10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2004 Form 10-K for Year Ending December 31, 2004
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission file number: 000-32261

 

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas   76-0362774

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4600 Post Oak Place, Suite 200

Houston, Texas 77027

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (713) 622-3311

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class


 

Name of exchange on which registered


Common Stock, par value $.001 per share   NASDAQ

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by Reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes þ No ¨

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2004 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $94,935,548. The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 25, 2005 was 28,966,358.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Selected portions of the ATP Oil & Gas Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2004, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

 



Table of Contents

ATP OIL & GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

2004 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page

Part I

       6

Item 1.

 

Business

   6

Item 2.

 

Properties

   21

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

   24

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   24

Part II

       27

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   27

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

   28

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   30

Item 7a.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   44

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   44

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   44

Item 9a.

 

Controls and Procedures

   45

Item 9b.

 

Other Information

   45

Part III

       46

Item 10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant

   46

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

   46

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   46

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   46

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   46

Part IV

       47

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

   47

 

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Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements

 

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “ATP”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms refer to ATP Oil & Gas Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

This annual report includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be material.

 

All statements in this document that are not statements of historical fact are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

    projected operating or financial results;

 

    timing and expectations of financing activities;

 

    budgeted or projected capital expenditures;

 

    expectations regarding our planned expansions and the availability of acquisition opportunities;

 

    statements about the expected drilling of wells and other planned development activities;

 

    expectations regarding oil and natural gas markets in the United States, United Kingdom and the Netherlands; and

 

    estimates of quantities of our proved reserves and the present value thereof, and timing and amount of future production of oil and natural gas.

 

When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “may,” “should,” and “expect” reflect forward-looking statements.

 

There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward looking statements. Some of the key factors which could cause actual results to vary from those expected include:

 

    the volatility in oil and natural gas prices;

 

    the timing of planned capital expenditures;

 

    the timing of and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms;

 

    our ability to identify and acquire additional properties necessary to implement our business strategy and our ability to finance such acquisitions;

 

    the inherent uncertainties in estimating proved reserves and forecasting production results;

 

    operational factors affecting the commencement or maintenance of producing wells, including catastrophic weather related damage, unscheduled outages or repairs, or unanticipated changes in drilling equipment costs or rig availability;

 

    the condition of the capital markets generally, which will be affected by interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations and general economic conditions;

 

    cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims, including environmental liabilities which may not be covered by indemnity or insurance;

 

    the political and economic climate in the foreign or domestic jurisdictions in which we conduct oil and gas operations, including risk of war or potential adverse results of military or terrorist actions in those areas; and

 

    other United States, United Kingdom or Netherlands regulatory or legislative developments which affect the demand for natural gas or oil generally increase the environmental compliance cost for our production wells or impose liabilities on the owners of such wells.

 

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CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

As used herein, the following terms have specific meanings as set forth below:

 

Bbls    Barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons
Bcf    Billion cubic feet
Bcfe    Billion cubic feet equivalent
MBbls    Thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons
Mcf    Thousand cubic feet of natural gas
Mcfe    Thousand cubic feet equivalent
MMBbls    Million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons
MMBtu    Million british thermal units
MMcf    Million cubic feet of natural gas
MMcfe    Million cubic feet equivalent
MMBoe    Million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons equivalent
SEC    United States Securities and Exchange Commission
U.S.    United States
U.K.    United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

 

Crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons are converted into cubic feet of gas equivalent based on six Mcf of gas to one barrel of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

 

Development well is a well drilled within the proved area of an oil or natural gas field to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

 

Dry hole is a well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.

 

Exploratory well is a well drilled to find and produce oil or natural gas reserves in an unproved area, to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir, or to extend a known reservoir.

 

Farm-in or farm-out is an agreement whereby the owner of a working interest in an oil and gas lease or license assigns the working interest or a portion thereof to another party who desires to drill on the leased or licensed acreage. Generally, the assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn its interest in the acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or reversionary interest in the lease. The interest received by an assignee is a “farm-in,” while the interest transferred by the assignor is a “farm-out.”

 

Field is an area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition.

 

PV-10 is the pre-tax present value, discounted at 10% per year, of estimated future net revenues from the production of proved reserves, computed by applying sales prices in effect as of the dates of such estimates and held constant throughout the productive life of the reserves (except for consideration of price changes to the extent provided by contractual arrangements), and deducting the estimated future costs to be incurred in developing, producing and abandoning the proved reserves (computed based on current costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions).

 

Productive well is a well that is producing or is capable of production, including natural gas wells awaiting pipeline connections to commence deliveries and oil wells awaiting connection to production facilities.

 

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Proved reserves are the estimated quantities of oil and gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, can be recovered in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Reservoirs are considered proved if shown to be economically producible by either actual production or conclusive formation tests.

 

Proved developed reserves are the portion of proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

 

Proved undeveloped reserves are the portion of 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.

 

Working interest is the operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and a share of production.

 

Workover is operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

General

 

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation was incorporated in Texas in 1991. We are engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas properties in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. We primarily focus our efforts on oil and natural gas properties where previous drilling has encountered reservoirs that appear to contain commercially productive quantities of oil and gas. Many of these properties contain proved undeveloped reserves that are economically attractive to us but are not strategic to major or exploration-oriented independent oil and gas companies. Our management team has extensive engineering, geological, geophysical, technical and operational expertise in successfully developing and operating properties in both our current and planned areas of operation.

 

At December 31, 2004, we had estimated net proved reserves of 275.2 Bcfe, of which approximately 180.7 Bcfe (66%) was in the Gulf of Mexico and 94.5 Bcfe (34%) was in the North Sea. Year-end reserves were comprised of 205.2 Bcf of natural gas and 11.7 MMBbls of oil. The majority of our oil reserves are located in the Gulf of Mexico and approximately 54% of our natural gas reserves are located in the Gulf of Mexico with the balance located in the North Sea. The estimated pre-tax PV-10 of our proved reserves at December 31, 2004 was $732.8 million. See “Item 2. Properties – Oil and Natural Gas Reserves” for a reconciliation to after-tax PV-10.

 

At December 31, 2004, we had leasehold and other interests in 52 offshore blocks, 26 platforms and 68 wells, including five subsea wells, in the Gulf of Mexico. We operate 56 of these 68 wells, including all of the subsea wells, and 85% of our offshore platforms. We also had interests in ten blocks and one company-operated subsea well in the North Sea. Our average working interest in our properties at December 31, 2004 was approximately 79%. For more information regarding our operations and assets in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea, see Note 14, “Segment Information,” to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

Our business strategy is to enhance shareholder value primarily through the acquisition, development and production of properties that we believe contain oil and natural gas in commercial quantities in areas that have:

 

    an existing infrastructure of oil and natural gas pipelines and production/processing platforms;

 

    geographic proximity to developed markets for oil and natural gas;

 

    a number of properties that major oil companies, exploration-oriented independents and others consider non-strategic; and

 

    a relatively stable history of consistently applied governmental regulations for offshore oil and natural gas development and production.

 

We believe our strategy significantly reduces the risks associated with traditional oil and natural gas exploration. Our focus is to acquire properties that have been explored by others and found to contain proved reserves. Occasionally we will acquire properties where previous drilling has encountered reservoirs that appear to contain commercially productive quantities of oil and gas even though the reservoirs do not meet the SEC definition of proved reserves. From the inception of operations through March 25, 2005, we have successfully brought to production 37 out of 38 projects from previously undeveloped reservoirs, a 97% success ratio.

 

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We focus on acquiring properties that contain proved undeveloped reserves that have become non-core or non-strategic to their original owners for various reasons. For example, larger oil companies from time to time adjust their capital spending or shift their focus to exploration prospects with greater reserve potential. Some projects provide lower economic returns to a larger company due to its cost structure. Also, due to timing or budget constraints, a company may be unable or unwilling to develop a property before the expiration of the lease and desire to sell the property before it forfeits its lease rights. Because of our cost structure, expertise in our areas of focus and our ability to develop projects efficiently, these properties may be economically attractive to us.

 

By focusing on properties that are not strategic to other companies and properties that are primarily proved but as yet undeveloped, we are able to minimize up front acquisition costs and concentrate available capital on the development phase of these properties. Since our inception in 1991 through December 31, 2004, we have added 483.1 Bcfe of proved oil and natural gas reserves through acquisitions at a total cost of $78.7 million or $0.16 per Mcfe. Development costs for this same period were approximately $453.1 million.

 

We focus on developing projects in the shortest time possible between initial investment and first revenue generated in order to maximize our rate of return. Since we operate a significant number of the properties in which we acquire a working interest, we are able to significantly influence the time of a project’s development. We typically initiate new development projects by simultaneously obtaining the various required components such as the pipeline and the production platform or subsea well completion equipment. We believe this strategy, combined with our ability to evaluate and implement a project’s requirements, allows us to efficiently complete the development project and commence production quickly.

 

Our Strengths

 

    Low Acquisition Cost Structure. We believe that our focus on acquiring properties with minimal cash investment allows us to pursue the acquisition, development and production of properties that may not be economically attractive to others.

 

    Technical Expertise and Significant Experience. We have assembled a technical staff with an average of over 23 years of industry experience. Our technical staff has specific expertise in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea offshore property development, including the implementation of subsea completion technology.

 

    Operating Control. As the operator of a property, we are afforded greater control of the selection of completion and production equipment, the timing and amount of capital expenditures and the operating parameters and costs of the project. As of December 31, 2004, we operated all of our properties under development, all of our subsea wells and 85% of our offshore platforms.

 

    Employee Ownership. Through employee ownership, we have built a staff whose business decisions are aligned with the interests of our shareholders. Our executive officers and directors own approximately 37% of our common stock.

 

    Inventory of Projects. We have a substantial inventory of properties to develop in both the Gulf of Mexico and in the North Sea.

 

Marketing and Delivery Commitments

 

We sell our oil and natural gas production under price sensitive or market price contracts. Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. The price received by us for our oil and natural gas production can fluctuate widely. Changes in the prices of oil and natural gas will affect the carrying value of our proved reserves as well as our revenues, profitability and cash flow. Although we are not currently experiencing any significant involuntary curtailment of our natural gas or oil production, market, economic and regulatory factors may in the future materially affect our ability to sell our natural gas or oil production.

 

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We sell a portion of our oil and natural gas to end users through various non-affiliated gas marketing companies. Historically, we have sold our oil and natural gas to a relatively few number of purchasers. However, we are not dependent upon, or confined to, any one purchaser or small group of purchasers. Due to the nature of oil and natural gas markets and because oil and natural gas are commodities and there are numerous purchasers in the areas in which we sell production, we do not believe the loss of a single purchaser, or a few purchasers, would materially affect our ability to sell our production.

 

Competition

 

We compete with major and independent oil and natural gas companies for property acquisitions. We also compete for the equipment and labor required to operate and to develop these properties. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources and may be able to sustain wide fluctuations in the economics of our industry more easily than we can. Since we are in a highly regulated industry, they may be able to absorb the burden of any changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can. Our ability to acquire and develop additional properties in the future will depend upon our ability to conduct operations, to evaluate and select suitable properties, to secure adequate financing and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment.

 

Regulation

 

Gulf of Mexico

 

Federal Regulation of Sales and Transportation of Natural Gas. Historically, the transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce has been regulated pursuant to the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (“the Natural Gas Act”), the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regulations. In the past, the federal government has regulated the prices at which natural gas could be sold. Deregulation of natural gas sales by producers began with the enactment of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. In 1989, Congress enacted the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act, which removed all remaining Natural Gas Act and Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 price and non-price controls affecting producer sales of natural gas effective January 1, 1993.

 

Our sales of natural gas are affected by the availability, terms and cost of pipeline transportation. The price and terms for access to pipeline transportation are subject to extensive federal regulation. The FERC requires interstate pipelines to provide open-access transportation on a not unduly discriminatory basis for all natural gas shippers. The FERC frequently reviews and modifies its regulations regarding the transportation of natural gas, with the stated goal of fostering competition within all phases of the natural gas industry. We cannot predict what further action the FERC will take with regard to its regulations and open-access policies, nor can we accurately predict whether the FERC’s actions will achieve the goal of increasing competition in markets in which our natural gas is sold. However, we do not believe that any action taken will affect us in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other natural gas producers, gatherers and marketers.

 

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which the FERC implements with regard to transportation and pipeline issues, requires that all pipelines operating on or across the Outer Continental Shelf provide open-access, non-discriminatory service. There are currently no regulations implemented by FERC under its Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act authority on gatherers and other entities outside the reach of its Natural Gas Act jurisdiction. The Minerals Management Service, or MMS, has asked for comments on whether it should implement regulations under its Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act authority on gatherers and other entities to ensure open and non-discriminatory access on gathering systems and production facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf. Although we have no way of knowing whether the MMS will proceed with implementing regulations of this nature, we do not believe that any FERC action taken under its Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act jurisdiction will affect us in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other natural gas producers, gatherers and marketers.

 

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The natural gas industry historically has been very heavily regulated; therefore, there is no assurance that the current regulatory approach by the FERC and Congress will continue. Additional proposals and proceedings that might affect the natural gas industry are pending before Congress, the FERC and the courts.

 

Federal Leases. A substantial portion of our operations is located on federal oil and natural gas leases, which are administered by the MMS pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. These leases are issued through competitive bidding and contain relatively standardized terms. These leases require compliance with detailed MMS regulations and orders that are subject to interpretation and change by the MMS.

 

For offshore operations, lessees must obtain MMS approval for exploration, development and production plans prior to the commencement of such operations. In addition to permits required from other agencies such as the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, lessees must obtain a permit from the MMS prior to the commencement of drilling. The MMS has promulgated regulations requiring offshore production facilities located on the Outer Continental Shelf to meet stringent engineering and construction specifications. The MMS also has regulations restricting the flaring or venting of natural gas, and has proposed to amend such regulations to prohibit the flaring of liquid hydrocarbons and oil without prior authorization. Similarly, the MMS has promulgated other regulations governing the plugging and abandonment of wells located offshore and the installation and removal of all production facilities.

 

To cover the various obligations of lessees on the Outer Continental Shelf, the MMS generally requires that lessees have substantial net worth or post bonds or other acceptable assurances that such obligations will be satisfied. The cost of these bonds or assurances can be substantial, and there is no assurance that they can be obtained in all cases. We currently have several supplemental bonds in place. Under some circumstances, the MMS may require any of our operations on federal leases to be suspended or terminated. Any such suspension or termination could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The MMS also administers the collection of royalties under the terms of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the oil and gas leases issued under the Act. The amount of royalties due is based upon the terms of the oil and gas leases as well as of the regulations promulgated by the MMS. The MMS regulations governing the calculation of royalties and the valuation of crude oil produced from federal leases currently rely on arm’s-length sales prices and spot market prices as indicators of value. On May 5, 2004, the MMS issued a final rule that changed certain components of its valuation procedures for the calculation of royalties owed for crude oil sales. The changes include changing the valuation basis for transactions not at arm’s-length from spot to NYMEX prices adjusted for locality and quality differentials, and clarifying the treatment of transactions under a joint operating agreement. We believe this rule will not have a material impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

 

Oil Price Controls and Transportation Rates. Sales of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids by us are not currently regulated and are made at market prices. In a number of instances, however, the ability to transport and sell such products is dependent on pipelines whose rates, terms and conditions of service are subject to FERC jurisdiction under the Interstate Commerce Act. In other instances, the ability to transport and sell such products is dependent on pipelines whose rates, terms and conditions of service are subject to regulation by state regulatory bodies under state statutes.

 

The regulation of pipelines that transport crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids is generally more light-handed than the FERC’s regulation of gas pipelines under the Natural Gas Act. Regulated pipelines that transport crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids are subject to common carrier obligations that generally ensure non-discriminatory access. With respect to interstate pipeline transportation subject to regulation of the FERC under the Interstate Commerce Act, rates generally must be cost-based, although market-based rates or negotiated settlement rates are permitted in certain circumstances. Pursuant to FERC Order No. 561, issued in October 1993, the FERC implemented regulations generally grandfathering all previously unchallenged interstate pipeline rates and made these rates subject to an indexing methodology. Under this indexing methodology, pipeline rates are subject to changes in the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods. A pipeline can seek to increase its rates above index levels provided that the pipeline can establish that there is a substantial divergence between the actual costs experienced by the pipeline and the rate resulting from application of the index. A pipeline

 

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can seek to charge market-based rates if it establishes that it lacks significant market power. In addition, a pipeline can establish rates pursuant to settlement if agreed upon by all current shippers. A pipeline can seek to establish initial rates for new services through a cost-of-service proceeding, a market-based rate proceeding, or through an agreement between the pipeline and at least one shipper not affiliated with the pipeline. As provided for in Order No. 561, the FERC’s indexing methodology is subject to review at five year intervals, with the next review scheduled for July 2005.

 

With respect to intrastate crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids pipelines subject to the jurisdiction of state agencies, such state regulation is generally less rigorous than the regulation of interstate pipelines. State agencies have generally not investigated or challenged existing or proposed rates in the absence of shipper complaints or protests. Complaints or protests have been infrequent and are usually resolved informally.

 

We do not believe that the regulatory decisions or activities relating to interstate or intrastate crude oil, condensate, or natural gas liquids pipelines will affect us in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids producers or marketers.

 

Environmental Regulations. Our operations are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities and concentration of various substances that can be released into the environment, and impose substantial liabilities for pollution. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctive relief. Offshore drilling in some areas has been opposed by environmental groups and, in some areas, has been restricted by governmental entities. Moreover, changes in environmental laws and regulations have increased in recent years. Any laws that are enacted or other governmental actions that are taken to prohibit or restrict offshore drilling or to impose more stringent or costly environmental protection requirements could have a material adverse affect on the natural gas and oil industry in general and our offshore operations in particular. While we believe that we are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations and that continued compliance with existing requirements will not materially affect us, there is no assurance that this trend will continue in the future.

 

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, also known as “OPA,” and related regulations impose a variety of regulations on “responsible parties” related to the prevention of oil spills and liability for damages resulting from such spills in U.S. waters. A “responsible party” includes the owner or operator of a facility or vessel, or the lessee or permittee of the area in which an offshore facility is located. The OPA assigns liability to each responsible party for the costs of cleaning up an oil spill and for a variety of public and private damages resulting from a spill. While liability limits apply in some circumstances, a party cannot take advantage of liability limits if the spill was caused by a party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, a violation of a federal safety, construction or operating regulation, or a failure to report a spill or to cooperate fully in a cleanup. Even if applicable, the liability limits for offshore facilities require the responsible party to pay all removal costs, plus up to $75 million in other damages. Few defenses exist to the liability imposed by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

 

The OPA also requires a responsible party to submit proof of its financial responsibility to cover environmental cleanup and restoration costs that could be incurred in connection with an oil spill. Under this Act, parties responsible for offshore facilities must provide financial assurance of at least $35 million to address oil spills and associated damages, with this financial assurance amount increasing up to $150 million in certain limited circumstances if the MMS determines that a higher amount is warranted. The OPA also imposes other requirements, such as the preparation of an oil spill contingency plan, which we have in place.

 

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We are also regulated by the Clean Water Act, which prohibits any discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S. except in strict conformance with discharge permits issued by federal or state agencies. We have obtained, and are in material compliance with, the discharge permits necessary for our operations. We are also subject to similar state and local water quality laws and regulations for any production or drilling activities that occur in state coastal waters. Failure to comply with the ongoing requirements of the Clean Water Act or analogous state laws may subject a responsible party to administrative, civil or criminal enforcement actions.

 

In addition, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act authorizes regulations relating to safety and environmental protection applicable to lessees and permittees operating on the Outer Continental Shelf. Specific design and operational standards may apply to Outer Continental Shelf vessels, rigs, platforms and structures. Violations of lease conditions or regulations issued pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act can result in substantial civil and criminal penalties, as well as potential court injunctions curtailing operations and the cancellation of leases. Such enforcement liabilities can result from either governmental or private prosecution

 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or “CERCLA,” also known as the “Superfund” law, imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons that are considered to have contributed to the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of the disposal site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at the site. Under CERCLA, responsible persons may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment and for damages to natural resources, and it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment.

 

We may also incur liability under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or “RCRA,” which imposes requirements relating to the management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. While there exists an exclusion from the definition of hazardous wastes for “drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal energy,” in the course of our operations, we may generate ordinary industrial wastes, including paint wastes, waste solvents, and waste compressor oils that may be regulated as hazardous substances or hazardous waste. Consequently, we may incur liability for such hazardous substances and hazardous waste under CERCLA, RCRA, and analogous state laws. Under such laws, we could be required to remediate previously disposed wastes or to perform remedial operations to prevent future contamination.

 

Our operations are also subject to regulation of air emissions under the Clean Air Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Implementation of these laws could lead to the gradual imposition of new air pollution control requirements on our operations. Therefore, we may incur capital expenditures over the next several years to upgrade our air pollution control equipment. We could also become subject to similar state and local air quality laws and regulations in the future if we conduct production or drilling activities in state coastal waters. However, we do not believe that our operations would be materially affected by any such requirements, nor do we expect such requirements to be anymore burdensome to us than to other companies our size involved in similar natural gas and oil development and production activities.

 

North Sea

 

Regulation of Natural Gas and Oil Production. Pursuant to the Petroleum Act 1998, all natural gas and oil reserves contained in properties located in the U.K. are the property of the U.K. government. The development and production of natural gas and oil reserves in the U.K. Sector - North Sea requires a petroleum production license granted by the U.K. government. Prior to developing a field, we are required to obtain from the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (the “Secretary of State”) a consent to develop that field. We would be required to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State prior to transferring an interest in a license.

 

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The terms of the U.K. petroleum production licenses are based on model license clauses applicable at the time of the issuance of the license. Licenses frequently contain regulatory provisions governing matters such as working method, pollution and training, and reserve to the Secretary of State the power to direct some of the licensee’s activities. For example, a licensee may be precluded from carrying out development or production activities other than with the consent of the Secretary of State or in accordance with a development plan which the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has approved. Breach of these requirements may result in the revocation of the license. In addition, licenses that we acquire may require us to pay fees and royalties on production and also impose certain other duties on us.

 

Our operations in the U.K. are subject to the Petroleum Act 1998, which imposes a health and safety regime on offshore natural gas and oil production activities. The Petroleum Act 1998 also regulates the abandonment of facilities by licensees. In addition, the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act provides a framework in which the government can impose additional regulations relating to health and safety. Since its enactment, a number of regulations have been promulgated relating to offshore construction and operation of offshore production facilities. Health and safety offshore is further governed by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and applicable regulations.

 

Our operations are also subject to environmental laws and regulations imposed by both the European Union and the U.K. government. The offshore industry in the U.K. is regulated with regard to the environment both before activity commences and during the conduct of exploration and production activities. The licensing regime seeks to employ a preventive and precautionary approach. This is evident in the consultation which takes place before a U.K. licensing round begins, whereby the Secretary of State, acting through the Department of Trade and Industry (“DTI”), will consult with various public bodies having responsibility for the environment. Applicants for production licenses are required to submit a statement of the general environmental policy of the operator in respect of the contemplated license activities and a summary of its management systems for implementation of that policy and how those systems will be applied to the proposed work program. In addition, the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999, require the Secretary of State to exercise his licensing powers under the Petroleum Act 1998 in such a way to ensure that an environmental assessment is undertaken and considered before consent is given to certain projects.

 

We believe that our operations in the North Sea are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations. While we expect that continued compliance with existing environmental requirements will not have a material adverse impact on us, there is no assurance that this trend will continue in the future.

 

Petroleum production licenses require the prior approval of the Secretary of State of a licensee to act as operator. The operator under a license organizes or supervises all or any of the development and production operations of natural gas and oil properties subject thereto. As an operator, we may obtain operational services from third parties, but will remain fully responsible for the operations as if we conduct them ourselves.

 

Our operations in the U.K. may entail the construction of offshore pipelines, which are subject to the provisions of the Petroleum Act 1998 and other legislation. The Petroleum Act 1998 requires a license to construct and operate a pipeline in U.K. North Sea, including its continental shelf. Easements to permit the laying of pipelines must be obtained from the Crown Estate Commissioners prior to their construction. We plan to use capacity in existing offshore pipelines in order to transport our gas. However, access to the pipelines of a third party would need to be obtained on a negotiated basis, and there is no assurance that we can obtain access to existing pipelines or, if access is obtained, it may only be on terms that are not favorable to us.

 

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The natural gas we produce may be transported through the U.K.’s onshore national gas transmission system, or NTS. The NTS is owned by a licensed gas transporter, BG Transco plc (“Transco”). The terms on which Transco must transport gas are governed by the Gas Acts of 1986 and 1995, the gas transporter’s license issued to Transco under those Acts and a network code. For us to use the NTS, we must obtain a shipper’s license under the Gas Acts and arrange to have gas transported by Transco within the NTS. We will therefore be subject to the network code, which imposes obligations to payment, gas flow nominations, capacity booking and system imbalance. Applying for and complying with a shipper’s license, and acting as a gas shipper, is expensive and administratively burdensome. Alternatively, we may sell natural gas ‘at the beach’ before it enters the NTS or arrange with an existing gas shipper for them to ship the gas through the NTS on our behalf.

 

Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information included in this report. Each of these risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our common stock or other securities.

 

Our actual development results are likely to differ from our estimates of our proved reserves. We may experience production that is less than estimated and development costs that are greater than estimated in our reserve reports. Such differences may be material.

 

Estimates of our oil and natural gas reserves and the costs associated with developing these reserves may not be accurate. Development of our reserves may not occur as scheduled and the actual results may not be as estimated. Development activity may result in downward adjustments in reserves or higher than estimated costs.

 

Our estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves and the estimated future net revenues from such reserves are based upon various assumptions, including assumptions required by the SEC relating to oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. This process requires significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise and the quality and reliability of this data can vary.

 

Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and PV-10 of reserves that we disclose publicly. Our properties may also be susceptible to hydrocarbon drainage from production by other operators on adjacent properties. In addition, we will likely adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Actual production, revenues, taxes, development expenditures and operating expenses with respect to our reserves may vary materially from our estimates.

 

Delays in the development of or production curtailment at our material properties may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

 

The size of our operations and our capital expenditure budget limits the number of wells that we can develop in any given year. Complications in the development of any single material well may result in a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations. For instance, during 2003, we experienced unforeseen production delays and increased development costs in connection with the development of our Helvellyn well in the North Sea which, combined with our significant capital requirements for the development of several of our Gulf of Mexico properties, contributed to our constrained liquidity position at the end of 2003.

 

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In addition, a relatively few number of wells contribute to a substantial portion of our production. If we were to experience operational problems resulting in the curtailment of production in any of these wells, our total production levels would be adversely affected, which would have a material adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The unavailability or increased cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oilfield services could adversely affect our ability to execute on a timely basis our development plans within our budget.

 

Shortages or an increase in cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or personnel could delay or adversely affect our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In periods of increased drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, we may experience increases in associated costs, including those related to drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel and the services and products of other vendors to the industry. Increased drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea also decreases the availability of offshore rigs. These costs may increase further and necessary equipment and services may not be available to us at economical prices.

 

Our offshore properties are subject to rapid production declines. Therefore, we are required to replace our reserves at a faster rate than companies whose onshore reserves have longer production periods. We may not be able to identify or complete the acquisition of properties with sufficient proved reserves to implement our business strategy.

 

Production of reserves from reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico generally declines more rapidly than production from reservoirs in many other producing regions of the world. This results in recovery of a relatively higher percentage of reserves from properties in the Gulf of Mexico during the initial years of production. As our reserves decline from production, we must incur significant capital expenditures to replace declining production. As a result, in order to increase our reserves, we must replace our reserves with newly-acquired properties.

 

We may not be able to identify or complete the acquisition of properties with sufficient proved undeveloped reserves to implement our business strategy. As we produce our existing reserves, we must identify, acquire and develop properties through new acquisitions or our level of production and cash flows will be adversely affected. The availability of properties for acquisition depends largely on the divesting practices of other oil and natural gas companies, commodity prices, general economic conditions and other factors that we cannot control or influence. A substantial decrease in the availability of proved oil and gas properties in our areas of operation, or a substantial increase in the cost to acquire these properties, would adversely affect our ability to replace our reserves.

 

If we are not able to generate sufficient funds from our operations and other financing sources, we may not be able to finance our planned development activity or acquisitions or service our debt.

 

We have historically needed and will continue to need substantial amounts of cash to fund our capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Our ongoing capital requirements consist primarily of funding acquisition, development and abandonment of oil and gas reserves and to meet our debt service obligations. Our capital expenditures for oil and gas properties were approximately $87.4 million, $83.8 million and $34.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Because we have experienced a negative working capital position in past years, we have depended on debt and equity financing to meet our working capital requirements that were not funded from operations.

 

For 2005, we plan to finance anticipated expenses, debt service and acquisition and development requirements with available cash, funds generated from cash provided by operating activities and net cash proceeds from the potential sale of assets, debt or equity.

 

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Low commodity prices, production problems, disappointing drilling results and other factors beyond our control could reduce our funds from operations and may restrict our ability to obtain additional financing. Furthermore, we have incurred losses in the past that may affect our ability to obtain financing. In addition, financing may not be available to us in the future on acceptable terms or at all. In the event additional capital is not available, we may curtail our acquisition, drilling, development and other activities or be forced to sell some of our assets on an untimely or unfavorable basis. In addition, we may not be able to pay interest and principal on our debt obligations.

 

Our debt instruments impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to successfully operate our business.

 

In March 2004, we entered into a new term loan, which was subsequently amended in September 2004 (the “Term Loan”), consisting of a $185.0 million Senior Secured First Lien Term Loan Facility and a $35.0 million Senior Secured Second Lien Term Loan Facility. The Term Loan matures in March 2009 and is secured by substantially all of our oil and gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico and the U.K. Sector – North Sea and is guaranteed by our wholly owned subsidiaries ATP Energy and ATP Oil & Gas (U.K.) Limited. As of December 31, 2004, we had $218.4 million principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan. The Term Loan contains customary restrictions, including covenants limiting our ability to incur additional debt, grant liens, make investments, consolidate, merge or acquire other businesses, sell assets, pay dividends and other distributions and enter into transactions with affiliates. We also are required to maintain specified financial requirements under the terms of our Term Loan including the following, as defined in the Term Loan:

 

    Current Ratio of 1.0/1.0;

 

    Consolidated Net Debt to EBITDAX coverage ratio which is not greater than 3.25/1.0 through June 30, 2004 and 3.0/1.0 at each of the quarters ending thereafter;

 

    Consolidated EBITDAX to Interest Expense which is not less than 2.5/1.0 for any four consecutive fiscal quarters commencing with the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and at each of the quarters ending thereafter;

 

    PV10 of our Total Proved Developed Producing Oil and Gas Reserves to Net Debt of at least 0.5/1.0 at June 30 and December 31 of any fiscal year;

 

    PV10 of our Total Proved Oil and Gas Reserves to Net Debt of at least 2.5/1.0 at June 30 and December 31 of any fiscal year;

 

    Net Debt to Proved Developed Oil and Gas Reserves of less than $2.50/Mcfe at December 31, 2004 and at each of the years ending thereafter, and

 

    the requirement to maintain hedges on no less than 40% of the next twelve months of forecasted production attributable to our proved producing reserves.

 

These restrictions may make it difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy or to compete in our industry with companies not similarly restricted. While we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants in our Term Loan at December 31, 2004, during 2003 and in February 2004, we were required to obtain waivers for certain of our financial covenants in our prior credit facility. If we are unable to meet the requirements of our Term Loan or any new financial transaction that we may enter into, we may be required to seek waivers from our lenders and there is no assurance that such waivers would be granted.

 

We have debt, trade payables and related interest payment requirements that may restrict our future operations and impair our ability to meet our obligations.

 

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Our debt, trade payables and related interest payment requirements may have important consequences. For instance, it could:

 

    make it more difficult or render us unable to satisfy these or our other financial obligations;

 

    require us to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and principal due under our debt, which will reduce funds available for other business purposes;

 

    increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

    limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

    place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of our competitors that have less financial leverage; and

 

    limit our ability to obtain additional financing required to fund working capital and capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes.

 

Our ability to satisfy our obligations and to reduce our total debt depends on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot provide assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow or that future financings will be available to provide sufficient proceeds to meet these obligations. The successful execution of our business strategy and the maintenance of our economic viability are also contingent upon our ability to meet our financial obligations.

 

Oil and natural gas prices are volatile, and low prices have had in the past and could have in the future a material adverse impact on our business.

 

Our revenues, profitability and future growth and the carrying value of our properties depend substantially on the prices we realize for our oil and natural gas production. Because approximately 75% of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2004 were natural gas reserves, our financial results are more sensitive to movements in natural gas prices. Our realized prices also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital.

 

Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. For example, oil and natural gas prices increased significantly in late 2000 and early 2001 and then steadily declined in 2001, only to climb again in recent years to near all time highs. Among the factors that can cause this volatility are:

 

    worldwide or regional demand for energy, which is affected by economic conditions;

 

    the domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas;

 

    weather conditions;

 

    domestic and foreign governmental regulations;

 

    political conditions in natural gas or oil producing regions;

 

    the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree upon and maintain oil prices and production levels; and

 

    the price and availability of alternative fuels.

 

It is impossible to predict oil and natural gas price movements with certainty. Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to finance planned capital expenditures. Further, oil prices and natural gas prices do not necessarily move together.

 

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Our price risk management decisions may reduce our potential gains from increases in commodity prices and may result in losses.

 

We periodically utilize financial derivative instruments and fixed price forward sales contracts with respect to a portion of our expected production. These instruments expose us to risk of financial loss if:

 

    production is less than expected;

 

    the other party to the derivative instrument defaults on its contract obligations; or

 

    there is an adverse change in the expected differential between the underlying price in the financial derivative instrument and the fixed price forward sales contract and actual prices received.

 

Our results of operations may be negatively impacted by our financial derivative instruments and fixed price forward sales contracts in the future and these instruments may limit any benefit we would receive from increases in the prices for oil and natural gas. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we realized a loss on settled financial derivatives of $1.2 million, $16.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

 

We may incur substantial impairment writedowns.

 

If management’s estimates of the recoverable reserves on a property are revised downward, if development costs exceed previous estimates or if oil and natural gas prices decline, we may be required to record additional non-cash impairment writedowns in the future, which would result in a negative impact to our financial position. We review our proved oil and gas properties for impairment on a depletable unit basis when circumstances suggest there is a need for such a review. To determine if a depletable unit is impaired, we compare the carrying value of the depletable unit to the undiscounted future net cash flows by applying management’s estimates of future oil and gas prices to the estimated future production of oil and gas reserves over the economic life of the property. Future net cash flows are based upon our independent reservoir engineers’ estimates of proved reserves. In addition, other factors such as probable and possible reserves are taken into consideration when justified by economic conditions. For each property determined to be impaired, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the property on a depletable unit basis. Fair value is estimated to be the present value of the aforementioned expected future net cash flows. Any impairment charge incurred is recorded in accumulated depreciation, depletion, impairment and amortization to reduce our recorded basis in the asset. Each part of this calculation is subject to a large degree of judgment, including the determination of