- geologic formations with abnormal
pressures;
- pipeline ruptures or spills;
- releases of toxic gases; and
- other environmental hazards and risks.
Any of these hazards and risks can result
in the loss of hydrocarbons, environmental pollution, personal injury
claims and other damage to our properties and the property of others.
WE MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH INSURANCE TO COVER
ALL OF THE RISKS WE FACE.
In accordance with customary industry
practices, we maintain insurance coverage against some, but not
all, potential losses in order to protect against the risks we face.
We do not carry business interruption insurance. We may elect not
to carry insurance if our management believes that the cost of available
insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition,
we cannot insure fully against pollution and environmental risks.
The occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations.
WE CANNOT CONTROL THE ACTIVITIES ON PROPERTIES
WE DO NOT OPERATE AND ARE UNABLE TO ENSURE THEIR PROPER OPERATION
AND PROFITABILITY.
We do not operate all of the properties
in which we have an interest. As a result, we have limited ability
to exercise influence over, and control the risks associated with,
operations of these properties. The failure of an operator of our
wells to adequately perform operations, an operator's breach of
the applicable agreements or an operator's failure to act in ways
that are in our best interests could reduce our production and revenues.
The success and timing of our drilling and development activities
on properties operated by others therefore depend upon a number
of factors outside of our control, including the operator's
- timing and amount of capital expenditures;
- expertise and financial resources;
- inclusion of other participants in drilling
wells; and
- use of technology.
THE MARKETABILITY OF OUR NATURAL GAS
PRODUCTION DEPENDS ON FACILITIES THAT WE TYPICALLY DO NOT OWN OR
CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CURTAILMENT OF PRODUCTION AND REVENUES.
The marketability of our production depends
in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of natural
gas gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities. We generally
deliver natural gas through gas gathering systems and gas pipelines
that we do not own under interruptible or short-term transportation
agreements. Under the interruptible transportation agreements, the
transportation of our gas may be interrupted due to capacity constraints
on the applicable system, for maintenance or repair of the system,
or for other reasons as dictated by the particular agreements. Our
ability to produce and market natural gas on a commercial basis
could be harmed by any significant change in the cost or availability
of such markets, systems or pipelines.
OUR FUTURE ACQUISITIONS MAY YIELD REVENUES
OR PRODUCTION THAT VARIES SIGNIFICANTLY FROM OUR PROJECTIONS.
In acquiring producing properties, we
assess the recoverable reserves, future natural gas and oil prices,
operating costs, potential liabilities and other factors relating
to the properties. Our assessments are necessarily inexact and their
accuracy is inherently uncertain. Our review of a subject property
in connection with our acquisition assessment will not reveal all
existing or potential problems or permit us to become sufficiently
familiar with the property to assess fully its deficiencies and
capabilities. We may not inspect every well, and we may not be able
to observe structural and environmental problems even when we do
inspect a well. If problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling
or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all
or part of those problems. Any acquisition of property interests
may not be economically successful, and unsuccessful acquisitions
may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
future results of operations.
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