others, and Employee shall not have any right, title or interest in
or to such insurance other than as expressly provided herein. Employee agrees to
assist the Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to the usual and
customary medical and other examinations to be conducted by such physicians(s)
as the Company or such insurance company may designate and by signing such
applications and other written instruments as may be required by any insurance
company to which application is made for such insurance.
ARTICLE V
Illness or Incapacity
5.1 Right to Terminate. If, during the Term of this Agreement, Employee
shall be unable to perform in his duties hereunder for a period exceeding nine
(9) consecutive months by reason of illness or incapacity, this Agreement may be
terminated by the Company in its sole discretion pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof.
5.2 Right to Replace. If Employee's illness or incapacity, whether by
physical or mental cause, renders him unable for a minimum period of ninety (90)
consecutive calendar days to carry out his duties and responsibilities as set
forth herein, the Company shall have the right to designate a person to replace
Employee temporarily in the capacity described in Article I hereof; provided,
however, that if Employee returns to work from such illness or incapacity within
the nine (9) month period following his inability due to such illness or
incapacity, he shall be entitled to be reinstated in the capacity described in
Article I hereof with all rights, duties and privileges attendant thereto.
5.3 Rights Prior to Termination. Employee shall be entitled to his full
remuneration and benefits hereunder during such illness or incapacity unless and
until an election is made by the Company to terminate this Agreement in
accordance with the provisions of this Article.
5.4 Determination of Illness or Incapacity. For purposes of this
Article V, the term "illness or incapacity" shall mean Employee's inability to
substantially perform his duties hereunder
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<PAGE>
due to physical or mental illness as determined by the Board of Directors, based
upon medical documentation of same.
ARTICLE VI
Confidentiality
6.1 Confidentiality. During the Term of this Agreement and thereafter,
Employee agrees to maintain the confidential nature of the Company's trade
secrets, including, without limitation, development ideas, acquisition
strategies and plans, financial information, records, "know-how", methods of
doing business, customer, supplier and distributor lists and all other
confidential information of the Company. Employee shall not use (other than in
connection with his employment), in any way whatsoever, such trade secrets
except as authorized in writing by the Company. Employee shall, upon the
termination of his employment, deliver to the Company any and all records,
books, documents or any other materials whatsoever (including all copies
thereof) containing such trade secrets, which shall be and remain the property
of the Company.
6.2 Non-Removal of Records. All documents, papers, materials, notes,
books, correspondence, drawings and other written and graphic records relating
to the Business of the Company which Employee shall prepare or use, or come into
contact with, shall be and remain the sole property of the Company and,
effective immediately upon the termination of the Employee's employment with the
Company for any reason, shall not be removed from the Company's premises without
the Company's prior written consent.
ARTICLE VII
Termination
7.1 Termination For Cause. This Agreement and the employment of
Employee may be terminated by the Company "For Cause" in any of the following
circumstances:
(a) Employee has committed any fraud, misappropriation or
similar act against the Company;
(b) Employee has been proven to have engaged in illegal
activities which, individually, or in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect on the Company.
A Termination For Cause under this Section 7.1 shall be
effective upon the date set forth in a written notice of termination delivered
to Employee and removal of Employee's liability for any obligation of the
Company or guaranty of any Company obligation, whether such Company obligation
is non-contingent or contingent.
7.2 Termination Without Cause. This Agreement and the employment of the
Employee may be terminated "Without Cause" as follows:
(a) By mutual agreement of the parties hereto, provided
Employee's liability for any obligation of the
Company or guaranty of any Company obligation,
whether such Company obligation is non-contingent or
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<PAGE>
contingent, has been removed; or
(b) Upon Employee's death.
A Termination Without Cause under Section 7.2(a) hereof shall
be effective upon the date set forth in a written notice of termination
delivered hereunder, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the
giving of such notice. A Termination Without Cause under Section 7.2 (d) hereof
shall be automatically effective upon the date of death of the Employee.
7.3 Effect of Termination For Cause. If Employee's employment is
terminated For Cause:
(a) Employee shall be entitled to accrued base salary
under Section 3.1 through the date of termination;
(b) Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for
expenses accrued through the date of termination in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof;
and
(c) Employee shall be entitled to any commissions on
acquisitions or agreements for acquisitions entered
into prior to termination, whether such acquisitions
are consummated or are to be consummated after the
date effective termination date.
7.4 Effect of Termination Without Cause. If Employee's employment is
terminated Without Cause:
(a) Employee shall be entitled to compensation under
Section 3 through the date of termination;
(b) Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for
expenses accrued through the date of termination in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 hereof;
(c) Employee shall be entitled to receive a one-time,
lump sum severance payment equal to two and nine
point nine-tenths (2.99) times the total amount of
the annual base salary payable under Section 3.1
hereof, which amount shall be paid upon termination;
(d) Employee shall be entitled to receive all benefits as
would have been awarded under Section 3.8 hereof
through the Scheduled Termination Date, which
benefits shall be awarded as and when the same would
have been awarded under the Agreement had it not been
terminated;
(e) Employee shall be entitled to any commissions on
acquisitions or agreements for acquisitions entered
into prior to termination, whether such acquisitions
are consummated or are to be consummated after the
date effective termination date; and
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(e) Except as provided in Article XI, this Agreement
shall thereupon be of no further force or effect.
7.5 Termination Upon Change of Control. Upon a "Change of Control" (as
such term is defined in Section 7.6 hereof) of the Company during the Term
hereof, Employee may, at his sole discretion, declare this Agreement terminated
and receive a one-time, lump sum severance payment equal to two and ninety-nine
hundreds (2.99) times the total amount of the annual base salary payable under
the terms of Section 3.1 of this Agreement upon the date of such Change of
Control, if within three (3) years of the Change of Control:
(a) Employee's employment hereunder is terminated prior
to the Scheduled Termination Date Without Cause; or
(b) Employee elects to terminate his employment with the
Company in the event (i) he is removed from the
office of President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company or (ii) the Company fails to afford
Employee the power and authority generally
commensurate with the position of President and Chief
Executive Officer or (iii) the Company requires
Employee to relocate his residence; and
(c) Employee's liability for any obligation of the
Company or guaranty of any Company obligation,
whether such Company obligation is non-contingent or
contingent, has been removed.
7.6 Change of Control. For purposes of Section 7.5 of this Agreement, a
Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred in the event of:
(a) The acquisition by any person or entity, or group
thereof acting in concert, of "beneficial" ownership
(as such term is defined in Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (the "Exchange
Act"), of securities of the Company which, together
with securities previously owned, confer upon such
person, entity or group the voting power, on any
matters brought to a vote of shareholders, of twenty
five percent (25%) or more of the then outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company; or
(b) The sale, assignment or transfer of assets of the
Company or any subsidiary or subsidiaries, in a
transaction or series of transactions, if the
aggregate consideration received or to be received by
the Company or any such subsidiary in connection with
such sale, assignment or transfer is greater than
twenty five percent (25%) of the book value,
determined by the Company in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, of the
Company's assets determined on a consolidated basis
immediately before such transaction or the first of
such transactions; or
(c) The merger, consolidation, share exchange or
reorganization of the Company (or one or more
subsidiaries of the Company) as a result of which the
holders of all of the shares of capital stock of the
Company as a group
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<PAGE>
would receive less than twenty five percent (25%) of
the voting power of the capital stock or other
interests of the surviving or resulting corporation
or entity; or
(d) The adoption of a plan of liquidation or the approval
of the dissolution of the Company; or
(e) The commencement (within the meaning of SEC Rule
14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of a tender or exchange
offer which, if successful, would result in a Change
of Control of the Company; or
(f) A determination by the Board of Directors of the
Company, in view of then current circumstances or
impending events, that a Change of Control of the
Company has occurred or is imminent, which
determination shall be made for the specific purpose
of triggering the operative provisions of this
Agreement.
7.7 Limitations on Change of Control Compensation. In the event that
the lump-sum payment payable to Employee under Section 7.5 hereof ("Severance
Benefits"), or any other payments or benefits received or to be received by
Employee from the Company (whether payable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, or any other plan, agreement or arrangement with the Company or any
corporation affiliated with the Company within the meaning of Section 1504 of
the Code, in the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Company acceptable to
Employee, constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code and the present value of such "parachute payments" equals
or exceeds three times the average of the annual compensation payable to
Employee by the Company (or an Affiliate) and includable in Employee's gross
income for federal income tax purposes for the five (5) calendar years preceding
the year in which a change in ownership or control (as hereinafter defined) of
the Company occurred ("Base Amount"), such Severance Benefits shall be reduced
to an amount the present value of which (when combined with the present value of
any other payments or benefits otherwise received or to be received by Employee
from the Company (or an Affiliate) that are deemed "parachute payments" is equal
to 2.99 times the Base Amount, notwithstanding any other provision to the
contrary in this Agreement. The Severance Benefits shall not be reduced if (i)
Employee shall have effectively waived his receipt or enjoyment of any such
payment or benefit which triggered the applicability of this Section 7.7 or (ii)
in the opinion of such tax counsel, the Severance Benefits (in their full amount
or as partially reduced, as the case may be) plus all other payments or benefits
which constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)
of the Code are reasonable compensation for the services actually rendered,
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code and such payments are
deductible by the Company. The Base Amount shall include every type and form of
compensation includable in Employee's gross income in respect of his employment
by the Company (or an Affiliate), except to the extent otherwise provided in
temporary or final regulations promulgated under Section 280G(b) of the Code.
For purposes of this Section 7.7, a "change in ownership or control" shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 280G(b) of the Code and any temporary or final
regulations promulgated thereunder. The present value of any non-cash benefit or
any deferred cash payment shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of Section 280G of the Code.
Employee shall have the right to request that the Company obtain a
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") as to whether any or all
payments or benefits determined by such
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<PAGE>
tax counsel are, in the view of the IRS, "parachute payments" under Section
280G. If a ruling is sought pursuant to Employee's request, no Severance
Benefits payable under this Agreement in excess of the Section 280G limitations
shall be made to Employee until after fifteen (15) days from the date of such
ruling, however, Severance Benefits shall continue to be paid during the time up
to the amount of that limitation. For purposes of this Section 7.7, Employee and
the Company shall agree to be bound by the IRS's ruling as to whether payments
constitute "parachute payments" under Section 280G. If the IRS declines, for any
reason, to provide the ruling requested, the tax counsel's opinion provided with
respect to what payments or benefits constitute "parachute payments" shall
control and the period during which the Severance Benefits may be deferred shall
be extended to a date fifteen (15) days from the date of the IRS's notice
indicating that no ruling would be forthcoming.
In the event that Section 280G, or any successor statute is
repealed, this Section 7.7 shall cease to be effective on the effective date of
such repeal. The parties to this Agreement recognize that final regulations
under Section 280G of the Code may affect the amounts that may be paid under
this Agreement and agree that, upon issuance of such final regulations, this
Agreement may be modified as in good faith deemed necessary in light of the
provisions of such regulations to achieve the purposes of this Agreement, and
that consent to such modification shall not be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE VIII
Non-Competition and Non-Interference
8.1 Non-Competition. Employee agrees that during the Term hereof and,
in the case of a Termination For Cause, for a period of six (6) months
thereafter, Employee will not, directly, indirectly, or as an agent on behalf of
or in conjunction with any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other
entity, own, manage, control, join, or participate in the ownership, management,
operation, or control of, or be financially interested in or advise, lend money
to, or be employed by or provide consulting services to, or be connected in any
manner with any similar business in which the Company is engaged as of the date
of termination and which is located within 50 miles of any Company facility or
operation within the United States of America.
8.2 Non-Interference. Employee agrees that during the Term hereof and,
in the case of a Termination For Cause, for a period of six (6) months
thereafter, Employee will not, directly, indirectly or as an agent on behalf of
or in conjunction with any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other
entity, induce or entice any employee of the Company to leave such employment or
cause anyone else to do so.
8.3 Severability. If any covenant or provision contained in Article
VIII is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, it shall not
be deemed to affect or impair the validity of any other covenant or provision.
If, in any arbitral or judicial proceeding, a tribunal shall refuse to enforce
all of the separate covenants deemed included in this Article VIII, then such
unenforceable covenants shall be deemed eliminated from the provisions hereof
for the purpose of such proceedings to the extent necessary to permit the
remaining separate covenants to be enforced in such proceedings.
ARTICLE IX
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<PAGE>
Remedies
9.1 Equitable Remedies. Employee and the Company agree that the
services to be rendered by Employee pursuant to this Agreement, and the rights
and interests granted and the obligations to be performed by Employee to the
Company pursuant to this Agreement, are of a special, unique, extraordinary and
intellectual character, which gives them a peculiar value, the loss of which
cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in any action at law,
and that a breach by Employee of any of the terms of this Agreement will cause
the Company great and irreparable injury and damage. Employee hereby expressly
agrees that the Company shall be entitled to the remedies of injunction,
specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent a breach of Articles
VI and VIII of this Agreement, both pendente lite and permanently, against
Employee, as such breach would cause irreparable injury to the Company and a
remedy at law would be inadequate and insufficient. Therefore, the Company may,
in addition to pursuing its other remedies, obtain an injunction from any court
having jurisdiction in the matter restraining any further violation.
9.2 Rights and Remedies Preserved. Nothing in this Agreement except
Section 10.11 shall limit any right or remedy the Company or Employee may have
under this Agreement or pursuant to law for any breach of this Agreement by the
other party. The rights granted to the parties herein are cumulative and the
election of one shall not constitute a waiver of such party's right to assert
all other legal remedies available under the circumstances.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous
10.1 No Waivers. The failure of either party to enforce any provision
of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provision, nor
prevent such party thereafter from enforcing such provision or any other
provision of this Agreement.
10.2 Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company and Employee under
the terms of this Agreement may be delivered personally, by telecopy, telex or
other form of written electronic transmission, or by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, and shall be addressed as follows:
If to the Company: United Petroleum Corporation
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37918
Attention: Secretary
Telephone: (423) 688-0582
Telecopy: (423) 688-2266
If to Employee: Michael Thomas
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37918
AND a Copy to: Neal S. Melnick, Esquire
P.O. Box 2681
Knoxville, TN 37917
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<PAGE>
Telephone: (423) 525-3900
Telecopy: (423) 523-2681
Either party may hereafter notify the other in writing of any change in address.
Any notice shall be deemed duly given (i) when personally delivered, (ii) when
telecopied, telexed or transmitted by other form of written electronic
transmission (upon confirmation of receipt) or (iii) on the third day after it
is mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, as provided herein.
10.3 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and
if any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or otherwise
unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder of the provisions, or
enforceable parts thereof, shall not be affected thereby.
10.4 Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of the Company
under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the Company, including the survivor upon any merger,
consolidation, share exchange or combination of the Company with any other
entity. Employee shall not have the right to assign, delegate or otherwise
transfer any duty or obligation to be performed by him hereunder to any person
or entity.
10.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements and understandings between the parties hereto, oral
or written, and may not be modified or terminated orally. No modification,
termination or attempted waiver shall be valid unless in writing, signed by the
party against whom such modification, termination or waiver is sought to be
enforced. This Agreement was the subject of negotiation by the parties hereto
and their counsel. The parties agree that no prior drafts of this Agreement
shall be admissible as evidence (whether in any arbitration or court of law) in
any proceeding which involves the interpretation of any provisions of this
Agreement.
10.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Tennessee without reference
to the conflict of law principles thereof.
10.7 Section Headings. The section headings contained herein are for
the purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the
contents of said sections.
10.8 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall cooperate and shall
take such further action and shall execute and deliver such further documents as
may be reasonably requested by the other party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement.
10.9 Gender. Whenever the pronouns "he" or "his" are used herein they
shall also be deemed to mean "she" or "hers" or "it" or "its" whenever
applicable. Words in the singular shall be read and construed as though in the
plural and words in the plural shall be read and construed as though in the
singular in all cases where they would so apply.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all
of which taken together shall be deemed one original.
10.11 Arbitration. The parties hereto agree that any dispute concerning
or arising out of the provisions of the Agreement shall be resolved by
arbitration in accordance with the rules of the
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<PAGE>
American Arbitration Association. Such arbitration shall be held in Knoxville,
Tennessee and the decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be conclusive and binding
on the parties and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The arbitrator may, in his or her discretion, award attorneys fees and costs to
such party as he or she sees fit in rendering his or her decision.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any dispute arises hereunder as to which the
Company desires to exercise any rights or remedies under Section 9.1 hereof, the
Company may, in its discretion, in lieu of submitting the matter to arbitration,
bring an action thereon in any court of competent jurisdiction in Tennessee,
which court may grant any and all relief available in equity or at law. In any
such action, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees
and costs as may be awarded by the court.
ARTICLE XI
Survival
11.1 Survival. The provisions of Articles III [3.5(c)],VI, VII, VIII,
IX and X, of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement
whether upon, or prior to, the Scheduled Termination Date hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Employment
Agreement as of the date first above written.
ATTEST: UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
A Delaware Corporation,
/s/ Dwight Thomas By: /s/ [NAME ILLEGIBLE]
- ------------------------------- -------------------------------
Secretary Title: Executive Vice President & CFO
WITNESS: EMPLOYEE
/s/ [NAME ILLEGIBLE] /s/ Michael Thomas
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------
MICHAEL THOMAS
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
TO BE SUPPLIED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT OF OVERRIDING ROYALTY INTEREST
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE)
) KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That:
COUNTY OF KNOX )
United Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with offices and
place of business at 4867 North Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee (herein call
"Assignor"), in consideration of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and other good
and valuable consideration paid by Michael F. Thomas, whose address is 4867
North Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee (herein called "Assignee"), the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Effective Date
and subject to the provisions hereof, has GRANTED, BARGAINED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
ASSIGNED and CONVEYED, and by these presents does GRANT, BARGAIN, SELL,
TRANSFER, ASSIGN, and CONVEY, unto Assignee an overriding royalty interest equal
to an undivided one and one-half percent (1.5%) of all of the oil, gas
casinghead gas and other hydrocarbon substances in, under and that may be
produced, saved and sold pursuant to and under the terms and provisions of the
oil and gas lease or leases described in Exhibit (A) attached hereto and made a
part hereof, as such lease or leases may be amended, extended and/or ratified
(herein called "the Leases", whether one or more, and inclusive of all
amendments thereto and extensions and ratifications thereof), and from the lands
covered by the Leases.
The overriding royalty interest assigned hereby shall be delivered to
Assignee free and clear of all costs and expenses of every kind or character
saving and except gross production, pipe line, severance, ad valorem, windfall
profits, excise, sales and other taxes, whether similar or dissimilar, which are
assessed or levied against or are otherwise applicable to said interest or the
production attributable thereto.
In the event any of the Leases covers less than the full mineral
interest in the lands described therein, or any portion thereof, then the
overriding royalty interest assigned hereby shall be proportionately reduced and
shall be payable to Assignee in the proportion that the mineral ownership of the
lessor in the lands covered by such of the Leases bears to the full mineral
ownership in such lands. In the event Assignor owns the title to less than the
full interest in any or all of the Leases, then the overriding royalty interest
assigned hereby in such lease or leases shall be proportionately reduced and
shall be payable to Assignee in the proportion that the interest owned by
Assignor in such lease or leases bears to the full leasehold ownership in such
lease or leases.
1
<PAGE>
In the event the interest of Assignor in the Leases or any of them, is
subject to increase or decrease upon the occurrence of payout or other event
under the terms of the Leases or any farmount agreement or other agreement to
which such interest was subject at the time Assignor acquired its interest
therein, the overriding royalty interest assigned herein shall be
proportionately increased or decreased (as the case may be) effective as of the
date such interest is increased or decreased (as the case may be) and such
overriding royalty interest shall thereafter be payable to Assignee in the
proportion that the interest thereafter owned by Assignor in such lease or
leases bears to the full leasehold ownership in such lease or leases.
In the event Assignor owns the title to less than the full interest
in any of the Leases and Assignor, its successors or assigns, hereafter acquires
an additional interest therein, the overriding royalty interest assigned hereby
shall be applicable to the additional leasehold interest so acquired by
Assignor, its successors and assigns. In the event any of the Leases covers less
than the full mineral interest in all or any portion of the lands covered
thereby and such lease hereafter covers and additional mineral interest not
presently covered thereby because title thereto is cured or such additional
mineral interest otherwise becomes subject to said lease, the overriding royalty
interest assigned hereby and applicable to such lease shall be proportionately
increased effective as of the date such additional mineral interest becomes
subject to such lease, and such overriding royalty interest shall thereafter be
payable to Assignee in the proportion that the mineral ownership of the lessor
in the lands covered by such lease as of such date bears to the full mineral
ownership in such lands.
Assignee agrees that Assignor, its successors and assigns, shall have
the right and power without the joinder or consent of Assignee to pool or
unitize the overriding royalty interest assigned hereby in the same manner and
to the same extent as the royalty interest reserved by the lessor in the Lease
may be pooled or unitized, whether pursuant to the provisions of the Leases, by
operation or action of law or governmental authority, or pursuant to the
provisions of any supplemental written agreement or amendment of the Leases. In
the event of such pooling or unitization, Assignee shall receive in lieu of the
overriding royalty interest assigned hereby on production from any such unit
only the proportion of such overriding royalty interest as the acreage subject
to said overriding royalty interest and included in the unit bears to the total
acreage included in the particular unit involved.
Assignee agrees that nothing contained herein shall impose upon
Assignor, its successors and assigns, any duty or obligation, either express or
implied, to maintain the Leases in force and effect by the payment of delay
rentals or shut-in royalties, the drilling of wells or otherwise, the overriding
royalty interest assigned hereby being due and payable out of production if, as
and when production is
2
<PAGE>
obtained, saved and sold from the lands covered by the Leases or lands pooled
therewith.
The overriding royalty interest assigned hereby shall be paid or
delivered to Assignee in the same manner, by the same method, at the same time
and under the same conditions as is provided for the payment or delivery of
royalty to the lessor under the terms of such of the Leases under which
production is obtained, saved and sold; provided, however, such overriding
royalty interest shall never bear, either directly or indirectly, any costs or
expenses to treat, store, gather, dehydrate, compress, pipe, transport, truck or
otherwise market or transport such production.
The overriding royalty interest assigned hereby shall be applicable to
any and all extensions, modifications, ratifications, renewals, and/or top
leases of the Leases which cover or pertain to all or any part of the same lands
covered by the lease extended, modified, ratified, renewed or top-leased, which
are taken, obtained or acquired by Assignor, its successors or assigns, within
one year from the expiration, termination or cancellation date of the lease so
extended, modified, ratified, renewed or top-leased. The overriding royalty
interest assigned hereby shall also be applicable to any new leases which cover
or pertain to all or any portion of the same lands covered by any of the Leases,
which are taken, obtained or acquired by Assignor, its successors or assigns,
within one year from the expiration, termination or cancellation date of the
lease that covered or pertained to all or a portion of the lands covered by the
new lease.
The overriding royalty interest assigned hereby shall not be applicable
to the production of oil, gas and other hydrocarbons produced from a well
drilled and completed on lands covered by the Leases prior to the Effective Date
or to a well which was being drilled on such lands on the Effective Date
provided that if any such well is plugged and abandoned and Assignor or the
successors or assignees of Assignor thereafter reenters such well and completes
the same, the overriding royalty interest shall be applicable thereto in the
same manner and to the same extend as if the well had not been drilled or
drilling on or prior to the Effective Date.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the overriding royalty interest assigned hereby
unto Assignee, his heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns,
subject to the terms and provisions hereof and of the Leases. Assignor binds
itself, its successors and assigns to warrant and forever defend, all and
singular, said overriding royalty interest unto Assignee, his heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns, against every person and entity
whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof, by,
through or under Assignor, but not otherwise.
3
<PAGE>
EXECUTED this _____ day of ________________, 19_____, effective as of the ____
day of ______________, 19_____ (the "Effective Date").
United Petroleum Corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Thomas
-----------------------------
Name: Michael F. Thomas
-----------------------------
Title: President
-----------------------------
/s/ Michael F. Thomas
------------------------------------
Address: ---------------------------
---------------------------
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE)
COUNTY OF KNOX)
This instrument was acknowledged on this the 18 day of September, 1996, by
Michael F. Thomas, President of United Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware Corp.,
on behalf of said Corporation.
/s/Lynn Lench Majeis
----------------------------
NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
Lynn Lench Majeis
----------------------------
(Printed Name of Notary)
My Commission Expires
March 20, 1997
- ---------------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.9
<PAGE>
PROMISSORY NOTE
$10,776,660.90 October 18, 1996
Knoxville, Tennessee
1. Principal.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned STRATEGIC HOLDINGS
CORPORATION, a Florida corporation ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the
order of UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Holder"), the
principal sum of Ten Million Seven Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Six Hundred
Sixty United States Dollars and ninety cents with interest from the date of this
Note on the unpaid principal at the rate of seven percent (8.00%) per annum
until paid.
2. Payments, Maturity Date.
Unless accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Note, the unpaid
principal balance of this Note, together with all unpaid interest accrued
thereon, and all other amounts payable by Borrower under the terms of this Note
shall be due and payable on December 15, 1996 (the "Maturity Date").
If any payments of principal or interest to be made by Borrower
shall become due on a day other than a Business Day and such extension of time
shall be included in computing any interest with respect to such payment.
"Business Day" shall mean any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on
which banks are open for business in Knoxville, Tennessee.
All interest due hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a
year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed.
All payments received by Holder under this Note shall be credited
first to any charges or other expenses for which Holder is entitled to payment
hereunder, next to accrued but unpaid interest, and third to unpaid principal.
3. Manner of Payment.
Principal and interest hereunder, and all other amounts payable
hereunder, is payable in lawful currency of the United States of America in
immediately available funds at Holder's address at United Petroleum Corporation,
4867 North Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918.
<PAGE>
4. Events of Default/Remedies.
a. Events of Default. Any of the following events shall
constitute an event of Default:
(1) Breach by Borrower of any of Borrower's obligations or
covenants under this Note; provided that Borrower shall have ten (10) days from
the date of any failure to perform any of its obligations or covenants under
this Note not involving the payment of money to Holder, within which to cure
said failure; or
(2) Borrower (A) becomes insolvent or admits in writing
Borrower's inability to pay Borrower's debts as they mature, (B) makes any
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (C) applies for or consents to the
appointment of a receiver or trustee for Borrower or for a substantial part of
Borrower's property or business, or a receiver or trustee otherwise is appointed
and is not discharged within thirty (30) days after such appointment; or
(3) Any of Borrower's representations or warranties made herein
or in any statement or certificate at any time given by Borrower pursuant hereto
or in connection herewith is false or misleading in any material respect; or
(4) Any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation
proceeding or other proceeding for relief under any bankruptcy law or any law
for the relief of debtors is instituted by or against Borrower; or
(5) Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment, or similar
process (singly or, if more than one, cumulatively in excess of $25,000) is
entered or filed against Borrower or any of the assets of Borrower and (A)
remains unvacated, unbonded, unstayed, undismissed or undischarged for a period
of ten (10) days, or (B) Borrower has not appealed the same in good faith to
Holder's satisfaction; or
(6) The condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower
suffers any material adverse change, in the reasonable opinion of the Holder.
b. Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, all indebtedness under this Note shall automatically be
immediately due and payable. In addition, Holder, at its option, and without
notice to Borrower, may take one or more of the actions described below. Upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, Holder
at its option and, unless otherwise specified below, without notice to Borrower,
may do any one or more of the following:
- 2 -
<PAGE>
(1) declare all indebtedness under this Note immediately due and
payable and cerdit any sums received thereafter in such manner as it elects upon
such indebtedness; provided, however, that such application of sums so received
shall not serve to waive or cure any default or any act done pursuant to such
notice and shall not prejudice any rights of Holder; and
(2) exercise any or all rights provided or permitted by law or
granted pursuant to this Note in such order and in such manner as Holder may,
in its sole judgment, determine.
c. No Waiver of Remedies. No waiver of any breach of or default
under any provision of this Note shall constitute or be construed as a waiver by
Holder of any subsequent breach of or default under that or any other provision
of this Note.
d. Remedies Not Exclusive. No remedy herein conferred upon
Holder is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy herein or in any other
agreement between the parties hereto or by law provided or permitted, but each
shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given
hereunder or now or hereafter existing in law, in equity or by statute.
5. Covenants and Agreements.
Borrower hereby makes the following covenants, which shall be
deemed to be continuing covenants until payment in full of all indebtedness of
Borrower to Holder arising under this Note:
a. Borrower agrees to furnish to Holder, upon request, such
information relating to the affairs, the operations and/or the financial
condition of Borrower as Holder may from time to time request.
b. Borrower shall promptly notify Holder in writing of the
occurrence of any act or event including, without limitation, the commencement
or threat of any action, suit, claim or proceeding against or investigation of
Borrower which could materially and adversely affect Borrower or which could
impair the validity, effectiveness or enforceability of, or impair Borrower's
ability to perform its obligations under, this Note, and of the occurrence of
any Event of Default or any event which with the giving of notice, the lapse of
time, or both, would become an Event of Default and the action Borrower
proposes to take with respect thereto.
c. Borrower shall, at any time and from time to time, upon the
written request of Holder, execute and deliver to Holder such further documents
and instruments and do such other acts and things as Holder may reasonably
request in order to effectuate fully the purpose and intent of this Note.
- 3 -
<PAGE>
6. Representations and Warranties of Borrower.
Borrower hereby makes the following representations and
warranties, which shall be deemed to be continuing representations and
warranties until payment in full of all indebtedness of Borrower to Holder
arising pursuant to this Note.
a. No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Note are not in contravention of or in conflict with any agreement, indenture or
undertaking to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower or any security
interest, lien or other encumbrance to be created or imposed upon any such
property by reason thereof.
b. No Default. There has occurred and is continuing no Event of
Default or any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would constitute an Event of Default.
c. Litigation. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending
or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge and belief, threatened against or
affecting Borrower which could impair the validity, effectiveness or
enforceability of, or impair Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under
this Note, whether said actions, suits or proceedings are at law or in equity or
before or by any governmental authority.
7. Default Rate.
Any amounts not paid when due shall thereafter bear interest at
a rate per annum equal to the interest rate set forth in Section 2 above, plus
two percent (2%).
8. Waiver.
Borrower hereby waives any right of offset Borrower may now or
hereafter have against Holder, and Borrower hereby also waives diligence,
presentment, protest and demand, notice of protest, dishonor and nonpayment of
this Note and expressly agrees that, without in any way affecting the liabilty
of Borrower hereunder, Holder may extend any maturity date or the time for
payment of any installment due hereunder, accept additional security, release
any party liable hereunder and release any security now or hereafter securing
this Note. Borrower further waives, to the full extent permitted by law, the
right to plead any and all statues of limitations as a defense to any demand on
this Note, or on any deed of trust, security agreement, lease assignment,
guaranty or other agreement now or hereafter securing this Note.
9. Right of Setoff.
Upon and after the occurrence of any Event of Default, Holder is
hereby authorized by Borrower, at any time and from time to time, without notice
to Borrower, to set off against, and to appropriate and apply to the payment of,
the obligations and liabilities of
- 4 -
<PAGE>
Borrower hereunder (whether matured or unmatured), any accounts maintained with
it by Borrower and/or any and all amounts owing by Holder to Borrower (whether
matured or unmatured, and however evidenced).
10. Jurisdiction.
For any action related to the judicial enforcement or
interpretation of this Note, Borrower expressly submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in the County of Knox the
State of Tennessee at the election of Holder, which election may be made from
time to time. Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process
out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by
mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to
Borrower at Borrower's address for notice furnished to Holder, such service to
become effective five (5) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect
the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or the right of
Holder to bring legal action or proceedings in any other jurisdiction.
11. Waiver of Jury Trial.
BORROWER HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY
CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE, OR ANY DEALINGS
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS NOTE AND THE DEBTOR/CREDITOR RELATIONSHIP
THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. The scope of this waiver is intended to be
all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that
relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including without limitation
contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law
and statutory claims. Borrower acknowledges that this waiver is a material
inducement to Holder to extend credit in the form of the principal amount of
this Note and that Holder has already relied on this waiver in entering into
this transaction, and the Holder will continue to rely on this waiver in its
related future dealings. Borrower further warrants and represents that it has
reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that it knowingly and
voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal
counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS NOTE, OR
TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING THERETO. IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, THIS NOTE MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
-5-
<PAGE>
12. Legal Fees.
Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses, including without
limitation attorney's fees actually incurred by Holder in connection with the
enforcement of any obligation of Borrower under this Note.
13. Severability.
In case any term or any provision of this Note shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the rest of
this Note and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
14. Headings.
Headings used in this Note are inserted for convenience only and
shall not be deemed to constitute.
15. Governing Law.
This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Tennessee.
Borrower:
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Russell Adler, President
--------------------------
Russell Adler
Name:_________________________
President
Title:________________________
-6-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.9.1
<PAGE>
SECURITY AGREEMENT
December 11, 1996
To: UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
4867 North Broadway
Knoxville, Tennessee 37918
For new value received, the undersigned ("debtor") here grants to
you, together with your successors and assigns, ("UPC"), a security
interest in the following instruments or negotiable documents: 1,834,407
shares of United Petroleum Corporation common stock together with all
rights related to those instruments or documents (collectively referred
to below as the ("collateral").
The collateral shall secure the Promissory Note of the debtor to UPC,
in the principal sum of $10,876,660.90, (such obligation referred to
below as "liability"). The debtor agrees (a) to deliver the collateral
to UPC promptly, and in no event later than 7 days from the date of this
agreement; [2] (b) to hold the collateral, pending such delivery, in
trust for UPC, separate and distinct from any other property of the
debtor and free of all liens and claims whatever other than the security
interest of UPC; and (c) to do such acts and things as UPC may from time
to time request to maintain a valid security interest on the part of UPC
in the collateral (free of all other liens and claims) to secure the
payment of the liability.
In addition to all other rights possessed by it, UPC shall have all
rights with respect to the collateral that are granted to it under any
promissory note evidencing any of the liabilities with respect to any
collateral referred to in any such promissory note. This agreement has
been delivered at [city and state], and shall, unless otherwise required
by law, be construed in accordance with and governed by the provisions
of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the
State of Tennessee.
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Russell Adler, President
--------------------------------
Russell Adler, President
--------------------------------
-------------------, Florida----
1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.9.2
<PAGE>
JOINT UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT
OF THE
SHAREHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
OF
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
A FLORIDA CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 607.0704 AND 607.0821, FLORIDA STATUTES, the
undersigned being all of the Shareholders and the Directors of STRATEGIC
HOLDING CORPORATION., a Florida corporation (the "Corporation"), hereby
take the following actions in lieu of a meeting;
BORROWING FROM UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of that certain
$10,776,660.90 promissory note to be executed by the Corporation in
favor of United Petroleum Corporation having been submitted to the
Shareholders and the Directors of the Corporation, and each of them, be
and they hereby are, in all respects, ratified, approved, confirmed and
adopted by the Corporation in favor of United Petroleum Corporation
having been submitted to the Shareholders and the Directors of the
Corporation, and each of them, be and they hereby are, in all respects,
ratified, approved, confirmed and adopted by the Corporation;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the appropriate officers of the Corporation
(including the President, the Secretary and any designated officer of
the Corporation), and each of them, with full power to act without any
other, be and they hereby are, authorized and directed to execute and
deliver in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the promissory
note, with such changes therein and modifications thereof and additions
thereto as the officers signing the same shall deem advisable, such
determination to be conclusively evidenced by their execution thereof;
RESOLVED FURTHER, That upon such execution of the promissory note by
such duly authorized officers of the Corporation, such promissory note
shall conclusively be deemed to be the valid, binding and enforceable of
the Corporation.
GENERAL AUTHORITY
RESOLVED, that the President and the Secretary of the Corporation
and any other designated officer of the Corporation, and each of them,
be and they hereby are, authorized and directed to take or cause to be
taken all such further actions and to execute all such further
instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Corporation
and under its corporate seal or otherwise, and to pay all such expenses
as in their judgment shall be necessary, proper or advisable in order to
fully carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of the foregoing
resolutions, and each of them.
<PAGE>
RESOLVED FURTHER, that any and all actions heretofore taken or
caused to be taken by the officers of the Corporation, consistent with
the tenor and import of the foregoing resolutions, are hereby ratified,
approved, confirmed and adopted in all respects.
THE ACTIONS taken pursuant to this Joint Unanimous Written Consent
shall have the same effect as actions taken at duly called, properly
noticed and validly constituted meeting of the Corporation's
Shareholders and Sole Director, respectively.
THE JOINT UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT may be executed and delivered in
one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and all of which taken together shall be considered on
instrument. Written consents delivered hereunder may be delivered by
telecopy or other facsimile transmission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being all of the Shareholders
and the Directors of the Corporation, have executed this Joint Unanimous
Written Consent as of the _____ day of October 1996.
SHAREHOLDERS DIRECTORS
- ------------ ---------
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------
- -----------------------------------
<PAGE>
ESCROW AGREEMENT
This Escrow Agreement ("Agreement") is made this 11th day of December, 1996,
between United Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware Corporation with its principal
offices in Knoxville, Tennessee (referred to as "UPC") and Strategic Holdings
Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Florida, (referred to as "SHC")
RECITALS
A. UPC is a publicly traded corporation listed on NASDAQ small cap;
B. SHC has in its possession, in a securities account at Spencer Edwards,
1,834,407 shares of UPC common stock, acquired by it from Taj Global Equities
Corporation (referred to hereinafter as the "Shares");
C. SHC is indebted to UPC in the amount of $10,876,660.90 as evidenced by
two promissory notes, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit A (referred
to hereinafter as the "Notes");
D. SHC has agreed to execute a Security Agreement granting UPC a security
interest in the Shares to secure the repayment of the Notes;
E. UPC and SHC desire that the Shares be removed from Spencer Edwards and a
certificate evidencing the Shares be issued by the transfer agent for UPC, and
placed in ESCROW subject to the terms set forth hereinbelow;
F. The parties agree that there be no sale, pledge, conveyance,
encumbrance or other means of transfer of the Shares from the Escrow
Account without consent of UPC;
Now therefore, based upon the foregoing, the parties agree as follows:
1. SHC agrees to place 1,500,000 of the Shares in escrow with Neal S.
Melnick, Esquire (referred to as "Escrow Agent"), 1518 Broadway, Knoxville,
Tennessee 37917, to be held by him subject to the terms set forth herein. The
remaining shares shall be held in escrow with Jan Atlas, Esquire, (referred to
as "Additional Escrow Agent"), New River Center, Suite 1900, 200 East Las Olas
Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.
2. SHC agrees to execute such number of stock powers requested by the
Escrow Agent, in order to facilitate this Agreement. SHC further agrees to
execute a proxy(s) in favor of the Escrow Agent for 1,834,407 shares (the
Escrowed Shares) upon request so long as the Shares remain in escrow.
1
<PAGE>
3. The parties agree that the obligation of SHC pursuant to the Notes shall
be nonrecourse, and UPC shall look solely to the collateral provided for herein
for payment of the Note. Upon the request of UPC, SHC shall cause all or any of
the collateral to be sold at such prices, to such persons and at such times as
UPC shall determine, in which event, the purchase price, less expenses of sale
shall be paid over to UPC. The parties further agree that UPC may enter into an
agreement or agreements to acquire one of more business entities or assets,
subject to the approval of UPC and on terms and conditions approved by UPC, with
all of part of the payment for such entities or assets to be made with all or
part of the collateral. In the event of a successful acquisition, SHC agrees
that it will sell such entity or asset to UPC at its appraised value plus 5%,
the purchase price to be paid by crediting SHC's Note and cash equal to 5% of
appraised value.
4. The parties shall upon the execution of the said Acquisition
Agreement(s) individually notify the Escrow Agent or Additional Escrow Agent, as
warranted by facsimile, overnight delivery of hand delivery of the execution of
such Acquisition Agreement(s) and include in such notification instructions on
as to the number of shares to be utilized and the address of the closing agent
for such transaction(s), if known. Upon reciept, the Escrow Agent shall, within
48 hours of such receipt notify the transfer agent to reissue the number of
shares necessary for the transaction(s) and deliver the certificate together
with an executed stock power, to the closing of said transaction(s).
5. UPC acknowledges Russell B. Adler, Esq. has not acted as counsel for UPC
and/or any of its officers and directors with regard to this agreement and any
part of the transactions for purposes of consulting, public relations and the
purchase of the Shares described herein.
6. SHC shall hold 334,407 of the 1,834,407 as security for the payment of
management fee's due SHC. SHC shall receive a minimum of $465,000 or 5% which
ever is greater, payable at a minimum of $200,000 (1997) and $265,000 (1998).
UPC agrees to pay SHC a management fee of $5,000 per month for January and
February, 1997 and $7,500 per month thereafter for a minimum of one year or
until such time as the 1,834,407 has been sold or transferred, which ever is
later. SHC agrees to offset $60,000 of the management fee, for the first year,
against any proceeds received over and above the note and/or 5% fee for
acquisitions. SHC agrees to transfer to Neal S. Melnick upon payment of the
first years fee 150,407 of the 334,407 held as security herein.
7. SHC agrees that unless UPC is in default of the provisions of paragraph
6, above, it will not sell or request the sale of the shares held as security;
and further agrees that in the event of a default under paragraph 6, above,
shall be authorized by UPC to sell not more than 10,000 shares in any one month
for the term of this agreement without the consent of UPC.
2
<PAGE>
8. UPC and SHC agree that Neal S. Melnick, Esq. shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or for any act done or omitted by Neal S. Melnick, Esq. in
good faith, or for anything which he may in good faith do or refrain from doing
in connection herewith. No liability will be incurred by Neal S. Melnick, Esq.
if, in the event of any dispute or question as to the construction of this
Escrow Agreement, he acts in accordance with the opinion of his legal counsel.
9. UPC and SHC agree that Jan Atlas, Esq. shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or for any act done or omitted by Jan Atlas, Esq. in good
faith, or for anything which he may in good faith do or refrain from doing in
connection herewith. No liability will be incurred by Jan Atlas, Esq. if, in the
event of any dispute or question as to the construction of this
Escrow Agreement, he acts in accordance with the opinion of his legal counsel.
10. Upon any breach of this agreement by UPC, UPC agrees to release the
334,407 shares held by SHC without restriction and agrees not to sell, pledge,
conveyance, encumbrance or other means of transfer of the Shares from the Escrow
Account without consent of SHC; and to credit the balance owed under the Note
with an amount equal to the closing bid price of the Shares being released on
the day preceding the release.
11. The Escrow Agent has executed this Agreement solely for the purpose of
accepting the Escrow and his acceptance of the terms of the Escrow.
12. The rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon their respective successors and
assigns, including the survivor upon any merger, consolidation, share exchange
or combination of either corporation with any other entity.
13. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and
understandings between the parties hereto, oral or written, and may not be
modified or terminated orally. No modification, termination or attempted waiver
shall be valid unless in writing, signed by the party against whom such
modification, termination or waiver is sought to be enforced. This Agreement was
the subject of negotiation by the parties hereto and their counsel. The parties
agree that no prior drafts of this Agreement shall be admissible as evidence
(whether in any arbitration or court of law) in any proceeding which involves
the interpretation of any provisions of this Agreement.
14. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
internal laws of the State of Tennessee without reference to the conflict of law
principles thereof.
15. Each party represents and warrants to the other that it has full power
and authority, under it's respective Charters and By-laws to enter into and
perform this Agreement and that its execution and performance of this Agreement
shall not constitute a default under or breach of any of the terms of any
agreement to which it is a party or which it is bound. Each party represents
that no consent or approval of any third party is required for its execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement or that all consents or approvals of
any third party required for its execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement have been obtained.
3
<PAGE>
16. UPC will indemnify SHC and save SHC harmless from and against any and
all claims, actions, damages, liability and expense in connection with this
agreement and the underlying transaction. The term expense shall include
reasonable counsel fees, subject to review of the bills for such expenses. In
the event of any such claims or actions being filed which include as an
individual defendant, the President of SHC this indemnification shall include
such individual, predicated upon such individual having fully disclosed to UPC
all facts and actions in which he or SHC has personal knowledge relating to the
purchase of the Shares and any agreements, negotiations or preceding or
following such purchase.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement this
11th day of December, 1996.
UNITED PETROLEUM CORPORATION
/s/ By: /s/ Michael F. Thomas
- ---------------- --------------------------
Witness Michael F. Thomas, President
STRATEGIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
/s/ By: /s/ Russell Adler
- ---------------- --------------------------
Witness Russell Adler, President
ACCEPTED:
/s/ Neal S. Melnick
--------------------------
Neal S. Melnick, Escrow Agent
--------------------------
Jan Atlas, Additional Escrow Agent
(SIGNED IN COUNTERPART PAGES)
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.10
<PAGE>
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 18th
day of December, 1996, by and between MONGOOSE INVESTMENTS, L.L.C., a Georgia
Limited Liability company (the "Consultant"), and UNITED PETROLEUM, INC., a
Tennessee corporation having its principal place of business at 4867 N.
Broadway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37918 (the "Corporation").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Consultant has experience managing both private and public
corporations, and is willing to assist the Corporation in its business, upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation is a publicly traded company which trades on
NASDAQ under the symbol UPET, and desires to engage Consultant.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and
agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Establishment of Relationship. The Corporation hereby engages
Consultant to provide management consulting services as hereinafter set forth.
2. Services. Consultant agrees to provide to Corporation the following
services on an as-needed basis during the term hereof:
(a) Management consulting;
(b) Financial consultation and advice regarding the
Corporation's operations;
(c) Corporate governance consulting;
(d) Shareholder issues consulting;
(e) Corporate marketing consulting;
(f) Strategic planning.
<PAGE>
The Corporation understands that Consultant is not being engaged on a
full-time basis, and that Consultant may not be available at all times
requested due to other business interests and commitments.
3. Independent Contractor. It is hereby agreed by the parties hereto
that Consultant is an independent contractor and shall not, in any manner
whatsoever, be deemed an employee of the Corporation. It is also understood that
no employee of Consultant shall be considered, directly or indirectly, an
employee of the Corporation. The Consultant shall be responsible for the payment
of any and all taxes in connection with any compensation paid to Consultant
hereunder, and Corporation shall make no deductions or withholdings from said
compensation. Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless Corporation for any
liability imposed upon Corporation for such taxes.
4. Reimbursement for Expenses. The Corporation agrees to reimburse
Consultant for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Consultant in
connection herewith. Any expenses in excess of six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00)
per month must be pre-approved by the Corporation.
5. Compensation. The Corporation shall pay to Consultant the total sum
of One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($125.00) per hour as compensation for the
services to be provided hereunder, with any time less than an hour being rounded
up to an hour. In addition, the minimum payment for each month during the term
hereof shall be Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), regardless of whether the
actual hours worked multiplied by the hourly rate set forth above would be less
than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). Said compensation shall be paid One-Half
(1/2) in cash and One-Half (1/2) in shares of the Corporation's registered (S-8)
common stock, at an agreed valuation of One Dollar ($1.00) per share. All
compensation hereunder shall be due upon the Corporation's receipt of an invoice
from the Consultant, and the Corporation shall have a period of Five (5) days
from the receipt of the invoice to issue a stock certificate to the Consultant
or his designee. The Consultant shall have the right to have the stock issued in
any name it desires, or in a trust, and the Consultant shall notify the
Corporation each month if it desires the shares to be issued that month in any
name other than the Consultant's name. The Consultant shall also have the right
to transfer his options to a third party. The first and last months minimum
payments in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), payable in the
form of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) cash and Ten Thousand (10,000) shares
of stock in the Corporation, shall be due upon the execution hereof. Payments
shall be made each month subsequent to the execution date hereof, commencing one
(1) month hereafter.
6. Stock Options. In addition to the compensation provided in Section 5
hereof, consultant shall have options to acquire Five Hundred Thousand (500,000)
shares of registered (S-8) common stock of the Corporation. Said options shall
be exercisable at an option price of One Dollar ($1.00) per share, and shall be
exercisable as follows: One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares may be purchased
at any time
2
<PAGE>
subsequent to the date hereof; One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares may
be purchased at any time subsequent to the time the stock trading price reaches
Two Dollars ($2.00) per share; One Hundred Thousand (100,000) may be purchased
at any time subsequent to the time the stock trading price reaches Three
Dollars ($3.00) per share; One Hundred Thousand (100,000) may be purchased at
any time subsequent to the time the stock trading price reaches Four Dollars
($4.00) per share; One Hundred Thousand (100,000) may be purchased at any time
subsequent to the time the stock trading price reaches Five Dollars ($5.00) per
share. Said options shall expire if not exercised prior to December 31, 1999.
7. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of One (1)
year, commencing on the date hereof. This Agreement may be terminated upon
Ninety (90) days advance written notice, and any compensation owed shall be paid
within Ten (10) days of the termination date. In the event of early termination
or the expiration of the term hereof, the stock options granted in Section 6
hereof will remain in full force and may be exercised by the Consultant at any
time up to the December 31, 1999 expiration date thereof.
8. Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Consultant from any claims, judgments or actions arising out of the
services to be provided by the Consultant hereunder.
9. Remedies Cumulative: No waiver. The several rights and remedies
provided for in this Agreement shall be construed as being cumulative, and no
one of them shall be deemed to be exclusive of the others or of any right or
remedy allowed by law. No waiver by Corporation or Consultant of any failure by
Consultant or Corporation respectively, to keep or perform any provision of this
Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach
of the same or other provision.
10. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court
of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by reason of
any rule of law or public policy, all other provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in effect. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed
dependent upon any other provision so expressed herein.
11. Headings for Convenience Only. The paragraph headings used in this
Agreement are for reference and convenience only and shall not in any way limit
or amplify the terms and provisions hereof, nor enter into the interpretation
of this Agreement.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
between the parties hereto, and no promise or agreement, oral or written, which
is not incorporated herein shall be of any force and effect.
3
<PAGE>
13. Confidentiality. The parties agree that the existence and terms of
this agreement shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed to any
third party without the written consent of the other party, unless such
disclosure is required by valid court order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and Consultant have caused this
Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
"CORPORATION"
UNITED PETROLEUM, INC.
By: /s/ Michael F. Thomas
---------------------------
MIKE THOMAS, President
[Corporate Seal]
"CONSULTANT"
MONGOOSE INVESTMENTS, LLC
BY: /s/ Richard P. Smyth
______________________________
RICHARD P. SMYTH, Manager
4
<PAGE>
Exhibit 21
<PAGE>
Exhibit 21
List of Subsidiaries
Name State of Incorporation
- ---- ----------------------
Calibur Systems, Inc. Tennessee
Jackson-United Petroleum Corporation Kentucky
