Prairie Operating Co. 10-K

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PRAIRIE OPERATING CO. Page Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 298 ) 63 Consolidated Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets 65 Consolidated Statements of Operations 66 Consolidated Statements of Members’ Deficit/Stockholders’ Equity 67 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 68 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements: Note 1. Organization, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation 69 Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 72 Note 3. Purchase Price Allocation 77 Note 4. Property and Equipment 78 Note 5. Deposits on Cryptocurrency Mining Equipment 79 Note 6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 79 Note 7. Related Party Transactions 79 Note 8. Debt 81 Note 9. Leases 82 Note 10. Fair Value Measurement 83 Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies 85 Note 12. Income Taxes 85 Note 13. Preferred Stock 86 Note 14. Common Stock 87 Note 15. Common Stock Options and Warrants 88 Note 16. Long-Term Incentive Compensation 89 Note 17. Segment Information 91 Note 18. Subsequent Events 92 Note 19. Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) 93 62 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Prairie Operating Co. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Prairie Operating, Co. (formerly known as Prairie Operating Co., LLC) and its subsidiaries (the Company), as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, members’ deficit/stockholders’ equity and cash flows for year ended December 31, 2023, and for the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) to December 31, 2022 and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, and for the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) to December 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matters The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate. Determine the Merger as an Asset Acquisition and Evaluate the Acquired Assets Value – Asset Acquisition of Creek Road Miners, Inc. – Refer to Note 1 and Note 3 to the financial statements Critical Audit Matter Description The Company’s merger with Creek Road Miners, Inc. was determined to be a reverse asset acquisition and resulted in Prairie Operating Co., LLC being the accounting acquirer. The Company used the cost accumulation method to determine the cost of the acquisition as well as determining the cost of the acquisition to be recorded as the acquired asset value. Auditing the Company’s determination of the transaction as a reverse asset acquisition and evaluating the acquired assets value required auditor judgment in assessing and concluding the appropriateness of management determinations that the transaction is not a business combination but rather a reverse asset acquisition as well as determining the cost of the acquisition to be recorded as the acquired asset value. How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit Our audit procedures related to the determination that the Creek Road Miners, Inc. merger transaction is a reverse asset acquisition and evaluating the acquired assets value included the following, among others: ● We read the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger to identify and assess the relevant terms and conditions to evaluate the appropriateness of management’s accounting treatment. ● We evaluated the appropriateness of management’s determination that the transaction is a reverse asset acquisition by assessing the reasonableness of the qualitative and quantitative considerations utilized in determining that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed do not constitute a business (does not have inputs, processes and outputs) and that Prairie Operating Co., LLC is considered the accounting acquirer. ● We evaluated management’s determination of the acquired assets value by assessing the appropriateness of the cost accumulation method used by management and by evaluating the appropriateness of management’s conclusion that the fair value of the consideration paid will be based on the fair value of the common stock retained by Creek Road Miners, Inc. stockholders, Series D Preferred Stock issued and transaction costs. 63 Fair Value – Financial Instruments (AR Debentures and Series D Preferred Stock) - Refer to Note 2, Note 3, Note 8 and Note 10 to the financial statements Critical Audit Matter Description As described in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company issued 4,432 shares of Series D Preferred Stock as consideration in the merger transaction with Creek Road Miners, Inc. The Company utilized a complex valuation technique with unobservable inputs to determine the fair value of the Series D Preferred Stock. As described in Note 3, Note 8 and Note 10 to the financial statements, in connection with the merger transaction with Creek Road Miners, Inc., the Company assumed AR Debentures in an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 million. The Company determined that the AR Debentures contained certain features that required bifurcation and separate accounting as embedded derivatives. The Company elected to measure the AR Debentures in their entirety at fair value. The principal consideration for our determination that the valuation of the AR Debentures and Series D Preferred Stock is a critical audit matter are the significant judgments by management necessary in the selection of valuation techniques and assumptions with significant unobservable inputs to estimate the fair value. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and extensive audit effort, including the need to involve fair value specialists who possess significant quantitative and modeling expertise, to audit and evaluate the appropriateness of these models and inputs. How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit Our audit procedures related to the valuation of the AR Debentures and Series D Preferred Stock included the following, among others: ● We obtained an understanding of the design of the Company’s controls over the valuation of the AR Debentures and Series D Preferred Stock, including controls over management’s review of the valuation model and the significant assumptions used in determining their fair values. ● With the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, we audited the fair value of the embedded conversion option and warrant liability, valuation methodology, and key assumptions used in determining the fair value of the AR Debentures and Series D Preferred Stock by: ○ Evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation model and techniques used in determining fair value; ○ Assessing that the significant valuation assumption inputs of implied volatility and yield are consistent with those that would be used by market participants through the testing of source information, checking the mathematical accuracy of the calculation, and developing independent estimates and comparing to those selected by management, where applicable; and ○ Recalculation of the fair value determined by management to verify its reasonableness. ● We audited the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the significant valuation assumption inputs. /s/ Ham, Langston and Brezina, L.L.P. We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023. Houston, Texas March 18, 2024 64 Prairie Operating Co. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,036,950 $ 79,845 Accounts and other receivable 329,750 — Prepaid expenses 164,391 — Total current assets 13,531,091 79,845 Property and equipment: Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts method of accounting ($ 28,705,404 excluded from amortization at December 31, 2023) 28,705,404 — Cryptocurrency mining equipment 4,293,422 — Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization ( 1,111,115 ) — Total property and equipment, net 31,887,711 Operating lease assets 155,253 — Deferred transaction costs 108,956 1,760,665 Total assets $ 45,683,011 $ 1,840,510 Liabilities and Members’ Deficit/Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 5,374,494 $ 2,219,946 Accrued interest and expenses – related parties — 2,084 Operating lease liabilities, current 41,890 — Total current liabilities 5,416,384 2,222,030 Long-term liabilities: Operating lease liabilities, long-term 93,816 — Total long-term liabilities 93,816 — Total liabilities 5,510,200 2,222,030 Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Members’ deficit — ( 381,520 ) Stockholders’ equity: Series D convertible preferred stock; $ 0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized and 20,627 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023; zero shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 206 — Series E convertible preferred stock; $ 0.01 par value; 50,000 shares authorized and 20,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023; zero shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 200 — Preferred stock value 200 — Common stock; $ 0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized and 9,826,719 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023; zero shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 98,267 — Additional paid-in capital 118,927,814 — Accumulated deficit ( 78,853,677 ) — Total stockholders’ equity 40,172,811 — Total liabilities and members’ deficit/stockholders’ equity $ 45,683,011 $ 1,840,510 See notes to consolidated financial statements 65 Prairie Operating Co. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations Year Ended December 31, 2023 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Revenue: Cryptocurrency mining $ 1,545,792 $ — Operating costs and expenses: Cryptocurrency mining costs 548,617 — Depreciation and amortization 983,788 — General and administrative 16,269,045 461,520 Impairment of cryptocurrency mining equipment 17,072,015 — Exploration 263,757 — Total operating expenses 35,137,222 461,520 Loss from operations ( 33,591,430 ) ( 461,520 ) Other income (expense): Interest income 248,073 — Interest expense ( 121,834 ) — Loss on adjustment to fair value – warrant liabilities ( 39,797,994 ) Loss on adjustment to fair value – AR Debentures ( 3,790,428 ) — Loss on adjustment to fair value – Obligation Shares ( 1,477,103 ) — Liquidated damages ( 548,144 ) — Total other income (expense) ( 45,487,430 ) — Loss from operations before provision for income taxes ( 79,078,860 ) ( 461,520 ) Provision for income taxes — — Net loss $ ( 79,078,860 ) $ ( 461,520 ) Loss per common share: Basic $ ( 16.51 ) $ — Diluted $ ( 16.51 ) $ — Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 4,788,412 — Diluted 4,788,412 — See notes to consolidated financial statements 66 Prairie Operating Co. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Members’ Deficit/Stockholders’ Equity Mezzanine Equity Shareholders’ Equity Series D Preferred Stock Par value $0.01 Series E Preferred Stock Par value $0.01 Series D Preferred Stock Par value $0.01 Series E Preferred Stock Par value $0.01 Common stock Par value $0.01 Members’ Deficit Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount Additional Paid In Capital Accumulated Deficit Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) Balance, June 7, 2022 (date of inception) - - - - - - - - - - - Capital contributions $ 80,000 — $ — — $ — — $ — — $ — — $ — $ — $ — $ — Net loss for the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) to December 31, 2022 ( 461,520 ) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Balance, December 31, 2022 ( 381,520 ) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Balance ( 381,520 ) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Net loss from January 1, 2023 through May 3, 2023 ( 225,185 ) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Balance ( 381,520 ) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Conversion of membership interests 606,705 — — — — — — — — 2,297,668 22,977 ( 629,682 ) — ( 606,705 ) Issuance of common stock to former stockholders of Creek Road Miners upon Merger — — — — — — — — — 3,860,898 38,609 9,889,653 — 9,928,262 Issuance of Series D to PIPE investors, net of issuance costs — — — — — 17,376 174 — — — — 16,447,475 — 16,447,649 Issuance to holders of Convertible Debentures for settlement of Creek Road Miners liabilities — — — — — 4,423 44 — — — — 3,209,152 — 3,209,196 Issuance of common stock and warrants in conjunction with purchase of Exok Option assets — — — — — — — — — 670,499 6,705 7,282,787 — 7,289,492 Issuance of Series E preferred stock, warrants and common stock net of issuance cost — — — — — — — 20,000 200 39,614 396 19,833,811 — 19,834,407 Reclassification (Note 14) — 21,799 21,799,032 20,000 19,999,980 ( 21,799 ) ( 218 ) ( 20,000 ) ( 200 ) — — ( 67,681,928 ) — ( 67,682,346 ) Issuance of Obligation Shares — — — — — — — — — 205,970 2,060 2,004,681 — 2,006,741 Conversion of AR Debentures — — — — — — — — — 400,666 4,007 5,770,755 — 5,774,762 Reclassification (Note 14) — ( 21,799 ) ( 21,799,032 ) ( 20,000 ) ( 19,999,980 ) 21,799 218 20,000 200 — — 107,479,925 — 107,480,343 Conversion of Series D preferred stock — — — — — ( 1,172 ) ( 12 ) — — 234,424 2,343 ( 2,331 ) — — Issuance of common stock upon warrant exercise — — — — — — — — — 2,116,980 21,170 12,428,830 — 12,450,000 Stock based compensation — — — — — — — — — — — 2,894,686 — 2,894,686 B alance ( 381,520 ) — — — — — — — — — — — — — Net loss from May 3, 2023 through December 31, 2023 — — — — — — — — — — — — ( 78,853,677 ) ( 78,853,677 ) Balance, December 31, 2023 $ — — $ — — $ — 20,627 $ 206 20,000 $ 200 9,826,719 $ 98,267 $ 118,927,814 $ ( 78,853,677 ) $ 40,172,811 Balance $ — — — — — 20,627 $ 206 20,000 $ 200 9,826,719 $ 98,267 $ 118,927,814 $ ( 78,853,677 ) $ 40,172,811 See notes to consolidated financial statements 67 Prairie Operating Co. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Year Ended December 31, 2023 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Cash flow from operating activities: Net loss $ ( 79,078,860 ) $ ( 461,520 ) Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 983,788 — Impairment of cryptocurrency mining equipment 17,072,015 — Stock based compensation 2,894,686 — Loss on adjustment to fair value – warrant liabilities 39,797,994 — Loss on adjustment to fair value – AR Debentures 3,790,428 — Loss on adjustment to fair value – Obligation Shares 1,477,103 — Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts and other receivable ( 321,736 ) — Prepaid expenses ( 100,596 ) — Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,562,826 461,365 Accrued interest and expenses – related parties ( 2,084 ) — Other ( 16,419 ) — Net cash used in operating activities ( 11,940,855 ) ( 155 ) Cash flow from investing activities: Acquisition of unproved oil and gas properties ( 21,225,466 ) — Cash paid in reverse asset acquisition, net of cash received ( 1,990,336 ) — Capital investments – E&P ( 190,446 ) — Additions to mining equipment ( 169,098 ) — Deferred transaction costs related to Nickel Road Asset Purchase ( 108,956 ) — Net cash used in investing activities ( 23,684,302 ) — Cash flow from financing activities: Proceeds from the issuance of Series D preferred stock and warrants 17,376,250 — Financing costs associated with issuance of Series D preferred stock and warrants ( 928,395 ) — Proceeds from the issuance of Series E preferred stock, warrants and common stock 20,000,000 — Proceeds from the exercise of Series D B warrants 12,450,000 — Financing costs associated with issuance of Series E preferred stock, warrants and common stock ( 165,593 ) — Payments on long-term debt ( 150,000 ) — Proceeds from the sale of options — 80,000 Net cash provided by financing activities 48,582,262 80,000 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 12,957,105 79,845 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 79,845 — Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 13,036,950 $ 79,845 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes $ — $ — Cash paid for interest $ 120,767 $ — Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activity: Deferred transaction costs associated with the Merger and Exok Transaction $ — $ 1,350,744 Deferred transaction costs associated with the Series D PIPE $ — $ 409,921 Cryptocurrency mining equipment and deposits acquired in the Merger $ 20,760,560 $ — Secured convertible debentures assumed in the Merger $ 1,981,000 $ — SBA loan payable acquired assumed in the Merger $ 150,000 $ — Membership interests converted into shares of common stock $ ( 606,705 ) $ — Common stock issued at Merger $ 9,928,262 $ — Series D Preferred stock issued at Merger $ 3,209,196 $ — Common stock and warrants issued in Exok option acquisition $ 7,289,492 $ — Common stock issued in satisfaction of share issuance obligation $ 2,006,741 $ — Common stock issued in conversion of AR Debentures $ 5,774,761 $ — Reclassification of increase in value of warrant liabilities to equity $ 39,797,994 $ — See notes to consolidated financial statements 68 Prairie Operating Co. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 1. Organization, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Organization On May 3, 2023, we changed our name from Creek Road Miners, Inc. to Prairie Operating Co. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” ) in connection with the Merger (as defined below). The Company was incorporated in Delaware on May 2, 2001. The Company is an independent energy company engaged in oil, natural gas and NGLs development, exploration and production (“E&P”). The Company is also a crypto company focused on cryptocurrency mining. The Company operates in two segments: E&P and cryptocurrency mining. The Merger Agreement and Related Transactions On May 3, 2023, Prairie Operating Co., a Delaware corporation formerly named Creek Road Miners, Inc., completed its previously announced merger with Prairie Operating Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Prairie LLC”), pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 3, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement,” and the closing thereunder, the “Closing”), by and among the Company, Merger Sub and Prairie LLC, pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub merged with and into Prairie LLC, with Prairie LLC surviving and continuing to exist as a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company changed its name from “Creek Road Miners, Inc.” to “Prairie Operating Co.” The Company traded under its former name and ticker symbol “CRKR” until October 16, 2023 and under “CRKRD,” a transitionary ticker symbol, until November 10, 2023. Our common stock (as defined below) began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol “PROP” on November 13, 2023. In December 2023, the Company received approval to list its shares of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market stock exchange (“Nasdaq”) and trading of the Company’s shares of common stock commenced on the Nasdaq on December 28, 2023. On October 16, 2023, the Company effected the Reverse Stock Split at an exchange ratio of 1:28.5714286. Unless otherwise noted, all per share and share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted for the effect of the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented . Upon the Merger, membership interests in Prairie LLC were converted into the right to receive each member’s pro rata share of 2,297,668 shares of common stock of the Company. In addition, the Company consummated the previously announced purchase of oil and gas leases, including all of Exok, Inc.’s, an Oklahoma corporation (“Exok”), right, title and interest in, to and under certain undeveloped oil and gas leases located in Weld County, Colorado, together with certain other associated assets, data and records, from Exok for $ 3.0 million pursuant to the Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2023, by and among the Company, Prairie LLC and Exok. 69 To fund the Exok Transaction, the Company received an aggregate of $ 17.4 million in proceeds from a number of investors (the “Series D PIPE Investors”), and the Series D PIPE Investors were issued Series D preferred stock, par value $ 0.01 per share (“Series D Preferred Stock”), with a stated value of $ 1,000 per share and convertible into shares of common stock at a price of $ 5.00 per share, and 100 % warrant coverage for each of Series A warrants to purchase shares of common stock (the “Series D A Warrants”) and Series B warrants to purchase shares of common stock (the “Series D B Warrants” and together with the Series D A Warrants, the “Series D PIPE Warrants”), in a private placement pursuant (the “Series D PIPE”) to securities purchase agreements entered into with each Series D PIPE Investor. The Merger has been accounted for as a reverse asset acquisition under existing GAAP (as defined below). For accounting purposes, Prairie LLC was treated as acquiring Merger Sub in the Merger. See Note 3 for further discussion. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the financial statements of the Company represent a continuation of the financial statements of Prairie LLC with the acquisition being treated as the equivalent of Prairie LLC issuing stock for the net assets of the Company. At the date of the Merger, the assets and liabilities of the Company were recorded based upon relative fair values, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Exok Option Purchase and Related Transactions On August 14, 2023, Prairie LLC exercised its option in connection with the Exok Transaction and purchased oil and gas leases, including all of Exok’s right, title and interest in, to and under certain undeveloped oil and gas leases located in Weld County, Colorado, together with certain other associated assets, data and records, consisting of approximately 20,328 net mineral acres in, on and under approximately 32,695 gross acres from Exok (the “Exok Option Purchase”). The Company paid $ 18.0 million in cash to Exok and issued equity consideration to certain affiliates of Exok, consisting of (i) 670,499 shares of common stock and (ii) warrants providing the right to purchase 670,499 shares of common stock at $ 7.43 per share (the “Exok Warrants”). To fund the Exok Option Purchase, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Narrogal Nominees Pty Ltd ATF Gregory K O’Neill Family Trust (the “Series E PIPE Investor”) on August 15, 2023, pursuant to which the Series E PIPE Investor agreed to purchase, and the Company agreed to sell to the Series E PIPE Investor, for an aggregate of $ 20.0 million, securities consisting of (i) 39,614 shares of common stock, (ii) 20,000 shares of Series E preferred stock, par value $ 0.01 per share, with a stated value of $ 1,000 per share, convertible into shares of common stock at a price of $ 5.00 per share (“Series E Preferred Stock”), and (iii) Series E A Warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock and Series E B Warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock, each at a price of $ 6.00 per share (collectively, the “Series E PIPE Warrants”), in a private placement (the “Series E PIPE”). The Exok Option Purchase and the Series E PIPE closed on August 15, 2023. Reverse Stock Split and Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation On October 16, 2023, the Company effected the Reverse Stock Split at an exchange ratio of 1:28.5714286. The Company also changed its name from Creek Road Miners, Inc. to Prairie Operating Co. (the “Corporate Name Change”) and changed its ticker symbol from “CRKR” to “PROP” (the “Symbol Change”) on the OTCQB marketplace of OTC Markets. The Reverse Stock Split and the Corporate Name Change became effective on the OTCQB marketplace of OTC Markets on October 16, 2023. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, Corporate Name Change and Symbol Change, the CUSIP number for the Company’s common stock changed to 739650109. Our common stock began trading on the OTCQB under the symbol “PROP” on November 13, 2023. 70 The Certificate of Amendment filed by the Company with the Delaware Secretary of State took effect on October 16, 2023 and, among other things, (i) effected the Reverse Stock Split; and (ii) changed the total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Company shall have authority to issue 155,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 150,000,000 shares of common stock and (b) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $ 0.01 per share. Immediately after the filing of the Certificate of Amendment, the Company filed the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Charter”) with the Delaware Secretary of State, with the Amended and Restated Charter and took effect October 16, 2023, that, among other things, (i) eliminated certain provisions related to shares of preferred stock as a result of the elimination of certain series of preferred stock; (ii) removed provisions providing for action by written consent of stockholders; (iii) included a waiver of the corporate opportunity doctrine; (iv) made certain modifications to the election and removal of directors of the Company; (v) adopted Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain shareholder litigation; and (vi) increased the total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Company shall have authority to issue 550,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 500,000,000 shares of common stock and (b) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. In December 2023, the Company received approval to list its shares of common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market stock exchange (“Nasdaq”) and trading of the Company’s shares of common stock commenced on the Nasdaq on December 28, 2023. Unless otherwise noted, all per share and common stock amounts have been retroactively adjusted for the effect of this Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented. Description of Business E&P We are an independent oil and gas company focused on the acquisition and development of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. We currently hold acreage in the DJ Basin of Colorado that we intend to develop. In addition to growing production through our drilling operations, we also seek to grow our business through accretive acquisitions , including the acquisition of the Genesis Bolt-On Assets in February 2024 and the NRO Acquisition, which was signed in January 2024 (see Note 18). Cryptocurrency Mining Our mining operations commenced on May 3, 2023 concurrent with the Merger. In the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated all of our revenue through our cryptocurrency mining activities from assets we acquired in the Merger. On January 23, 2024, we closed the Crypto Sale in which we sold all of our Mining Equipment and our rights and obligations under the Atlas MSA. Accordingly, we currently do not expect to receive rewards in the form of cryptocurrency in the future. We do not own, control or take custody of Bitcoin. Atlas, our service provider, retained all Bitcoin rewards, deducted a hosting service fee from the monthly total mined currency produced by our miners and remitted the net mined currency to us in cash. We exited cryptocurrency mining upon the January 2024 disposition of our cryptocurrency mining equipment (see Note 18). Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report present the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued. 71 Going Concern Analysis The Company had a net loss of $ 79.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. We cannot predict if we will be profitable. We may continue to incur losses for an indeterminate period of time and may be unable to achieve profitability. An extended period of losses and negative cash flow may prevent us from successfully operating and expanding our business. We may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. At December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $ 13.0 million, working capital of $ 8.1 million, and an accumulated deficit of $ 78.9 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents were reduced by $ 9.9 million due to the payment of the Deposit in connection with the NRO Acquisition and the purchase of the Genesis Bolt-on assets (see Note 18). We expect that our cash balance will decline until we are able to obtain financing through public or private capital markets and/or upon the exercise of common stock warrants. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had common stock warrants with exercise prices of $ 6.00 per share of common stock and expiring through August 2024 (see Note 15) that, if all were exercised, would represent cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $ 32.4 million. Based on recent and current prices of the Company’s common stock, the Company expects such warrants to be exercised. The Company has received $ 1.2 million of cash proceeds from such warrant exercises in the period from January 1, 2024 through March 15, 2024. However, there is no assurance that the remainder of such common stock warrants will ultimately be exercised. The assessment of liquidity and going concern requires the Company to make estimates of future activity and judgments about whether the Company can meet its obligations and has adequate liquidity to operate. Significant assumptions used in the Company’s forecasted model of liquidity in the next 12 months include our current cash position and our ability to manage spending. Based on an assessment of these factors, management believes that the Company will have adequate liquidity for its operations for at least 12 months from the date the Company’s financial statements are issued. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets, or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the matters discussed herein. Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The accompanying financial statements are consolidated and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. These estimates and assumptions include estimates for reserves of uncollectible accounts, accruals for potential liabilities, estimates and assumptions made in valuing assets and debt instruments issued in the Merger, and realization of deferred tax assets. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high quality financial institutions and at times may exceed the FDIC $ 250,000 insurance limit. All of the Company’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 was generated from its cryptocurrency mining business under a contract with Atlas (described below). We were wholly reliant on Atlas to operate our miners on a daily basis. The Company does not anticipate incurring any losses related to these credit risks. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are defined by the Company as short-term, highly liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less and deposits in money market mutual funds that are readily convertible into cash. Management considers cash and cash equivalents to have minimal credit and market risk. The Company had $ 13.0 million and $ 79,845 in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. 72 Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable represents revenue recognized, but for which payment has not yet been received. All of the Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2023 is from Atlas. No allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Property and equipment E&P . We follow the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, exploration costs such as exploratory geological and geophysical costs, expiration of unproved leasehold, delay rentals and exploration overhead are expensed as incurred. All costs related to production, general corporate overhead and similar activities are also expensed as incurred. All property acquisition costs and development costs are capitalized when incurred. Exploratory drilling costs are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending the determination of proved reserves. If proved reserves are found, drilling costs remain capitalized and are classified as proved properties. Costs of unsuccessful wells are charged to exploration expense. For exploratory wells that find reserves that cannot be classified as proved when drilling is completed, costs continue to be capitalized as suspended exploratory drilling costs if there have been sufficient reserves found to justify completion as a producing well and sufficient progress is being made in assessing the reserves and the economic and operational viability of the project. If we determine that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated suspended exploratory well costs are expensed. In some instances, this determination may take longer than one year. We review the status of all suspended exploratory drilling costs quarterly. Costs to develop proved reserves, including the costs of all development wells and related equipment used in the production of natural gas and oil, are capitalized. Costs of drilling and equipping successful wells, costs to construct or acquire facilities, and associated asset retirement costs are depreciated using the unit-of-production (“UOP”) method based on total estimated proved developed oil and natural gas reserves. Costs of acquiring proved properties, including leasehold acquisition costs transferred from unproved properties, are depleted using the UOP method based on total estimated proved developed and undeveloped reserves. Proceeds from the sales of individual oil and natural gas properties and the capitalized costs of individual properties sold or abandoned are credited and charged, respectively, to accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, if doing so does not materially impact the depletion rate of an amortization base. Generally, no gain or loss is recognized until an entire amortization base is sold. However, a gain or loss is recognized from the sale of less than an entire amortization base if the disposition is significant enough to materially impact the depletion rate of the remaining properties in the amortization base. When circumstances indicate that the carrying value of proved oil and natural gas properties may not be recoverable, we compare unamortized capitalized costs to the expected undiscounted pre-tax future cash flows for the associated assets grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent of cash flows of other assets. If the expected undiscounted pre-tax future cash flows, based on our estimate of future crude oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, anticipated production from proved reserves and other relevant data, are lower than the unamortized capitalized costs, the capitalized costs are reduced to fair value. Fair value is generally estimated using the income approach described in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements. If applicable, we utilize prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving assets and liabilities that are identical or comparable to the item being measured as the basis for determining fair value. The expected future cash flows used for impairment reviews and related fair value measurements are typically based on judgmental assessments of commodity prices, pricing adjustments for differentials, operating costs, capital investment plans, future production volumes, and estimated proved reserves, considering all available information at the date of review. These assumptions are applied to develop future cash flow projections that are then discounted to estimated fair value, using a market-based weighted average cost of capital. 73 Cryptocurrency Mining . Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 2 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the related assets, or the lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred while renewals and betterments are capitalized. Gains and losses on disposals are included in the consolidated statements of operations. Cryptocurrency mining assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If there is an indication of impairment, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the asset, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists, pursuant to the provisions of ASC 360-10 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.” If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including a discounted value of estimated future cash flows and fundamental analysis. Leases The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at its inception or as a result of an acquisition. A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration. A right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability are recognized on the balance sheet at commencement at an amount based on the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term as determined using the implicit rate of the lease. Operating right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not have any finance leases as of December 31, 2023. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis, and variable lease payments are recognized in the period as incurred. Certain leases contain both lease and non-lease components. The Company has chosen to account for the lease and non-lease components separately. The Company leases office space and vehicles under non-cancelable operating leases expiring through 2027. Certain lease agreements include options to renew the lease, early terminate the lease or purchase the underlying asset(s). The Company determines the lease term at the lease commencement date as the non-cancelable period of the lease, including options to extend or terminate the lease when such an option is reasonably certain to be exercised. Warrant liabilities The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued private placement stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to GAAP. The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable GAAP. Management’s assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments, whether they meet the definition of a liability, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification. For warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, they are recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For warrants that are precluded from equity classification, they are recorded as a liability at their fair value on the date of such classification and subject to remeasurement on each balance sheet date with changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants to be recognized in the statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no liability-classified warrants. See Note 14 for additional information. 74 Commitments and Contingencies The Company recognizes a liability for loss contingencies when it believes it is probable a liability has been incurred, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If some amount within a range of loss appears at the time to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the Company accrues that amount. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount the Company accrues the minimum amount in the range. Revenue Recognition The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The underlying principle of ASC 606 is to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at the amount expected to be collected. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five steps in order to determine the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as we fulfill our obligations under each of our agreements: ● identify the contract with a customer; ● identify the performance obligations in the contract; ● determine the transaction price; ● allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and ● recognize revenue as the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s cryptocurrency mining assets that are in service are operating under a contract with Atlas Power Hosting, LLC (“Atlas”) whereby Atlas hosts, operates, and manages the Company’s assets. The Company receives payment in U.S. dollars for the daily net mining revenue representing the dollar value of the cryptocurrency award generated less power and other costs. The Company does not currently receive or own cryptocurrencies under this contract. Cryptocurrency Mining Costs The Company’s cryptocurrency mining costs consist primarily of direct costs under the Atlas contract described above, but exclude depreciation and amortization, which are separately stated in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Income taxes We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. At December 31, 2023, the Company had a full valuation allowance to offset its net deferred tax assets. Prairie LLC was a flow-through entity not subject to income taxes as of December 31, 2022 and for the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022. 75 Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share The two-class method of computing earnings per share is required for entities that have participating securities. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for participating securities according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Our Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock are participating securities. These participating securities do not have a contractual obligation to share in the Company’s losses. Therefore, in periods of net loss, no portion of such losses are allocated to participating securities. Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding each period. Dilutive EPS is calculated by dividing adjusted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding each period, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities for the diluted EPS calculation consists of (i) Series D Preferred Stock, (ii) Series E Preferred Stock (iii) warrants for common stock and (iv) exercisable common stock options. Diluted EPS reflects the dilutive effect of the participating securities using the two-class method or the treasury stock method, whichever is more dilutive. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders is the same for the year ended December 31, 2023 because the Company has only incurred losses and all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders at December 31, 2023 because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive are as follows: Schedule of Anti-dilutive Securities Excluded from Earnings Per Share Potentially Dilutive Security Quantity Stated Value Per Share Total Value or Stated Value Assumed Conversion Price Resulting Common Shares Merger Options and restricted stock units (1) 8,547,574 $ — $ — $ — 547,574 Common stock warrants 386,569,653 — — — 13,529,938 Series D preferred stock 20,627 1,000 20,627,130 5.00 4,125,426 Series E preferred stock 20,000 1,000 20,000,000 5.00 4,000,000 Total 22,202,938 (1) Not exercisable or vested as of December 31, 2023 (see Notes 15 and 16). For the period ended December 31, 2022, there were no potentially dilutive units exercisable and outstanding. Share sequencing During the year ended December 31, 2023 and without consideration of the Reverse Stock Split, there were insufficient authorized and unissued shares of common stock for the Company to satisfy all of its commitments to deliver shares. The Company adopted a sequencing policy to determine how to allocate authorized and unissued shares among commitments to deliver shares pursuant to ASC 815-40. The sequence is based upon reclassifying securities with the latest maturity date first. The sequencing order during the year ended December 31, 2023 and its effects are further described in Note 14. Related Parties The Company follows ASC 850-10, Related Parties, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions. Pursuant to Section 850-10-20, the related parties include: (a) affiliates of the Company (“affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person, any other person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)); (b) entities for which investments in their equity securities would be required, absent the election of the fair value option under the Fair Value Option Subsection of Section 825-10-15, to be accounted for by the equity method by the investing entity; (c) trusts for the benefit of employees, such as pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of management; (d) principal owners of the Company; (e) management of the Company; (f) other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests; and (g) other parties that can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or that have an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. 76 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements. Note 3. Purchase Price Allocation Under the terms of the Merger, the Company issued 2,297,668 shares of common stock to the members of Prairie LLC in exchange for all of the membership interests of Prairie LLC. Additionally and as a condition of the Merger, 4,423 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were issued to holders of the AR Debentures. The purchase price is calculated based on the fair value of the common stock that the Company’s stockholders immediately prior to the Merger own after the Merger and the fair value of the Series D Preferred Stock issued to the holders of the AR Debentures. With no active trading market for membership interests of Prairie LLC, the fair value of the common stock represents a more reliable measure of the fair value of consideration transferred in the Merger and because it is based upon a quoted price in an active market it is a Level 1 fair value calculation. The fair value of the 4,423 shares of Series D Preferred Stock was determined using a valuation model with unobservable inputs and is a Level 3 fair value calculation. The total purchase price and allocated purchase price is summarized as follows: Schedule of Total Purchase Price Number of shares of common stock of the combined company owned by the Company’s stockholders immediately prior to the merger (1) 3,860,898 Multiplied by the fair value per share of common stock (2) $ 2.57 Fair value of the Company’s pre-Merger common stock 9,928,262 Number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued to effectuate the Merger 4,423 Multiplied by the fair value per share (3) $ 725.57 Fair value of Series D Preferred Stock issued as consideration 3,209,196 Prairie LLC Transaction costs (4) 2,032,696 Purchase price $ 15,170,154 (1) Represents the historical shares of the common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Closing of the Merger on May 3, 2023. (2) Based on the last reported sale price of the common stock on OTC Capital Markets on May 3, 2023, the closing date of the Merger (the “Closing Date”). (3) Fair value calculated as described above on May 3, 2023. (4) Prairie LLC transaction costs consist primarily of legal expenses incurred by Prairie LLC. The transaction costs have been reflected as an increase in the purchase price. 77 The purchase price for the Merger was allocated to the net assets acquired on the basis of relative fair values. The fair values of the current assets acquired and current liabilities (excluding the convertible debentures) assumed in the Merger were determined to approximate carrying value due to their short-term nature. The fair values of the mining equipment were determined using estimated replacement values of the same or similar equipment and, as such, are Level 3 fair value calculations. The fair value of the secured convertible debentures was calculated as described above. The fair value of the share issuance liability was calculated based on the quoted price of the Company’s common stock and, as such, is a Level 1 measurement on the fair value hierarchy. The following summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired. Schedule of Allocation of Purchase Price to Net Assets Acquired Purchase Price Allocation: May 3, 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ 42,360 Accounts receivable 8,014 Prepaid expenses 63,795 Mining equipment (1) 18,140,874 Deposits on mining equipment 2,928,138 Accounts payable and accrued expenses ( 3,352,389 ) Secured convertible debentures ( 1,981,000 ) SBA loan payable ( 150,000 ) Share issuance liability ( 529,638 ) Net assets acquired $ 15,170,154 (1) In accordance with GAAP for asset acquisitions, the excess purchase price over the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities was ascribed to the property and equipment acquired. See Note 4 for additional discussion of the subsequent impairment recognized. Note 4. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consisted of the following: Schedule of Property and Equipment December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 E&P Proved properties $ — $ — Unproved properties 28,705,404 — Total capitalized costs 28,705,404 — Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization — — Net capitalized costs $ 28,705,404 $ — Cryptocurrency Mining Cryptocurrency miners $ 4,146,687 $ — Mobile data centers 146,735 — Total 4,293,422 — Less: Accumulated depreciation ( 1,111,115 ) — Net, property and equipment $ 3,182,307 $ — On August 15, 2023, the Company exercised its option under the Exok Transaction to purchase approximately 20,328 net mineral acres in, on and under approximately 32,695 additional gross acres from Exok (the “Exok Option Assets”). The acquisition cost of this acreage was $ 25.3 million consisting of (i) $ 18.0 million in cash (the “Cash Consideration”), (ii) issuance of 670,499 shares of the Company’s common stock and Exok Warrants to purchase 670,499 shares of common stock for an aggregate value of $ 7.3 million, and (iii) direct transaction costs. The Cash Consideration was funded from the Series E PIPE (see Note 13). In conjunction with the Merger, the Company recorded the cryptocurrency mining equipment assumed in the Merger. In accordance with GAAP for asset acquisitions, the excess purchase price over the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities was ascribed to the property and equipment acquired. Due to the significant excess purchase price being allocated over the fair value of the acquired property and equipment, the Company determined that an indicator of impairment was present. The Company therefore recognized an impairment of $ 16.6 million to bring the carrying amount of the acquired property and equipment down to its estimated fair value of $ 1.5 million. Additionally and upon the receipt of cryptocurrency mining equipment and transfer from deposits to property and equipment (See Note 5), the Company recognized an additional impairment of $ 0.2 million related to shipping and customs fees on this equipment incurred subsequent to the Merger. 78 Note 5. Deposits on Cryptocurrency Mining Equipment Deposits on cryptocurrency mining equipment, consisted of the following: Schedule of Cryptocurrency Mining Equipment Cryptocurrency Miners Mobile Data Centers Total December 31, 2022 $ — $ — $ — Beginning balance $ — $ — $ — Deposits acquired upon Merger 2,778,138 150,000 2,928,138 Deposits on equipment during the period — — — Equipment delivered and transferred to mining equipment ( 2,778,138 ) — ( 2,778,138 ) Impairment — ( 150,000 ) ( 150,000 ) December 31, 2023 $ — $ — $ — Ending balance $ — $ — $ — All deposits resulted from the Merger and there were no such deposits as of December 31, 2022. Note 6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses The following table provides detail of the Company’s accounts payable and accrued expenses for the periods presented: Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Accounts payable $ 2,295,575 $ — Accrued legal and accounting fees 200,641 2,219,646 Incentive compensation 1,925,191 — Other 953,087 300 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 5,374,494 $ 2,219,946 Note 7. Related Party Transactions Merger Consideration At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), Edward Kovalik (Chief Executive Officer and Chairman) and Gary C. Hanna (President and Director) were each issued 1,148,834 shares of common stock as merger consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Series D PIPE Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd. (“Bristol Investment Fund”), an entity affiliated with Paul L. Kessler, a director of the Company, purchased $ 1,250,000 of Series D Preferred Stock and Series D PIPE Warrants in the Series D PIPE. First Idea Ventures LLC, an entity affiliated with Jonathan H. Gray, a director of the Company, purchased $ 750,000 of Series D Preferred Stock and Series D PIPE Warrants in the Series D PIPE Transaction. First Idea International Ltd. (included with First Idea Ventures LLC, “the First Idea Entities”), an entity affiliated with Jonathan H. Gray, purchased $ 254,875 of Series D Preferred Stock and Series D PIPE Warrants from another holder. 79 Liquidated damages of $ 548,144 were paid under the registration rights agreement associated with the Series D PIPE for the year ended December 31, 2023. Of this total, $ 46,229 was paid to Bristol Investment Fund and $ 31,767 was paid to the First Idea Entities. Stockholders Agreement Prior to the Effective Time, the Company, Bristol Capital Advisors, LLC (“Bristol Capital Advisors”), Paul L. Kessler, Gary C. Hanna and Edward Kovalik entered into a Stockholders Agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to use reasonable best efforts, including taking certain necessary actions, to cause the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) to cause certain nominees to be elected to serve as a director on the Board under the following conditions: (i) one nominee designated by Bristol Capital Advisors and Paul L. Kessler, collectively, so long as Bristol Capital Advisors, Paul L. Kessler and their respective affiliates collectively beneficially own at least 50% of the number of shares of common stock collectively beneficially owned by such parties on the Closing Date and (ii) (A) four nominees designated by Gary C. Hanna and Edward Kovalik (the “Prairie Members”) so long as the Prairie Members and their affiliates collectively beneficially own at least 50% of the number of shares of common stock collectively beneficially owned by such parties on the Closing Date; (B) three nominees designated by the Prairie Members so long as the Prairie Members and their affiliates collectively beneficially own at least 40% (but less than 50%) of the number of shares of common stock collectively beneficially owned by such parties on the Closing Date; (C) two nominees designated by the Prairie Members so long as the Prairie Members and their affiliates collectively beneficially own at least 30% (but less than 40%) of the number of shares of common stock collectively beneficially owned by such parties on the Closing Date; or (D) one nominee designated by the Prairie Members so long as the Prairie Members and their affiliates collectively beneficially own at least 20% (but less than 30%) of the number of shares of common stock collectively beneficially owned by such parties on the Closing Date . Lock-up Agreements In connection with the Closing, the Company entered into lock-up agreements with the Prairie Members, Paul Kessler, John D. Maatta, Michael Breen (former director), Alan Urban (former Chief Financial Officer) and Scott Sheikh (former Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel), that impose limitations on any sale of shares of common stock until 180 days after the Closing, subject to certain exceptions. These agreements expired in November 2023. In addition, the Company entered into a lock-up agreement with Bristol Investment Fund that impose limitations on any sale of an aggregate of 50% of its shares of common stock until 120 days after the Closing, subject to certain exceptions, and Bristol Investment Fund agreed, subject to such lock-up, to effect only open market sales and not to sell an aggregate daily amount of shares of common stock exceeding 1%, for every $ 100,000 invested in the Series D PIPE, of the average daily volume of the trading day on which the open market sales of the shares of common stock occurs. This agreement expired in September 2023. Amended and Restated Senior Secured Convertible Debenture and Amended and Restated Security Agreement In connection with the Closing, the Company entered into the AR Debentures as further described in Note 8. Amended and Restated Non-Compensatory Option Agreement Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company assumed and converted options to purchase membership interests of Prairie LLC outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Merger into non-compensatory options to acquire an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of common stock for $ 7.14 per share, which are only exercisable if specific production hurdles are achieved, and the Company entered into option agreements with each of Gary C. Hanna, Edward Kovalik, Paul Kessler and BOKA Energy LP, a third-party investor (the “Option Agreements”) as further described in Note 15. On August 30, 2023, the Company, Gary C. Hanna, Edward Kovalik, Bristol Capital and Georgina Asset Management entered into a non-compensatory option purchase agreement, pursuant to which Georgina Asset Management agreed to purchase, and each of the Sellers agreed to sell to Georgina Asset Management, Non-Compensatory Options to acquire an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock for the Option Purchase. The Option Purchase closed on August 30, 2023. In connection with the Option Purchase, the Company entered into an amendment to the Option Agreements with each of the Sellers (or an assignee thereof) to reflect that each Seller owns a lesser number of Non-Compensatory Options after the Option Purchase. Reimbursements Following the Merger, on May 5, 2023, the Board approved a one-time payment of $ 250,000 for each of Edward Kovalik and Gary Hanna as former members of Prairie LLC and Paul Kessler, former Chairman of the Company, and all of whom are current members of the Board of Directors. These payments were made in light of the significant unpaid time and resources expended by each of these parties to finalize the Merger, including extensive travel, due diligence, negotiation, structuring, legal management and investment banking disciplines. 80 Series E PIPE To fund the Exok Option Purchase, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with the Series E PIPE Investor on August 15, 2023, pursuant to which the Series E PIPE Investor agreed to purchase, and the Company agreed to sell to the Series E PIPE Investor, for an aggregate of $ 20.0 million, securities consisting of (i) 39,614 shares of common stock, (ii) 20,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock, and (iii) Series E PIPE Warrants to purchase 8,000,000 shares of common stock, each at a price of $ 6.00 per share, in a private placement. In connection with the Series E PIPE and the Exok Option Purchase, the Company entered into the Series E Registration Rights Agreement with the Series E PIPE Investor and Exok affiliates pursuant to which the Company agreed to submit to or file with the SEC a registration statement registering the resale of the shares of common stock issued to Exok (the “Exok Shares”), shares of common stock underlying the Series E Preferred Stock and Series E PIPE Warrants, Exok Shares and shares of common stock underlying the Exok Warrants. Such registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 5, 2023. Exercise of Series D B Warrants On November 13, 2023, Narrogal Nominees Pty Ltd ATF Gregory K O’Neill Family Trust (“O’Neill Trust”) delivered notice to the Company of the exercise of Series D B Warrants to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $ 6.00 per share for total proceeds to the Company of $ 12 million (the “Warrant Exercise”). These warrants were originally issued on May 3, 2023, in connection with the Series D PIPE Note 8. Debt Amended and Restated Senior Secured Convertible Debentures In connection with the Merger, the Company entered into debentures due December 31, 2023 with each of Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd. (“Bristol”) and Barlock 2019 Fund, LP (“Barlock”), in the principal amount of $ 1,000,000 (“AR Debentures”). Bristol is controlled by Paul L. Kessler who was the Executive Chairman of the Company at the time of the Merger and is a current member of our Board of Directors. Barlock is controlled by Scott D. Kaufman who is a former President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company. The AR Debentures will accrue interest on the aggregate unconverted and then outstanding principal amount of the debentures at the rate of 12 % per annum. Interest is payable quarterly on (i) January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, beginning on May 3, 2023, (ii) each date the AR Debentures are converted into common stock (as to that principal amount then being converted), (iii) the day that is at least five trading days following the Company’s notice to redeem some or all of the then outstanding principal of the AR Debentures (only as to that principal amount then being redeemed), which may be provided at any time after the Company’s common stock is listed or quoted for trading on the NYSE American (or any successor thereto) or any other national securities exchange, and (iv) the maturity date. In October 2023, conversion notices were received from holders of the AR Debentures and the Company issued 400,666 shares of common stock to affect the conversion. This represented the full conversion of the AR Debentures, together with accrued interest due to one of the holders. The Company determined that the AR Debentures contain certain features that require bifurcation and separate accounting as embedded derivatives. As such, the Company elected to initially and subsequently measure the AR Debentures in their entirety at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in accordance with ASC 815. The fair value of the AR Debentures increased to $ 5.8 million at the date of their conversion representing an increase of $ 3.8 million from the date of the Merger and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. 81 SBA Loan Upon the Merger, the Company assumed a loan agreement with the SBA. The loan accrued interest at a rate of 3.75 % and was scheduled to mature in June 2050. The Company elected to fully repay the SBA loan and accrued interest in September 2023. The Company had no debt outstanding at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. Note 9. Leases The Company’s right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized on the accompanying balance sheets based on the present value of the expected lease payments over the lease term. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any finance leases. The following table summarizes the Company’s operating leases: Schedule of Operating Leases Right of Use Asset As of December 31, 2023 2022 Operating Leases Vehicles $ 155,253 $ — Total right-of-use asset $ 155,253 $ — Vehicles $ 135,706 $ — Total lease liability $ 135,706 $ — The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s lease costs incurred for the periods below: Schedule of Components of Lease Costs Year Ended December 31, 2023 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Operating lease cost $ 3,484 $ — Short-term lease cost 59,865 — Total lease cost $ 63,349 $ — The Company recognizes operating lease cost on a straight-line basis. Short-term lease costs are recognized as incurred and represent payments for office leases with a lease term of one year or less. The Company’s weighted-average remaining lease terms and discount rates as of December 31, 2023 are as follows: Operating Leases Weighted-average lease term (years) 3.0 Weighted-average discount rate 10.2 % 82 Future commitments by year for the Company’s leases with a lease term of one year or more as of December 31, 2023 are presented in the table below. Such commitments are reflected at undiscounted values and are reconciled to the discounted present value recognized on the accompanying balance sheets as follows: Schedule of Future Commitments of Operating Lease Liabilities Operating Leases 2024 $ 53,798 2025 53,798 2026 49,951 Total lease payments 157,547 Less: imputed interest ( 21,841 ) Total lease liability $ 135,706 Supplemental cash flow disclosures related to leases are presented below: Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Related to Leases Year Ended December 31, 2023 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities - operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,924 $ — Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating liabilities $ 158,531 $ — Note 10. Fair Value Measurements Fair value of financial instruments ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as an exit price representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 valuations – Consist of o bservable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the reporting date. Level 2 valuations – Consist of observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. These are inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 3 valuations – Consist of unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data and may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. For debt and warrant liabilities, the following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair value: Debt: Through September 2023, the fair value of the Company’s AR Debentures (as defined below) was based on a widely accepted valuation methodology that utilizes (i) the Company’s common stock price, (ii) value of the debt component, and (iii) the value of the equity component. The key unobservable inputs in the valuation model are the volatility that is appropriate to use in the Company stock price and the yield that is appropriate for the Company. These inputs could change significantly and result in significantly higher or lower fair values at different measurement dates. The Company considers the fair value of its debt to be a Level 3 measurement on the fair value hierarchy. At conversion on October 11, 2023, the fair value was determined using the Company’s common stock price. Warrant liabilities: The fair value of the Company’s warrant liabilities is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model incorporates certain assumptions for inputs including a risk-free market interest rate, expected dividend yield of the underlying common stock, expected warrant life, and expected volatility in the market value of the underlying common stock. 83 There were no assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Senior convertible debentures The significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 fair value measurement of the senior convertible debentures as of May 3, 2023 (date of the Merger) and their values are as follows: Schedule of Senior Convertible Debentures May 3, 2023 Volatility 75 % Yield 20.00 % Fair value measurements of senior convertible debentures 20.00 % Volatility was estimated using stock price volatility of the Company and a set of peer companies over a lookback period equal to the time to maturity. Yields were estimated using a range of 15.00 % to 25.00 % at May 3, 2023. The table below provides a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 senior convertible debentures for the year ended December 31, 2023. The debentures were converted on October 11, 2023 and fair value at such date was estimated using the Company’s common stock price, which is a Level 1 valuation. There were no Level 3 liabilities in the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022. Schedule of Fair Value For Level 3 Liabilities Year Ended December 31, 2023 Balance at beginning of year $ — Senior convertible debentures assumed in the Merger 1,981,000 Losses reported in earnings 3,790,428 Conversion to common stock ( 5,771,428 ) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ — Warrant liabilities The estimated fair value of the warrant liabilities at various dates during the year ended December 31, 2023 through when they were reclassified into equity (see Note 14) was determined using Level 3 inputs. Inherent in a Black-Scholes option-pricing model are assumptions used in calculating the estimated fair values which represent the Company’s best estimate. However, inherent uncertainties are involved. If factors or assumptions change, the estimated fair values could be materially different. The following table summarizes the Company’s assumptions used in the valuation of warrant liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no warrant liabilities at December 31, 2023 or 2022. Schedule of Valuation of Warrant Liabilities Stock price $ 6.71 – 14.71 Option exercise price $ 6.00 Expected term (years) 4.56 – 5.00 Volatility 75.0 % Discount rate 4.27 % - 4.58 % The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Level 3 warrant liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no Level 3 liabilities in the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022. Schedule of Changes in Fair Value in Warrant Liabilities Year Ended December 31, 2023 Balance at beginning of period $ — Reclassification to warrant liabilities 25,883,095 Change in estimate fair value 39,797,994 Reclassification to equity ( 65,681,089 ) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ — 84 Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies The Company is subject to various litigation, claims and proceedings, that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company recognizes a liability for such loss contingencies when it believes it is probable a liability has been incurred, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If some amount within a range of loss appears at the time to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the Company accrues that amount. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount the Company accrues the minimum amount in the range. The outcomes of any such currently pending matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Note 12. Income Taxes The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of the following components. Schedule of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2023 Current U.S. Federal — State — Total Current — Deferred U.S. Federal — State — Total Deferred — Total provision (benefit) for income taxes — The income tax (benefit) provision for the year ended December 31, 2022 is not presented as Prairie LLC was a flow-through entity not subject to income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2022. The following reconciles the provision (benefit) for income taxes included in the consolidated statement of operations with the provision (benefit) which would result from the application of the statutory federal income tax rate: Schedule of Reconciliation of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2023 Income tax expense (benefit) at federal statutory rate $ ( 16,606,561 ) State tax expense (benefit), net ( 3,111,717 ) Loss on adjustment to fair value 11,030,238 Other nondeductible expenses 510,661 Change in valuation allowance 8,177,379 Total provision (benefit) for income taxes $ — Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The Company’s deferred tax assets have been reduced by a valuation allowance due to a determination made that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred assets will not be realized based on the weight of all available evidence. The Company closely monitors and weighs all available evidence, including both positive and negative, in making its determination whether to maintain a valuation allowance. As a result of the significant weight placed on the Company’s cumulative negative earnings position, the Company’s net deferred tax asset has been reduced by a full valuation allowance as of December 31, 2023. Temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2023: Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities Year Ended December 31, 2023 Deferred tax assets Property and equipment $ 3,890,639 Stock-based compensation 727,829 Federal NOL carryforward 7,488,580 State NOL carryforward 1,923,870 Valuation allowance ( 13,926,989 ) Total deferred tax assets $ 103,929 Deferred tax liabilities Lease asset (net) $ ( 4,784 ) Investment in partnership ( 99,145 ) Total deferred tax liabilities $ ( 103,929 ) Net deferred tax liability $ — The Company has U.S. federal income tax net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of approximately $ 33.3 million available to reduce future U.S. taxable income. Of the $ 33.3 million of federal NOLs, $ 8.9 million expire during the years 2030 through 2037, while $ 24.4 million do not have an expiration date. In addition, the Company has approximately $ 42.6 million of state NOLs of which $ 21.5 million expire during the years 2040 through 2043, while $ 21.1 million do not have an expiration date. The Company believes that it is likely that an ownership change as defined in Section 382 of the Code has occurred. If the Company has experienced such an ownership change, utilization of the NOLs would be subject to an annual limitation, which is determined by first multiplying the value of our stock at the time of the ownership change by the applicable long-term, tax-exempt rate, and then could be subject to additional adjustments, as required. Any such limitation may result in the expiration of a portion of the NOL before utilization. Any carryforwards that expire prior to utilization as a result of the limitation will be removed from deferred tax assets with a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions and is subject to examination in the various jurisdictions in which the Company files. The Company’s tax years 2020 to present remain open for federal examination. Additionally, tax years 2010 through 2019 remain subject to examination for the purpose of determining the amount of federal NOL. The number of years open for state tax audits varies, depending on the state, but is generally from three to five years . The Company did no t have any unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2023. 85 Note 13. Preferred Stock Series D The Company has authorized 50,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with a par value of $ 0.01 and a stated value of $ 1,000 . No dividends are to be paid other than in those in the same form as dividends actually paid on common stock other than any adjustments related to stock dividends or stock splits. This Series D Preferred Stock has no voting rights. However, as long as any such shares are outstanding, the Company must seek approval from holders of Series D Preferred Stock of at least 66% of the then outstanding shares in order to (a) alter or change the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series D Preferred Stock in a materially adverse manner, (b) authorize or create any class of stock ranking as to dividends, redemption or distribution of assets upon a liquidation senior to, or otherwise pari passu with, the Series D Preferred Stock, (c) amend its certificate of incorporation or other charter documents in any manner that materially adversely affects any rights of the holders, (d) increase the number of authorized shares of Series D Preferred Stock, or (e) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Each share of Series D Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into the number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the stated value of such share of $ 1,000 by $ 5.00 , subject to adjustment by certain events as defined in the certificate of designation. If the average price of the Company’s common stock, as defined and calculated, for any 22 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period exceeds $ 8.50 , subject to adjustment, the Company can require conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock into common stock subject to certain conditions including stock trading volumes and existence of an effective registration statement for such converted shares. At any time on or after May 3, 2025, the Company may also redeem some or all outstanding Series D Preferred Stock for $ 1,050 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends and any other amounts due in respect of the Series D Preferred Stock. Such redemption is subject to certain conditions including stock trading volumes and existence of an effective registration statement. The Company received an aggregate of $ 17.4 million in proceeds from the Series D PIPE Investors who were issued 17,376 shares of Series D Preferred Stock along with Series D A Warrants to purchase 3,475,250 shares of the Company’s common stock and Series D B warrants to purchase 3,475,250 shares of common stock. See Note 15 for a further description of the Series D PIPE Warrants. The Company entered into registration rights agreements with each Series D PIPE Investor whereby the Company is required to pay liquidated damages if the resale of the underlying shares of common stock is not registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission by August 31, 2023. The Company paid a total of $ 548,144 of such damages for the year ended December 31, 2023 before the resale registration statement with respect to such shares was declared effective in December 2023. Additionally and upon the Merger, holders of the AR Debentures were issued 4,423 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. No warrants were issued with or are associated with these shares. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were conversions of 1,172 shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 234,424 shares of common stock. There were 20,627 shares of Series D Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2023. Series E The Company has authorized 50,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock with a par value of $ 0.01 and a stated value of $ 1,000 . No dividends are to be paid other than in those in the same form as dividends actually paid on common stock other than any adjustments related to stock dividends or stock splits. This Series E Preferred Stock has no voting rights. However, as long as any such shares are outstanding, the Company must seek approval from holders of Series E Preferred Stock of at least 66% of the then outstanding shares in order to (a) alter or change the powers, preferences or rights given to the Series E Preferred Stock in a materially adverse manner, (b) authorize or create any class of stock ranking as to dividends, redemption or distribution of assets upon a liquidation senior to, or otherwise pari passu with, the Series E Preferred Stock, (c) amend its certificate of incorporation or other charter documents in any manner that materially adversely affects any rights of the holders, (d) increase the number of authorized shares of Series E Preferred Stock, or (e) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into the number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the stated value of such share of $ 1,000 by $ 5.00 , subject to adjustment by certain events as defined in the certificate of designation. If the average price of the Company’s common stock, as defined and calculated, for any 22 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period exceeds $8.50, subject to adjustment, the Company can require conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock into common stock subject to certain conditions including stock trading volumes and existence of an effective registration statement for the resale of such converted shares . 86 At any time on or after August 15, 2025, the Company may also redeem some or all outstanding Series E Preferred Stock for $ 1,050 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends and any other amounts due in respect of the Series E Preferred Stock. Such redemption is subject to certain conditions including stock trading volumes and existence of an effective registration statement. The Company received an aggregate of $ 20.0 million in proceeds from the Series E PIPE Investor who was issued 20,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock along with 39,615 shares of the Company’s common stock, and Series E A warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and Series E B Warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock. See Note 15 for a further description of the Series E PIPE Warrants. The Company’s obligations under the Series E Preferred Stock and the Series E PIPE Warrants are secured by a lien on the Exok Option Assets as described under the Deed of Trust, Mortgage, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement, Fixture Filing and Financing Statement, dated August 15, 2023 (“Deed of Trust”). Upon commencement of a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding by Prairie LLC or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding against Prairie LLC, the Series E PIPE Investor will have the right and option to proceed with foreclosure and to sell all or any portion of the Exok Option Assets. In the event that no shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding (whether by conversion, redemption or otherwise) or are no longer beneficially owned or otherwise held by the Series E PIPE Investor (or any of its affiliates), the lien on the Exok Option Assets under the Deed of Trust will be released in accordance with the terms and procedures set forth therein. There have been no conversions of Series E Preferred Stock and there were 20,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 2023. Note 14. Common Stock Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Our Amended and Restated Charter (as defined below) does not provide for cumulative voting. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by our Board out of legally available funds. However, the current policy of our Board is to retain earnings, if any, for our operations and expansion. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets which are legally available for distribution, after payment of or provision for all liabilities. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue. In conjunction with the Closing of the Merger (i) 2,297,669 shares of common stock were issued to the former members of Prairie LLC in exchange for their membership interests in Prairie LLC and (ii) 3,860,898 shares of common stock were deemed issued to former stockholders of Creek Road Miners, Inc. As a result of the Merger and related transactions, the Company has the obligation to issue 205,970 shares of common stock (“Obligation Shares”). The fair value of this obligation increased $ 1,477,103 from the Merger to September 7, 2023 when the underlying shares were fully issued. This change was recognized in Loss on adjustment to fair value – Obligation Shares in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s sequencing policy (through October 13, 2023 as described in Note 2) resulted in the allocation of authorized and unissued shares in the following order at September 30, 2023 (i) AR Debentures, (ii) Legacy Warrants (March 2024 expiration), (iii) Series D B Warrants, (iv) restricted stock units issued to directors and advisors (see Note 16), (v) Series E B Warrants, (vi) restricted stock units issued to employees (see Note 16) and Legacy Warrants (September 2024 – January 2027 expiration) (vii) Series D A Warrants, (viii) Series E A Warrants, (ix) Exok Warrants, (x) Series D Preferred Stock, (xi) Series E Preferred Stock and (xii) Merger Options (defined below). This sequencing and the lack of sufficient authorized shares required the Company to reclassify a portion of the Series D A Warrants and all the Series E A Warrants and Exok Warrants to liabilities at fair value during August and September 2023. These liabilities were remeasured to fair value until their reclassification back into equity upon the Reverse Stock Split in October 2023 with the change in fair value reflected in the statement of operations. Additionally and due to the lack of sufficient authorized shares, the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock were reclassified to mezzanine equity at their maximum redemption value during August 2023. Upon the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split in October 2023, the Company has sufficient authorized shares for all its securities and reclassified the warrant liabilities and mezzanine equity into permanent equity effective in October 2023. 87 Note 15. Common Stock Options and Warrants Legacy Options Upon the Merger, the Company assumed 7,087 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Legacy Options”) with a weighted average exercise price of $ 28.57 per share. The Legacy Options expired on August 1, 2023 . Merger Options On August 31, 2022, Prairie LLC entered into agreements with its members whereby each member was provided non-compensatory options to purchase a 40 % membership interest in the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $ 1,000,000 per member. The non-compensatory options were sold for $ 80,000 . The non-compensatory options only become exercisable in 25 % increments upon the achievement of the following production milestones in barrels of oil equivalent per day (“BOE/D”): 2,500 BOE/D, 5,000 BOE/D, 7,500 BOE/D, and 10,000 BOE/D. On May 3, 2023, prior to the Closing of the Merger, Prairie LLC entered into a non-compensatory option purchase agreement with its members, Bristol Capital, LLC and BOKA Energy LP, a third-party investor pursuant to which Bristol Capital, LLC and BOKA Energy LP purchased non-compensatory options for $ 24,000 and $ 8,000 , respectively, from Prairie LLC’s members. Upon the Merger, the Company converted the non-compensatory options to purchase membership interests of Prairie LLC outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Merger into options to acquire an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of common stock for an exercise price of $ 7.14 per share (“Merger Options”), which are only exercisable if the production hurdles noted above are achieved, and the Company entered into the Option Agreements with each of Gary C. Hanna, Edward Kovalik, Bristol Capital LLC and BOKA Energy LP. Erik Thoresen, a director of the Company, is affiliated with BOKA Energy LP. An aggregate of 2,000,000 Merger Options are subject to be transferred to the Series D PIPE Investors, based on their then percentage ownership of the Series D Preferred Stock to the aggregate Series D Preferred Stock outstanding and held by all Series D PIPE Investors as of the Closing Date, if the Company does not meet certain performance metrics by May 3, 2026. On August 30, 2023, the Company, Gary C. Hanna, Edward Kovalik, Bristol Capital LLC and Georgina Asset Management entered into a non-compensatory option purchase agreement, pursuant to which Georgina Asset Management agreed to purchase, and each of the Sellers agreed to sell to Georgina Asset Management for an aggregate purchase price of $ 2,000 , Merger Options to acquire an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock for an exercise price of $ 7.14 per share. None of the Merger Options were exercisable at December 31, 2023. Legacy Warrants Upon the Merger, the Company assumed warrants to purchase 53,938 shares of the Company’s common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $ 49.71 per share (the “Legacy Warrants”). Legacy Warrants providing the right to purchase 53,938 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2023 with a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.2 years. 88 Series D PIPE Warrants The Series D PIPE Warrants provide the warrant holders with the right to purchase an aggregate of 6,950,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $ 6.00 per share. The Series D A Warrants expire on May 3, 2028 and could be exercised in a cashless manner under certain circumstances until December 2023 and as of December 31, 2023 and in the future must all be exercised for cash. The Series D B Warrants expire on May 3, 2024 and must be exercised for cash. In December 2023, Series D A Warrants to purchase common stock were exercised on cashless basis resulting in the net issuance of 41,980 shares of common stock. Additionally, in November and December 2023, Series D B Warrants to purchase 2,075,000 shares of common stock were exercised for total proceeds to the Company of $ 12.5 million. Series D A Warrants providing the right to purchase 3,405,250 shares of common stock and Series D B Warrants providing the right to purchase 1,400,250 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2023. Series E PIPE Warrants The Series E PIPE Warrants provide the warrant holders with the right to purchase 8,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $ 6.00 per share. The Series E A Warrants expire on August 15, 2028 and may be exercised in a cashless manner under certain circumstances. The Series E B Warrants expire on August 15, 2024 and must be exercised for cash. The Series E A Warrants providing the right to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock and Series E B Warrants providing the right to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2023. Exok Warrants The Exok Warrants provide the warrant holders with the right to purchase 670,499 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $ 7.43 per share. The Exok Warrants expire on August 15, 2028 and may be exercised in a cashless manner under certain circumstances. Exok Warrants providing the right to purchase 670,499 shares of common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2023. Note 16. Long-Term Incentive Compensation The Company’s long-term incentive plan for employees, directors, consultants, and other service providers (as amended from time to time, the “LTIP”) provides for the grant of all or any of the following types of equity-based awards: (i) incentive stock options qualified as such under United States federal income tax laws; (ii) stock options that do not qualify as incentive stock options; (iii) stock appreciation rights; (iv) restricted stock awards; (v) restricted stock units (“RSUs”); (vi) stock awards; (vii) performance awards; (viii) dividend equivalents; (ix) other stock-based awards; (x) cash awards; and (xi) substitute awards. Subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the LTIP, 35,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the LTIP, as such LTIP was in effect as of December 31, 2023 and without consideration of the Reverse Stock Split. This number was subsequently adjusted to 1,225,000 shares, effective as of October 16, 2023, to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. After giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split and the awards that have been granted and forfeited under the LTIP as of December 31, 2023 there were 677,426 shares remaining available for grant under the LTIP. Stock-Based Compensation The Company’s stock-based compensation is classified as either equity awards or liability awards in accordance with GAAP. The fair value of an equity-classified award is determined at the grant date and is amortized to general and administrative expense on a graded attribution basis over the vesting period of the award. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based compensation awards as they occur. The fair value of a liability-classified award is determined on a quarterly basis beginning at the grant date until final vesting. Changes in the fair value of liability-classified awards are recorded to general and administrative expense over the vesting period of the award. 89 The Company issued RSUs to employees, directors and advisors that (i) cliff-vest on May 3, 2024 (the one-year anniversary of the Merger) (ii) vest one year after the effective date of the applicable consulting agreement, or (iii) vest ratably over three years, on each anniversary date of the Merger beginning with May 3, 2024, as applicable. RSUs granted under the LTIP can immediately vest (A) upon a termination due to (i) death, (ii) disability, or (iii) retirement, or (B) in connection with a change in control; provided that for employee RSU awards, such accelerated vesting upon a change in control only applies to the extent no provision is made in connection with a change in control for the assumption of awards previously granted or there is no substitution of such awards for new awards. To the extent an employee’s RSU award is assumed or substituted in connection with the change in control, if a participant is terminated by the Company without “cause” or the employee terminates for “good reason” (each as defined in the applicable award agreement), then each RSU award will become fully vested. The fair value of RSU awards is based on the stock price of the Company’s common stock as of each relevant date. Pursuant to the terms of the award agreements covering the RSUs granted to employees in August 2023, no adjustment to the number of shares subject to such RSUs was made in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. The Company recognized the following amounts in total related to long-term incentive compensation costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022: Schedule of Long Term Incentive Compensation Costs For the year ended December 31, 2023 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Long-term incentive compensation $ 2,973,641 $ — Equity-Classified Awards The Company recognized $ 2.9 million in equity-classified stock-based compensation costs for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no equity-classified stock-based compensation costs for the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022. Equity-Classified Restricted Stock Units As of December 31, 2023, there was $ 4.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the Company’s unvested equity-classified RSUs. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years. The following table summarizes equity-classified restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2023 and provides information for unvested units as of December 31, 2023. Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Number of Units Weighted Average Fair Value Unvested units at December 31, 2022 — $ — Granted 628,545 $ 14.58 Vested — $ — Forfeited ( 100,000 ) $ 14.57 Unvested units at December 31, 2023 528,545 $ 9.51 Liability-Classified Awards The Company recognized $ 78,955 in liability-classified stock-based compensation costs for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no liability-classified stock-based compensation costs for the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022. Liability-Classified Restricted Stock Units In August 2023, the Company granted RSUs to directors and an advisor that vest in May 2024 and August 2024, respectively, which are payable 60% in common stock and 40% in either cash or common stock (or a combination thereof), as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board . The Company has accounted for the portion of the awards that can be settled in cash as liability-classified awards and accordingly changes in the market value of the instruments will be recorded to general and administrative expense over the vesting period of the award. As of December 31, 2023, there was $ 0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to liability-classified RSUs that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.3 years. The amount of unrecognized compensation cost for liability-classified awards will fluctuate over time as they are marked to market. 90 The following table summarizes activity related to liability-classified RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2023: Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Number of Units Weighted Average Fair Value Unvested units at December 31, 2022 — $ — Granted 19,030 $ 14.71 Vested — $ — Forfeited — $ — Unvested units at December 31, 2023 19,030 $ 9.51 Note 17. Segment Information The Company’s reportable business segments have been identified based on the differences in products or services provided. The Company’s E&P segment is comprised of oil and gas properties which are currently related to its assets in Colorado. The cryptocurrency mining segment generates revenue through cryptocurrency mining activities from assets that we acquired through the Merger. All such activities currently operate under a contract with Atlas as described above and occur in the United States. The Company exited cryptocurrency mining upon the January 2024 disposition of its cryptocurrency mining equipment (see Note 18). Summarized financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described for the Company. Management evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income, defined as operating revenues less operating costs. Income before income taxes, for the purpose of reconciling the operating income amount shown below to consolidated income before income taxes, is the sum of operating income, interest expense. General and administrative expense, interest income, interest expense, liquidated damages and losses on adjustment to fair value (warrant liabilities and obligation shares) are incurred at the corporate level and allocated to the segments. Schedule of Reportable Segments E&P Cryptocurrency Mining Total Year ended December 31, 2023 Revenues $ — $ 1,545,792 $ 1,545,792 Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense — 983,788 983,788 Impairment of cryptocurrency mining equipment — 17,072,015 17,072,015 Loss from operations ( 13,305,589 ) ( 20,285,841 ) ( 33,591,430 ) Interest income (1) 199,737 48,336 248,073 Interest expense (1) ( 8,849 ) ( 112,985 ) ( 121,834 ) Liquidated damages (1) ( 486,423 ) ( 61,721 ) ( 548,144 ) Loss on adjustment to fair value – warrant liabilities (1) ( 35,822,179 ) ( 3,975,815 ) ( 39,797,994 ) Loss on adjustment to fair value – AR Debentures — ( 3,790,428 ) ( 3,790,428 ) Loss on adjustment to fair value – Obligation Shares (1) ( 973,224 ) ( 503,879 ) ( 1,477,103 ) Loss on adjustment to fair value – Obligation Shares (1) ( 973,224 ) ( 503,879 ) ( 1,477,103 ) Other expense - — — — Other income - — — — Assets 28,969,614 3,512,056 32,481,670 Capital investments 28,705,404 21,238,109 49,943,513 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Revenues - $ — $ — $ — Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense - — — — Operating income - ( 461,520 ) — ( 461,520 ) Interest expense - — — — Interest income - — — — Other expense - — — — Other income - — — — Assets - 1,760,665 — 1,760,665 (1) Amounts are allocated to each segment as they are incurred at the corporate level. The following table presents the breakout of other assets, which represent corporate assets not allocated to segments at December 31, 2023 and 2022: Schedule of Corporate Assets Not Allocated to Segments 2023 2022 As of December 31, 2023 2022 Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,036,950 $ 79,845 Prepaid expenses 164,391 — 91 Note 18. Subsequent Events Asset Acquisition On January 11, 2024, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company, Nickel Road Development LLC, NRO and Prairie Operating Co., LLC, to acquire the NRO assets for the Purchase Price, subject to certain closing price adjustments and other customary closing conditions (the “NRO Acquisition”). The Purchase Price consists of $ 83.0 million in cash and $ 11.5 million in deferred cash payments. The Company deposited $ 9 million of the Purchase Price into an escrow account on January 11, 2024 (the “Deposit”), which will be released to Seller upon the earlier of the closing date and August 15, 2024 (the “Outside Date”). Portions of the Deposit are subject to earlier release under certain circumstances if the closing has not occurred on or prior to June 17, 2024. The Purchase Agreement provides that the closing of the NRO Acquisition is subject to customary conditions precedent, including (i) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each party (subject to specified materiality standards), (ii) compliance by each party in all material respects with their respective covenants, (iii) that no event of Force Majeure or Material Adverse Effect (in each case as defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall have occurred, in each case the result of which is that the Company is unable to secure satisfactory financing with respect to the Transaction (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), and (iv) the Registration Statement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) has been declared effective with the SEC on or before the Outside Date. The Purchase Agreement contains customary title and environmental defect mechanisms with respect to the NRO Assets, including purchase price adjustments and termination rights. The Purchase Agreement may be terminated under circumstances as described in the Purchase Agreement, including (i) with the mutual written consent of the Company and NRO, (ii) by the Company, upon the occurrence of an event of Force Majeure or Material Adverse Effect, in each case the result of which is that the Company determines, in its reasonable discretion, that it is, or will be, unable to secure satisfactory financing with respect to the Transaction, or (iii) in the event that the NRO Acquisition has not been consummated on or before the Outside Date. The parties have made customary representations and warranties in the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement also contains customary covenants and agreements, including covenants and agreements relating to (a) the conduct of NRO’s business during the period between the execution of the Purchase Agreement and closing of the NRO Acquisition and (b) the efforts of the parties to cause the NRO Acquisition to be completed, including actions which may be necessary to facilitate a satisfactory financing transaction by the Company. The parties have agreed to indemnify each other for certain liabilities following the closing on the NRO Acquisition (as further set forth in the Purchase Agreement), subject to the limitations set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The Assets and the operations of NRO include Oil and Gas Leases, Mineral Fee Interests, producing and disposal Wells, and Units, in each case as defined in the Purchase Agreement and located in the DJ Basin in Weld County, Colorado, as well as appurtenant records and equipment and other properties. The Company expects the NRO Acquisition to close on or before the Outside Date, subject to customary closing conditions, with an economic effective date of February 1, 2024. The Company expects to fund the transaction through a combination of public and/or private issuance of common stock, cash on hand, and proceeds from existing warrant exercises. Disposition of Cryptocurrency Assets On January 23, 2024, the Company sold all of its cryptocurrency miners (the “Mining Equipment”) for consideration consisting of (i) $ 1.0 million in cash and (ii) $ 1.0 million in deferred cash payments (the “Deferred Purchase Price”), to be paid out of (i) 20% of the monthly net revenues received by the buyer associated with or otherwise attributable to the Mining Equipment until the aggregate amount of such payments equals $250,000 and (ii) thereafter, 50% of the monthly net revenues received by buyer associated with or otherwise attributable to the Mining Equipment until the aggregate amount of such payments equals the Deferred Purchase Price, plus accrued interest . This disposition did not meet the requirements of held for sale classification at December 31, 2023, but will require presentation as discontinued operations in prospective financial statements. We expect to recognize a loss of $ 1.1 million in conjunction with this disposition. 92 Genesis Bolt-on Acquisition On February 5, 2024, the Company acquired a 1,280-acre drillable spacing unit and eight proved undeveloped drilling locations in the DJ Basin from a private seller for $ 900,000 . These offset the other oil and gas assets held by the Company in northern Weld County, Colorado. Note 19. Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) The Company’s oil and natural gas activities are located entirely within the United States. Costs Incurred Costs incurred in the acquisition, development, and exploration of oil and natural gas properties and are entirely related to unproved properties: Schedule of Costs Incurred in Acquisition of Unproved Properties Year Ended December 31, 2023 June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022 Unproved property acquisition costs $ 28,705,404 $ — Development costs — — Exploration costs 263,757 — Total $ 28,969,161 $ — Results of Operations The Company has no existing oil and gas production or revenue. Our current activities are focused on obtaining requisite permits to begin drilling wells and, as such, we have no results of operations. Suspended Well Costs The Company did not incur any exploratory well costs during the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from June 7, 2022 (date of inception) through December 31, 2022. Reserve Quantities The Company had no proved reserves at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows The Company did not have proved reserves at December 31, 2023 or 2022 and, as such, did not calculate a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves. 93 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None.