(Mark One)
|
x
|
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
For the quarterly period ended September
30, 2012
|
¨
|
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
|
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-34373
CHINA NATURAL GAS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified
in its charter)
Delaware
|
98-0231607
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
|
(I.R.S. Employer
|
incorporation or organization)
|
Identification No.)
|
19th Floor, Building B, Van Metropolis
35 Tang Yan Road, Hi-Tech Zone
Xi’an, 710065, Shaanxi Province,
China
+86-29-8832-7391
(Address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of registrant’s
principal executive offices)
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
¨
No
x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
¨
No
x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of
“large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
|
¨
|
Accelerated filer
|
x
|
Non-accelerated filer
|
¨
|
Smaller reporting company
|
¨
|
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
¨
No
þ
The
number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of November 5, 2012 was 21,458,654.
Index
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accountant Firm
|
3
|
Item 1.
|
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
|
4
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)
|
5
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
|
6
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)
|
7
|
|
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
8
|
Item 2.
|
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
39
|
Item 3.
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
67
|
Item 4.
|
Controls and Procedures
|
70
|
|
|
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
|
|
Item 1.
|
Legal Proceedings
|
72
|
Item 1A.
|
Risk Factors
|
74
|
Item 2.
|
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
75
|
Item 3.
|
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
|
75
|
Item 4.
|
Mine Safety Disclosures
|
75
|
Item 5.
|
Other Information
|
75
|
Item 6.
|
Exhibits
|
75
|
Signatures
|
76
|
To: The Board of Directors
and Stockholders of
China Natural
Gas, Inc.
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated
interim balance sheet of China Natural Gas, Inc. as of September 30, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’
equity, and cash flows for the three months and nine months periods ended September 30, 2012. These consolidated interim financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
We conducted our review in accordance with
the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial statements consists
principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.
It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly,
we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of
any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
San Mateo, California
|
WWC, P.C.
|
November 5, 2012
|
Certified Public Accountants
|
China Natural Gas, Inc.
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
|
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
8,604,906
|
|
|
$
|
9,622,883
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
739,150
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
2,064,413
|
|
|
|
2,997,845
|
|
Other receivables, net
|
|
|
93,453
|
|
|
|
540,646
|
|
Employee advances
|
|
|
812,524
|
|
|
|
285,270
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
3,685,266
|
|
|
|
1,938,754
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
6,467,436
|
|
|
|
4,540,139
|
|
Prepaid expense and other current assets
|
|
|
4,367,024
|
|
|
|
4,470,687
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
26,834,172
|
|
|
|
24,396,224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures
|
|
|
1,583,000
|
|
|
|
1,574,000
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
179,374,098
|
|
|
|
174,097,754
|
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
51,567,976
|
|
|
|
45,882,320
|
|
Deferred financing cost, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
517,334
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
1,741,678
|
|
|
|
629,729
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
20,366,045
|
|
|
|
18,910,244
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
6,415,166
|
|
|
|
10,976,203
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
$
|
287,882,135
|
|
|
$
|
276,983,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior notes- current maturities
|
|
$
|
38,255,832
|
|
|
$
|
9,671,682
|
|
Current portion of bank loan payable
|
|
|
5,540,500
|
|
|
|
4,722,000
|
|
Redeemable liabilities - warrants
|
|
|
17,500,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
8,203,277
|
|
|
|
7,694,423
|
|
Other payable - related party
|
|
|
1,612,355
|
|
|
|
787,000
|
|
Short-term borrowing - related party
|
|
|
2,679,945
|
|
|
|
1,359,945
|
|
Unearned revenue
|
|
|
5,479,768
|
|
|
|
4,280,594
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
1,470,269
|
|
|
|
1,029,431
|
|
Taxes payable
|
|
|
1,210,929
|
|
|
|
2,626,271
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
81,952,875
|
|
|
|
32,171,346
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior notes, net of current portion
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
25,791,151
|
|
Bank loan payable, net of current portion
|
|
|
7,915,000
|
|
|
|
9,444,000
|
|
Borrowings - related party
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,320,000
|
|
Warrants liability
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
17,500,000
|
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
7,915,000
|
|
|
|
54,055,151
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$
|
89,867,875
|
|
|
$
|
86,226,497
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 5,000,000 authorized, none issued and outstanding
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 45,000,000 authorized, 21,458,654 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
|
|
|
2,145
|
|
|
|
2,145
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
83,353,599
|
|
|
|
82,909,485
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
20,713,885
|
|
|
|
19,817,493
|
|
Statutory reserves
|
|
|
11,051,811
|
|
|
|
10,124,710
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
82,674,291
|
|
|
|
77,903,478
|
|
Noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
218,529
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
198,014,260
|
|
|
|
190,757,311
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
$
|
287,882,135
|
|
|
$
|
276,983,808
|
|
S
ee Accompanying Notes to the Financial
Statements and Accountant’s Report.
China Natural Gas, Inc.
|
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
|
For the three months and nine months periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
|
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
|
|
$
|
27,903,522
|
|
|
$
|
32,225,481
|
|
|
$
|
92,231,013
|
|
|
$
|
74,859,041
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
647,061
|
|
|
|
1,508,657
|
|
|
|
2,174,124
|
|
|
|
4,790,207
|
|
Installation and others
|
|
|
2,511,199
|
|
|
|
3,163,237
|
|
|
|
6,835,658
|
|
|
|
8,669,404
|
|
|
|
|
31,061,782
|
|
|
|
36,897,375
|
|
|
|
101,240,795
|
|
|
|
88,318,652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
|
|
|
18,950,048
|
|
|
|
19,893,643
|
|
|
|
60,687,423
|
|
|
|
44,863,543
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
616,290
|
|
|
|
1,461,302
|
|
|
|
2,060,048
|
|
|
|
4,588,735
|
|
Installation and others
|
|
|
1,013,647
|
|
|
|
1,363,506
|
|
|
|
2,821,175
|
|
|
|
3,736,054
|
|
|
|
|
20,579,985
|
|
|
|
22,718,451
|
|
|
|
65,568,646
|
|
|
|
53,188,332
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
10,481,797
|
|
|
|
14,178,924
|
|
|
|
35,672,149
|
|
|
|
35,130,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
|
|
|
6,503,728
|
|
|
|
4,667,132
|
|
|
|
17,074,392
|
|
|
|
12,288,465
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
1,255,336
|
|
|
|
2,513,296
|
|
|
|
5,603,011
|
|
|
|
7,276,052
|
|
|
|
|
7,759,064
|
|
|
|
7,180,428
|
|
|
|
22,677,403
|
|
|
|
19,564,517
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
2,722,733
|
|
|
|
6,998,496
|
|
|
|
12,994,746
|
|
|
|
15,565,803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
22,084
|
|
|
|
12,403
|
|
|
|
42,683
|
|
|
|
28,323
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(277,347
|
)
|
|
|
(465,236
|
)
|
|
|
(985,027
|
)
|
|
|
(469,902
|
)
|
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
|
|
|
(4,017,726
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(4,017,726
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
133,625
|
|
|
|
(62,059
|
)
|
|
|
119,295
|
|
|
|
25,806
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
|
|
11,971
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
251,781
|
|
Foreign currency exchange loss
|
|
|
2,634
|
|
|
|
(421,031
|
)
|
|
|
(501,812
|
)
|
|
|
(428,079
|
)
|
|
|
|
(4,135,497
|
)
|
|
|
(923,952
|
)
|
|
|
(5,342,583
|
)
|
|
|
(592,071
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax
|
|
|
(1,412,764
|
)
|
|
|
6,074,544
|
|
|
|
7,652,163
|
|
|
|
14,973,732
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income tax
|
|
|
87,239
|
|
|
|
1,529,451
|
|
|
|
2,129,838
|
|
|
|
3,549,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
(1,500,003
|
)
|
|
|
4,545,093
|
|
|
|
5,522,325
|
|
|
|
11,424,610
|
|
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
23,594
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(175,589
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to China Natural Gas, Inc.
|
|
|
(1,523,597
|
)
|
|
|
4,545,093
|
|
|
|
5,697,914
|
|
|
|
11,424,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation gain
|
|
|
(844,824
|
)
|
|
|
2,696,721
|
|
|
|
896,392
|
|
|
|
7,139,013
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(2,368,421
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,241,814
|
|
|
$
|
6,594,306
|
|
|
$
|
18,563,623
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,403,052
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,403,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
S
ee Accompanying Notes to the Financial
Statements and Accountant’s Report.
China Natural gas, Inc.
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
|
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
|
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
Accumulative
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained Earnings
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Minority
|
|
|
Statutory
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Unrestricted
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
Balance at 1/1/2011
|
|
|
21,321,904
|
|
|
$
|
2,132
|
|
|
$
|
81,611,763
|
|
|
$
|
15,667,145
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
7,918,634
|
|
|
$
|
64,847,622
|
|
|
$
|
170,047,296
|
|
Exercise of stock options
|
|
|
136,750
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
670,062
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
670,075
|
|
Stock based compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
627,660
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
627,660
|
|
Cumulative translation adjustment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,150,348
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,150,348
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
15,261,932
|
|
|
|
15,261,932
|
|
Appropriation of retain earnings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,206,076
|
|
|
|
(2,206,076
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance at 12/31/2011
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
$
|
2,145
|
|
|
$
|
82,909,485
|
|
|
$
|
19,817,493
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
10,124,710
|
|
|
$
|
77,903,478
|
|
|
$
|
190,757,311
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1/1/2012
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
$
|
2,145
|
|
|
$
|
82,909,485
|
|
|
$
|
19,817,493
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
10,124,710
|
|
|
$
|
77,903,478
|
|
|
$
|
190,757,311
|
|
Stock based compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
444,114
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
444,114
|
|
Purchases of a Noncontrolling interest equity
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
394,118
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
394,118
|
|
Cumulative translation adjustment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
896,392
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
896,392
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(175,589
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5,697,914
|
|
|
|
5,522,325
|
|
Appropriation of retain earnings
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
927,101
|
|
|
|
(927,101
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance at 9/30/2012
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
$
|
2,145
|
|
|
$
|
83,353,599
|
|
|
$
|
20,713,885
|
|
|
$
|
218,529
|
|
|
$
|
11,051,811
|
|
|
$
|
82,674,291
|
|
|
$
|
198,014,260
|
|
S
ee Accompanying Notes to the Financial
Statements and Accountant’s Report.
China Natural gas, Inc.
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
For the nine months periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
|
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to China Natural Gas, Inc.
|
|
$
|
5,697,914
|
|
|
$
|
11,424,610
|
|
Add: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
(175,589
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
5,522,325
|
|
|
|
11,424,610
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
10,443,635
|
|
|
|
6,271,846
|
|
Provision for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
200,984
|
|
|
|
6,759
|
|
Loss (Gain) on disposal of fixed assets
|
|
|
4,017,726
|
|
|
|
(3,366
|
)
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
444,114
|
|
|
|
479,622
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
(251,781
|
)
|
Change in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
1,067,790
|
|
|
|
(148,404
|
)
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
170,241
|
|
|
|
(339,992
|
)
|
Employee advances
|
|
|
(526,366
|
)
|
|
|
24,019
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(1,365,120
|
)
|
|
|
(1,011,663
|
)
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
(2,458,489
|
)
|
|
|
(5,863,429
|
)
|
Prepaid expense and other current assets
|
|
|
3,049,626
|
|
|
|
(313,404
|
)
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
325,648
|
|
|
|
1,953,199
|
|
Unearned revenue
|
|
|
1,176,182
|
|
|
|
3,171,096
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
440,838
|
|
|
|
(114,033
|
)
|
Taxes payable
|
|
|
(1,432,165
|
)
|
|
|
461,903
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
21,076,965
|
|
|
|
15,746,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment for acquisition of property and equipment
|
|
|
(4,129,677
|
)
|
|
|
(6,568,845
|
)
|
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
|
|
|
2,850,914
|
|
|
|
16,896
|
|
Additions to construction in progress
|
|
|
(13,107,944
|
)
|
|
|
(7,884,773
|
)
|
Prepayment on long-term assets
|
|
|
(418,295
|
)
|
|
|
(805,522
|
)
|
Payment for acquisition of business
|
|
|
(656,179
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Payment for intangible assets
|
|
|
(1,768,049
|
)
|
|
|
(189,327
|
)
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(17,229,230
|
)
|
|
|
(15,431,571
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
670,075
|
|
Proceeds from short-term debt and other payable, related parties
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,090,647
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
|
(792,500
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Repayment of senior notes
|
|
|
(3,333,334
|
)
|
|
|
(3,333,334
|
)
|
Increase in restricted cash
|
|
|
(740,084
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
(4,865,918
|
)
|
|
|
427,388
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
|
424,188
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
(1,017,977
|
)
|
|
|
1,166,987
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
|
|
9,622,883
|
|
|
|
10,046,249
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
|
|
$
|
8,604,906
|
|
|
$
|
11,213,236
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest
|
|
$
|
718,541
|
|
|
$
|
293,941
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
$
|
3,330,382
|
|
|
$
|
3,142,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash transactions for investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction materials transferred to construction in progress
|
|
$
|
67,058
|
|
|
$
|
6,210,629
|
|
Construction in progress transferred to property and equipment
|
|
$
|
19,380,905
|
|
|
$
|
93,297,528
|
|
Construction in progress transferred to intangible assets
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
11,611,672
|
|
Advances to suppliers transferred to construction in progress
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
7,609,906
|
|
Other assets transferred to construction in progress
|
|
$
|
2,577,107
|
|
|
$
|
2,342,356
|
|
Capitalized interest - amortization of discount of notes payable and issuance cost
|
|
$
|
6,107,601
|
|
|
$
|
3,142,357
|
|
S
ee Accompanying Notes to the Financial
Statements and Accountant’s Report.
China Natural gas, Inc.
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
|
(Stated in US Dollars)
|
|
Note 1 - Organization
Organization and Line of Business
China Natural Gas, Inc. (the “Company,”
“our,” “us” or “we”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 31, 1999. The Company
through its wholly owned subsidiaries and variable interest entity (“VIE”), Xi’an Xilan Natural Gas Co., Ltd.
(“XXNGC”) and subsidiaries of its VIE, which are located in Hong Kong, Shaanxi Province, Henan Province and Hubei Province
in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), engages in sales and distribution of natural gas and gasoline to commercial,
industrial and residential customers through fueling stations and pipelines, construction of pipeline networks, installation of
natural gas fittings and parts for end-users, and conversions of gasoline-fueled vehicles to hybrid (natural gas/gasoline) powered
vehicles at automobile conversion sites. The consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the
consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and
cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include the accounts of China Natural Gas, Inc. and subsidiaries
and VIE. Our subsidiaries are: Xilan Energy Co. Ltd. (“XEC”), Shaanxi Xilan Natural Gas Equipment Co. Ltd (“SXNGE”),
Hubei Xian Natural Gas Co., Ltd (“HBXNG”), Lingbao Yuxi Natural Gas Co. Ltd. (“LYNG”), Shaanxi Jingbian
Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd (“JBLNG”), Henan Xilan Natural Gas Co. Ltd (“HXNGC”), Xi’an Xilan Auto
Body Shop Co, Ltd. (“XXABC”), Henan CNPC Kunlun Xilan Compressed Natural Gas Co., Ltd (“JV”), Hanchuan
Makou Yuntong Compressed Natural Gas Co., Ltd (“Makou”) and Xiantao City Jinhua Gas And Oil Co., Ltd. (“XTJH”).
Note 2 – Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.
GAAP”).
The consolidated financial statements include
all adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company
for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily
indicative of operating results expected for the full year or future interim periods. These unaudited consolidated financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed on April 2, 2012(the "2011 Annual Report").
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial
statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, construction
in progress, warrants liability and useful lives of property and equipment. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and its 100% VIE, XXNGC, and XXNGC’s subsidiaries.
All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity
VIEs are entities that lack sufficient
equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate
decision-making ability. Any VIE with which the Company is involved must be evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary of the
risks and rewards of the VIE. Management makes ongoing reassessments of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of XXNGC.
On February 21, 2006, the Company formed
SXNGE as a wholly foreign owned enterprise (“WFOE”) under the laws of the PRC. Through SXNGE, the Company entered into
exclusive arrangements with XXNGC and its shareholders that give the Company the ability to substantially influence XXNGC’s
daily operations and financial affairs and appoint its senior executives. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary of
XXNGC and it consolidates its accounts as a VIE. The Company’s arrangements with XXNGC consist of the following agreements:
·
Consulting Service Agreement, dated August 17, 2007
. Under this agreement entered into between SXNGE and XXNGC, SXNGE provides
XXNGC exclusive consulting services with respect to XXNGC’s general business operations, human resources and research and
development. In return, XXNGC pays a quarterly service fee to SXNGE, which is equal to XXNGC’s revenue for such quarter.
The term of this agreement is indefinite unless SXNGE notifies XXNGC of its intention to terminate this agreement. XXNGC may not
terminate this agreement during its term. This agreement is retroactive to March 8, 2006.
·
Operating Agreement, dated August 17, 2007
. Under this agreement entered into between SXNGE, on the one hand, and XXNGC
and certain shareholders of XXNGC, on the other hand, SXNGE agrees to fully guarantee XXNGC’s performance of all operations-related
contracts, agreements or transactions with third parties and, in return, XXNGC agrees to pledge all of its assets, including accounts
receivable, to SXNGE. The XXNGC shareholders party to this operating agreement agree to, among other things, appoint as XXNGC’s
directors, individuals recommended by XXNGC, and appoint SXNGE’s senior officers as XXNGC’s general manager, chief
financial officer and other senior officers. The term of this agreement is indefinite unless SXNGE notifies XXNGC of its intention
to terminate this agreement with 30 days prior notice. XXNGC may not terminate this agreement during its term. This agreement is
retroactive to March 8, 2006.
·
Equity Pledge Agreement, dated August 17, 2007
. Under this agreement entered into between SXNGE, on the one hand, and XXNGC
and certain shareholders of XXNGC, on the other hand, to secure the payment obligations of XXNGC under the consulting service agreement
described above, the XXNGC shareholders party to this equity pledge agreement have pledged to SXNGE all of their equity ownership
interests in XXNGC. Upon the occurrence of certain events of default specified in this agreement, SXNGE may exercise its rights
and foreclose on the pledged equity interest. Under this agreement, the pledgors may not transfer the pledged equity interest without
SXNGE’s prior written consent. This agreement will also be binding upon successors of the pledgor and transferees of the
pledged equity interest. The term of the pledge is two years after the obligations under the Consulting Service Agreement have
been fulfilled. This agreement is retroactive to March 8, 2006.
·
Option Agreement, dated August 17, 2007
. Under this agreement
entered into between SXNGE, on the one hand, and XXNGC and certain shareholders of XXNGC, on the other hand, the XXNGC shareholders
party to this option agreement irrevocably granted to SXNGE, or any third party designated by SXNGE, the right to acquire, in whole
or in part, the respective equity interests in XXNGC of these XXNGC shareholders. The option agreement can be terminated by SXNGE
by notifying XXNGC of its intention to terminate this agreement with 30 days prior notice. The option agreement is retroactive
to March 8, 2006.
·
Addendum to the Option Agreement, dated August 8, 2008
. Under this addendum to the option agreement entered into between
SXNGE, on the one hand, and XXNGC and certain shareholders of XXNGC, on the other hand, the XXNGC shareholders irrevocably granted
to SXNGE an option to purchase the XXNGC shareholders’ additional equity interests in XXNGC (the “Additional Equity
Interest”) in connection with any increase in XXNGC’s registered capital subsequent to the execution of the option
agreement described above, at $1.00 or the lowest price permissible under applicable law at the time that SXNGE exercises the option
to purchase the Additional Equity Interest. The option agreement can be terminated by SXNGE by notifying XXNGC of its intention
to terminate this agreement with 30 days prior notice. This addendum is retroactive to June 30, 2008.
·
Proxy Agreement, dated August 17, 2007
. Under this agreement entered into between SXNGE, on the one hand, and XXNGC and
certain shareholders of XXNGC, on the other hand, the XXNGC shareholders irrevocably granted to SXNGE the right to exercise their
shareholder voting rights, including attendance at and voting of their shares at shareholders meetings in accordance with the applicable
laws and XXNGC’s articles of association. This agreement is retroactive to March 8, 2006.
Foreign Currency Translation
Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar.
The functional currency of XXNGC and the Company’s and XXNGC’s PRC subsidiaries is the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”).
The results of operations and financial position of XXNGC and the Company’s and XXNGC’s PRC subsidiaries are translated
to U.S. dollars using the period end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and weighted average exchange rates as to revenues,
expenses and cash flows. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred.
The resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within
stockholders’ equity.
The balance sheet amounts, with the exception
of equity, were translated at the September 30, 2012 exchange rate of RMB 6.32 to $1.00 as compared to RMB 6.35 to $1.00 at December
31, 2011. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to income and cash flow
statement amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were RMB 6.31 and RMB 6.49 to $1.00, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash
on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained with state-owned banks within the PRC, and private sector banks in Hong Kong
and the United States. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at
the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
The Company maintains balances at financial
institutions which, from time to time, may exceed Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board (“HKDPB”) insured limits for the
banks located in Hong Kong or may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured limits for the banks
located in the United States. Balances at financial institutions or state-owned banks within the PRC are not covered by insurance.
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had total deposits of $8,100,455 and $9,236,515, respectively, without
insurance coverage or in excess of HKDPB or FDIC insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses to date as a result
of this policy.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are presented net of
an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management periodically reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical
bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns
to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance.
Management considers accounts past due
after three months. Delinquent account balances are allowed for when management has determined that the likelihood of collection
is not probable. Uncollectible receivables are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when identified. The Company
recorded allowances for doubtful accounts in the amount of $12,479 and $127,619 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011,
respectively.
Employee Advances
From time to time, the Company advances
predetermined amounts based upon internal Company policy to certain employees and internal units. As of September 30, 2012 and
December 31, 2011, the Company had employee advances in the amount of $812,524 and $285,270, respectively.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of
cost or market, as determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Management compares the cost of inventories with the market value,
and writes down the inventories to their market value, if lower than cost. Inventories consist of material used in the construction
of pipelines, material used in repairing and modifying vehicles and material used in processing LNG. Inventory also consists of
LNG and gasoline.
The following are the details of the inventories:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December
31, 2011
|
|
Materials and supplies
|
|
$
|
2,263,761
|
|
|
$
|
1,529,678
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
1,180,983
|
|
|
|
298,016
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
240,522
|
|
|
|
111,060
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,685,266
|
|
|
$
|
1,938,754
|
|
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint
Ventures
Investee companies that are not required
to be consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an investee depends on an evaluation of several factors
including, among others, representation on the investee company’s board of directors and ownership level, which is generally
a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of the investee company. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s
share of the earnings or losses of the investee company is reflected in the caption “other income (expense), net” in
the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
The Company’s investment in unconsolidated
joint ventures that are accounted for on the equity method of accounting represents the Company’s 49% interest in the JV.
The investment in the JV amounted to $1,583,000 and $1,574,000 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The JV
has not had any operations to date.
The financial position of the JV is summarized
below:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December 31,
2011
|
|
Current assets
|
|
$
|
3,230,612
|
|
|
$
|
3,212,245
|
|
Noncurrent assets
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
3,230,612
|
|
|
|
3,212,245
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Noncurrent liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
3,230,612
|
|
|
|
3,212,245
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
|
$
|
3,230,612
|
|
|
$
|
3,212,245
|
|
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost.
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred while additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized.
Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for all assets with estimated lives as follows:
Office equipment
|
5 years
|
Operating equipment
|
5-20 years
|
Vehicles
|
5 years
|
Buildings and improvements
|
5-30 years
|
The following are the details of the property
and equipment:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December
31, 2011
|
|
Office equipment
|
|
$
|
891,812
|
|
|
$
|
823,822
|
|
Operating equipment
|
|
|
173,309,864
|
|
|
|
158,183,281
|
|
Vehicles
|
|
|
4,110,619
|
|
|
|
3,540,962
|
|
Buildings and improvements
|
|
|
38,233,831
|
|
|
|
41,713,318
|
|
Total property and equipment
|
|
|
216,546,126
|
|
|
|
204,261,383
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(37,172,028
|
)
|
|
|
(30,163,629
|
)
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
179,374,098
|
|
|
$
|
174,097,754
|
|
Depreciation expense for the three months
ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $3,375,601 and $2,464,032, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September
30, 2012 and 2011 was $9,915,078 and $6,106,122, respectively.
Disposal of fixed assets
In an effort to utilize the Company’s
resource and maximize its operation results, the Company decided to reduce the scale of its CNG fueling station business and expand
its fueling station development of LNG. During the third quarter of 2012, the Company closed five CNG fueling stations: 1) Tanan
fueling station, 2) Donghuan fueling station, 3) Fenghe fueling station, 4) Tongchuan fueling station, and 5) Yan’an fueling
station. These five CNG fueling stations suffered accumulated operation loss for the past few years. Simultaneously, the Company
disposed all the buildings, equipment, and other fixed assets attached to them.
The following are the details of the disposed
fixed assets:
|
|
Original
value
|
|
|
Accumulated
depreciation
|
|
|
Net value
|
|
|
Proceeds
from sales
|
|
|
Loss/(gain)
on disposal
|
|
Tanan Fueling Station
|
|
$
|
2,377,500
|
|
|
$
|
731,962
|
|
|
$
|
1,645,538
|
|
|
$
|
746,169
|
|
|
$
|
899,369
|
|
Donghuan Fueling Station
|
|
|
1,927,297
|
|
|
|
588,774
|
|
|
|
1,338,523
|
|
|
|
621,808
|
|
|
|
716,715
|
|
Fenghe Fueling Station
|
|
|
1,981,250
|
|
|
|
614,145
|
|
|
|
1,367,105
|
|
|
|
388,630
|
|
|
|
978,475
|
|
Tongchuan Fueling Station
|
|
|
1,743,500
|
|
|
|
522,830
|
|
|
|
1,220,670
|
|
|
|
466,356
|
|
|
|
754,314
|
|
Yan'an Fueling Station
|
|
|
1,902,000
|
|
|
|
610,666
|
|
|
|
1,291,334
|
|
|
|
621,808
|
|
|
|
669,527
|
|
Other equipments
|
|
|
7,608
|
|
|
|
2,138
|
|
|
|
5,470
|
|
|
|
6,143
|
|
|
|
(674
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
9,939,155
|
|
|
$
|
3,070,515
|
|
|
$
|
6,868,640
|
|
|
$
|
2,850,914
|
|
|
$
|
4,017,726
|
|
Construction in Progress
Construction in progress consists of (1)
the costs for constructing compressed natural gas (“CNG”) fueling stations, the liquefied natural gas (“LNG”)
project in Jingbian County, and the natural gas infrastructure project in Xi’an Fangzhi District and International Port District,
and (2) other costs related to construction in progress projects, including technology licensing fees, equipment purchases, land
use rights acquisition costs, capitalized interests and other construction fees. No depreciation is provided for construction in
progress until such time as the assets are completed and placed into service. To the extent that the borrowings could have been
avoided, should the construction in progress projects not be implemented, interest incurred on such borrowings during construction
period is capitalized into construction in progress. All other interest is expensed as incurred.
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31,
2011, the Company had construction in progress in the amount of $51,567,976 and $45,882,320, respectively. Interest cost capitalized
into construction in progress for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $4,493,138, and $1,533,071, respectively.
Interest cost capitalized into construction in progress for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $7,389,545,
and $5,682,273, respectively.
Construction in progress at September 30,
2012 and December 31, 2011 is set forth in the table below. The column of “estimated additional cost to complete” reflects
the amounts currently estimated by management to be necessary to complete the relevant project. As of September 30, 2012, the Company
was not contractually or legally obligated to expend the estimated additional cost to complete these projects, except to the extent
reflected in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Project Description
|
|
Location
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
Commencement
date
|
|
Expected
completion
date
|
|
Estimated
additional cost
to
complete
|
|
Phase I of LNG Project
|
|
Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province, PRC
|
|
$
|
8,246,119
|
(1)
|
|
December 2006
|
|
March 2014
|
(2)
|
$
|
102,000
|
(3)
|
Phases II and III of LNG Project
|
|
Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province, PRC
|
|
|
13,901,393
|
(4)
|
|
December 2006
|
|
December 2015
|
|
|
193,586,599
|
(5)
|
Fangzhi District
|
|
Fangzhi District, Xi’an, PRC
|
|
|
8,842,118
|
|
|
October 2010
|
|
December 2013
|
|
|
4,181,691
|
|
Sa Pu Mother Station
|
|
Henan Province, PRC
|
|
|
1,343,923
|
|
|
July 2008
|
|
June 2013
|
|
|
6,130,000
|
|
International Port(6)
|
|
International Port District, Xi’an, PRC
|
|
|
9,835,400
|
|
|
May 2009
|
|
December 2020
|
|
|
295,300,000
|
|
LNG fueling stations
|
|
Shaanxi & Henan Province, PRC
|
|
|
1,564,329
|
|
|
Various
|
|
Various
|
|
|
11,099,671
|
|
Other Construction in Progress Costs
|
|
PRC
|
|
|
7,834,694
|
|
|
Various
|
|
Various
|
|
|
1,200,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
51,567,976
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
511,599,961
|
|
Project Description
|
|
Location
|
|
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
Commencement
date
|
|
Expected
completion
date
|
|
Estimated
additional
cost to
complete
|
|
Phase I of LNG Project
|
|
Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province,
PRC
|
|
$
|
6,531,004
|
|
|
December 2006
|
|
September 2012
|
|
$
|
385,359
|
|
Phases II and III of LNG Project
|
|
Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province, PRC
|
|
|
8,849,299
|
|
|
December 2006
|
|
December 2015
|
|
|
198,638,693
|
|
Fangzhi District
|
|
Fangzhi District, Xi’an, PRC
|
|
|
19,346,484
|
|
|
October 2010
|
|
June 2012
|
|
|
1,361,198
|
|
Sa Pu Mother Station
|
|
Henan Province, PRC
|
|
|
1,090,627
|
|
|
July 2008
|
|
June 2013
|
|
|
6,300,000
|
|
International Port
|
|
International Port District, Xi’an, PRC
|
|
|
5,715,443
|
|
|
May 2009
|
|
December 2020
|
|
|
299,400,000
|
|
LNG fueling stations
|
|
Shaanxi & Henan Province, PRC
|
|
|
899,653
|
|
|
Various
|
|
Various
|
|
|
11,692,347
|
|
Other Construction in Progress Costs
|
|
PRC
|
|
|
3,449,810
|
|
|
Various
|
|
Various
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
45,882,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
520,777,597
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes $5,456,625 of construction cost and $2,789,494 of capitalized interest for Phase I of
the LNG Project.
|
|
(2)
|
The Company completed most of the construction of Phase I of the LNG plant and initiated commercial
production and sale on July 16, 2011. Phase I of the LNG plant has a processing capacity of 500,000 cubic meters of LNG per day,
or approximately 150 million cubic meters of LNG per year. Construction of Phase I of the LNG plant experienced delays due to policy
changes with respect to tariff exemptions for core equipments imported by the Company and the increased international shipment
time for ordered equipments. As certain facilities, including the staff dormitory building are still under construction due to
shortage of funds, the project hasn’t been completely transferred from construction in progress to property and
equipment, though a substantial amount of construction in progress has been transferred to property and equipment.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes costs the Company expected to expend to complete test runs and make installment payments
to contractors. The total expected cost of $68.7million for the construction of Phase I of the LNG project exceeded the amount
originally anticipated by the Company. The increased costs were attributable to unforeseen cost overruns and escalations, including
increased material and labor costs incurred to reinforce pilings based upon modified engineering analysis, and increased prices
for land use rights, which the Company believes resulted from the energy resource exploration activities in nearby areas.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes $9,198,835 of construction cost and $4,702,558 of capitalized interest for Phases II and
III of the LNG project.
|
|
(5)
|
This amount reflects the estimated costs of Phases II and III of the LNG project from September
30, 2012 to December 31, 2015, including an estimated $178 million of construction costs and $15 million of capitalized interest.
Such costs should be able to finance the construction of a facility capable of processing 3 million cubic meters of LNG per day,
or approximately 900 million cubic meters of LNG per year.
|
|
(6)
|
Xi’an International Port District Committee, a local government agency in the PRC, pursuant
to a conditional non-binding agreement, has appointed XXNGC to be the developer of natural gas infrastructure for Xi’an International
Port District, a former agricultural area that has been zoned for urbanization. If XXNGC chooses to proceed with the project, it
will be responsible for the construction and all costs related thereof a natural gas pipeline network that will service residential,
commercial and industrial buildings and users, as well as fueling stations and related infrastructure. The estimated cost of $295,300,000
was based on a third-party feasibility study and management’s estimate. The Company is the only natural gas provider in the
surrounding area and expects that it would supply natural gas to the International Port District once construction is completed.
If the Company decides not to proceed with this project, it expects to be able to obtain a refund from subcontractors of the $9,835,400
invested as of September 30, 2012 or sell the construction-in-progress assets to third parties.
|
Goodwill
The excess of the cost of an acquired entity
over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is tested for
impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis in the fourth
quarter or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company uses a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify
the potential impairment and to measure the amount of goodwill impairment, if any. The first step is to compare the fair value
of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying
amount, goodwill is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step
of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Under step two, the impairment loss
is measured by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the
carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized
in an amount equal to that excess.
Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived
assets to be held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Impairment losses
are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows
estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts. In that event, a loss is recognized based
on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived assets. Loss on long-lived assets to
be disposed of is determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for the cost of disposal. Based on
our review, no impairment indicators were noted at September 30, 2012.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The accounting standards regarding fair
value of financial instruments and related fair value measurements define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy
for disclosures of fair value measurement, and provide disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported
in the consolidated balance sheets for current receivables and payables qualify as financial instruments. Management concluded
the carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such
instruments and their expected realization and, if applicable, their stated interest rate approximates current rates available.
The three levels are defined as follows:
|
•
|
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
|
|
•
|
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
|
|
•
|
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable.
|
The accounting standard regarding derivatives
and hedging specifies that a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative but is both (a) indexed to the Company’s
own stock and (b) classified to stockholders’ equity in the statement of financial position would not be considered a derivative
financial instrument. This Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting standard also provides
a new two-step model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to an issuer’s
own stock and thus able to qualify for the exception.
These common stock purchase warrants do
not trade in an active securities market and, as such, the Company estimates the fair value of these warrants using the Black-Scholes
Option Pricing Model, using the following assumptions:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December
31,2011
|
|
Annual dividend yield
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
Expected life (years)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
0.06
|
%
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
77
|
%
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
The following table sets forth by level
within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a
recurring basis as of September 30, 2012.
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurement at
|
|
|
|
Carrying Value at
|
|
|
September 30, 2012
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2012
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Redeemable liability – warrants
|
|
|
17,500,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
17,500,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other than the assets and liabilities set
forth in the table above, the Company did not identify any other assets or liabilities that are required to be accounted for at
fair value on the balance sheet. The carrying value of long-term debt with variable interest rate approximates its fair value based
on market rates available to the Company with similar terms (See Notes 5 and 6).
The following is a reconciliation of the
beginning and ending balance of warrants liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012:
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
Change in fair value
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The fair value of the warrants was $0 and
$4 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company recognized a gain of $1,233 and $11,971 for the three
months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and recognized a gain of $4 and $251,781 for the nine months ended September
30, 2012 and 2011, respectively to reflect the change in fair value of the warrants.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when services are
rendered to customers and when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other
significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant
criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied are recorded as unearned revenue. Revenue from gas and gasoline sales is recognized
when gas and gasoline is pumped through pipelines to the end users. Revenue from installation of pipelines is recorded when the
contract is completed and accepted by the customers. Construction contracts for installation of pipelines are usually completed
within one to two months. Revenue from repairing and modifying vehicles is recorded when services are rendered to and accepted
by the customers.
Stock-Based Compensations
The Company records and reports stock-based
compensation based on a fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and transactions in which an
entity issues its equity instruments to acquire goods and services from non-employees. Compensation for stock granted to non-employees
is determined as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more
reliably measured.
Income Taxes
FASB’s accounting standard regarding
income taxes 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. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for
the tax consequences in future years of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial
reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences
are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized. As at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no significant book to tax differences
except for warrants liability and stock based compensation. An uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is
“more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being
presumed to occur. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in
the year incurred. No significant penalties or interest relating to income taxes have been incurred during the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
XXNGC, the Company’s PRC VIE, and
XXNGC’s subsidiaries operate in the PRC. Pursuant to the tax laws of PRC, general enterprises are subject to income tax at
an effective rate of 25%. However, under PRC income tax regulation, any company deemed to be engaged in the natural gas industry
under such regulation enjoys a favorable income tax rate. Thus, XXNGC’s income is subject to a reduced tax rate of 15%. All
of XXNGC’s subsidiaries are not deemed to be engaged in the natural gas industry under PRC income tax regulation and, accordingly,
are subject to a 25% income tax rate.
The estimated tax savings as a result of
the reduced tax rate enjoyed by XXNGC for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 amounted to approximately $0 and $565,315,
respectively. The net effect on earnings per share had the income tax been applied would reduce basic and diluted earnings (loss)
per share for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, from $(0.07) to $(0.07) and $0.21 to $0.19, respectively.
The estimated tax savings as a result of
the reduced tax rate enjoyed by XXNGC for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 amounted to approximately $851,491
and $1,691,566, respectively. The net effect on earnings per share, had the income tax been applied, would decrease basic and diluted
earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, from $0.27 to $0.23 and $0.53 to $0.45, respectively.
China Natural Gas, Inc. was incorporated
in the United States and has incurred net operating loss for income tax purpose for the period ended September 30, 2012. The estimated
net operating loss carry-forwards for United States income tax purposes amounted to $12,583,150 as of September 30, 2012, which
may be available to reduce future years' taxable income. These carry-forwards will expire, if not utilized through 2032. Management
believes that the realization of the benefits arising from this loss appear to be uncertain due to Company's limited operating
history and continuing losses for U.S. income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company has provided a 100% valuation allowance at
September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 for net deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carry forwards, stock based
compensation and warrants liability. Management reviews this valuation allowance periodically and makes adjustments as warranted.
The valuation allowances were as follows:
Valuation allowance
|
|
For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
Year ended
December
31, 2011
|
|
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
4,222,489
|
|
|
$
|
759,872
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
968,558
|
|
|
|
3,462,617
|
|
Balance, end of period
|
|
$
|
5,191,047
|
|
|
$
|
4,222,489
|
|
Provision for income tax is as follow:
|
|
For the three months ended
|
|
|
For the nine months ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Current
|
|
$
|
87,239
|
|
|
$
|
1,529,451
|
|
|
$
|
2,129,838
|
|
|
$
|
3,549,122
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
$
|
87,239
|
|
|
$
|
1,529,451
|
|
|
$
|
2,129,838
|
|
|
$
|
3,549,122
|
|
The following is a reconciliation of the
provision for income tax at the PRC tax rate, to the income tax reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive
Income:
|
|
For the three months ended
|
|
|
For the nine months ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Tax expense at statutory rate-US
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
|
|
35.0
|
%
|
Changes in valuation allowance-US
|
|
|
(35.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(35.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(35.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(35.0
|
)%
|
Foreign income tax rate-PRC
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
|
|
25.0
|
%
|
Effect of favorable tax rate
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(7.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(7.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(8.4
|
)%
|
Other item (1)
|
|
|
(31.2
|
)%
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
10.3
|
%
|
|
|
7.1
|
%
|
Total provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(6.2
|
)%
|
|
|
25.2
|
%
|
|
|
27.8
|
%
|
|
|
23.7
|
%
|
(1)
|
The 31.2% represents loss of $261,626 incurred by XXNGC for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The 7.6% represents $1,918,536 in expenses incurred by the Company that are not deductible in the PRC for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The 10.3% represents $2,767,311 in expenses incurred by the Company that are not deductible in the PRC for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The 7.1% represents $4,309,840 in expenses incurred by the Company that are not deductible in the PRC for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
|
The Company has cumulative undistributed
earnings of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $69,416,649 as of September 30, 2012, which is included in consolidated retained
earnings and will continue to be indefinitely reinvested in international operations. Accordingly, no provision has been made for
U.S. deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes
that would have to be provided if the Company concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.
Franchise Tax
According to the laws of the State of Delaware,
we are required to pay annual franchise tax to the state government based on the number of the authorized shares.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic net earnings per share are based
upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net earnings per share are based on the assumption that
all dilutive convertible shares and stock options were converted or exercised, unless this results in anti-dilution. Dilution is
computed by applying the treasury stock method. Under this method, options and warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning
of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the
average market price during the period.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made
to the prior year financial statements to confirm with the current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02,
“Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” (“ASU
2012-02”).
Under the amendments in this Update, an organization has the option first to assess qualitative factors to
determine if a quantitative impairment test of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is necessary. If the qualitative assessment
reveals that it’s more likely than not that the asset is impaired, a calculation of the asset’s fair value is required.
Otherwise, no quantitative calculation is necessary.
The amendments will be effective for annual
and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Management does not expect the adoption
of this standard will have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In October, 2012, the FASB issued ASU No.
2012-04,
“Technical Corrections and Improvements” (“ASU 2012-04”).
The amendments cover a wide range
of topics in the FASB ASC. The amendments are incorporated into two sections: a. Technical corrections and improvements. b.
Conforming amendments related to fair value measurements.
|
a.
|
The amendments in the technical corrections and improvements section are categorized as follows:
|
|
·
|
Source literature amendments. These
amendments are considered necessary due to differences between source literature and the FASB ASC. The amendments primarily
carry forward legacy document guidance and/or subsequent amendments into the FASB ASC. Often, either writing style or phrasing
in the legacy documents did not directly relate to the FASB ASC format and style so that the meaning of certain guidance might
have been unintentionally altered.
|
|
·
|
Guidance clarification and reference corrections.
These amendments include updated wording or corrected references, or a combination of both.
|
|
·
|
Relocated guidance. These amendments
primarily move authoritative literature guidance from one location to another location that is deemed more appropriate within the
FASB ASC.
|
|
b.
|
On the fair value measurements issue, the guidance in ASU 2012-04 identifies when the use of the
term “fair value” should be linked to the definition of fair value included in FASB ASC 820, entitled Fair Value Measurement.
Most of the amendments are of a nonsubstantive nature. Many of the amendments relate to conforming wording to be consistent
with the terminology in FASB ASC 820 for example, references to market value and current market value have been changed to appropriately
refer to fair value so that the literature is consistent throughout.
|
For public entities, the amendments that are
subject to the transition guidance will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2012. Management does not expect
the adoption of this standard will have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results
of operations.
In October, 2012,
the FASB issued ASU
No. 2012-06, “Subsequent Accounting for an Indemnification Asset Recognized at the Acquisition Date as a Result of a Government-Assisted
Acquisition of a Financial Institution” (“ASU 2012-06”).
This amendment requires that indemnification assets
recognized in accordance with Subtopic 805-20, Business Combinations—Identifiable Assets and Liabilities, and Any Noncontrolling
Interest, as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution involving an indemnification agreement should
be subsequently measured on the same basis as the asset subject to indemnification. For public and nonpublic entities, the amendments
in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2012.
Management does not expect the adoption of this standard will have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
Note 3 –Goodwill and Other intangible
Assets
Goodwill is the amount the Company paid
to acquire 100% of the equity interests of Makou and 58.5284% of the equity interests of XTJH in excess of the fair value
of Makou and XTJH’s identifiable assets and liabilities, respectively. Annual impairment testing is performed during the
fourth quarter of each year unless events or circumstances indicate earlier impairment testing is required. No impairment loss
was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Other intangible assets include primarily
the technical license related to liquefied natural gas business, which consisted of the following:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December 31,
2011
|
|
Operating rights
|
|
$
|
5,337,839
|
|
|
$
|
5,221,635
|
|
Technical license (LNG)
|
|
|
10,181,942
|
|
|
|
10,527,223
|
|
Land use rights
|
|
|
4,830,525
|
|
|
|
3,147,108
|
|
Other
|
|
|
15,739
|
|
|
|
14,278
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
20,366,045
|
|
|
$
|
18,910,244
|
|
The operating rights are deemed to have
an indefinite useful life as cash flows are expected to continue indefinitely. The operating rights will not be amortized until
their useful life is deemed to be no longer indefinite.
The technical license (LNG) is being amortized
over its estimated useful life of 20 years. Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $134,988
and $87,715, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $405,988 and $87,715,
respectively. Accumulated amortization at September 30, 2012 was $630,740.
The land use rights are being amortized
over their estimated useful life of 30 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, amortization expense amounted
to $40,567 and $28,668, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, amortization expense amounted to $121,700
and $87,018, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, accumulated amortization was approximately $294,409.
Estimated amortization for the next five
years and thereafter is as follows:
2012
|
|
$
|
175,896
|
|
2013
|
|
|
703,583
|
|
2014
|
|
|
703,583
|
|
2015
|
|
|
703,583
|
|
2016
|
|
|
692,872
|
|
thereafter
|
|
|
10,251,978
|
|
|
|
$
|
13,231,495
|
|
Note 4 – Prepaid Expenses and
Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets consisted
of the following:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December 31,
2011
|
|
Prepaid rent – natural gas stations
|
|
$
|
487,508
|
|
|
$
|
2,497,681
|
|
Prepayment for acquiring land use right
|
|
|
1,266,400
|
|
|
|
4,596,080
|
|
Advances on purchasing equipment and construction in progress
|
|
|
3,704,774
|
|
|
|
2,297,909
|
|
Refundable security deposits
|
|
|
956,484
|
|
|
|
592,913
|
|
Long term investment deposit
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
991,620
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
6,415,166
|
|
|
$
|
10,976,203
|
|
Prepaid rent represents prepayments for
leasing the land of our fueling stations. In China, land rental usually need to be paid in advance and then amortized into expense
on a straight-line basis over the term of the land lease.
All land in the PRC is government owned.
However, the government grants users land use rights. The Company is in the process of negotiating the final purchase price with
relevant local government and the land use rights have not yet been granted to the Company. Therefore, the Company did not amortize
these amounts for land use rights.
Advances for purchasing equipment and construction
in progress are monies deposited or advanced to outside vendors or subcontractors for the purchase of operating equipment or for
services to be provided for construction in progress.
Refundable security deposits are monies
deposited with one of the Company’s major vendors and a gas station landlord. These amounts will be returned to the Company
if the other party terminates the business relationship or upon the expiration of the lease.
Long term investment deposit represents
for the acquisition of Xiantao City Jinhua Gas and Oil Co., Ltd. (“XTJH”) by Xi’an Xilan Natural Gas Co., Ltd.,
Ltd. (“XXNGC”).
Note 5 –Senior Notes
The Company’s securities purchase
agreement with Abax Lotus Ltd. (“Abax”) was amended on January 29, 2008 (as amended, the “Purchase Agreement”).
Under the Purchase Agreement, on January 29, 2008, the Company sold to Abax $20,000,000 in principal amount of its 5.0% Guaranteed
Senior Notes due January 30, 2014 (the “Senior Notes”) and warrants to purchase 1,450,000 shares of its common stock
(the “Abax Warrants”) and, on March 3, 2008, the Company issued to Abax an additional $20,000,000 in principal amount
of Senior Notes.
On the dates set forth in the table below,
the Company will be required to make repayments of the corresponding percentage of the principal amount (or such lesser principal
amount as shall be outstanding then) in respect of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes:
Date
|
|
Repayment
Percentage
|
|
July 30, 2011 (paid on August 5, 2011)
|
|
|
8.3333
|
%
|
January 30, 2012 (paid on March 7, 2012)
|
|
|
8.3333
|
%
|
July 30, 2012
|
|
|
16.6667
|
%
|
January 30, 2013
|
|
|
16.6667
|
%
|
July 30, 2013
|
|
|
25.0000
|
%
|
January 30, 2014
|
|
|
25.0000
|
%
|
The second repayment for 8.3333% of the
principal of the Senior Notes was due on January 30, 2012. After negotiation with Abax, the note-holders agreed that the Company
could make the payment on or before March 9, 2012. On March 7, 2012, the Company paid the principal due on January 30, 2012 in
full plus accrued interest for the period from July 30, 2011 to January 29, 2012, as well as a penalty interest of $28,416 for
the period from February 6, 2012 to March 7, 2012. Abax issued a waiver to exempt the Company from any other consequences of the
late payment.
The repayment of 16.6666% of the principal
of the notes payable plus accrued interest of the period from January 29, 2012 to July 30, 2012 was due on July 30, 2012. The company
didn’t make the payment on time.
The holders of a majority of the Senior
Notes (the “Holders”) notified the Company on August 21, 2012 (the “Default Notice”) that the Company was
in default of the Senior Notes for failure to make the interest payment due and a mandatory redemption of the Senior Notes on July
30, 2012 (the “Default”). In the notice, the Holders also demanded that the Company make all payments due as of July
30, 2012 under the Senior Notes to avoid acceleration of all payments under the Senior Notes and foreclosure of collaterals pledged
to secure the Senior Notes.
On September 5, 2012, the Company received
another notice from the Holders that the Holders have elected to exercise their right to accelerated payment of the Senior Notes
as a result of the continued Default (the “Acceleration Notice”). The immediate acceleration of all amounts owing under
the Senior Notes totals approximately RMB 249,450,516.
Further, on September 10, 2012, the Company
received a demand notice from the Holders’ legal counsel on behalf of the Holder for the payment of all amounts owing under
the Senior Notes (the “Demand Notice”) within 15 days from the date of the Demand Notice. If the Company does not meet
the demand, the Holders intend to pursue all of its legal rights under the transaction documents, including, without limitation:
|
l
|
requiring the Trustee to initiate suit
in the courts of New York with respect to the Company’s failure to pay the entire amount due to the Holders under the Senior
Notes;
|
|
l
|
initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings
with respect to the Company under the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Code;
|
|
l
|
initiate arbitration in Hong Kong against
the Company for breaches of the Company’s obligations under the SPA;
|
|
l
|
exercising its rights under the Warrant
Agreement to require the redemption of all Warrants held by it at the Redemption Price (as defined therein); and
|
|
l
|
all other rights under the transaction
documents relating to the Senior Notes in relation to the Default, which may include, foreclosing on the security interest in 65%
of all outstanding equity interest of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shaanxi Xilan Natural Gas Equipment Co., Ltd.,
and all funds in the account where the proceeds from the Senior Notes were deposited.
|
As of now the Company has not meet the
demand, and the Holders have not taken any legal action. The Company is currently negotiating possible resolutions
to the foregoing demands relating to the Senior Notes with the Holders. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful
in completing such negotiations or even if it does complete them, such resolutions will be on the terms favorable to the Company.
The Company reclassified all outstanding amounts of the Senior Notes to current liabilities as of September 30, 2012.
Senior notes consist of the following:
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
December 31,
2011
|
|
Notes payable
|
|
$
|
38,255,832
|
|
|
$
|
41,053,100
|
|
Less discount
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(5,590,267
|
)
|
|
|
|
38,255,832
|
|
|
|
35,462,833
|
|
Less current portion
|
|
|
(38,255,832
|
)
|
|
|
(9,671,682
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
25,791,151
|
|
The Company has the option to redeem all,
but not less than all, of the Senior Notes at the redemption prices set forth below (in each case expressed as a percentage of
the outstanding unpaid principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if redeemed during the twelve-month period commencing
on January 29 of the years set forth below:
|
|
% of Outstanding
|
|
Year
|
|
Unpaid Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
2013
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Upon the occurrence of certain events defined
in the indenture, the Company must offer the holders of the Senior Notes the right to require the Company to purchase the Senior
Notes in an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate principal amount purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Senior Notes
purchased.
The terms of the Indenture obligated the
Company to complete a qualifying listing, as defined therein, by January 29, 2009. As the Company did not complete a qualifying
listing by such date, the Company was obligated to pay to Abax an additional interest at the rate of 3.0% per annum, calculated
from and including January 29, 2009 to the date of its qualifying listing. However, Abax caused the Trustee to waive the Company’s
obligation to pay such additional interest in February 2009. The waiver extended the deadline for a qualifying listing to May 4,
2009, but provided that if a qualifying listing were not completed by such date, additional interest of 3.0% per annum would be
payable from January 29, 2009 to the date of the Company’s qualifying listing. The Company completed its NASDAQ listing,
which constituted a qualifying listing, on June 1, 2009, after the extended deadline of May 4, 2009. Therefore, under the terms
of the initial waiver, the Company was required to pay additional interest at a rate of 3.0% per annum for the period from January
29, 2009 to June 1, 2009, or $406,667. However, in August 2009, the Company reached an agreement with Abax whereby the Company
agreed to pay Abax $113,214, which reflected additional interest at the rate of 3.0% per annum for the period from April 30, 2009
to May 31, 2009, and $50,000, which reflected out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Abax in connection with a financing transaction
proposed in 2008, but never consummated.
The indenture limits the Company’s
ability to incur debt and liens, make dividend payments and stock repurchases, make investments, reinvest proceeds from asset sales
and enter into transactions with affiliates, among other things. The indenture also requires the Company to maintain certain financial
ratios.
In connection with the issuance of the
Senior Notes, the Company paid $2,122,509 in debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes.
The Company amortized all outstanding amounts of debt issuance costs during the third quarter of 2012. For the three months ended
September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company amortized $312,418 and $102,458 of the issuance costs in each of the periods, which were
recorded as capitalized interest included in construction in progress. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the
Company amortized $517,334 and $307,374 of the issuance costs in each of the periods, which were recorded as capitalized interest
included in construction in progress.
The Abax Warrants are presently exercisable
and have an exercise price of $7.37 per share, although Abax has not exercised any of the Abax Warrants. The Company reclassified
the Warrants to current liabilities as of September 30, 2012.
The Abax Warrants are considered derivative
instruments required to be bifurcated from the original security because there is a redemption requirement if the holder does not
exercise the Warrants. If Abax does not exercise the Abax Warrants prior to their expiration date of January 29, 2015, Abax can
require the Company to repurchase the Abax Warrants for $17,500,000. This amount is shown as a debt discount and is being amortized
over the term of the Senior Notes. The Company amortized all outstanding amounts of debt discount during the third quarter of 2012.
For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company amortized $3,754,794 and $948,669 of the discounts, respectively,
which were capitalized into construction in progress. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company amortized
$5,590,267 and $2,834,983 of the discounts, respectively, which were capitalized into construction in progress.
Note 6 –Bank Loan Payable
The Company’s bank loan payable as
of September 30, 2012 consists of:
A loan from Pudong Development Bank Xi’an Branch, due various dates from 2012 to 2014
|
|
$
|
13,455,500
|
|
Less current portion
|
|
|
(5,540,500
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
7,915,000
|
|
The loan is secured by XXNGC’s equipment
and vehicles located within the PRC. The carrying net value of the assets pledged is $10,291,844 as of September 30, 2012. Interest
expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $236,958 and $718,541, respectively (interest rate applied at
September 30, 2012 was 6.90%). Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $297,928 and $873,467,
respectively (6.22% at September 30, 2011). During the first half of 2011, interest expense of $575,539 was capitalized into construction
in progress. According to the loan agreement, the interest rate is fixed throughout each single year and will only be adjusted
at the beginning of the next year, based on the base interest rate on the same category of loans for the same term published by
the People’s Bank of China. XXNGC also entered into a guaranty with the lender to guarantee the repayment of the loans. As
the People’s Bank of China lowered the interest rate twice in June and July 2012, beginning January 1, 2013 the interest
rate of these loans will reduce. According to an amendment to the loan agreement with the Bank, which was signed on October 2011,
the Company is required to make repayments on the long term loan as follows:
Date
|
|
Repayment
Percentage
|
|
|
Repayment
Amount
|
|
October 5, 2011 (paid on October 10, 2011)
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
$
|
791,500
|
|
December 5, 2011 (paid on December 5, 2011)
|
|
|
20.8
|
%
|
|
|
3,957,500
|
|
March 5, 2012 (paid on March 5, 2012)
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
791,500
|
|
December 5, 2012
|
|
|
20.8
|
%
|
|
|
3,957,500
|
|
March 5, 2013
|
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,583,000
|
|
December 5, 2013
|
|
|
16.7
|
%
|
|
|
3,166,000
|
|
March 5, 2014
|
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
|
1,583,000
|
|
December 5, 2014
|
|
|
16.7
|
%
|
|
|
3,166,000
|
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
18,996,000
|
|
If the default of the Senior Notes is not
resolved, the Company may be deemed to be in default on its fixed asset loan from Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (“SPDB”)
if the Holders initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings with respect to the Company and the Company does not obtain prior written
approval from SPDB. The default of the loan with SPDB may result in full or partial acceleration of the repayment of the loan.
Note 7 – Warrants
No warrants were granted, forfeited or
exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
The following is a summary of warrants
outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2012:
Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable as
of September 30, 2012
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
|
|
$
|
14.86
|
|
|
|
383,654
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
$
|
7.37
|
|
|
|
1,450,000
|
|
|
|
2.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,833,654
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 8 – Defined Contribution
Plan
The Company is required to participate
in a defined contribution plan operated by the local municipal government in accordance with PRC law and regulations. The contribution
was $171,241 and $350,060 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The contribution was $473,463 and
$530,142 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Note 9 – Stockholders' Equity
a) Statutory Reserve
The PRC Company Law, which is applicable
to PRC companies with foreign ownership, stipulates that net income after taxation can only be distributed as dividends after appropriation
has been made for the following:
|
i.
|
making up cumulative prior years’ losses, if any;
|
|
ii.
|
allocations to the “statutory surplus reserve” of at least 10% of income after tax, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, until the fund amounts to 50% of the Company's registered capital; and
|
|
iii.
|
allocations to the discretionary surplus reserve, if approved in the shareholders’ general meeting.
|
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31,
2011, the remaining amount needed to fulfill the 50% registered capital requirement was approximately $62,740,696 and $63,202,798,
respectively.
b) Stock-based Compensation
2009 Stock Option and Stock Award Plan
On March 11, 2009, the Board approved by
written consent the China Natural Gas, Inc. 2009 Employee Stock Option and Stock Award Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant
to the Plan, there are currently 1,460,000 shares of common stock of the Company authorized for issuance and the Company has granted
669,900 stock options as of September 30, 2012, of which 274,750 have been exercised and 176,700 have been cancelled and are available
for reissuance. Thus, there are currently 966,800 shares of common stock of the Company available for future issuance under the
Plan and 218,450 options outstanding. The exercise price for all of the outstanding options is $4.90 per share.
Compensation expense of $148,038 and $250,911
was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relating to options granted under the Plan.
Compensation expense of $444,114 and $479,622 was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively,
relating to options granted under the Plan.
As of September 30, 2012, $296,076 of estimated
expense with respect to non-vested stock-based compensation has yet to be recognized and will be recognized in expense over the
optionee’s remaining weighted average service period of approximately 0.5 year.
The following is a summary of the status
of stock options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2012:
Outstanding Options
|
|
Exercisable Options
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
|
$
|
4.90
|
|
|
|
218,450
|
|
|
2.5 years
|
|
$
|
4.90
|
|
|
|
111,100
|
|
|
2.5 years
|
Note 10 – Earnings per Share
The following is a calculation of
basic and diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
For the three months ended
|
|
|
For the nine months ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
(1,523,597
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,545,093
|
|
|
$
|
5,697,914
|
|
|
$
|
11,424,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted shares outstanding-Basic
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,403,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share-Basic
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
(1,523,597
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,545,093
|
|
|
$
|
5,697,914
|
|
|
$
|
11,424,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted shares outstanding-Basic
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,403,052
|
|
Effect of diluted securities-Warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Effect of diluted securities-Options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Weighted shares outstanding-Diluted
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,458,654
|
|
|
|
21,403,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share –Diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
The Company had outstanding warrants of
1,833,654 as of September 30, 2012 and 2011. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, all 1,833,654 outstanding
warrants were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as the exercise price was greater than the average stock
price during these periods.
The Company had 218,450 outstanding employee
stock options as of September 30, 2012. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the outstanding options
were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as the exercise price was greater than the average option price during
this period.
Note 11 – Related Party Transactions
|
a)
|
Other payable - related party
|
On February 24, 2011, the Company borrowed
$791,500 from the JV for working capital purposes. This payable is due on demand with no interest rate.
|
b)
|
Borrowings from related party
|
As of September 30, 2012, the Company borrowed
a total of $2,679,945 from Mr. Hao Qu, a former employee of XXNGC and a shareholder of the Company, for working capital purposes.
The loans were originally due in one year and required interest of 4.4075% per year, which is the annual USD lending rate applied
by the Bank of China. The principal and interest was required to be paid on specified due dates beginning on February 16, 2012
through October 31, 2012. On March 22, May 17 and May 18, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Qu, pursuant to
which certain borrowings would be due in 2013, rather than in 2012, and would bear a higher rate of interest. The Company hasn’t
repaid any principal of the borrowings to date.
Borrowings from Mr. Qu at September 30,
2012, consist of the following:
Short-term maturing on
|
|
|
|
|
October 31, 2012, at 4.4075%
|
|
$
|
360,000
|
|
February 15, 2013, at 6.2250%
|
|
$
|
900,000
|
|
March 27, 2013, at 6.2250%
|
|
$
|
420,000
|
|
May 16, 2013, at 6.2250%
|
|
$
|
699,975
|
|
May 17, 2013, at 6.2250%
|
|
$
|
299,970
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,679,945
|
|
Demaoxing was formed in November 2007 by
relatives of Mr. Qinan Ji, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and current Chairman of the Company’s Board
of Directors (the “Demaoxing Promoters”). In January 2010, SXNGE, one of the Company’s major subsidiaries, extended
a loan of US$9,858,240 to Ms. Taoxiang Wang (the “Wang Loan”), who obtained a 40% ownership interest in Demaoxing on
January 21, 2010. Ms. Taoxiang Wang used her 40% ownership interest in Demaoxing and its assets as collateral for the Wang Loan.
On January 26, 2010, the Wang Loan funds were remitted by SXNGE to an account of Demaoxing. Management of the Company believed
that the Wang Loan was adequately secured by collateral. On January 21, 2010, the Demaoxing Promoters also transferred 30% of their
ownership interests in Demaoxing to Shaanxi Rongxin Real Estate Co., Ltd. (“Rongxin”). The Board of Directors has determined
that the Demaoxing Promoters retained indirect beneficial interests in Demaoxing after transferring their ownership interests and
thus the Wang Loan was a related party transaction.
The Company’s Board of Directors
was not notified of the extension of the Wang Loan by the Company, and did not approve the Wang Loan. Upon learning of the existence
of the Wang Loan in April 2010, the Board of Directors required that the Wang Loan be immediately repaid. In April 2010, Demaoxing
repaid the principal of the Wang Loan and made an interest payment of US$140,722, settling the Wang Loan in full.
Note 12 –Concentrations
Concentration of natural gas vendors:
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
|
Nine months ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Number of natural gas vendors
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Percentage of total natural gas purchases
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
89
|
%
|
|
|
82
|
%
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31,
2011, the Company had $0 and $450,553, respectively, prepayment to its major suppliers.
The Company maintained long-term natural
gas purchase agreements with two of its vendors, Huojia Hualong Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (“Huojia Hualong”) and Qinshui
Lanyan Coal Bed Methane Co., Ltd (“Qinshui Lanyan”), as of September 30, 2012. Company’s management reports that
it does not expect any issues or difficulty in renewing the supply contracts with these vendors going forward.
Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Commitments
The Company entered into a series of long-term
lease agreements with outside parties to lease land use rights for the Company’s CNG fueling stations located in the PRC.
The agreements have terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. The Company makes annual prepayments for most of these lease agreements.
The Company also entered into five office leases in Xi’an, PRC, one office lease in Wuhan, PRC, one office lease in Yichang,
PRC, one office lease in Huangshi, PRC and one office lease in New York, New York, USA. The minimum future payments for leasing
land use rights and offices at September 30, 2012 are follows:
Year ending December 31, 2012
|
|
|
221,295
|
|
Year ending December 31, 2013
|
|
|
1,927,951
|
|
Year ending December 31, 2014
|
|
|
2,340,314
|
|
Year ending December 31, 2015
|
|
|
1,985,266
|
|
Year ending December 31, 2016
|
|
|
1,932,733
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
31,854,595
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
40,262,154
|
|
For the three months ended September 30,
2012 and 2011, the land use right and office lease expenses were $582,885 and $583,542, respectively. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2012 and 2011, the land use right and office lease expenses were $1,703,549 and $1,484,225, respectively.
Property and Equipment Purchase Commitments
As of September 30, 2012, the Company has
purchase commitments totaling $8,486,589 for materials, supplies, services and property and equipment for constructing the LNG
plant and other construction projects.
Natural Gas Purchase Commitments
The Company has existing long-term natural
gas purchase agreements with its major suppliers.
The Company continued to seek lower-cost
sources of supply and did not have commitments for the purchasing volume of natural gas with any suppliers except Qinshui Lanyan.
According to the agreement with Qinshui Lanyan, the Company should purchase from Qinshui Lanyan a daily volume of approximately
200,000 cubic meters of coal bed gas. Prices of natural gas are strictly controlled by the PRC government.
Capital Contribution
We failed to comply with PRC law in our
recent contribution of capital to JBLNG and will be subject to possible fines, penalties and administrative actions until the capital
contribution is registered in compliance with PRC law.
In August 2008, the board of directors
of XXNGC passed a resolution to increase the registered capital of JBLNG to RMB118, 305,000 through the form of intangible asset
contributions. In September 2008, JBLNG obtained its updated business license reflecting the increased registered capital. Pursuant
to XXNGC's board resolution, China Natural Gas, Inc. transferred its right to use the two licenses it obtained relating to the
design of our LNG facility directly to JBLNG as JBLNG's registered capital. However, we are not a shareholder of JBLNG and are
therefore not permitted under PRC law to contribute capital to JBLNG. In addition, PRC law does not allow the contribution of capital
in the form of an intangible asset, such as the licenses in issue, where the assets are not owned by the contributor. We are restructuring
the capital contribution as a cash contribution and revising our LNG licenses so that the licensee is JBLNG and believe that this
capital contribution and license restructuring will comply with PRC laws. However, until we have completed this process, the relevant
regulatory authorities may impose fines or penalties, or require us to cease the operations of JBLNG, until such time as these
defects are remedied. Any such fines, penalties or delay in operations could have a material and adverse effect on our LNG business
in terms of our future growth, financial conditions and results of operations. Currently we do not estimate such fines, penalties
and administrative actions to be probable, so we do not recognize them as contingent liabilities in our consolidated financial
statements.
VIE Structure
In order to comply with PRC laws limiting
foreign ownership of Chinese companies, we conduct our natural gas business through Xi'an Xilan Natural Gas Co., Ltd. by means
of contractual arrangements which may not be as effective as direct ownership or may be deemed in violation of PRC restrictions
on foreign investment in our industry.
The government of the PRC restricts foreign
investment in natural gas businesses in China. Accordingly, we operate our business in China through our VIE, XXNGC. XXNGC holds
the licenses, approvals and assets necessary to operate our natural gas business in China. We have no equity ownership interest
in XXNGC and rely on contractual arrangements with XXNGC and its shareholders that allow us to substantially control and operate
XXNGC. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective in providing control over XXNGC as direct ownership would be. For
example, XXNGC could fail to take actions required for our business despite its contractual obligation to do so. If XXNGC fails
to perform under its agreements with us, we may have to spend substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements and
may have to rely on legal remedies under the laws of the PRC, which may not be effective. In addition, we cannot assure you that
XXNGC’s shareholders and management would always act in our best interests.
Although we believe that we comply with
current regulations of the PRC, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our structure or operating arrangements
comply with the PRC’s licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements under existing policies or with requirements
or policies that may be adopted in the future. If the PRC government determines that our structure or operating arrangements do
not comply with applicable laws, it could revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to discontinue or restrict our
operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements
with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory
or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. In addition, the equity pledge in the Equity Pledge Agreement
between SXNGE and XXNGC and XXNGC's shareholders has not been registered and may be deemed to be unenforceable under PRC laws.
Other than the proxy agreement between
SXNGE, XXNGC and XXNGC's chairman and shareholders, which does not contain a choice of law or jurisdictional clause, our contractual
arrangements with XXNGC are governed by PRC laws and they provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC.
Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes would be resolved in accordance
with PRC legal procedures. If XXNGC or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements,
we may have to (i) spend substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and (ii) rely on legal remedies under PRC
laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot be sure would be effective.
However, the legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States and uncertainties in the Chinese legal system
could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual
arrangements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Currently
we do not estimate the possibility of such defaults in enforcing the contractual arrangements to be probable, and it will be extremely
difficult to make any reliable to the amounts of the potential losses that may be caused by such defaults, so we do not recognize
it as a contingent liability in our consolidated financial statements.
Individuals Claims to Certain Shares
Certain shares in XXNGC, our VIE, may be
subject to adverse claims.
Six individuals have previously claimed
to own 1,200,000 shares of XXNGC's common stock, our main operating company and VIE. They have claimed that they acquired these
shares from other shareholders of XXNGC. Based on XXNGC's registered capital of RMB69,000,000 when it became a joint stock limited
company in 2004, we believe that the 1,200,000 shares represented 1.74% of XXNGC's outstanding common stock at the time when the
six individuals claimed to have acquired the 1,200,000 shares of XXNGC. While we and XXNGC dispute their claim of ownership over
the 1,200,000 shares, there is no assurance that XXNGC will prevail if these six individuals pursue their claim in legal proceedings.
If these six individuals are found to have legitimate ownership over these shares, XXNGC's shareholding structure may change and
our revenues from our contractual arrangements with XXNGC may be reduced. Currently we do not estimate the possibility of such
change to the shareholding structure to be probable, so we do not recognize it as a contingent liability in our financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
Other than described below, there have
been no material developments in the legal proceedings in which we were involved during the year ended December 30, 2011. For a
description of previously reported legal proceedings refer to Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings” of the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
a)
|
Vandevelde v. China Natural Gas,
Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:10CV00728, United States District Court for the District of Delaware). As previously disclosed, on August
26, 2010, an individual investor filed a putative class action complaint against the Company and certain of its current and former
officers and directors alleging that the defendants violated the U.S. securities laws. The Court appointed another individual
investor as lead plaintiff, and he then filed an amended complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss which, on July
6, 2012, the Court granted in its entirety. In its order, the Court also granted the plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint.
In the second amended complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(and Rule 10b-5 thereunder), the defendants made false or misleading statements in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form
10-K for the years ended December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2010, and in various quarterly reports, by purportedly failing to
disclose a series of loans and related party transactions. The second amended complaint also asserts claims against certain of
the Company’s current and former officers and directors for violations of Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages. On September 25, 2012, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the
second amended complaint, which is currently pending before the Court. The Company cannot at this time provide any assurance that
the outcome of this suit will not be materially adverse to its financial condition, consolidated results of operations, cash flows
or business prospects.
|
b)
|
On December 5, 2011, plaintiff Haitham J. Kousa filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, China Natural Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) and The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, as defendants (C.A. No. 11-1202-SLR), and on January 17, 2012, plaintiff Robert Mallano also filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, and the Company, as defendants (C.A. No. 12-0048-SLR) (the “Constituent Actions”). The Constituent Actions alleged, inter alia, breach of fiduciary duties, self-dealing, and misconduct by management for related-party loans to management and the failure to disclose such loans. The Constituent Actions were consolidated on February 14, 2012 and bore the following caption, In re China Natural Gas, Inc. Shareholder and Derivative Litigation (Consol. C.A. No. 11-1202-SLR). On February 8, 2012, plaintiff Rick Steinmetz, filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, David She, Carl Yeung, Yang Xiang Dong, China Natural Gas, Inc., alleging the same or similar claims as in the Constituent Actions. This case was consolidated with the Constituent Actions on March 27, 2012. On March 19, 2012 the court granted Nasdaq’s motion to dismiss, denied plaintiff’s motion for appointment of a receiver and dismissed plaintiff’s motion for expedited discovery. On April 10, 2012, the parties stipulated to the voluntary dismissal of the consolidated Constituent Actions as, in light of the removal of Nasdaq from the matter, no federal question remained and only state law issues remained. As part of the dismissal order, the plaintiffs undertook to file an action in the Delaware Court of Chancery asserting the claims arising out of the matters set forth in the Constituent Actions. The dismissal of the Constituent Actions was ordered on May 31, 2012. On May 22, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a Verified Shareholder Class Action and Derivative Complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Haitham J. Kousa, et al vs. Qinan Ji, et al (Case No. 7559-VCL). The Complaint alleges that each of the Director Defendants, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, breached his fiduciary duties to CHNG and its shareholders by preserving Qinan Ji’s control over the Company in light of the threatened delisting of the Company’s shares by NASDAQ and that Director Defendants hereby caused CHNG’s stock to be delisted, injuring the Company and its shareholders. The Complaint also alleges that Qinan Ji breached his fiduciary obligations of care, good faith, loyalty and candor to the Company. The Company is actively defending that case. Upon motion filed by counsel for Director Defendants and China Natural Gas, Inc. to stay the case, the Delaware Court of Chancery ordered that count asserting direct claims against Qinan Ji be stayed pending the outcome of the SEC action (disclosed below) and the Federal Securities Action (Case No. 1:10CV00728, United States District Court for the District of Delaware) disclosed above, that the parties proceed with briefing a motion to dismiss, and that discovery be stayed as to the remaining counts of the complaint pending the outcome of the motion to dismiss.
|
c)
|
On May 14, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Qinan Ji and the Company, captioned Securities and Exchange Commission v. China Natural Gas, Inc. and Qinan Ji (12 CV 3824) (the “SEC Action”). The SEC Action alleges that the Company violated Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), and Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A), 13(b)(2)(B) and 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), and that Qinan Ji violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b), 13(b)(5) and 14(a) of the Exchange Act (as well as certain rules promulgated under such sections), Section 304 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and aiding and abetting certain of the Company’s alleged violations. The allegations in the SEC Action stem from the Company making two related party loans in 2010 and from the acquisition by the Company of a natural gas company in 2008. The SEC Action seeks a judgment (i) permanently enjoining the Company and Qinan Ji from future violations of the above provisions of the federal securities laws; (ii) imposing civil monetary penalties on the Company and Qinan Ji; (iii) prohibiting Qinan Ji from acting as an officer or director of a public company; and (iv) requiring Qinan Ji to reimburse the Company for his bonuses and stock sale profits. The Company's response to the complaint in the SEC Action is currently due but the Company and the SEC have jointly requested that the Court extend the date for a responsive pleading to January 31, 2013 to allow the parties to attempt to conclude a settlement. The Company is in serious settlement negotiations with the Staff of the SEC but there can be no assurance that a settlement will be concluded. In the absence of a settlement the Company intends to defend this case vigorously.
|
In addition, the Company is involved in
disputes and legal actions from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. The Company does not believe that any of these
matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Note
14– Subsequent Event
In August 2012, our VIE, XXNGC had
sign
a
contract
with Zhangjiagang CIMC Sanctum Cryogenic Equipment Co., Ltd to buy 50 smart semi-trailer for $10,131,200 (RMB 64 million).
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report contains statements
that are forward-looking and, as such, are not historical facts. Rather, these statements constitute projections, forecasts and
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not
guarantees of performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by these statements. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical
or current facts. These statements use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “strive,”
“plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or similar expressions. When the Company
discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Actual results and stockholders’
value will be affected by a variety of risks and factors, including, without limitation, the recent crisis in worldwide financial
markets, international, national and local economic conditions, merger, acquisition and business combination risks, financing risks,
geo-political risks, and acts of terror or war. Many of the risks and factors that will determine these results and stockholder
values are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. These statements are necessarily based upon various assumptions
involving judgment with respect to the future. You should carefully read the risk factor disclosure contained in “Item 1A.
Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, where many of the important factors
currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements
are discussed.
All such forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We are under no obligation to, nor do we intend to, release publicly any updates
or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or
any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Overview
We are an integrated natural gas operator
in the People’s Republic of China (referred to herein as China or the PRC), primarily involved in distribution of compressed
natural gas, or CNG, through the CNG fueling stations owned by our variable interest entity, or VIE, Xi’an Xilan Natural
Gas Co., Ltd. (referred to as XXNGC). As of September 30, 2012 our VIE owned and operated 32 CNG fueling stations, including 21
CNG fueling stations in Shaanxi Province, 10 CNG fueling stations in Henan Province and 1 CNG fueling station in Hubei Province.
Our VIE owns our CNG fueling stations while we lease the land upon which our VIE-owned CNG fueling stations operate. For the three
months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 31,749,431 cubic meters of CNG through our fueling stations, compared to 40,796,977 cubic
meters for the three months ended September 30, 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 103,169,517 cubic meters
of CNG through our fueling stations, compared to 122,134,065 cubic meters for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Our VIE
and its subsidiary, Lingbao Yuxi Natural Gas Co. Ltd. (“LYNG”), also install natural gas pipelines for, and distribute
and sell piped natural gas to, residential and commercial customers in the city of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, including Lantian
County, and the districts of Lintong and Baqiao, and in the city of Lingbao in Henan Province, through a high pressure pipeline
network of approximately 120 kilometers.
In addition, we have expanded into liquefied
natural gas (“LNG”) business and generate significant revenue from the LNG business. Our first LNG production facility,
Shaanxi Jingbian Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd. (“JBLNG”), located in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province, commenced
commercial production and sales on July 16, 2011. As of September 30, 2012, we had begun construction of ten LNG fueling stations
in Shaanxi and Henan Provinces.
We are pursuing multiple, synergistic paths
of growth through our VIE, XXNGC, and XXNGC’s subsidiaries, all of which are based in the PRC. We intend to:
|
·
|
continue to grow our LNG business through the ongoing construction of JBLNG and through the construction of LNG fueling stations
in Shaanxi, Henan and Hubei Provinces;
|
|
·
|
capitalize on the opportunities arising from the busy shipping activities on the Yangtze River by expanding into Hubei Province
through the construction of LNG fueling stations located in harbors along the Yangtze River, inland LNG fueling stations and reserve
LNG stations along the course of the Yangtze River, as well as continued development of conversion technologies and operations
to modify river vessels to run on a mixture of LNG and diesel; and
|
|
·
|
continue to expand our CNG business into Hubei Province by acquiring existing stations. We are currently evaluating additional
sites for CNG fueling stations in Hubei Province.
|
For additional information regarding these
growth initiatives, please see “
Recent Developments
” below.
Current Operations
We currently operate five main business lines:
|
·
|
distribution and sales of CNG through our VIE-owned CNG
fueling stations serving hybrid (natural gas/gasoline) powered vehicles. As of September 30, 2012, our VIE owned and operated
32 fueling stations in total;
|
|
·
|
installation, distribution and sales of piped natural
gas to residential and commercial customers through our VIE-owned pipelines. We distributed and sold piped natural gas to approximately
119,710 residential customers as of September 30, 2012;
|
|
·
|
production and sales of LNG through our LNG production
facility in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province. Revenues from commercial production and sales of LNG started on July 16, 2011.
|
|
·
|
distribution and sales of gasoline through our VIE-owned
CNG fueling stations for gasoline and hybrid (natural gas/gasoline) powered vehicles (three of our VIE-owned CNG fueling stations
were selling gasoline as of September 30, 2012); and
|
|
·
|
conversion of gasoline-fueled vehicles to hybrid (natural
gas/gasoline) powered vehicles at our automobile conversion workshops.
|
We purchase all of the natural gas that we
sell and distribute to our customers from our suppliers, and we are not directly involved in the mining or production of natural
gas. We currently sell our natural gas in three forms: (i) we compress natural gas into CNG and sell it to our customers through
CNG fueling stations, (ii) we distribute natural gas through pipelines to commercial and residential customers and (iii) we liquefy
natural gas into LNG and sell and distribute to our customers.
We had total revenues of $31,061,782 and $36,897,375
for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and revenues of $101,240,795 and $88,318,652 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We had net loss of $1,500,003 and income of $4,545,093 for the three months
ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and net income of $5,522,324 and $11,424,610 for the nine months ended September
30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Recent Developments
LNG Business
As of September 30, 2012, we had invested
$68.5 million in Phase I of the LNG project located in Jingbian Country, Shaanxi Province and expected to invest approximately
an additional $0.2 million to satisfy installment payments to contractors. We commenced test runs of Phase I of the LNG plant during
2010 and, in December 2010, we conducted and completed further test runs, including testing the operation of various components
and equipments of the plant. We completed production preparation and trial production in June 2011. On July 16, 2011, we completed
most of the construction of Phase I of the LNG plant and began commercial production and sale of LNG. Phase I of the LNG plant
has a processing capacity of 500,000 cubic meters of LNG per day, or approximately 150 million cubic meters of LNG per year. Customers
of our LNG business mainly include city gas companies supplying industrial, commercial and residential pipeline end users, such
as ENN Energy Holdings Ltd., Kunlun Energy Company Ltd. and Hunan Ruihua Energy Equipment Ltd.. The launch of the LNG plant is
an important part of our integration strategies, which include strategic plans to develop our own network of LNG fueling stations
in Shaanxi, Henan and Hubei Provinces.
The total expected cost of $68.7 million for
the construction of Phase I of the LNG project is higher than what we originally anticipated. The increased costs were attributable
to unforeseen cost overruns and escalations, including increased material and labor costs incurred to reinforce pilings based upon
modified engineering analysis, and increased prices for land use rights, which we believe resulted from the energy resource exploration
activities in nearby areas. Construction of Phase I of the LNG plant experienced delays due to policy changes with respect to tariff
exemptions for core equipment imported by the Company and the increased international shipment time for ordered equipment.
In addition, as of September 30, 2012, we
had invested $47.6 million for the construction of phases II and III of Jingbian LNG plant. We estimate that a further aggregate
investment of $193.6 million will need to be made through December 2015 to finance the construction of Phase II and III of the
LNG plant, which, upon completion, will have a processing capacity of 3,000,000 cubic meters of LNG per day, or approximately 900
million cubic meters of LNG per year. The expected completion date of Phase II and III of the LNG plant is December 2015.
On September 2, 2010, we announced the completion
of our first LNG fueling station. The station is located in Hongqing District, Xi'an, and we believe it is the first LNG fueling
station in Shaanxi Province. The LNG fueling station initially serves as a working model to showcase the market potential of LNG
to future users rather than to generate revenues. As of September 30, 2012, ten LNG fueling stations were under construction in
various locations in Shaanxi and Henan Provinces, and our VIE, XXNGC had
sign
a
contract
with Zhangjiagang CIMC Sanctum Cryogenic Equipment Co., Ltd to buy 50 smart semi-trailer as of September 30, 2012.
We successfully completed the regular maintenance
of our Jingbian LNG factory which spanned a period of 28 days. The factory resumed full operational on August 12, 2012.
Hubei Province and Yangtze River
As of September 30, 2012, we had made certain
progress in the expansion of both our CNG and LNG businesses into Hubei Province. In April 2010, we received the approval from
local government authorities in Hubei Province to build LNG fueling stations, both inland and in harbors, and reserve LNG stations,
along the Yangtze River. We are currently going through necessary procedures to prepare for the building of these LNG stations.
During the third quarter of 2010, we completed
the acquisition of Hanchuan Makou Yuntong Compressed Natural Gas Co., Ltd., or Makou, for a purchase price of $3,648,080. Makou
owns and operates a CNG compressor station in Hanchuan City, Hubei Province, and purchases natural gas through pipelines, conducts
compressing and sells natural gas on a wholesale basis through tankers to fueling stations in Hubei Province. Makou’s compressor
station currently has sufficient capacity to process 80,000 to 100,000 cubic meters of natural gas daily and is advantageously
located near railways and arterial highways. We believe that the Makou acquisition laid the foundation for expanding our CNG business
into Hubei Province.
On June 28, 2011, our VIE, XXNGC, entered
into an Equity Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with five individual shareholders of Xiantao City Jinhua
Gas and Oil Co., Ltd. (“XTJH”). Pursuant to the Transfer Agreement, XXNGC acquired a 58.5284% ownership of XTJH for
a total purchase price of approximately $1,905,099 (RMB 12,290,964). During the first quarter of 2012, we completed the acquisition
of XTJH, and have our own fueling station available locally, which increases our revenue and share in the local market.
As of September 30, 2012, we also engaged
in developing market demand for our natural gas products along the Yangtze River. By leveraging our automobile conversion know-how,
we are developing conversion technologies and operations to modify river vessels so that they can be powered by a mixture of LNG
and diesel. In August 2010, a tugboat, modified by us to operate on a mixture consisting of 70% LNG and 30% diesel, completed its
maiden voyage on the Yangtze River. We believe it was the first time that an LNG-powered ship navigated China’s domestic
waterways.
Shaanxi and Henan Provinces
During the first quarter of 2011, we closed one CNG fueling
station in Shaanxi Province due to changes in market conditions, in October, 2011, we closed another CNG fueling station in Shaanxi
Province because the district will be demolished for urban redevelopment, in March 2012, we acquired one CNG fueling station in
Hubei Province, in April 2012, we closed one fueling station in Shaanxi Province due to the construction of main subway lines in
Xi’an, in May 2012, we ceased operations of two
fueling stations in Henan province due to
adverse market conditions
, and in the third quarter of 2012, we closed three fueling stations in Shaanxi Province due to
the change of the Company's strategy to reduce the scale of our CNG fueling stations, and focus on establishing of LNG fueling
stations. As a result, as of September 30, 2012, XXNGC and its subsidiary operated 21 CNG fueling stations in Shaanxi Province,
10 CNG fueling stations in Henan Province and one CNG fueling station in Hubei Province. Four gasoline fueling stations were closed
in November and December 2010, due to changes in market conditions in their respective local areas. During the first quarter of
2011, we reopened one of the previously closed gasoline fueling stations and during the second quarter of 2011, we closed another
station. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we closed another two of our gasoline fueling stations due to changes in market situations.
In March 2012, we acquired one station in Hubei Province. As of September 30, 2012, we operated three gasoline fueling stations.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Significant factors affecting our results
of operations are:
Successful launch and development of
our LNG business
. On July 16, 2011, we completed most of the construction of Phase I of our LNG plant in Jingbian County,
Shaanxi Province and began commercial production and sale of LNG. Phase I of the LNG plant has a processing capacity of 500,000
cubic meters of LNG per day, or approximately 150 million cubic meters of LNG per year. Revenues from the completed Phase I of
the LNG plant have been realized during the third quarter of 2011. In addition, Phases II and III of the LNG plant are planned
to be completed by December 2015, adding processing capacity of 3,000,000 cubic meters of LNG per day, or approximately 900 million
cubic meters of LNG per year. We anticipate significant revenues from the LNG business in the future.
Regulation of natural gas prices in
the PRC
. The prices at which we purchase our natural gas supplies and sell CNG and pipeline natural gas products are strictly
regulated by the PRC central government, including the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC. Local pricing administrations
have the discretion to set natural gas prices within the price range set by the PRC central government. In addition, natural gas
procurement and sales prices are not uniform across China and may vary from province to province. Accordingly, our results of operations
and, in particular, our revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit and gross margin are affected significantly by factors that are
outside of our control, including the regulation of natural gas products both on the national and local levels. As we expand our
natural gas business into other provinces, we expect our results of operations to continue to be affected significantly by the
regulations over natural gas prices in the PRC.
Government policies encouraging the
adoption of cleaner burning fuels
. Our results of operations for the periods covered by this report have benefited from
environmental regulations and programs in the PRC that promote the use of cleaner burning fuels, including natural gas, for vehicles.
As an enterprise engaged in the natural gas industry, our VIE, XXNGC, benefits from a reduced income tax rate of 15% compared to
the standard 25% enterprise income tax rate in the PRC. In addition, the PRC government has encouraged companies to invest in and
build the necessary transportation, distribution and sales infrastructure for natural gas in various policy pronouncements, such
as by officially including CNG
/
gasoline hybrid vehicles in the PRC’s “encouraged development” category.
These policies have benefitted our results of operations by encouraging the demand for our natural gas products and also by lowering
our expenses. As we intend to continue to expand into the LNG business, and our LNG plant in Jingbian has commenced commercial
production and sale, we anticipate that our results of operations will continue to be affected by government policies encouraging
the adoption of cleaner burning fuels and the increased adoption of CNG and LNG technologies.
The overall economic growth of China
.
We do not export our products and our results of operations are thus substantially affected by various economic factors, including
the growth of the natural gas industry in the PRC, the increase in domestic residential, commercial and vehicular consumption,
the overall growth of the economy of the PRC and related developments. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth
in the past 30 years, growth has been uneven across different regions and economic sectors. The PRC government has implemented
various economic and political policies and laws and regulations to encourage economic development and to guide the allocation
of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall PRC economy but may also have a negative effect on us. For example,
our financial results may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that
apply to us. The PRC government has also implemented certain measures recently, including interest rate increases, to control the
rate of economic growth to prevent the aggravation of inflation. These measures may suppress the level of economic activities in
the PRC, possibly including slowing the growth of the PRC’s domestic commodity markets. Any adverse changes to the policies
of the PRC government or the laws and regulations of the PRC could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth
of the PRC, which could adversely affect our business in turn.
Taxation
United States
We are incorporated in the State of Delaware
and are subject to the tax laws of the United States. We incurred a net operating loss for income tax purposes for the nine months
ended September 30, 2012 and the estimated net operating loss carry-forwards for United States income tax purposes amounted to
$12,583,150 as of September 30, 2012, which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry-forwards
will expire, if not utilized, through 2032. Our management believes that the realization of the benefits arising from these net
operating loss carry-forwards appears to be uncertain due to our limited operating history and continuing losses for United States
income tax purposes. Accordingly, we have provided a 100% valuation allowance at September 30, 2012.
The PRC
Our subsidiary, VIE and its subsidiaries operate
in the PRC. Starting January 1, 2008, pursuant to the tax laws of the PRC, general enterprises are subject to income tax at an
effective rate of 25%. Based on certain income tax regulations adopted in 2001 to encourage the development of certain industries,
including the natural gas industry, in the western regions of the PRC such as Shaanxi Province, XXNGC is subject to a reduced tax
rate of 15%. Accordingly, except for income from XXNGC, which is subject to the reduced tax rate of 15%, income from Shaanxi Xilan
Natural Gas Equipment Co., Ltd. (referred to as SXNGE, a wholly foreign owned enterprise), Jingbian Xilan LNG Co., Ltd (referred
to as SJLNG, a wholly owned subsidiary of XXNGC), Xi’an Xilan Auto Body Shop Co., Ltd. (referred to as XXABC, a wholly owned
subsidiary of XXNGC), Henan Xilan Natural Gas Co., Ltd. (referred to as HXNGC, a wholly owned subsidiary of XXNGC), Lingbao Yuxi
Natural Gas Co., Ltd (referred to as Lingbao Yuxi, a wholly owned subsidiary of XXNGC), Hubei Xilan Natural Gas Co., Ltd. (referred
to as HBXNGC, a wholly owned subsidiary of XXNGC), Hanchuan Makou Yuntong Compressed Natural Gas Co., Ltd. (referred to as Makou,
a wholly owned subsidiary of HBXNGC) and Xiantao City Jinhua Gas and Oil Co., Ltd. (referred to as XTJH, a holding subsidiary of
HBXNGC) are subject to the 25% PRC income tax rate. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012
and 2011 were approximately 27.8% and 23.7% , respectively.
Value-Added Tax.
Sales revenue represents
the invoiced value of goods, net of a value-added tax, or VAT. The products of our VIE, XXNGC, and three of XXNGC’s subsidiaries,
Lingbao Yuxi, Makou and XTJH, that are sold in the PRC are subject to a PRC VAT at a rate of 13% of the gross sales price. Under
PRC tax laws, the VAT may be offset by VAT paid by XXNGC or Lingbao Yuxi or Makou or XTJH, as applicable, on purchased raw materials
and other materials included in the cost of producing their finished products. XXNGC recorded VAT payable and VAT receivable net
of payments in our financial statements. The VAT tax return is filed offsetting the payables against the receivables. When output
tax of VAT is greater than input tax of VAT, the tax difference will be paid to the tax bureaus at different government levels.
All revenues from XXNGC’s wholly owned
subsidiary, XXABC, are subject to a PRC VAT at a rate of 6%. This VAT cannot be offset with VAT paid for purchased materials included
in the cost of revenues.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared
to Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Sales Revenues
The following table sets forth a breakdown
of our revenues for the periods indicated:
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease)
|
|
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
September 30,
2011
|
|
|
(decrease) in dollar
amount
|
|
|
in
percentage
|
|
Natural gas from fueling stations
|
|
$
|
15,522,116
|
|
|
$
|
19,726,152
|
|
|
$
|
(4,204,036
|
)
|
|
|
(21.3
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas from pipelines
|
|
|
1,622,916
|
|
|
|
1,656,049
|
|
|
|
(33,133
|
)
|
|
|
(2.0
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
10,758,490
|
|
|
|
10,843,280
|
|
|
|
(84,790
|
)
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
647,061
|
|
|
|
1,508,657
|
|
|
|
(861,596
|
)
|
|
|
(57.1
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation
|
|
|
2,040,806
|
|
|
|
2,646,749
|
|
|
|
(605,943
|
)
|
|
|
(22.9
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile conversion
|
|
|
470,393
|
|
|
|
516,488
|
|
|
|
(46,095
|
)
|
|
|
(8.9
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
31,061,782
|
|
|
$
|
36,897,375
|
|
|
$
|
(5,835,593
|
)
|
|
|
(15.8
|
)%
|
Overall
. Total revenue for the three
months ended September 30, 2012 decreased to $31,061,782 from $36,897,375 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease
of $5,835,593 or 15.8%, due to the reasons discussed below. We sold 66,911,892 cubic meters of natural gas, including 36,827,491
cubic meters of CNG and 30,084,401 cubic meters (19,002.9 tons) of LNG, during the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared
to 76,910,810 cubic meters of natural gas, including 46,238,846 cubic meters of CNG and 30,671,964 cubic meters (18,973.6 tons)
of LNG during the three months ended September 30, 2011. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, 91.9% of our revenues was
generated from the sale of natural gas and gasoline, and the remaining 8.1% was generated from our installation and auto conversion
services.
Natural Gas from Fueling Stations.
Natural
gas revenue from our fueling stations decreased by 21.3%, or $4,204,036, to $15,522,116 for the three months ended September 30,
2012, from $19,726,152 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 50.0% of our total revenue for the three
months ended September 30, 2012, which was the largest contributor to revenue among our major business lines. During the three
months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 31,749,431 cubic meters of CNG, compared to 40,796,977 cubic meters during the three months
ended September 30, 2011, through our fueling stations, due to the closure of three fueling stations in the second quarter of 2012
and three fueling stations in the third quarter of 2012. The average unit selling price per cubic meter of CNG remained stable
at $0.50 (RMB 3.13) during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, net of VAT. With respect to average sales revenue
and volume per station, in the three months ended September 30, 2012, we sold approximately $456,533 or 933,807 cubic meters of
CNG per station, respectively, compared to approximately $519,109 or 1,073,605 cubic meters, respectively, in the three months
ended September 30, 2011. The reason for the decline in per station sales was primarily due to the construction of main subway
lines in Xi’an, which caused certain bus routes to deviate from our stations and resulted in decreased sales. The subway
construction is expected to be completed by 2017.
Natural Gas from Pipelines.
Natural
gas revenue from our pipelines decreased by 2.0%, or $33,133, to $1,622,916 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from
$1,656,049 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 5.2% of our total revenue for the three months ended
September 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2012, we had 119,710 pipeline customers, an increase of 3,375 customers from 116,335 customers
as of September 30, 2011. We sold 5,078,060 cubic meters of natural gas through our pipelines for the three months ended September
30, 2012, compared to 5,441,869 cubic meters for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of 6.7%, primarily due to
the lost of a major commercial customer in Xi’an.
Liquefied Natural Gas.
Our LNG production
facility in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province started operations in July 2011. Revenue from LNG decreased by 0.8%, or $84,790,
to $10,758,490 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $10,843,280 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and
contributed 34.6% of our total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012. We sold 30,084,401 cubic meters (18,902.9
tons) of LNG for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to 30,671,964 cubic meters (18,973.6 tons) for the three months
ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of 1.9%, primarily due to the temporarily closure of Jingbian LNG factory for a period of
28 days for regular maintenance during the third quarter of 2012, and the average unit selling price per cubic meter decreased
from $0.35 (RMB 2.31), net of VAT, during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $0.35 (RMB 2.26), net of VAT, during the
three months ended September 30, 2012.
Gasoline.
Revenue from gasoline sales
decreased by 57.1% or $861,596 to $647,061 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $1,508,657 for the three months
ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 2.1% of our total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease
was primarily attributable to the sales volume decrease of 60.4% from 1,571,485 liters to 622,347 liters, because of the closure
of two gasoline fueling stations during the fourth quarter of 2011 due to the low gross margin of gasoline. The average unit sales
price of gasoline increased by 10.5%, from $0.95 (RMB 6.14) per liter, net of VAT, in the three months ended September 30, 2011
to $1.04 (RMB 6.56) per liter in the three months ended September 30, 2012, compensating for the significant decrease in sales
volume to a certain degree.
Installation Services.
Revenue from
installation services decreased by 22.9% or $605,943 to $2,040,806, for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $2,646,749
for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 6.6% of our total revenue for the three months ended September 30,
2012. We believe the decrease was primarily due to a slowdown in the property market, which led to a decrease in demand for installation
services. Revenue from our five largest customers accounted for 24.4%, 17.0%, 12.9%, 10.0% and 8.8%, respectively, of our total
installation revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Automobile Conversion Services.
Revenue
from our automobile conversion division decreased by 8.9% or $46,095 to $470,393 for the three months ended September 30, 2012,
from $516,488 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, mainly due to the decrease of customers, and contributed 1.5% of our
total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Cost of Revenue
The following table sets forth a breakdown
of our cost of revenue for the years indicated:
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease)
|
|
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
September 30,
2011
|
|
|
(decrease) in dollar
amount
|
|
|
in
percentage
|
|
Natural gas from fueling stations
|
|
$
|
8,576,475
|
|
|
$
|
10,955,337
|
|
|
$
|
(2,378,862
|
)
|
|
|
(21.7
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas from pipelines
|
|
|
1,245,820
|
|
|
|
1,264,861
|
|
|
|
(19,041
|
)
|
|
|
(1.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
9,127,753
|
|
|
|
7,673,445
|
|
|
|
1,454,308
|
|
|
|
19.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
616,290
|
|
|
|
1,461,302
|
|
|
|
(845,012
|
)
|
|
|
(57.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation
|
|
|
721,621
|
|
|
|
1,044,178
|
|
|
|
(322,557
|
)
|
|
|
(30.9
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile conversion
|
|
|
292,026
|
|
|
|
319,328
|
|
|
|
(27,302
|
)
|
|
|
(8.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
20,579,985
|
|
|
$
|
22,718,451
|
|
|
$
|
(2,138.466
|
)
|
|
|
(9.4
|
)%
|
Overall
. Our cost of revenue consists
of the cost of natural gas and gasoline sold, installation costs and other costs. Costs of natural gas sold from fueling stations
and pipelines as well as costs of gasoline sold consist mainly of procurement costs from our suppliers. Costs of LNG consist mainly
of procurement costs of natural gas and processing costs. Costs of installation and others include the expenditures that were incurred
to connect customers to our pipeline system, and the cost for converting gasoline-fueled vehicles into natural gas-fueled hybrid
vehicles.
Our cost of revenue for the three months ended
September 30, 2012 was $20,579,985, a decrease of $2,138,466 or 9.4% from $22,718,451 for the three months ended September 30,
2011, mainly attributable to the decrease of costs of revenue of natural gas sold through our fueling stations. As a comparison,
our total revenues decreased by 15.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Natural Gas from Fueling Stations.
Cost of revenue of natural gas sold through our fueling stations decreased by 21.7%, or $2,378,862 to $8,576,475 for the three
months ended September 30, 2012, from $10,955,337 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, mainly due to the decrease in
sales volume. The average procurement costs per cubic meter of our natural gas for our fueling stations decreased from $0.27 (RMB
1.72), net of VAT, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $0.27 (RMB 1.68), net of VAT, for the three months ended September
30, 2012. The average procurement cost remained materially below the natural gas retail price of $0.50 (RMB 3.13) per cubic meter,
net of VAT, for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Natural Gas from Pipelines.
Cost of
revenue of our natural gas sold through our pipelines decreased by 1.5% or $19,041 to $1,245,820 for the three months ended September
30, 2012, from $1,264,861 for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in sales
volume.
Liquefied Natural Gas.
Cost of revenue
from LNG increased by 19.0% or $1,454,308 to $9,127,753 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $7,673,445 for the
three months ended September 30, 2011. The average cost of revenue per cubic meter was $0.30 (RMB 1.91), net of VAT, during the
three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $0.25 (RMB 1.62), net of VAT, during the three months ended September 30, 2011,
due to inflation of material price.
Gasoline.
Cost of gasoline revenue
decreased by 57.8% or $845,012 to $616,290 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $1,461,302 for the three months
ended September 30, 2011. The decrease of cost of gasoline revenue was primarily due to the closure of two gasoline fueling stations
of ours during the fourth quarter of 2011. The average procurement cost per liter increased from $0.91 (RMB 5.91), net of VAT,
for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $0.99 (RMB 6.25), net of VAT, for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Installation Services.
Cost of revenue
from our installation services decreased by 30.9% or $322,557 to $721,621 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $1,044,178
for the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the decrease in the number of our installation customers.
Automobile Conversion Services.
Cost
of our automobile conversion revenue decreased by 8.5% or $27,302 to $292,026 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from
$319,328 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, which is consistent with the decrease in sales revenue.
Gross Profit
The following table sets forth a breakdown
of our gross profit for the years indicated:
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease)
|
|
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
September 30,
2011
|
|
|
(decrease) in dollar
amount
|
|
|
in
percentage
|
|
Natural gas from fueling stations
|
|
$
|
6,945,641
|
|
|
$
|
8,770,815
|
|
|
$
|
(1,825,174
|
)
|
|
|
(20.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas from pipelines
|
|
|
377,096
|
|
|
|
391,188
|
|
|
|
(14,092
|
)
|
|
|
(3.6
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
1,630,737
|
|
|
|
3,169,835
|
|
|
|
(1,539,098
|
)
|
|
|
(48.6
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
30,771
|
|
|
|
47,355
|
|
|
|
(16,584
|
)
|
|
|
(35.0
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation
|
|
|
1,319,185
|
|
|
|
1,602,571
|
|
|
|
(283,386
|
)
|
|
|
(17.7
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile conversion
|
|
|
178,367
|
|
|
|
197,160
|
|
|
|
(18,793
|
)
|
|
|
(9.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
10,481,797
|
|
|
$
|
14,178,924
|
|
|
$
|
(3,697,127
|
)
|
|
|
(26.1
|
)%
|
We earned a gross profit of $10,481,797 for
the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $3,697,127 or 26.1%, from $14,178,924 for the three months ended September
30, 2011. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to the decrease in natural gas revenue from our fueling stations
and increase in processing costs of LNG.
Gross Margin
Gross margin for natural gas sold through
our fueling stations increased from 44.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to 44.7% for the three months ended September
30, 2012, primarily due to lower purchasing cost of natural gas.
Gross margin for natural gas sold through
pipelines was 23.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, decreased slightly from 23.6% for the three months ended September
30, 2011.
Gross margin for our LNG business was 15.2%
for the three months ended September 30, 2012, decreased from 29.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily attributable
to the increase in processing costs of LNG. This gross margin is lower than that of CNG sold through fueling stations, because
till September 30, 2012, we had been selling LNG only to industrial customers at wholesale price. We expect that the gross margin
of LNG sales may be improved after our own LNG fueling stations start operations and sell LNG at retail price.
Gross margin for gasoline sales increased
from 3.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to 4.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due our
average sales price of gasoline had increased at a greater rate than that of our average purchasing costs of gasoline.
Gross margin for our installation business
increased to 64.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from 60.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Gross margin for our automobile conversion
business decreased from 38.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to 37.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Our total gross margin decreased from 38.4%
for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to 33.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to the current
lower gross margin level of our LNG business, as compared to the gross margins of those business lines making greatest contribution
to revenue.
Operating Expenses
We incurred operating expenses of $7,759,064
for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $578,636 or 8.1%, from $7,180,428 for the three months ended September
30, 2011.
Selling expenses increased by $1,836,596 or
39.4% to $6,503,728 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, from $4,667,132 for the three months ended September 30, 2011,
primarily due to the increase of $753,109 in transportation expense and $332,929 in depreciation mainly associated with our LNG
business, which started in July 2011. Transportation cost during the three months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $3,305
per million cubic meters of natural gas, compared to $3,326 per million cubic meters of natural gas for the three months ended
September 30, 2011.
General and administrative expenses decreased
by $1,257,960 or 50.1% from $2,513,296 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to $1,255,336 for the three months ended September
30, 2012, primarily attributable to the decrease of $516,217 in preliminary expenses, and $386,673 in legal fees.
Income from Operations and Operating
Margin
Income from operations decreased by $4,275,763,
or 61.1%, to $2,722,733 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $6,998,496 for the three months ended September 30,
2011, primarily attributable to the decrease in gross profit of natural gas and increase in selling expenses as discussed above.
Our operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was 8.8%, as compared to 19.0% for the three months ended September
30, 2011.
Non-Operating Income (Expense)
Non-operating expense was $4,135,497 for the
three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to non-operating expense of $923,952 for the three months ended September 30,
2011, primarily due to the loss of $4,017,726 on disposal of five fueling stations during the third quarter of 2012.
Provision for Income Tax
Income tax was $87,239 for the three months
ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $1,529,451 for the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Net income (loss)
Net loss was $1,500,003 for the three months
ended September 30, 2012, compared to net income of $4,545,093 for the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared
to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Sales Revenues
The following table sets forth a breakdown
of our revenues for the periods indicated:
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
September 30,
2011
|
|
|
dollar
amount
|
|
|
(decrease) in
percentage
|
|
Natural gas from fueling stations
|
|
$
|
50,657,018
|
|
|
$
|
58,255,556
|
|
|
$
|
(7,598,538
|
)
|
|
|
(13.0
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas from pipelines
|
|
|
5,845,657
|
|
|
|
5,760,205
|
|
|
|
85,452
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
35,728,338
|
|
|
|
10,843,280
|
|
|
|
24,885,058
|
|
|
|
229.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
2,174,124
|
|
|
|
4,790,207
|
|
|
|
(2,616,083
|
)
|
|
|
(54.6
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation
|
|
|
5,471,884
|
|
|
|
7,238,738
|
|
|
|
(1,766,854
|
)
|
|
|
(24.4
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile conversion
|
|
|
1,363,774
|
|
|
|
1,430,666
|
|
|
|
(66,892
|
)
|
|
|
(4.7
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
101,240,795
|
|
|
$
|
88,318,652
|
|
|
$
|
12,922,143
|
|
|
|
14.6
|
%
|
Overall
. Total revenue for the nine
months ended September 30, 2012 increased to $101,240,795 from $88,318,652 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase
of $12,922,143 or 14.6%, due to the reasons discussed below. We sold 219,208,931 cubic meters of natural gas, including 121,631,023
cubic meters of CNG and 97,577,908 cubic meters (61,304.8 tons) of LNG, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared
to 172,040,575 cubic meters of natural gas, including 141,368,611 cubic meters of CNG and 30,671,964 cubic meters (18,973.6 tons)
of LNG, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, 93.2% of our revenues was
generated from the sale of natural gas and gasoline, and the remaining 6.8% was generated from our installation and auto conversion
services.
Natural
Gas from Fueling Stations.
Natural gas revenue from our fueling stations decreased by 13.0% or $7,598,538, to $50,657,018
for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $58,255,556 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 50.0%
of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which was the largest contributor to revenue among our major
business lines. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 103,169,517 cubic meters of CNG, compared to 122,134,065
cubic meters during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, through our fueling stations, due to the closure of three fueling
stations in the second quarter of 2012 and three fueling stations in the third quarter of 2012. The average unit selling price
per cubic meter of CNG remained stable at $0.50 (RMB 3.13) during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, net of VAT.
With respect to average sales revenue and volume per station, in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold approximately
$1,420,158 or 2,892,333 cubic meters of CNG per station, respectively, compared to approximately $1,533,041 or 3,214,054 cubic
meters, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The reason for the decline in per station sales was primarily
due to the construction of main subway lines in Xi’an, which caused certain bus routes to deviate from our stations and
resulted in decreased sales.
Natural Gas from Pipelines.
Natural
gas revenue from our pipelines increased by 1.5% or $85,452 to $5,845,657 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $5,760,205
for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 5.8% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30,
2012. As of September 30, 2012, we had 119,710 pipeline customers, an increase of 3,375 customers from 116,335 customers as of
September 30, 2011. We sold 18,461,506 cubic meters of natural gas through our pipelines for the nine months ended September 30,
2012, compared to 19,234,546 cubic meters for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of 4.0%, primarily due to the
lost of a major commercial customer in Xi’an.
Liquefied
Natural Gas.
Revenue from LNG was $35,728,338 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and contributed 35.3% of our total
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. We sold 97,577,908 cubic meters (61,304.8 tons) of LNG for the nine months
ended September 30, 2012. The average unit selling price per cubic meter was $0.37 (RMB 2.31), net of VAT, during the nine months
ended September 30, 2012. As our LNG production facility in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province started operations in July 2011,
there was no comparable historical data of the nine months ended September
30, 2011.
Gasoline.
Revenue from gasoline sales
decreased by 54.6% or $2,616,083 to $2,174,124 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $4,790,207 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 2.1% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease
was primarily attributable to the sales volume decrease of 59.4% from 5,111,933 liters to 2,074,840 liters, because of the closure
of two gasoline fueling stations during the fourth quarters of 2011. The average unit sales price of gasoline increased by 11.8%,
from $0.94 (RMB 6.12) per liter, net of VAT, in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $1.05 (RMB 6.61) per liter in the nine
months ended September 30, 2012, compensating for the significant decrease in sales volume to a certain degree.
Installation Services.
Revenue from
installation services decreased by 24.4% or $1,766,854 to $5,471,884, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $7,238,738
for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and contributed 5.4% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30,
2012. We believe the decrease was primarily due to a slowdown in the property market, which led to a decrease in demand for installation
services. Revenue from our five largest customers accounted for 16.2%, 9.1%, 7.3%, 6.4% and 5.4%, respectively, of our total installation
revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Automobile Conversion Services.
Revenue
from our automobile conversion division decreased by 4.7% or $66,892 to1,363,774 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012,
from $1,430,666 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, mainly due to the decrease of customers, and contributed 1.3% of
our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Cost of Revenue
The following table sets forth a breakdown
of our cost of revenue for the years indicated:
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
September 30,
2011
|
|
|
dollar
amount
|
|
|
(decrease) in
percentage
|
|
Natural gas from fueling stations
|
|
$
|
27,954,486
|
|
|
$
|
32,778,787
|
|
|
$
|
(4,824,301
|
)
|
|
|
(14.7
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas from pipelines
|
|
|
4,466,950
|
|
|
|
4,411,311
|
|
|
|
55,639
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
28,265,987
|
|
|
|
7,673,445
|
|
|
|
20,592,542
|
|
|
|
268.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
2,060,048
|
|
|
|
4,588,735
|
|
|
|
(2,528,687
|
)
|
|
|
(55.1
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation
|
|
|
1,980,086
|
|
|
|
2,847,099
|
|
|
|
(867,013
|
)
|
|
|
(30.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile conversion
|
|
|
841,089
|
|
|
|
888,955
|
|
|
|
(47,866
|
)
|
|
|
(5.4
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
65,568,646
|
|
|
$
|
53,188,332
|
|
|
$
|
12,380,314
|
|
|
|
23.3
|
%
|
Overall
. Our cost of revenue consists
of the cost of natural gas and gasoline sold, installation costs and other costs. Costs of natural gas sold from fueling stations
and pipelines as well as costs of gasoline sold consist mainly of procurement costs from our suppliers. Costs of LNG consist mainly
of procurement costs of natural gas and processing costs. Costs of installation and others include the expenditures that were incurred
to connect customers to our pipeline system, and the cost for converting gasoline-fueled vehicles into natural gas-fueled hybrid
vehicles.
Our cost of revenue for the nine months ended
September 30, 2012 was $65,568,646, an increase of $12,380,314 or 23.3% , from $53,188,332 for the nine months ended September
30, 2011, mainly attributable to the addition of costs of revenue of LNG, which started in July 2011. As a comparison, our total
revenues increased by 14.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
Natural Gas from Fueling
Stations.
Cost of revenue of our natural gas sold through our fueling stations decreased by 14.7% or $4,824,301 to
$27,954,486 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $32,778,787 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The
average procurement costs per cubic meter of our natural gas for our fueling stations decreased from $0.27 (RMB 1.74) net of
VAT, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $0.27 (RMB 1.69), net of VAT, for the nine months ended September 30,
2012. The average procurement cost remained materially below the natural gas retail price of $0.50 (RMB 3.13) per cubic
meter, net of VAT, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Natural Gas from Pipelines.
Cost of
revenue of our natural gas sold through our pipelines increased by 1.3% or $55,639 to $4,466,950 for the nine months ended September
30, 2012, from $4,411,311 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to the increase in procurement
cost.
Liquefied
Natural Gas.
Cost of revenue from LNG was $28,265,987 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The average cost of revenue
per cubic meter was $0.29 (RMB 1.83), net of VAT, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. As our LNG production facility
in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province started operations in July 2011,
there
was no comparable historical data of the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
Gasoline.
Cost of gasoline revenue
decreased by 55.1% or $2,528,687 to $2,060,048 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $4,588,735 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011. The decrease of cost of gasoline revenue was primarily due to the closure of three gasoline fueling stations
of ours during the first and fourth quarter of 2011. The average procurement cost per liter increased from $0.90 (RMB 5.86), net
of VAT, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $0.99 (RMB 6.26), net of VAT, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Installation Services.
Cost of revenue
from our installation services decreased by 30.5% or $867,013 to $1,980,086 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $2,847,099
for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the decrease in the number of our installation customers.
Automobile Conversion Services.
Cost
of our automobile conversion revenue decreased by 5.4% or $47,866 to $841,089 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from
$888,955 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which is consistent with the decrease in sales revenue.
Gross Profit
The following table sets forth a breakdown
of our gross profit for the years indicated:
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
September 30,
2012
|
|
|
September 30,
2011
|
|
|
dollar
amount
|
|
|
(decrease) in
percentage
|
|
Natural gas from fueling stations
|
|
$
|
22,702,532
|
|
|
$
|
25,476,769
|
|
|
$
|
(2,774,237
|
)
|
|
|
(10.9
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas from pipelines
|
|
|
1,378,707
|
|
|
|
1,348,894
|
|
|
|
29,813
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquefied natural gas
|
|
|
7,462,351
|
|
|
|
3,169,835
|
|
|
|
4,292,516
|
|
|
|
135.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasoline
|
|
|
114,076
|
|
|
|
201,472
|
|
|
|
(87,396
|
)
|
|
|
(43.4
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installation
|
|
|
3,491,798
|
|
|
|
4,391,639
|
|
|
|
(899,841
|
)
|
|
|
(20.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automobile conversion
|
|
|
522,685
|
|
|
|
541,711
|
|
|
|
(19,026
|
)
|
|
|
(3.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
35,672,149
|
|
|
$
|
35,130,320
|
|
|
$
|
541,829
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
We earned a gross profit of $35,672,149 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $541,829 or 1.5%, from $35,130,320 for the nine months ended September
30, 2011. The increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to the increase in sales revenues, despite the decrease in gross
profit margin, as discussed below.
Gross Margin
Gross margin for natural gas sold through
our fueling stations increased from 43.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 44.8% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2012, primarily due to lower purchasing cost of natural gas.
Gross margin for natural gas sold through
pipelines was 23.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, increased from 23.4% for the nine months ended September 30,
2011, primarily due to our average sales price of natural gas sold through pipelines had increased at a greater rate than that
of our average purchasing costs.
Gross margin for our LNG business was 20.9%
for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased from 29.2% for the few months period when our LNG plant was in operation
as of September 30, 2011, primarily attributable to the increase in processing costs of LNG. This gross margin is lower than that
of CNG sold through fueling stations, because till the end of the third quarter of 2012, we had been selling LNG only to industrial
customers at wholesale price. We expect that the gross margin of LNG sales may be improved after our own LNG fueling stations
start operations and sell LNG at retail price.
Gross margin for gasoline sales increased
from 4.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 5.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due our
average sales price of gasoline had increased at a greater rate than that of our average purchasing costs of gasoline.
Gross margin for our installation business
increased to 63.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from 60.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
Gross margin for our automobile conversion
business increased from 37.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 38.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Our total gross margin decreased from 39.8%
for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 35.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to the current
lower gross margin level of our LNG business, as compared to the gross margins of those business lines making greatest contribution
to revenue.
Operating Expenses
We incurred operating expenses of $22,677,403
for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $3,112,886 or 15.9%, from $19,564,517 for the nine months ended September
30, 2011.
Selling expenses increased by $4,785,927 or
38.9% to $17,074,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $12,288,465 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011,
primarily due to the increase of $1,583,829 in depreciation and $1,521,084 in transportation expense mainly associated with the
operations of our LNG business, which started in July 2011, and $507,072 in preliminary expenses associate with our acquisition
of XTJH. Transportation cost during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $2,925 per million cubic meters
of natural gas, compared to $3,505 per million cubic meters of natural gas for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The decrease
was mainly attributable to the lower average transportation cost of LNG due to the decrease in its unit volume as a result of liquification.
General and administrative expenses decreased
by $1,673,041 or 23.0%, from $7,276,052 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $5,603,011 for the nine months ended September
30, 2012, primarily attributable to the decrease of $1,191,553 in legal fees, and $336,485 in consulting fee.
Income from Operations and Operating
Margin
Income from operations decreased by $2,571,057,
or 16.5%, to $12,994,746 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $15,565,803 for the nine months ended September 30,
2011, primarily attributable to the increase in selling expenses. Our operating margin for the nine months ended September 30,
2012 was 12.8%, as compared to 17.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
Non-Operating Income (Expense)
Non-operating expense was $5,342,583 for the
nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $592,071 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to the
loss of $4,017,726 on disposal of five fueling stations during the third quarter of 2012, and the interest expense of $718,541
related to the loan from Pudong Development Bank during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which was capitalized during
the first half of 2011.
Provision for Income Tax
Income tax was $2,129,838 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $3,549,122 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The effective income tax rate
increased from 23.7% to 27.8% over this period.
Net income
Net income decreased to $5,522,325 for the
nine months ended September 30, 2012, by $5,902,285, or 51.7% , from $11,424,610 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
Net margin decreased to 5.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from 12.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011,
primarily due to the increase in non-operating expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our primary sources of liquidity
consisted of cash generated from our operations, debt financing and proceeds from equity offerings. Our principal uses of cash
have been, and are expected to continue to be, working capital for operational purposes, as well as for satisfying capital investment,
such as constructing our LNG plant in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province and other projects. Due to accelerated repayment of the
Abax Senior Notes, 29.2% of the principal of the loan from SPDB, and the short-term loans from Mr. Hao Qu, all of which are payable
within one year from September 30, 2012, our current liabilities were larger than current assets as of September 30, 2012, resulting
in negative working capital. On March 22, May 17 and May 18, 2012, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Hao Qu to extend the maturity
dates of certain borrowing totaling $2.32 million to 2013. We will continue to obtain new short-term bank loans to finance our
working capital, and long term loans to fund our capital expenditure projects, if necessary.
As of September 30, 2012, we had $8,604,906
of cash and cash equivalents on hand, compared to $9,622,883 of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2011. The decrease
was primarily attributable to the construction of the LNG plant and other projects, and the repayment of the loans from SPDB and
of the principal of the Abax Senior Notes.
Net cash provided by operating activities
was $21,076,965 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $15,746,982
for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.The increase was primarily due to the decrease in prepaid expense and other current
assets, increase in unearned revenue and decrease in accounts receivable, and adjustments for non-cash expense items, including
depreciation and amortization expenses, offset mainly by the increase in advance to suppliers and decrease in tax payable.
Net cash used in investing activities increased
from $15,431,571 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $17,229,230 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily
due to the increase in additions to construction in progress in Xi’an.
Net cash used in financing activities was
$4,865,918 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to the repayment of the principals of the Abax Senior Notes
and of the long term loan from SPDB, and increase in restricted cash. On a comparable basis, net cash provided by financing activities
was $427,388 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, due to the short-term loans borrowed from Mr. Hao Qu and our joint venture
company, Henan CNPC Kunlun Xilan Compressed Natural Gas Co., Ltd.
Based on our past performance and current
expectations, we believe our cash and cash equivalents, as well as cash generated from operations, will satisfy only a small part
of our working capital needs. We will try to obtain new short-term bank loans to finance our working capital and to satisfy other
liquidity requirements associated with our operations. As for capital expenditures, we will evaluate the availability of long-term
bank loans or strategic investment, and negotiate possible debt restructuring of the Senior Notes with Abax.
The majority of our revenues and expenses
were denominated primarily in RMB, the currency of the PRC. There is no assurance that exchange rates between the RMB and United
States dollars will remain stable. Historically, inflation has not had a material impact on our business.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements
that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial conditions, changes in financial condition,
revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to our investors.
Capital Expenditures
Our planned capital expenditures as of September
30, 2012 were approximately $216.3 million through December 2015, the majority of which were to be incurred in connection with
Phase II and III of the LNG facility in Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province, the construction or acquisition of additional fueling
stations and compressor stations, and the expansion of our operations in Hubei Province. We expect to fund the planned capital
expenditures mainly through cash flows from operations as well as through potential bank loans or other forms of borrowing.
Outstanding Indebtedness
On December 30, 2007, we entered into a securities
purchase agreement with Abax Lotus Ltd. (“Abax”) and, on January 29, 2008, we entered into an amendment to such agreement
with Abax (the “Purchase Agreement”, as amended). Under the Purchase Agreement, on January 29, 2008, we sold to Abax
$20,000,000 in principal amount of our 5.0% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Senior Notes”) and warrants to purchase
1,450,000 shares of our common stock and, on March 3, 2008, we issued to Abax an additional $20,000,000 in principal amount of
Senior Notes.
We are required to make mandatory prepayments
on the Senior Notes on certain dates and we are subject to customary covenants for financings of this type, including restrictions
on the incurrence of liens, payment of dividends and disposition of properties as well as being obligated to maintain certain financial
ratios. On August 5, 2011, the Company paid the first balance due equal to 8.3333% of the principal amount outstanding. The second
repayment for 8.3333% of the principal of the Senior Notes was due on January 30, 2012. After negotiations with Abax, the note-holders
agreed that the Company could make the payment on or before March 9, 2012. On March 7, 2012, the Company paid $4,946,541 to Abax,
including $3,838,949 of the principal due on January 30, 2011 in full (with foreign currency exchange loss of $505,615), plus accrued
interest of $1,079,176, as well as penalty interest of $28,416. Abax issued a waiver to exempt the Company from any other consequences
of the late payment. The repayment of 16.6666% of the principal of the notes payable plus accrued interest of the period from January
29, 2012 to July 30, 2012 was due on July 30, 2012. The company didn’t make the payment on time.
The holders of a majority of the Senior
Notes (the “Holders”) notified the Company on August 21, 2012 (the “Default Notice”) that the Company was
in default of the Senior Notes for failure to make the interest payment due and a mandatory redemption of the Senior Notes on July
30, 2012 (the “Default”). In the notice, the Holders also demanded that the Company make all payments due as of July
30, 2012 under the Senior Notes to avoid acceleration of all payments under the Senior Notes and foreclosure of collaterals pledged
to secure the Senior Notes.
On September 5, 2012, the Company received
another notice from the Holders that the Holders have elected to exercise their right to accelerated payment of the Senior Notes
as a result of the continued Default (the “Acceleration Notice”). The immediate acceleration of all amounts owing under
the Senior Notes totals approximately RMB 249,450,516.
Further, on September 10, 2012, the Company
received a demand notice from the Holders’ legal counsel on behalf of the Holder for the payment of all amounts owing under
the Senior Notes (the “Demand Notice”) within 15 days from the date of the Demand Notice. If the Company does not meet
the demand, the Holders intend to pursue all of its legal rights under the transaction documents, including, without limitation:
|
·
|
requiring the Trustee to initiate suit in the courts of
New York with respect to the Company’s failure to pay the entire amount due to the Holders under the Senior Notes;
|
|
·
|
initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings with respect
to the Company under the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Code;
|
|
·
|
initiate arbitration in Hong Kong against the Company for
breaches of the Company’s obligations under the SPA;
|
|
·
|
exercising its rights under the Warrant Agreement to require
the redemption of all Warrants held by it at the Redemption Price (as defined therein); and
|
|
·
|
all other rights under the transaction documents relating
to the Senior Notes in relation to the Default, which may include, foreclosing on the security interest in 65% of all outstanding
equity interest of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shaanxi Xilan Natural Gas Equipment Co., Ltd., and all funds in
the account where the proceeds from the Senior Notes were deposited.
|
As of now the Company has not met the demand,
and the Holders have not taken any legal action. The Company is currently negotiating possible resolutions to the
foregoing demands relating to the Senior Notes with the Holders. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in completing
such negotiations or even if it does complete them, such resolutions will be on the terms favorable to the Company.
Long-Term Loan
On February 26, 2010, JBLNG entered into a
fixed assets loan contract with SPDB, pursuant to which the SPDB agreed to lend $18,564,000 to JBLNG. SPDB transferred $13,923,000
and $4,641,000 to JBLNG on March 17 and May 28, 2010, respectively. The applicable interest rate of this loan is the standard three-
to five-year rate issued by the People’s Bank of China’s, 5.76% for the first year and subject to adjustment commencing
the second year. As the People’s Bank of China adjusted the standard interest rate several times in 2011 and 2010, beginning
January 1, 2012 the interest rate of these loans had been adjusted to 6.90%. As the People’s Bank of China lowered the standard
interest rate twice in June and July 2012, beginning January 1, 2013 the interest rate of these loans will reduce. The repayment
term was amended in October 2011. According to the amended contract, the loan period is 58 months from the date of effectiveness
of the contract, and will be repaid twice a year, with the last repayment no later than December 5, 2014. The loan is guaranteed
by XXNGC and secured by XXNGC’s equipment and vehicles located within PRC. Pursuant to the long-term loan agreement with
Pudong Development Bank Xi’an Branch, the Company repaid the principal of $775,000 (RMB 5,000,000), $3,875,000 (RMB 25,000,000)
and $792,500 (RMB 5,000,000) to the SPDB on October 10, 2011, December 31, 2011 and March 5, 2012, respectively.
If the default of the Senior Notes is not
resolved, the Company may be deemed to be in default on its fixed asset loan from Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (“SPDB”)
if the Holders initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings with respect to the Company and the Company does not obtain prior written
approval from SPDB. The default of the loan with SPDB may result in full or partial acceleration of the repayment of the loan.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due by
period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than
|
|
|
1-3
|
|
|
3-5
|
|
|
More
than
|
|
Contractual obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
years
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Long-term debt obligations(1)
|
|
$
|
38,256
|
|
|
$
|
38,256
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Operating lease obligations(2)
|
|
|
40,262
|
|
|
|
2,149
|
|
|
|
4,326
|
|
|
|
4,122
|
|
|
|
29,665
|
|
Purchase obligations (3)
|
|
|
8,487
|
|
|
|
8,487
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other long-term liabilities reflected on balance sheet (4)
|
|
|
17,500
|
|
|
|
17,500
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Related party debt (5)
|
|
|
2,680
|
|
|
|
2,680
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Long-term loan
|
|
|
13,456
|
|
|
|
5,541
|
|
|
|
7,915
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
120,641
|
|
|
$
|
74,613
|
|
|
$
|
12,241
|
|
|
$
|
4,122
|
|
|
$
|
29,665
|
|
(1) Please refer to Note 5 to our consolidated
financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
(2) The Company entered into a series of long-term
lease agreements with outside parties to lease land use rights for the Company’s CNG fueling stations located in the PRC.
The agreements have terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. The Company makes annual prepayments for most of these lease agreements.
The Company also entered into five office leases in Xi’an, PRC, one office lease in Wuhan, PRC, one office lease in Yichang,
PRC, one office lease in Huangshi, PRC and one office lease in New York, United States of America (“USA”).
(3) We have purchase commitments for materials,
supplies, services and property and equipment for constructing the LNG plant and other construction in progress projects.
(4) The $17,500,000 reflects derivative liability
related to the embedded put option in the 1,450,000 warrants we issued to Abax in January 2008. Abax is entitled to require us
to purchase back the portion of warrants not exercised upon expiration.
(5) The $2,680,000 reflects related party
debt to Mr. Hao Qu, a former employee of XXNGC and shareholder of the Company.
Natural Gas Purchase Commitments
We have existing long-term natural gas purchase
agreements with our major suppliers. As of September 30, 2012, we maintained long-term natural gas purchase agreements with one
of our vendors, Qinshui Lanyan Coal Bed Methane Co., Ltd. (“Qinshui Lanyan”) which expires on December 31, 2015. We
do not expect any issues or difficulties in renewing our supply contracts with the vendor going forward.
We continued to seek lower-cost sources of
supply and did not have commitments for the purchasing volume of natural gas to any suppliers except Qinshui Lanyan. Pursuant to
the agreement with Qinshui Lanyan, we should purchase from Qinshui Lanyan a daily volume of approximately 200,000 cubic meters
of coal bed gas. Prices of natural gas are strictly controlled by the PRC government.
The sales prices of both pipeline natural
gas in Shaanxi Province and vehicular fuel in the city of Xi’an were raised on October 20, 2010. The sales price of pipeline
natural gas in Shaanxi Province increased by $0.03 (RMB 0.23) per cubic meter for residential use. The sales prices for commercial
and industrial use were increased by $0.05 and $0.08 (RMB 0.35 and RMB 0.55) per cubic meter, respectively. Additionally, the sales
price of CNG for vehicular fuel in Xi’an was adjusted based on the target ratio of 0.6:1 to the retail price of Grade 90
gasoline. The retail price of CNG increased by $0.14 (RMB 0.90) per cubic meter. The adjusted prices took effect on October 20,
2010.
The sales prices of vehicular fuel in the
cities of Kaifeng and Xuchang, Henan Province were raised on July 20, 2010 and August 1, 2010, respectively. The sales price of
vehicular fuel in Kaifeng increased from $0.42 (RMB 3.30) to $0.46 (RMB 3.60) per cubic meter. The sales price of vehicular fuel
in Xuchang increased from $0.41 (RMB 3.20) to $0.47 (RMB 3.65) per cubic meter. Additionally, the sale prices of CNG for vehicular
fuel in Kaifeng was adjusted based on the target ratio of no less than 0.6:1 to the retail price of Grade 90 gasoline. The sale
prices of CNG for vehicular fuel in Xuchang was adjusted to no less than 0.6:1 to the retail price of Grade 90 gasoline and would
gradually be raised to the target ratio of no less than 0.75:1.
Foreign Currency Translations
Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar
(“USD”). The functional currency of XXNGC and XXNGC’s PRC subsidiaries and, therefore, our functional currency,
is the RMB. The results of operations and financial position of XXNGC and XXNGC’s PRC subsidiaries are translated to USD
using the period end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and weighted average exchange rates as to revenues, expenses and
cash flows. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transaction occurred. The resulting
currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’
equity.
The balance sheet amounts, with the exception
of equity, were translated at the September 30, 2012 exchange rate of RMB 6.32 to $1.00 as compared to RMB 6.35 to $1.00 at December
31, 2011. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to income and cash flow
statement amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were RMB 6.31 and RMB 6.49 to $1.00, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial
position and results of operations contained in this Form 10-Q is based on our consolidated financial statements, contained elsewhere
herein. The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires that
we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. There have been no material changes in the development of our accounting
estimates or the assumptions underlying those estimates, or the accounting policies that we disclosed as our Critical Accounting
Policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Use of Estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the consolidated financial
statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s
consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, warrants
liability and useful lives of property and equipment. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entity
In accordance with the accounting standard
regarding consolidations, VIEs are entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial
support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision-making ability. Any VIE with which the Company is involved
must be evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary of the risks and rewards of the VIE. Management makes ongoing reassessments
of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of XXNGC.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost.
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred while additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized.
When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from
the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using
the straight-line method for all assets with estimated lives as follows:
Office equipment
|
|
5 years
|
Operating equipment
|
|
5-20 years
|
Vehicles
|
|
5 years
|
Buildings and improvements
|
|
5-30 years
|
Construction in Progress
Construction in progress consists of (1) the
costs for constructing CNG fueling stations, the liquefied natural gas, or LNG, project in Jingbian County, and the natural gas
infrastructure project in Xi’an International Port District and (2) other construction in progress costs, including technology
licensing fees, equipment purchases, land use rights requisition cost, capitalized interest and other construction fees. No depreciation
is provided for construction in progress until such time as the assets are completed and placed into service. Interest incurred
during construction is capitalized into construction in progress. All other interest is expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when services are rendered
to customers and when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant
obligations of ours exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue
recognition are satisfied are recorded as unearned revenue. Revenue from gas and gasoline sales is recognized when gas and gasoline
is pumped through pipelines to the end users. Revenue from installation of pipelines is recorded when the contract is completed
and accepted by the customers. Construction contracts are usually completed within one to two months. Revenue from repairing and
modifying vehicles is recorded when services are rendered to and accepted by the customers.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The accounting standards regarding fair value
of financial instruments and related fair value measurements define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for
disclosures of fair value measurement, and provide disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported
in the consolidated balance sheets for current receivables and payables qualify as financial instruments. Management concluded
the carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such
instruments and their expected realization and, if applicable, their stated interest rate approximates current rates available.
The three levels are defined as follows:
|
·
|
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
|
|
·
|
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
|
|
·
|
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable.
|
Financial assets and liabilities are classified
in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Depending on the product
and the terms of the transaction, the fair value of our notes payable and derivative liabilities were modeled using a series of
techniques, including closed-form analytic formula, such as the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which does not entail material
subjectivity because the methodology employed does not necessitate significant judgment, and the pricing inputs are observed from
actively quoted markets.
A contract that would otherwise meet the definition
of a derivative but is both (a) indexed to the company’s own stock and (b) classified in stockholders’ equity in the
balance sheet would not be considered a derivative financial instrument. There is a two-step model to be applied in determining
whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the
exception. Changes in the fair value of warrants are recognized in the income statement.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this
method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of temporary differences between the tax
bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory
tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established,
when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011,
there were no significant book to tax differences except for warrants liability and stock based compensation. An uncertain tax
position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in
a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that
is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not”
test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income
tax expense in the year incurred. No significant penalties or interest relating to income taxes have been incurred during the nine
months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived
assets to be held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Impairment losses
are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows
estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts. In that event, a loss is recognized based
on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived assets. Loss on long-lived assets to
be disposed of is determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for the cost of disposal.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See
“Note 2. Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies”
in
“Item 1. Financial Statements”
herein for a discussion of the new accounting
pronouncements adopted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK
Natural Gas Price Risk
Our major market risk exposure continues to
be the pricing applicable to our purchases and value-added reselling of CNG. Our revenues and profitability depend substantially
upon the applicable prices of natural gas, which in China are regulated and fixed by central and local governments and do not fluctuate
significantly. Such price stability is expected to continue for operations in China. We currently do not have any hedge positions
in place to reduce our exposure to changes in natural gas wholesale and retail prices.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk on our
long-term fixed-interest rate debt. Fixed rate debt, where the interest rate is fixed over the life of the instrument, exposes
us to changes in market interest rates reflected in the fair value of the debt and to the risk that we may need to refinance maturing
debt with new debt at a higher rate. All other things being equal, the fair value of our fixed rate debt will increase or decrease
as interest rates change. We had interest-bearing long-term and short-term debts outstanding in an aggregate of $54,391,277 at
September 30, 2012. The fixed-rate long-term debt, or the notes payable to Abax of $38,255,832, is due on demand by Abax as a result
of the default of the Senior Notes. On September 10, 2012, the Company received a demand notice from the Holders’ legal counsel
on behalf of the Holder for the payment of all amounts owing under the Senior Notes (the “Demand Notice”) within 15
days from the date of the Demand Notice. As of now the Company has not meet the demand, and the Holders have not taken any
legal action. The Company is currently negotiating possible resolutions to the foregoing demands relating to the Senior Notes
with the Holders. The fixed-rate loan from a related party of $2,679,945 is due during 2012 and 2013. The remaining balance in
the amount of $13,455,500, or the loan from Pudong Development Bank, bears interest at floating rates, and is due between 2012
and 2014. We repaid principal of $792,500 (RMB 5,000,000) due on March 5, 2012.We currently have no interest rate hedge positions
in place to reduce our exposure to changes in interest rates.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Risk
We operate using China’s local currency
and the effects of foreign currency fluctuations are largely mitigated because local expenses in China are also denominated in
the same currency.
Our assets and liabilities, of which the functional
currency is the RMB, are translated into USD using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, resulting in translation
adjustments that are reflected as cumulative translation adjustment in the stockholders’ equity section on our consolidated
balance sheets. A portion of our net assets are impacted by changes in foreign currencies translation rates in relation to the
U.S. dollar. We recorded a foreign currency translation gain of $896,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to reflect
the impact of the fluctuation of RMB against USD.
Legal Proceedings Risk
|
a)
|
Vandevelde v. China Natural Gas, Inc., et al. (Case
No. 1:10CV00728, United States District Court for the District of Delaware). As previously disclosed, on August 26, 2010, an individual
investor filed a putative class action complaint against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors
alleging that the defendants violated the U.S. securities laws. The Court appointed another individual investor as lead
plaintiff, and he then filed an amended complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss which, on July 6, 2012, the Court
granted in its entirety. In its order, the Court also granted the plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint. In the second
amended complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and Rule
10b-5 thereunder), the defendants made false or misleading statements in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the
years ended December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2010, and in various quarterly reports, by purportedly failing to disclose a series
of loans and related party transactions. The second amended complaint also asserts claims against certain of the Company’s
current and former officers and directors for violations of Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The suit
seeks unspecified monetary damages. On September 25, 2012, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint,
which is currently pending before the Court. The Company cannot at this time provide any assurance that the outcome of this suit
will not be materially adverse to its financial condition, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or business prospects.
|
|
b)
|
On December 5, 2011, plaintiff Haitham J. Kousa filed an action in the U.S. District Court
for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, China
Natural Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) and The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, as defendants (C.A. No. 11-1202-SLR), and on
January 17, 2012, plaintiff Robert Mallano also filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, and the Company, as defendants (C.A. No.
12-0048-SLR) (the “Constituent Actions”). The Constituent Actions alleged, inter alia, breach of
fiduciary duties, self-dealing, and misconduct by management for related-party loans to management and the failure to
disclose such loans. The Constituent Actions were consolidated on February 14, 2012 and bore the following caption, In re
China Natural Gas, Inc. Shareholder and Derivative Litigation (Consol. C.A. No. 11-1202-SLR). On February 8, 2012, plaintiff
Rick Steinmetz, filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang,
Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, David She, Carl Yeung, Yang Xiang Dong, China Natural Gas, Inc., alleging the same or
similar claims as in the Constituent Actions. This case was consolidated with the Constituent Actions on March 27, 2012. On
March 19, 2012 the court granted Nasdaq’s motion to dismiss, denied plaintiff’s motion for appointment of a
receiver and dismissed plaintiff’s motion for expedited discovery. On April 10, 2012, the parties stipulated to the
voluntary dismissal of the consolidated Constituent Actions as, in light of the removal of Nasdaq from the matter, no federal
question remained and only state law issues remained. As part of the dismissal order, the plaintiffs undertook to file an
action in the Delaware Court of Chancery asserting the claims arising out of the matters set forth in the Constituent
Actions. The dismissal of the Constituent Actions was ordered on May 31, 2012. On May 22, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a
Verified Shareholder Class Action and Derivative Complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Haitham J. Kousa, et
al vs. Qinan Ji, et al (Case No. 7559-VCL). The Complaint alleges that each of the Director Defendants, Zhiqiang Wang,
Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, breached his fiduciary duties to CHNG and its shareholders by
preserving Qinan Ji’s control over the Company in light of the threatened delisting of the Company’s shares by
NASDAQ and that Director Defendants hereby caused CHNG’s stock to be delisted, injuring the Company and its
shareholders. The Complaint also alleges that Qinan Ji breached his fiduciary obligations of care, good faith, loyalty and
candor to the Company. The Company is actively defending that case. Upon motion filed by counsel for Director
Defendants and China Natural Gas, Inc. to stay the case, the Delaware Court of Chancery ordered that count asserting direct
claims against Qinan Ji be stayed pending the outcome of the SEC action (disclosed below) and the Federal Securities Action
(Case No. 1:10CV00728, United States District Court for the District of Delaware) disclosed above, that the parties proceed
with briefing a motion to dismiss, and that discovery be stayed as to the remaining counts of the complaint pending the
outcome of the motion to dismiss.
|
|
c)
|
On May 14, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Qinan Ji and the
Company, captioned Securities and Exchange Commission v. China Natural Gas, Inc. and Qinan Ji (12 CV 3824) (the “SEC Action”).
The SEC Action alleges that the Company violated Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”),
and Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A), 13(b)(2)(B) and 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”),
and that Qinan Ji violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b), 13(b)(5) and 14(a) of the Exchange Act (as well
as certain rules promulgated under such sections), Section 304 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and aiding and abetting certain
of the Company’s alleged violations. The allegations in the SEC Action stem from the Company making two related party loans
in 2010 and from the acquisition by the Company of a natural gas company in 2008. The SEC Action seeks a judgment (i) permanently
enjoining the Company and Qinan Ji from future violations of the above provisions of the federal securities laws; (ii) imposing
civil monetary penalties on the Company and Qinan Ji; (iii) prohibiting Qinan Ji from acting as an officer or director of a public
company; and (iv) requiring Qinan Ji to reimburse the Company for his bonuses and stock sale profits. The Company's response to
the complaint in the SEC Action is currently due but the Company and the SEC have jointly requested that the Court extend the
date for a responsive pleading to January 31, 2013 to allow the parties to attempt to conclude a settlement. The Company
is in serious settlement negotiations with the Staff of the SEC but there can be no assurance that a settlement will be concluded.
In the absence of a settlement the Company intends to defend this case vigorously.
|
We intend to defend these cases vigorously.
We currently cannot estimate the outcome of these matters as of the date of this Report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During and subsequent to the reporting period
covered by this Report, and under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive
officer and our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures that were in
effect at the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as those controls and other procedures of an issuer
that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act
is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
During management’s evaluation of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in connection with this quarterly report for the nine months ended September
30, 2012, management concluded that the Company continues to have the following material weakness in its internal control over
financial reporting for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
|
·
|
The Company does not maintain personnel with a sufficient
level of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the application of the accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and SEC requirements in the application thereof.
|
|
·
|
The Company entered into a related party transaction
without appropriate authorization and failed to correctly disclose the Wang Loan as a related party transaction.
|
|
·
|
The Company failed to communicate to the Board of
Directors the Wang Loan and the loan made to JunTai Hosing Purchase Ltd. and had entered into the Loans without approval of the
Board of Directors.
|
|
·
|
The Company did not have a formal process to analyze
the Company’s goodwill for possible impairment.
|
|
·
|
The Company did not initially translate the proceeds
from the Senior Notes in USD into RMB, the functional currency of the Company, and failed to recognize the foreign currency change
gain or loss at the end of each reporting period, when the Company should translate its amount back into USD, the reporting currency
of the Company.
|
|
·
|
The Company failed to have a written policy that documents
the internal control procedures over its revenue and purchase cycles relating to its liquefied natural gas business.
|
|
·
|
The Company did not obtain the Board of Director’s
resolution prior to
sign
a
contract
with Zhangjiagang CIMC Sanctum Cryogenic Equipment Co., Ltd to buy 50 smart semi-trailer for $10,131,200 (RMB
64 million).
|
|
·
|
The Company did not obtain the Board of Director’s
resolution prior to close five stations and dispose these fixed assets.
|
Based on their evaluation (and considering
the material weaknesses previously identified and discussed in our internal control over financial reporting, Item 9A, Controls
and Procedures, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011), our principal executive officer and principal
financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures at September 30, 2012 were not effective.
Management’s Remediation Initiatives
In response to the above identified material
weaknesses in general and to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, we have taken or will take the following
remediation initiatives:
|
1)
|
Developing a comprehensive training and development plan for our accounting personnel, including our Chief Financial Officer, Financial Controller and others, in the knowledge of the principles and rules of U.S. GAAP and the SEC requirements in the application thereof.
|
|
2)
|
The Company appointed Mr. Shuwen Kang to replace Mr. Qinan Ji as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Shuwen Kang is familiar with the Company’s management and operations and has extensive experience in the natural gas industry and we believe he is qualified and competent to serve effectively as the Company’s CEO.
|
|
3)
|
Resignation in August 2011 of certain employees involved in concealing the related party nature of the Wang Loan;
|
|
4)
|
Appointment of an Independent Controller reporting to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors;
|
|
5)
|
Adopting a policy that restricts the signing authority of the Chairman and other executives. The policy mandates two signing parties for any obligation outside the normal scope of operations set forth in the Company’s business plan, as reviewed and approved from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors; and
|
|
6)
|
Formulation of a formal process of analyzing goodwill and testing it for impairment.
|
|
7)
|
Formulation of a formal process of identifying items for which foreign exchange gain or loss may occur specifically and recognizing such gain or loss in our financial statements.
|
|
8)
|
Development of a formal policy that documents the internal control procedures over the revenue and purchase cycles relating to the liquefied natural gas business.
|
Of the above items, Item 1 through to Item
7 have been completed.
In addition, the Company continues to reassess
its internal controls and procedures in light of these recent events and is in the process of determining additional appropriate
actions to take to remediate these material weaknesses.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
Other than the remediation measures described
above, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
a)
|
Vandevelde v. China Natural Gas, Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:10CV00728, United States District Court for the District of Delaware). As previously disclosed, on August 26, 2010, an individual investor filed a putative class action complaint against the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors alleging that the defendants violated the U.S. securities laws. The Court appointed another individual investor as lead plaintiff, and he then filed an amended complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss which, on July 6, 2012, the Court granted in its entirety. In its order, the Court also granted the plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint. In the second amended complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and Rule 10b-5 thereunder), the defendants made false or misleading statements in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2010, and in various quarterly reports, by purportedly failing to disclose a series of loans and related party transactions. The second amended complaint also asserts claims against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors for violations of Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages. On September 25, 2012, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint, which is currently pending before the Court. The Company cannot at this time provide any assurance that the outcome of this suit will not be materially adverse to its financial condition, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or business prospects.
|
b)
|
On December 5, 2011, plaintiff Haitham J. Kousa filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, China Natural Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) and The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, as defendants (C.A. No. 11-1202-SLR), and on January 17, 2012, plaintiff Robert Mallano also filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, and the Company, as defendants (C.A. No. 12-0048-SLR) (the “Constituent Actions”). The Constituent Actions alleged, inter alia, breach of fiduciary duties, self-dealing, and misconduct by management for related-party loans to management and the failure to disclose such loans. The Constituent Actions were consolidated on February 14, 2012 and bore the following caption, In re China Natural Gas, Inc. Shareholder and Derivative Litigation (Consol. C.A. No. 11-1202-SLR). On February 8, 2012, plaintiff Rick Steinmetz, filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Qinan Ji, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, David She, Carl Yeung, Yang Xiang Dong, China Natural Gas, Inc., alleging the same or similar claims as in the Constituent Actions. This case was consolidated with the Constituent Actions on March 27, 2012. On March 19, 2012 the court granted Nasdaq’s motion to dismiss, denied plaintiff’s motion for appointment of a receiver and dismissed plaintiff’s motion for expedited discovery. On April 10, 2012, the parties stipulated to the voluntary dismissal of the consolidated Constituent Actions as, in light of the removal of Nasdaq from the matter, no federal question remained and only state law issues remained. As part of the dismissal order, the plaintiffs undertook to file an action in the Delaware Court of Chancery asserting the claims arising out of the matters set forth in the Constituent Actions. The dismissal of the Constituent Actions was ordered on May 31, 2012. On May 22, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a Verified Shareholder Class Action and Derivative Complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery, captioned Haitham J. Kousa, et al vs. Qinan Ji, et al (Case No. 7559-VCL). The Complaint alleges that each of the Director Defendants, Zhiqiang Wang, Lawrence W. Leighton, Frank Waung, Yang Xiang Dong, breached his fiduciary duties to CHNG and its shareholders by preserving Qinan Ji’s control over the Company in light of the threatened delisting of the Company’s shares by NASDAQ and that Director Defendants hereby caused CHNG’s stock to be delisted, injuring the Company and its shareholders. The Complaint also alleges that Qinan Ji breached his fiduciary obligations of care, good faith, loyalty and candor to the Company. The Company is actively defending that case. Upon motion filed by counsel for Director Defendants and China Natural Gas, Inc. to stay the case, the Delaware Court of Chancery ordered that count asserting direct claims against Qinan Ji be stayed pending the outcome of the SEC action (disclosed below) and the Federal Securities Action (Case No. 1:10CV00728, United States District Court for the District of Delaware) disclosed above, that the parties proceed with briefing a motion to dismiss, and that discovery be stayed as to the remaining counts of the complaint pending the outcome of the motion to dismiss.
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|
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c)
|
On May 14, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Qinan Ji and the Company, captioned Securities and Exchange Commission v. China Natural Gas, Inc. and Qinan Ji (12 CV 3824) (the “SEC Action”). The SEC Action alleges that the Company violated Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), and Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A), 13(b)(2)(B) and 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), and that Qinan Ji violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b), 13(b)(5) and 14(a) of the Exchange Act (as well as certain rules promulgated under such sections), Section 304 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and aiding and abetting certain of the Company’s alleged violations. The allegations in the SEC Action stem from the Company making two related party loans in 2010 and from the acquisition by the Company of a natural gas company in 2008. The SEC Action seeks a judgment (i) permanently enjoining the Company and Qinan Ji from future violations of the above provisions of the federal securities laws; (ii) imposing civil monetary penalties on the Company and Qinan Ji; (iii) prohibiting Qinan Ji from acting as an officer or director of a public company; and (iv) requiring Qinan Ji to reimburse the Company for his bonuses and stock sale profits. The Company's response to the complaint in the SEC Action is currently due but the Company and the SEC have jointly requested that the Court extend the date for a responsive pleading to January 31, 2013 to allow the parties to attempt to conclude a settlement. The Company is in serious settlement negotiations with the Staff of the SEC but there can be no assurance that a settlement will be concluded. In the absence of a settlement the Company intends to defend this case vigorously.
|
We intend to defend these cases vigorously.
We currently cannot estimate the outcome of these matters as of the date of this Report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
As of the date of this filing, there have
been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) contained in the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, other than as set forth below. We operate in a changing environment that involves numerous
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our operations. The risks, uncertainties and other factors
set forth in the 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K may cause our actual results, performances and achievements to be materially different
from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. If any of these risks or events occurs, our business, financial
condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.
We have made errors in the preparation
of certain of our historical financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and
procedures have not been effective.
Because of the material weaknesses in our
internal control over financial reporting and the ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, we could be subject
to sanctions or investigations by the exchange on which we list our shares, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The SEC has
commenced an investigation into the matters surrounding the Wang Loan and the acquisition of Lingbao Yuxi Natural Gas Co., Ltd.
The Company has been cooperating with the investigation. The Company has restated quarterly reports on Form 10-Q/A for the three
months ended March 31, 2010, six months ended June 30, 2010 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the annual report
on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2010, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q/A for the three months ended March 31,
2011, six months ended June 30, 2011 and the nine months ended September 30, 2011, regarding the above matters. In addition, NASDAQ
has delisted the Company’s common stock and, as a result, the Company’s common stock is now quoted on the OTC Markets.
The SEC may take enforcement action against the Company. On May 14, 2012, SEC filed a complaint against the company. The update
of legal status of the SEC case is described in (c) part of item 1 legal proceedings. The market price of our common stock has
declined and because of these events, investor perceptions of the Company may suffer, and this could cause a further decline in
the market price of our stock. If we are unable to remediate the material deficiencies in our internal control effectively or efficiently,
it could harm our operations, financial reporting or financial results and could result in an adverse opinion on internal controls
from our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, we may identify additional material weaknesses in the future.
Any additional failures of internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and harm our reputation.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
Index to Exhibits
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description of Exhibit
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and Rule 15d 14(a), promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
|
32.1
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).
|
32.2
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer)
|
101.INS
|
|
XBRL INSTANCE DOCUMENT
|
101.SCH
|
|
XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA
|
101.CAL
|
|
XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE
|
101.DEF
|
|
XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE
|
101.LAB
|
|
XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE
|
101.PR
|
|
XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE
|
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the
Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
China Natural Gas, Inc.
|
|
|
|
November 9, 2012
|
By:
|
/s/ Shuwen Kang
|
|
|
Shuwen Kang
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
November 9, 2012
|
By:
|
/s/ Zhaoyang Qiao
|
|
|
Zhaoyang Qiao
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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China Natural Gas (CE) (USOTC:CHNGQ)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Out 2024 até Nov 2024
China Natural Gas (CE) (USOTC:CHNGQ)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Nov 2023 até Nov 2024