Item 1. Financial Statements
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,078,055
$
4,021,720
Accounts and other related party receivables
59,126
110,320
Other current assets
587,834
743,439
Total current assets
2,725,015
4,875,479
NON-CURRENT
ASSETS
Investment in unconsolidated entities
9,057,563
9,001,646
Option to purchase equity securities in related party
6,312,302
6,373,402
Bismarck exploration license
1,821,251
1,821,251
Property and equipment, net
609,431
524,656
Right of use - operating leases
73,950
121,568
Other non-current
assets
34,295
34,295
Total non-current
assets
17,908,792
17,876,818
Total assets
$
20,633,807
$
22,752,297
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable
$
1,298,533
$
345,378
Accrued expenses
9,381,812
8,493,358
Operating lease liability, current portion
78,497
129,140
Forward contract liability
1,446,796
1,446,796
Put option liability
4,384,777
5,637,162
Loans payable, current portion
16,306,076
15,413,894
Total current liabilities
32,896,491
31,465,728
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Loans payable
8,415,218
7,903,074
Warrant liabilities
16,733,568
15,792,385
Litigation financing and other
53,028,677
52,817,938
Deferred contract liability
618,606
679,706
Total long-term liabilities
78,796,069
77,193,103
Total liabilities
111,692,560
108,658,831
Commitments and contingencies ( NOTE 9 )
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Preferred stock - $ .0001 par value; 24,984,166 shares authorized; no ne outstanding
—
—
Common stock - $ .0001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 20,428,173 and
20,420,896 issued and outstanding
2,043
2,042
Additional paid-in
capital
257,542,998
263,616,186
Accumulated deficit
( 292,598,933
)
( 296,096,957
)
Total stockholders’ deficit before non-controlling
interest
( 35,053,892
)
( 32,478,729
)
Non-controlling
interest
( 56,004,861
)
( 53,427,805
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
( 91,058,753
)
( 85,906,534
)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
$
20,633,807
$
22,752,297
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - Unaudited
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
March 31,
2023
(As restated)
REVENUE
Marine services
$
203,064
$
271,375
Operating and other
—
17,364
Total revenue
203,064
288,739
OPERATING EXPENSES
Marketing, general and administrative
4,034,527
1,815,923
Operations and research
885,667
1,284,729
Total operating expenses
4,920,194
3,100,652
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
( 4,717,130
)
( 2,811,913
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest income
409
388,532
Interest expense
( 1,819,994
)
( 706,522
)
Loss on equity method investment
( 213,946
)
—
Change in derivatives liabilities fair value
7,854,902
3,046,886
Gain on debt extinguishment
—
21,478,614
Other
( 183,273
)
( 1,323,353
)
Total other income (expense)
5,638,098
22,884,157
INCOME/(LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
920,968
20,072,244
Income tax benefit
—
—
NET INCOME / (LOSS)
920,968
20,072,244
Net loss attributable to non-controlling
interest
2,577,056
2,235,443
NET INCOME / (LOSS) attributable to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
$
3,498,024
$
22,307,687
NET INCOME / (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic (See Note 2)
$
0.17
$
1.13
Diluted (See Note 2)
$
( 0.18
)
$
1.12
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic
20,425,934
19,666,459
Diluted
26,658,100
19,878,544
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT - Unaudited
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Non-controlling
Interest
Total
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
2,042
$
263,616,186
$
( 296,096,957
)
$
( 53,427,805
)
$
( 85,906,534
)
Share-based compensation
1
1,462,747
—
—
1,462,748
Cancellation of stock awards for payment of withholding tax requirements
( 16,398
)
( 16,398
)
Director fees settled with stock options
—
234,900
—
—
234,900
Fair value of warrants classified as liabilities
—
( 7,754,437
)
—
—
( 7,754,437
)
Net income (loss)
—
—
3,498,024
( 2,577,056
)
920,968
Balance at March 31, 2024
$
2,043
$
257,542,998
$
( 292,598,933
)
$
( 56,004,861
)
$
( 91,058,753
)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Non-controlling
Interest
Total
Balance at December 31, 2022 (As restated)
$
1,954
$
256,963,264
$
( 301,442,776
)
$
( 44,197,384
)
$
( 88,674,942
)
Share-based compensation
5
309,584
—
—
309,589
Common stock issued for debt extinguishment
30
999,970
—
—
1,000,000
Fair value of warrants issued
—
3,416,594
—
—
3,416,594
Net income / (loss)
—
—
22,307,687
( 2,235,443
)
20,072,244
Balance at March 31, 2023 (As restated)
$
1,989
$
261,689,412
$
( 279,135,089
)
$
( 46,432,827
)
$
( 63,876,515
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Unaudited
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
March 31,
2023
(As restated)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income / (loss)
$
920,968
$
20,072,244
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Services provided to unconsolidated entities
( 203,064
)
( 271,375
)
Depreciation
19,168
143,647
Financing fees amortization
27,145
41,372
Amortization of finance liability
66,939
—
Amortization of deferred discount
1,014,649
Note payable interest accretion
418,796
315,363
Note payable interest paid in kind
449,723
Note receivable interest accretion
—
( 288,991
)
Right of use asset amortization
47,618
57,322
Share-based compensation
1,462,747
122,339
Loss on equity method investment
213,945
—
Gain on debt extinguishment
—
( 21,478,614
)
Change in derivatives fair value
( 7,854,902
)
( 3,046,886
)
Director compensation paid with share-based instruments
156,150
—
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts and other related party receivables
( 15,604
)
7,498
Short-term notes receivable related party
( 168,036
)
Change in operating lease liability
( 50,642
)
( 59,278
)
Other assets
155,604
( 117,428
)
Accounts payable
953,159
( 657,416
)
Accrued expenses and other
548,407
1,343,424
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
( 1,669,194
)
( 3,984,815
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment
( 103,943
)
( 508,459
)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
( 103,943
)
( 508,459
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of loans payable
—
13,515,100
Offering cost paid on financing
—
( 98,504
)
Payment of debt obligation
( 154,130
)
( 9,692,315
)
Cancellation of stock awards for payment of withholding tax requirements
( 16,398
)
—
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
( 170,528
)
3,724,281
NET (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
( 1,943,665
)
( 768,993
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
4,021,720
1,443,421
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
$
2,078,055
$
674,428
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Interest paid
$
171,076
$
72,359
Income taxes paid
$
—
$
—
ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - Unaudited - Continued
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
March 31,
2023
(As restated)
NON-CASH
INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:
Conversion of debt to common stock
$
—
$
1,000,000
Conversion of paid-in-kind
(PIK) accrued interest into debt principal
$
$
—
Warrants issued
$
—
$
3,416,594
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Odyssey,” “us,” “we” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the instructions to Form 10-Q
and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of March 31, 2024 and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
Going Concern Consideration
We have experienced several years of net losses and may continue to do so. Our ability to generate net income or positive cash flows for the following twelve months is dependent upon financings, our success in developing and monetizing our interests in mineral exploration entities, generating income from contracted services, collecting on amounts owed to us.
Our 2024 business plan requires us to generate new cash inflows to effectively allow us to perform our planned projects. We continually plan to generate new cash inflows through the monetization of our receivables and equity stakes in seabed mineral companies, financings, syndications or other partnership opportunities. If cash inflow becomes insufficient to meet our desired projected business plan requirements, we would be required to follow a contingency business plan based on curtailed expenses and fewer cash requirements. On December 1, 2023, we entered into the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement with institutional investors pursuant to which we issued and sold to the investors the December 2023 Notes in the principal amount of up to $ 6.0 million and the December 2023 Warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. We issued December 2023 Notes in the aggregate amount of $ 3.75 million and related warrants on December 1, 2023, and December 2023 Notes in the aggregate amount of $ 2.25 million and related warrants on December 28, 2023.
On May 3, 2024, we received a payment of approximately $ 9.4 million arising from a residual economic interest in a salvaged shipwreck. The balance of the proceeds from the December 2023 Notes and a portion of the proceeds received in May 2024
, together with other anticipated cash inflows, are expected to provide operating funds through at least the third quarter of 2024
.
Our consolidated non-restricted
cash balance at March 31, 2024 was $ 2.1 million. We have a working capital deficit at March 31, 2024 of $ 30.1 million. The total consolidated book value of our assets was approximately $ 20.6 million at March 31, 2024, which includes cash of $ 2.1 million. The fair market value of these assets may differ from their net carrying book value. The factors noted above raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
This summary of significant accounting policies of the Company is presented to assist in understanding our condensed consolidated financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company’s management who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity and have prepared them in accordance with our customary accounting practices.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, both domestic and international. Equity investments in which we exercise significant influence but do not control and of which we are not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. All significant inter-company and intra-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The portion of the consolidated subsidiaries not owned by the Company and any related activity is eliminated through Non-controlling interests in
the consolidated balance sheets and Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in
the consolidated statements of operations. The results of operations attributable to the non-controlling
interest are presented within equity and net income (loss) and are shown separately from the Company’s equity and net income attributable to the Company. Some of the existing inter-company balances, which are eliminated upon consolidation, include features allowing the liabilities of Exploraciones Oceánicas S. de R.L. de CV (“ExO”) and Oceanica Resources, S. de R.L. (“Oceanica”), majority owned subsidiaries of the company, to be converted into additional equity of a subsidiary, which, if exercised, could increase the Company’s direct or indirect interest in the non-wholly
owned subsidiaries.
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Use of Estimates
Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC Topic 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue.
The Company currently generates revenues from service contracts with customers. Currently, there are two sources of revenue, marine services and other services. The contracts for the marine services provide research, scientific services, marine operations planning, management execution and project management. These services are billed generally on a monthly basis and recognized as revenue as the services are performed or provided. The Company generally does not receive any upfront consideration for these services, and there is no variable consideration for the services. Costs associated with both marine and other services include all direct consulting labor, and minimal supplies, and are
charged to operations as a component of Operations and Research.
Accounts receivable are based on amounts billed to customers. We evaluate our accounts and notes receivable to estimate an allowance for credit losses over the remaining life of the financial instrument. The remaining life of our financial assets is determined by considering contractual terms among other factors. We estimate an allowance for credit losses based on ongoing evaluations of the accounts and notes receivable, the related credit risk characteristics, and the overall economic and environmental conditions affecting the financial assets. Credit losses are charged-off
against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of the financial asset is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance once received. A credit loss expense, or benefit, is recorded as Other expense in the Statement of Operations in an amount necessary to adjust the allowance for credit losses to our estimate as of the end of each reporting period. At December 31, 2023 and 2022 we determined no allowance was necessary. If we were to have a recorded allowance, the accounts receivable would be stated net of the recorded allowance
.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash in banks. We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
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Bismarck Exploration License
The Company follows the guidance pursuant to ASC 350, “ Intangibles-Goodwill and Other
” (ASC topic 350”) in accounting for its Bismarck Exploration License. Management determined the rights to use the license to have an indefinite life. This assessment is based on the historical success of renewing the license every two years since 2006, and the fact that management believes there are no legal, regulatory, or contractual provisions that would limit the useful life of the asset. The Company was notified in November 2023 that the 2022 exploration license renewal application was approved. The Bismarck Exploration License is not dependent on another asset or group of assets that could potentially limit the useful life of the Bismarck Exploration License. We test the Bismarck Exploration License for impairment annually, and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, per the guidance of the ASC topic 350. We did no t have any impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
From time to time, we may enter into a financial instrument that may contain a derivative. In evaluating the fair value of derivative financial instruments, there are numerous assumptions management must make that may influence the valuation of the derivatives that would be included in the financial statements.
Derivative financial instruments consist of financial instruments or other contracts that contain a notional amount and one or more underlying variables (e.g., interest rate, security price or other variable), require a small or no initial net investment and permit net settlement. Derivative financial instruments may be free-standing or embedded in other financial instruments. We generally do not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks. However, we have entered into certain other financial instruments and contracts with features that are either (i) not afforded equity classification, (ii) embody risks not clearly and closely related to host contracts, or (iii) may be
net-cash
settled by the counterparty. As required by ASC 815 –
Derivatives and Hedging
, these instruments are required to be carried as derivative liabilities, at fair value, in our financial statements with changes in fair value reflected in our income.
As discussed in NOTE 10 Loans Payable and
NOTE 12 Fair Value Financial Instruments to the consolidated financial statements, we have certain Litigation Financing with detachable warrants, warrant liabilities and an embedded derivative related to the 37N Note (as defined in NOTE 10) on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 that are considered derivative financial instruments.
The terms of the Litigation Financing agreement involved numerous amendments, significant non-cash
financing, issuance of warrants, and issuance costs requiring judgment of the facts and circumstances, in particular with respect to the determination of the fair value of the derivative. The fair value of the derivative was based on management’s good-faith estimates of the potential outcomes of the NAFTA case, the potential outcomes conditional on Odyssey winning arbitration, amounts funded and the potential repayment date.
The Company determines the accounting classification of warrants it issues as either liability or equity classified by first assessing whether the warrants meet liability classification in accordance with ASC 480-10,
Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity
, then in accordance with ASC 815-40,
Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock
. Under ASC 480, warrants are considered liability classified if the warrants are mandatorily redeemable, obligate the Company to settle the warrants or the underlying shares by paying cash or other assets, or if they require or may require settlement by issuing a variable number of shares. If warrants do not meet the liability classification under ASC 480, the Company assesses the requirements under ASC 815-40,
which states that contracts that require or may require the issuer to settle the contract for cash are liabilities recorded at fair value, irrespective of the likelihood of the transaction occurring that triggers the net cash settlement feature. If the warrants do not require liability classification under ASC 815, and in order to conclude equity classification, the Company also assesses whether the warrants are indexed to its Common Stock and whether the warrants are classified as equity under ASC 815-40
or other applicable GAAP. After all relevant assessments, the Company concludes whether the warrants are classified as liability or equity. Liability classified warrants require fair value accounting at issuance and subsequent to initial issuance with all changes in fair value after the issuance date recorded in the Statements of Operations. Equity classified warrants only require fair value accounting at issuance with no changes recognized subsequent to the issuance date.
The 2022 Warrant, the December 2023 Warrant and the reclassified March 2023 Warrant were determined to meet the definition of derivative liability and the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model.
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The 37N Note was determined to include an embedded derivative liability related to the share
settled redemption feature of the Note in accordance with ASC 815. The embedded derivative fair value is determined using the with-and-without
valuation method.
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities
As discussed in NOTE 6 Investment in Unconsolidated Entities, the Company has cost basis method investments and equity method investments with related parties. We account for the investments we make in certain legal entities in which equity investors do not have (1) sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or (2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have either the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, or (3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the legal entity. The Company has entered into agreements with a certain related parties that required analysis of ASC 810-10
to determine if the investment is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the investment is determined to be a VIE, then the Company evaluates whether it is considered the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that meets both of the following criteria: (i) has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. We determine whether any of the entities in which we have made investments is a VIE at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At such times, we also consider whether we must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about our involvement in a VIE. This analysis required judgment and review of the facts and circumstance to determine the proper accounting for the cost and equity method investments. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. A reporting entity must consider the rights and obligations conveyed by its variable interests and the relationship of its variable interests with variable interests held by other parties to determine whether its variable interests will absorb a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. For investments in VIEs in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary, the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the VIE are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no VIEs for which the Company was the primary beneficiary. We also review these investments for any potential impairment annually.
We use the equity method to account for investments in companies if our investment provides us with the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Our Consolidated Statement of Operations includes our Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of these companies. It is our policy to account for our share of the investee’s net income or loss using a three-month lag period with an estimate of the most recent quarter results. Our judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investee includes considering key factors, such as our ownership interest, representation of the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions, other commercial arrangements and material intercompany transactions.
We eliminate from our financial results all significant intercompany transactions, including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.
Property and Equipment and Depreciation
Property and equipment is stated at historical cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method at rates based on the assets’ estimated useful lives which are normally three years for computers and peripherals, five years for furniture and office equipment and between five
and ten years for marine equipment. Items that may require major overhauls (such as marine equipment) that enhance or extend the useful life of these assets qualify to be capitalized and depreciated over the useful life or remaining life of that asset, whichever was shorter. All other repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred.
Long-Lived Assets
Our policy is to recognize impairment losses relating to long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment. Decisions are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results and projected cash flows. The carrying amount of long-lived assets held and used by the Company are
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reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular asset may not be fully recoverable. In such instances, the requirement for impairment could be triggered if the estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the asset’s carrying amount.
Any impairment losses are included in depreciation at the time of impairment. We did no t have any impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) has been computed pursuant to the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, and is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in our earnings. We use the treasury stock method to compute potential common shares from stock options, restricted stock units and warrants and use the if-converted
method to compute potential common shares from preferred stock, convertible notes or other convertible securities.
Dilutive common stock equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money
stock equivalents, which are calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method, excluding any common stock equivalents if their effect would be anti-dilutive. The potential common shares in the following tables represent potential common shares from outstanding options, restricted stock awards, convertible notes and other convertible securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS during periods due to having an anti-dilutive effect are:
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024
March 31, 2023
(As restated)
Average market price during the period
$
4.44
$
3.21
Option awards
1,529,824
848,118
Unvested restricted stock awards
10,087
13,547
Convertible notes
146,482
11,858,244
Common Stock Warrant related
951,148
6,918,729
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2024
March 31,
2023
(As restated)
Net income (loss) attributable to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
$
3,498,024
$
22,307,687
Numerator:
Basic net income (loss) available to stockholders
$
3,498,024
$
22,307,687
Fair value change in debt instruments
( 1,617,819
)
—
Fair value change in warrants
( 6,798,430
)
—
Interest expense related to convertible debt
—
3,562
Diluted net income (loss) available to stockholders
$
( 4,918,225
)
$
22,311,249
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic
20,425,934
19,666,459
Dilutive effect of options
—
4,399
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards
—
170,681
Dilutive effect of warrants
1,909,565
—
Dilutive effect of convertible instruments
4,322,601
37,005
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted
26,658,100
19,878,544
Net (loss) income per share – basic
$
0.17
$
1.13
Net (loss) income per share – diluted
$
( 0.18
)
$
1.12
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Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Operations and research
Operations and research expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
Stock-based Compensation
Our stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the guidance in the ASC Topic 718 for Stock-Based Compensation (see NOTE
3 Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit)). All share-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense in earnings over the requisite service period. The expense is determined on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The amount of compensation costs recognized at any date is to be at least equal to the portion of grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date. For performance-based share awards, the Company recognizes expense when it is determined the performance criteria are probable of being met. The probability of vesting is reassessed at each reporting date and compensation cost is adjusted using a cumulative catch-up
adjustment. Forfeitures are recognized in compensation cost when they occur. Benefits or deficiencies of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs are reported within operating cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments consist of cash, evidence of ownership in an entity, and contracts that both (i) impose on one entity a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument to a second entity, or to exchange other financial instruments on potentially unfavorable terms with the second entity, and (ii) conveys to that second entity a contractual right (a) to receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity, or (b) to exchange other financial instruments on potentially favorable terms with the first entity. Accordingly, our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, equity securities, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, litigation financing and loans payable. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Certain loans payable are measured at fair value based on valuation techniques using observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices in active markets and, accordingly, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. The litigation financing is considered a derivative financial instrument and is carried at fair value as is required under current accounting standards. Derivative financial instruments are initially, and subsequently, measured at fair value and recorded as liabilities or, in rare instances, assets.
We adopted ASC Topic 820 for certain financial instruments measured as fair value on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with US GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 established a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
Fair Value Hierarchy
The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level
1.
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level
2.
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs also include non-binding
market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, as well as quoted prices that were adjusted for security-specific restrictions.
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Level
3.
Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology are significant to the measurement of the fair value of assets or liabilities. Level 3 inputs also include non-binding
market consensus prices or non-binding
broker quotes that we were unable to corroborate with observable market data.
The following tables summarize our fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
March 31, 2024
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Balance
Liabilities:
37N Note embedded derivative
$
—
$
—
$
336,857
$
336,857
Put option liability
—
—
4,384,777
4,384,777
Litigation financing
—
—
52,691,820
52,691,820
Warrant liabilities issued with debt (December 2023 Warrants)
—
—
2,268,472
2,268,472
Warrant liabilities issued with equity (2022 Warrants)
—
—
9,202,078
9,202,078
March 2023 note warrants
—
—
5,263,018
5,263,018
Total of fair valued liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
74,147,022
$
74,147,022
December 31, 2023
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Balance
Liabilities:
37N Note embedded derivative
$
—
$
—
$
702,291
$
702,291
Put option liability
—
—
5,637,162
5,637,162
Litigation financing
—
—
52,115,647
52,115,647
Warrant liabilities issued with debt (December 2023 Warrants)
—
—
2,392,563
2,392,563
Warrant liabilities issued with equity (2022 Warrants)
—
—
13,399,822
13,399,822
Total of fair valued liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
74,247,485
$
74,247,485
At March 31, 2024 the Company recorded the 37N Note measured at fair value, Level 3, for which the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Company’s debt instruments are generally based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active market. The OML equity exchange agreement, Put option liability (the “Put Option”), and Litigation financing are measured at fair value, Level 3. The OML Put Option valuation was based on expected timing and likelihood of completing the subsequent closings, the exercise period of the equity exchange agreement, share price and volatility. The Litigation Financing valuation was based on the following assumptions: amounts funded by the Funder, the corresponding IRR calculation, applicable percentage applicable to the recovery percentage calculation and managements good-faith estimates for estimated outcome probabilities and estimated debt repayment dates. The fair value of 2022 Warrant and the Dec 2023 Warrant are measured at fair value, Level 3, using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The assumptions used in this model included the use key inputs, including expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option and the expected dividend yield. Expected volatility is calculated based on our historical volatility of our Common Stock over the term of the warrant. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on risk–free rates for the appropriate term. The expected life is estimated based on contractual terms as well as expected exercise dates. The dividend yield is based on the historical dividends issued by us. If the volatility rate or risk-free interest rate were to change, the value of the warrants would be impacted.
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Change in our Level 3 fair value measurements were as follows:
March 2023
note warrants
37N Note
embedded
derivative
Put option
liability
Litigation
financing
Warrant
liabilities
issued with
debt (December
2023 warrants)
Warrant
liabilities issued
with equity
(2022 warrants)
Total
Year ended December 31, 2023
—
702,291
5,637,162
52,115,647
2,392,563
13,399,822
74,247,485
Change in fair value
( 2,491,420
)
( 365,434
)
( 1,252,385
)
576,173
( 124,091
)
( 4,197,744
)
( 7,854,901
)
Classification of warrant as liability
7,754,438
—
—
—
—
—
7,754,438
Three months ended March 31, 2024
5,263,018
336,857
4,384,777
52,691,820
2,268,472
9,202,078
74,147,022
Year ended December 31, 2022 As restated
—
—
—
45,368,948
—
13,602,467
58,971,415
Change in fair value
—
—
—
1,685,517
—
( 4,732,403
)
( 3,046,886
)
Other
—
—
—
2,528
—
—
2,528
Three months ended March 31, 2023
(As restated)
—
—
—
47,056,993
—
8.870.064
55,927,057
Additional information about the Litigation Financing liability, the 2022 Warrant, the December 2023 Warrants and the March 2023 Warrant is included in NOTE 10 Loan Payable and NOTE 12 Fair Value Financial Instruments
.
NOTE 3 – ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RELATED PARTY RECEIVABLES
Our accounts and other related party receivables consist of the following:
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
Related party (see Notes 5 and 6)
$
59,097
$
46,394
Other
29
63,926
Total accounts and other related party receivables
$
59,126
$
110,320
NOTE 4 – OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Our other current assets consisted of the following:
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
Prepaid Assets
$
572,268
$
608,353
Other prepaid assets
—
119,820
Deposits
15,566
15,266
Total other current assets
$
587,834
$
743,439
All prepaid expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying agreements. Deposits may be held by various entities for equipment, services, and in accordance with agreements in the normal course of business.
NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
CIC Limited
We currently provide services to and own approximately 15.08 % of the equity interests in CIC Limited (“CIC”),
a deep-sea
mineral exploration company. Odyssey’s lead director, Mark B. Justh, made an investment into CIC’s parent company and indirectly owns approximately 11.5 % of CIC. We believe Mr. Justh’s indirect ownership in CIC does not impair his independence under applicable rules and Odyssey’s board of directors has formed a special committee to address any matters relating to CIC. We are providing services to CIC in accordance with the terms of a Services Agreement pursuant to which Odyssey provides certain back-office services to CIC in exchange for a recurring monthly fee, as well as other deep-sea
mineral related services on a cost-plus profit basis and is compensated for these services with a combination of cash and equity in CIC. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we invoiced CIC a total of $ 133,166 and $ 271,375 , respectively, recorded in Marine services in our consolidated statements of operations, which was for technical services. We have the option to accept equity in payment of the amounts due from CIC in lieu of cash.
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Ocean Minerals, LLC
We also provide services to Ocean Minerals, LLC (“OML”),
a deep-sea
mineral exploration company in which we hold approximately 6.6 % of the equity interests (see Note 6 Investment in Unconsolidated Entities). We are providing these services to OML pursuant to the Contribution Agreement that provides for deep-sea mineral related services on a cost-plus profit basis and will be compensated for these services with equity in OML. See Note 6 Investment in Unconsolidated Entities for amounts we invoiced OML during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Salvage Agreement
We hold a 40 % interest in
proceeds under a salvage agreement from our legacy shipwreck business. A company controlled by Mr. Justh obtained the right to the remaining 60 % of those proceeds from an unrelated third party in exchange for the obligation to finance
legal expenses relating to the recovery of the proceeds, pursuant to a funding arrangement to which we are also a party. Odyssey and Mr. Justh’s controlled entity will be responsible for any remaining legal costs on a pro rata basis.
Oceanica and ExO
Odyssey and its subsidiary, Oceanica Marine Operations S.R.L. (“OMO”), hold three notes (the “Oceanica-ExO
Notes”) issued and/or guaranteed by our majority-owned subsidiaries, ExO and Oceanica ,
in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $ 23 million, which was advanced to ExO and Oceanica to fund working capital, exploration and legal expenses. In addition, Odyssey provides management and administrative services to ExO and funds ExO’s ongoing administrative expenses pursuant to a services agreement in exchange for a recurring monthly fee and reimbursement of funded amounts. Certain of Odyssey’s former and current directors and officers are also directors or officers of ExO and Oceanica. The Oceanica-ExO Notes and outstanding receivables under the management and services agreement accrue interest at 18 % per annum. As of March 31, 2024, the aggregate outstanding amount of the Oceanica-ExO
Notes with accrued interest was approximately $ 109 million, and the aggregate receivable pursuant to the management and services agreement was approximately $ 856,000 . As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate outstanding amount of the Oceanica-ExO
Notes with accrued interest was approximately $ 105 million, and the aggregate receivable pursuant to the management and services agreement was approximately $ 675,000 .
Stockholders
We have entered into financing transactions with certain stockholders
that beneficially own more than five percent of our Common Stock. FourWorld Capital Management LLC (“FourWorld”) beneficially owns approximately 20 % of our Common Stock. Part of that holding includes two of FourWorld’s funds, each of which individually beneficially owns more than five percent of our Common Stock and has participated in our financial transactions: each of FW Deep Value Opportunities Fund LLC and FourWorld Global Opportunities Fund, Ltd beneficially owns approximately 6 % of our Common Stock. Funds managed by Two Seas Capital LP (“Two Seas”) own approximately 9.99 % of our Common Stock after giving effect to the 9.99 % beneficial ownership limitation applicable to warrants held by its funds. Greywolf Opportunities Master Fund II LP and its affiliates (“Greywolf”) beneficially own approximately 9 % of our Common Stock.
On June 10, 2022, we completed the 2022 Equity Transaction, in which FourWorld participated. FourWorld funds purchased 292,628 shares of our Common Stock and 2022 Warrants to purchase 292,628 shares of our Common Stock in the 2022 Equity Transaction for a purchase price of $ 980,304 . FourWorld exercised some of the 2022 Warrants on August 31, 2023, to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock at $ 3.35 per share. As of December 31, 2023, FourWorld held 2022 Warrants to purchase 291,628 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 3.35 per share.
On March 6, 2023, we entered into the March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we issued the March 2023 Note and the March 2023 Warrants. FourWorld, Two Seas and Greywolf each purchased portions of the March 2023 Note and March 2023 Warrants. No principal amount was repaid during fiscal year 2023.
•
FourWorld purchased a portion of the March 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 1.08
million and March 200Warrants to purchase 285,715
shares of our Common Stock on March 6, 2023, for an aggregate purchase price of $ 1.08
million. Interest at the rate of 11
% had accrued and was capitalized with respect to the March 2023 Note as of December 31, 2023, in the amount of $ 31,866
for the note held by FourWorld. As of December 31, 2023, FourWorld held March 2023 Warrants to purchase 285,715
shares of our Common Stock.
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Table of Contents
•
Two Seas purchased a portion of the March 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 2,300,641
and March 2023 Warrants to purchase 608,635
shares of our Common Stock on March 6, 2023, for an aggregate purchase price of $ 2,300,641
; and a portion of the March 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 449,359
and Warrants to purchase 118,878
shares of our Common Stock on September 22, 2023, for an aggregate purchase price of $ 449,359
. Interest at the rate of 11
% had accrued and was capitalized with respect to the March 2023 Note as of December 31, 2023, in the amount of $ 80,374
for the note held by Two Seas. As of December 31, 2023, Two Seas held March 2023 Warrants to purchase 608,635
shares of our Common Stock.
•
Greywolf purchased a portion of the March 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 7.0
million and March 2023 Warrants to purchase 1,851,852
shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 7.0
million. No
principal amount was repaid during fiscal year 2023. Interest at the rate of 11
% had accrued and was capitalized with respect to the March 2023 Note as of December 31, 2023, in the amount of $ 206,539
for the note held by Greywolf. As of December 31, 2023, Greywolf held March 2023 Warrants to purchase 1,851,852
shares of our Common Stock, each at an exercise price of $ 3.78
per share.
On December 1, 2023, we entered into the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, in which FourWorld, Two Seas and Greywolf participated. No principal amount was repaid during fiscal year 2023.
•
FourWorld purchased a December 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 500,000
and December 2023 Warrants to purchase 135,278
shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 500,000
. Interest at the rate of 11
% had accrued and was capitalized with respect to the December 2023 Notes as of December 31, 2023, in the amount of $ 4,671
for the note held by FourWorld. As of December 31, 2023, FourWorld held December 2023 Warrants to purchase 117,648
shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 4.25
per share and December 2023 Warrants to purchase 17,630
shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 7.09
per share.
•
Two Seas funds purchased a December 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 2.0
million and December 2023 Warrants to purchase 541,109
shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 2.0
million. Interest at the rate of 11
% had accrued and was capitalized with respect to the December 2023 Notes as of December 31, 2023, in the amount of $ 18,871
for the note held by Two Seas. As of December 31, 2023, Two Seas held December 2023 Warrants to purchase 470,589
shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 4.25
per share and December 2023 Warrants to purchase 70,523
shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 7.09
per share.
Greywolf purchased a December 2023 Note in the principal amount of $ 1.0 million and December 2023 Warrants to purchase 270,556 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $ 1.0 million. Interest at the rate of 11 % had accrued and was capitalized with respect to the December 2023 Notes as of December 31, 2023, in the amount Greywolf held December 2023 Warrants to purchase 235,295 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 4.25 per share and December 2023 Warrants to purchase 35,261 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 7.09 per share.
NOTE 6 – INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
CIC Limited
$
4,647,483
$
4,514,618
Chatham Rock Phosphate, Limited
—
—
Neptune Minerals, Inc.
—
—
Ocean Minerals, LLC
4,410,080
4,487,028
Investment in unconsolidated entities
$
9,057,563
$
9,001,646
Neptune Minerals, Inc. (“NMI”)
We have an ownership interest of approximately 14 % in Neptune Minerals, Inc. (“NMI”). We currently apply the cost method of accounting for this investment. Previously, when we accounted for this investment using the equity method of accounting, we accumulated and did not recognize $ 21.3 million in our income statement because these losses exceeded our investment in NMI. Our investment has a carrying value of zero
as a result of the recognition of our share of prior losses incurred by NMI under the equity method of accounting. If we recognize value on our balance sheet for any future incremental NMI investment, we would expect to allocate the loss carryforward of $ 21.3 million to that investment because the loss occurred when we accounted for NMI ownership as an equity-method investment.
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Table of Contents
Chatham Rock Phosphate, Limited.
We have approximately a 1 % ownership in Chatham Rock Phosphate, Limited (“CRPL”). We record our investment under the cost method. During 2012, we performed deep-sea
mining exploratory services for Chatham Rock Phosphate, Ltd. (“CRP”) valued at $ 1,680,000
. As payment for these services, CRP issued 9,320,348
ordinary shares to us. During March 2017, Antipodes Gold Limited completed the acquisition of CRP. The surviving entity is now CRPL. In exchange for our 9,320,348
shares of CRP, we received 141,884
shares of CPRL, which represents equity ownership of, at most, approximately 1
% of the surviving entity with zero
value. We continue to carry the value of our investment in CPRL at zero
in our consolidated financial statements.
CIC Limited
Due to the structure of CIC, we determined this venture to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) consistent with ASC 810. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE and, therefore, we have not consolidated this entity. We record our investment under the cost method as this company is incorporated and we have determined we do not exercise significant influence over the entity. We provide services to CIC (see NOTE 5 Related Party Transactions). We assess our investment for impairment annually and, if a loss in value is deemed other than temporary, an impairment charge will be recorded. We reviewed the following items to assist in determining CIC’s composition:
•
We account for the investments we make in certain legal entities in which equity investors do not have (1) sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or (2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have either the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, or (3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the legal entity. This type of legal entity is referred to as a VIE.
•
We would consolidate the results of any such entity in which we determined we had a controlling financial interest. We would have a “controlling financial interest” in such an entity if we had both the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses of, or right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. On a quarterly basis, we reassess whether we have a controlling financial interest in our investments in these legal entities.
•
We determine whether any of the entities in which we have made investments is a VIE at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At such times, we also consider whether we must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about our involvement in a VIE. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. A reporting entity must consider the rights and obligations conveyed by its variable interests and the relationship of its variable interests with variable interests held by other parties to determine whether its variable interests will absorb a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. The reporting entity that consolidates a VIE is called the primary beneficiary of that VIE.
Ocean Minerals, LLC
On June 4, 2023, Odyssey, Odyssey Minerals Cayman Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Odyssey (the “Purchaser”), and OML entered into a Unit Purchase Agreement (as amended on July 1, 2023, October 3, 2023 and October 17, 2023, the “OML Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Purchaser agreed to purchase, and OML agreed to issue and sell to the Purchaser, an aggregate of 733,497
membership interest units of OML (the “Purchased Units”) for a total purchase price of $ 15.0
million. After giving effect to the issuance and sale of all the Purchased Units, the Purchased Units represented approximately 15.0
% of the issued and outstanding membership interest units of OML (based upon the number of membership interest units outstanding on June 1, 2023).
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Odyssey owned approximately 6.6
% and 6.3
%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding membership interest units of Ocean Minerals, LLC (“OML”). The Company determined that OML is a VIE as it does not have sufficient equity at-risk
to permit OML to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. However, as Odyssey’s lack of power to direct the activities that most significantly impact OML’s economic performance, it is not the primary beneficiary of OML and therefore is not required to consolidate OML. We record our investment under the equity method.
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Table of Contents
The initial closing with respect to the Purchased Units occurred on July 3, 2023, on which date OML issued 293,399
of the Purchased Units to the Purchaser in exchange for (a) a payment of $ 1.0
million in cash by the Purchaser to OML and (b) Odyssey’s transfer to OML of all the outstanding shares of Odyssey Retriever, Inc. (“ORI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Odyssey, with an estimated fair value of $ 3.3
million. Pursuant to the OML Purchase Agreement, in one or more closings to be held no later than June 28, 2024, OML will issue an additional 195,599
of the Purchased Units to the Purchaser for an aggregate purchase price of $ 4.0
million cash paid to OML. The OML Purchase Agreement provides that a final closing with respect to the Purchased Units will occur on the earlier of (x) the date that is 30 days after OML notifies that it has received (and provided a copy to Odyssey of) a specified resource report providing an indicated resource estimate for the area covered by OML’s exploration license or (y) the first anniversary of the initial closing. At the final closing, OML will issue an additional 244,499
of the Purchased Units to the Purchaser for an aggregate purchase price of $ 5.0
million cash paid to OML.
Equity Exchange Agreement
In connection with the transactions contemplated by the OML Purchase Agreement, Odyssey and the existing members of OML entered into an Equity Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which such members of OML have the right, but not the obligation, to exchange membership interest units of OML held by them for shares of Odyssey’s common stock, exercisable at any time and from time to time during the period beginning on the six-month
anniversary of the date of the Exchange Agreement and ending on the date that is the earliest of (a) the date on which a dissolution event occurs with respect to OML, (b) the date on which a material adverse effect occurs with respect to OML, and (c) the date that is 18 months after the date of the Exchange Agreement. If a member of OML elects to exchange membership interest units of OML for shares of Odyssey’s common stock, the number of shares of Odyssey’s common stock such member will receive will equal the product of (x) the number of membership interest units such member desires to exchange, multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the per unit value of the membership interest units and the denominator of which is the per share value of the shares of Odyssey’s common stock, in each case determined pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. Under the terms of the Exchange Agreement, the per unit value of the membership interest units means the greater of $ 20.45
and the purchase price per membership interest unit paid in the most recent sale of membership interest units by OML, and the per share value of the shares of Odyssey’s common stock means the greater of the “Minimum Price,” as defined in Nasdaq Rule 5635(d), and the five-day
volume-weighted average price per share of the common stock.
Notwithstanding anything in the Exchange Agreement to the contrary, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Odyssey’s common stock that may be issued under the Exchange Agreement will not (a) exceed 19.9
% of the number of outstanding shares of Odyssey’s common stock immediately prior to the date of the Exchange Agreement, (b) exceed 19.9
% of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of Odyssey immediately prior to the date of the Exchange Agreement, or (c) otherwise exceed such number of shares of Odyssey’s common stock that would violate applicable listing rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
The Equity Exchange Agreement is a liability within the scope of ASC 480 that is initially measured at fair value and will be included within the initial consideration transferred. Subsequently, changes in the fair value of the liability will be recognized in earnings and not as an adjustment to the cost basis of the Company’s investment in OML.
Contribution Agreement
In connection with the transactions contemplated by the OML Purchase Agreement, Odyssey, the Purchaser, and OML also entered into a Contribution Agreement pursuant to which additional membership interest units of OML may be issued to the Purchaser in consideration of the contribution to OML by Odyssey from time to time of certain property or other assets and services with an aggregate value of up to $ 10.0
million. We concluded that the Contribution Agreement is within the scope of ASC 606, as the services provided are within Odyssey’s ordinary activities, and OML is therefore, considered a customer of Odyssey.
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Table of Contents
Equity Method of Accounting
The Company has determined that OML operates more like a partnership, and as the Company holds more than 3
%— 5
% and has greater than virtually no influence over OML, the investment is within the scope of ASC 323, Investments – Equity and Joint Ventures. Odyssey applied the equity method investment accounting for its interest in OML, starting on July 3, 2023. As a result, OML is considered a related party. The Company further concluded that the initial closing consideration transferred is $ 10.3
million, and includes the cash amount paid, the fair value of the contribution of ORI, the fair value of the second and third closings and Equity Exchange Agreement, and acquisition costs. Furthermore, the total consideration transferred is allocated to the different components identified in the OML Purchase Agreement based on their closing date fair value, including, (1) the Initial OML Units, (2) the Second OML Units option, (3) the Third OML Units option and (4) the Optional Units, each as defined below, as well as the Equity Exchange Agreement as previously defined above.
Through a series of transactions pursuant to the OML Unit Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to pay a total purchase price of $ 15
million, or $ 20.45
per unit, for 733,497
units, as follows:
(1)
The Initial Closing – The Company purchased 293,399
of the Purchased Units (the “Initial OML Units”), representing approximately 6.28
% of the OML Units, in return for the initial purchase price of $ 1.0
million cash and Odyssey’s shares of ORI. The initial closing of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Units was amended to July 3, 2023.
(2)
The Second Closing – The Company agreed to purchase 195,599
of the Purchase Units (the “Second OML Units”) in return for the second purchase price of $ 4
million, payable in cash at that time (“Second Closing”). The parties entered into the third amendment to the OML Purchase Agreement to amend the closing date of the Second Closing to be February 16, 2024 and the fourth amendment to amend the closing date of the Second Closing to June 28, 2024.
(3)
The Third Closing – The Company agreed to purchase 244,499
of the Purchased Units (the “Third OML Units”) in return for the purchase price of $ 5
million, payable in cash at that time. The third closing will occur on the earlier of (a) the date that is thirty (30) days after OML notifies the Company that it has received and provides a copy to the Company of, the Independent Resource Report, and (b) the date that is the first anniversary of the initial closing date (“Third Closing”).
(4)
Optional Units – The Company has the option to purchase up to additional 1,466,993
of OML Interest Units (“the Units”), at the Company’s discretion (“Optional Units”), at the agreed upon price of $ 20.45
per unit within the eighteen-month anniversary of the Initial Closing Date, July 3, 2023. The recorded asset value of this option is $ 5.7
million on March 31, 2024. The Optional Units are within the scope of ASC 321 and would therefore, be initially recognized at cost as part of the initial consideration transferred, and thereafter, will be accounted for under the measurement alternative at cost with adjustments related to impairment and observable market conditions. If the Company does not purchase all the Optional Units prior to the eighteen-month anniversary, the Company may purchase any of such unpurchased Optional Units at the higher price of (i) a discount of
10
% to the price paid for which OML sold the Units in the most recent transaction for the Units immediately preceding such discounted purchase of Optional Units or (ii) $ 20.45
. On October 17, 2023, the parties entered into the third amendment to the OML Purchase Agreement to remove the second part of the Optional Units provision. Therefore, as of the amendment date, the Company may only purchase the Optional Units through January 2, 2025 (eighteen months from the Initial Closing Date) (“Optional Units Amendment”).
The Company concluded that the Second OML Units option, the Third OML Units option and the Optional Units are within the scope of ASC 321 Investments – Equity and Joint Ventures and would therefore be initially recognized at cost as part of the initial consideration transferred, and thereafter will be accounted for under the measurement alternative at cost with adjustments related to impairment and observable market adjustments.
The Company concluded that the Contribution Agreement is within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as the services provided are within the Company’s ordinary activities, and OML is therefore considered a customer of Odyssey. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we invoiced OML a total of $ 69,898
and $ 0
, respectively, recorded in Marine services in our consolidated statements of operations, which was for technical services.
The Company concluded that the Equity Exchange Agreement is a liability within the scope of ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, that is initially measured at fair value and will be included within the initial consideration transferred. Subsequently, changes in the fair value of the liability was recognized in earnings and not as an adjustment to the cost basis of Odyssey’s investment in OML.
As part of the Initial Closing, Odyssey transferred its equity interest of ORI, free of debt of the finance liability owed on the sale-leaseback arrangement. This portion was determined to be part of the Initial Consideration Transferred, as of July 3, 2023, as it meets the definition of a subsidiary of the acquirer.
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ASC 805, Business Combination, further provides that the consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, determined in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, except for (i) assets and liabilities transferred that remain under the control of the acquiree after the business combination, and (ii) any portion of the acquirer’s shared-based replacement awards exchanged for awards held by the acquiree’s grantees included in the consideration transferred.
Therefore, the Company determined that although the OML Purchase Agreement provides that the contractual amount of ORI is $ 5 million, the Company is required to determine whether the contractual amount represents the fair value of the transferred asset. It is further noted that ORI primarily consists of one asset (the “Retriever asset”) that was previously acquired and refurbished by Odyssey.
Given the uniqueness of the asset, a 6,000-meter
rated remotely operated vehicle (“ROV”), and its relatively recent acquisition and refurbishment, the Company determined to apply the cost method in order to evaluate the estimated fair value of the asset of $ 3.3
million. The Company transferred ORI but retained the obligation to pay the lease payments for the Retriever asset as the Company retained the obligation to continue making payments. The net book value of ORI, as of July 3, 2023, was $ 3.1
million. Therefore, at the Closing Date, Odyssey recognized a Gain of the sale of an entity in the consolidated statement of operations in the amount of $ 174,107
related to the disposal of ORI.
The Company determined that the initial Closing Consideration is as follows:
Cash consideration
$
1,000,000
Fair value of Odyssey Retriever, Inc.
3,280,261
Fair value of the Second Closing
676,921
Fair value of the Third Closing
769,875
Fair value of the Equity Exchange Agreement
4,516,007
Transaction costs
49,988
Initial closing consideration
$
10,293,052
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our accumulated investment in OML was $ 4,410,080
and $ 4,487,028
, respectively, which is classified as an investment in unconsolidated entities in our consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the company recognized a decrease in the put option liability assumed of $ 1,252,385
in the consolidated statement of operations to record the fair value adjustment of the equity exchange agreement.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, based on estimated financial information for our equity-method investee, we recognized $ 213,946
of Loss on Equity Method Investment in the consolidated statement of operations for our proportionate share of the net loss of our equity method investee, which decreased our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 in our consolidated statement of operations. Our proportionate share of the net loss of our equity method investee can have a significant impact on the amount of Loss on Equity Method Investment in our consolidated statement of operations and our carrying value of those investments. We eliminated from our financial results all significant intercompany transaction to the extent of our ownership interest.
NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we generated a federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward of $ 4.9 million and generated $ 2.6 million of foreign NOL carryforwards. As of March 31, 2024, we had consolidated income tax NOL carryforwards for federal tax purposes of approximately $ 217.4 million and net operating loss carryforwards for foreign income tax purposes of approximately $ 48.8 million. From 2025 through 2027, approximately $ 29 million of the NOL will expire, and from 2028 through 2037, approximately $ 128 million of the NOL will expire. The NOL generated in 2018 through 202 2
of approximately $ 55 million will be carried forward indefinitely.
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NOTE 8 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
Computers and peripherals
$
483,042
$
483,042
Furniture and office equipment
886,414
782,471
Marine equipment
559,294
559,294
1.928.750
1,824,807
Less: Accumulated depreciation
( 1,319,319
)
( 1,300,151
)
Property and equipment, net
$
609,431
$
524,656
Depreciation expense
19,168
143,647
NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
The Company may be subject to a variety of claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. We are not a party to any litigation as a defendant where a loss contingency is required to be reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Contingency
We owe consultants contingent success fees of up to $ 700,000 upon the approval and issuance of the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for our Mexican subsidiary. The EIA has not been approved as of the date of this report, and the contingent success fees have not been accrued.
Lease commitment
At March 31, 2024, the right of use (“ROU”) asset and lease obligations for our two real property operating leases were $ 73,950 and $ 78,497 , respectively.
The remaining lease payment obligations, which include an interest component of $ 1,866 , are as follows:
Year ending
December 31,
Annual payment
obligation
2024
$
80,363
$
80,363
We recognized $ 56,658 and $ 54,700 in rent expense associated with these leases for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
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NOTE 10 – LOANS PAYABLE
The Company’s consolidated notes payable consisted of the following carrying values at:
Loans Payable
March 31, 2024
December 31, 2023
March 2023 Note
$
15,270,792
$
14,858,816
December 2023 Note
6,037,747
6,000,000
Emergency Injury Disaster Loan
150,000
150,000
Vendor note payable
484,009
484,009
AFCO Insurance note payable
314,621
468,751
Pignatelli note
500,000
500,000
37N Note
804,997
804,997
Finance Liability (NOTE 15)
4,179,270
4,112,332
Total Loans payable
27,741,436
27,378,905
Less: Unamortized deferred lender fee
( 79,343
)
( 106,488
)
Less: Unamortized deferred discount
( 2,940,799
)
( 3,955,449
)
Total Loans payable, net
24,721,294
23,316,968
Less: Current portion of loans payable
( 16,306,076
)
( 15,413,894
)
Loans payable—long term
$
8,415,218
$
7,903,074
Pignatelli
On March 6, 2023, Odyssey issued a new Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $ 500,000 to Mr. Pignatelli that bears interest at the rate of 10.0 % per annum convertible into common stock of Odyssey at a conversion price of $ 3.78 per share. On July 15, 2021, this debt was transferred from a previous creditor, MINOSA, to Mr. Pignatelli in the principal amount of $ 404,634 and convertible at a conversion price of $ 4.35 per share, pursuant to which the outstanding aggregate obligation with accrued interest was $ 630,231 .
Emergency Injury Disaster Loan
On June 26, 2020, we executed the standard loan documents required for securing an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (the “EIDL Loan”) from the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). The principal amount of the EIDL Loan is $ 150,000 , with proceeds to be used for working capital purposes. Interest on the EIDL Loan accrues at the rate of 3.75 % per annum and installment payments, including principal and interest of $ 731 , are due monthly beginning 12 months from the date of the EIDL Loan. In 2021, the SBA extended this 12-month
period, setting the first payment due date in December 2022. Per the agreement, payments reduce accrued interest first and then applied against the principal. The balance of principal and interest is payable thirty years from the date of the promissory note. In connection with the EIDL Loan, the Company executed the EIDL Loan documents, which include the SBA Secured Disaster Loan Note, dated May 16, 2020, the Loan Authorization and Agreement, dated May 16, 2020, and the Security Agreement, dated May 16, 2020, each between the SBA and the Company.
Vendor Note Payable
We currently owe a vendor $ 484,009 as an interest-bearing trade payable. This trade payable bears simple annual interest at a rate of 12 %. As collateral, we granted the vendor a primary lien on certain of our equipment. The carrying value of this equipment is zero . This agreement matured in August 2018
. Even though this agreement has matured, the creditor has not demanded payment
. There are no covenant requirements to meet that would expose the Company to default situations.
Seller Note Payable
On December 2, 2022, we entered into
an Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement (“Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with the seller of certain marine equipment (“Seller”). Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, Seller agreed to sell us the marine equipment, related tooling items and spares for $ 2.5 million. On or before the closing date, Odyssey paid the Seller $ 1.1 million for the acquisition of the assets. Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, we paid the Seller the $ 1.4 million balance of the purchase price as a fully amortizing loan, bearing interest at a rate of 20 % per annum, maturing on June 5, 2024 (the “Seller Note”). On April 4, 2023, we paid this loan in full using the proceeds from the April 4, 2023 sale-leaseback transaction discussed in Note 15.
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AFCO Insurance Note Payable
On November 1, 2023, we entered into
the Premium Finance Agreement with AFCO Credit Corporation (“AFCO”). Pursuant to the Premium Finance Agreement, AFCO agreed to finance the D&O Insurance premiums evidenced by the promissory note, bearing interest at a rate of 4.95 % per annum, maturing on October 31, 2024 .
March 2023 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement
On March 6, 2023, Odyssey entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor pursuant to which Odyssey issued and sold to the investor (a) a promissory note (the “March 2023 Note”) in the principal amount of up to $ 14.0 million and (b) a warrant (the “March 2023 Warrant” and, together with the March 2023 Note, the “Securities”) to purchase shares of Odyssey’s common stock. The total proceeds of $ 14.0 million were allocated between debt and equity for the warrants based on the relative fair value of the two instruments. As a result, there was a debt discount of $ 3,742,362 , which is being amortized over the remaining term of the March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement using the effective interest method, which is charged to interest expense. We incurred $ 98,504 in related fees which are being amortized over the term of the March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement and charged to interest expense.
The principal amount outstanding under the March 2023 Note bears interest at the rate of 11.0 % per annum, and interest is payable in cash on a quarterly basis, except that, (a) at Odyssey’s option and upon notice to the holder of the March 2023 Note, any quarterly interest payment may be satisfied, in lieu of paying such cash interest, by adding an equivalent amount to the principal amount of the March 2023 Note (“PIK Interest”), and (b) the first quarterly interest payment due under the March 2023 Note will be satisfied with PIK Interest. The March 2023 Note provides Odyssey with the right, but not the obligation, upon notice to the holder of the March 2023 Note to redeem (x) at any time before the first anniversary of the issuance of the March 2023 Note, all or any portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the March 2023 Note (together with all accrued and unpaid interest, including PIK Interest) for an amount equal to one hundred twenty percent ( 120 %) of the outstanding principal amount so being redeemed, and (y) at any time on or after the first anniversary of the issuance of the March 2023 Note, all or any portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the March 2023 Note (together with all accrued and unpaid interest, including PIK Interest). Unless the March 2023 Note is sooner redeemed at Odyssey’s option, all indebtedness under the March 2023 Note is due and payable on September 6, 2024. Under the terms of the March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, Odyssey agreed to use the proceeds of the sale of the Securities to fund Odyssey’s obligations under the Termination Agreement (as defined above), to pay legal fees and costs related to Odyssey’s NAFTA arbitration against the United Mexican States, to pay fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by the March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, and for working capital and other general corporate expenditures. Odyssey’s obligations under Note are secured by a security interest in substantially all of Odyssey’s assets (subject to limited stated exclusions).
Under the terms of the March 2023 Warrant, the holder has the right for a period of three years after issuance to purchase up to 3,703,703 shares of Odyssey’s common stock at an exercise price of $ 3.78 per share, which represents 120.0 % of the official closing price of Odyssey’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market immediately preceding the signing of the March 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, upon delivery of a notice of exercise to Odyssey. Upon exercise of the March 2023 Warrant, Odyssey has the option to either (a) deliver the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise or (b) pay to the holder an amount equal to the difference between (i) the aggregate exercise price payable under the notice of exercise and (ii) the product of (A) the number of shares of common stock indicated in the notice of exercise multiplied by (B) the arithmetic average of the daily volume-weighted average price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market for the five consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately prior to the date of the notice of exercise. The warrant provides for customary adjustments to the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise in the event of a stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of shares, separation, reorganization, liquidation, or the like.
On March 6, 2023, the Company recognized the fair value of the March 2023 Warrant using the Black-Scholes valuation technique at $ 3,742,362 and classified the March 2023 Warrant as equity and debt discount of the March 2023 Note. On January 30, 2024, the March 2023 Warrant was amended to add a cashless exercise provision. Due to that amendment, the Company determined that the March 2023 Warrant meets the definition of a derivative and is not considered indexed to the Company’s own stock due to the settlement adjustment that provides that the share price input upon cashless exercise is always based on the highest of three prices. As such, the March 2023 Warrant is now recognized as a derivative liability and will be initially and subsequentially measured at fair value and subsequent changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings in the period incurred.
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The amended March 2023 Warrant was measured using the Black-Scholes
valuation method on January 30, 2024, and re-classified
from equity to warrant liability. The difference between the warrant liability and initial equity balance through additional paid-in
capital (“APIC”) was recognized as an additional discount to APIC. Subsequently, the warrants were re-measured
on March 31, 2024, and recognized in earnings as favorable change in the fair value of the derivative liability. The fair value of the March 2023 Warrant at March 31, 2024 was $ 5,263,018 .
In connection with the execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement, Odyssey entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which Odyssey registered the offer and sale of the shares (the “Exercise Shares”) of Odyssey common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant in a Prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective as of June 1, 2023.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 ,
and 2023, we incurred $ 618,067 and $ 208,685 , respectively, of interest expense from the amortization of the debt discount and $ 16,268 and $ 4,648 , respectively, interest from the fee amortization which has been recorded in interest expense. The March 31, 2024 carrying value of the debt was $ 14,162,450 , which includes interest Paid In Kind (“PIK”) of $ 1,270,792 , and was net of unamortized debt fees of $ 28,425 , net of unamortized debt discount of $ 1,079,917 associated with the fair value of the warrant. The total face value of this obligation on
March 31, 2024 ,
and December 31, 2023,
was $ 15,270,792 and $
14,858,816 , respectively .
37North
On June 29, 2023 we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“Note Agreement”) with 37N pursuant to which 37N agreed to loan us $ 1,000,000 . The proceeds from this transaction were received in full on June 29, 2023. Pursuant to the Note Agreement, the indebtedness was non-interest
bearing and matured on July 30, 2023. At any time from 31 days after the maturity date, 37N has the option to convert all or a portion of the outstanding amount of the indebtedness into conversion shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) 120% of the amount of the indebtedness, by (B) the lower of $3.66 or 70% of the 10-day
volume-weighted average principal (“VWAP”) market trading price of Common Stock. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock to be issued in connection with conversion of the indebtedness is not to exceed (i) 19.9 % of the outstanding shares of Common Stock prior to the date of the Agreement, (ii) 19.9 % of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities, or (iii) such number of shares of Common Stock that would violate the applicable listing rules of the Principal Market if the stockholders did not approve the issuance of Common Stock upon conversion of the indebtedness.
Any time prior to maturity, we had the option to prepay the indebtedness at an amount of 108 % of the unpaid principal. From the maturity date to 29 days after the maturity date (August 27, 2023), we were permitted to repay all (but not less than) of an amount equal to 112.5 % of the unpaid amount of the indebtedness. At any time after the 30th day after the maturity date (August 28, 2023), we are permitted to repay all (but not less than) of an amount equal to 115 % of the unpaid amount of the indebtedness after 10 days’ notice. If 37N delivers an exercise notice during this 10 -day
period, the note issued pursuant to the Note Agreement (the “37N Note”)
would be converted to shares of Common Stock, instead of being repaid. As of March 31, 2024, we have not repaid this Note Agreement.
If 37N delivers an exercise notice and the number of shares issuable is limited by the 19.9 % limitation outlined above, then we are permitted to repay all the remaining unpaid amount of the Loan in an amount equal to 130 % of the remaining unpaid amount. On December 27, 2023, 37N delivered an exercise notice to us pursuant to which it exercised its right to convert $ 360,003 of the outstanding indebtedness under the Note Agreement into shares of our Common Stock. In accordance with the Note Agreement, based on the applicable conversation rate of $ 2.3226 under the agreement, we issued 155,000 shares of our common Stock to 37N on December 29, 2023.
We evaluated the indebtedness and, based on the criteria of ASC 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and 815 Derivatives and Hedging, the 37N convertible note is classified as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet with a share settled redemption feature that is recorded as an embedded derivative. As a result, the share settled redemption and conversion features were recorded at fair value at each reporting period outstanding with changes recognized through Interest expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company analyzed the conversion feature of the note and determined that, because it includes a conditional obligation to issue a variable number of shares based on a fixed amount known at inception, the debt is properly classified as a liability in the balance sheet. The Company identified seven embedded features, all of which were of de minimis fair value other than the Share Settled Redemption Feature. As such, only that was bifurcated and accounted for separately from the debt host. Certain default put provisions were not considered to be clearly and closely related to the debt host, but management concluded that the value of these default put provisions was de minimis.
At March 31, 2024, the debt instrument and embedded derivatives were recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value of $ 804,997 and $ 336,857 , respectively, under Loans payable – short term and Litigation financing
and other – long term. At December 31, 2023, the debt instrument and embedded derivatives were recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value of $ 804,997 and $ 702,291 , respectively, under Loans payable – short term and Litigation financing
and other – long term.
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December 2023 Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement
On December 1, 2023, we entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the “December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement”) with institutional investors pursuant to which we issued and sold to the investors (a) a series of promissory notes (the “December 2023 Notes”) in the principal amount of up to $ 6.0 million and (b) two tranches of warrants (the “December 2023 Warrants” and, together with the December 2023 Notes, the “December 2023 Securities”) to purchase shares of our common stock. We issued December 2023 Notes in the aggregate amount of $ 3.75 million and related warrants on December 1, 2023, and December 2023 Notes in the aggregate amount of $ 2.25 million and related warrants on December 28, 2023.
The principal amount outstanding under the December 2023 Notes bears interest at the rate of 11.0 % per annum, and interest is payable in cash on a quarterly basis, except that, (a) at our option and upon notice to the holder of the December 2023 Notes, any quarterly interest payment may be satisfied, in lieu of paying such cash interest, by adding an equivalent amount to the principal amount of the December 2023 Notes (“December 2023 PIK Interest”), and (b) the first quarterly interest payment due under the December 2023 Notes will be satisfied with December 2023 PIK Interest. The December 2023 Notes provide us with the right, but not the obligation, upon notice to the holders of the December 2023 Notes to redeem (x) at any time before the first anniversary of the issuance of the December 2023 Notes, all or any portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the December 2023 Notes (together with all accrued and unpaid interest, including December 2023 PIK Interest) for an amount equal to one hundred twenty percent ( 120 %) of the outstanding principal amount so being redeemed, and (y) at any time on or after the first anniversary of the issuance of the December 2023 Notes, all or any portion of the indebtedness outstanding under the December 2023 Notes (together with all accrued and unpaid interest, including December 2023 PIK Interest). Unless the December 2023 Notes are sooner redeemed at our option, all indebtedness under the December 2023 Notes is due and payable on June 1, 2025. Under the terms of the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, we agreed to use the proceeds of the sale of the December 2023 Securities for working capital and other general corporate expenditures and to pay fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement. Our obligations under December 2023 Notes are secured by a pledge of and security interest in our equity interests in Odyssey Marine Cayman Limited (subject to limited stated exclusions)..
Under the terms of the first tranche of December 2023 Warrants, the holders have the right for a period of three years after issuance to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,411,765 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $ 4.25 per share, which represents 120.0 % of the official closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market immediately preceding the signing of the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, upon delivery of a notice of exercise to Odyssey. Under the terms of the second tranche of December 2023 Warrants, the holders have the right for a period of three years after issuance to purchase an aggregate of up to 211,565 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $ 7.09 per share, which represents 200.0 % of the official closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market immediately preceding the signing of the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, upon delivery of a notice of exercise to Odyssey. Upon exercise of the December 2023 Warrants, Odyssey has the option to either (a) deliver the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise or (b) pay to the holder an amount equal to the difference between (i) the aggregate exercise price payable under the notice of exercise and (ii) the product of (A) the number of shares of common stock indicated in the notice of exercise multiplied by (B) the arithmetic average of the daily volume-weighted average price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market for the five consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately prior to the date of the notice of exercise. The December 2023 Warrants provide the holders with a cashless exercise option if we have announced payment of a dividend or distribution on account of our common stock. The December 2023 Warrants also include customary adjustments to the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise in the event of a stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of shares, separation, reorganization, liquidation, or the like.
In connection with the execution and delivery of the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “December 2023 Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which we agreed to register the offer and sale of the shares (the “December 2023 Exercise Shares”) of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the December 2023 Warrants. Pursuant to the December 2023 Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed to prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement covering the resale of the December 2023 Exercise Shares and to use our reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable thereafter, subject to stated deadlines.
The Company determined that the December 2023 Warrants meet the definition of a derivative and are not considered indexed to the Company’s own stock due to the settlement adjustment that provides that the share price input upon cashless exercise is always based on the highest of three prices. As such, the December 2023 Warrants were recognized as derivative liabilities and will be initially and subsequentially measured at fair value with the gain or loss due to changes in fair value recognized in the current period. The Company noted that when debt is issued with liability-classified stock purchase warrants, the residual method should be used so that the warrants are recognized at fair value at issuance and the residual proceeds are allocated to the debt.
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We incurred $ 65,500 in related expenses, which are being amortized over the term of the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement and charged to interest expense. The total proceeds of $ 6.0 million were allocated between debt and warrant liability by recognizing the warrants at their full fair value and allocating the residual proceeds to the December 2023 Notes. The initial fair value of the December 2023 Warrants was $ 2,392,563 , resulting in a corresponding discount on the December 2023 Notes which is being amortized over the remaining term of the December 2023 Note Purchase Agreement using the effective interest method, which is charged to interest expense.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded $ 396,582 and $ 0 , respectively, of interest expense from the amortization of the debt discount and $ 10,877 and $ 0 , respectively, of interest from the fee amortization. At March 31, 2024, the carrying value of the debt was $ 4,125,947 and was net of unamortized debt fees of $ 50,918 , net of unamortized debt discount of $ 1,860,882 associated with the fair value of the warrant. The total face value of this obligation at March 31, 2024 was $ 6,037,747 . The current interest rate of the December 2023 Notes was 11.0 %.
Accrued interest
Total accrued interest associated with our financing was $ 1,074,058 and $ 912,615 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
NOTE 11 – FAIR VALUE INSTRUMENTS
Derivative Financial Instruments
Litigation financing
On June 14, 2019, Odyssey and Exploraciones Oceánicas S. de R.L. de C.V., our Mexican subsidiary (“ExO” and, together with Odyssey, the “Claimholder”), and Poplar Falls LLC (the “Funder”) entered into an International Claims Enforcement Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which the Funder agreed to provide financial assistance to the Claimholder to facilitate the prosecution and recovery of the claim by the Claimholder against the United Mexican States under Chapter Eleven of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) for violations of the Claimholder’s rights under NAFTA related to the development of an undersea phosphate deposit off the coast of Baja Sur, Mexico (the “Project”), on our own behalf and on behalf of ExO and United Mexican States (the “Subject Claim”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Funder agreed to specified fees and expenses regarding the Subject Claim (the “Claims Payments”) incrementally and at the Funder’s sole discretion. The fair value of this derivative instrument at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $ 52.7 million and $ 52.1 million, respectively, and is recorded in our consolidated balance sheet in Litigation financing
and other – long term.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Funder agreed to make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $ 6,500,000 (the “Maximum Investment Amount”). The Maximum Investment Amount will be made available to the Claimholder in two phases, as set forth below:
(a) a first phase, in which the Funder shall make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount no greater than $ 1,500,000 for the payment of antecedent and ongoing costs (“Phase I Investment Amount”); and
(b) a second phase, in which the Funder shall make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount no greater than $ 5,000,000 for the purposes of pursuing the Subject Claim to a final award (“Phase II Investment Amount”).
Upon exhaustion of the Phase I Investment Amount, the Claimholder will have the option to request Tranche A of the Phase II Investment Amount, consisting of funding up to $ 3.5 million (“Tranche A Committed Amount”). Upon exhaustion of the Tranche A Committed Amount, the Claimholder will have the option to request Tranche B of the Phase II Investment Amount, consisting of funding of up to $ 1.5 million (“Tranche B Committed Amount”). The Claimholder must exercise its option to receive the Tranche A Committed Amount in writing, no less than thirty days before submitting a Funding Request to the Funder under Tranche A. The Claimholder must exercise its option to receive the Tranche B Committed Amount in writing within forty-five days after the exhaustion of the Tranche A Committed Amount. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Claimholder agreed that, upon exercising the Claimholder’s option to receive funds under Phase I, Tranche A of Phase II, or Tranche B of Phase II, the Funder will be the sole source of third-party funding for the specified fees and expenses of the Subject Claim under each respective phase and tranche covered by the option exercised, and the Claimholder will obtain funding for such fees and expenses, only as set forth in the Agreement. The Funder was due closing fee of $ 80,000 for the Phase I Investment Amount, and $ 80,000 for the Phase II Investment Amount to pay third parties in connection with due diligence and other administrative and transaction costs incurred by the Funder prior to and in furtherance of execution of the Agreement.
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Upon the Funder making Claims Payments to the Claimholder or its designees in an aggregate amount equal to the Maximum Investment Amount, the Funder has the option to continue funding the specified fees and expenses in relation to the Subject Claim on the same terms and conditions provided in the Agreement. The Funder must exercise its option to continue funding in writing, within thirty days after the Funder has made Claims Payments in an aggregate amount equal to the Maximum Investment Amount. If the Funder exercises its option to continue funding, the parties agreed to attempt in good faith to amend the Agreement to provide the Funder with the right to provide at the Funder’s discretion funding in excess of the Maximum Investment Amount, in an amount up to the greatest amount that may then be reasonably expected to be committed for investment in Subject Claim. If the Funder declines to exercise its option, the Claimholder may negotiate and enter into agreements with one or more third parties to provide funding, which shall be subordinate to the Funder’s rights under the Agreement.
The Agreement provides that the Claimholder may at any time without the consent of the Funder either settle or refuse to settle the Subject Claim for any amount; provided, however, that if the Claimholder settles the Subject Claim without the Funder’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, the value of the Recovery Percentage (as defined below) will be deemed to be the greater of (a) the Recovery Percentage (under Phase I or Phase II, as applicable), or (b) the total amount of all Claims Payments made in connection with such Subject Claim multiplied by three (3).
If the Claimholder ceases the Subject Claim for any reason other than (a) a full and final arbitral award against the Claimholder or (b) a full and final monetary settlement of the claims, including in particular, for a grant of an environmental permit to the Claimholder allowing it to proceed with the Project (with or without a monetary component), all Claims Payments under Phase I and, if Claimholder has exercised the corresponding option, the Tranche A Committed Amount and Tranche B Committed Amount, shall immediately convert to a senior secured liability of the Claimholder. This sum shall incur an annualized internal rate of return (“IRR”) of 50.0% retroactive to the date each Funding Request was paid by the Funder (under Phase I), or, to the conversion date for the Tranche A Committed Amount and Tranche B Committed Amount of Phase II if the Claimholder has exercised the respective option (collectively, the “Conversion Amount”). Such Conversion Amount and any and all accrued IRR shall be payable in-full
by the Claimholder within 24 months of the date of such conversion, after which time any outstanding Conversion Amounts, shall accrue an (“IRR”) of 100.0%, retroactive to the conversion date (the “Penalty Interest Amount”). The Claimholder will execute such documents and take other actions as necessary to grant the Funder a senior security interest on and over all sums due and owing by the Claimholder in order to secure its obligation to pay the Conversion Amount to the Funder. If the Claimholder ceases the Subject Claim due to the grant of an environmental permit (with or without a monetary component), all Claims Payments under Phase 1 and, if the Claimholder has exercised the corresponding option, the Tranche A Committed Amount and Tranche B Committed Amount shall immediately convert to a senior secured liability of the Claimholder and shall incur an annualized an IRR of 50.0% on the Conversion Amount, from the conversion date. Management has estimated it is more likely than not the Subject Claim will result in the issuance of the environmental permit requiring us to record interest under US GAAP. Reliance should not be placed on this estimate in determining the likely outcome of the Subject Claim.
If, at any time after exercising its option to receive funds under either Tranche A or Tranche B of Phase II, the Claimholder wishes to fund the Subject Claim with its own capital (“Self-Funding”) (which excludes any Claims Payments made, either directly or indirectly, by any other third party), the Claimholder shall immediately pay to the Funder the Conversion Amount, provided that this requirement shall not apply if, after the Funder has made Claims Payments in an aggregate amount equal to the Maximum Investment Amount, the Funder does not exercise its option to provide Follow-On
Funding.
In the event of any receipt of proceeds resulting from the Subject Claim (“Proceeds”), the Funder shall be entitled to any additional sums above the Conversion Amount to which the Funder is entitled as described below. Should the Claimholder cease the Subject Claim as described above after Self-Funding the Claim, accrued IRR and Penalty Interest shall be calculated and paid to the Funder as set forth above. The Funder’s rights to the Recovery Percentage as defined below shall survive any decision by Claimholder to utilize Self-Funding. The parties acknowledge this Agreement constitutes a sale of the right to a portion of the Proceeds (if any) arising from the Subject Claim as set forth in this Agreement. The Claimholder has relinquished its right to the portion of the proceeds, if any, that the Funder would have the right to as described below. This sale of proceeds is being accounted for under the guidance of ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging)
On each Distribution Date, distributions of the Proceeds shall be made to the Claimholder and the Funder in accordance with subparagraph (a) or (b) below (the “Recovery Percentage”), as applicable:
(a) If the Claimholder receives only the Phase I Investment Amount from the Funder, the first Proceeds shall be distributed as follows:
(i) first, 100.0% to the Funder, until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals the total Claims Payments paid by the Funder under Phase I;
(ii) second, 100.0% to the Funder until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals an IRR of 20% of Claims Payments paid by the Funder under Phase I (“Phase I Compensation”), per annum; and
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(iii) thereafter, 100.0% to the Claimholder.
(b) If the Claimholder exercises its options to receive Tranche A or both Tranche A and Tranche B of the Phase II Investment Amount, the first Proceeds shall be distributed as follows:
(i) first, 100.0% to the Funder until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals the total Claims Payments paid by the Funder under Phases I and II;
(ii) second, 100.0% to the Funder until the cumulative amount distributed to the Funder equals an additional 300.0% of Phase I Investment Amount; plus an additional 300% of the Tranche A Committed Amount (i.e. 300.0% of $3.5 million), less any amounts remaining of the Tranche A Committed Amount that the Funder did not pay as Claims Payments; plus an additional 300.0% of the Tranche B Committed Amount (i.e. 300.0% of $1.5 million), if the Claimholder exercises the Tranche B funding option, less any amounts remaining of the Tranche B Committed Amount that the Funder did not pay as Claims Payments;
(iii) third, for each $10,000 in specified fees and expenses paid by the Funder under Phase I and Phase II and any amounts over each $10,000 of the Tranche A Committed Amount and the Tranche B Committed Amount (if the Claimholder exercises the Tranche B funding option), 0.01% of the total Proceeds from any recoveries after repayment of (i) and (ii) above, to the Funder; and
(iv) thereafter, 100% to the Claimholder.
The Agreement provides that if no Proceeds are ever paid to or received by the Claimholder or its representatives and if the environmental permit is not issued, the Funder shall have no right of recourse or right of action against the Claimholder or its representatives, or any of their respective property, assets, or undertakings, except as otherwise specifically contemplated by the Agreement. If (a) Proceeds are paid to or received by the Claimholder or its representatives; (b) such Proceeds are promptly applied and/or distributed by the Claimholder or on behalf of the Claimholder in accordance with the terms of the Agreement; and (c) the amount received by the Funder as a result thereof is not sufficient to pay all of the Recovery Percentage and all of the amounts due to the Funder under the Agreement, then (provided that all of the Proceeds which the Funder will ever be entitled to have been paid to or received by the Funder), the Funder shall have no right of recourse or action against the Claimholder or its Representatives, or any of their property, assets, or undertakings, except as otherwise specifically contemplated by the Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Claimholder acknowledged the Funder’s priority right, title, and interest in any Proceeds, including against any available collateral to secure its obligations under the Agreement, which security interest shall be first in priority as against all other security interests in the Proceeds. The Claimholder also acknowledged and agreed to execute and authorize the filing of a financing statement or similar and to take such other actions in such jurisdictions as the Funder, in its sole discretion, deems necessary and appropriate to perfect such security interest. The Agreement also includes representations and warranties, covenants, conditions, termination and indemnification provisions, and other provisions customary for comparable arrangements.
Amendment and Restatement (January 31, 2020)
•
On January 31, 2020, the Claimholder and the Funder entered into an Amended and Restated International Claims Enforcement Agreement (the “Restated Agreement”). The material terms and provisions that were amended or otherwise modified are as follows:
•
The Funder agreed to provide up to $ 2.2 million in Arbitration Support Funds for the purpose of paying the Claimholder’s litigation support costs in connection with Subject Claim;
•
A closing fee of $ 200,000 was retained by the Funder in connection with due diligence and other transaction costs incurred by the Funder. This closing fee was expenses when incurred;
•
A warrants to purchase our common stock were issued are exercisable for a period of five years beginning on the earlier of (a) the date on which the Claimholder ceases the Subject Claim for any reason other than a full and final arbitral award against the Claimholder or a full and final monetary settlement of the claims or (b) the date on which Proceeds are received and deposited into escrow. The exercise price per share is $ 3.99 , and the Funder can exercise the warrant to purchase the number of shares of our common stock equal to the dollar amount of Arbitration Support Funds provided to us pursuant to the Restated Agreement divided by the exercise price per share (subject to customary adjustments and limitations); and
•
All other terms in the Restated Agreement are substantially the same as in the original Agreement.
During 2020, the Funder provided us with $ 2.0 million of the Arbitration Support Funds, and we incurred $ 200,000 in related fees that were treated as an additional advance. Upon each funding, the proceeds were allocated between debt and equity for the warrants based on the relative fair value of the two instruments. As a result, there was an immediate expense of $ 1,063,811 related to the derivative.
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Although the warrants only become exercisable upon the occurrence of future events, they are considered issued for accounting purposes and were valued using a binomial lattice model. The expected volatility assumption was based on the historical volatility of our Common Stock. The expected life assumption was primarily based on management’s expectations of when the Warrants will become exercisable and the risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the warrant is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of measurement. As a result, the fair value of these warrants, $ 1.1 million, was bifurcated from debt and allocated to equity. The debt then was accreted back up to its face value over a period of three years.
Second Amendment and Restatement (December 12, 2020)
On December 12, 2020, the Claimholder and the Funder entered into a Second Amended and Restated International Claims Enforcement Agreement (the “Second Restated Agreement”) relating to the Subject Claim. Under the terms of the Second Restated Agreement, the Funder has made and agreed to make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $ 20,000,000 (the “Maximum Investment Amount”). The Second Restated Agreement required the Funder to make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount no greater than $ 10,000,000 for the purposes of pursuing the Subject Claim to a final award (“Phase III Investment Amount”). We also incurred $ 200,000 in related fees which were treated as an additional advance and were expensed when incurred. This Second Restated Agreement includes the same representations and warranties, covenants, conditions, termination and indemnification provisions, and other provisions as in the original agreement.
Third Amendment and Restatement (June 14, 2021)
On June 14, 2021, the Claimholder and the Funder entered into a Third Amended and Restated International Claims Enforcement Agreement (the “Third Restated Agreement”) relating to the Subject Claim. Under the terms of the Third Restated Agreement, the Funder agreed to make Claims Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $ 25,000,000 , an increase of $ 5.0 million (the “Incremental Amount”). The Third Restated Agreement requires the Claimholder to request $2.5 million of the Incremental Amount (the “First $2.5 Million”). Within 15 days after exhaustion of the First $2.5 Million, the Claimholder may either (a) request the remaining $2.5 million (the “Second $2.5 Million”) of the Incremental Amount or (b) notify the Funder that the Claimholder has decided to self-fund the Second $2.5 Million. We also incurred $ 80,000 in related fees which were treated as an additional advance. These fees were expensed when incurred. This Third Restated Agreement includes the same representations and warranties, covenants, conditions, termination and indemnification provisions, and other provisions as in the original agreement.
Waiver and Consent (March 6, 2023)
On March 6, 2023, the Claimholder and the Funder under the agreement entered into a Waiver and Consent Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, the Funder consented (i) to consent to allow the Claimholder to fund certain costs and expenses arising from the Subject Claim from the Claimholder’s own capital in an aggregate amount not to exceed $ 5,000,000 , and (ii) Odyssey paid a $ 1,000,000 nonrefundable waiver fee to the Funder.
The Company determined that the financing arrangement was a derivative, measured at fair value within the scope of ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging. Subsequently, any changes in the fair value of the derivative will be reported in earnings on a quarterly basis. Fair value was calculated as the midpoint of estimated ranges of the probability-weighted present value of potential results based on management assumptions. As such, the fair value of the obligation on March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $ 52.7 million and $ 52.1 million, respectively, with changes in the fair value for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $ 576,000 million and $ 1.7 million, respectively.
See NOTE 10 Loan Payable for discussion related to the accounting for the 37N embedded derivative.
Warrant Liability
2022 Warrant
On June 10, 2022, we sold an aggregate of 4,939,515 shares of our Common Stock and the 2022 Warrant to holders to purchase up to 4,939,515 shares of our common stock. The net proceeds received from sale, after offering expenses of $ 1.8 million, were $ 14.7 million. The shares of common stock and warrants were sold in units, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $ 3.35 (the “2022 Warrant Price”) per share of common stock. Each unit was sold at a negotiated price of $ 3.35 per unit. The 2022 Warrant is exercisable at any time beginning on December 10, 2022 , and ending on the close of business on June 10, 2027 .
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Under the terms of the 2022 Warrant agreement, the Holders are entitled to purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock, at the price of $ 3.35 per share. The Company in its sole discretion may lower the 2022 Warrant Price at any time prior to the expiration date for a period of not less than twenty Business Days, provided that the Company shall provide at least twenty days prior written notice of such reduction to Holders of the 2022 Warrant and provided further that any such reduction shall be identical among all of the 2022 Warrant.
A Warrant may be exercised by the Holder by delivering the aggregate exercise price unless the Holder chooses net settlement via the cashless exercise option if, there is no active registration statement or available prospectus for the issuance of the Warrant Shares by the Holder. In a cashless exercise, the Holder will receive a number of Warrant Shares determined by dividing [(A-B)
(X)] by (A), where (A) represents volume-weighted average price of the common stock or the bid price of common stock, depending on the circumstances, (B) represents the Exercise Price of the Warrant, as adjusted, and (X) represents the number of Warrant Shares that would be issued upon exercise of the Warrant, if it were a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.
If the Company fails to deliver the Warrant Shares to the Holder within a time frame required by the agreement, and the Holder is forced to purchase shares of Common Stock to fulfill a sale that was based on receiving the Warrant Shares (referred to as a “Buy-In”),
then the Company must reimburse the Holder in cash for the difference between the total purchase price of the Common Stock purchased and the product of the number of Warrant Shares that should have been delivered and the sale price at which the obligation to purchase arose. The 2022 Warrants also included customary adjustments to the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise in the event of a stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of shares, separation, reorganization, liquidation, or the like.
The Company determined that the 2022 Warrant meets the definition of a derivative and is not considered indexed to the Company’s own stock due to the input related to the price per share and any non-cash
consideration. Management determined that this input would preclude the 2022 Warrant from being indexed to the Company’s stock given that this input could be affected by variables that are extraneous to the pricing of a fixed-for-fixed
option or forward contract on equity shares. As such, the 2022 Warrant was recognized as derivative liabilities and will be initially and subsequentially measured at fair value with the gain or loss due to changes in fair value recognized in the current period. The Company noted that when debt is issued with liability-classified stock purchase warrants, the residual method should be used so that the warrants are recognized at fair value at issuance and the residual proceeds are allocated to the debt.
Management determined that the $ 1.8 million in incremental costs directly attributable to the Common Stock Offering and the issuance of the 2022 Warrant shall be allocated between the two instruments in proportion to the allocation of the issuance proceeds. Furthermore, the incremental costs allocated to the Common Stock were recorded as a reduction of the proceeds in equity while the incremental costs allocated to the 2022 Warrant of $ 1.087 million w as
expensed as incurred.
March 2023 Warrant
See Note 10 Loan payable for discussion related to the accounting for the March 2023 Warrant.
December 2023 Warrants
See NOTE 10 Loan payable for discussion related to the accounting for the December 2023 Warrants.
Put Option Liability
See NOTE 6 Investment in unconsolidated entities for discussion regarding the Ocean Minerals, LLC Exchange Agreement.
NOTE 12 – ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
Compensation and incentives
$
994
$
5,239
Professional services
245,469
296,332
Deposit
450,000
450,000
Interest
1,074,058
912,915
Exploration license fees
7,611,291
6,828,872
Total accrued expenses
$
9,381,812
$
8,493,358
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Deposits primarily consist of an earnest money deposit of $ 450,000 from CIC. The earnest money deposit relates to a draft agreement related to potential sale of a stake of our equity in CIC. This transaction has not yet been agreed upon or con summated
.
NOTE 13 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
Stock-Based Compensation
The share-based compensation charged against income, related to our options and restricted stock units, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $ 1,462,747 and $ 293,785 , respectively.
We granted options to purchase an aggregate of 90,000 shares of Common Stock to directors on January 29, 2024, options to purchase an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock to officers on January 29, 2024, and options to purchase an aggregate of 302,000 shares of common stock to employees on January 29, 2024. The value of the stock options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, which values options based on the stock price at the grant date, the expected life of the option, the estimated volatility of the stock, the expected dividend payments, and the risk-free interest rate over the life of the option. The options were valued with the following assumptions used for grants issued in the table below. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock as well as other companies operating similar businesses. The expected term (in years) is determined using historical data to estimate option exercise patterns. The expected dividend yield is based on the annualized dividend rate over the vesting period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the rate for US Treasury bonds commensurate with the expected term of the granted option.
January 29,
2024
Risk free interest rate
3.97
%
Expected life
5 years
Expected volatility
62.42
%
Expected dividend yield
—
Grant-date fair value
2.61
NOTE 14 – CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
We do not currently have any debt obligations with variable interest rates.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had two customers, CIC, which is a related-party (see Note 5 Related Party Transactions), and OML, also a related party, that accounted for 100 % of our total revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had one customer, CIC, that accounted for 100 % of our total revenue.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our uninsured cash balance was approximately $ 1.8 million and $ 3.7 million, respectively.
NOTE 15 – SALE-LEASEBACK FINANCING OBLIGATIONS
On April 4, 2023 and June 30, 2023, the Company’s subsidiaries sold marine equipment to separate third-party buyers for $ 3.5 million and $ 1.0 million, respectively. Simultaneously with each sale, the subsidiaries entered into lease agreements with each buyer of the respective marine equipment (the sale of the property and simultaneous leaseback is referred to as a “sale-leaseback”). Each of the leases is for a term of 4 years . Under the terms of the lease agreements, the initial base rent is $ 35,000 and $ 10,000 per month, respectively. As a part of each of the lease agreements, the lessee is granted an option to purchase the marine equipment back from the buyer, that can be exercised at any time during the period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of the agreements and ending on the day that is 120 days prior to the expiration of the lease term. If the lessee has not already delivered such notice at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the lease term, it is required to purchase the marine equipment upon the expiration of the lease term.
The Company accounted for the sale-leaseback transactions as financing transactions with the purchasers of the property in accordance with ASC Topic 842 as the lease agreements were determined to be finance leases. The Company concluded the lease agreements both met the qualifications to be classified as finance leases due to the obligation to repurchase the equipment.
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The presence of a finance lease indicates that control of the equipment has not transferred to the buyer/lessor and, as such, the transactions were each deemed a “failed sale-leaseback” and must be accounted for as a financing arrangement. As a result of this determination, the Company is viewed as having received the sales proceeds from the buyer/lessor in the form of a hypothetical loan collateralized by its leased equipment. The hypothetical loan is payable as principal and interest in the form of “lease payments” to the buyer/lessor. As such, the Company will not derecognize the property from its books for accounting purposes until the lease ends.
ORI was one of Odyssey’s subsidiaries that entered into one of the sale-leaseback financing obligations noted above. As noted in the NOTE 6. Investment in Unconsolidated Entity footnote, Odyssey transferred all of its shares in ORI to OML as part of the Investment in OML. Pursuant to the OML Purchase Agreement, Odyssey is obligated to pay all amounts owed for rent and the repurchase of the marine equipment under the sale-leaseback agreement.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying values of the financing liabilities were $ 3,639,271 and $ 3,202,044 . The monthly lease payments are split between a reduction of principal and interest expense using the effective interest rate method. No gain or loss was recognized related to the sale-leasebacks.
Under the April 4, 2023 and June 30, 2023 sale-leasebacks, the Company recorded third party payments of $ 350,000 and $ 100,000 respectively, as a cost of the financing obligation and recorded them as a discount.
Remaining future cash payments related to the financing liability, for the fiscal years ending December 31 are as follows:
Year ending
December 31,
Annual
payment
obligation
2024
$
405,000
2025
540,000
2026
540,000
2027
4,700,000
$
6,185,000
NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure through the date that this Form 10-Q
is filed with the SEC. We have noted there are no other subsequent events other than those noted below.
On May 3, 2024, we received payment of approximately $ 9.4 million in net proceeds from a recovered shipwreck in which we retained a residual economic interest when we sold substantially all the assets related to our shipwreck business to a third-party purchaser in December 2015 .
The holders of the March 2023 Notes hold a security interest in the proceeds.
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Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.