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.

OUR BUSINESS MAY SUFFER IF WE LOSE KEY PERSONNEL.

We depend to a large extent on the services of certain key management personnel, including our executive officers and other key employees, the loss of any of whom could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We have entered into employment agreements with each of S.P. Johnson IV, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul F. Boling, our Chief Financial Officer, Gregory E. Evans, our Vice President of Exploration, Kendall A. Trahan, our Vice President of Land, and J. Bradley Fisher, our Vice President of Operations. We do not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to any of our employees. Our success will be dependent on our ability to continue to employ and retain skilled technical personnel.

 

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