Trio Petroleum Corp

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2024

NOTE 1 –NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

Company Organization

Trio Petroleum Corp. (“Trio Petroleum” or the “Company”) is an oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Bakersfield, California, with operations in Monterey County, California and Uintah County, Utah. The Company was incorporated on July 19, 2021, under the laws of Delaware to acquire, fund and develop oil exploration and production assets, initially in California; it has no revenue-generating operations as of the date of this filing. The Company was formed to acquire Trio Petroleum LLC’s (“Trio LLC”) approximate 82.75% working interest, which was subsequently increased to an approximate 85.75% working interest, in the large, approximately 9,300-acre South Salinas Project located in Monterey, California, and subsequently partner with certain members of Trio LLC’s management team to develop and operate those assets.

Acquisition of South Salinas Project

On September 14, 2021, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“Trio LLC PSA”) with Trio LLC to acquire an 82.75% working interest in the South Salinas Project; the working interest included the purchased percentage of the South Salinas Project’s leases, wells and inventory in exchange for $300,000 cash, a non-interest-bearing note payable of $3,700,000 due to Trio LLC on December 17, 2021 (see Note 6 and Note 9) and 4,900,000 shares of the Company’s $0.0001 par value common stock (see Note 5 and Note 10). At the time of the acquisition, this share issuance constituted 45% of the total number of issued shares of the Company. The Company accounted for the purchase as an asset acquisition, as prescribed in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 –Business Combinations. The assets and associated asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) were recorded based on relative fair value at the estimated fair value of the consideration paid (see Note 5). In April 2023, the Company purchased an additional 3% working interest in the South Salinas Project; see Note 5 for further information. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, there were no proved reserves attributable to the approximate 9,300 acres of the property.

Initial Public Offering

The Company’s Registration Statement (Amendment No. 9) on Form S-1/A was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023; its Initial Public Offering was declared effective on April 17, 2023 and closed on April 20, 2023 (collectively, the “Offering” or “IPO”). The Company sold 2,000,000 shares of its common stock for total gross proceeds of $6,000,000, which is described more fully in Note 4.

Additional Acquisitions - McCool Ranch Oil Field & Asphalt Ridge Leasehold

In October 2023, the Company entered into an agreement (“McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement”) with Trio LLC for purchase of a 21.918315% working interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field located in Monterey County near the Company’s flagship South Salinas Project; the Company initially began refurbishment operations with respect to a water disposal well. After refurbishment was successfully accomplished, the Company restarted production operations on the assets (see Note 5 for further information). Additionally, in November 2023, the Company entered into a leasehold acquisition and development option agreement (“ARLO Agreement”) with Heavy Sweet Oil (“HSO”) for a 20% production share in HSO’s leases and 960-acre drilling and production program and an option for the exclusive right to acquire up to a 20% interest in the Asphalt Ridge leases. In December 2023, the Company amended the agreement and funded $200,000 in exchange for an immediate 2% interest in the leases; such funds are to be used for the building of roads and related infrastructure in furtherance of the development of the leases (see Note 5 for further information).

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

NOTE 2 –SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). Amounts presented in the balance sheet as of October 31, 2023 are derived from our audited financial statements as of that date. The unaudited condensed financial statements as of and for the three month periods ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the interim reporting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2024. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments (unless otherwise indicated), necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity-based transaction and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the revenue and expenses during the reporting period.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statement, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Some of the more significant estimates required to be made by management include estimates of oil and natural gas reserves (when and if assigned) and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties, accounts receivable, bad debt expense, ARO and the valuation of equity-based transactions. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company hadno cash equivalents as of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023.

Prepaid Expenses

Prepaid expenses consist primarily of prepaid services which will be expensed as the services are provided within twelve months. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, the balances of the prepaids account were $127,120 and $133,417, respectively.

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Company’s debt have been recorded as a direct reduction against the debt and amortized over the life of the associated debt as a component of interest expense. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, the Company recorded $90,978 and $350,320 in debt issuance costs, respectively.

Oil and Gas Assets and Exploration Costs – Successful Efforts

The Company is in the exploration stage and has not yet realized any revenues from its operations. It applies the successful efforts method of accounting for crude oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, exploration costs such as exploratory, geological, and geophysical costs, delay rentals and exploratory overhead are expensed as incurred. If an exploratory property provides evidence to justify potential development of reserves, drilling costs associated with the property are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending a determination as to whether a commercially sufficient quantity of proved reserves can be attributed to the area as a result of drilling. At the end of each quarter, management reviews the status of all suspended exploratory property costs considering ongoing exploration activities; in particular, whether the Company is making sufficient progress in its ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts. If management determines that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated exploratory well costs are expensed.

Costs to acquire mineral interests in crude oil and/or natural gas properties, drill and equip exploratory wells that find proved reserves and drill and equip development wells are capitalized. Acquisition costs of unproved leaseholds are assessed for impairment during the holding period and transferred to proven crude oil and/or natural gas properties to the extent associated with successful exploration activities. Significant undeveloped leases are assessed individually for impairment, based on the Company’s current exploration plans, and a valuation allowance is provided if impairment is indicated. Capitalized costs from successful exploration and development activities associated with producing crude oil and/or natural gas leases, along with capitalized costs for support equipment and facilities, are amortized to expense using the unit-of-production method based on proved crude oil and/or natural gas reserves on a field-by-field basis, as estimated by qualified petroleum engineers. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, all of the Company’s oil and gas properties were classified as unproved properties and were not subject to depreciation, depletion and amortization.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties

Unproved oil and natural gas properties have unproved lease acquisition costs, which are capitalized until the lease expires or otherwise until the Company specifically identifies a lease that will revert to the lessor, at which time the Company charges the associated unproved lease acquisition costs to exploration costs.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties are not subject to amortization and are assessed periodically for impairment on a property-by-property basis based on remaining lease terms, drilling results or future plans to develop acreage. All of the Company’s natural gas properties were classified as unproved as of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023; see further discussion in Note 5.

Impairment of Other Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate. The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and estimated fair value. With regards to oil and gas properties, this assessment applies to proved properties*.*

Asset Retirement Obligations

ARO consists of future plugging and abandonment expenses on oil and natural gas properties. In connection with the SSP acquisition described above, the Company acquired the plugging and abandonment liabilities associated with six non-producing wells. The fair value of the ARO was recorded as a liability in the period in which the wells were acquired with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties not subject to impairment. The Company plans to utilize the six wellbores acquired in the SSP acquisition in future exploration, production and/or disposal (i.e., disposal of produced water or CO2 by injection) activities. The liability is accreted for the change in its present value each period based on the expected dates that the wellbores will be required to be plugged and abandoned. The capitalized cost of ARO is included in oil and gas properties and is a component of oil and gas property costs for purposes of impairment and, if proved reserves are found, such capitalized costs will be depreciated using the units-of-production method. The asset and liability are adjusted for changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate when deemed necessary. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.

Components of the changes in ARO are shown below:

Related Parties

Related parties are directly or indirectly related to the Company, through one or more intermediaries and are in control, controlled by, or under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. On September 14, 2021, the Company acquired an 82.75% working interest (which was subsequently increased to an 85.75% working interest as of April 2023) in the SSP from Trio LLC in exchange for cash, a note payable to Trio LLC and the issuance of 4.9 million shares of common stock. As of the date of the acquisition, Trio LLC owned 45% of the outstanding shares of the Company and was considered a related party. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, Trio LLC owned less than 2% and 1%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of the Company.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets, including tax loss and credit carry forwards, and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company utilizes ASC 740,Income Taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial amounts, using currently enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is “more likely than not” that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. At January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, the Company’s net deferred tax asset has been fully reserved.

For uncertain tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold, the Company recognizes the benefit of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the statements of operations when a determination is made that such expense is likely. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

Fair Value Measurements

The carrying values of financial instruments comprising cash and cash equivalents, payables, and notes payable-related party approximate fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The notes payable- related party is considered a level 3 measurement. As defined in ASC 820,Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). This fair value measurement framework applies to both initial and subsequent measurement.

There are no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a non-recurring basis in accordance with the fair value hierarchy include the initial allocation of the asset acquisition purchase price, including asset retirement obligations, the fair value of oil and natural gas properties and the assessment of impairment.

The fair value measurements and allocation of assets acquired are measured on a nonrecurring basis on the acquisition date using an income valuation technique based on inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent Level 3 inputs. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value include estimates of: (i) reserves; (ii) future commodity prices; (iii) operating and development costs; and (iv) a market-based weighted average cost of capital rate. The underlying commodity prices embedded in the Company’s estimated cash flows are the product of a process that begins with NYMEX forward curve pricing, adjusted for estimated location and quality differentials, as well as other factors that the Company’s management believes will impact realizable prices. These inputs require significant judgments and estimates by the Company’s management at the time of the valuation.

The fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liabilities is measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, which converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well for all oil and natural gas wells and for all disposal wells; (ii) estimated remaining life per well; (iii) future inflation factors; and (iv) the Company’s average credit-adjusted risk-free rate. These assumptions represent Level 3 inputs.

If the carrying amount of its proved oil and natural gas properties, which are assessed for impairment under ASC 360 –Property, Plant and Equipment, exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company will adjust the carrying amount of the oil and natural gas properties to fair value. The fair value of its oil and natural gas properties is determined using valuation techniques consistent with the income and market approach. The factors used to determine fair value are subject to management’s judgment and expertise and include, but are not limited to, recent sales prices of comparable properties, the present value of future cash flows, net of estimated operating and development costs using estimates of proved reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures, and various discount rates commensurate with the risk and current market conditions associated with the expected cash flow projected. These assumptions represent Level 3 inputs.

Environmental Expenditures

The operations of the Company have been, and may in the future be, affected from time to time to varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for future reclamation and site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect upon the Company vary greatly and are not predictable. The Company’s policy is to meet or, if possible, surpass standards set by relevant legislation by application of technically proven and economically feasible measures.

Environmental expenditures that relate to ongoing environmental and reclamation programs are charged against earnings as incurred or capitalized and amortized depending on their future economic benefits. All of these types of expenditures incurred since inception have been charged against earnings due to the uncertainty of their future recoverability. Estimated future reclamation and site restoration costs, when the ultimate liability is reasonably determinable, are charged against earnings over the estimated remaining life of the related business operation, net of expected recoveries.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

All recently issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements have been deemed to be not applicable or immaterial to the Company.

NOTE 3 –GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENT’S LIQUIDITY PLANS

As of January 31, 2024, the Company had $348,748 in its operating bank account and a working capital deficit of $1,450,919. To date, the Company has been funding operations through proceeds from the issuance of common stock, financing through certain investors and its IPO, which closed with net proceeds of $4,940,000 (see Note 4). Additionally, on October 4, 2023, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (“October 2023 SPA”) with an institutional investor for convertible note financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.5 million under two tranches; on that same date, the investor funded the first tranche for approximately $1.9 million (net of original issue discount of 7%). On December 29, 2023, the investor funded the second tranche for approximately $0.5 million (net of original issue discount of 7%) (see Note 8).

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern over the next twelve months from the date of issuance of these condensed financial statements, which assumes the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of January 31, 2024, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $12,148,930 and has experienced losses from continuing operations. Based on the Company’s cash balance as of January 31, 2024 and projected cash needs for the twelve months following the issuance of these condensed financial statements, management estimates that it will need to generate sufficient sales revenue and/or raise additional capital to cover operating and capital requirements. Management will need to raise the additional funds by issuing additional shares of common stock or other equity securities or obtaining additional debt financing. Although management has been successful to date in raising necessary funding and obtaining financing through investors, there can be no assurance that any required future financing can be successfully completed on a timely basis, or on terms acceptable to the Company. Based on these circumstances, management has determined that these conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the twelve months following the issuance of these condensed financial statements.

Accordingly, the accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which contemplates continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

NOTE 4 –INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

The Company’s Registration Statement (Amendment No. 9) on Form S-1/A was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023; its Initial Public Offering was declared effective on April 17, 2023 and closed on April 20, 2023 (collectively, the “Offering” or “IPO”). The Company sold 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $3.00 per share for gross proceeds of $6,000,000. After deducting the underwriting commissions, discounts and offering expenses payable by the Company, it received net proceeds of approximately $4,940,000. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol TPET. The Company also issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to the underwriters at an exercise price of $3.30 per share (110% of public offering price), the cost of which was offset to additional paid-in capital upon IPO.

NOTE 5 –OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES

The following tables summarize the Company’s oil and gas activities.

During the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred aggregated exploration costs of $84,594 and $0, respectively; these expenses were exploratory, geological and geophysical costs and were expensed on the statement of operations during the applicable periods. For capitalized costs, the Company incurred $912,511 and $0 for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively; of the costs incurred during the current period, approximately $270,000 relates to drilling costs and approximately $650,000 relates to acquisition costs for the optioned assets (seeOptioned Assetsbelow). Both drilling and acquisition costs were capitalized and are reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of January 31, 2024. There were no capitalized costs incurred in the same period during 2023.

Leases

South Salinas Project

As of January 31, 2024, the Company holds interests in various leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project (see Note 7); two of the leases are held with the same lessor. The first lease, which covers 8,417 acres, was amended on May 27, 2022 to provide for an extension of then-current force majeure status for an additional, uncontested twelve months, during which the Company would be released from having to evidence to the lessor the existence of force majeure conditions. As consideration for the granting of the lease extension, the Company paid the lessor a one-time, non-refundable payment of $252,512; this amount was capitalized and reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of October 31, 2022. The extension period commenced on June 19, 2022 and currently, the “force majeure” status has been extinguished by the drilling of the HV-1 and the HV-3A wells; such drilling maintains the validity of the lease.

The second lease covers 160 acres of the South Salinas Project; it is currently held by delay rental and is renewed every three years. Until drilling commences, the Company is required to make delay rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the delay rental payment for the period from October 2023 through October 2024.

During February and March of 2023, the Company entered into additional leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project with two groups of lessors. The first group of leases covers 360 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $25/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period February 2024 through February 2025. The second group of leases covers 307.75 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period from March 2023 through March 2024.

McCool Ranch Oil Field

In October 2023, the Company entered into an agreement (“McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement”) with Trio LLC for purchase of a 21.918315% working interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field located in Monterey County near the Company’s flagship South Salinas Project; the Company initially recorded a payment of $100,000 upon execution of the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement, at which time Trio LLC began refurbishment operations with respect to the San Ardo WD-1 water disposal well (the “WD-1”) to determine if it was capable of reasonably serving the produced water needs for the assets. With refurbishment successfully accomplished, the Company is obligated to pay an additional $400,000 per the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement; it has paid approximately $80,000 during the quarter for restarting production operations on the assets and has recorded a liability of $320,000 for the remainder as of the end of the period. These additional costs are capitalized costs and are reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of January 31, 2024. As of the date of this filing, the Company has paid an additional $70,000 on the McCool Ranch assets, reducing the liability to approximately $250,000.

Optioned Assets – Old Man Prospect

In October 2023, the Company and Lantos Energy entered into an option agreement, whereby the Company has the option to pay two initial payments of $12,500 each and a final subsequent payment of $175,000, for a total of $200,000 within 120 days of the effective date for exclusive rights to the option to purchase 80% of the 100% Before Project Payout Working Interest (“BPPWI”) in Lantos’ oil and gas leasehold interests in Solano County, California (referred to as the Old Man Prospect). As of January 31, 2024, the Company has paid approximately $25,000 towards the purchase of this option. Due to technical risks identified during due diligence and due to other considerations, the Company did not make the final $175,000 payment and as a result the 120-day option period has expired.

Optioned Assets – Asphalt Ridge Leasehold Acquisition & Development Option Agreement

On November 10, 2023, the Company entered into a leasehold acquisition and development option agreement (“ARLO Agreement”) with Heavy Sweet Oil (“HSO”) for a term of nine months for a 20% production share in HOS’s leases and 960-acre drilling and production program. The ARLO Agreement also allows the Company the exclusive right to acquire up to a 20% interest in the Asphalt Ridge leases for $2,000,000, which may be invested in tranches by the Company, with an initial tranche closing for an amount no less than $500,000. The tranche funding is contingent upon HSO providing certain required items to the Company.

On December 29, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the ARLO Agreement, whereby the Company funded $200,000 of the $500,000 payable by the Company to HSO at the Initial Closing, in advance of HSO satisfying certain required items for a 2% interest in the leases; such funds are to be used by HSO solely for the building of roads and related infrastructure in furtherance of the development of the leases. As of January 31, 2024, the Company has paid a total of $225,000 to HSO in costs related to infrastructure and has obtained a 2.25% interest in the leases; such costs are capitalized costs and are reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of January 31, 2024.

NOTE 6 –RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

South Salinas Project – Related Party

The Company was originally formed to acquire Trio LLC’s working interest in the South Salinas Project, and subsequently partner with certain members of Trio LLC’s management to develop and operate those assets (see Note 1 and Note 5). Trio LLC operates the South Salinas Project on behalf of the Company, and as operator, conducts and has full control of the operations within the constraints of the Joint Operating Agreement, and acts in the capacity of an independent contractor. Trio LLC currently holds a 3.8% working interest in the South Salinas Project and the Company holds an 85.75% working interest. The Company provides funds to Trio LLC to develop and operate the assets in the South Salinas Project; such funds are classified in the short-term asset/liability section of the balance sheet as Advance to Operators/Due to Operators, respectively. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, the balance of the Due to Operators account is $91,395 and $21,651, respectively.

McCool Ranch Oil Field Asset Purchase – Related Party

On October 16, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement (“McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement”) with Trio LLC for purchase of a 21.918315% working interest in the McCool Ranch Oil Field located in Monterey County near the Company’s flagship South Salinas Project (see Note 5); the Assets are situated in what is known as the “Hangman Hollow Area” of the McCool Ranch Oil Field. The Company initially recorded a payment of $100,000 upon execution of the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement, at which time Trio LLC began refurbishment operations with respect to the San Ardo WD-1 water disposal well (the “WD-1”) to determine if it was capable of reasonably serving the produced water needs for the assets. With refurbishment successfully accomplished, the Company is obligated to pay an additional $400,000 per the McCool Ranch Purchase Agreement; it has paid approximately $80,000 during the quarter for restarting production operations on the assets and has recorded a liability of $320,000 to Trio LLC as of January 31, 2024.

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) issued to Directors

On September 2, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate 425,000 shares of its $0.0001 par common stock to four outside directors with a fair value of $0.64 per share for a grant date value of $273,275. The shares, or RSUs, vest in full upon the six-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date (or August 28,2023), subject to the directors’ continued service on the vesting date. For the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized stock-based compensation in the amount of $135,899 and $0, respectively, within stock-based compensation expenses on the income statement, with unrecognized expense of $41,361 as of the period ended January 31, 2024.

Restricted Shares issued to Executives and Employees

In February 2022, the Company entered into employee agreements with Frank Ingriselli (former Chief Executive Officer) and Greg Overholtzer (Chief Financial Officer or “CFO”) which, among other things, provided for the grant of restricted shares in the amounts of 1,000,000 and 100,000, respectively, pursuant to the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (“the Plan”). Per the terms of the employee agreements, subject to continued employment, the restricted shares vest over a two-year period, under which 25% will vest upon the earlier of three months after the IPO or six months after the grant date. After this date, the remainder vest in equal tranches every six months until fully vested. As the Plan was not adopted until October 17, 2022 (see Note 7), these shares will be recorded as of that date at a fair value of $0.294 per share; such value was calculated via a third-party valuation performed using income and market methods, as well as a discounted cash flow method, with the terminal value using a market multiples method, adjusted for a lack of marketability (see Note 10). As of October 31, 2022, the Company recorded 1,100,000 restricted shares at a fair value of $323,400, and for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of $40,757 and $40,757, respectively, within stock-based compensation expenses on the income statement, with unrecognized expense of $114,741 as of January 31, 2024.

In May 2023, the Company entered into six employee agreements which, among other things, provided for the grant of an aggregate of 700,000 restricted shares pursuant to the Plan. Per the terms of the employee agreements, subject to continued employment, the restricted shares vest as follows:25% of the shares will vest five months after the issuance date, after which the remainder vest in equal tranches every six months until fully vested. The shares were recorded on the date of issuance at a fair value of $2.15 per share for an aggregate fair value of $1,505,000, and for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of $189,845 and $0, respectively, within stock-based compensation expenses on the income statement, with unrecognized expense of $874,936 as of the period ended January 31, 2024.

On October 16, 2023, the Company and Michael L. Peterson entered into an employment agreement (the “Peterson Employment Agreement”), effective as of October 23, 2023, pursuant to which Mr. Peterson will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, replacing Mr. Ingriselli. Pursuant to the Peterson Employment Agreement, Mr. Peterson will be paid an annual base salary of $350,000. In addition, Mr. Peterson is entitled to receive, subject to his continuing employment with the Company on the applicable date of the bonus payout, an annual target discretionary bonus of up to 100% of his annual base salary, payable at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board based upon the Company’s and Mr. Peterson’s achievement of objectives and milestones to be determined on an annual basis by the Board.

Pursuant to the Peterson Employment Agreement, the Company issued Mr. Peterson a grant of 1,000,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) at a fair value of $0.27 per share for a grant date fair value of $271,000. The restricted stock grant vests over a period of two years, with 25% of the shares of restricted stock vesting six months after the Peterson Employment Agreement Effective Date, and the remainder vesting in equal tranches on each of the 12-, 18-, and 24-month anniversary dates of the Peterson Employment Agreement. For the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of $34,153 and $0, respectively, within stock-based compensation expenses on the income statement, with unrecognized expense of $233,505 as of the period ended January 31, 2024.

NOTE 7 –COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that any liability of the Company that may arise out of or with respect to these matters will not materially adversely affect the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

Unproved Property Leases

The Company holds interests in various leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project (see Note 5); two of the leases are held with the same lessor. The first lease, which covers 8,417 acres, was amended on May 27, 2022 to provide for an extension of then-current force majeure status for an additional, uncontested twelve months, during which the Company would be released from having to evidence to the lessor the existence of force majeure conditions. As consideration for the granting of the lease extension, the Company paid the lessor a one-time, non-refundable payment of $252,512; this amount was capitalized and reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of October 31, 2022. The extension period commenced on June 19, 2022 and currently, the “force majeure” status has been extinguished by the drilling of the HV-1 and the HV-3A wells; such drilling maintains the validity of the lease.

The second lease covers 160 acres of the South Salinas Project; it is currently held by delay rental and is renewed every three years. Until drilling commences, the Company is required to make delay rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the delay rental payment for the period from October 2023 through October 2024.

The Company holds interests in various leases related to the unproved properties of the McCool Ranch Oil Field. These leases occur in two parcels, “Parcel 1” and “Parcel 2”. Parcel 1 comprises ten leases and approximately 480 acres, which are held by delay rental payments that are paid-up and current. Parcel 2 comprises one lease and approximately 320 acres, which is held by production. The total leasehold comprises approximately 800 gross and net acres.

During February and March of 2023, the Company entered into additional leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project with two groups of lessors. The first group of leases covers 360 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $25/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period February 2024 through February 2025. The second group of leases covers 307.75 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period from March 2023 through March 2024.

On November 10, 2023, the Company entered into a leasehold acquisition and development option agreement (“ARLO Agreement”) with Heavy Sweet Oil (“HSO”) for a term of nine months for a 20% production share in HOS’s leases and 960-acre drilling and production program. The ARLO Agreement also allows the Company the exclusive right to acquire up to a 20% interest in the Asphalt Ridge leases for $2,000,000, which may be invested in tranches by the Company, with an initial tranche closing for an amount no less than $500,000. The tranche funding is contingent upon HSO providing certain required items to the Company.

On December 29, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the ARLO Agreement, whereby the Company funded $200,000 of the $500,000 payable by the Company to HSO at the Initial Closing, in advance of HSO satisfying certain required items for a 2% interest in the leases; such funds are to be used by HSO solely for the building of roads and related infrastructure in furtherance of the development of the leases. As of January 31, 2024, the Company has paid a total of $225,000 to HSO in costs related to infrastructure and has obtained a 2.25% interest in the leases; such costs are capitalized costs and are reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of January 31, 2024.

Board of Directors Compensation

On July 11, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved compensation for each of the non-employee directors of the Company, which would be effective upon the consummation of the IPO. Such compensation is structured as follows: an annual retainer of $50,000 cash plus an additional $10,000 for each Board committee upon which the Director serves, each paid quarterly in arrears. Payment for this approved compensation commenced upon successful completion of the Company’s IPO in April 2023; for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company has recognized $56,685 and $0, respectively, in directors’ fees.

Agreements with Advisors

On October 4, 2023 and December 29, 2023, the Company entered into placement agent agreements with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC (“Spartan”), whereby Spartan will serve as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the closing of private placements. The agreements provide the agent withi) a cash fee 7.5% of the aggregate proceeds raised in the sale and ii) warrants to purchase a number of common shares equal to 5% of the number of common shares initially issuable upon conversion of each note tranche; warrants to purchase 83,333 and 55,000 common shares with exercise prices of $1.32 and $0.55 for the first and second tranches, respectively, were issued to Spartan as of January 31, 2024. Such warrants may be exercised beginning 6 months after issuance until four- and one-half years thereafter.

NOTE 8 –NOTES PAYABLE

Notes payable as of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023 consisted of the following:

Convertible note – investors (October 2023 SPA)

On October 4, 2023, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “October 2023 SPA”) with an investor; the October 2023 SPA provides for loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $3.5 million under two tranches, with first and second tranche fund amounts of $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The first tranche will be immediately funded upon closing and the second tranche will be funded after the Company provides written confirmation to the investor and subject to the mutual consent of the investor and the Company that (i) stockholder approval of the transactions has been obtained for the purpose of complying with the NYSE/NYSE American Rules; (ii) that a resale Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Resale Registration Statement”) has been declared effective by the SEC for the registration of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and the Warrant and (iii) there is no Event of Default (as defined in the October 2023 SPA that has occurred or will occur as a result of such additional funding and in full force and effect).

In consideration for the investor’s funding of the first tranche, the Company issued and sold to the investor, in a private placement, i) a senior secured convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Note”) and ii) a warrant to purchase up to 866,702 shares of Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $1.20 per share of Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments (the “Common Warrant”). The Note is initially convertible into shares of Common Stock at conversion price of $1.20, subject to certain adjustments (the “Conversion Price”), provided that the Conversion Price shall not be reduced below $0.35 (the “Floor Price”). The Note does not bear any interest and matures on April 4, 2025.

Upon the initial funding on October 4, 2023, the Company recorded gross proceeds of approximately $2.0 million, a 7% original issue discount of $140,000 and debt issuance costs of $350,320, for net proceeds of approximately $1.5 million. The Company also issued a warrant to purchase up to 866,702 shares of common stock with an aggregate relative fair value of $332,630; the factors used to determine fair value were a share price of $0.55, an exercise price of $1.20, an expected term of 5 years, annualized volatility of 137.10%, a dividend rate ofzero percent and a discount rate of 4.72%.

The Company is required to pay to the investor the outstanding principal balance under the Note in monthly installments, on such date and each one (1) month anniversary thereof, in an amount equal to 103% of the total principal amount multiplied by the quotient determined by dividing one by the number of months remaining until the maturity date of the Note, until the outstanding principal amount has been paid in full or, if earlier, upon acceleration, conversion or redemption of the Note in accordance with its terms. All monthly payments are payable by the Company, in cash, provided that under certain circumstances, as provided in the Note, the Company may elect to pay in shares of Common Stock.

On December 18, 2023, December 19, 2023 and January 12, 2024, the Company made principal payments in the amounts of $125,000, $125,000, and $125,000, respectively, which it converted into shares at 103% for conversion amounts of $128,750, $128,750 and $128,750, respectively. The applicable conversion prices for each payment were $0.27, $0.27 and $0.24, respectively, with conversion shares issued numbering 367,858,367,858 and 367,858, respectively, and cash payments of $36,698, $35,837 and $49,935 made to the investor for the difference between the monthly conversion price and the floor price listed in the most recent amendment to the agreement.

On December 29, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the 2 nd Tranche of the October 2023 SPA, which reduced the conversion price of note and exercise price of warrant from $1.20 to $0.50.

On January 2, 2024, the 2 nd Tranche of the October 2023 SPA was funded, and the Company recorded gross proceeds of approximately $550,000, a 7% original issue discount of $38,500 and debt issuance costs of $90,978, for net proceeds of approximately $421,000. The Company also issued warrants to purchase up to 445,564 shares of common stock with an aggregate relative fair value of $98,708; the factors used to determine fair value were a share price of $0.32, an exercise price of $0.50, an expected term of 5 years, annualized volatility of 137.10%, a dividend rate ofzero percent and a discount rate of 3.93%.

As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, the balance of the convertible note, net of discounts, was $1,270,927 and $1,217,597, respectively, with non-cash interest expense related to discounts recognized in the amounts of $159,298 and $40,547, respectively.

NOTE 9 –STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Shares

On November 11, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with a vendor to provide marketing and distribution services for a period of six months, with compensation in the form of 200,000 shares. The Company issued the vendor 200,000 common shares at a fair market value price of $0.48 per share for a total amount of $95,200; one half of this amount was recognized as marketing fees in the current quarter, with the other half to be recognized in the subsequent quarter.

On December 18, 2023, December 19, 2023 and January 12, 2024, the Company made principal payments in the amounts of $125,000, $125,000, and $125,000, respectively, which it converted into shares at 103% for conversion amounts of $128,750, $128,750 and $128,750, respectively. The applicable conversion prices for each payment were $0.27, $0.27 and $0.24, respectively, with conversion shares issued numbering 367,858,367,858 and 367,858, respectively, for total values of $125,071, $114,036 and $105,575, respectively, and cash payments of $36,698, $35,837 and $49,935, respectively, made to the investor for the difference between the monthly conversion price and the floor price listed in the most recent amendment to the agreement.

Warrants

October 2023 SPA with Warrants

On October 4, 2023 and December 29, 2023, the Company entered into placement agent agreements with Spartan (see Note 7 for further information) for their role in connection with the two tranche fundings related to the October 2023 SPA; among other things, the agreements provide the agent with equity-classified warrants to purchase a number of common shares equal to 5% of the number of common shares initially issuable upon conversion of each note tranche. For the 1 st Tranche, the Company issued to Spartan warrants to purchase 83,333 shares of common stock with a fair value of $38,029; the factors used to determine fair value were a share price of $0.55, an exercise price of $1.32, an expected term of 5 years, annualized volatility of 137.10%, a dividend rate ofzero percent and a discount rate of 4.72%.

For the 2 nd Tranche, the Company issued to Spartan warrants to purchase 55,000 common shares of common stock with a fair value of $14,753; the factors used to determine fair value were a share price of $0.32, an exercise price of $0.55, an expected term of 5 years, annualized volatility of 137.10%, a dividend rate ofzero percent and a discount rate of 3.93%.

On January 2, 2024, the 2 nd Tranche of the October 2023 SPA was funded (see Note 8 for further information); in connection with this funding, the Company issued to the investor warrants to purchase up to 445,564 shares of common stock with an aggregate relative fair value of $98,708; the factors used to determine fair value were a share price of $0.32, an exercise price of $0.50, an expected term of 5 years, annualized volatility of 137.10%, a dividend rate ofzero percent and a discount rate of 3.93%.

A summary of the warrant activity during the three months ended January 31, 2024 is presented below:

A summary of outstanding and exercisable warrants as of January 31, 2024 is presented below:

Stock Options

A summary of the option activity during the quarter ended January 31, 2024 is presented below:

A summary of outstanding and exercisable options as of January 31, 2024 is presented below:

On August 15, 2023, the Company issued five-year options to purchase 120,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to a consultant of the Company, pursuant to the Plan. The options have an exercise price of $0.52 per share and vest monthly over a period of 24 months, beginning on the vesting commencement date. The options have a grant date fair value of $55,711, which will be recognized over the vesting term.

The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation method for these options issued in 2023 were as follows:

NOTE 10 –SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In accordance with ASC 855 – Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before condensed financial statements are issued, the Company has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred after January 31, 2024, through the date the condensed financial statements are available for filing.

Amendment to the First Tranche Note

On February 5, 2024, the Company entered into the first amendment to the First Tranche Note of the October 2023 SPA; such amendment provides fori) a reduction of the floor price of the conversion price from $0.35 to $0.15, ii) the issuance of additional 2,395,611 shares of common stock to the investor in lieu of the Company’s obligation to pay cash installments under the First Tranche Note, and iii) a new obligation of the Company to request acceleration of monthly payments in installments of $250,000 as soon as possible to repay the remaining $1,000,000 principal balance of the First Tranche Note, with the investor converting and selling shares subject to a) the beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99% and b) market prices of the Company’s common stock being at or above the floor price of $0.15.

Notice of Noncompliance with NYSE American Listing Standards

On February 26, 2024, the Company received a deficiency letter from the NYSE American indicating that it was not in compliance with the continued listing standards as set forth in Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide. Specifically, the Notice informed the Company that the NYSE American has determined that the shares of the Company’s common stock have been selling for a low price per share for a substantial period of time, and pursuant to Section 1003(f)(v) of the Company Guide, the Company’s continued listing is predicated on it demonstrating sustained price improvement by no later than August 26, 2024.

Restarting of Oil Production in McCool Ranch Oil Field

On March 4, 2024, the Company announced that the first two wells of the McCool Ranch Oil Field had been successfully restarted and were producing approximately 400 barrels of liquids including oil and water.