Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation

v2.4.0.8
Basis of Presentation
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis Of Presentation
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
Description of Operations
Magellan Petroleum Corporation (the "Company" or "Magellan" or "we") is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the development of a CO2-enhanced oil recovery ("CO2-EOR") program at Poplar Dome ("Poplar") in eastern Montana and the exploration of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources in the Weald Basin, located in Sussex County, England, onshore United Kingdom ("UK"). Magellan also owns an exploration block, NT/P82, in the Bonaparte Basin, offshore Northern Territory, Australia, which the Company currently plans to farmout; and an 11% ownership stake in Central Petroleum Limited (ASX: CTP), a Brisbane based exploration and production company that operates one of the largest holdings of prospective onshore acreage in Australia. The Company conducts its operations through three wholly owned subsidiaries corresponding to the geographic areas in which the Company operates: Nautilus Poplar LLC ("NP") in the US, Magellan Petroleum (UK) Limited ("MPUK") in the UK, and Magellan Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd ("MPA") in Australia.

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Magellan and its wholly owned subsidiaries, NP, MPUK and MPA, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and the instructions to Form 10-K and Regulation S-X published by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on the prior year net income, accumulated deficit, net assets, or total shareholders' equity. The Company has evaluated events or transactions through the date of issuance of this report in conjunction with the preparation of these consolidated financial statements. All amounts presented are in US dollars, unless otherwise noted. Amounts expressed in Australian currency are indicated as "AUD."

Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of oil and gas reserves, assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated to US dollars at period-end exchange rates, and our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the reporting periods. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders' equity. A component of accumulated other comprehensive income will be released into income when the Company executes a partial or complete sale of an investment in a foreign subsidiary or a group of assets of a foreign subsidiary considered a business and/or when the Company no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign subsidiary or group of assets of a foreign subsidiary considered a business.
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the local currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in foreign currency transaction gains and losses that are reflected in results of operations as unrealized (based on period end translation) or realized (upon settlement of the transactions) and reported under general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company considers all highly liquid short term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short term nature of these instruments.
The Company's financial instruments exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are held in several UK and Australian bank accounts and time deposit accounts that have terms of 90 days or less. The Company regularly assesses the level of credit risk we are exposed to and whether there are better ways of managing credit risk. The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents with reputable financial institutions. At times, balances deposited may exceed FDIC insured limits. The Company has not incurred any losses related to these deposits.

Securities Available-for-Sale
Securities available-for-sale are comprised of investments in publicly traded securities and are carried at quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity, net of deferred income taxes. The Company recognizes gains or losses when securities are sold. On a quarterly basis, we perform an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment. As a result of this review, no impairment was recorded for the years ended June 30, 2014, or 2013, respectively.

Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable consist mainly of receivables from oil and gas purchasers. For receivables from working interest partners, the Company typically has the ability to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover non-payment of joint interest billings. Generally, oil and gas receivables are collected within two months. The collectability of accounts receivable is continuously monitored and analyzed based upon historical experience. The use of judgment is required to establish a provision for allowance for doubtful accounts for specific customer collection issues identified. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0 as of June 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Inventories
Our inventories consist of oil and gas drilling or repair items such as tubing, casing, chemicals, operating supplies, ordinary maintenance materials, and parts and production equipment for use in future drilling operations or repair operations. All inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities
The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all property acquisition costs, and costs of exploratory and development wells are capitalized until a determination is made that the well has found proved reserves or is deemed noncommercial. If an exploratory well is deemed to be noncommercial, the well costs are charged to exploration expense as dry hole cost. Exploration expenses include dry hole costs, geological and geophysical expenses. Noncommercial development well costs are charged to impairment expense if circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of the carrying value may have occurred.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization ("DD&A") of capitalized costs related to proved oil and gas properties is calculated on a property-by-property basis using the units-of-production method based upon proved reserves. The computation of DD&A takes into consideration restoration, dismantlement, and abandonment costs as well as the anticipated proceeds from salvaging equipment. The Company records its proportionate share in joint venture operations in the respective classifications of assets, liabilities, and expenses.
The sale of a partial interest in a proved oil and gas property is accounted for as normal retirement, and no gain or loss is recognized as long as the treatment does not significantly affect the units-of-production depletion rate. A gain or loss is recognized for all other sales of producing properties and is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company reviews its proved oil and gas properties for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of their carrying value may have occurred. The Company estimates the expected undiscounted future cash flows of its oil and gas properties and compares such undiscounted future cash flows to the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company will adjust the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to fair value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent sales prices of comparable properties, the present value of estimated future cash flows, net of estimated operating and development costs, using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures, and various discount rates commensurate with the risk and current market conditions associated with realizing the expected cash flows projected.

Land, Buildings, and Equipment
Land, buildings, and equipment are recorded at cost. Costs of renewals and improvements that substantially extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed when incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to fifteen years.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired net of the fair value of liabilities assumed in an acquisition. GAAP requires goodwill to be evaluated on an annual basis for impairment, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that could potentially result in impairment.
As of June 30, 2014 and 2013, management concluded that there is no impairment of goodwill. The qualitative factors used in our assessment include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, and overall financial performance.
As of June 30, 2014, $0.7 million of recorded goodwill related to NP, $0.2 million related to MPUK, and $0.3 million related to MPA. Changes in goodwill can be summarized as follows for the years ended:
 
June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands)
Fiscal year opening balance
$
2,174

 
$
2,174

Sale of Amadeus Basin assets (see Note 3)
(1,000
)
 

Fiscal year closing balance
$
1,174


$
2,174



Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company recognizes an estimated liability for future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of its oil and gas properties. A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation and corresponding increase in the carrying value of the related long-lived asset are recorded at the time a well is acquired or the liability to plug is legally incurred. The increase in carrying value is included in proved oil and gas properties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company depletes the amount added to proved oil and gas property costs, net of estimated salvage values, and recognizes expense in connection with the accretion of the discounted liability over the remaining estimated economic lives of the respective oil and gas properties (see Note 6).

Revenue Recognition
The Company derives revenue primarily from the sale of produced oil. Oil revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and collectability of the revenue is probable. Transportation costs are included in production costs.

Major Customers
The Company's consolidated oil production revenue is derived from its NP segment and is generated from a single customer for the years ended June 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Stock Based Compensation
Stock option grants may contain time based, market based, or performance based vesting provisions. Time based options are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Market based options are expensed based on a graded amortization method, the expense is recognized if the derived service period is satisfied, even if the market condition is not achieved. Performance based options ("PBOs") are recognized when the achievement of the performance conditions is considered probable. Accordingly, PBOs are expensed over the period of time the performance condition is expected to be achieved. Management re-assesses whether achievement of performance conditions is probable at the end of each reporting period. If changes in the estimated outcome of the performance conditions affect the quantity of the awards expected to vest, the cumulative effect of the change is recognized in the period of change.
The fair value of the stock options is determined on the grant date and is affected by our stock price and other assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, risk free interest rates, expected dividends, and the expected option exercise term. The Company estimates the fair value of PBOs and time based stock options using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model. The simplified method is used to estimate the expected term of stock options due to a lack of related historical data regarding exercise, cancellation, and forfeiture. For market based stock options, the fair value is estimated using Monte Carlo simulation techniques.

Accounting for Income Taxes
The Company follows the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be recovered.
GAAP prescribes a comprehensive model for recognizing, measuring, presenting, and disclosing in the financial statements uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to take in its tax returns. Under GAAP, the Company recognizes tax positions when it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company has presumed that its positions will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The next step consists of measurement. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it does not meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. To appropriately account for income tax matters, the Company is required to make significant judgments and estimates regarding the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the likelihood of the outcome of examinations of tax positions that may or may not be currently under review, and potential scenarios involving settlements of such matters. Changes in these estimates could materially impact the consolidated financial statements. There are no uncertain tax positions that would meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2014, or 2013, respectively.
The Company has adopted an accounting policy to record all tax related interest under interest expense and tax related penalties under general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

Financial Instruments
The carrying value for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and debt approximates fair value based on the timing of the anticipated cash flows and current market conditions.

Segment Information
As of June 30, 2014, the Company determined, based on the criteria of Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") ASC Topic 280, it operates in three segments, NP, MPUK and MPA, as well as a head office, Magellan ("Corporate"), which is treated as a cost center. As of June 30, 2014, these three operating segments met the minimum quantitative threshold to qualify for separate segment reporting.
The Company's chief operating decision maker is J. Thomas Wilson (President and CEO of the Company), who reviews the results and manages operations of the Company in the three reporting segments of NP, MPUK, MPA, and Corporate. The presentation of all segment information herein reflects the manner in which the Company's management monitors performance and allocates resources. For information pertaining to our reporting segments, see Note 13.

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
Income and losses per common share are based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The effect of potential dilutive securities in the determinations of diluted earnings per share are the dilutive effect of stock options, non-vested restricted stock, and the shares of Series A convertible preferred stock. The potential dilutive impact of stock options, and non-vested restricted stock is determined using the treasury stock method. The potential dilutive impact of the shares of Series A convertible preferred stock is determined using the "if-converted" method. In applying the if-converted method, conversion is not assumed for purposes of computing dilutive shares if the effect would be antidilutive. The preferred stock is convertible at a rate of one common share to one preferred share. We did not include any stock options or common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A convertible preferred stock in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively, as they would be antidilutive.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is presented net of applicable income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that under GAAP are reported as separate components of stockholders' equity instead of net income (loss).

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-02 which requires additional disclosures regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2013-02 requires an entity to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2013. The Company's adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, which permits an entity to release cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of a foreign subsidiary or foreign group of assets comprising a business. The Company's adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard designed to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies may need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current revenue recognition guidance. The ASU allows for the use of either the full or modified retrospective transition method, and the standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018; early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating which transition approach to use and the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
There are no new significant accounting standards applicable to the Company that have been issued but not yet adopted by the Company as of June 30, 2014.