bontan_formf1.htm
As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 16, 2010
Registration
No. 164935-
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Amendment No.
1
to
FORM
F-1
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Province
of Ontario
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
1382
(Primary
Standard Industrial
Classification
Code Number)
|
N/A
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
Telephone:
(416) 929-1806
(Address,
including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s
principal executive offices)
Kam
Shah
Chief
Executive Officer
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
Telephone:
(416) 929-1806
(Name,
address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
Copies
to:
Jeffrey
C. Robbins, Esq.
Messerli
& Kramer P.A.
1400 Fifth Street Towers
100 South Fifth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Telephone: (612) 672-3600
Facsimile: (612) 672-3777
Approximate date of commencement of
proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration
statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being
registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following
box: [x]
If this Form is filed to register
additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. □
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. □
If this Form is a post-effective
amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. □
The
registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a
further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be
changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor
does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer
or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to Completion Dated February 18, 2010
PROSPECTUS
Bontan Corporation
Inc.
77,943,244
Shares of Common Stock
_____________________________
This
prospectus relates to the sale of up to 77,943,244 shares of our common stock by
the selling stockholders listed in the table under “Selling Stockholders.” The
common shares registered for resale under this registration statement
are:
·
|
26,342,686
common shares;
|
·
|
22,853,058
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
USD $4.00 per share;
|
·
|
10,747,500
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
USD $0.35 per share;
|
·
|
7,000,000
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, which have a cashless
exercise feature, at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share;
and
|
·
|
11,000,000
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
USD $0.10 per share.
|
The
shares and warrants were issued to the selling stockholders in private placement
transactions completed in 2009. We will not receive any
proceeds from the sale of the shares offered by the selling stockholders;
however, if the warrants are exercised on a cash basis, we will receive the
exercise price of the warrants, if exercised at all.
The
selling stockholders may offer the shares from time to time through public or
private transactions at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at
privately negotiated prices. Additional information on the selling stockholders,
and how they may sell the shares registered hereby, is provided under “Selling
Stockholders” and “Plan of Distribution.”
Our
common stock is quoted on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board under the
symbol “BNTNF.” The high and low bid prices for our common stock on the OTC
Bulletin Board on February 18, 2010 were $0.35 and $0.32 per share,
respectively. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commissions, and may not represent actual
transactions.
Investing
in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk
Factors” beginning on page 5.
Neither
the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
____________________________
Prospectus
dated
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ABOUT
THE PROSPECTUS
|
3 |
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
|
4 |
RISK
FACTORS
|
5 |
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
9 |
IDENTITY
OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAMGEMENT & ADVISORS
|
10 |
KEY
INFORMATION
|
10 |
INFORMATION
ABOUT BONTAN
|
12 |
OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW & PROSPECTS
|
16 |
DIRECTORS,
SENIOR MANAMGEMENT & EMPLYEES
|
24 |
MAJOR
SHAREHOLDERS & RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
27 |
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
29 |
THE
OFFER AND LISTING
|
31 |
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
34 |
QUANTITATIVE
& QUALITATIVE DISCLOUSRES ABOUT MARKET RISK
|
43 |
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
45
|
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITIES |
45
|
ENFORACEABILITY
OF CIVIL LIABILITIES |
45
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS |
46
|
|
|
|
|
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-1 that we filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf”
registration process. Under this process, the selling shareholders
listed in the table commencing on page 33 may, from time to time, sell the
offered securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to
a total of 77,943,244 common shares. No shares are being registered
hereunder for sale by Bontan.
We have
not authorized any broker, dealer, salesperson or other person to give any
information or to make any representation regarding any of the securities
offered hereby. You should rely only on the information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and applicable
prospectus supplement.
This
prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer
to buy the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is
not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not
qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or
solicitation. You should assume that the information contained in
this prospectus is accurate only as of any date on the front cover
page.
This
prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration
statement and the exhibits thereto. This prospectus includes
statements that summarize the contents of contracts and other documents that are
filed as exhibits to the registration statement. These statements do
not necessarily describe the full contents of such documents, and you should
refer to those documents for a complete description of these
matters. It is important for you to read and consider all information
contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the
additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find
More Information.”
In this
prospectus, references to “Bontan,” “our company,” “we,” “us” and “our” are to
Bontan Corporation Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context
suggests otherwise. References to “U.S. dollars” or “USD $” are to
the lawful currency of the United States, and references to “CDN $” or “$” are
to the lawful currency of Canada. All financial information set forth
in this prospectus is expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise
indicated.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
summary highlights the key information contained in this
prospectus. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the
information you should consider before investing in our common
shares. You should read carefully this entire prospectus, including
the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements included
elsewhere this prospectus.
About
Bontan
We invest
in the exploration and development of oil and gas wells. We focus on partnering
with established developers and operators. We have never had any oil
and gas operations and do not currently own any oil and gas properties with
proven reserves. In November 2009, we acquired (through our
wholly owned subsidiary) an indirect 71.63% working interest in two drilling
licenses and one exploration permit in the Levantine Basin, approximately 40
kilometers off the west coast of Israel. The two drilling licenses, Petroleum
License 347 (“Mira”) and Petroleum License 348 (“Sarah”), cover approximately
198,000 (net 141,827) acres, and the exploration permit, Petroleum Preliminary
Permit 199 (“Benjamin”), covers approximately 461,000 (net 330,214)
acres. Our working interest is held in the form of a 75% equity
interest in Israel Petroleum Company, Limited, or IPC Cayman, a Cayman Islands
limited company that was formed to explore and develop the properties off the
west coast of Israel. We currently own no other property interests.
We were
incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario in 1973. Since
April 2003, we have been focused on participating in oil and gas exploration,
development and exploitation projects worldwide by acquiring joint venture,
indirect and direct participation interests and working interests in those
projects. During the fiscal year 2006, we sold our indirect participation
interest in an oil exploration project and wrote off our working interest in a
gas project owing to a dry test well. Since 2006, we have been pursuing and
evaluating various business opportunities in the oil and gas sector. We
currently have only one oil and gas project.
Our
principal office is located at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5R
2G3 and our telephone number is 416-929-1806.
Description
of Status of Offshore Israel Project
IPC
Cayman acquired its 95.5% interest in the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin
permit in November 2009, subject to the approval of transfer by the Petroleum
Commissioner from PetroMed Corporation, a Beliz corporation, to IPC
Cayman. Substantial seismic data concerning the area covered by the
Mira and Sara licenses and the Benjamin permit, including 2D and 3D seismic
surveys, have been collected by WesternGeco. IPC Cayman is
negotiating the purchase of this data with WesternGeco. IPC Cayman
will need to raise additional funds to pay the purchase price for this data,
including through contributions from us. After obtaining the seismic
data, IPC Cayman will seek to enter into a development agreement or farmout
agreement with an established oil and gas company or to sell its interest in the
Mira and Sara licenses and the Benjamin permit
outright. Alternatively, IPC Cayman may seek to raise sufficient
capital to develop the Mira and Sarah licenses and the Benjamin permit
independently.
Status
of Israeli Approval of the Licenses and Permits
On
October 15, 2009, International Three Crown Petroleum LLC, a Colorado limited
liability company, entered into an agreement with PetroMed under which
International Three Crown Petroleum was granted the right to purchase PetroMed’s
rights in license 347 Mira, license 348 Sarah and preliminary permit with
priority rights 199 (“Benjamin”). On November 18, 2009 the PetroMed
transaction was consummated, and as part of the closing, PetroMed was paid the
contractual consideration and PetroMed provided IPC Cayman, International Three
Crown Petroleum’s designee, with irrevocable deeds of assignment with respect to
each of the licenses and permit.
Under
Section 76(a) of the Israel Petroleum Law, the permit may be transferred only
with the permission of the Israel Petroleum Commissioner and the licenses may be
transferred only with the permission of the Petroleum Commissioner and after the
Petroleum Commissioner’s consultation with the Petroleum Council. In a notice
released by the Petroleum Commissioner’s office in October 2009, it was
stipulated that applications for the next meeting of the Petroleum Council were
to be submitted by January 20, 2010, although the date set for the next meeting
of the Petroleum Council was not stated in the notice.
Accordingly,
on January 18, 2010, IPC Cayman filed applications with the Petroleum
Commissioner to transfer the licenses and permit in accordance with Section
76(a) of the Petroleum Law, with the application to transfer the permit also
including an application to be granted a license based on the permit and its
attending priority rights. At a meeting held with the Petroleum
Commissioner at the time of filing the applications, the Petroleum Commissioner
notified IPC Cayman that the next meeting of the Petroleum Council would be held
on February 8, 2010.
PetroMed
sent an e-mail to IPC Cayman and the Petroleum Commissioner on January 17, 2010,
purporting to ‘rescind’ the PetroMed transaction and has, to the best of IPC
Cayman’s knowledge, further addressed the Petroleum Commissioner with claims
that the Petroleum Commissioner deny the applications. In addition, IPC Cayman
has received verbal indication from the Petroleum Commissioner that the permit
would lapse at the end of its term on February 5, 2010, and the Petroleum
Commissioner would not approve the conversion of the permit into a license.
Thereafter, PetroMed communicated its withdrawal of rescission to the Petroleum
Commissioner with respect to the request to transfer the permit and convert it
into a license and requested that the Petroleum Commissioner place the request
for conversion of the permit before the Petroleum Council.
On
January 19, 2010, PetroMed filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Washington against Bontan, Howard Cooper and Three Crown
Petroleum, LLC. The complaint requests, among other things,
rescission of PetroMed’s assignment of its 95.5% interest in the Mira and Sarah
licenses and Benjamin permit to IPC Cayman and a declaration that the contracts
with the defendants are null and void.
On
February 12, 2010, International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman filed a
complaint in the Denver, Colorado District Court against PetroMed and other
defendants. International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman allege
that the defendants are actively interfering with IPC Cayman’s application
before the Israel Ministry of Natural Infrastructure for transfer to IPC Cayman
of PetroMed’s 95.5% interest in the Rights. In the lawsuit,
International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman seek, among other matters,
temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief in order to avoid real,
immediate and irreparable harm to International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC
Cayman resulting from the defendants’ alleged wrongful conduct. The
lawsuit also seeks damages for defendants’ alleged multiple tortuous acts and
materials breaches of contracts, and a declaration of the parties’ rights and
obligations under the contracts.
International
Three Crown Petroleum has informed us that, in light of the dispute as to
ownership of the Mira and Sarah drilling licenses and the Benjamin exploration
permit, the Petroleum Commissioner has declined to transfer the licenses and
permit to IPC Cayman and has indicated to IPC Cayman that he will be terminating
the permit and possibly the licenses.
Separately,
International Three Crown Petroleum has informed us that because WesternGeco has
not been paid its $12.5 million in full, it continues to refuse to turn over the
seismic data and its interpretation, which IPC Cayman must deliver to the
Petroleum Commissioner as a condition of the Benjamin permit and the Mira and
Sarah licenses. Failure to deliver the seismic data and its
interpretation is a default under the permit and licenses that could lead to
their termination by the Petroleum Commissioner.
Manager
of Offshore Israel Project
Under the
terms of a stockholders agreement, International Three Crown Petroleum is the
sole director of IPC Cayman and is managing the offshore Israel
project. International Three Crown Petroleum owns a 22.5% equity
interest in IPC Cayman. The majority member and principal of International Three
Crown Petroleum is H. Howard Cooper.
H. Howard
Cooper is currently the manager of International Three Crown Petroleum. Mr.
Cooper is also the manager Power Petroleum LLC. International Three
Crown Petroleum was formed by Mr. Cooper in 2005 to identify and purchase oil
and gas leases, primarily in the U.S. Rocky Mountain Region. Power Petroleum,
which was formed by Mr. Cooper in 2007, puts drilling prospects together in
Colorado, Montana, Utah and North Dakota. From 1996 until February
2005, Mr. Cooper was the chairman of the board of directors of Teton Energy
Corporation, a U.S. publicly traded company formerly known as Teton Petroleum
Company. Mr. Cooper also served as president and CEO of Teton from
1996 until May 2003. During his tenure with Teton, Teton
primarily engaged in oil and gas exploration, development,
and production in Western Siberia, Russia.
IPC
Cayman will pay International Three Crown Petroleum a monthly management fee of
$20,000 for its services as director of IPC Cayman and will reimburse reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the director on behalf of IPC
Cayman. In connection with any farmout, sale or other transfer of all
or a portion of the offshore Israel project, International Three Crown Petroleum
will receive a disposition fee equal to the product of 5% of our percentage
ownership interest in IPC Cayman and the total cash proceeds received by us or
our shareholders in such transaction. In addition, International
Three Crown Petroleum will receive a warrant to purchase a number of our common
shares which is equal to the product of 5% of our percentage ownership interest
in IPC and the fair market value of all consideration received by us in such
transaction, divided by the market price of one common share as of the date of
issuance of the warrant. The exercise price of the warrant will be
equal to the market price.
The
Offering
This
prospectus relates to the sale of up to 77,943,244 shares of our common stock,
including 51,600,558 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants, by the
selling stockholders listed in this prospectus. The shares and
warrants were issued to the selling stockholders in connection with the
acquisition of our indirect 71.63% working interest in the offshore Israel
project. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares
offered by the selling stockholders. We may receive proceeds from the exercise
of the warrants, if and when exercised on a cash basis.
RISK
FACTORS
You should carefully consider the
following risks in addition to the other information set forth in this
prospectus before making any investment in our stock. The risks and
uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks
and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be
immaterial may also adversely affect our business. If any of these risks
actually occur, the
price of our stock could decline and you could lose part or all of your
investment.
Risks Related to our
Business
We have a
history of operating losses and may never achieve
profitability in the future.
We have
incurred significant operating losses. It is unlikely that we will generate
significant revenues while we seek to complete our exploration and development
activities in the offshore Israel project. As of September 30, 2009, we
had an accumulated deficit of approximately $34 million. We do not
have any proved reserves or current production of oil or gas. Our success is
substantially dependent upon on the successful exploration, drilling and
development of the offshore Israel project. We cannot assure you that
we will be profitable in the future.
The
transfer of the Mira and Sarah licenses and the Benjamin permit to IPC Cayman is
being disputed and has not yet been approved by the Israeli government, and such
approval is not assured.
Under
Israeli law, transfer of the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin permit to IPC
Cayman requires approval of the Petroleum Commissioner of the Ministry of
National Infrastructures. The approval will be dependent upon
demonstration of financial and operational capability to the satisfaction of the
Petroleum Commissioner. Although IPC Cayman has initiated the
approval process, there is no assurance that the approval will be
obtained. International Three Crown Petroleum has informed us that,
in light of the dispute as to ownership of the Mira and Sarah drilling licenses
and the Benjamin exploration permit, the Israel Petroleum Commissioner has
declined to transfer the licenses and permit to IPC Cayman and has indicated to
IPC Cayman that he will be terminating the permit and possibly the
licenses.
Separately,
International Three Crown Petroleum has informed us that because
WesternGeco has not been paid its $12.5 million in full, it continues to refuse
to turn over the seismic data and its interpretation, which IPC Cayman must
deliver to the Israel Petroleum Commissioner as a condition of the Benjamin
permit and the Mira and Sarah licenses. Failure to deliver the
seismic data and its interpretation is a default under the permit and licenses
that could lead to their termination by the Petroleum Commissioner.
IPC
Cayman is a newly formed development stage company with no operating
history.
IPC
Cayman, the company in which we recently acquired a 75% equity interest, is
newly formed and has no operating history. Its operations will be
subject to all of the risks inherent in exploration stage companies with no
revenues or operating history. Its potential for success must be considered in
light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays
frequently encountered in connection with a new business, especially the oil and
natural gas exploration business. No assurance can be given that any
particular investment return will be achieved.
We
will be substantially dependent upon International Three Crown Petroleum LLC and
its affiliates to develop the project.
We will
be substantially dependent on International Three Crown Petroleum LLC and its
affiliates to develop the offshore Israel project. International
Three Crown is the sole director of IPC Cayman and H. Howard Cooper is the
manager of International Three Crown. Mr. Cooper has significant
experience in developing international oil and gas projects. While he
plans to retain consultants and contractors with extensive experience in
managing and operating these kinds of international projects, his unavailability
for any reason could negatively impact the ability of IPC Cayman to execute its
strategy.
We
cannot control activities on properties that we do not operate and are unable to
control their proper operation and profitability.
We do not
operate any of the properties in which we own an interest. As a result, we have
limited ability to exercise influence over, and control the risks associated
with, the operations of these properties. The failure of an operator of our
wells to adequately perform operations, an operator’s breach of the applicable
agreements or an operator’s failure to act in ways that are in our best
interests could reduce our production and revenues. The success and timing of
exploration and development activities on properties operated by others
therefore will depend upon a number of factors outside of our control,
including:
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the
nature and timing of drilling and operational
activities;
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the
timing and amount of capital expenditures;
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the
operator’s expertise and financial resources;
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the
approval of other participants in drilling
wells; and
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the
operator’s selection of suitable
technology.
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The
Mira and Sarah licenses must be drilled with two years or the license could be
forfeited.
IPC
Cayman must commence well drilling on each of the Mira and Sarah licenses within
two years or the licenses could be forfeited. IPC Cayman must also
commence well drilling on any licenses obtained from the Benjamin permit within
two years after they are secured. If our joint venture fails to drill timely
wells before the license expiration, we will lose the drilling opportunities and
our investment in the expired licenses.
Prospects
that the IPC Cayman decides to drill may not yield natural gas or oil in
commercially viable quantities.
IPC
Cayman is conducting seismic surveys and other geological and geophysical
analysis to identify and develop prospects in the areas covered by the Mira and
Sarah licenses and Benjamin permit. A prospect is a property on which
indications of natural gas and oil have been identified based on available
seismic and geological information and analyses. The prospects will require
substantial additional seismic data processing and interpretation. However, the
use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of data in the same and
nearby areas will not enable IPC Cayman to know conclusively prior to drilling
and testing whether natural gas or oil will be present or, if present, whether
natural gas or oil will be present in sufficient quantities to recover drilling
or completion costs or to be economically viable. If the seismic and
other data are inconclusive or unsatisfactory, IPC Cayman may not be able to
attract industry partners to conduct exploratory drilling on its
properties.
There
is currently no infrastructure to market oil or gas if hydrocarbons are
discovered.
The Mira
and Sarah licenses and Benjamin permit are located in an area of the eastern
Mediterranean where there has not previously been production of oil and
gas. Accordingly, there is not currently any infrastructure in place
to market oil or gas if hydrocarbons are discovered. The Israeli
government will have to approve the installation of infrastructure, and the
construction of infrastructure will require significant capital
investment.
Failure
to fund capital expenditures could adversely affect the properties and our
business.
The oil
and gas industry is capital intensive. IPC Cayman’s exploration and development
activities will require substantial capital expenditures to meet requirements in
the licenses and any future licenses that may be granted covering the area of
the Benjamin permit. We have agreed to use our best efforts to raise
up to $18 million to fund some of IPC Cayman’s activities through one or more
equity or debt offerings or other financing transaction. There is no assurance
that we will be able to obtain equity or debt financing on terms favorable to
us, or at all.
We do not
expect that debt financing will be available to IPC Cayman to support
exploratory operations of the type required to establish commercial viability of
the properties. Cash flows of IPC Cayman will be subject to a number
of variables, such as the success of drilling operations, production levels from
successful wells, prices of crude oil and natural gas, availability of
infrastructure and markets, and costs of services and equipment. In
addition, IPC Cayman could seek farmout arrangements with third parties. These
farmouts could result in us giving up a substantial interest in the oil and gas
properties, comprising two licences and a permit for off shore exploration
for gas and/or oil, we have acquired. If IPC Cayman is not
able to fund its capital expenditures, IPC Cayman’s interests in the properties
might be forfeited, and we could lose our entire investment.
Recent
market events and conditions could impede access to capital or increase the cost
of capital, which would have an adverse effect on our and IPC Cayman’s abilities
to fund working capital and other capital requirements.
The oil
and gas industry is cyclical in nature and tends to reflect general economic
conditions. Recent market events and conditions, including unprecedented
disruptions in the current credit and financial markets and the deterioration of
economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally, have had a significant
material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and have limited
access to capital and credit for many companies. These disruptions
could, among other things, make it more difficult for us or IPC Cayman to
obtain, or increase the cost of obtaining, capital and financing for IPC
Cayman’s operations. Access to additional capital may not be
available on acceptable terms or at all. Difficulties in obtaining
capital and financing or increased costs for obtaining capital and financing
would have an adverse effect on IPC Cayman’s ability to fund its working capital
and other capital requirements and could inhibit development of the
property interests.
Our business is
not geographically diversified.
Our
property interests are located off the west coast of Israel. We
currently own no other working interests, leases or properties. As a
result, our current business will be concentrated in the same geographic
region. Our success or failure will be dependent upon the drilling
and production results of any wells identified on the offshore Israel
properties.
We face significant
competition and many of our competitors have resources in excess of our
available resources.
The oil
and natural gas industry is highly competitive. We face intense competition from
a large number of independent, technology-driven companies as well as both major
and other independent crude oil and natural gas companies in a number of areas
such as:
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seeking
to acquire desirable producing properties or new leases for future
exploration;
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marketing
our crude oil and natural gas
production;
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seeking
to acquire the equipment and expertise necessary to operate and develop
properties; and
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attracting
and retaining employees with certain
skills.
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Many of
our competitors have financial, technical and other resources substantially in
excess of those available to us. This highly competitive environment could have
an adverse impact on our business.
Risks of Oil and Natural Gas
Investments
Oil and natural
gas investments are highly risky.
The
selection of prospects for oil and natural gas drilling, the drilling, ownership
and operation of oil and natural gas wells and the ownership of non-operating
interests in oil and natural gas properties are highly
speculative. There is a possibility you will lose all or
substantially all of your investment in us. We cannot predict whether
any prospect will produce oil or natural gas or commercial quantities of oil and
natural gas, nor can we predict the amount of time it will take to recover any
oil or natural gas we do produce. Drilling activities may be unprofitable, not
only from non-productive wells but also from wells that do not produce oil or
natural gas in sufficient quantities or quality to return a profit.
Oil
and natural gas prices are volatile and a reduction in these prices could
adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations.
The price
that we may receive for oil or natural gas production from wells in which we
have an interest will significantly affect our revenue, cash flow, access to
capital and future growth. Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas
have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. The
markets and prices for oil and natural gas depend on numerous factors beyond our
control. These factors include:
|
·
|
changes
in supply and demand for oil and natural gas;
|
|
·
|
actions
taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations;
|
|
·
|
political
conditions and events (including political instability or armed conflict)
in oil or natural gas producing regions;
|
|
·
|
the
level of global oil and natural gas inventories and oil refining
capacity;
|
|
·
|
the
price and level of imports of foreign oil and natural
gas;
|
|
·
|
the
price and availability of alternative fuels;
|
|
·
|
the
availability of pipeline capacity and infrastructure;
|
|
·
|
the
availability of oil transportation and refining
capacity;
|
|
·
|
weather
conditions;
|
|
·
|
speculation
as to future prices of oil and natural gas and speculative trading of oil
or natural gas futures contracts;
|
|
·
|
domestic
and foreign governmental regulations and taxes; and
|
|
·
|
global
economic conditions.
|
The
effect of these factors is magnified by the concentration of our interests in
Israel, where some of these forces could have disproportionate impact, such as
war, terrorist acts or civil disturbances, changes in regulations and taxation
policies by the Israeli government, exchange rate fluctuations, laws and polices
of Israel affecting foreign investment, trade and business conduct and the
availability of pipeline capacity and infrastructure.
A
significant or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may have a
material adverse effect on our and IPC Cayman’s financial condition, results of
operations, liquidity, ability to finance planned capital expenditures
or ability to secure funding from industry partners.
Exploration,
development and production of oil and natural gas are high risk activities with
many uncertainties that could adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations.
IPC
Cayman’s drilling and operating activities will be subject to many risks,
including the risk that commercially productive wells will not be
discovered. Drilling activities may be unprofitable, not only from
dry holes but also from productive wells that do not generate sufficient
revenues to return a profit. In addition, IPC Cayman’s drilling and producing
operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of other factors,
including:
|
·
|
environmental
hazards, such as natural gas leaks, pipeline ruptures and
spills;
|
|
·
|
fires;
|
|
·
|
explosions,
blowouts and cratering
|
|
·
|
unexpected
or unusual forrnations;
|
|
·
|
pressures;
|
|
·
|
facility
or equipment malfunctions;
|
|
·
|
unexpected
operational events;
|
|
·
|
shortages
of skilled personnel;
|
|
·
|
shortages
or delivery delays of drilling rigs and equipment;
|
|
·
|
compliance
with environmental and other regulatory requirements;
|
|
·
|
adverse
weather conditions; and
|
|
·
|
natural
disasters.
|
Any of
these risks can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of
life; severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment; pollution;
environmental contamination; clean-up responsibilities; loss of wells; repairs
to resume operations; and regulatory fines and penalties. Uninsured
liabilities would reduce the funds available to IPC Cayman and may result in the
loss of the properties, comprising two licences and a permit for off shore
exploration for gas and/or oil
IPC Cayman
will be
subject to various governmental regulations which may result on material
liabilities and costs.
Political
developments and laws and regulations will affect IPC Cayman’s operations. In
particular, price controls, taxes and other laws relating to the oil and natural
gas industry, changes in these laws and changes in administrative regulations
have affected and in the future could affect oil and natural gas
production, operations and economics. We cannot predict how agencies or courts
in the State of Israel will interpret existing laws and regulations or the
effect these adoptions and interpretations may have on IPC’s business or
financial condition.
IPC
Cayman’s business is subject to laws and regulations promulgated by the State of
Israel relating to the exploration for, and the development, production and
marketing of, oil and natural gas, as well as safety matters. Legal requirements
can change and are subject to interpretation and IPC Cayman is unable to predict
the ultimate cost of compliance with these requirements or their effect on its
operations. IPC Cayman may be required to make significant expenditures to
comply with governmental laws and regulations.
IPC
Cayman’s operations are subject to Israeli environmental laws and
regulations. Because of the recent nature of the discoveries in the
eastern Mediterranean and the absence of production, there has not been
consideration of the impact that operations in this area may have on
environmental laws and regulations, which could be changed in ways that could
negatively impact IPC Cayman’s operations. The discharge of natural gas, oil, or
other pollutants into the air, soil or water may give rise to significant
liabilities on the part of IPC Cayman and may require it to incur substantial
costs of remediation. In addition, IPC Cayman may incur costs and penalties in
addressing regulatory agency procedures involving instances of possible
non-compliance. The financial implecations, if any, can not be estimated
at this stage.
Potential
regulations regarding climate change could alter the way IPC Cayman conducts its
business.
As
awareness of climate change issues increases, governments around the world are
beginning to address the matter. This may result in new environmental
regulations that may unfavorably impact the IPC Cayman and its partners and
suppliers. The cost of meeting these requirements may have an adverse impact on
IPC Cayman’s financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows.
The potential
lack of availability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies,
personnel and other oil field services could adversely affect IPC
Cayman’s ability to
execute its exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within its
budget.
From time
to time, there is a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified
personnel in the oil and natural gas industry. During these periods, the costs
of rigs, equipment and supplies are substantially greater and their availability
may be limited, particularly in international locations that typically have more
limited availability of equipment and personnel, such as Israel. During periods
of increasing levels of exploration and production in response to strong demand
for oil and natural gas, the demand for oilfield services and the costs of these
services increase. Additionally, these services may not be available on
commercially reasonable terms.
Risks Related to the Manager
of the Project
The
manager of IPC Cayman will have most powers relating to management of the
project.
Under the
agreement between us and International Three Crown Petroleum, we will have limited authority
to participate in the management of IPC Cayman. Our rights as the
holder of a majority of the shares of IPC Cayman will include the right to
approve:
·
|
Expansion
of the scope of IPC Cayman’s business beyond the acquisition, development
and potential farmout or sale of the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin
permit and any license that may be issued in lieu of such permit and any
other oil and gas exploration and development activity within the offshore
or onshore areas of the State of
Israel;
|
·
|
Sale
or merger of IPC Cayman or sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of IPC Cayman (other than a sale or
farmout to an industry partner in connection with a commitment to conduct
exploratory or development operations on the licenses and
permit);
|
·
|
Admit
additional owners to IPC Cayman;
|
·
|
Enter
into any contract or agreement between IPC Cayman and International Three
Crown Petroleum or any affiliate;
|
·
|
Modify
any compensation arrangement between the Project Company and International
Three Crown Petroleum and any affiliate;
and
|
·
|
Amend
the organizational and internal operating documents of IPC
Cayman.
|
Other
than those specified rights, International Three Crown Petroleum as the sole
director of IPC Cayman will have the right to make operational decisions with
respect to matters affecting the exploration and development of the licenses and
permit, including farming out or otherwise disposing of interests to third
parties who will agree to assume the obligations to conduct required exploratory
and development operations at their cost.
There
is no guarantee that IPC Cayman will make cash distributions to its owners,
including us.
Cash
distributions are not guaranteed and will depend on IPC Cayman’s future drilling
and operating activities and performance. The director of IPC Cayman has the
authority to authorize and to make any distributions to its stockholders at such
times and in such amounts as the director deems advisable. You may receive
little or no return on your investment in us.
Conflicts of
interest may arise.
Conflicts
of interest may arise because of the relationships between and among IPC Cayman,
International Three Crown Petroleum and us. The interests of
International Three Crown Petroleum may not coincide with the interests of us
and our shareholders. In addition, International Three Crown
Petroleum and its majority member, H.Howard Cooper, may experience conflicts of
interest in allocating their time and resources between IPC Cayman and other
businesses, including other oil and gas projects. The organizational
documents do not restrict International Three Crown Petroleum and its affiliates
from engaging in other business activities or specify any minimum amount of time
that International Three Crown Petroleum and its affiliates are required to
devote to IPC Cayman.
Risks Related to Ownership
of our Stock
There
is currently a limited trading market for our common shares.
There
currently is a limited public market for our common shares. Further,
although our common shares are currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board,
trading of our common shares may be extremely sporadic. As a result,
an investor may find it difficult to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations of
the price of, our common shares. There can be no assurance that a more
active trading market for our common shares will develop. Accordingly, investors
must assume they may have to bear the economic risk of an investment in our
common shares for an indefinite period of time.
Risks
related to penny stocks.
Our
common shares are subject to regulations prescribed by the SEC relating to
“penny stock.” These regulations impose additional sales practice requirements
on broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons other than established
customers and accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501 of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933). These regulations could adversely impact market demand
for our shares and adversely impact our trading volume and price.
The
issuance of common shares upon the exercise of our outstanding warrants and
options will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders and increase
the number of shares eligible for future resale.
The
exercise of some or all of our outstanding warrants and options could
significantly dilute the ownership interests of our existing
shareholders. As of December 31, 2009, we had outstanding warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 55,574,478 common shares and outstanding options to
purchase an aggregate of 4,825,000 common shares. To the extent the
warrants and options are exercised, additional common shares will be issued and
that issuance will increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the
public market. The sale of a significant number of shares by our
shareholders, or the perception that such sales could occur, could have a
depressive effect on the public market price of our common shares.
We expect to
raise additional funds by issuing our stock which will dilute your
ownership.
We
expect that we will likely issue a substantial number of shares of our capital
stock in the financing transactions in order to fund the operations of IPC
Cayman. Under these arrangements, we may agree to register the shares
for resale soon after their issuance. The sale of additional shares could lower
the value of your shares by diluting your ownership interest in us and reducing
your voting power Shareholders have no preemptive rights.
Compliance
with the rules established by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are complex. Failure to comply in a timely manner
could adversely affect investor confidence and our stock price.
Rules
adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 require us to perform an annual assessment of our internal controls over
financial reporting and certify the effectiveness of those controls. The
standards that must be met for management to assess the internal controls over
financial reporting as now in effect are complex, and require significant
documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards.
We may encounter problems or delays in completing activities necessary to make
an assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting. In addition,
the attestation process is new for us and we may encounter problems or delays in
completing the implementation of any requested improvements and receiving an
attestation of the assessment by our independent registered public accountants.
If we cannot perform the assessment or certify that our internal controls over
financial reporting are effective, or our independent registered public
accountants are unable to provide an unqualified attestation on such assessment,
investor confidence and share value may be negatively impacted.
Your investment
return may be reduced if we are lose our foreign private issuer
status.
We are a
“foreign private issuer,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, and, therefore, we are not required to file quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC. In
addition, the proxy rules and Section 16 reporting and short-swing profit
recapture rules are not applicable to us. If we lose our status as a
foreign private issuer by our election or otherwise, we will be subject to
additional reporting obligations under the Exchange Act which could increase our
SEC compliance costs.
We
may be treated as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. tax purposes,
which could subject United States investors to significant adverse tax
consequences.
A foreign
corporation will be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC,
for U.S. federal income taxation purposes, if in any taxable year either:
(a) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income; or
(b) 50% or more of the value of the company’s assets is attributable to
assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Based on
our current income and assets and our anticipated future operations, we believe
that we currently are not a PFIC. U.S. stockholders of a PFIC are
subject to a disadvantageous U.S. income tax regime with respect to the income
derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain,
if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the
PFIC. Because PFIC status is a fact-intensive determination made on an annual
basis, no assurance can be given that we are not or will not become classified
as a PFIC. The PFIC rules are extremely complex. A
U.S. person is encouraged to consult his or her U.S. tax advisor before making
an investment in our shares.
U.S. shareholders may not be able to
enforce civil liabilities against us.
We are a
corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario,
Canada. Most of our directors and executive officers are
non-residents of the United States. Because a substantial portion of
their assets and currently all of our assets are located outside the United
States, it may not be possible for you to effect service of process within the
United States upon us or those persons. Furthermore, it may not be possible for
you to enforce against us or them in the United States, judgments obtained in
U.S. courts based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal
securities laws or other laws of the United States. There is doubt as to the
enforceability, in original actions in Canadian courts, of liabilities based
upon the U.S. federal securities laws and as to the enforceability in Canadian
courts of judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions based upon the civil
liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus includes forward-looking statements. All statements other
than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, and plans
and objectives for future operations. The
words “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,”
“intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on
our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we
believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business
strategy, business operations and financial needs. For a discussion
of risk factors affecting our business, see “Risk Factors.”
We do not
guarantee that the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will
occur or that they will happen at all. We do not undertake any
obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as may be
required under federal securities laws.
IDENTITY
OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
Directors
and Management Team
Name
and Position
|
|
Business
Address
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kam
Shah
|
|
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
|
|
CEO,
CFO and
Director
|
Dean
Bradley
|
|
9300
Normandy Blvd., Suite 511
Jacksonville,
Florida 32221
|
|
Director
|
Brett
Rees
|
|
114
Newport Avenue
Toronto,
Ontario M1L 1J5
|
|
Director
|
Terence
Robinson
|
|
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
|
|
Consultant
|
Legal
Advisers
Our
Canadian legal advisers are Sui & Company, Solicitors, whose business
address is The Exchange Tower, Suite 1800, 130 King Street West, Toronto,
Ontario M5X 1E3. Our U.S legal advisers are Messerli & Kramer, P.A., whose
business address is 1400 Fifth Street Towers, 100 South Fifth Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55402.
Auditor
Our
auditors are Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP, whose business address is 1167
Caledonia Road, Toronto, Ontario M6 2X1.
OFFER
STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
The
common shares offered by this prospectus are registered for the account of the
selling stockholders named in this prospectus. There is no expected
issue price. The selling stockholders may sell the common shares at fixed
prices, at prevailing marker prices at the time of sale or at negotiated
prices. The approximate date of proposed sale of the common shares is
from time to time after the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part becomes effective, in amounts and on terms determined at the time
of the sale.
KEY
INFORMATION
Selected
Financial Data
The
following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data for the
periods indicated. The selected financial data for the three fiscal years ended
March 31, 2009 and as of March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been
derived from the our audited consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected financial data for the two fiscal
years ended March 31, 2006 and as of March 31, 2006 and 2005 have been derived
from the our audited consolidated financial statements for those years which are
not included in this prospectus.
The
selected financial data for the six months ended September 30, 2009 and
2008 and as of September 30, 2009 have been derived from our unaudited
consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated financial
statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring
adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our
financial position and results of operations for the periods
presented.
The
historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in
any future period, and interim results may not be indicative of results for the
remainder of the year. Our consolidated financial statements are
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada,
or Canadian GAAP. Additional information is presented below to show the
differences which would result from the application of U.S. GAAP to our
financial statements.
Summary Financial
Information
(Stated
in Canadian Dollars – Calculated in accordance with Canadian GAAP)
|
Six
Months Ended
September
30,
|
Fiscal
Year Ended March 31,
|
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
-
|
$201,837
|
$52,937
|
$321,755
|
$743,786
|
$1,857,647
|
$418,861
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
(968,720)
|
(146,976)
|
(689,415)
|
(571,799)
|
(164,043)
|
(4,784,933)
|
(4,876,898)
|
Loss
from discontinued operations
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(179,678)
|
Net
Loss
|
(968,720)
|
(146,976)
|
(689,415)
|
(571,799)
|
(164,043)
|
(4,784,933)
|
(5,056,576)
|
Net
loss per share (1)
|
(0.03)
|
(0.00)
|
(0.02)
|
(0.02)
|
(0.01)
|
(0.31)
|
(0.43)
|
Working
capital
|
1,563,172
|
3,164,251
|
1,431,495
|
5,173,892
|
6,624,466
|
5,285,784
|
4,734,269
|
Total
assets
|
1,654,073
|
3,211,556
|
1,592,947
|
5,239,122
|
6,672,918
|
5,450,772
|
5,075,158
|
Capital
stock
|
32,808,349
|
32,901,488
|
32,854,075
|
32,901,488
|
32,413,811
|
32,175,000
|
28,280,890
|
Warrants
|
2,251,652
|
2,153,857
|
2,192,927
|
2,153,857
|
2,215,213
|
951,299
|
-
|
Contributed
surplus
|
4,154,266
|
4,077,427
|
4,154,266
|
4,077,427
|
4,069,549
|
4,069,549
|
3,795,078
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(3,338,649)
|
(3,165,059)
|
(4,425,018)
|
(1,306,768)
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
$1,571,577
|
$3,174,831
|
$1,440,929
|
$5,180,098
|
$6,624,466
|
$5,285,784
|
$4,950,837
|
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding ( 2 )
|
30,912,410
|
30,095,743
|
30,170,743
|
28,840,653
|
27,472,703
|
15,655,023
|
11,700,303
|
______
1. The
effect of potential share issuances pursuant to the exercise of options and
warrants would be anti-dilutive and, therefore, basic and diluted losses per
share are the same.
2.
Weighted average number of shares for a year was calculated by dividing the
total number of shares outstanding at the end of each of the months by
twelve.
Reconciliation to U.S.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(Stated
in Canadian Dollars – Calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP)
|
Six
Months Ended
September
30,
|
Fiscal
Year Ended March 31,
|
|
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
for year
|
($968,720)
|
($146,976
|
($689,415)
|
($571,799)
|
($52,384)
|
($4,590,175)
|
($5,238,898)
|
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
|
$117,649
|
($2,005,267)
|
($3,807,665)
|
($2,838,269)
|
$795,658
|
($4,038,005)
|
($5,273,144)
|
Loss
per share -Basic and diluted
|
($0.03)
|
($0.00)
|
($0.02)
|
($0.02)
|
$0.00
|
($0.29)
|
($0.45)
|
Total
assets
|
$1,654,073
|
$3,211,556
|
$1,592,947
|
$5,239,122
|
$7,632,619
|
$6,197,700
|
$4,858,590
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
$1,571,577
|
$3,174,831
|
$1,440,929
|
$5,180,098
|
$7,584,167
|
$6,032,712
|
$4,734,269
|
We have
not declared or paid any dividends in any of the last five fiscal
years.
Exchange
Rates
The
exchange rates used herein were obtained from the Bank of Canada. On February
12, 2010, the exchange rate, based on the noon buying rates, for the conversion
of Canadian dollars into United States dollars (the “Noon Rate of Exchange”) was
CDN $0.9496=USD $1.
The
following table sets out the high and low exchange rates in US dollar for one
Canadian dollar for each of the last six months.
|
August
2009
|
September
2009
|
October
2009
|
November
2009
|
December
2009
|
January
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
for period
|
$0.91
|
$0.92
|
$0.94
|
$0.94
|
$0.94
|
$0.94
|
Low
for period
|
$0.92
|
$0.93
|
$0.95
|
$0.95
|
$0.95
|
$0.98
|
The
following table sets out the average exchange rates in US dollar for one
Canadian dollar for the five most recent fiscal years calculated by using the
average of the Noon Rate of Exchange on the last day of each month during the
period.
Year
Ended March 31,
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
Average
for the year
|
0.89
|
0.97
|
0.88
|
0.84
|
0.79
|
Capitalization
and Indebtedness
The
following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2009 and as
adjusted to reflect the issuance of 8,617,686 common shares and 30,853,058
warrants and promissory notes in November 2009.
|
|
As
of September 30, 2009
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
As
Adjusted
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
Promissory
Notes
|
|
--
|
|
$
1,100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
stock
|
|
32,808,349
|
|
35,524,988
|
Warrants
|
|
2,251,652
|
|
7,825,189
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
4,154,266
|
|
4,154,266
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
(3,338,649)
|
|
(3,338,649
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
(34,304,041)
|
|
(34,304,041)
|
Total
Shareholders' equity
|
|
$
1,571,577
|
|
$9,861,753
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
capitalization
|
|
$1,571,577
|
|
$10,961,753
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
shares issued and outstanding
|
|
32,070,743
|
|
40,688,429
|
Reasons
for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
This
prospectus relates to the resale by the selling stockholders named in this
prospectus of up to 26,342,686 common
shares; 22,853,058 common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an
exercise price of USD $4.00 per share; 17,747,500 common shares issuable upon
exercise of warrants at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share; and 11,000,000
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of USD
$0.10 per share. We issued all of these shares and warrants in
transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933. We will not receive any proceeds for the resale of shares by
the selling stockholders. In addition, warrants to purchase 7,000,000
common shares at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share contain a cashless
exercise feature, which allows the holder to pay the exercise price of the
warrants by surrendering a portion of the shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrant. If, however, the 44,600,558 warrants which do not contain a
cashless exercise feature are exercised, we may receive proceeds of up to
$96,273,857. If the warrants are exercised for cash, we will use the proceeds
for general corporate purposes.
INFORMATION
ON BONTAN
History
and Development
We are a
Canadian corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario in
1973 under the original name of Kamlo Gold Mines Limited. We were
inactive until 1985. Between 1986 and 1992, our company was involved
in the development of a new technology for the marine propulsion business.
During this period, our company went through three name changes.
Between
1993 and 1996, our company was involved in the distribution and manufacture of a
snack food. During this period, our company went through two more name
changes.
Our
company remained inactive after the closure of the snack food business in
November 1996 until December 1998 when we changed our name to Dealcheck.com Inc.
and agreed on a new business strategy. This strategy focused on investing in new
and emerging technology oriented projects and businesses. In 1999,
our company raised $3.2 million, which we invested in various projects and
companies over the next two years as per the new business strategy of our
company. Unfortunately, the IT sector performed poorly since 2001 and new and
emerging technology-based businesses suffered significant losses, financial
problems and bankruptcies. These factors adversely affected our company’s
investments and its profitability. Our company had to write off all its
investments by the end of the fiscal 2003.
In April
2003, our company changed its business focus to the natural resource industry
and completed a private placement of approximately 8.9 million common shares,
raising approximately USD $3.1 million. These funds were primarily invested in
projects involving oil and gas exploration and diamond mining projects in Brazil
between April 2003 and September 2005,
Diamond
mining operations discontinued in December 2004. Our company sold its interest
in an oil exploration project in Papua New Guinea in July 2005 for USD $3.2
million. Our company’s cost of this project was approximately USD $1.6 million.
Further, in October 2004, our company acquired a working interest in a gas
exploration project in Louisiana, USA. Between March 2005 and
September 2005, our company invested approximately $3.9 million as its share of
exploration costs. The exploration, however, proved a dry well and was therefore
abandoned and the costs incurred were fully written off in December
2005.
Since
2006, our company has been actively pursuing oil and gas exploration and
development projects We found many projects to be too expensive while others did
not meet our technical due diligence. In November 2009, we acquired an indirect
71.63% working interest in two drilling licenses and one exploration permit in
the Levantine Basin, approximately 40 kilometers off the west coast of Israel,
through our wholly owned subsidiary, Bontan Oil and Gas Corporation. The two
drilling licenses, Petroleum License 347 (“Mira”) and Petroleum License 348
(“Sarah”), cover approximately 198,000 (net 141,827) acres of submerged land,
and the exploration permit, Petroleum Preliminary Permit 199 (“Benjamin”),
covers approximately 461,000 (net 330,214) acres of submerged land adjacent to
the land covered by the licenses. Our working interest is held in the
form of a 75% equity interest in Israel Petroleum Company, Limited, or IPC
Cayman, a Cayman Islands limited company that was formed to explore and develop
the properties off the coast of Israel. International Three Crown Petroleum LLC
owns a 22.5% equity interest in IPC Cayman and is managing the offshore Israel
project.
In
connection with the acquisition of our equity interest in IPC Cayman and as
consideration for the seller’s sale of its interest in the licenses and permit,
we paid to the seller USD $850,000 in cash, 8,617,686 common shares of Bontan
and a 7- year warrant to purchase 22,853,058 common shares of Bontan with an
exercise price of USD $4.00 per share. In addition, we issued a
5-year warrant to purchase up to 5,000,000 common shares to International Three
Crown Petroleum and a 5-year warrant to purchase up to 2,000,000 common shares
to the 2.5% equity owner in IPC Cayman. These 5-year warrants have an
exercise price of US$0.35 per share. To cover a portion of our
acquisition costs, we also issued a promissory note in the aggregate principal
amount of USD $850,000, together with a 5-year warrant to purchase 1,000,000
common shares at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share. The
note is secured by its pledge of our 1,125 shares of IPC Cayman. The note bears
an interest rate of 10% per year and is due and payable on November 12,
2010.
We have
agreed to use our best efforts to raise up to USD $18 million in equity or debt
financings and to contribute the net proceeds from these financings to IPC
Cayman to cover the costs of seismic and other technical work and other expenses
expected to be incurred related to the project, for general working capital
purposes and to reimburse International Three Crown Petroleum for certain
expenses in connection with the offshore Israel project.
Our
company’s registered office is situated at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200 Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3. We are a reporting issuer in the province of
Ontario.
Business
Overview
We invest
in the exploration and development of oil and gas wells. We focus on partnering
with established developers and operators. We have never had any oil
and gas operations and do not currently own any oil and gas properties with
proven reserves. In November 2009, we acquired (through our
wholly owned subsidiary) an indirect 71.63% working interest in two drilling
licenses and one exploration permit in the Levantine Basin, approximately 40
kilometers off the west coast of Israel. The two drilling licenses, Petroleum
License 347 (“Mira”) and Petroleum License 348 (“Sarah”), cover approximately
198,000 gross (net 141,827) acres of submerged land, and the exploration permit,
Petroleum Preliminary Permit 199 (“Benjamin”), covers approximately 461,000
gross (net 330,214) acres of submerged land adjacent to the land covered by the
licenses. Our working interest is held in the form of a 75% equity
interest in IPC Cayman, a Caymans Island limited company that was formed to
explore and develop the offshore Israel project. We do not own any
other property interests.
We are
currently focused on the offshore Israel project. We currently are
not seeking to acquire additional property interests in Israel or any other
region or to pursue other business opportunities. Our goal is to
advance this project to the drilling stage as aggressively as prudent financing
will allow to determine the presence of oil or natural gas. If we are successful
in doing so, we believe we can attract the attention of the existing oil and gas
companies already operating in the region or new oil and gas companies to enter
into a development agreement or farmout agreement.
Offshore
Israel Project
IPC
Cayman acquired its interests in the Mira and Sara licenses and the Benjamin
permit in November 2009, subject to the approval of transfer by the Petroleum
Commissioner from PetroMed to IPC Cayman. Substantial seismic data
concerning the area covered by the Mira and Sara licenses and the Benjamin
permit, including 2D and 3D seismic surveys, have been collected by
WesternGeco. IPC Cayman is negotiating the purchase of this data with
WesternGeco. IPC Cayman will need to raise additional funds to pay
the purchase price for this data, including through contributions from
us. After obtaining the seismic data, IPC Cayman will seek to enter
into a development agreement or farmout agreement with an established oil and
gas company or to sell its interest in the Mira and Sara licenses and the
Benjamin permit outright. Alternatively, IPC may seek to raise
sufficient capital to develop the Mira and Sara licenses and the Benjamin permit
independently.
Status
of Israeli Approval of the Licenses and Permits
On
October 15, 2009, International Three Crown Petroleum entered into an agreement
with PetroMed under which International Three Crown Petroleum was granted the
right to purchase PetroMed’s rights in license 347 Mira, license 348 Sarah and
preliminary permit with priority rights 199 (“Benjamin”). On November 18, 2009,
the PetroMed transaction was consummated, and as part of the closing, PetroMed
was paid the contractual consideration and PetroMed provided IPC Cayman,
International Three Crown Petroleum’s designee, with irrevocable deeds of
assignment with respect to each of the licenses
and permit.
Written
notice regarding the consummation of the PetroMed transaction was provided to
the office of the Petroleum Commissioner by PetroMed and International Three
Crown Petroleum on November 25, 2009.
Under
Section 76(a) of the Israel Petroleum Law, the permit may be transferred only
with the permission of the Petroleum Commissioner and the licenses may be
transferred only with the permission of the Petroleum Commissioner and after the
Petroleum Commissioner’s consultation with the Petroleum Council. In a notice
released by the Petroleum Commissioner’s office in October 2009, it was
stipulated that applications for the next meeting of the Petroleum Council were
to be submitted by January 20, 2010, although the date set for the next meeting
of the Petroleum Council was not stated in the notice.
Accordingly,
on January 18, 2010, IPC Cayman filed applications with the Petroleum
Commissioner to transfer the licenses and permit in accordance with Section
76(a) of the Law, with the application to transfer the permit also including an
application to be granted a license based on the permit and its attending
priority rights.
At a
meeting held with the Petroleum Commissioner at the time of filing the
applications on January 18, 2010, the Petroleum Commissioner notified IPC Cayman
that the next meeting of the Petroleum Council would be held on February 8,
2010.
PetroMed
sent an e-mail to IPC Cayman and the Petroleum Commissioner on January 17, 2010,
purporting to ‘rescind’ the PetroMed transaction and has, to the best of IPC
Cayman’s knowledge, further addressed the Petroleum Commissioner with claims
that the Petroleum Commissioner deny the applications. In addition, IPC Cayman
received verbal indication from the Petroleum Commissioner that the permit would
lapse at the end of its term on February 5, 2010, and the Petroleum Commissioner
would not approve the conversion of the permit into a license. Thereafter,
PetroMed communicated its withdrawal of rescission to the Petroleum Commissioner
with respect to the request to transfer the permit and convert it
into a license and requested that the Petroleum Commissioner place the request
for conversion of the permit before the Petroleum Council.
IPC
Cayman has not received written notice from the Petroleum Commissioner with
respect to any of the applications. However, none of the applications were on
the agenda for the Petroleum Council's meeting held on February 8,
2010.
On
January 19, 2010, PetroMed filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Washington against Bontan, Howard Cooper and Three Crown
Petroleum, LLC. The complaint requests, among other things,
rescission of PetroMed’s assignment of its 95.5% interest in the Mira and Sarah
licenses and Benjamin permit to IPC Cayman and a declaration that the contracts
with the defendants are null and void.
On
February 12, 2010, International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman filed a
complaint in the Denver, Colorado District Court against PetroMed and other
defendants. International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman allege
that the defendants are actively interfering with IPC Cayman’s application
before the Israel Ministry of Natural Infrastructure for transfer to IPC Cayman
of PetroMed’s 95.5% interest in the Rights. In the lawsuit,
International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman seek, among other matters,
temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief in order to avoid real,
immediate and irreparable harm to International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC
Cayman resulting from the defendants’ alleged wrongful conduct. The
lawsuit also seeks damages for defendants’ alleged multiple tortuous acts and
materials breaches of contracts, and a declaration of the parties’ rights and
obligations under the contracts. On February 15, 2010, the defendants
filed a notice to remove this action from state court to federal court. On
February 18, 2010, the federal judge remanded the case of state
court.
International
Three Crown Petroleum has informed us that, in light of the dispute as to
ownership of the Mira and Sarah drilling licenses and the Benjamin exploration
permit, the Petroleum Commissioner has declined to transfer the licenses and
permit to IPC Cayman and has indicated to IPC Cayman that he will be terminating
the permit and possibly the licenses.
Separately,
International Three Crown Petroleum has informed us that because WesternGeco has
not been paid its $12.5 million in full, it continues to refuse to turn over the
seismic data and its interpretation, which IPC Cayman must deliver to the
Petroleum Commissioner as a condition of the Benjamin permit and the Mira and
Sarah licenses. Failure to deliver the seismic data and its
interpretation is a default under the permit and licenses that could lead to
their termination by the Petroleum Commissioner.
Manager
of Offshore Israel Project
Under the
terms of a stockholders agreement, International Three Crown Petroleum is the
sole director of IPC Cayman and is managing the offshore Israel
project. The majority member and principal of International
Three Crown Petroleum is H. Howard Cooper.
H. Howard
Cooper is currently the manager of International Three Crown Petroleum, which
serves as the sole director of IPC Cayman. Mr. Cooper is also the manager Power
Petroleum LLC. International Three Crown Petroleum was formed by Mr.
Cooper in 2005 to identify and purchase oil and gas leases, primarily in the
U.S. Rocky Mountain Region. Power Petroleum, which was formed by Mr. Cooper in
2007, puts drilling prospects together in Colorado, Montana, Utah and North
Dakota. From 1996 until February 2005, Mr. Cooper was the chairman of
the board of directors of Teton Energy Corporation, a U.S. publicly traded
company formerly known as Teton Petroleum Company. Mr. Cooper also
served as president and CEO of Teton from 1996 until May 2003. During
his tenure with Teton, Teton primarily engaged in oil and gas
exploration, development, and production in Western Siberia, Russia.
Prior to joining Teton, Mr. Cooper served as a director and president of
American Tyumen, a company he founded in 1996 and which shortly thereafter
merged with Teton. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Cooper was a principal with
Central Asian Petroleum, an oil and gas company with its primary operations
in Kazakhstan. From 1992 to 1994 Mr. Cooper served with
AIG, an insurance group in New York, evaluating oil and gas projects in Russia.
From 1981 - 1991, Mr. Cooper was an independent landman developing oil and gas
opportunities in the U.S. Rocky Mountain Region.
Under the
stockholders agreement, we have limited authority
to participate in the management of IPC Cayman. International Three
Crown Petroleum as the sole director of IPC Cayman will have the right to make
operational decisions with respect to matters affecting the exploration and
development of the licenses and permit, including farming out or otherwise
disposing of interests to third parties who will agree to assume the obligations
to conduct required exploratory and development operations at their
cost.
The
director must get prior written approval of stockholders holding a majority of
shares of IPC Cayman to take any of the following actions:
·
|
Expansion
of the scope of IPC Cayman’s business beyond the acquisition, development
and potential farmout or sale of the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin
permit and any license that may be issued in lieu of such permit and any
other oil and gas exploration and development activity within the offshore
or onshore areas of the State of
Israel;
|
·
|
Sale
or merger of IPC Cayman or sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of IPC Cayman (other than a sale or
farmout to an industry partner in connection with a commitment to conduct
exploratory or development operations on the licenses and
permit);
|
·
|
Admit
additional owners to IPC Cayman;
|
·
|
Enter
into any contract or agreement between IPC Cayman and International Three
Crown Petroleum
or any affiliate;
|
·
|
Modify
any compensation arrangement between the Project Company and International
Three Crown Petroleum and any affiliate;
and
|
·
|
Amend
the organizational and internal operating documents of IPC
Cayman.
|
Under the
stockholders agreement, IPC Cayman will pay International Three Crown Petroleum
a monthly management fee of $20,000 for its services as director of IPC Cayman
and is obligated to reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the director on behalf of IPC Cayman. In connection with
any farmout, sale or other transfer of all or a portion of the offshore Israeli
project, International Three Crown Petroleum will receive a disposition fee
equal to the product of 5% of our percentage ownership interest in IPC Cayman
and the total cash proceeds received by us or our shareholders in such
transaction. International Three Crown Petroleum will also receive a warrant to
purchase a number of our common shares which is equal to the product of 5% of
our percentage ownership interest in IPC Cayman and the fair market value of all
consideration received by us in such transaction, divided by the market price of
one common share as of the date of issuance of the warrant. The
exercise price of the warrant will be equal to the market price. In
addition, International Three Crown Petroleum will receive $50,000 for every
$1,000,000 increase in current assets received by IPC Cayman or Bontan from
investors introduced by International Three Crown Petroleum to IPC Cayman or
Bontan.
Israel's
Petroleum Law
Exploration
and production of gas and oil in Israel is governed by the Petroleum Law, 1952
of the State of Israel. The administration and implementation of the Petroleum
Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder is vested in the Minister of
National Infrastructures and the Petroleum Commissioner, with
the Petroleum Council generally playing an advisory
role. The following discussion includes a brief summary of
certain aspects of the current legal situation.
Petroleum
resources are owned by the State of Israel, regardless of whether they are
located on state lands or the offshore continental shelf. No person is allowed
to explore for or produce petroleum without being granted a specific right under
the Petroleum Law. Israeli law provides for three types of rights, two relevant
to the exploration stage and the third for production:
·
|
Preliminary
permit. The
preliminary permit allows a prospector to conduct preliminary
investigations, such as field geology, airborne magnetometer surveys and
seismic data acquisition, but does not allow test drilling. The holder of
a preliminary permit is entitled to request a priority right on the permit
area, which, if granted, prevents an award of petroleum rights on the
permit area to any other party. The priority right may be granted for a
period not to exceed 18 months. The maximum area for an offshore
preliminary permit is 4,000,000 dunam. One dunam is equal to 1,000 square
meters (approximately .24711 of an acre). There are no restrictions as to
the number of permits that may be held by one prospector. However, the
petroleum regulations mandate that the prospector demonstrate that he
possesses requisite experience and financial resources necessary to
execute a plan of operation.
|
·
|
License. A license grants the
exclusive right for further exploration work and requires the drilling of
one or more test wells. The initial term of a license is up to three years
and it may be extended for up to an additional four years. An offshore
license area may not exceed 400,000 dunam (approximately 98,800 acres). No
one entity may hold more than twelve licenses or hold more than a total of
four million dunam in aggregate license
area.
|
·
|
Production
lease. Upon
discovery of petroleum in commercial quantities in the area of a license,
a licensee has a statutory "right" to receive a production lease. The
initial lease term is 30 years, extendable up to a maximum period of 50
years. A lease confers upon the lessee the exclusive right to explore for
and produce petroleum in the lease area and requires the lessee to produce
petroleum in commercial quantities (or pursue test or development
drilling). The lessee is entitled to transport and market the petroleum
produced, subject, however, to the right of the government to require the
lessee to supply local needs first, at market
price.
|
The
holders of preliminary permits, licenses and leases are required to pay fees to
the government of Israel to maintain the rights. The fees vary according to the
nature of the right, the size and location (on-shore or off-shore) of the right,
area subject of the right and, in the case of a license, the period during which
the license has been maintained. The fees range from New Israeli Shekels (NIS)
66.72 (approx. USD
$17.78 at the Bank of Israel representative rate published on February 15, 2010)
per 1,000 dunam (approx. 247.11 acres) per year for a permit to NIS 12131.52
(approx. USD $3,233.35) per 1,000 dunam per year for a lease (except for 50,000
dunam around each producing well for which no fee is due). All fees are linked
to the Israeli Consumer Price Index.
The
holder of a right under the Petroleum Law, whether permit, license or lease, is
required to conduct its operations in accordance with a work program set as part
of the respective right, with due diligence and in accordance with the accepted
practice in the petroleum industry. The holder is required to submit progress
and final reports; provided, however, the information disclosed in such reports
remains confidential for as long as the holder owns a right on the area
concerned.
If the
holder of a right under the Petroleum Law does not comply with the work program
provided for by the terms of the right, the Petroleum Commissioner may issue a
notice requiring that the holder cure the default within 60 days of the giving
of the notice, together with a warning that failure to comply within the 60-day
cure period may entail cancellation of the right. If such right is cancelled
following such notice, the holder of the right may, within 30 days of the date
of notice of the Petroleum Commissioner's decision, appeal such cancellation to
the Minister of National Infrastructures. No right may be cancelled until the
Minister has ruled on the appeal.
The
holder of a license or lease on which there is a producing well is required to
pay a royalty to the government of 12.5% of production. The government may elect
to take the royalty in kind, or take payment in cash for its share of
production.
Application
of Israeli Law Outside of the Israeli Territorial Waters
Current
Israeli law provides that (a) the territorial waters of Israel are 12 miles from
the shoreline and (b) the seabed and the subsea bed adjacent to the shoreline
and outside of the territorial waters are included in the area of the State of
Israel up to such depth as enables exploitation of natural resources. The waters
above such subsea areas (high seas) are not considered as part of Israeli
territory. Maritime law and international public law would apply to such areas.
There are therefore certain ambiguities with respect to the application of
Israeli law to activities taking place outside the territorial waters. Since the
Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin permit are outside of the Israeli
territorial waters, as set out above, there is uncertainty as to the application
of Israeli law to activities in their area, with the exception of the Petroleum
Law, which does apply.
A
proposal for a new subsea law is currently before the legislator, which would,
if enacted, replace the above laws and determine Israel's sovereign rights in
areas that extend beyond its territorial waters
It is
anticipated that the area of the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin permit
would be included in an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area to be declared under
the new subsea law, and if the area of the EEZ is decreased, then the area of
the licenses and the permit would be decreased in such manner so as to ensure
that its entire area will fall within the area of the EEZ, without compensation
to the owner of the licenses or permit.
We do not
know and cannot predict whether any legislation in this area will be enacted
and, if so, in what form and which of its provisions, if any, will relate to and
affect our activities, how and to what extent nor what impact, if any, it might
have on our financial statements.
Administrative
approvals are required from a number of ministries and agencies in the field of
oil and gas exploration and development. Over the past few years, a number of
legislative bills which would affect this are have been proposed (but not yet
passed), and such bills, if passed into law, could have a negative effect on our
business and activities.
Environmental
Matters
Oil and
gas drilling operations could potentially harm the environment if there are
polluting spills caused by the loss of well control. The Petroleum Law and the
regulations promulgated thereunder provide that the conduct of petroleum
exploration and drilling operations be pursued in compliance with “good oil
field practices” and that measures of due care be taken to avoid seepage of oil,
gas and well fluids into the ground and from one geologic formation to another.
The Petroleum Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder also require that,
upon the abandonment of a well, it be adequately plugged and marked.
Furthermore, the Petroleum Commissioner and the Minister of National
Infrastructures have authority to enforce measures to prevent
damages.
Our
operations may also be subject to claims for personal injury and property damage
caused by the release of chemicals or petroleum substance by us or others in
connection with the conduct of petroleum operations on our behalf. Such claims
could be advanced under public international law claims or under national laws
of tort.
We do not
know and cannot predict whether any legislation in the environmental area will
be enacted and, if so, in what form and which of its provisions, if any, will
relate to and affect our activities, how and to what extent nor what impact, if
any, it might have on our financial statements.
Organizational
Structure
We have
only one subsidiary, Bontan Oil and Gas Corporation. It holds our 75%
equity interest in IPC Cayman. Bontan Oil and Gas was incorporated on February
20, 2004 as an Ontario corporation and is 100% owned by us. Bontan
Oil & Gas Corporation changed its name effective January 18, 2010 to Israel
Oil & Gas Corporation.
Property,
Plants and Equipment
We
currently lease office space at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada for approximately $2,000 from a related party.
The leased area is approximately 950 square feet. There is no long-term lease
commitment.
As
described above, we have a 71.63% working interest in two drilling licenses and
one exploration permit in the Levantine Basin, approximately 40 kilometers off
the west coast of Israel. As of the date of this prospectus, we did not have any
reserves associated with our interests in the oil and gas
properties.
OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You
should read the following discussion with our historical financial statements
and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Operating
results – Six Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)
Six months
ended September 30,
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
(CDN
$)
|
Revenue
|
-
|
|
201,837
|
Expenses
|
(968,725)
|
|
(348,813)
|
Net
loss for period
|
(968,720)
|
|
(146,976)
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit
at end of period
|
(34,304,041)
|
|
(32,792,882)
|
Overview
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009, our main activities were as
follows:
a.
|
Preparation
of annual consolidated financial statements and completion of their
audit.
|
b.
|
Conducting
a private placement to raise USD $500,000, which was completed in October
2009.
|
c.
|
Reviewing
various short term investments in our investment portfolio and disposed of
a significant portion of those investments that indicated declining
values.
|
d.
|
Negotiating
a new project involving certain licenses and permit to explore oil and gas
in an offshore location off the coast of Israel in partnership with an
experienced oil and gas partner. In November 2009, we acquired a 71.63%
working interest in the offshore Israel
project.
|
Some of
these events are discussed further in this prospectus.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2008, management mainly focused on completing
the annual audit and filings of the audited financials and annual reports will
Canadian and US regulatory authorities. We also completed and updated our Manual
of Internal Controls over financial reporting and introduced certain procedures
to formalize and document our on-going internal control processes.
During
the period, we reviewed proposals relating to web development and mobile
technology. These projects appeared expensive and more speculative and as a
result were not pursued further.
Income
There was
no revenue during the six months ended September 30, 2009. Several short term
investments were disposed of during this period resulting in a realized loss of
approximately $539,000, which is explained below.
Income
during the six months ended September 30, 2008 consisted of interest of
approximately $5,900 earned on cash balances with brokerage firms and the
balance reflected gains realized on disposal of short term
investments.
Gains
and Losses on disposal of short term investments
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009, management reviewed its short-term
investment portfolio and identified several holdings whose market value remained
depreciated for quite some time and showed no signs of any recovery in the near
future. We therefore decided to dispose of these investments and focus on those
whose values are likely to improve.
Fourteen
holdings form the portfolio having carrying cost of $875,235 were sold for total
proceeds of $335,958, resulting in a loss of $539,277.
Expenses
The
overall analysis of the expenses is as follows:
Six months
ended September 30,
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Expenses
|
$165,349
|
|
$153,864
|
Consulting
Fee and Payroll
|
219,332
|
|
212,917
|
Exchange
loss (gain)
|
44,762
|
|
(17,968)
|
|
$429,443
|
|
$348,813
|
Operating
Expenses
Six months
ended September 30,
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
Travel,
meals and promotions
|
$37,658
|
|
$31,622
|
Shareholder
information
|
71,917
|
|
64,500
|
Professional
Fees
|
18,873
|
|
14,011
|
Other
|
36,901
|
|
43,731
|
|
$165,349
|
|
$153,864
|
Travel,
meals and promotions
These
expenses were substantially incurred by our key consultant, Mr. Terence
Robinson, and included his local club expenses and expenses on travels to meet
his contacts in connection with new business proposals or to seek new potential
investors for our company. During the six months ended September 30,
2009, Mr. Robinson visited Vancouver, New York and UK in connection with one
business proposal.
Expenses
for the 2008 period included approximately $5,500 in visiting Los Angeles and
New York in connection with a networking conference.
Shareholder
information
Shareholder
information costs comprise investor and media relations fee, costs of holding
annual general meeting of the shareholders and various regulatory filing
fees.
Major
cost consists of media relation and investor relation services provided by
Current Capital Corp., a related party, under contracts dated July 1, 2004,
which are being renewed automatically unless canceled in writing by a 30-day
notice for a total monthly fee of USD $10,000.
Management
believes that such services are essential even in the current periods when we do
not have any active business. In fact, these services are more vital to ensure
our existing shareholder base and prospective investors/brokers and other
interested parties are constantly kept in contact and their comments and
concerns are brought to the attention of the management on a timely
basis.
Professional
fees
Professional
fees primarily consist of audit and legal fees.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, audit fee accrual was $12,500
on the basis of the estimated annual fee of $25,000. The balance of the fee for
this period consisted of fees charged by our corporate lawyer to provide
services in connection with certain regulatory matters.
Other
operating costs
These
costs include rent, telephone, Internet, transfer agents fees and other general
and administration costs.
We will
continue to monitor these costs so as to keep them at minimum.
Consulting
fees and payroll
Six months
ended September 30,
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
Fees
settled in common shares
|
(41,288)
|
|
159,985
|
Fees
settled in options
|
0
|
|
1,970
|
Fees
settled in cash
|
238,900
|
|
35,658
|
Payroll
|
21,720
|
|
15,304
|
|
$219,332
|
|
$212,917
|
Stock
based compensation is made up of our common shares and options being issued to
various consultants and directors for services provided. We used this method of
payment mainly to conserve our cash flow for business investments purposes. This
method also allows us to avail the services of consultants with specialized
skills and knowledge in our business activities without having to deplete our
limited cash flow.
The
following were the key details forming part of consulting fee and payroll costs
during the six months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
a.
|
Fee
settled in common shares represented shares previously allotted to Mr.
John Robinson, a consultant for his service being deferred and now
expensed for the period. However, Mr. John Robinson returned all the
shares – 350,000 common shares – on August 12, 2009 for cancelation and
instead was paid cash fee of $82,000 as approved by our board of
directors. This transaction has been accounted for in the second quarter
ending September 2009. For the 2008 period, three consultants were issued
shares in settlement of their fees – Mr. Kam Shah, CEO, Mr. Terence
Robinson, key consultant, and Mr. John
Robinson.
|
b.
|
Fees
settled in cash consisted of fee of $10,000 per month each paid to Mr. Kam
Shah and Mr. Terence Robinson. The balance of the fees included fees paid
to the two independent directors for their services as members of the
audit committee. (2008 period cash fee included $20,000 paid to Mr. Shah
for services).
|
c.
|
An
administrative assistant was hired as an employee in May 2008 for the
first time. Payroll reflects the salary and related expenses in connection
with this position. In prior periods, administrative work was carried out
by a contract person.
|
We
created a new 2009 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan and registered the
underlying shares with Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2009.
Three million common shares have been registered for issuance to consultants for
services in lieu of cash fee. 100,000 shares were issued to two independent
consultants as of September 30, 2009. Similarly, we still have 950,000
un-allotted options from the 2005 Stock Option Plan.
Exchange
Loss
Exchange
loss related to translation losses arising from converting foreign currency
balances, mainly in US dollar into Canadian dollar, which is the reporting unit
of currency, on consolidation.
Our
treasury transactions – issuance of shares, exercise of warrants and options -
are in US dollar. Similarly, approximately 4% cash and short term investments
are in US dollars.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009, the Canadian dollar strengthened
against US dollar – from CDN $ 1.26 at March 31, 2009 per USD $ 1 to
1.07 at September 30, 2009 – over 15% decline and hence US dollar based assets
had lower Canadian values on translation at September 30, 2009 resulting in an
exchange loss of approximately $44,762.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2008 Canadian dollar value increased by
approximately 3% over the US Dollar, resulting in an exchange loss on conversion
of cash and short term investments held in US dollars.
Operating
Results – Year Ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Year
Ended March 31
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(CDN$)
|
|
|
Revenue
|
52,937
|
|
321,755
|
|
743,786
|
Expense
|
(742,352)
|
|
(893,554)
|
|
(907,829)
|
Net
loss for year
|
(689,415)
|
|
(571,799)
|
|
(164,043)
|
Deficit
at end of year
|
(33,335,321)
|
|
(32,645,906)
|
|
(32,074,107)
|
The
following were the key events in fiscal 2009:
1.
|
Management
continued to look for suitable business proposals and projects to
participate into. We received several projects during the year of which
about fifteen were reviewed and discussed in detail. Many of these related
to emerging high technology projects, resource sector exploration and
development projects. Unfortunately, we were unable to conclude
successfully in any of these business proposals. They were either too
pricey compared to the expected growth and returns or they carried
considerable debts and other commitments which would affect their ability
to achieve their stated targets. We also looked at possibilities of
merging with existing businesses. Our efforts at getting a project or a
business that can that can get us back into working mode and enhance our
shareholders value still continue.
|
2.
|
We
also had to spend considerable time and efforts in continually monitoring
our short term investments. These investments which represented our
surplus funds earmarked for future projects suffered adversely in value
due to deteriorating economic conditions during the past several months.
We were however able to dispose of some of these holdings at reasonable
profits whenever opportunities arose. Some of our key investments,
although suffered value depreciation on a temporary basis, do reflect
strong possibility of full recovery in the near future. We have discussed
these investments later in this
report.
|
3.
|
We
revised the terms of our outstanding options and warrants by extending
their maturity dates and reducing their exercise prices to ensure that
these instruments continue to provide easy access to further cash flows
from our existing shareholders. Refer to notes 7 and 8 of the consolidated
financial statements for fiscal 2009 which form part of this report for
further details.
|
4.
|
We
also attempted to initiate a private placement to raise up to USD
$500,000. However, this proved difficult due to our inability to secure a
business project and extremely adverse market conditions. Nonetheless, we
were able to get new investors to invest USD $50,000. We have for now kept
this private placement open.
|
5.
|
We
adopted two new accounting standards and an amendment to an existing
accounting standard issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered
Accountants during the fiscal year 2009 on a prospective basis. These are
more fully explained in note 2 to our consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal year 2009 included in this
prospectus.
|
The
following were key events in fiscal 2008:
|
1.
|
Management
received and evaluated twenty two business proposals during the fiscal
2008. Eight in Oil and Gas sector, four in health and pharmaceutical
sector, five in Internet and high technology sector, four in alternative
energy sector and one was in banking sector. Unfortunately, none of these
projects met with our acceptance criteria. they were either not supported
by technically experienced partners or were too expensive to be profitable
for us or highly speculative in nature with relatively longer potential
payback period.
|
|
2.
|
We
carried out a formal evaluation of design and operation of our internal
controls over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission. The
evaluation resulted in a formal development of an internal control manual
which was updated as at March 31, 2008 and will be followed to ensure
adequate controls on our financial reporting and also to ensure
compliance with the relevant statutory requirements in Canada and the
United States.
|
|
3.
|
During
the fiscal year 2008, we developed a supplementary plan to the existing
2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan to add one million common shares
to the existing Plan. The supplemental plan was registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12,
2007.
|
|
4.
|
The
surplus funds were continued to be invested in marketable securities.
Approximately $2 million were realised from the sales and $3.4 million
were invested during the fiscal year
2008.
|
|
5.
|
We
adopted two new accounting standards issued by the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants as of April 1, 2007 on a prospective basis. These
are more fully explained in note 2 to our consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year 2008 included in this
prospectus.
|
|
6.
|
We
corrected an error in valuation of warrants and share capital
retroactively as more fully explained in note 9(a) (ii) to our
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2008 included in
this prospectus.
|
The
following were the key events in fiscal 2007:
1.
|
We
completed a private placement on April 16, 2006, raising an additional
$1.3 million between April 1, 2006 and the closing date. In this
connection, the Company paid finder’s fee at 10% in cash and 10%
(1,040,000) in warrants to Current Capital Corp., a related
party.
|
2.
|
We
initiated preparation of a prospectus and registration statement in Form
F-3 for submission to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in respect
of shares issued and issuable under warrants issued under a private
placement completed in April 2006. The prospectus became effective on
November 30, 2006.
|
3.
|
Our
directors approved a new plan – 2007 Consultants Stock Compensation Plan
covering 1.5 million common shares for issuance to consultants in
settlement of their fees for services to be rendered during 2007. The Plan
was formally filed with a registration statement Form S-8 with U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on January 16,
2007.
|
4.
|
We
received several exploration participation proposals during the
year. We carried out detailed due diligence on three oil
project proposals but eventually decided against participating in any of
them due to unsatisfactory results of the due
diligence.
|
5.
|
The
surplus funds continued to be invested in short term marketable
securities. The cash and marketable securities at fair market value of at
March 31, 2007 were $7.3 million compared to $5.8 million as at March 31,
2006. During the fiscal 2007, we earned approximately 27% return on our
short term investments of an average of approximately $2.6
million.
|
Income
Income
comprised the following:
Fiscal
year ended March 31,
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
Realized
gain on disposal of short term investments
|
$ 45,036
|
$ 248,455
|
$ 650,508
|
Interest
|
7,901
|
73,300
|
93,278
|
|
$ 52,937
|
$ 321,755
|
$ 743,786
|
Gains
on disposal of short term investments
Management
chose to invest surplus funds in marketable securities on a short term basis
while it continued to seek business opportunities. However, market conditions
during later part of the fiscal 2009 deteriorated significantly and many of our
investments lost values as part of the overall losses in the stock market.
However, we were still able to identify some opportunities and dispose of some
of our holdings at a profit. We decided not to sell securities which lost
significant market values but rather use our existing cash for operating needs
and wait for these securities to regain their original values before disposing
them. During the fiscal year 2009, we sold investments of approximately $1.8
million while investing approximately $2.4 million. Net return on investments
disposed of during the year was approximately 2.5%
During
the fiscal year 2008, we sold investments of approximately $ 2 million, earning
an average of 12% return.
During
the fiscal year 2007, we disposed of investments worth approximately $5.5
million, earning an average return of 12%.
Interest
Income
Interest
was earned on cash funds held at the brokerage firms before they are being
invested in marketable securities.
Significantly
higher interest income in fiscal 2007 was mainly due to higher cash balances
being held. Average cash during the fiscal 2007 was approximately $3.2 million
compared to $2.1 million in fiscal 2008 and $0.6 million in fiscal 2009.
Applicable interest rates also dropped during these periods from an average of
5% to 1%.
Expenses
The
overall analysis of the expenses is as follows:
Fiscal
year ended March 31,
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
$ 319,081
|
$ 355,248
|
$ 373,594
|
Consulting
fee & payroll
|
480,050
|
396,465
|
418,434
|
Exchange
(gain)loss
|
(119,789)
|
141,841
|
111,659
|
Write
off of short term investment
|
63,010
|
|
|
Write
off of interest in gas exploration project
|
-
|
-
|
4,142
|
|
$ 742,352
|
$ 893,554
|
$ 907,829
|
Operating
Expenses
Fiscal
year ended March 31,
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
Travel,
meals and entertainment
|
$
66,896
|
$ 120,008
|
$ 108,266
|
Shareholder
information
|
144,757
|
133,502
|
149,105
|
Professional
fees
|
27,844
|
34,601
|
53,084
|
Other
|
79,584
|
67,137
|
63,139
|
|
$ 319,081
|
$ 355,248
|
$ 373,594
|
Travel,
meals and entertainment
These
expenses are primarily incurred by our key consultant, Mr. Terence Robinson, in
traveling to the USA and Europe and also in maintaining his net work which has
been successfully used in raising funds, in attracting qualified consultants
with minimum cash outlay and in securing suitable projects for the
Company.
During
fiscal 2009, approximately $10,000 or 15% costs related to travels in connection
with conducting due diligence on three of the proposals that were being reviewed
on site in detail including pre-review meetings. The balance of the costs
represented meals and entertainment.
Travel,
meals and entertainment costs during fiscal 2008 and 2007 included trips to USA,
Europe and Middle East by Mr. Robinson. These visits resulted in some of the
business proposals that were sent to us. They also helped introduce us to new
investors in Middle East and Europe.
Shareholder
information
Shareholder
information costs comprise investor and media relations fee, costs of holding
annual general meeting of the shareholders and various regulatory filing
fees.
Major
cost consists of media relation and investor relation services provided by
Current Capital Corp. under contracts dated July 1, 2004, which are being
renewed automatically unless canceled in writing by a 30-day notice for a total
monthly fee of US$10,000. Current Capital Corp. is a shareholder of our
company.
The
differences in fee between the three fiscal years 2009 through 2007 was due to
significant changes in the exchange rates between Canadian and US
dollars.
Management
believes that such services are essential even in the current periods when we do
not have any active business. In fact, these services are more vital to ensure
our existing shareholder base and prospective investors/brokers and other
interested parties are constantly kept in contact and their comments and
concerns are brought to the attention of the management on a timely
basis.
Professional
fees
Professional
fees primarily consist of audit and legal fees.
For
fiscal year 2009, audit fee was $25,000 and legal fees were $2,844.
For
fiscal year 2008, audit fee was $25,000 and legal fees were $9,601. The legal
fee was mainly relating to registration of supplementary stock compensation plan
and other legal advice.
Fiscal
2007 professional fees consisted of audit fee of $ 25,700 for fiscal 2007 and
$6,000 for fiscal 2006 not accrued in that fiscal year and legal fee of $21,384.
Legal fees related to filing of the 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan,
registration statement for the shares issued and issuable under the 2006 private
placement and other legal matters.
Other
operating costs
These
costs include rent, telephone, Internet, transfer agents fees and other general
and administration costs.
Effective
January 1, 2008, we increased our rental space from approximately 300 sq.ft. to
960 sq.ft. As a result, the rental cost has also increased from approximately
$500 to $1,800. The other overheads have remained consistent on a year to year
basis.
The
increased space will enable management to meet prospective investors,
shareholders, business partners, auditors and other visitors in the office
rather than outside in a restaurant and achieve further savings in related
travel and entertainment expenses.
Consulting
fees and payroll
Fiscal
Year Ended March 31,
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees
settled in common shares
|
193,139
|
|
314,248
|
|
367,973
|
Fee
settled by issuance of options
|
84,717
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Fee
settled in cash
|
166,928
|
|
82,217
|
|
50,461
|
Payroll
|
35,266
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$ 480,050
|
|
$ 396,465
|
|
$418,434
|
Stock
based compensation is comprised of our common shares and options to acquire our
common shares being issued to various consultants and directors for services
provided. We use this method of payment mainly to conserve our cash flow for
business investments purposes. This allows us to avail the services of
consultants with specialized skills and knowledge in our business activities
without having to deplete our limited cash flow.
The
following were the major details forming part of the consulting fee and
payroll:
1.
|
Fees
were paid in the form of common shares paid for their services in common
shares - Mr. Kam Shah, the chief executive officer and chief financial
officer, Mr. Terence Robinson, a key consultant, and Mr. John Robinson, a
key consultant. No new shares were issued during the fiscal
year.
|
2.
|
Mr.
Terence Robinson returned 275,000 shares previously issued as compensation
for cancelation and instead requested cash payment. This reduced stock
compensation costs by $64,395 and increased cash compensation by an agreed
sum of $60,000.
|
3.
|
Option
value included $76,839 resulting from the changes in terms of the existing
options. These changes involved reduction in the exercise value and
extension of the expiry dates as more fully explained in note 7 (i) to the
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
2009.
|
4.
|
The
balance of the options were issued to the two independent directors as
part of their fees in their capacity as audit committee
members.
|
5.
|
Majority
of cash fee comprised $90,000 fee to Mr. Terence Robinson, including
$60,000 on account of shares returned for cancellation as explained in 2.
above. And $50,000 to Kam Shah.
|
6.
|
An
administrative assistant was hired as an employee in May 2008 for the
first time. Payroll reflected the salary and related expenses in
connection with this position. In prior periods, administrative work was
carried out by a contract person.
|
During
fiscal year 2008, we registered a supplementary Plan to the existing 2007
Consultant Stock Compensation Plan. An additional one million common shares were
registered under this Plan with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In
addition, we had 350,000 common shares unissued from the existing Plan. The
total of 1,350,000 common shares was issued to three consultants in lieu of
their fees for services to be provided as follows:
#
|
Name
|
Period
of service
|
#
of shares to be issued
|
Date
of issuance of stock (a)
|
Market
price (US$)
|
Fee
in US$
|
CDN$
at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1.0181
|
1
|
John
Robinson
|
Year
ending June 30, 2009
|
350,000
|
28-Mar-08
|
$0.23
|
$80,500
|
$81,957
|
2
|
Terence
Robinson
|
Year
ending December 31, 2008
|
550,000
|
28-Mar-08
|
$0.23
|
$126,500
|
$128,790
|
3
|
Kam
Shah
|
Year
ending December 31, 2008
|
450,000
|
28-Mar-08
|
$0.23
|
$103,500
|
$105,373
|
|
|
|
1,350,000
|
|
|
$310,500
|
$316,120
|
On March
28, 2008, we issued 25,000 options to each of the two members of the audit
committee for their services during the fiscal 2009. These options have a term
of five years and are exercisable into an equal number of common shares at an
exercise price of US$0.35 per option. The options were valued at
$7,878.
During
the fiscal 2007, we registered one Plan and issued common shares to three
existing consultants as explained below. No new consultants were hired due to
lack of any active projects.
On
January 16, 2007, we registered the 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company registered 1.7 million
common shares under this Plan. On February 8, 2007, we issued 1,150,000 common
shares under this Plan to three existing consultants, all of whom are related
parties, for a value of $313,486 based on the market price of the our common
shares on the date of issuance.
Exchange
(gain) Loss
Exchange
losses and gains related to translation losses and gains arising from
converting foreign currency balances, mainly in US dollar, into Canadian
dollar, which is the reporting unit of currency, on
consolidation.
|
Our
treasury transactions – issuance of shares, exercise of warrants and
options - are in US dollar. Similarly, approximately 5% cash
and short term investments are in US
dollars.
|
During
the fiscal year 2009, the Canadian dollar continually weakened in value
against US dollar – from $1.0279 per US dollar at March 31, 2008 to
$1.2602 per US dollar at March 31, 2009 – approximately 23% reduction in
value. As a result, year end revaluation of assets held in US dollar
resulted in a significant exchange gain of
$119,789.
|
The
Canadian dollar has steadily strengthened against US dollar for the last
three years – US$1 was equal to CDN$ 1.19 on an average during the fiscal
year 2006, CDN$1.14 during the fiscal year 2007 and CDN$ 1.03 during the
fiscal year 2008. We held cash and short term investments in US dollar and
all its treasury transactions were also in US dollars. Most of our
expenses and liabilities were in Canadian dollars. This situation resulted
us having to book an exchange loss for each of these fiscal years on year
end translation of its US dollar balances as per our stated accounting
policy.
|
As
of March 31, 2008, we had net monetary assets of approximately $1.1
million in US dollar and issued common shares for $110,201 during the
year. The US dollar depreciated by around 10% compared to
Canadian dollar during this period resulting in a year end translation
loss of $141,841.
|
As
of March 31, 2007, we had net monetary assets of approximately $1.2
million in US dollar. and issued common shares for $1.2 million during the
fiscal year. US Dollar depreciated by over 6% against Canadian dollar
during the year resulting in a translation loss of
$111,659.
|
Write
off of short term investment
Our short
term investment portfolio included an investment of $63,010(US$50,000) in a
private Canadian corporation. This corporation was engaged initially in
exploration of oil and gas in Argentina and other South American countries and
later exploited hydro-electric projects in Panama. Unfortunately, none of these
projects came to fruition and the corporation was unable to attract more
financing and as a result has now become inactive shell with no funds.
Management has determined that our investment value has been permanently
impaired and as a result, we decided to fully write off this
investment.
There
were no such write offs in the fiscal years 2008 and 2007.
Write
off of interest in gas exploration project –fiscal year 2007
During
the fiscal 2007, we received a final charge of $4,142 (US$ 3,638) relating to
closure of the drilled well in a gas exploration project in the State of
Louisiana, USA where we acquired a 49% gross working interest. No further
charges are expected in respect of this project.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Working
Capital
At
September 30, 2009, we had a net working capital of approximately $1.6 million
compared to a working capital of $3.2 million at September 30, 2008. Almost all
of the working capital at September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 was in the
form of cash and short term investments. The significant decline in working
capital was due to accounting for unrealized losses on short term investments on
application of mark-to market accounting policy. This is further detailed under
investment cash flow section below. Cash on hand at September 30,
2009 was approximately $240,000 compared to approximately $500,000 at September
30, 2008.
The
sudden deterioration in the stock market condition during the past several
months has severely affected our short term investment portfolio value and as a
result our working capital base. However, the stock market has now shown signs
of improvement and market prices of some of the key investments in our portfolio
have begun to rise. We believe that this trend is more likely to continue and
will shortly result in much improved liquidity for us. For example, market value
of one of our main investments, which constituted approximately 40% of our total
portfolio carrying costs, increased from $ 710,435 at September 30, 2009 to $1.1
million at December 31, 2009. Meanwhile, we continue to monitor our expenses and
short term portfolio closely. We had no external borrowings at September 30,
2009. In November 2009, in connection with our acquisition of a 71.63% working
interest in the offshore Israel project, we issued promissory notes in the
aggregate principal amount of USD $975,000.
At March
31, 2009, we had a net working capital of approximately $1.4 million compared to
a working capital of $5.2 million at March 31, 2008. Almost all of
the working capital - approximately $1.4 million - at March 31, 2009 was in the
form of cash and short term investments compared to 94% - $4.9 million at March
31, 2008. The significant decline in working capital was due to accounting for
unrealised losses on short term investments of approximately $4.4 million on
application of fair value based on market price as at March 31, 2009. This is
further detailed under investment cash flow section below. Cash on hand at March
31, 2008 was $0.4 million compared to $1.3 million at March 31,
2008.
The
sudden deterioration in market conditions has severely affected our working
capital base. Management however expects that its existing cash position will
enable it to meet its operating needs for the near future and to wait until the
market value of its available for sale investments improves. Near the end of
December 2008, we launched a new equity fund raising through a private placement
of up to USD $500,000 to strengthen our working capital.
Operating cash
flow
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009, operating activities generated a net
cash outflow of approximately $438,000 which was met partly from the proceeds of
the sales of short term investments and balance from cash on hand.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2008, operating activities required net cash
outflow of approximately $212,000. Operating cash requirements were met
primarily through cash on hand.
All three
consultants – Mr. Kam Shah, Mr. Terence Robinson and Mr. John
Robinson – were to be paid their consulting fees in cash for the
remainder of the fiscal year. This would have increased operating cash
requirements for the future period. However, as explained earlier, we secured a
significant working interest in oil and gas project in November 2009 and hence
these consultants have opted to accept shares to preserve cash for the new
business activities. No shares have yet been allotted.
We hope
to meet the expected increase in operating cash requirement through profitable
disposal of some of our short term investments which have begun to grow in value
and from equity financing through private placements.
During
fiscal year 2009, operating activities generated a net cash outflow of $362,874,
which was primarily met from the available cash on hand.
During
fiscal year 2008, operating activities required net cash outflow of $482,662
which was off set by the net realised on disposal of short term investments of
$248,455 and balance from the available cash on hand. In fiscal 2007, our
operating activities required net cash flow of $529,323 which was met from the
net proceeds from the sale of short term investments of $650,508.
We
continue to keep our operating cash requirements to a minimum. However, once we
begin business activities, this requirement may have to be
reassessed.
Investing cash
flows
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009, management reviewed its entire short
term portfolio and disposed of several investments that continued to decline in
value and showed no sign for any improvement in the near future. Approximately
thirteen of such investments were disposed of at a realized loss of
approximately $539,000. The disposal generated a net cash flow of $337,000,
which after netting off small acquisitions of $87,000 resulted in net investment
cash flow of $250,000.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2008, we invested approximately $1.8 million
in short term marketable securities while realized approximately $1.3 million
from the disposal of such securities, which were reinvested. Net additional
investments were funded from the available cash on hand.
At
September 30, 2009, we had short term investments at a carrying cost of
approximately $5.2 million – of which $4.9 million or 94% was held in Canadian
currency and the balance 6% was held in US currency. Approximately 94%
(September 30, 2008: 95%) of the investments were in 12 public companies while
6% was invested in two private companies. These investments were stated at their
fair value of approximately $1.3 million at September 30, 2009 and the
difference between carrying costs and fair value representing unrealized losses
was transferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss and included under
shareholders’ equity.
At
September 30, 2008, we had short term investments at a carrying cost of
approximately $5.6 million – of which $5.4 million or 96% was held in Canadian
currency and the balance 4% was held in US currency. Approximately 95% of the
investments were in 34 public companies while 5% was invested in three private
companies. These investments were stated at their fair value of approximately
$2.5 million as at September 30, 2008 and the difference representing unrealized
loss was transferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss and included under
shareholders’ equity.
The
significant decline in fair value between fair values at September 30, 2009 and
2008 was mainly caused by adverse stock market conditions which aggravated
during this period.
The
amounts at which our publicly-traded investments could be disposed of currently
may differ from fair values based on market quotes, as the value at which
significant ownership positions are sold is often different than the quoted
market price due to a variety of factors such as premiums paid for large blocks
or discounts due to illiquidity.
During
fiscal year 2009, we invested $2.4 million in short term marketable securities
while we sold marketable securities for net proceeds of $1.8 million. The
balance of the funds for investment after using the sales proceeds came from the
available cash on hand.
We had
short term investments at a carrying cost of approximately $5.5 million as at
March 31, 2009 – of which $5.2 million or 95% was held in Canadian currency and
the balance 5% was held in US currency. Approximately 95% of the investments
were in 24 public companies while 5% was invested in two private companies. An
investment of USD $50,000 in a private corporation was written off during the
year due to permanent impairment of its carrying costs. These investments were
stated at their fair value of approximately $1.1 million as at March 31, 2009
and the difference representing unrealised loss of approximately $4.4 million
was transferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss and included under
shareholders equity.
During
fiscal year 2008, we invested approximately $3.4 million in short term
marketable securities while realised approximately $2 million from the disposal
of such securities, which were partly used for the working capital as explained
above and remaining reinvested. Net additional investments were funded from the
available cash on hand.
As a
result of the above, we had short term investments at a carrying cost of
approximately $4.9 million as of March 31, 2008 –approximately 94% was held in
Canadian currency and the balance $342,000 or 6% was held in US currency.
Approximately 94% of investments were in 32 public companies while 6% was
invested in three private companies.
The fair
value of the above investments as at March 31, 2008, based primarily on the
quoted prices of the shares on that date, came to $3.6 million giving rise to an
unrealised loss of approximately $1.3 million. We recognized this loss and
reduced the value of our short term investment to reflect the fair value on the
balance sheet as at March 31, 2008.
During
fiscal year 2007, we invested $6.4 million in short term marketable securities
and realised $5.5 million from the sale of the short term marketable securities.
These proceeds were partly used to cover operating cash flow deficit and balance
reinvested.
The
amounts at which our publicly-traded investments could be disposed of currently
may differ from fair values based on market quotes, as the value at which
significant ownership positions are sold is often different than the quoted
market price due to a variety of factors, such as premiums paid for large blocks
or discounts due to illiquidity.
The
following is a major composition of short term investments:
|
|
September
30, 2009
|
March
31, 2009
|
|
|
In
000’
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
000’
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#
of shares
|
|
cost
|
|
fair
value
|
|
#
of shares
|
|
cost
|
|
fair
value
|
Marketable
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brownstone
Ventures Inc.
|
|
1,292
|
|
1,869
|
|
710
|
|
1,227
|
|
1,838
|
|
362
|
Roadrunner
Oil & Gas Inc.
|
|
1,679
|
|
643
|
|
151
|
|
1,529
|
|
627
|
|
145
|
Skana
Capital Corp.
|
|
773
|
|
706
|
|
201
|
|
773
|
|
706
|
|
186
|
9
(March 31, 2009:23) other public companies – mainly resource
sector
|
|
1,715
|
|
244
|
|
|
|
2,082
|
|
399
|
|
|
|
|
$ 4,933
|
|
$ 1,306
|
|
|
|
$ 5,253
|
|
$ 1,092
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-marketable
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cookee
Corp.
|
|
1,000
|
|
200
|
|
-
|
|
1,000
|
|
200
|
|
-
|
One
other private company
|
|
54
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$ 254
|
|
$ -
|
|
|
|
$ 263
|
|
$ -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 5,187
|
|
$ 1,306
|
|
|
|
$ 5,516
|
|
$ 1,092
|
Management
believes that the reduction in fair value of the above investments due to
application of mark to market accounting rules is temporary and is a direct
effect of the adverse current market conditions in the resource sector in
general. The fundamentals of the investee corporations are strong in terms of
their financial and portfolio strength and will eventually reflect in higher
market prices once market condition improves for the resource sector. For
example, combined market value of the three main holdings detailed above
increased to approximately $1.7 million at December 31, 2009 from $1.1 million
at September 30, 2009 – approximately 55% increase
Financing cash
flows
On
December 12, 2008, our Board of Directors approved a private placement to raise
equity funds up to USD $500,000. The private placement consisted of up to a
maximum of ten million Units, to be issued at USD 0.05 per Unit. Each Unit would
comprise one common share and one full warrant convertible into one common share
of the company at an exercise price of USD $0.10 each within two years of the
issuance of warrant. The units and underlying common shares and warrants have
not been registered with SEC under the US Securities Act of 1933.
The board
also approved a finder’s fee at 10% of the proceeds from the issuance of units
and warrants attached thereto plus 10% in warrants to be issued on the same
terms as the warrants issued under the private placement, payable to Current
Capital Corp., a related party.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2009, we received four subscriptions for a
total of 1.5 million units for a net proceeds of $74,414. The total number of
units subscribed as at September 30, 2009 was 2.5 million. The balance of 7.5
million units was subscribed by October 13, 2009.
There was
no financing activity during the six months ended September 30,
2008.
During
fiscal year 2009, we generated $56,000 through a private placement, net of
finder’s fee of $6,228. On December 12, 2008, our
directors approved a private placement to raise equity funds of up to
US$500,000. The private placement related to the issuance of up to ten million
units at US$0.05, being the prevailing market price, each unit consisting of one
common share and one warrant exercisable at US$0.10 within two years of its
issuance. The private placement was considered necessary to improve our
liquidity and holding ability so that it may be able to gain higher values for
our investments once the current market conditions improve.
During
fiscal year 2008, we received $110,000 net of the finder’s fee from exercise of
warrants by an existing shareholder. These funds were primarily used to meet the
operating cash flow deficit. During fiscal year 2007, we raised an
additional $1.2 million net of the finders’ fee from private placement which
commenced in late fiscal 2006 and was completed in April 2006.
Research
and Development, Patents and Licenses
We have
not spent any funds on research and development during the fiscal years 2009,
2008 and 2007.
Trend
Information
There are
no trends, commitments, events or uncertainties presently known to management
that are reasonably expected to have a material effect on the Company’s
business, financial condition or results of operation other than the
uncertainties and risks discussed under “Risk Factors.”
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
At
September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we did not have any off
balance sheet arrangements, including any relationships with unconsolidated
entities or financial partnership to enhance perceived liquidity.
Contractual
Obligations
Not
applicable
Safe
Harbor
Not
applicable.
DIRECTORS,
SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Directors
and Senior Management
The
following table sets forth information about our directors and executive
officers.
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
Kam
Shah
|
59
|
Director
and Chairman
Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
|
Dean
Bradley
|
77
|
Independent
Director, Chair of the Audit Committee
|
Brett
D. Rees
|
60 |
Independent
Director, Member of the Audit
Committee
|
Kam Shah joined our company as
a consultant to perform the functions of Chief Financial Officer
and was appointed to the Board on January 3, 1999. Effective May 17, 2004, he
became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He has
worked in the general practice with
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Ernst & Young. He is a US Certified Public
Accountant and a Canadian Chartered Accountant. He has over fifteen
years of international experience in corporate financial analysis, mergers &
acquisitions. Mr. Shah is responsible for the financial and statutory matters of
the Mr. Shah is also a consultant providing accounting and tax services to
Current Capital Corp., (CCC) a private Ontario corporation, having its head
office in Toronto. CCC provides investors’ and media relations services to
Bontan Corporation.
Dean Bradley has served as a
director since November 20, 2000. Mr. Bradley is currently the Chairman of our
audit committee and a non-executive independent director based in Florida.
He assists the Company from time to time in introducing new businesses and
liaising with businesses in the USA in which the Company has equity interest.
Mr. Bradley had been CEO of many corporations including real estate, mining,
manufacturing, and import/export and financial services corporations and is
currently the CEO of Quasar Aerospace Industries, Inc. and Combustion Engine
Technologies, Inc.
Brett Rees has served as a
director and a member of our audit committee since December 8, 2006. Mr. Rees is
a Chartered life underwriter, financial consultant and financial planner and a
licensed mutual funds manager. He has over twenty years of experience in various
insurance products, estate planning, pension planning for individual and
corporation and in group benefit assessments.
Management
Team
In
addition to Mr. Shah, our CEO and CFO, our management team consists of two key
consultants, Terence Robinson and John Robinson. Information about
our key consultants is provided below.
Terence
Robinson served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from
October 1991 to May 2004. He advises the board in the matters of shareholders
relations, fund raising campaigns, introduction and evaluation of investment
opportunities and overall operating strategies for the Company. He has over 25
years of experience as merchant banker and venture capitalist and has
successfully secured financing for a number of start-up and small cap companies
and currently runs his own consulting firm in the name of TR Network
Inc. Mr. Terence Robinson is a key consultant who basically acts in
an advisory role with no specific authority to bind the Company except in case
of short term investments where he is authorised to buy and sell marketable
securities on behalf of the Company and also advises as to when to buy or sell.
He is however not authorized to withdraw or deposit any cash from and into our
accounts with the brokerage firms.
Mr. John
Robinson is another consultant who provides advisory services to us, primarily
in assisting in the research and evaluation of projects and in short term
investment activities. In case of short term investments, he is authorized to
buy and sell marketable securities on our behalf. He is however not authorized
to withdraw or deposit any cash from and into our accounts with the brokerage
firms. Mr. John Robinson is a brother of Mr. Terence Robinson and is the sole
shareholder of Current Capital Corp, which provides investor and media relations
services to us and is a shareholder.
Mr.
Shah’s current consulting agreement is effective for five years to March 31,
2010. From January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, Mr. Shah received a cash fee of
$10,000 per month plus taxes. Between June 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, Mr.
Shah was allowed to draw $10,000 per month in arrears until the market price of
our common shares reached $0.50 provided that such drawings were treated as fee
advances to be repaid when the market price of our common shares stays at $0.50
or above for a consecutive period of three months. A total sum of $70,000 was
withdrawn by Mr. Shah and is included in other receivables in our balance sheet.
Further, the contract provides for a lump sum compensation of US$250,000 for
early termination of the contract without cause. The contract also provides for
entitlement to stock compensation and stock options under appropriate plans as
may be decided by the board of directors from time to time.
Mr.
Terence Robinson’s consulting agreement was signed on April 1, 2003 for a
six-year term ending on March 31, 2009. We renewed the consulting
agreement for another five years effective April 1, 2009. Under the
renewed agreement, Terence will receive a fixed monthly fee of $10,000 plus
taxes and will be entitled to stock compensation and stock options as may be
determined by our board of directors.
On July
1, 2009 we entered into a new consulting agreement with John Robinson for a term
ending on March 31, 2014. We will pay John a fixed monthly fee of
$8,500 plus taxes and he will be entitled to stock compensation and stock
options as may be determined by our board of directors.
Family
Relationships
There are
no family relationships between the directors and executive
officers. Mr. Terence Robinson is a brother of Mr. John
Robinson.
Other
Relationships
There are
no arrangements or understandings between any major shareholder, customer,
supplier or others, pursuant to which any of the above-named persons were
selected as directors or members of senior management.
Compensation
The
compensation payable to our directors and officers is summarized
below:
Compensation
of Directors
We do not
compensate directors for acting solely as directors. We do not have any formal
arrangement pursuant to which directors are remunerated by us for their services
in their capacity as directors, except for granting from time to time options to
purchase shares and the reimbursement of direct expenses.
Management
Compensation
The
following table set forth all compensation paid to our directors, senior
management and key consultants for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008
and 2007:
.Name and Principal
Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)(1)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Option
Awards ($)(2)
|
All
Other Compensation
(3)
|
Total
($)
|
Kam
Shah
CEO
and CFO
|
2009
|
129,030
|
|
5,574
|
6,424
|
141,028
|
2008
|
127,899
|
_
|
|
4,744
|
132,643
|
|
2007
|
88,436
|
|
|
4,744
|
93,180
|
Terence
Robinson
Consultant
|
2009
|
122,198
|
|
44,431
|
5,824
|
172,453
|
2008
|
134,423
|
|
|
4,744
|
139,167
|
|
2007
|
141,715
|
|
1,100,000
|
4,744
|
1,246,459
|
Dean
Bradley
Director
|
2009
|
5,000
|
|
4,656
|
|
9,656
|
|
2008
|
3,871
|
|
25,000
|
|
28,871
|
|
2007
|
5,522
|
|
|
|
5,522
|
Brett
Rees
Director
|
2009
|
5,000
|
|
4,337
|
|
9,337
|
2008
|
0
|
|
25,000
|
|
25,000
|
2007
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
Notes:
1.
|
Fees
were settled in cash and shares issued under Consultants Stock
Compensation Plans.
|
2.
|
For
the fiscal 2009, options included additional costs due to changes in the
terms of the previously issued options. The additional cost
was estimated using Black-Scholes option price model as more
fully explained in note 7 (i) to the consolidated financial statements for
fiscal 2009 included herein.
|
3.
|
All
Other Compensation for 2009 consists of group insurance benefit payments
made on behalf of the management
person.
|
Indebtedness
of Directors, Executive Officers and Senior Officers
Kam Shah,
the chief executive and financial officer was allowed to draw $10,000 per month
in arrears between June 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 – total sum of $70,000.
This advance is repayable without interest when market price of our common
shares stays at US0.50 or above for a consecutive period of three months.
Interest cost waived worked out to be approximately $600 at 2% per annum. This
is included under All Other Compensation in Executive Compensation table
above.
Defined
Benefit or Actuarial Plan Disclosure
There is
no pension plan or retirement benefit plan that has been instituted and none is
proposed at this time.
Directors’
and Officers’ Liability Insurance
We
purchased a directors and officers liability insurance policy to provide
insurance against possible liabilities incurred by our directors and officers in
their capacity as directors and officers of our company.
Board
Practices
Directors
may be appointed at any time in accordance with our by-laws and then re-elected
annually by our shareholders. At our last annual meeting of
stockholders’ held on December 18, 2009, Messrs. Shah, Bradley and Rees were
elected as directors and will continue to hold his office until the next annual
meeting. Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and
serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Our Board
has adopted a mandate, in which it has explicitly assumed responsibility for the
stewardship of Bontan. In carrying out its mandate the Board holds at least four
meetings annually. The frequency of meetings, as well as the nature of the
matters dealt with, will vary from year to year depending on the state of our
business and the opportunities or risks, which we face from time to time. The
Board held a total of 6 meetings during our financial year ended March 31, 2009.
The Board has designated one standing committee: an Audit
Committee.
The
members of the Audit Committee consist of Dean Bradley and Brett
Rees. We consider both Mr. Bradley and Mr. Rees to be independent
directors. The Audit Committee is charged with overseeing our accounting and
financial reporting policies, practices and internal controls. The committee
reviews significant financial and accounting issues and the services performed
by and the reports of our independent auditors and makes recommendations to our
Board of Directors with respect to these and related matters.
Our Audit
Committee charter became effective on August 2, 2005. This charter
assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for our accounting and
financial reporting practices by:
·
|
reviewing
the quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements and management
discussion and analyses;
|
·
|
meeting
at least annually with our external
auditor;
|
·
|
reviewing
the adequacy of the system of internal controls in consultation with the
chief executive and financial
officer;
|
·
|
reviewing
any relevant accounting and financial matters including reviewing our
public disclosure of information extracted or derived from our financial
statements;
|
·
|
establishing
procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received
by us regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and the
confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding
questionable accounting or auditing
matters;
|
·
|
pre-approving
all non-audit services and recommending the appointment of external
auditors; and
|
·
|
reviewing
and approving our hiring policies regarding personnel of our present and
former external auditor
|
We
currently do not have a Compensation Committee. The directors determined that,
in light of the our size and resources, setting up such a committee would be too
expensive and would not serve any useful purpose for us at this time. We haves,
however, set up an Independent Review
Committee
of the Board to review and approve all non-arms' length contracts. This
Committee has the same composition as the Audit Committee, and is currently
comprised of the two independent directors - Dean Bradley and Brett Rees. This
committee approves fees and major expenses of Mr. Shah and Mr. Terence
Robinson.
We
currently do not have a separate corporate governance committee. The CEO in
conjunction with the Audit Committee has developed and updated corporate
governance practices and policies, code of ethics and corporate disclosure
policy which form part of our internal control over financial reporting manual.
The goal is to provide a mechanism that can assist in our operations, including
but not limited to, the monitoring of the implementation of policies, strategies
and programs and the development, continuing assessment and execution of our
strategic plan.
Employees
We
presently have one employee who serves as assistant to the chief executive and
financial officer. We also use the services of consultants from time to
time.
Share
Ownership
The
Company generally has two stock plans, a Consultants Stock Compensation Plan and
a Stock Option Plan.
As of
December 31, 2009, 4,825,000 options were outstanding. All options
under 1999 Plan, 2003 plan and The Robinson Plan and 50,000 options under 2005
Plan were issued. As of December 31, 2009, 950,000 options have not yet been
issued under the 2005 Plan.
All
shares reserved under the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 and 2007 supplemental
Compensation Plans were issued before March 31, 2008. A new 2009 Consultant
Stock Compensation Plan was registered with Securities and Exchange Commission
on April 7, 2009 under the US Securities Act of 1933. 3,000,000 common shares of
the Company were registered under this Plan. As of December 31, 2009, 308,333
shares were issued under the 2009 Plan.
The
objective of these stock plans is to provide for and encourage ownership of our
common shares by our directors, officers, consultants and employees and those of
any subsidiary companies so that such persons may increase their stake in our
company and benefit from increases in the value of the common shares. The Plans
are designed to be competitive with the benefit programs of other companies in
the natural resource industry. It is the view of management that the plans are a
significant incentive for the directors, officers, consultants and employees to
continue and to increase their efforts in promoting our operations to the mutual
benefit of both our company and such individuals and also allows us to avail of
the services of experienced persons with minimum cash outlay.
The
following table sets forth the share ownership of our officers, directors and
key consultants as of December 31, 2009:
|
|
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
|
|
Options
and Warrants Exercisable
for
Common Shares
|
Name
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
|
Number
|
|
Exercise
price - in US$
|
|
Expiry
date(s)
|
Kam
Shah
|
|
1,046,958
|
|
2.43%
|
|
100,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terence
Robinson*
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dean
Bradley
|
|
-
|
|
**
|
|
25,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brett
Rees
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
Robinson ***
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
11.79%
|
|
1,615,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,022,500
|
|
$0.35
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
$0.10
|
|
31-MAR-14
|
|
* Excludes
3,750,024 common shares and options to purchase 2,790,000 shares at USD
$0.15 per share held by Stacey Robinson, the wife of Terence
Robinson. Mr. Robinson disclaims beneficial ownership over
those shares.
|
** Less
than 1%.
|
*** Includes
1,000,000 common shares and 3,022,500 shares underlying warrants held in
the name of Current Capital Corp., which is fully owned by Mr. John
Robinson
|
The terms
of all options were revised during the fiscal 2009. The revisions comprised
increasing the expiry dates by one year and reducing the exercise price, which
ranged between US$035 and US$1.00 to US$0.15. This is further explained in note
7 to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2009 included
herein. All options were 100% vested at December 31,
2009.
MAJOR
SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Major
Shareholders
Our
securities are recorded on the books of our transfer agent in registered form.
The majority of the shares are, however, registered in the name of
intermediaries such as brokerage houses and clearing-houses on behalf of their
respective clients. We do not have knowledge of all the beneficial owners
thereof. As of December 31, 2009, intermediaries like CDS & Co, Toronto,
Canada and Cede & Co of New York, USA held approximately 52% of our issued
and outstanding common shares on behalf of several beneficial shareholders whose
individual holdings details were not available.
At
December 31, 2009, we had 57,141,762 common shares outstanding, which were held
by 94 record holders excluding the beneficial shareholders held through the
intermediaries, 59 of which, holding an aggregate of 14,064,155 shares (24.61%)
of common stock, were in the United States.
The
following table sets forth persons known by us to be beneficial owners of more
than 5% of our common shares as of December 31, 2009. Beneficial
ownership of shares is determined under rules of the SEC and generally includes
any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment
power. Shares subject to options and warrants that are currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are
deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the option
and warrant. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for
the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other
person.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
No. of Shares
|
Percentage of Shares
|
Sheldon
Inwentash(1)(2)
|
12,000,000
|
18.56%
|
Pinetree
Resource Partnership(2)
|
7,000,000
|
11.35%
|
PetroMed
Corporation(3)
|
31,470,744
|
39.34%
|
Stacey
Robinson(4)
|
10,290,024
|
16.16%
|
John
Robinson(5)
|
7,637,500
|
11.79%
|
International
Three Crown Petroleum LLC(6)
|
5,000,000
|
8.05%
|
________________
(1)
Includes (i) 3,000,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Mr.
Inwentash and (ii) 4,500,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants and
2,500,000 common shares held by Pinetree Resource Partnership. As CEO of
Pinetree Capital Ltd. (“Pinetree Capital”), Mr. Iwentash may be deemed to have
shared power to vote the shares held by Pinetree Resource Partnership. Based on
Schedule 13G/A filed February 5, 2010 with the SEC.
(2) Based
on Pinetree Capital Investment Corp.’s (“PCIC”) and Emerald Capital Corp.’s
(“Emerald”) collective ownership and control of Pinetree Resource Partnership
and Pinetree Capital’s ownership of PCIC and Emerald, PCIC, Emerald and Pinetree
Capital may be deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose or direct the
vote and disposition of the shares held by Pinetree Resource
Partnership.
(3)
Includes 22,853,058 shares underlying warrants that have an exercise price of
USD $4.00 per share.
(4)
Includes options to purchase 2,790,000 shares at USD $0.15 per share and
3,750,000 shares underlying warrants that have an exercise price of USD $0.10
per share.
(5)
Includes (i) options to purchase 1,615,000 shares and 1,000,000 shares
underlying warrants and (ii) 1,000,000 common shares and 3,022,500 shares
underlying warrants held by Current Capital Corp., which is 100% owned by John
Robinson.
(6)
Includes 5,000,000 shares underlying warrants that have an exercise price of USD
$0.35 per share.
We are a
publicly owned Canadian corporation, the shares of which are owned by Canadian
residents, US residents, and residents of other countries. We are not owned or
controlled directly or indirectly by another corporation or any foreign
government. There are no arrangements, known to us, the operation of which may
at a subsequent date result in a change of control of our company.
Related
Party Transactions
The
following is given as background information on some of our key related party
transactions:
1.
|
Current
Capital Corp. (CCC) is a related party in following ways
–
|
a.
|
The
Director/President of CCC, Mr. John Robinson, is a consultant with
Bontan.
|
b.
|
CCC
provides media and investor relation services to Bontan under a consulting
contract.
|
c.
|
The
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Bontan is providing
accounting services to CCC.
|
d.
|
CCC
and John Robinson hold shares in
Bontan.
|
Bontan
shares premises with CCC for which CCC charges on a quarterly basis for the
rent, phone and utilities based on the actual costs and area occupied. These
charges reflect actual costs and do not include any mark ups. Another
charge from CCC relates to the investor relations and media relation services
provided under a contract. The charge is a fixed sum of US$10,000 per month plus
taxes. CCC is also entitled to a finder’s fee at the rate of 10% of
the gross money raised for us through issuance of shares and warrants under
private placements.
2.
|
Mr.
Kam Shah is a director and also provides services as chief executive and
financial officer under a five-year contract. The compensation is
determined by the board on an annual basis and is usually given in the
form of cash, shares and options.
|
3.
|
Mr.
Terence Robinson served as our chief executive officer until May 2004 and
was also a director until that date. Currently, Mr. Robinson is providing
services as a key consultant under a five-year contract. His services
include sourcing of new business opportunities on behalf of our
company,using his extensive network of business contacts. and short term
investment buy or sell decisions and advice. His remuneration is paid
mostly in shares on an annual
basis.
|
Transactions
with related parties are incurred in the normal course of business and are
measured at the exchange amount. Related party transactions and balances have
been listed below:
|
(i)
|
Included
in shareholders information expense are $68,812 for the 6 months ended
September 30, 2009 and $133,785 for fiscal year 2009 (2008 – $124,231;
2007 – $136,249) to CCC for media relation’s
services.
|
|
(ii)
|
CCC
charged $9,370 for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 and approximately
$37,800 in fiscal year 2009 for rent, telephone and other office expenses
(2008: $27,300; and 2007: $21,900).
|
|
(iii)
|
Finders
fees of $8,268 for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 and $6,228 for
fiscal year 2009 (2008: $12,245; and 2007: $740,043) were charged by CCC
in connection with the private placement. (The fee for 2007 included a
cash fee of $130,313 and 1,040,000 warrants valued at $609,730 using the
Black-Scholes option price model).
|
|
(iv)
|
Business
expenses of $9,879 for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 and $19,205
in fiscal year 2009 (2008 - $15,771; 2007 - $10,279) were reimbursed to
directors of the corporation and 39,262 for the 6 months ended September
30, 2009 and $68,009 in fiscal year 2009 (2008 - $118,774; 2007: $85,862)
to a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of our
company.
|
|
(v)
|
Shares
issued to a director under the consultant stock compensation plan – Nil
for fiscal 2009 (2008 : 450,000 valued at $105,373; 2007: 350,000 valued
at $95,409,). Shares issued to (returned by) a key consultant and a former
chief executive officer of our company under the consultant stock
compensation plan (275,000) valued at $ (64,395) (2008: 550,000 valued at
$ 128,790; 2007: 500,000 valued at
$136,298).
|
|
(vi)
|
Options
issued to directors under stock option plans – nil for fiscal 2009 (2008:
50,000 valued at $7,878;
2007: nil).
|
|
(vii) Cash
fee of $65,000 paid to directors for services for the 6 months ended
September 30, 2009. Cash fee paid to directors for services of
$60,000 for fiscal 2009 (2008:$33,871; and 2007: $ nil). Cash fee paid to
a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of our company of
$90,000 (2008 and 2007: $ nil).
|
|
(viii) Accounts
payable includes $21,999 for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 and
$15,482 for fiscal year 2009 (2008: $9,384; 2007: $3,471) due to CCC;
$13,000 for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 and $1,875 for fiscal
year 2009 (2008: $757; 2007: $1,431) due to a director; and $10,500 for
the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 and $67,212 for fiscal year 2009
(2008: $6,577; 2007: $ 7,099) due to a key consultant and a former chief
executive officer of our company.
|
|
(ix)
|
Interest
income includes nil for fiscal 2009 (2008: $ nil; 2007: $1,398)
representing interest received from the Chief Executive
officer.
|
|
(x)
|
Included
in short term investments is an investment of $200,000 for fiscal 2009
(2008: $200,000; 2007: $ nil) in a private corporation controlled by a
brother of the key consultant. The investment was stated at market value
which was considered nil as at September 30, 2009 (nil as at March 31,
2009).
|
|
(xi)
|
Included
in short term investments is an investment of $1,837,956 carrying cost and
$361,877 fair value for fiscal 2009 (2008: 1,929,049 carrying cost and
$1,140,120 fair value; 2007: $1,604,493 carrying cost and $2,710,760 fair
value) in a public corporation controlled by a key shareholder of our
company. This investment represents common shares acquired in open market
or through private placements and represents less than 1% of the issued
and outstanding common shares of the said
corporation.
|
|
(xii)
|
Included
in other receivable is an advance of $70,000 for fiscal
2009 (2008 and 2007: $nil) made to our Chief Executive Officer.
The advance is repayable without interest when the market price of our
common shares stays at USD $0.50 per share or above for a consecutive
period of three months.
|
|
(xiii)
|
Included
in other receivable is an advance of $5,814 made to a director in fiscal
2009 includes (2008: $2,470; 2007: $ nil). The advance is against future
fees and carries no interest.
|
Interests
of Experts and Counsel
Not
applicable.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Consolidated
Statements and Other Financial Information
Information
regarding our financial statements is found under “Financial Statements"
below.
Legal
Proceedings
On
January 4, 2010, East Mediterranean Exploration Company Limited (East Med) filed
a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against
International Three Crown Petroleum, Israel Petroleum Company, Ltd., H. Howard
Cooper and Bontan Corporation Inc. East Med seeks declaratory relief, including
a declaration securing its alleged rights in the Sarah and Mira licenses and the
Benjamin permit, as well as unspecified damages for intentional interference
with a contractual relationship. On January 22, 2010, Bontan filed a motion to
dismiss the case based on lack of subject matter jurisdiction, lack of personal
jurisdiction over Bontan, improver venue, failure to state a claim upon which
relief can be granted and failure to join a necessary and indispensable party.
On February 11, 2010, East Med filed a motion to withdraw its complaint in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against International Three
Crown Petroleum, Israel Petroleum Company, Limited, H. Howard Cooper and
us. On February 12, the Court issued an order granting the motion to
dismiss the case against all parties. We cannot assure that East Med
will not refile the lawsuit elsewhere.
On
January 19, 2010, PetroMed Corporation filed a complaint in the U.S. District
Court for the Western District of Washington against Bontan, Howard Cooper and
Three Crown Petroleum, LLC. The complaint alleges (i) violations of
Section 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), (ii) a
claim for rescission under Section 29(b) of the Exchange Act, (iii) securities
fraud under the Washington Securities Act, (iv) a state common law
claim for rescission, (v) fraud in the inducement, (vi) money laundering under
RCW 9A.83.020 , (vii) breach of contract, (viii) a state economic
duress/business compulsion claim, (ix) unfair or deceptive acts or practices
under the Washington Consumer Protection Act and (x) negligent
misrepresentation. The complaint requests rescission of PetroMed’s
assignment of its 95.5% interest in the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin
permit to Israel Petroleum Company, Limited, money damages of greater than $500
million, a statutory penalty of $25,000 under the Washington Consumer Protection
Act, a declaration that the contracts with the defendants are null and void, an
award of reasonable attorney fees and costs of litigation and a grant of such
other relief as is equitable and just.
Bontan
believes the East Med and PetroMed complaints are without merit and intends to
defend them vigorously.
On
February 12, 2010, International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman filed a
complaint in the Denver, Colorado District Court against PetroMed, East Med and
Messrs. Hagar Amir, Lyle Durham and David Peace. International Three
Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman allege that the defendants are actively
interfering with IPC Cayman’s application before the Israel Ministry of Natural
Infrastructure for transfer to IPC Cayman of PetroMed’s 95.5% interest in the
Israeli offshore gas license and exploration permit rights. In the
lawsuit, International Three Crown Petroleum and IPC Cayman seek, among other
matters, temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief in order to
avoid real, immediate and irreparable harm to International Three Crown
Petroleum and IPC Cayman resulting from the defendants’ alleged wrongful
conduct. The lawsuit also seeks damages for defendants’ alleged
multiple tortuous acts and materials breaches of contracts, and a declaration of
the parties’ rights and obligations under the contracts. On February
15, 2010, the defendants filed a notice to remove this action from state court
to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
On February 18, 2010, the federal judge remanded the case of state
court.
Dividend
Policy
Since our
incorporation, we have not declared or paid, and have no present intention to
declare or to pay in the foreseeable future, any cash dividends with respect to
our common shares. Earnings will be retained to finance further growth and
development of our business. However, if the Board of Directors declares
dividends, all common shares will participate equally in the dividends, and, in
the event of liquidation, in our net assets.
Significant
Changes
In
November 2009, we acquired an indirect 71.63% working interest in two drilling
licenses and one exploration permit in the Levantine Basin, approximately 40
kilometers off the west coast of Israel, through our wholly owned subsidiary.
The two drilling licenses, Petroleum License 347 (“Mira”) and Petroleum License
348 (“Sarah”), cover approximately 198,000 (net 141,827) acres, and the
exploration permit, Petroleum Preliminary Permit 199 (“Benjamin”), covers
approximately 461,000 (net 330,214) acres. Our working interest is
held in the form of a 75% equity interest in IPC Cayman, a Cayman Islands
limited company that was formed to explore and develop the properties off the
coast of Israel. International Three Crown Petroleum LLC owns a 22.5% equity
interest in IPC Cayman and is managing the offshore Israel project. IPC Cayman
acquired its 95.5% interest in the Mira and Sarah licenses and Benjamin permit
in November 2009, subject to the approval of transfer by the Petroleum
Commissioner from PetroMed to IPC Cayman. The transfer of the
licenses and the permit to IPC Cayman is being disputed and has not yet been
approved by the Israeli government, and such approval is not
assured.
In
connection with the acquisition of our equity interest in IPC Cayman and as
consideration for the PetroMed’s sale of its interest in the licenses and
permit, we paid to the seller USD $850,000 in cash, 8,617,686 common shares of
Bontan and a 7- year warrant to purchase 22,853,058 common shares of Bontan with
an exercise price of USD $4.00 per share. In addition, we paid USD
$500,000 as a finder’s fee and issued a 5-year
warrant to purchase up to 5,000,000 common shares to International Three Crown
Petroleum and a 5-year warrant to purchase up to 2,000,000 common shares to the
2.5% equity owner in IPC Cayman. These 5-year warrants have an
exercise price of US$0.35 per share and a cashless exercise
feature. To cover a portion of our acquisition costs, we also issued
a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of USD $850,000, together
with a 5-year warrant to purchase 1,000,000 common shares at an exercise price
of USD $0.35 per share. The note is secured by its pledge of
our 1,125 shares of IPC Cayman. The note bears an interest rate of 10% per year
and is due and payable on November 12, 2010.
We have
agreed to use our best efforts to raise up to USD $18 million in equity or debt
financings and to contribute the net proceeds from these financings to IPC
Cayman to cover the costs of seismic and other technical work and other expenses
expected to be incurred related to the project, for general working capital
purposes and to reimburse International Three Crown Petroleum for certain
expenses in connection with the offshore Israel project.
THE
OFFER AND LISTING
Offer
and Listing Details
The
following tables set forth the reported high and low sale prices for our common
shares as quoted on OTC Bulletin Board.
The
following table outlines the annual high and low market prices for the five most
recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended March 31
|
High
(US$)
|
Low
(US$)
|
2009
|
0.30
|
0.03
|
2008
|
0.47
|
0.17
|
2007
|
0.75
|
0.22
|
2006
|
1.51
|
0.20
|
2005
|
2.15
|
0.33
|
The
following table outlines the high and low market prices for each fiscal
financial quarter for the two most recent fiscal periods and any subsequent
period:
Fiscal Quarter ended
|
High
|
Low
|
|
(US$)
|
(US$)
|
December
31, 2009
|
0.38
|
0.25
|
September
30, 2009
|
0.28
|
0.07
|
June
30, 2009
|
0.12
|
0.06
|
March
31, 2009
|
0.27
|
0.08
|
December
31, 2008
|
0.11
|
0.03
|
September
30, 2008
|
0.30
|
0.07
|
June
30, 2008
|
0.27
|
0.20
|
March
31, 2008
|
0.32
|
0.17
|
December
31, 2007
|
0.36
|
0.17
|
September
30, 2007
|
0.43
|
0.21
|
June
30, 2007
|
0.47
|
0.25
|
The
following table outlines the high and low market prices for each of the most
recent six months:
Month
|
High
|
Low
|
|
(US$)
|
(US$)
|
January
2010
|
0.34
|
0.25
|
December
2009
|
0.34
|
0.29
|
November
2009
|
0.38
|
0.30
|
October
2009
|
0.38
|
0.25
|
September
2009
|
0.28
|
0.16
|
August
2009
|
0.19
|
0.10
|
Plan
of Distribution
The
selling shareholders and any of their pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees
and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of the shares
owned by them in the over-the-counter market or on any exchange, market or
trading facility on which the shares may then be listed or quoted, or in private
transactions. These sales may be at fixed prices, at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or
at negotiated prices. The selling shareholders may use any one or
more of the following methods when selling shares:
·
|
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits investors;
|
·
|
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
|
·
|
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its
account;
|
·
|
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
·
|
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
·
|
to
cover short sales made after the date that this registration statement is
declared effective by the SEC;
|
·
|
broker-dealers
may agree with the selling shareholder to sell a specified number of such
shares at a stipulated price per
share;
|
·
|
a
combination of any such methods of sale;
and
|
·
|
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
|
The
selling shareholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers
engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or
discounts from the selling shareholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent
for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated.
The
selling shareholders may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest
in some or all of the shares owned by them and, if they default in the
performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may
offer and sell the shares from time to time under this prospectus, or under an
amendment or supplement to this prospectus amending the list of selling
shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest
as a selling shareholder under this prospectus.
The
selling shareholders also may transfer the shares in other circumstances, in
which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the
selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In
connection with the sale of the common shares, the selling shareholders may
enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial
institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common shares in
the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling shareholders may
also sell common shares short after the effective date of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part and deliver common shares
registered hereby to close out their short positions and to return borrowed
shares in connection with such short sales, or loan or pledge the common shares
to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling
shareholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
The
selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the
Securities Act in connection with those sales. In such event, any
commissions received by the broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the
resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Discounts,
concessions, commissions and similar selling expenses, if any, that can be
attributed to the sale of the shares will be paid by the selling shareholders
and/or the purchasers. Each selling shareholder has informed us that
it does not have any written or oral agreements or understandings, directly or
indirectly, with any person to distribute any such securities.
Each
selling shareholder will be subject to the applicable provisions of the Exchange
Act, and the associated rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including
Regulation M, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales of
the shares by the selling shareholders.
We will
make copies of this prospectus available to the selling shareholders and have
informed them of the need to deliver copies of this prospectus at or prior to
the time of any sale of the shares.
We will
bear all costs, fees and expenses incident to the registration of the shares. We
have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain losses,
liabilities and damages, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
Markets
Our
common shares were traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “DEAL” and
on Canadian Dealing Network (CDN) under the symbol “FDQI” until January 20,
1999. Effective January 21, 1999, our shares were traded only on OTC Bulletin
Board. The symbol was further changed to “NMBC” on August 13, 1999 and then to
“DCHK” on November 3, 1999.
We
changed our name to Bontan Corporation Inc. on April 21, 2003. Our
common shares are currently quoted under the symbol “BNTNF” on the OTC Bulletin
Board.
Selling
Shareholders
The
following table sets forth the names of the selling shareholders and the number
and percentage of common shares beneficially owned by the selling shareholders
as of December 31, 2009 and after the offering.
The
number of shares in the “Shares Offered” column represents all of the shares
that the selling shareholder may offer under this prospectus. We do not know
when or in what amounts a selling shareholder may offer shares for
sale. The selling shareholder may choose not to sell any of the
shares offered by this prospectus. Because the selling shareholder
may offer all, some or none of its shares, we cannot estimate the number of
shares the selling shareholder will hold after the completion of the
offering.
Beneficial
ownership and the percentages shown in the following table are calculated in
accordance with the rules of the SEC. The percentages are based on
57,141,762 shares outstanding on December 31, 2009. Unless otherwise
indicated in the footnotes to the table, to our knowledge, the shareholder
identified in the table possesses sole voting and investment power over its
shares of common stock.
Except as
described in the footnote below, the selling shareholder has had no material
relationship with us within the last three years.
|
|
Shares
Owned
Prior
to Offering
|
|
Shares
Being
Offered
|
|
Shares
Owned
After
Offering
|
Name
of Selling Shareholder
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
Shep(1)
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
1.72%
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Elisa
Vespa(2)
|
|
500,000
|
|
0.87%
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
B.C.
Management S A(3)
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
3.44%
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Greenlight
Capital(4)
|
|
500,000
|
|
0.87%
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
Stacey
Robinson(5)
|
|
10,290,024
|
|
16.16%
|
|
7,500,000
|
|
2,790,024
|
|
|
Current
Capital Corp.(6)
|
|
4,022,500
|
|
6.69%
|
|
4,022,500
|
|
|
|
|
John
Robinson(7)
|
|
3,615,000
|
|
6.05%
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
1,615,000
|
|
|
Sunil
Jhaveri(8)
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
2.25%
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Farrill(9)
|
|
1,200,000
|
|
2.08%
|
|
1,200,000
|
|
|
|
|
Riad
Daoud(10)
|
|
500,000
|
|
0.87%
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
Crema(11)
|
|
500,000
|
|
0.87%
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
PetroMed
Corporation(12)
|
|
31,470,744
|
|
39.34%
|
|
31,470,744
|
|
|
|
|
International
Three Crown Petroleum Corporation(13)
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
8.05%
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Allied
Ventures Inc.(14)
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
3.38%
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Castle
Rock Resources II, LLC(15)
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
1.72%
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Lynn
Belcher(16)
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
3.44%
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Blue
& Gray Resources(17)
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
1.73%
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Steve
Gose(18)
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
8.38%
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Bram
Oil(19)
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
1.73%
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
High
Plains Royalty LLC(20)
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
3.44%
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
Kyle
Stallings(21)
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
4.28%
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
Joe
Glennon(22)
|
|
750,000
|
|
1.30%
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
|
Mike
Glennon(23)
|
|
250,000
|
|
0.44%
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
Duane
Grosulak(24)
|
|
250,000
|
|
0.44%
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
Dennis
Sun & Peggy L Sun Living Trust(25)
|
|
200,000
|
|
0.35%
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
|
Falcon
Trust DTD 12/15/00(26)
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
4.28%
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,000,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(2)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 250,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(3)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,000,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(4)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 250,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(5)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes options to purchase
2,790,000 shares at USD $0.15 per share and 3,750,000 shares underlying
warrants that have an exercise price of USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(6)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,000,000 common shares
and 3,022,500 shares underlying warrants held by Current Capital Corp.,
which is 100% owned by John
Robinson.
|
(7)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes options to purchase
1,615,000 shares and 1,000,000 shares underlying
warrants.
|
(8)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 650,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(9)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 600,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(10)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 250,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(11)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 250,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.10 per
share.
|
(12)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 22,853,058 shares
underlying warrants that have an exercise price of USD $4.00 per
share.
|
(13)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 5,000,000 shares
underlying warrants that have an exercise price of USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(14)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 2,000,000 shares
underlying warrants that have an exercise price of USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(15)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,000,000 shares
underlying warrants that have an exercise price of USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(16)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,000,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.350 per
share.
|
(17)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 500,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.350 per
share.
|
(18)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 2,500,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(19)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 500,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(20)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,000,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(21)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,250,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(22)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 375,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(23)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 125,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(24)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 125,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(25)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 100,000 shares underlying
warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
(26)
|
The
“Shares Owned Prior to Offering” column includes 1,250,000 shares
underlying warrants exercisable at USD $0.35 per
share.
|
Dilution
The
common shares to be sold by the selling stockholders are already issued and
outstanding. As a result, there is no dilution to our existing
shareholders.
Expenses
of the Issue
We will
bear all expenses and fees incurred by us in connection with the registration of
the common shares offered by this prospectus. Any commissions,
discounts or fees payable to brokers in connection with any sale will be borne
by the selling stockholders, the purchasers or both.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Share
Capital
Our
authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common
shares. As of December 31, 2009, we had 57,141,762 common shares
outstanding.
On April
1, 2008, we had outstanding 30,095,743 common shares. Between April
1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, we issued a total of 27,046,019 common shares as
follows:
Cancelled
Shares:
(625,000)
Private
Placement: 18,745,000
Acquisition
of Interest in Israel
Project:
8,617,686
Consultants under Stock Compensation Plan:
308,333
Total
27,046,019
Memorandum
and Articles of Association
Our
articles of incorporation do not place any restrictions on the company’s objects
and purposes.
Certain
Powers of Directors
The Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) (the "OBCA") requires that every director who is a party to a
material contract or transaction or a proposed material contract or transaction
with a corporation, or who is a director or officer of, or has a material
interest in, any person who is a party to a material contract or transaction or
a proposed material contract or transaction with the corporation, shall disclose
in writing to the corporation or request to have entered in the minutes of the
meetings of directors the nature and extent of his or her interest, and shall
refrain from voting in respect of the material contract or transaction or
proposed material contract or transaction unless the contract or transaction is:
(a) an arrangement by way of security for money lent to or obligations
undertaken by the director for the benefit of the corporation or an affiliate;
(b) one relating primarily to his or her remuneration as a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation or an affiliate; (c) one for
indemnity of or insurance for directors as contemplated under the OBCA; or
(d) one with an affiliate. However, a director who is prohibited by the
OBCA from voting on a material contract or proposed material contract may be
counted in determining whether a quorum is present for the purpose of the
resolution, if the director disclosed his or her interest in accordance with the
OBCA and the contract or transaction was reasonable and fair to the corporation
at the time it was approved.
Our
by-laws provide that the directors shall from time to time determine by
resolution the remuneration to be paid to the directors, which shall be in
addition to the salary paid to any officer or employee who is also a director.
The directors may also by resolution award special remuneration to any director
in undertaking any special services on our behalf other than the normal work
ordinarily required of a director of our company. The by-laws provide that
confirmation of any such resolution by the our shareholders is
not required.
Our
by-laws also provide that the directors may: (a) borrow money upon the
credit of our company; (b) issue, reissue, sell or pledge bonds,
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee, whether
secured or unsecured; (c) to the extent permitted by the OBCA, give
directly or indirectly financial assistance to any person by means of a loan, a
guarantee on our behalf to secure performance of any present or future
indebtedness, liability or other obligation of any person, or otherwise; and
(d) mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest
in all or any currently owned or subsequently acquired real or personal, movable
or immovable, tangible or intangible, property of our company to secure any such
bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee or any
other present or future indebtedness, liability or other obligation of
our company.
The
directors may, by resolution, amend or repeal any by-laws that regulate our
business or affairs. The OBCA requires the directors to submit any such
amendment or repeal to our shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, and
the shareholders may confirm, reject or amend the amendment
or repeal.
Meetings
of Shareholders
The OBCA
requires us to call an annual shareholders' meeting not later than
15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting and permits us to
call a special shareholders' meeting at any time. In addition, in accordance
with the OBCA, the holders of not less than 5% of our shares carrying the right
to vote at a meeting sought to be held may requisition our directors to call a
special shareholders' meeting for the purposes stated in the requisition. We are
required to mail a notice of
meeting and management
information circular to registered shareholders not less than 21 days and
not more than 50 days prior to the date of any annual or special
shareholders' meeting. These materials also are filed with Canadian securities
regulatory authorities and the SEC. Our by-laws provide that a quorum of two
shareholders in person or represented by proxy holding or representing by proxy
not less than 10% of our issued shares carrying the right to vote at the meeting
is required to transact business at a shareholders' meeting. Shareholders, and
their duly appointed proxies and corporate representatives, as well as our
auditors, are entitled to be admitted to our annual and special shareholders'
meetings.
Authorized
Capital
Our
authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of shares of one class
designated as common shares. We may not create any class or series of shares or
make any modification to the provisions attaching to our common shares without
the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of the
common shares. Our common shares do not have pre-emptive rights to purchase
additional
shares.
Disclosure of Share
Ownership
The Securities Act (Ontario)
provides that a person or company that beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, voting securities of an issuer or that exercises control or
direction over voting securities of an issuer or a combination of both, carrying
more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all the issuer's outstanding
voting securities (an "insider") must, within 10 days of becoming an
insider, file a report in the required form effective the date on which the
person became an insider, disclosing any direct or indirect beneficial ownership
of, or control or direction over, securities of the reporting issuer. The Securities Act (Ontario) also
provides for the filing of a report by an insider of a reporting issuer who
acquires or transfers securities of the issuer. This report must be filed within
10 days after the end of the month in which the acquisition or transfer
takes place.
The Securities Act (Ontario) also
provides that a person or company that acquires (whether or not by way of a
take-over bid, issuer bid or offer to acquire) beneficial ownership of voting or
equity securities or securities convertible into voting or equity securities of
a reporting issuer that, together with previously held securities brings the
total holdings of such holder to 10% or more of the outstanding securities of
that class, must (a) issue and file forthwith a news release containing the
prescribed information and (b) file a report within two business days
containing the same information set out in the news release. The acquiring
person or company must also issue a press release and file a report each
time it acquires an additional 2% or more of the outstanding securities of the
same class and every time there is a "material change" to the contents of the
news release and report previously issued and filed.
Restrictions
on Share Ownership by Non-Canadians
There are
no limitations under the laws of Canada or in our constitutive documents on the
right of foreigners to hold or vote our securities, except that the Investment Canada Act may
require review and approval by the Minister of Industry (Canada) of certain
acquisitions of "control" of our company by a "non-Canadian". The threshold for
acquisitions of control is generally defined as being one-third or more of the
voting shares.. "Non-Canadian" generally means an individual who is not a
Canadian citizen, or a corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is
ultimately controlled by non-Canadians.
Material
Contracts
Contribution
and Assignment Agreement
Under the
terms of a Contribution and Assignment Agreement dated November 14, 2009 by and
among, International Three Crown Petroleum, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation,
Bontan, IPC Cayman and Allied Ventures International Incorporated:
·
|
International
Three Crown Petroleum contributed and assigned all of its right, title and
interest in and to an Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale dated October
15, 2009 between International Three Crown Petroleum and
PetroMed Corporation, pursuant to which International Three Crown
Petroleum obtained, among other things, an exclusive option to
purchase PetroMed’s undivided 95.5% interest in Petroleum License 347
(“Mira”) and Petroleum License 348 (“Sarah”) and Petroleum Preliminary
Permit 199 (“Benjamin”).
|
·
|
IPC
Cayman issued 7,500 ordinary shares to Bontan (representing a 75% equity
interest in IPC Cayman), 2,250 ordinary shares to International Three
Crown Petroleum and 250 ordinary shares to Allied
Ventures.
|
·
|
Upon
the closing of the exercise of the option, which occurred on November 18,
2009, and as consideration to PetroMed for its sale of the Mira and Sarah
licenses and the Benjamin permit, Bontan delivered to PetroMed USD
$850,000 in cash, 8,617,686 common shares of Bontan and a 7- year warrant
to purchase 22,853,058 common shares of Bontan with an exercise price of
USD $4.00 per share.
|
·
|
Upon
the closing of the exercise of the option, Bontan issued a warrant to
purchase up to 5,000,000 common shares of Bontan to International Three
Crown Petroleum and a warrant to purchase up to 2,000,000 common shares of
Bontan to Allied Ventures. These warrants have a 5-year term
and an exercise price of USD $0.35 per
share.
|
·
|
Following
the closing of the exercise of the option, IPC Cayman conveyed to H.
Howard Cooper a gross 1% over-riding royalty of all oil and gas
produced, saved and sold from the area covered by the Mira and Sarah
licenses and the Benjamin permit, free and clear of any costs incurred in
connection with the exploration, production and delivery of the oil and
gas.
|
Under the
Contribution Agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to raise up to
USD $18 million in equity or debt financings and to contribute the net proceeds
from these financings to IPC Cayman to cover the costs of seismic and other
technical work and other expenses expected to be incurred related to the
project, for general working capital purposes and to reimburse International
Three Crown Petroleum for certain expenses in connection with the
project. To raise cash to satisfy our USD $850,000 payment obligation
to PetroMed, we sold a USD $850,000 promissory note secured by our pledge of
1,125 shares of IPC Cayman together with a 5-year warrant to purchase 1,000,000
common shares at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share. The note
bears an interest rate of 10% per year and is due and payable on November 12,
2010.
We have
agreed to file and seek effectiveness of one or more registration statements to
be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission covering the resale of
the various securities issued to PetroMed, International Three Crown Petroleum,
Allied Ventures and the investors in the financings. Under the terms
of the warrants issued to International Three Crown Petroleum and Allied
Ventures, if we fail to file the registration statement within 60 days following
the date of issuance, or if the registration statement is not declared effective
within nine months following the date of issuance, then, in each case, the
number of shares underling the warrants will increase by 2%. For each
subsequent 30 day period during which the registration statement is not filed or
declared effective, the number of shares underlying the warrants will increase
by 1%. The maximum adjustment to the shares is 10%.
In
addition, on November 18, 2009, International Three Crown Petroleum entered into
a consulting services agreement with Hagai Amir under which Mr. Amir will
provide certain services as requested by International Three Crown
Petroleum. International Three Crown Petroleum has agreed to pay Mr.
Amir USD $20,000 per month for a 6-month period beginning in December 2009 and
USD $60,000 upon approval of the transfer of the two licenses and permit by the
Israeli Petroleum Commissioner. Also, we agreed to issue to Mr. Amir
a 5-year warrant to purchase 500,000 common shares at an exercise price of USD
$4.00 per share.
Stockholders
Agreement
Concurrently
with the execution of the Contribution Agreement, Bontan Oil & Gas
Corporation, International Three Crown Petroleum, Allied Ventures and Bontan
entered into a Stockholders Agreement. Under the Stockholders
Agreement, International Three Crown Petroleum, as the sole director of IPC
Cayman, will be responsible for the management of the business and affairs of
IPC Cayman. The director will be liable to IPC Cayman and its
stockholders only for willful misconduct or gross negligence in the management
of the business and affairs of IPC Cayman. IPC Cayman will indemnify
the director and its affiliates, and any agents, officers and employees of the
director and its affiliates, from any loss or liability incurred as a result of
any act or omission, or error of judgment, related to the director’s management
of IPC Cayman unless the loss or liability results form the director’s willful
misconduct or gross negligence.
International
Three Crown Petroleum may not be removed as director by the stockholders of IPC
Cayman other than (i) for willful misconduct that materially and adversely
affects the project or (ii) in the event that a controlling interest in
International Three Crown Petroleum is transferred to a person who is not a
Qualified Buyer (as defined) and the management team of International Three
Crown Petroleum is not substantially the same as the management team of
International Three Crown Petroleum before the transfer. Removal of
International Three Crown Petroleum as director for any such reason requires the
affirmative vote of stockholders owning a majority of the ordinary shares of IPC
Cayman, and appointment of a new director to replace International Three Crown
Petroleum as director requires the affirmative vote of stockholders owning at
least 80% of the ordinary shares of IPC Cayman. A Qualified Buyer is
defined to mean any person that has experience in the oil and gas industry
substantially equivalent to, or greater than, that of International Three Crown
Petroleum.
If
International Three Crown Petroleum transfers a majority of its ordinary shares
of IPC Cayman to a Qualified Buyer, then the Qualified Buyer will have the sole
authority to appoint and remove the director of IPC Cayman. However,
in this case, stockholders owning a majority of the ordinary shares of IPC
Cayman may remove the director only for willful misconduct that materially and
adversely affects the project, and appointment of a new director will require
the affirmative vote of stockholders owning at least 80% of the ordinary shares
of IPC Cayman.
Under the
Stockholders Agreement, stockholders owning a majority of the ordinary shares of
IPC Cayman have the right to approve the following actions:
·
|
Expansion
of the scope of IPC Cayman’s business beyond the acquisition,
development and potential farmout or sale of the Mira and Sarah licenses
and the Benjamin permit and the exploitation and commercialization of
those licenses and permit;
|
·
|
Sale
or merger of IPC Cayman or sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the IPC Cayman’s assets (other than a sale or farmout
to an industry partner in connection with a commitment to conduct
exploratory or development operations on the licenses and
permit);
|
·
|
Admit
additional owners to IPC Cayman;
|
·
|
Enter
into any contract or agreement between IPC Cayman and International Three
Crown Petroleum, Mr. Cooper, Allied Ventures or any affiliate of those
persons;
|
·
|
Modify
any compensation arrangement between IPC Cayman and International Three
Crown Petroleum, Mr. Cooper, Allied Ventures or any affiliate of those
persons;
|
·
|
Redeem
any shares or other equity interest in IPC Cayman;
and
|
·
|
Amend
the organizational and internal operating documents of IPC
Cayman.
|
Under the
Stockholders Agreement, IPC Cayman will pay to International Three Crown
Petroleum a monthly management fee of $20,000 for its services as director of
IPC Cayman and is obligated to reimburse reasonable out-of pocket expenses that
the director incurs on behalf of IPC Cayman. International Three
Crown Petroleum is also entitled to receive certain commissions and fees related
to the financing of the project and any farmout, option, sale, assignment or
other transfer of all or a portion of the project.
The
Stockholders Agreement provides for information rights and restrictions on
transfer of the ordinary shares, including a right of first
refusal.
Except
for contracts entered into in the ordinary course of its business, there were no
material contracts to which we are or have been a party to for the two years
preceding this annual report.
Exchange
Controls
There are
currently no laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in Canada that
restricts the export or import of capital or that affects the remittance of
dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities
other than withholding tax requirements. There is no limitation imposed by
Canadian law or by our Articles of Incorporation or our other organizational
documents on the right of a non-resident of Canada to hold or vote our common
shares, other than as provided in the North American Free Trade Agreement
Implementation Act (Canada) and in the Investment Canada Act, as amended by the
World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act.
The
Investment Canada Act requires notification and, in certain cases, advance
review and approval by the Government of Canada of the acquisition by a
“non-Canadian” of “control of a Canadian business”, all as defined in the
Investment Canada Act. Generally, the threshold for review will be higher
in monetary terms, and in certain cases an exemption will apply, for an investor
ultimately controlled by persons who are nationals of a WTO Member or have the
right of permanent residence in relation thereto.
Taxation
Canadian
Income Tax Consequences
We
consider that the following summary fairly describes the principal Canadian
federal income tax consequences applicable to a holder of our common shares who
at all material times deals at arm’s length with our company, who holds all
common shares as capital property, who is resident in the United States, who is
not a resident of Canada and who does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use
or hold, his common shares of our company in connection with carrying on a
business in Canada (a “non-resident holder”). It is assumed that the common
shares will at all material times be listed on a stock exchange that is
prescribed for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ITA”)
and regulations thereunder. Investors should be aware that the Canadian federal
income tax consequences applicable to holders of our common shares will change
if, for any reason, we cease to be listed on a prescribed stock exchange.
Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult
with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences of them
purchasing, owing and disposing of our common shares should we cease to be
listed on a prescribed stock exchange.
This
summary is based upon the current provisions of the ITA, the regulations there
under, the Canada-United States Tax Convention as amended by the Protocols
thereto (the “Treaty”) as at the date of the registration statement and the
currently publicly announced administrative and assessing policies of the Canada
Revenue Agency (the “CRA”). This summary does not take into account Canadian
provincial income tax consequences. This description is not exhaustive of all
possible Canadian federal income tax consequences and does not take into account
or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental or
judicial action. This summary does, however, take into account all specific
proposals to amend the ITA and regulations there under, publicly announced by
the Government of Canada to the date hereof.
This
summary does not address potential tax effects relevant to our company or those
tax considerations that depend upon circumstances specific to each investor.
Accordingly, holders and prospective holders of our common shares should consult
with their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax consequences to them
of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares in our
company.
Dividends
The ITA
provides that dividends and other distributions deemed to be dividends paid or
deemed to be paid by a Canadian resident corporation (such as our company) to a
non-resident of Canada shall be subject to a non-resident withholding tax equal
to 25% of the gross amount of the dividend of deemed dividend. Provisions in the
ITA relating to dividend and deemed dividend payments to and gains realized by
non-residents of Canada, who are residents of the United States, are subject to
the Treaty. The Treaty may reduce the withholding tax rate on dividends as
discussed below.
Article X
of the Treaty as amended by the US-Canada Protocol ratified on November 9, 1995
provides a 5% withholding tax on gross dividends or deemed dividends paid to a
United States corporation which beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting
stock of the company paying the dividend. In cases where dividends or deemed
dividends are paid to a United States resident (other than a corporation) or a
United States corporation which beneficially owns less than 10% of the voting
stock of a company, a withholding tax of 15% is imposed on the gross amount of
the dividend or deemed dividend paid. We would be required to withhold any such
tax from the dividend and remit the tax directly to CRA for the account of the
investor.
The
reduction in withholding tax from 25%, pursuant to the Treaty, will not be
available:
(a) if
the shares in respect of which the dividends are paid formed part of the
business property or were otherwise effectively connected with a permanent
establishment or fixed base that the holder has or had in Canada within the 12
months preceding the disposition, or
(b) the
holder is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
The
Treaty generally exempts from Canadian income tax dividends paid to a religious,
scientific, literary, educational or charitable organization or to an
organization exclusively administering a pension, retirement or employee benefit
fund or plan, if the organization is resident in the U.S. and is exempt from
income tax under the laws of the U.S.
Capital
Gains
A
non-resident holder is not subject to tax under the ITA in respect of a capital
gain realized upon the disposition of one of our shares unless the share
represents “taxable Canadian property” to the holder thereof. Our common shares
will be considered taxable Canadian property to a non-resident holder only
if-.
(a) the
non-resident holder;
(b) persons
with whom the non-resident holder did not deal at arm’s length - or
(c) the
non-resident holder and persons with whom he did not deal at arm’s
length,
owned not
less than 25% of the issued shares of any class or series of our company at any
time during the five year period preceding the disposition. In the case of a
non-resident holder to whom shares of our company represent taxable Canadian
property and who is resident in the United States, no Canadian taxes will
generally be payable on a capital gain realized on such shares by reason of the
Treaty unless:
(a) the
value of such shares is derived principally from real property (including
resource property) situated in Canada,
(b) the
holder was resident in Canada for 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive
years preceding, and at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding, the
disposition and the shares were owned by him when he ceased to be a resident of
Canada,
(c) they
formed part of the business property or were otherwise effectively connected
with a permanent establishment or fixed base that the holder has or bad in
Canada within the 12 months preceding the disposition, or
(d) the
holder is a U.S. LLC which is not subject to tax in the U.S.
If
subject to Canadian tax on such a disposition, the taxpayer’s capital gain (or
capital loss) from a disposition is the amount by which the taxpayer’s proceeds
of disposition exceed (or are exceeded by) the aggregate of the taxpayer’s
adjusted cost base of the shares and reasonable expenses of disposition. For
Canadian income tax purposes, the “taxable capital gain” is equal to one-half of
the capital gain.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
following is a discussion of the material United States Federal income tax
consequences, under current law, applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below)
of our common shares who holds such shares as capital assets. This discussion
does not address all potentially relevant Federal income tax matters and it does
not address consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of
Federal income tax law, such as those described below as excluded from the
definition of a U.S. Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any
state, local, or foreign tax consequences. (See “Canadian Federal Income Tax
Consequences” above.)
The
following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)
rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that
are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely
changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. In addition, this
discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial,
of any recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied,
possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
The
discussion below does not address potential tax effects relevant to our company
or those tax considerations that depend upon circumstances specific to each
investor. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax consequences
that may be relevant to particular investors subject to special treatment under
certain U.S. Federal income tax laws, such as, dealers in securities, tax-exempt
entities, banks, insurance companies and non-U.S. Holders. Purchasers of the
common stock should therefore satisfy themselves as to the overall tax
consequences of their ownership of the common stock, including the State, local
and foreign tax consequences thereof (which are not reviewed herein), and should
consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular
circumstances.
U.S.
Holders
As used
herein, a “U.S. Holder” includes a beneficial holder of common shares of our
company who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or
partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of
any political subdivision thereof, any trust if a US court is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more US
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust,
any entity created or organized in the United States which is taxable as a
corporation for U.S. tax purposes and
any other
person or entity whose ownership of common shares of our company is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A U.S.
Holder does not include persons subject to special provisions of Federal income
tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, financial
institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated
investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals or foreign
corporations whose ownership of our common shares is not effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and shareholders
who acquired their shares through the exercise of employee stock options or
otherwise as compensation.
Dividend Distribution on
Shares of our Company
U.S.
Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with
respect to the common shares of our company are required to include in gross
income for United States Federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such
distributions to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and
profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such
distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be deducted or may be credited
against actual tax payable, subject to certain limitations and other complex
rules, against the U.S. Holder’s United States Federal taxable income. See
“Foreign Tax Credit” below. To the extent that distributions exceed our current
or accumulated earnings and profits, they will be treated first as a return of
capital to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in the common shares of our
company and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares of
our company. Preferential tax rates for net long term capital gains may be
applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or
trust.
In
general, dividends paid on our common shares will not be eligible for the
dividends received deduction provided to corporations receiving dividends from
certain United States corporations.
Foreign Tax
Credit
A U.S.
Holder who pays (or who has had withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax
with respect to the ownership of our common shares may be entitled, at the
election of the U.S. Holder, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such
foreign tax paid or withheld. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and
generally applies to all foreign income taxes paid by (or withheld from) the
U.S. Holder during that year. There are significant and complex limitations
which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit
cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder’s United States income
tax liability that the U.S. Holder’s foreign source income bears to his or its
world-wide taxable income. In determining the application of this limitation,
the various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and
domestic sources. Complex rules govern income such as “passive income”, “high
withholding tax interest”, “financial services income”, “shipping income” and
certain other classifications of income. A U.S. Holder who is treated as a
domestic U.S. corporation owning 10% or more of our voting stock is also
entitled to a deemed paid foreign tax credit in certain circumstances for the
underlying foreign tax of our company related to dividends received or Subpart F
income received from us. (See the discussion below of Controlled Foreign
Corporations). The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of
the limitations on the foreign tax credit are fact specific and holders and
prospective holders of our common shares should consult their own tax advisors
regarding their individual circumstances.
Disposition of Common
Shares
If a
“U.S. Holder” is holding shares as a capital asset, a gain or loss realized on a
sale of our common shares will generally be a capital gain or loss, and will be
long-term if the shareholder has a holding period of more than one year.
However, gains realized upon sale of our common shares may, under certain
circumstances, be treated as ordinary income, if we were determined to be a
“collapsible corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 341 based on the
facts in existence on the date of the sale (See below for definition of
“collapsible corporation”). The amount of gain or loss recognized by a selling
U.S. Holder will be measured by the difference between (i) the amount realized
on the sale and (ii) his tax basis in our common shares. Capital losses are
deductible only to the extent of capital gains. However, in the case of
taxpayers other than corporations (U.S.)$3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals
filing separately) of capital losses are deductible against ordinary income
annually. In the case of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers, capital
losses that are not currently deductible may be carried forward to other years.
In the case of corporations, capital losses that are not currently deductible
are carried back to each of the three years preceding the loss year and forward
to each of the five years succeeding the loss year.
A
“collapsible corporation” is a corporation that is formed or availed principally
to manufacture, construct, produce, or purchase prescribed types or property
that the corporation holds for less than three years and that generally would
produce ordinary income on its disposition, with a view to the stockholders
selling or exchanging their stock and thus realizing gain before the corporation
realizes two thirds of the taxable income to be derived from prescribed
property. Prescribed property includes: stock in trade and inventory; property
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business;
unrealized receivables or fees, consisting of rights to payment for noncapital
assets delivered or to be delivered, or services rendered or to be rendered to
the extent not previously included in income, but excluding receivables from
selling property that is not prescribed; and property gain on the sale of which
is subject to the capital gain/ordinary loss rule. Generally, a shareholder who
owns directly or indirectly 5 percent or less of the outstanding stock of the
corporation may treat gain on the sale of his shares as capital
gain.
Other Considerations for
U.S. Holders
In the
following circumstances, the above sections of this discussion may not describe
the United States Federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and
disposition of common shares of the Registrant. Our management is of the opinion
that there is little, if not, any likelihood that we will be deemed a “Foreign
Personal Holding Company”, a “Foreign Investment Company” or a “Controlled
Foreign Corporation” (each as defined below) under current and anticipated
conditions.
Foreign Personal Holding
Company
If at any
time during a taxable year more than 50% of the total combined voting power or
the total value of our outstanding shares is owned, actually or constructively,
by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States
and 60% or more of our gross income for such year was derived from certain
passive sources (e.g., from dividends received from its subsidiaries), we would
be treated as a “foreign personal holding company.” In that event, U.S. Holders
that hold common shares in our capital would be required to include in income
for such year their allocable portion of our passive income which would have
been treated as a dividend had that passive income actually been
distributed.
Foreign Investment
Company
If 50% or
more of the combined voting power or total value of our outstanding shares are
held, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States,
United States domestic partnerships or corporations, or estates or trusts other
than foreign estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(31)), and
we are found to be engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting,
or trading in securities, commodities, or any interest therein, it is possible
that we might be treated as a “foreign investment company” as defined in Section
1246 of the Code, causing all or part of any gain realized by a U.S. Holder
selling or exchanging our common shares to be treated as ordinary income rather
than capital gains.
Passive Foreign Investment
Company
A U.S.
Holder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such
corporation qualifies as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) is
subject to U.S. federal income taxation of that foreign corporation under one of
two alternative tax methods at the election of each such U.S.
Holder.
Section
1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the
United States and, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross
income is “passive income,” which includes interest, dividends and certain rents
and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by value (or, if the company is a
controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, adjusted tax basis), of its
assets that produce or are held for the production of “passive income” is 50% or
more. For taxable years of U.S. persons beginning after December 31, 1997, and
for tax years of foreign corporations ending with or within such tax years, the
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provides that publicly traded corporations must
apply this test on a fair market value basis only. We believe that we currently
do not qualify as a PFIC because our passive income producing assets are less
than 50% of our total assets.
As a
PFIC, each U.S. Holder must determine under which of the alternative tax methods
it wishes to be taxed. Under one method, a U.S. Holder who elects in a timely
manner to treat the Registrant as a Qualified Electing Fund (“QEF”),
as defined in the Code, (an “Electing U.S. Holder”) will be subject, under
Section 1293 of the Code, to current federal income tax for any taxable year in
which we qualify as a PFIC on his pro-rata share of our (i) “net capital gain”
(the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss),
which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to the Electing U.S. Holder and
(ii) “ordinary earnings” (the excess of earnings and profits over net capital
gain), which will be taxed as ordinary income to the Electing U.S. Holder, in
each case, for the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which (or with which) our
taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed.
Such an election, once made shall apply to all subsequent years unless revoked
with the consent of the IRS.
A QEF
election also allows the Electing U.S. Holder to (i) generally treat any gain
realized on the disposition of his common shares (or deemed to be realized on
the pledge of his common shares) as capital gain; (ii) treat his share of our
net capital gain, if any, as long-term capital gain instead of ordinary income,
and (iii) either avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status altogether
(see discussion of interest charge below), or make an annual election, subject
to certain limitations, to defer payment of current taxes on his share of our
annual realized net capital gain and ordinary earnings subject, however, to an
interest charge. If the Electing U.S. Holder is an individual, such an interest
charge would be not deductible.
The
procedure a U.S. Holder must comply with in making an timely QEF election will
depend on whether the year of the election is the first year in the U.S.
Holder’s holding period in which we are a PFIC. If the U.S. Holder makes a QEF
election in such first year, (sometimes referred to as a “Pedigreed QEF
Election”), then the U.S. Holder may make the QEF election by simply filing the
appropriate documents at the time the U.S. Holder files its tax return for such
first year. If, however, we qualified as a PFIC in a prior year, then the U.S.
Holder may make an “Unpedigreed QEF Election” by recognizing as an “excess
distribution” (i) under the rules of Section 1291 (discussed below), any gain
that he would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold his stock on the
qualification date (Deemed Sale Election) or (ii) if we are a controlled foreign
corporation (“CFC”), the Holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings
and profits (Deemed Dividend Election) (But see “Elimination of Overlap Between
Subpart F Rules and PFIC Provisions”). The effect of either the deemed sale
election or the deemed dividend election is to pay all prior deferred tax, to
pay interest on the tax deferral and to be treated thereafter as a Pedigreed QEF
as discussed in the prior paragraph. With respect to a situation in which a
Pedigreed QEF election is made, if we no longer qualify as a PFIC in a
subsequent year, normal Code rules and not the PFIC rules will
apply.
If a U.S.
Holder has not made a QEF Election at any time (a “Non-electing U.S. Holder”),
then special taxation rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i)
gains realized on the disposition (or deemed to be realized by reason of a
pledge) of his common shares and (ii) certain “excess distributions”, as
specially defined, by our company. An “excess distribution” is any current-year
distribution in respect of PFIC stock that represents a ratable portion of the
total distributions in respect of the stock during the year that exceed 125
percent of the average amount of distributions in respect of the stock during
the three preceding years.
A
Non-electing U.S. Holder generally would be required to pro-rate all gains
realized on the disposition of his common shares and all excess distributions
over the entire holding period for the common shares. All gains or excess
distributions allocated to prior years of the U.S. Holder (other than years
prior to our first taxable year during such U.S. Holder’s holding period and
beginning after January, 1987 for which it was a PFIC) would be taxed at the
highest tax rate for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income. The
Non-electing U.S. Holder also would be liable for interest on the deferred tax
liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been due
with respect to each such prior year. A Non-electing U.S. Holder that is an
individual is not allowed a deduction for interest on the deferred tax
liability. The portions of gains and distributions that are not characterized as
“excess distributions” are subject to tax in the current year under the normal
tax rules of the Internal Revenue Code.
If we are
a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-electing U.S. Holder holds common
shares, then we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such
common Shares, even if it is no longer by definition a PFIC. A Non-electing U.S.
Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain
(which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-Electing U.S.
Holders) as if such common shares had been sold on the last day of the last
taxable year for which it was a PFIC.
Under
Section 1291(f) of the Code, the Department of the Treasury has issued proposed
regulations that would treat as taxable certain transfers of PFIC stock by
Non-electing U.S. Holders that are generally not otherwise taxed, such as gifts,
exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. If a
U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election that is not a Pedigreed Election (i.e., it is
made after the first year during which we are a PFIC and the U.S. Holder holds
our shares) (a “Unpedigreed Election”), the QEF rules apply prospectively but do
not apply to years prior to the year in which the QEF first becomes effective.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific
consequences of making a Non-Pedigreed QEF Election.
Certain
special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to the common shares
while we are a PFIC whether or not it is treated as a QEF. For example under
Section 1297(b)(6) of the Code (as in effect prior to the Taxpayer Relief Act of
1997), a U.S. Holder who uses PFIC stock as security for a loan (including a
margin loan) will, except as may be provided in regulations, be treated as
having made a taxable disposition of such stock.
The
foregoing discussion is based on currently effective provisions of the Code,
existing and proposed regulations thereunder, and current administrative rulings
and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such change could
affect the validity of this discussion. In addition, the implementation of
certain aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of regulations which in
many instances have not been promulgated and which may have retroactive effect.
There can be no assurance that any of these proposals will be enacted or
promulgated, and if so, the form they will take or the effect that they may have
on this discussion. Accordingly, and due to the complexity of the PFIC rules,
U.S. Holders of the Registrant are strongly urged to consult their own tax
advisors concerning the impact of these rules on their investment in our
company. For a discussion of the impact of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 on a
U.S. Holder of a PFIC, see “Mark-to-Market Election For PFIC Stock Under the
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997” and “Elimination of Overlap Between Subpart F Rules
and PFIC Provisions” below.
Mark-to-Market Election for
PFIC Stock Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
The
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provides that a U.S. Holder of a PFIC may make a
mark-to-market election with respect to the stock of the PFIC if such stock is
marketable as defined below. This provision is designed to provide a current
inclusion provision for persons that are Non-Electing Holders. Under the
election, any excess of the fair market value of the PFIC stock at the close of
the tax year over the Holder’s adjusted basis in the stock is included in the
Holder’s income. The Holder may deduct any excess of the adjusted basis of the
PFIC stock over its fair market value at the close of the tax year. However,
deductions are limited to the net mark-to-market gains on the stock that the
Holder included in income in prior tax years, or so called “unreversed
inclusions.” For purposes of the election, PFIC stock is marketable if it is
regularly traded on (1) a national securities exchange that is registered with
the SEC, (2) the national market system established under Section II A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (3) an exchange or market that the IRS
determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents
legitimate and sound fair market value.
A
Holder’s adjusted basis of PFIC stock is increased by the income recognized
under the mark-to-market election and decreased by the deductions allowed under
the election. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through a foreign
entity, the basis adjustments apply to the basis of the PFIC stock in the hands
of the foreign entity for the purpose of applying the PFIC rules to the tax
treatment of the U.S. owner. Similar basis adjustments are made to the basis of
the property through which the U.S. persons hold the PFIC stock.
Income
recognized under the mark-to-market election and gain on the sale of PFIC stock
with respect to which an election is made is treated as ordinary income.
Deductions allowed under the election and loss on the sale of PFIC with respect
to which an election is made, to the extent that the amount of loss does not
exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included, are treated as ordinary
losses. The U.S. or foreign source of any income or losses is determined as if
the amount were a gain or loss from the sale of stock in the PFIC.
If PFIC
stock is owned by a CFC (discussed below), the CFC is treated as a U.S. person
that may make the mark-to-market election. Amounts includible in the CFC’s
income under the election are treated as foreign personal holding company
income, and deductions are allocable to foreign personal holding company
income.
The above
provisions apply to tax years of U.S. persons beginning after December 31, 1997,
and to tax years of foreign corporations ending with or within such tax years of
U.S. persons.
The rules
of Code Section 1291 applicable to nonqualified funds as discussed above
generally do not apply to a U.S. Holder for tax years for which a mark-to-market
election is in effect. If Code Section 1291 is applied and a mark-to-market
election was in effect for any prior tax year, the U.S. Holder’s holding period
for the PFIC stock is treated as beginning immediately after the last tax year
of the election. However, if a taxpayer makes a mark-to-market election for PFIC
stock that is a nonqualified fund after the beginning of a taxpayer’s holding
period for such stock, a co-ordination rule applies to ensure that the taxpayer
does not avoid the interest charge with respect to amounts attributable to
periods before the election.
Controlled Foreign
Corporation Status
If more
than 50% of the voting power of all classes of stock or the total value of the
stock of our company is owned, directly or indirectly, by U.S. Holders, each of
whom own after applying rules of attribution 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of our company, we would be treated as a
“controlled foreign corporation” or “CFC” under Subpart F of the Code. This
classification would bring into effect many complex results including the
required inclusion by such 10% U.S. Holders in income of their pro rata shares
of “Subpart F income” (as defined by the Code) of our company and our earnings
invested in “U.S. property” (as defined by Section 956 of the Code). In
addition, under Section 1248 of the Code if we are considered a CFC at any time
during the five year period ending with the sale or exchange of its stock, gain
from the sale or exchange of common shares of our company by such a 10% U.S.
Holder of our common stock at any time during the five year period ending with
the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our
earnings and profits attributable to the stock sold or exchanged. Because of the
complexity of Subpart F, and because we may never be a CFC, a more detailed
review of these rules is beyond of the scope of this discussion.
Elimination of Overlap
Between Subpart F Rules and PFIC Provisions
Under the
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, a PFIC that is also a CFC will not be treated as a
PFIC with respect to certain 10% U.S. Holders. For the exception to apply, (i)
the corporation must be a CFC within the meaning of section 957(a) of the Code
and (ii) the U.S. Holder must be subject to the current inclusion rules of
Subpart F with respect to such corporation (i.e., the U.S. Holder is a “United
States Shareholder,” see “Controlled Foreign Corporation,” above). The exception
only applies to that portion of a U.S. Holder’s holding period beginning after
December 31, 1997. For that portion of a United States Holder before January 1,
1998, the ordinary PFIC and QEF rules continue to apply.
As a
result of this new provision, if we were ever to become a CFC, U.S. Holders who
are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of Subpart F income of a PFIC which
is also a CFC will not be subject to the PFIC provisions with respect to the
same stock if they have previously made a Pedigreed QEF Election. The PFIC
provisions will however continue to apply to U.S Holders for any periods in
which Subpart F does not apply (for example he is no longer a 10% Holder or we
are no longer a CFC) and to U.S. Holders that did not make a Pedigreed QEF
Election unless the U.S. Holder elects to recognize gain on the PFIC shares held
in our company as if those shares had been sold.
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED
TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF PURCHASING THE COMMON SHARES OF OUR COMPANY.
Dividend
and Paying Agents
Not
applicable.
Statement
By Experts
The
consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 and
for the years ended March 31, 2009, March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007
included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of
Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Documents
On Display
The
documents concerning the Company referred to in this prospectus may be inspected
at the Company's office at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
M5R 2G3. The Company may be reached at (416) 929-1806. Documents filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission may also be read and copied at the SEC's
public reference room at 100F Street, N. E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call
the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
rooms.
Subsidiary
Information
The
documents concerning the our subsidiary referred to in this prospectus may be
inspected at the our office at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, M5R 2G3.
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are
exposed in varying degrees to a number of risks arising from financial
instruments. Management’s close involvement in the operations allows for the
identification of risks and variances from expectations. We do not participate
in the use of financial instruments to mitigate these risks and has no
designated hedging transactions. Our Board approves and monitors the risk
management processes. The Board’s main objectives for managing risks are to
ensure liquidity, the fulfillment of obligations, and limited exposure to credit
and market risks while ensuring greater returns on the surplus funds on hand.
There were no changes to the objectives or the process from the prior
year.
|
The
types of risk exposure and the way in which such exposures are managed are
as follows:
|
(a)
Concentration risk:
Concentration
risks exist in cash and cash equivalents because significant balances are
maintained with one financial institution and a brokerage firm. The risk is
mitigated because the financial institution is a prime Canadian bank and the
brokerage firm is well known Canadian brokerage firm with good market reputation
and all its assets are backed up by one of the major Canadian
banks.
(b)
Market price risk:
Market
risk primarily arises from our short term investments in marketable securities,
which are primarily in junior or small-cap mining exploration companies, which
accounted for approximately 69% of our total assets at March 31, 2009 (69% at
March 31, 2008). Further, our holding in one Canadian marketable security
accounted for approximately 33% (2008: 31%) of the total short term investment
in marketable securities or 23% (2008: 21%) of total assets at March 31,
2009.
Management
tries to mitigate this risk by daily monitoring of all its investments by
experienced consultants and ensuring that investments are made in companies
which are financially stable with viable businesses.
(c)
Liquidity risk:
Liquidity
risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as
they become due.
We ensure
there is sufficient capital to meet short term business requirements. In
addition, management and key consultants opted for several years to accept our
common shares instead of cash towards their fee to ensure greater cash flow for
other operational and business needs.
One of
management’s goals is to maintain an optimal level of liquidity through the
active management of the assets, liabilities and cash flows.
We
maintain limited cash for our operational needs while most of our surplus cash
is invested in short term marketable securities which are available on short
notice to fund our operating costs and other financial demands.
(d)
Currency risk
Our
operating results and financial position are reported in Canadian dollars. Part
of cash and short term investments are held in US dollars – approximately 3% of
total assets at March 31, 2009 (23% as at March 31, 2008). The results of our
operations are therefore subject to currency transaction and translation
risk.
The
fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar will
consequently impact the loss of our company and may also affect the value of our
assets and the amount of shareholders’ equity.
Comparative
closing foreign exchange rates as at March 31, 2009 are as follows:
;
March
31,
2009 2008
One US
Dollar to CDN
Dollar 1.2602 1.0279
We have
not entered into any agreements or purchased any foreign currency hedging
arrangements to hedge possible currency risks at this time.
Other
risks:
Our
business is also subject to certain risks, which may negatively affect it.
Certain of the risks are described below in addition to elsewhere in this
prospectus:
(a)
|
Exploration
and Development
|
The
business of exploring for, developing and producing oil and gas involves a high
degree of risk. Oil and gas reserves may never be found or, if discovered, may
not be result in production at reasonable costs or profitability. The business
of exploring, developing and producing is also capital intensive and, to the
extent that cash flows from operating activities and external sources become
limited or unavailable, our ability and of our operating partners to meet our
respective financial obligations which are necessary to maintain our interests
in the underlying properties could be impaired, resulting in the loss of those
interests.
(b)
|
Dependence
Upon Operating Manager
|
Our oil
and gas activities are conducted through IPC Cayman in respect of which we are
not the operator. We are dependent upon our operating manager for technical
support. If our operating manager is unable to fulfill his own contractual
obligations, our interests could be jeopardized, resulting in project delays,
additional costs and loss of the interests.
Our oil
and gas operations are subject to environmental regulations in the jurisdictions
in which we operate. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which
will likely require stricter standards and enforcement, increased costs,
increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental
assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for
companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance
that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely
affect our operations. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties in
which we hold interests which are presently unknown to us and which have been
caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties or by
illegal mining activities.
Our
current project requires registration and approvals and permits from the Israel
Ministry of Infrastructure. To the extent such approvals are required and not
obtained, we may be delayed or prohibited from proceeding with planned
exploration or development of properties. Amendments to current laws,
regulations and permits governing operations and activities of oil and gas
companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material
adverse impact on us and cause increases in capital expenditures or require
abandonment or delays in development of new properties. Although the Israel
government have been stable recently, there is no assurance that political and
economic conditions will remain stable. Political and economic instability may
impede our ability to continue our exploration activities in the manner
currently contemplated.
We are
exposed to risks of political instability and changes in government policies,
laws and regulations in Israel. Any changes in regulations or shifts in
political conditions are beyond our control and may adversely affect our
business. Our operations may be affected in varying degrees by government
regulations, including those with respect to restrictions on production, price
controls, export controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, employment,
land use, water use, environmental legislation and mine safety. There is no
assurance that permits can be obtained, or that delays will not occur in
obtaining all necessary permits or renewals of such permits for existing
properties or additional permits required in connection with future exploration
and development programs. In the event of a dispute arising out of our foreign
operations, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or
may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of
courts in Canada. We may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing our rights
with respect to a government entity or instrumentality because of the doctrine
of sovereign immunity.
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
The
following table sets forth certain information about the warrants we issued in
connection with the acquisition of our 75% equity interest in IPC Cayman in
November 2009. All of the shares underlying these warrants may be
sold under this prospectus.
Warrants
|
Number
of Shares
|
Exercise
Price (USD)
|
Expiration
Date
|
PetroMed
(1)
|
22,853,058
|
$4.00
|
November
16, 2016
|
International
Three Crown Petroleum (1)(2)
|
5,000,000
|
0.35
|
November
14, 2014
|
Allied
Ventures (1)(2)
|
2,000,000
|
0.35
|
November
14, 2014
|
Castle
Rock Resources (3)
|
1,000,000
|
0.35
|
November
12, 2014
|
Current
Capital Corp.
(4)
|
150,000
|
0.35
|
November
24, 2014
|
1. These
warrants were issued under the Contribution and Assignment Agreement dated
November 14, 2009.
2. These
warrants contain a cashless exercise feature and broad-based weighted average
anti-dilution protection.
3. These
warrants were issued as part of a USD $850,000 promissory note.
4. These
warrants were issued as part of a USD $125,000 promissory note.
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITIES
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the
charter provision, by-law, contract, arrangements, statute or otherwise, we
acknowledge that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL
LIABILITIES
We are
organized under the laws of the province of Ontario, Canada and our executive
offices are located outside of the United States in Toronto,
Ontario. A majority of our directors and officers, as well as the
expert named in this prospectus, reside outside the United States. In addition,
a substantial portion of their assets and currently all of our assets are
located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty
serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons.
You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United
States, judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or these persons in
any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S.
Federal or state securities laws. Furthermore, there is substantial doubt as to
the enforceability in Canada against us or against any of our directors,
officers and the expert named in this prospectus who are not residents of the
United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of
U.S. courts, of liabilities based solely upon the civil liability provisions of
the U.S. federal securities laws.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Index
|
Page No.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc. Audited Financial Statements
|
|
Independent
Auditor’s Report dated June 11, 2009
|
48
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as at March 31, 2009 and 2008
|
49
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2009, 2008
and 2007
|
50
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2009, 2008,
and 2007
|
51
|
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
2009, 2008, and 2007
|
52-53
|
Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Loss and Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
2009,
2008 and 2007
|
54
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
55-70
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc. Unaudited Financial Statements
Management
Report dated November 20, 2009
|
72
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets at September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009
|
73
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Six Months Ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008
|
74
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2009 and
2008
|
75
|
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended September 30,
2009
|
76
|
Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Loss and Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss for the Six Months Ended September 30,
2009
and 2008
|
77
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
78-79
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Financial Statements
For
the Years Ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(Canadian
Dollars)
Schwartz
Levitsky Feldman llp
CHARTERED
ACCOUNTANTS
LICENSED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TORONTO.
MONTREAL
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Shareholders of
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
We
have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Bontan Corporation Inc. as at
March 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders' equity, comprehensive loss and accumulated other comprehensive
loss and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended March
31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing
standards and with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit
to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In
our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as at March 31, 2009
and 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years
ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles which differ in certain respects from generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States (refer to note
17).
“SCHWARTZ LEVITSKY FELDMAN LLP”
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada Chartered Accountants
June 11,
2009 Licensed Public Accountants
1167 Caledonia Road
Toronto, Ontario M6A 2X1
Tel: 416 785
5353
Fax: 416 785
5663
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(Canadian
Dollars)
As
at March 31
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
352,958 |
|
|
$ |
1,259,062 |
|
Short
term investments
|
|
3,13(x)
& (xi) & 15 (b)
|
|
|
|
1,091,563 |
|
|
|
3,633,760 |
|
Prepaid
consulting services
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
20,484 |
|
|
|
285,896 |
|
Other
receivables
|
|
13(xii)
&(xiii), 12(b)
|
|
|
|
118,508 |
|
|
|
54,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,583,513 |
|
|
$ |
5,232,916 |
|
Office
equipment and furniture
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
9,434 |
|
|
$ |
6,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,592,947 |
|
|
$ |
5,239,122 |
|
Liabilities
and shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
5(a),13(viii)
|
|
|
$ |
96,544 |
|
|
$ |
30,339 |
|
Audit
and consulting fees accrued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,474 |
|
|
|
28,685 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
152,018 |
|
|
$ |
59,024 |
|
Shareholders'
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
stock
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
32,854,075 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
Warrants
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
2,192,927 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,154,266 |
|
|
|
4,077,427 |
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,425,018 |
) |
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(33,335,321 |
) |
|
|
(32,645,906 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(37,760,339 |
) |
|
|
(33,952,674 |
) |
Total
shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,440,929 |
|
|
$ |
5,180,098 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,592,947 |
|
|
$ |
5,239,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and Contingent Liabilities (Note 12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Party Transactions (Note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Approved by the
Board ”Kam
Shah”
Director ”Dean
Bradley” Director
(signed) (signed)
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Canadian
Dollars)
For
the years ended March 31,
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain
on disposal of short term investments
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
45,036 |
|
|
$ |
248,455 |
|
|
$ |
650,508 |
|
Interest
|
|
13(ix)
|
|
|
|
7,901 |
|
|
|
73,300 |
|
|
|
93,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,937 |
|
|
|
321,755 |
|
|
|
743,786 |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consulting
fees
|
|
10,12(b)
& (c), 13 (v) & (Vii)
|
|
|
|
444,784 |
|
|
|
396,465 |
|
|
|
418,434 |
|
Travel,meals
and promotions
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,896 |
|
|
|
120,008 |
|
|
|
108,266 |
|
Payroll
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,266 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Shareholders
information
|
|
|
12 |
(a),13(i) |
|
|
144,757 |
|
|
|
133,502 |
|
|
|
149,105 |
|
Exchange
(gain)loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(119,789 |
) |
|
|
141,841 |
|
|
|
111,659 |
|
Professional
fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,844 |
|
|
|
34,601 |
|
|
|
53,084 |
|
Office
and general
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,641 |
|
|
|
40,349 |
|
|
|
30,630 |
|
Bank
charges and interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,362 |
|
|
|
1,625 |
|
|
|
13,885 |
|
Communication
|
|
13(ii)
|
|
|
|
11,498 |
|
|
|
11,905 |
|
|
|
7,984 |
|
Rent
|
|
13(ii)
|
|
|
|
18,143 |
|
|
|
8,915 |
|
|
|
5,666 |
|
Transfer
agents fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,940 |
|
|
|
4,343 |
|
|
|
4,974 |
|
Write
off of short term investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,010 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Write
off of interest in gas exploration project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
742,352 |
|
|
|
893,554 |
|
|
|
907,829 |
|
Net
loss for year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(689,415 |
) |
|
|
(571,799 |
) |
|
|
(164,043 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Loss per share
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(Canadian
Dollars)
For
the years ended March 31,
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for year
|
|
|
|
|
|
(689,415 |
) |
|
|
(571,799 |
) |
|
|
(164,043 |
) |
Write
off of interest in gas exploration project
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,142 |
|
Write
off of a short term investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization
of office equipment and furniture
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
|
|
817 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain
on disposal of short term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
(45,036 |
) |
|
|
(248,455 |
) |
|
|
(650,508 |
) |
Consulting
fees settled for common shares
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
277,856 |
|
|
|
314,248 |
|
|
|
367,973 |
|
Net
change in working capital components
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(64,310 |
) |
|
|
11,955 |
|
|
|
29,649 |
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,205 |
|
|
|
11,287 |
|
|
|
(15,166 |
) |
Audit
and consulting fees accrued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,789 |
|
|
|
(715 |
) |
|
|
(101,370 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(362,874 |
) |
|
|
(482,662 |
) |
|
|
(529,323 |
) |
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of short term Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,412,123 |
) |
|
|
(3,366,685 |
) |
|
|
(6,366,652 |
) |
Net
proceeds from sale of short term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,818,097 |
|
|
|
1,990,303 |
|
|
|
5,479,390 |
|
Purchase
of office equipment and furniture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,256 |
) |
|
|
(7,023 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Investment
in interest in gas properties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,142 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(599,282 |
) |
|
|
(1,383,405 |
) |
|
|
(891,404 |
) |
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
shares issued net of issuance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,052 |
|
|
|
110,201 |
|
|
|
1,172,813 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,052 |
|
|
|
110,201 |
|
|
|
1,172,813 |
|
Decrease
in cash during year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(906,104 |
) |
|
|
(1,755,866 |
) |
|
|
(247,914 |
) |
Cash
at beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,259,062 |
|
|
|
3,014,928 |
|
|
|
3,262,842 |
|
Cash
at end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
352,958 |
|
|
|
1,259,062 |
|
|
|
3,014,928 |
|
Supplemental
disclosures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
(Canadian
Dollars)
For
the Years Ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
|
|
Number
of Shares
|
|
|
Share
Capital
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
Shareholders'
Equity
|
|
Balance
March 31, 2006
|
|
|
22,757,703 |
|
|
$ |
32,175,000 |
|
|
$ |
951,299 |
|
|
$ |
4,069,549 |
|
|
$ |
(31,910,064 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
5,285,784 |
|
Issued
under private placement
|
|
|
4,500,000 |
|
|
|
1,303,126 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,303,126 |
|
Warrants issued under private
placement
|
|
|
|
(1,263,914 |
) |
|
|
1,263,914 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Finder
fee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(130,313 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(130,313 |
) |
Shares
cancelled
|
|
|
(20,000 |
) |
|
|
(5,980 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,980 |
) |
Issued
under 2003 Consultant stock compensation plans
|
|
|
42,500 |
|
|
|
22,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,406 |
|
Issued
under 2007 Consultant stock compensation plans
|
|
|
1,150,000 |
|
|
|
313,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
313,486 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(164,043 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(164,043 |
) |
Balance,
March 31, 2007
|
|
|
28,430,203 |
|
|
$ |
32,413,811 |
|
|
$ |
2,215,213 |
|
|
$ |
4,069,549 |
|
|
$ |
(32,074,107 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
6,624,466 |
|
Warrants
excercised
|
|
|
315,540 |
|
|
|
122,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,446 |
|
Value
of warrants transferred to capital stock upon exercise
|
|
|
|
61,356 |
|
|
|
(61,356 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Finder
fee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,245 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,245 |
) |
Issued
under 2007 Consultant stock compensation plan
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,878 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,878 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(571,799 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(571,799 |
) |
Unrealised
loss on short term investments, net of tax, considered available for sale,
cumulative to march 31, 2008 on adoption of new Accounting
Policy
|
|
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
$ |
2,153,857 |
|
|
$ |
4,077,427 |
|
|
$ |
(32,645,906 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
$ |
5,180,098 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statement of Shareholders’ Equity - Continued
(Canadian
Dollars)
For
the Years Ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
|
|
Number
of Shares
|
|
|
Capital
Stock
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
Shareholders'
Equity
|
|
Balance
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
$ |
2,153,857 |
|
|
$ |
4,077,427 |
|
|
$ |
(32,645,906 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
$ |
5,180,098 |
|
Issued
under private placement
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
62,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,280 |
|
Finder
fee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,228 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,228 |
) |
Value
of warrants issued under private placement transferred to contributed
surplus
|
|
|
|
(39,070 |
) |
|
|
39,070 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Shares
cancelled
|
|
|
(275,000 |
) |
|
|
(64,395 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(64,395 |
) |
Options
revaluation upon changes in the terms
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,839 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,839 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(689,415 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(689,415 |
) |
Unrealised
loss on short term investments,net of tax considered available for
sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,118,250 |
) |
|
|
(3,118,250 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
March 31, 2009
|
|
|
30,820,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,854,075 |
|
|
$ |
2,192,927 |
|
|
$ |
4,154,266 |
|
|
$ |
(33,335,321 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,425,018 |
) |
|
$ |
1,440,929 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Loss and Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Loss
(Canadian
Dollars)
For
the years ended March 31,
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Net
loss for year
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(689,415 |
) |
|
$ |
(571,799 |
) |
|
$ |
(164,043 |
) |
Other
comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealised
loss for year on short term investments,net of tax considered available
for sale
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(3,118,250 |
) |
|
|
(2,266,470 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Comprehensive
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,807,665 |
) |
|
|
(2,838,269 |
) |
|
|
(164,043 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning
of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Adjustment
on adoption of new Accounting Policy
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
959,702 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
959,702 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other
comprehensive loss for year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,118,250 |
) |
|
|
(2,266,470 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss, end of year
|
|
|
$ |
(4,425,018 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
1. NATURE
OF OPERATIONS
Bontan
Corporation Inc. (“the Company”) is a diversified natural resource company that
invests in major oil and gas exploration and exploitation projects in countries
around the globe through its subsidiary by acquiring joint venture, indirect
participation interest and working interest in those projects. The company
focuses on projects where the other project partners have proven experience in
oil and gas exploration, development and distribution.
The
Company currently does not have any active project participation and has now
expanded its search for participation in suitable projects in all
sectors.
2. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
These
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in Canada, which do not materially
differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S.
GAAP) except as described in Note 17 “Differences from United States
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”.
Principles
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly owned subsidiary, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation. All inter-company
balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
The
following paragraphs describe the significant accounting policies.
Effective
April 1, 2008, the Company adopted two new accounting standards issued by The
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA") on financial instruments
comprising handbook sections 3862 "Financial Instruments – Disclosures" and 3863
"Financial Instruments – Presentation", which apply to interim and annual
financial statements. These sections revise and enhance the current disclosure
requirements but do not change the existing presentation requirements for
financial instruments. The new disclosures provide additional information on the
nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments to which the
Company is exposed and how it manages those risks. This disclosure is provided
in note 15. The Company also adopted CICA handbook section 1535 "Capital
Disclosures", which requires the Company to disclose qualitative and
quantitative information relating to its objectives, policies and processes for
managing its capital. This
disclosure is provided in note 16.
The CICA
accounting standards board amended section 1400, “General Standards of Financial
Statement Presentation” to include requirements for management to assess and
disclose an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This section
applies to interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years
beginning on or after January 1, 2008. The adoption of this amendment did not
have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Oil
and Gas Properties Interest
Interests
held in oil and gas properties are recorded on the basis of successful efforts
method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and development activities
under which direct acquisition costs of development properties, geological and
geophysical costs associated with these properties and costs of development and
exploratory wells that result in additions to proven reserves are capitalized.
When the carrying value of a property exceeds its net recoverable amount that
may be estimated by quantifiable evidence of an economic geological resource or
reserve, joint venture expenditure commitments or the Company’s assessment of
its ability to sell the property for an amount exceeding the deferred costs,
provision is made for the impairment in value.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (Continued)
Revenue
Recognition
Revenues
associated with the sales of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids
(“NGLs”) together with costs including production and mineral taxes, royalty to
landowner and transportation and selling costs are recognized on receipt of a
statement of account from the operators of the projects where the Company holds
equity interest and collection is reasonably assured.
Short-term
Investments and other financial instruments
Short-term
investments are investments that are either highly liquid or are to be disposed
of within a one year period. All short term investments are considered available
for sale type of investments.
All
financial instruments are measured at fair value on initial recognition of the
instrument. Measurement in subsequent periods depends on whether the financial
instrument has been classified as “held-for-trading”, “available-for-sale”,
“held-to-maturity”, “loans and receivables”, or “other financial liabilities” as
defined by the applicable accounting standards.
Cash is
designated as “held-for-trading” and is measured at carrying value, which
approximates fair value.
Short
term investments which consist mostly of marketable securities are designated as
“available-for-sale” and measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses
recorded in other comprehensive income until the security is sold or if an
unrealized loss is considered other than temporary, the unrealized loss is
expensed. Unrealized gains and losses represent the net difference between the
total average costs of short term assets on hand and their fair value based on
quoted market prices for the marketable securities.
Other
receivable are designated as “loans and receivable” and are carried at amortized
cost. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are designated as ‘other
financial liabilities” and are carried at amortized cost.
Foreign
Currency Translation
The
functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar. Monetary assets and
liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet
date. Non-monetary assets are translated at exchange rates in effect
when they were acquired. Revenue and expenses are translated at the approximate
average rate of exchange for the year, except that amortization is translated at
the rates used to translate related assets.
The
Company’s only subsidiary, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation uses US Dollar as a
functional currency. However, the subsidiary is not self sustaining but is
integrated to Bontan Corporation Inc. Hence translation gains and losses of this
subsidiary are charged to the consolidated statement of operations.
|
Office
equipment and furniture and
amortization
|
Office
equipment and furniture are amortised over their useful lives as
follows:
Office
furniture 20%–
declining balance basis
Computers 33%
– declining balance basis
Software 20%
- - declining balance basis
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Comprehensive
Income
Comprehensive
income and accumulated other comprehensive income include net unrealised gains
and losses on short term investments net of applicable taxes, held as available
for sale. Accumulated other comprehensive income is included on the consolidated
balance sheet as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Income
Taxes
The
Company follows the liability method of accounting for income
taxes. Under this method, future income tax assets and liabilities
are determined based on temporary differences between financial reporting and
tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as for the benefit of losses
available to be carried forward to future years for tax
purposes. Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using
substantively enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the
differences are expected to reverse. Future income tax assets are
recognized in the financial statements if realization is considered more likely
than not. A valuation allowance against future tax assets is provided to the
extent that the realization of these future tax assets is not more likely than
not.
Stock-Based
Compensation Plan
The
Company follows a fair value based method of accounting for all Stock-based
Compensation and Other Stock-based Payments to employees and
non-employees. The fair value of all share purchase options is
expensed over their vesting period with a corresponding increase to contributed
surplus. Upon exercise of share purchase options, the consideration paid by the
option holder, together with the amount previously recognized in contributed
surplus, is recorded as an increase to share capital. The Company uses the
Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate the fair value of share
purchase options at the date of grant.
The
quoted market price of the Company’s shares on the date of issuance under any
stock compensation plan is considered as fair value of the shares
issued.
Warrants
When the
Company issues Units under a private Placement comprising common shares and
warrants, the Company follows relative fair value method of accounting for
warrants attached to and issued with common shares of the Company. Under this
method, the fair value of warrants issued is estimated using a Black-Scholes
option price model. The fair value is then related to the total of net proceeds
on issuance of Common shares and the fair value of the warrants issued
therewith. The resultant relative fair value is allocated to warrants from the
net proceeds and the balance of the net proceeds is allocated to the Common
shares issued.
Accounting
Changes
The
Company follows CICA Section 1506, “Accounting changes” which require that (i)
voluntary changes in accounting policies can be made if, and only if, the
changes result in more reliable and relevant information (ii) changes in
accounting policies are accompanied by disclosure of prior period amounts and
justification for the changes, and (iii) for changes in estimates, the nature
and amount of the change should be disclosed. The Company has not made any
voluntary change in accounting policies during the fiscal years 2009 and
2008.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Loss
per Share
Basic
loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss (the numerator) by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during
the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the dilution that would
occur if outstanding stock options and share purchase warrants were exercised or
converted into common shares using the treasury stock method and are calculated
by dividing net loss applicable to common shares by the sum of the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding and all additional common shares
that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been
issued.
The
inclusion of the Company’s stock options and share purchase warrants in the
computation of diluted loss per share would have an anti-dilutive effect on loss
per share and are therefore excluded from the
computation. Consequently, there is no difference between basic loss
per share and diluted loss per share.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Some of the key areas where estimates and assumptions are
normally used include valuation of stocks, warrants and options, ascertaining
useful lives of office equipment and furniture and impairment of short term
investments.
Recent
accounting pronouncements
International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)
In
January 2006, the CICA’s Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") formally adopted
the strategy of replacing Canadian GAAP with IFRS for Canadian enterprises with
public accountability. The current conversion timetable calls for financial
reporting under IFRS for accounting periods commencing on or after January 1,
2011. On February 13, 2008 the AcSB confirmed that the use of IFRS will be
required in 2011 for publicly accountable profit-oriented enterprises. For these
entities, IFRS will be required for interim and annual financial
statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The
Company is currently assessing the impact of IFRS on its consolidated financial
statements.
Goodwill
and Intangible Assets
In
February 2008, the CICA issued Section 3064, Goodwill and Intangible Assets,
replacing Section 3062, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and Section 3450,
Research and Development Costs. The new section will be applicable to financial
statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008.
Accordingly, the Company will adopt the new standards for its fiscal year
beginning April 1, 2009. Section 3064 establishes standards for the recognition,
measurement, presentation and disclosure of goodwill subsequent to its initial
recognition and of intangible assets by profit-oriented enterprises. Standards
concerning goodwill are unchanged from the standards included in the previous
Section 3062. This standard is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company’s financial statements..
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
2. SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In
January 2009, the CICA issued the new handbook Section 1582, Business
Combinations, effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.
Earlier adoption of Section 1582 is permitted. This pronouncement further aligns
Canadian GAAP with US GAAP and IFRS and changes the accounting for business
combinations in a number of areas. It establishes principles and requirements
governing how an acquiring company recognizes and measures in its financial
statements identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any
non-controlling interest in the acquiree, and goodwill acquired. The section
also establishes disclosure requirements that will enable users of the acquiring
company’s financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of
its business combinations. Although the Company is considering the impact of
adopting this pronouncement on the consolidated financial statements, it will be
limited to any future acquisitions beginning in fiscal 2012.
Consolidated
financial statements and non-controlling interests
In
January 2009, the CICA issued the new handbook Section 1601, Consolidated
Financial Statements, and Section 1602, Non-controlling Interests, effective for
fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Earlier adoption of these
recommendations is permitted. These pronouncements further align Canadian GAAP
with US GAAP and IFRS. Sections 1601 and 1602 change the accounting and
reporting for ownership interest in subsidiaries held by parties other than the
parent. Non-controlling interests are to be presented in the consolidated
statement of financial position within the entity but separate from the parent’s
equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to
the non-controlling interest is to be clearly identified and presented on the
face of the consolidated statement of income. In addition, these pronouncements
establish standards for a change in a parent’s ownership interest in a
subsidiary and the valuation of retained non-controlling equity investments when
a subsidiary is deconsolidated. They also establish reporting requirements for
providing sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between
the interests of the parent and the interests of the non-controlling owners. The
Company is currently considering the impact of adopting these pronouncements on
its consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2012 in connection with the
conversion to IFRS.
Credit
risk and the fair value of financial assets and financial
liabilities
In
January 2009, the CICA issued the Emerging Issues Committee (EIC) Abstract EIC –
173, “Credit Risk and the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities”, effective for interim and annual financial statements ending on or
after January 20, 2009. Earlier adoption of this abstract is permitted. EIC –
173 provides further information on the determination of the fair value of
financial assets and financial liabilities under Section 3855, “Financial
Instruments – Recognition and Measurement”. It states that an entity’s own
credit and the credit risk of the counterparty should be taken into account in
determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities,
including derivative instruments. EIC – 173 should be applied retroactively,
without restatement of prior periods, to all financial assets and liabilities
measured at fair value. The Company will adopt this abstract during the first
quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. This standard is not expected to have a
material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
3.
|
SHORT
TERM INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
March
31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
average costs
|
|
|
fair
market value
|
|
|
Carrying
average costs
|
|
|
fair
market value
|
|
Marketable
securities
|
|
|
5,253,570 |
|
|
|
1,091,563 |
|
|
|
4,637,738 |
|
|
|
3,330,970 |
|
Non-marketable
securities
|
|
|
326,020 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
302,790 |
|
|
|
302,790 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,579,590 |
|
|
$ |
1,091,563 |
|
|
$ |
4,940,528 |
|
|
$ |
3,633,760 |
|
Unrealised
(loss) gain before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4,488,027 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
Movements
in unrealised (loss)gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
959,702 |
|
Loss
during year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,118,250 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,266,470 |
) |
At
end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4,425,018 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a. Marketable
securities
Marketable
securities are designated as “available-for-sale”.
Marketable
securities are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices on the balance
sheet as at March 31, 2009. An unrealised loss of $ 2,855,240 for the year and
accumulated unrealised loss of $1,306,768 at the beginning of year was included
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss and accumulated other
comprehensive loss.
As at
March 31, 2009, the Company held warrants in certain marketable securities which
are exercisable at its option to convert into equal number of common shares of
the said securities. The total exercise price of these warrants was $138,189 (As
at March 31, 2008:$ 414,176) and the market value of the underlying securities
was $34,509 as at that date (As at March 31, 2008: $377,322). These warrants and
the underlying unrealised gains and losses have not been accounted for in the
financial statements since the Company has not yet determined if it would
exercise these warrants when they become exercisable. The warrants expire
between November 2009 and April 2012.
b. Non-marketable
securities
The
Company held shares in three private corporations as at March 31, 2009, which
are designated as “Available for sale”. The carrying cost of these investments
was $326,020. Based
on the management review of the affairs of the above investee companies and
discussions with their management, it was concluded that there was no other than
temporary impairment in the carrying costs of these investments as at March 31,
2009 except one investment of $63,010. The factors considered in our impairment
review included length of time the security was held, extent to which the fair
value was below cost, current financial conditions of the investee companies,
near term prospects of the investee companies and our ability and intent to hold
the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated
recovery.
The
Company however believed that as at March 31, 2009, the value of these
investments was seriously affected due partly to the overall adverse market
conditions and has therefore valued them at zero value. An unrealised loss of $
263,010 was included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss and
accumulated other comprehensive loss.
As
regards the investment of $63,010, management was unable to get any update on
the affairs of the private corporation which was inactive. Management therefore
concluded that there was a permanent impairment in the value of this investment
and accordingly $63,010 was fully written off.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
4.
|
OFFICE
EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
accumulated
amortisation
|
|
|
Net
book value
|
|
|
Net
book value
|
|
As
at March 31,
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Office
furniture
|
|
|
4,725 |
|
|
|
1,323 |
|
|
|
3,402 |
|
|
|
4,252 |
|
Computer
|
|
|
2,298 |
|
|
|
996 |
|
|
|
1,302 |
|
|
|
1,954 |
|
Software
|
|
|
5,256 |
|
|
|
526 |
|
|
|
4,730 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,279 |
|
|
$ |
2,845 |
|
|
$ |
9,434 |
|
|
$ |
6,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization
of office equipment and furniture amounted to $ 2,027 (2008: $817)
5. PREPAID
CONSULTING SERVICES
Prepaid
consulting services relates to the fair value of shares and options issued under
the Company’s Consultants’ Stock Compensation and Stock Option Plans
to consultants for services that will be performed during the period subsequent
to the balance sheet date. Changes during the year were as follows:
|
|
Balance
at April 1, 2008
|
|
|
Deferred
during the year (b)
|
|
|
Canceled
during the year (a)
|
|
|
Expensed
during the year
|
|
|
Balance
at March 31, 2009
|
|
Options
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
|
$ |
76,839 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(84,717 |
) |
|
$ |
- |
|
Stocks
|
|
|
278,018 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(64,395 |
) |
|
|
(193,139 |
) |
|
|
20,484 |
|
|
|
$ |
285,896 |
|
|
$ |
76,839 |
|
|
$ |
(64,395 |
) |
|
$ |
(277,856 |
) |
|
$ |
20,484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at April 1, 2007
|
|
|
Deferred
during the year
|
|
|
Canceled
during the year
|
|
|
Expensed
during the year
|
|
|
Balance
at March 31, 2008
|
|
Options
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
Stocks
|
|
|
276,146 |
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(314,248 |
) |
|
|
278,018 |
|
|
|
$ |
276,146 |
|
|
$ |
323,998 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(314,248 |
) |
|
$ |
285,896 |
|
(a) Two of
the Consultants who were issued shares in lieu of cash for their services
requested the management that they would like to cancel the shares issued to
them and instead receive cash payments from the Company owing to the fact that
the Company’s share price remained depressed and lacked any substantial
movements through the year and as a result they were unable to sell any shares
and earn any compensation for their services.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
5. PREPAID
CONSULTING SERVICES - (continued)
On
December 12, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company accepted their request
and approved the following:
|
a.
|
Mr.
Terence Robinson to be paid a cash compensation of $60,000 for the six
months ended December 31, 2008 in return for 275,000 shares
previously issued under Consultant Compensation Plan for
cancellation.
|
|
b.
|
Mr.
John Robinson to be paid $ 82,000 in four instalments - $20,489 on
December 16, 2008, $20,489 on December 31, 2008, $20,489 on March 31, 2009
and the balance $20,533 on June 30, 2009 in return for 350,000 shares
previously issued under Consultant Compensation Plan for
cancellation.
|
|
Mr.
Terence Robinson returned 275,000 shares for cancellation. These were
cancelled and the cost of these shares of $64,395 was reversed to capital
stock. A liability has been included in payable for $60,000 which became
payable to him upon return of the
shares.
|
|
Mr.
John Robinson has not yet returned the shares for cancellation and hence
cash liability and related shares cancellation has not yet been accounted
for by the Company.
|
(b)
|
During
the year, terms of all outstanding options were revised as explained in
Note 7(b)(i). These options were therefore re-valued and an additional
cost of $76,839 was expensed.
|
6. CAPITAL
STOCK
(a) Authorized - Unlimited
number of common shares
(b) Issued
As
at March 31
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Beginning
of year
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
|
28,430,203 |
|
|
$ |
32,413,811 |
|
Canceled
( note 5 (a))
|
|
|
(275,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(64,395 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
under private placement (a)
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
62,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finder's
fee (a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(6,228 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value
assigned to warrants issued under private placement transferred to
contributed surplus (note 8)
|
|
|
$ |
(39,070 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
315,540 |
|
|
|
122,446 |
|
Costs
relating to warrants excercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,245 |
) |
Value
of warrants transferred to capital stoock upon exercise
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,356 |
|
Issued
under 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
|
|
|
30,820,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,854,075 |
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
6. CAPITAL
STOCK – (continued)
(a)
|
On
December 12, 2008, The Board of Directors of the Company approved a
private placement to raise equity funds up to US$500,000. The private
placement consists of Units up to maximum of ten million, to be issued at
US0.05 per Unit. Each Unit would comprise one common share of the Company
and one full warrant convertible into one common share of the Company at
an exercise price of US$0.10 each within two years of the issuance of
warrant.
|
The board
also approved a finder’s fee at 10% of the proceeds from the issuance of units
and warrants attached thereto payable to Current Capital Corp., a related party
(note 13).
As
at March 31, 2009, the Company received one subscription for one million units.
The board has agreed to waive any closing date and to continue to accept more
subscriptions within the approved maximum limit.
7. STOCK
OPTION PLANS
The
following is a summary of all Stock Option Plans as at March 31,
2009:
Plan
|
Date
of registration *
|
|
#
of Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered
|
|
|
issued
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
1999
Stock option Plan
|
April
30, 2003
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
(70,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,200,000 |
) |
|
|
1,730,000 |
|
2003
Stock Option Plan
|
July
22, 2004
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
(155,000 |
) |
|
|
(400,000 |
) |
|
|
1,945,000 |
|
The
Robinson Plan
|
December
5, 2005
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
2005
Stock Option Plan
|
December
5, 2005
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
7,600,000 |
|
|
|
6,650,000 |
|
|
|
(225,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,600,000 |
) |
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of
America (SEC) as required under the Securities Act of
1933.
|
All
options were fully vested on the dates of their grant.
(b)
|
|
Movements
in stock options during year are as
follows:
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
7. STOCK
OPTION PLANS – (continued)
(i) On
December 12, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved extension of
expiry dates of all outstanding options by one year from the date of their
expiry and revision of the exercise price to US$0.15 for all options. The market
price of the Company’s common shares on December 12, 2008 was
US$0.05.
|
Fair
value of these options was re-estimated on December 12, 2208 to reflect
the modifications made in the terms. The re-estimation was done using a
Black-Scholes option price model with the following
assumptions:
|
|
Risk
free interest rate1%
|
|
Expected
volatility (based on previous 88 weeks average market
price)161.75%
|
|
The
value based on the above model came to $76,839, which was expensed (see
note 5(b)).
|
Option
price models used for calculating fair value of options require input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility. Changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and
therefore the models do not necessarily provide a reliable measure of the fair
value of the Company’s options.
(C) Details
of weighted average remaining life of the options granted and outstanding are as
follows
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
outstanding & excercisable
|
|
|
Options
outstanding & excercisable
|
|
Exercise
price in US$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
|
|
Exercise
price in US$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
1,680,000 |
|
|
|
1.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
3,015,000 |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
All
options were fully vested immediately as at March 31, 2009 and 2008. The options
can be exercised at any time after vesting within the exercise period in
accordance with the applicable option agreement. The exercise price was more
than the market price on the date of the grants for 1,995,000 options (2008:
1,995,000) and less than the market price for the balance of 2,830,000 (2008:
2,830,000) options. Upon expiry or termination of the contracts, vested options
must be exercised within 30 days for consultants and 90 days for
directors.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
(a) Movement
in warrants during the year are as follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#
of warrants
|
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price in US$
|
|
|
Fair
value
|
|
|
#
of warrants
|
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price
|
|
|
Fair
value
|
|
Issued
and outstanding, beginning of year (ii)
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
|
|
13,161,960 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
2,215,213 |
|
Issued
during year (i)
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
39,070 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Exercised
during year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(315,540 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(61,356 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding, end of year
|
|
|
13,846,420 |
|
|
$ |
0
.24 |
|
|
$ |
2,192,927 |
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
$ |
0.44 |
|
|
$ |
2,153,857 |
|
|
(i)
|
The
company issued 1 million warrants under a 2009 private placement relating
to Units subscribed during the current year as explained in Note 6(a).
These warrants are convertible into equal number of common shares at an
exercise price of US$0.10 per warrant and expire within two years of their
issue.
|
|
The
fair value of these warrants has been estimated using a Black-Scholes
option price model with the following
assumptions:
|
Risk
free interest rate
|
1%
|
|
The
fair value of the warrants as per the Black-Scholes option price model
amounted to $113,523. Using the relative fair value method, an amount of
$39,070 (70%) has been accounted for as reduction in value of shares and
increase in value of warrants.
|
|
Option
price models used for calculating fair value of warrants require input of
highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility.
Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair
value estimate, and therefore the models do not necessarily provide a
reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s
warrants.
|
|
(ii)
|
During
the fiscal year 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved
changes in the terms of the warrants issued and outstanding as
follows:
|
i.
|
On
December 12, 2008, exercise price of 11,124,460 warrants issued as part of
2006 private placement and still outstanding was reduced from US$0.35 to
US$0.25 and their expiry date extended by six months from the existing
expiry dates. The market price of the Company’s common shares on December
12, 2008 was US$0.05.
|
ii.
|
On
March 30, 2009, exercise price of 1,721,960 warrants issued as part of
2003 private placement and still outstanding was reduced from US$ 1 to
US$0.25 and their expiry date extended by six months from the existing
expiry date. The market price of the Company’s common shares on March 30,
2009 was US$0.08.
|
The fair
value of these warrants was not recalculated due to these changes.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
8.
|
WARRANTS –
(continued)
|
(b)
|
Details
of weighted average remaining life of the options granted and outstanding
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
outstanding & excercisable
|
|
|
Warrants
outstanding & excercisable
|
|
Exercise
price in US$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
|
|
Exercise
price in US$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1,721,960 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
1.88 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
11,124,460 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
13,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
9. LOSS
PER SHARE
Loss per
share is calculated on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the year, which were 30,170,743 shares for the year ended March 31,
2009 (2008 – 28,840,653, 2007 – 27,472,703).
The
Company had approximately 13.8 million warrants and 4.8 million options, which
were not exercised as at March 31, 2009. Inclusion of these warrants and options
in the computation of diluted loss per share would have an anti-dilutive effect
on loss per share and are therefore excluded from the computation. Consequently,
there is no difference between loss per share and diluted loss per
share.
For
the year ended March 31
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Fees
settled in stocks and options (Note 5)
|
|
|
277,856 |
|
|
|
314,248 |
|
|
|
367,973 |
|
Fees
settled for cash
|
|
|
166,928 |
|
|
|
82,217 |
|
|
|
50,461 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
444,784 |
|
|
$ |
396,465 |
|
|
$ |
418,434 |
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
Income
tax expense differs from the amount that would be computed by applying the
Federal and Provincial statutory income tax rates to income before income taxes.
The reasons for the differences are as follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Income
tax recovery based on combined corporate income tax rate of 29% (2008:
33.50% and 2007: 36.12%)
|
|
$ |
(199,930 |
) |
|
$ |
(191,553 |
) |
|
$ |
(59,237 |
) |
Increase(Decrease)
in taxes resulting from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
in Subsidiary (BDC) written off on disolution
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(50,280 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Non-deductible
stock based compensation
|
|
|
80,578 |
|
|
|
105,273 |
|
|
|
132,912 |
|
Non-deductible
meals & entertainment expenses
|
|
|
7,806 |
|
|
|
11,199 |
|
|
|
7,503 |
|
Not-taxable
portion of gain on sale of short term investments
|
|
|
(6,530 |
) |
|
|
(41,616 |
) |
|
|
(117,482 |
) |
Write
off of a short term investment
|
|
|
9,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax recovery
|
|
|
(108,940 |
) |
|
|
(166,977 |
) |
|
|
(36,304 |
) |
Benefit
of tax losses not recognised
|
|
|
108,940 |
|
|
|
166,977 |
|
|
|
36,304 |
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
The
components of the future income tax asset and the country of origin at March 31,
2009 and 2008 are as follows (applying the combined Canadian federal and
provincial statutory income tax rate of 29% (2008: 33.50%) and the US income tax
rate of 34.00% for both the years):
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
|
|
|
US
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
in
'000 $
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future
income tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-capital
losses carried forward
|
|
$ |
2,199 |
|
|
$ |
2,697 |
|
|
$ |
1,498 |
|
|
$ |
1,498 |
|
Capital
losses carried forward
|
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Unrealised
losses on short term investments
|
|
|
642 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future
tax assets
|
|
|
3,401 |
|
|
|
3,782 |
|
|
|
1,498 |
|
|
|
1,498 |
|
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
(3,401 |
) |
|
|
(3,782 |
) |
|
|
(1,498 |
) |
|
|
(1,498 |
) |
Future
income taxes
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
The
Company has approximately $7.6 million (2008: $8 million) in Canadian
non-capital losses, $1.9 million (2008: $1.9 million) in capital losses and US$
4.4 million (2008: US$4.4 million) in US non-capital losses available to claim
against future taxable income. The benefits arising from these losses has not
been included in the financial statements as management has determined that it
is not more likely than not that the losses will be utilized.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
11.
|
INCOME
TAXES - continued
|
The
non-capital losses expire as follows:
Canadian in
CDN$ US
in US$
In
000’$ in
000’$
2010 232
2014 1,337
2015 1,319 2025 $ 1,050
2026 3,373 2026
3,300
2027 271 2027
25
2028 675
2029 374
12. COMMITMENTS AND
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
(a)
|
The
Company entered into media relations and investor relations contracts with
Current Capital Corp., a shareholder corporation, effective July 1, 2004
initially for a period of one year and renewed automatically unless
cancelled in writing by a 30-day notice for a total monthly fee of
US$10,000.
|
(b)
|
The
Company entered into a consulting contract with Mr. Kam Shah, the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on April 1, 2005 for a
five-year term up to March 31, 2010. Between June 1, 2008 and December 31,
2008, Mr. Shah was allowed to draw $10,000 per month in arrears until
market price of the Company’s common shares reaches $0.50 provided that
such drawings will be considered as fee advances to be repaid when the
market price of the common shares of the Company stays at $0.50 or above
for a consecutive period of three months. Total sum of $70,000 thus
withdrawn by Mr. Shah until December 31, 2008 has been included in other
receivable. For the period of six months from January 1, 2009 to June 30,
2009, Mr. Shah has been approved a cash fee of $10,000 per month plus
taxes. Fee for the second half of the calendar year 2009 has not yet been
determined. Further, the contract provides for a lump sum compensation of
US$250,000 for early termination of the contract without cause. The
contract also provides for entitlement to stock compensation and stock
options under appropriate plans as may be decided by the board of
directors from time to time.
|
(c)
|
The
Company entered into a consulting contract with Mr. Terence Robinson, a
key consultant and a former Chief Executive Officer, on April 1, 2003 for
a six-year term up to March 31, 2009. The contract provided for a monthly
fee of $10,000 inclusive of taxes plus reimbursement of expenses and a
lump sum compensation of $250,000 for early termination of the contract
without cause. Mr. Robinson accepted 550,000 common shares
issued under 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan in lieu of his fees
for the year ended December 31, 2008. However, he was allowed to return
half of the issued shares -275,000 - for cancellation and instead was to
be paid a cash fee of $60,000 ( see also Note 5), which has been included
in accounts payable. From January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009, a fee of
$10,000 per month has been accrued as payable to Mr. Robinson and is
included in accrued liabilities. The Company is still reviewing the
matters concerning settlement of amounts due to Mr. Robinson until March
31, 2009 and terms of the renewal of his contract. The Company however
concluded that the consulting contract should be
renewed.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
12. COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES - continued
|
(d)
|
The
Company has a consulting contract with Mr. John Robinson. Mr. John
Robinson is sole owner of Current Capital Corp., a firm with which the
Company has an ongoing contract for media and investor relations, and a
brother of Mr. Terence Robinson who is a key consultant to the Company and
a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company. On March 28,
2008, the Company renewed the consulting contract with Mr. John Robinson
for another year to June 30, 2009. The consulting fee was
agreed to be US$82,000 which was pre-paid by issuance of 350,000 common
shares under 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan. Mr.
Robinson provides services that include assisting the management in
evaluating new projects and monitoring short term investment opportunities
that the Company may participate in from time to time. The Company allowed
Mr. Robinson to return the shares issued for cancellation and to be paid
instead cash of $82,000 in four instalments. Mr. Robinson has not yet
returned the shares for cancellation. (see also note
5)
|
|
(e) The Company has
agreed to payment of a finder’s fee to Current Capital Corp., a related
party, at the rate of 10% of the proceeds from exercise of any of the
outstanding warrants and from the further subscriptions received under the
2009 private placement and related warrants (note 6(a)). The likely fee if
all the remaining warrants and units are exercised will be approximately
$580,000.
|
13. RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions
with related parties are incurred in the normal course of business and are
measured at the exchange amount. Related party transactions and balances have
been listed below, unless they have been disclosed elsewhere in the financial
statements.
(i)
|
Included
in shareholders information expense is $133,785 (2008 – $124,231; 2007 –
$136,249) to Current Capital Corp, (CCC) for media relation’s services.
CCC is a shareholder corporation and a director of the Company provides
accounting services as a
consultant.
|
(ii)
|
CCC
charged approximately $37,800 for rent, telephone and other office
expenses (2008: $27,300 and 2007:
$21,900).
|
(iii)
|
Finders
fees of $6,228 (2008: $12,245, 2007: $740,043) was charged by CCC in
connection with the private placement. (The fee for 2007 included a cash
fee of $130,313 and 1,040,000 warrants valued at $609,730 using the
Black-Scholes option price model).
|
(iv)
|
Business
expenses of $19,205 (2008 - $15,771; 2007 - $10,279) were reimbursed to
directors of the corporation and $68,009 (2008 - $118,774, 2007: $85,862)
to a key consultant and a former chief executive officer of the
Company.
|
(v)
|
Shares
issued to a director under the Consultant’s stock compensation plan –
Nil (2008 : 450,000 valued at $105,373, 2007: 350,000 valued at
$95,409,). Shares issued to (returned by) a key consultant and a former
chief executive officer of the Company under the Consultant stock
compensation plan (275,000) valued at $ (64,395) (2008: 550,000 valued at
$ 128,790, 2007: 500,000 valued at
$136,298).
|
(vi)
|
Options
issued to directors under Stock option plans – nil (2008: 50,000 valued at
$7,878, 2007: nil).
|
(vii)
|
Cash
fee paid to directors for services of $60,000 (2008:$33,871 and 2007: $
nil). Cash fee paid to a key consultant and a former chief executive
officer of the Company of $90,000 (2008 and 2007: $ nil). These fees are
included under travel, promotion and consulting
expenses.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
13. RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS – continued
(viii)
|
Accounts
payable includes $15,482 (2008: $9,384, 2007: $3,471) due to CCC, $1,875
(2008: $757, 2007: $1,431) due to a director and $67,212 (2008: $6,577,
2007: $ 7,099) due to a key consultant and a former chief executive
officer of the Company.
|
(ix)
|
Interest
income includes $ nil (2008: $ nil & 2007: $1,398) representing
interest received from the Chief Executive
officer.
|
(x)
|
Included
in short term investments is an investment of $200,000 (2008: $200,000,
2007: $ nil) in a private corporation controlled by a brother of the key
consultant. The investment was stated at market value which was considered
nil as at March 31, 2009 ($200,000 as at March 31,
2008)
|
(xi)
|
Included
in short term investments
|
is
an investment of $1,837,956 carrying cost and $361,877 fair value (2008:
1,929,049 carrying cost and $1,140,120 fair value, 2007: $1,604,493
carrying cost and $2,710,760 fair value) in a public corporation
controlled by a key shareholder of the Company. This investment represents
common shares acquired in open market or through private placements and
represents less than 1% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the
said Corporation.
|
(xii)
|
Included
in other receivable is an advance of $70,000 (2008 and 2007: $nil) made to
Chief Executive Officer. The advance is repayable upon happening of
certain events as explained in note 12 (b) and carries no
interest.
|
(xiii)
|
Included
in other receivable is an advance of $5,814 made to a director (2008:
$2,470 and 2007: $ nil), advance is against future fee and carries no
interest.
|
14. SEGMENTED
INFORMATION
As at
March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company had only one major business
segment-
Energy sector: This segment
includes the Company’s acquisition of interests in joint ventures and projects
relating to exploration and commercial drilling of oil and gas and related
products.
The
accounting policies of the segments are same as those described in Note 2. The
Company evaluates each segment’s performance based on its contribution to
consolidated net earnings. There are no inter-segmental charges or
transactions.
The
Company had no business activity in the above segment.
The
Company is now seeking business participation opportunities in all sectors. This
may change the future major business segments for the Company.
Geographic
Information
The
Company operates from one location in Canada. Its assets were located in Canada
as at March 31, 2009 and 2008.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
15. FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS AND CONCENTRATION OF RISKS
The
Company is exposed in varying degrees to a number of risks arising from
financial instruments. Management’s close involvement in the operations allows
for the identification of risks and variances from expectations. The Company
does not participate in the use of financial instruments to mitigate these risks
and has no designated hedging transactions. The Board approves and monitors the
risk management processes. The Board’s main objectives for managing risks are to
ensure liquidity, the fulfilment of obligations, the continuation of the
Company’s search for new business participation opportunities, and limited
exposure to credit and market risks while ensuring greater returns on the
surplus funds on hand. There were no changes to the objectives or the process
from the prior year.
The types
of risk exposure and the way in which such exposures are managed are as
follows:
(a)
Concentration risk:
Concentration
risks exist in cash and cash equivalents because significant balances are
maintained with one financial institution and a brokerage firm. The risk is
mitigated because the financial institution is a prime Canadian bank and the
brokerage firm is well known Canadian brokerage firm with good market reputation
and all its assets are backed up by one of the major Canadian banks.
(b)
Market price risk:
Market risk primarily
arises from the Company’s short term investments in marketable securities
which accounted for approximately 69% of total assets of the Company as at March
31, 2009( 69% at March 31, 2008). Further, the Company’s holding in one Canadian
marketable security accounted for approximately 33% (2008: 31%) of the total
short term investment in marketable securities or 23% (2008: 21%) of total
assets at March 31, 2009.
The
management tries to mitigate this risk by daily monitoring of all its
investments by experienced consultants and ensuring that investments are made in
companies which are financially stable with viable businesses.
(c)
Liquidity risk:
Liquidity
risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial
obligations as they become due.
The
Company ensures there is sufficient capital to meet short term business
requirements. In addition, management and key consultants opted for several
years to accept the Company’s common shares instead of cash towards their fee to
ensure greater cash flow for other operational and business needs.
One of
management’s goals is to maintain an optimal level of liquidity through the
active management of the assets, liabilities and cash flows.
The
Company’s maintains limited cash for its operational needs while most of its
surplus cash is invested in short term marketable securities which are available
on short notice to fund the Company’s operating costs and other financial
demands.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
15. FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS AND CONCENTRATION OF RISKS - continued
(d)
Currency risk
The
operating results and financial position of the Company are reported in Canadian
dollars. Part of cash and short term investments are held in US dollars –
approximately 3% of total assets at March 31, 2009 (23% as at March 31, 2008).
The results of the Company’s operations are therefore subject to currency
transaction and translation risk.
The
fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar will
consequently impact the loss of the Company and may also affect the value of the
Company’s assets and the amount of shareholders’ equity.
Comparative
closing foreign exchange rates as at March 31, 2009 are as follows:
March 31,
2009 2008
One US Dollar
to CDN Dollar 1.2602 1.0279
The
Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any foreign currency
hedging arrangements to hedge possible currency risks at this time.
16. CAPITAL
DISCLOSURES
The
Company considers the items included in Shareholders’ Equity as capital. The
Company currently has no debts or significant financial commitments. The
Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue new business
opportunities and to maintain a flexible capital structure which optimizes the
costs of capital at an acceptable risk.
The
Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of
changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying
assets. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may attempt to
issue new shares, issue new debt, acquire or dispose of assets or adjust the
amount of cash and short term investments.
As at
March 31, 2009, the shareholders’ equity was approximately $ 1.4 million (March
31, 2008: $ 5.2 million). Approximately 79% or $1.1 million was held in short
term investments (March 31, 2008: $3.6 million or 69%) and the balance was held
in cash and receivable. Absence of any significant external debts ensures the
Company’s continued financial strength.
The
Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements and does
not presently utilize any quantitative measures to monitor its
capital.
The
Company expects its current capital resources will be sufficient to carry its
business plans and operations through its current operating period.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
17.
|
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING
PRINCIPLES
|
These
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in Canada ("Canadian GAAP"). Material
variations in the accounting principles, practices and methods used in preparing
these consolidated financial statements from principles, practices and methods
used in the United States ("US GAAP") and in SEC Regulation S-X are described
and quantified below.
There
were no significant differences between Canadian GAAP and US GAAP which had any
impact on the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash
flows.
The
impact of significant US GAAP variations on the Consolidated Statement of
Operations is as follows:
Year
ended March 31
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Loss for year, Canadian GAAP
|
|
$ |
(689,415 |
) |
|
$ |
(571,799 |
) |
|
$ |
(164,043 |
) |
Reclassification
of exchange loss (gain) on year end translation of foreign currency items
and balances (ii)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
111,659 |
|
Loss
for year US GAAP
|
|
$ |
(689,415 |
) |
|
$ |
(571,799 |
) |
|
$ |
(52,384 |
) |
Reclassification
of exchange (loss) gain on year end translation of foreign currency items
and balances (ii)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(111,659 |
) |
Unrealised
losses on "available for sale" short term investments( i)
|
|
|
(3,118,250 |
) |
|
|
(2,266,470 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Unrealised
gain on short term investments (
i)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
959,701 |
|
Comprehensive
Income(loss) for year, US GAAP
|
|
$ |
(3,807,665 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,838,269 |
) |
|
$ |
795,658 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share, US GAAP
|
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.02 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
The
following are brief explanations of the identified differences:
(i) Short-term
Marketable securities
In Fiscal
year 2008, CICA introduced a new handbook section 3855 to recognize and measure
financial instruments including marketable securities. This revision brings the
Canadian GAAP in line with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
(“SFAS”) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities”, which requires that equity securities that have readily
determinable fair values be classified as either available-for-sale or trading
securities, and that they be reported at fair market values. For
available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains or losses are to be reported as
other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity, until
realized. All short term investments are classified as
“available-for-sale”.
Since the
Company implemented the new Canadian standard on a prospective basis with no
restatement of prior period financials, the reconciliation is presented to
provide comparatives as per US GAAP
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
17.
|
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING
PRINCIPLES – continued
|
(ii) Exchange
gains and losses on translation of foreign currency items and
balances
Under
Canadian GAAP, as revised under the handbook section 1651, foreign currency
translation gains and losses are generally included in the determination of net
income unless they relate to self sustaining foreign subsidiary, in which case,
such translation gains and losses are included in the other comprehensive income
computation. For the fiscal years 2009 and 2008, all translation losses of the
Company were sustained by the entity whose functional currency is Canadian
dollar and are therefore included in the computation of income.
The above
treatment under Canadian GAAP is in line with the treatment required Under FAS
52 (13) and FAS 130 of the US GAAP.
Future
U.S. accounting policy changes
In May
2009, The Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued a new Financial
Accounting Standard (FAS) 165, “Subsequent events” which establishes general
standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the
balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available
to be issued. This Statement is applicable to interim or annual financial
periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company does not believe that
implementation of this Statement will have any effect on the financial
statements.
In June
2009, FASB issued FAS 166, as an amendment of FAS 140 “Accounting for Transfer
of Financial Assets”. This Statement removes the concept of a qualifying
special-purpose entity from Statement 140 and removes the exception from
applying FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of
Variable Interest Entities”, to qualifying special –purpose entities. This
Statement is applicable to interim or annual financial periods beginning after
November 15, 2009. The Company does not believe that implementation of this
Statement will have any effect on the financial statements.
In June
2009, FASB issued FAS 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)”. This
Statement retains the scope of Interpretation 46(R) with the addition of
entities previously considered qualifying special-purpose entities, as the
concept of these entities was eliminated in Statement 166. This Statement is
applicable to interim or annual financial periods beginning after November 15,
2009. The Company does not believe that implementation of this Statement will
have any effect on the financial statements.
On April
7, 2009, the Company registered 2009 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan with
Securities and Exchange Commission in a registration statement under the US
Securities Act of 1933. 3 million common shares of the Company were registered
under the Plan.
19.
|
PRIOR
YEARS’ COMPARATIVES
|
|
Certain
prior years’ comparatives have been restated to conform to the current
year’s presentation.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Financial Statements
For
the Three and Six Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Canadian
Dollars)
(UNAUDITED
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
NOTICE
TO READER OF THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying
consolidated financial statements for Bontan Corporation Inc. for the three and
six months ended September 30, 2009 have been prepared by management in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied. These consolidated financial statements have not been reviewed by the
auditors of the Company.
These
financial statements are presented on the accrual basis of accounting.
Accordingly, a precise determination of many assets and liabilities is dependent
upon future events. Therefore, estimates and approximations have been made using
careful judgment. Recognizing that the management is responsible for both the
integrity and objectivity of the financial statements, management is satisfied
that these financial statements have been fairly presented.
November
20, 2009
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(Canadian
Dollars)
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
|
|
Note
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
543,152 |
|
|
$ |
1,259,062 |
|
Short
term investments
|
|
3,
11(vii) & 11(viii)
|
|
|
|
2,469,617 |
|
|
|
3,633,760 |
|
Prepaid
consulting services
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
123,941 |
|
|
|
285,896 |
|
Other
receivables
|
|
11(ix)
|
|
|
|
64,266 |
|
|
|
54,198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,200,976 |
|
|
$ |
5,232,916 |
|
Office
equipment and furniture
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
10,580 |
|
|
$ |
6,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,211,556 |
|
|
$ |
5,239,122 |
|
Liabilities
and shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
11(vi)
|
|
|
$ |
23,276 |
|
|
$ |
30,339 |
|
Accrued
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,449 |
|
|
|
28,685 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
36,725 |
|
|
$ |
59,024 |
|
Shareholders'
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
stock
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
Warrants
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,077,427 |
|
|
|
4,077,427 |
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,165,059 |
) |
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,792,882 |
) |
|
|
(32,645,906 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(35,957,941 |
) |
|
|
(33,952,674 |
) |
Total
shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,174,831 |
|
|
$ |
5,180,098 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,211,556 |
|
|
$ |
5,239,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and Contingent Liabilities (Note 10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related
Party Transactions (Note 11)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approved by the
Board ”Kam
Shah”
Director ”Dean
Bradley” Director
(signed) (signed)
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(Canadian
Dollars)
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
|
Six
months ended
|
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
|
Six
months ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
September
30, 2007
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain
on disposal of short term investments
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,379 |
|
|
$ |
195,928 |
|
|
$ |
(25,974 |
) |
|
$ |
75,661 |
|
Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,958 |
|
|
|
5,909 |
|
|
|
25,025 |
|
|
|
46,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,337 |
|
|
|
201,837 |
|
|
|
(949 |
) |
|
|
122,342 |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consulting
fees settled for common shares
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
80,999 |
|
|
|
161,956 |
|
|
|
78,372 |
|
|
|
156,890 |
|
Payroll
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,872 |
|
|
|
15,303 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Travel,
promotion and consulting
|
|
|
11 |
(v) |
|
|
17,159 |
|
|
|
67,280 |
|
|
|
36,763 |
|
|
|
87,333 |
|
Shareholders
information
|
|
|
11 |
(i) |
|
|
34,041 |
|
|
|
64,500 |
|
|
|
37,546 |
|
|
|
73,867 |
|
Exchange
loss (gain)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(33,704 |
) |
|
|
(17,968 |
) |
|
|
81,009 |
|
|
|
186,710 |
|
Professional
fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,862 |
|
|
|
14,011 |
|
|
|
8,033 |
|
|
|
14,563 |
|
Office
and general
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,588 |
|
|
|
24,164 |
|
|
|
5,820 |
|
|
|
17,480 |
|
Bank
charges and interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
746 |
|
|
|
1,297 |
|
|
|
258 |
|
|
|
655 |
|
Communication
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,256 |
|
|
|
7,490 |
|
|
|
2,055 |
|
|
|
4,774 |
|
Rent
|
|
11(ii)
|
|
|
|
4,150 |
|
|
|
8,589 |
|
|
|
1,412 |
|
|
|
2,871 |
|
Transfer
agents fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,122 |
|
|
|
2,191 |
|
|
|
1,201 |
|
|
|
2,652 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
136,091 |
|
|
|
348,813 |
|
|
|
252,469 |
|
|
|
547,795 |
|
Net
loss for period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(126,754 |
) |
|
|
(146,976 |
) |
|
|
(253,418 |
) |
|
|
(425,453 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Loss per share
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
(Canadian
Dollars)
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
|
|
|
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
|
Six
months ended
|
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
|
Six
months ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
September
30, 2007
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for year
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(126,754 |
) |
|
$ |
(146,976 |
) |
|
$ |
(253,418 |
) |
|
$ |
(425,453 |
) |
Amortization
of office equipment and furniture
|
|
|
|
507 |
|
|
|
882 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain
on disposal of short term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,379 |
) |
|
|
(195,928 |
) |
|
|
25,974 |
|
|
|
(75,661 |
) |
Consulting
fees settled for common shares
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
80,999 |
|
|
|
161,955 |
|
|
|
78,372 |
|
|
|
156,890 |
|
Net
change in working capital components
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid
and other receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(34,716 |
) |
|
|
(10,069 |
) |
|
|
46,823 |
|
|
|
39,244 |
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,903 |
) |
|
|
(22,299 |
) |
|
|
(27,467 |
) |
|
|
(9,105 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(106,246 |
) |
|
|
(212,435 |
) |
|
|
(129,716 |
) |
|
|
(314,085 |
) |
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of property,plant & equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,256 |
) |
|
|
(5,256 |
) |
|
|
(2,299 |
) |
|
|
(2,299 |
) |
Purchase
of short term Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(278,172 |
) |
|
|
(1,842,150 |
) |
|
|
(571,487 |
) |
|
|
(1,901,828 |
) |
Net
proceeds from sale of short term investments
|
|
|
|
132,762 |
|
|
|
1,343,931 |
|
|
|
165,022 |
|
|
|
1,301,542 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(150,666 |
) |
|
|
(503,475 |
) |
|
|
(408,764 |
) |
|
|
(602,585 |
) |
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
shares issued net of issuance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
110,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
110,201 |
|
Decrease
in cash during period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(256,912 |
) |
|
|
(715,910 |
) |
|
|
(538,480 |
) |
|
|
(806,469 |
) |
Cash
at beginning of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
800,064 |
|
|
|
1,259,062 |
|
|
|
2,746,939 |
|
|
|
3,014,928 |
|
Cash
at end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
543,152 |
|
|
$ |
543,152 |
|
|
$ |
2,208,459 |
|
|
$ |
2,208,459 |
|
Supplemental
disclosures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash
operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consulting
fees settled for common shares and
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
161,955 |
|
|
|
78,372 |
|
|
|
|
|
options
and expensed during the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156,890 |
|
Consulting
fees prepaid in shares
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
123,941 |
|
|
|
123,941 |
|
|
|
119,256 |
|
|
|
119,256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
204,940 |
|
|
$ |
285,896 |
|
|
$ |
197,628 |
|
|
$ |
276,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
(Canadian
Dollars)
For
the six months ended September 30, 2009
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Capital
Stock
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
Shareholders'
Equity
|
|
Balance
March 31, 2007
|
|
|
28,430,203 |
|
|
$ |
32,413,811 |
|
|
$ |
2,215,213 |
|
|
$ |
4,069,549 |
|
|
$ |
(32,074,107 |
) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,624,466 |
|
Warrants
excercised
|
|
|
315,540 |
|
|
|
122,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,446 |
|
Value
of warrants transferred to capital stock upon exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,356 |
|
|
|
-61,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finder
fee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-12,245 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-12,245 |
|
Issued
under 2007 Consultant stock compensation plan
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
Options
granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,878 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,878 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(571,799 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
(571,799 |
) |
Unrealised
loss on short term investments considered avilable for sale, cumulative to
march 31, 2008 on adoption of new Accounting Policy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
$ |
2,153,857 |
|
|
$ |
4,077,427 |
|
|
$ |
(32,645,906 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
$ |
5,180,098 |
|
Unrealised
gain on short term investments considered available for sale during the
quarter ended June 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,076,875 |
|
|
|
1,076,875 |
|
Net
loss for the quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-20,222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-20,222 |
|
Balance,
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
$ |
2,153,857 |
|
|
$ |
4,077,427 |
|
|
$ |
(32,666,128 |
) |
|
$ |
(229,893 |
) |
|
$ |
6,236,751 |
|
Unrealised
loss on short term investments considered available for sale during the
quarter ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-2,935,166 |
|
|
|
-2,935,166 |
|
Net
loss for the quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-126,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-126,754 |
|
Balance,
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
$ |
2,153,857 |
|
|
$ |
4,077,427 |
|
|
$ |
(32,792,882 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,165,059 |
) |
|
$ |
3,174,831 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Loss and Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Loss
(Canadian
Dollars)
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
|
Six
months ended
|
|
|
Three
months ended
|
|
|
Six
months ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
September
30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for year
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,222 |
) |
|
|
(146,976 |
) |
|
|
(253,418 |
) |
|
|
(425,453 |
) |
Other
comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealised
gain(loss) for period on short term investments considered available for
sale
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(2,935,166 |
) |
|
|
(1,858,291 |
) |
|
|
(198,288 |
) |
|
|
(813,979 |
) |
Comprehensive
Gain(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,955,388 |
) |
|
|
(2,005,267 |
) |
|
|
(451,706 |
) |
|
|
(1,239,432 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning
of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(229,893 |
) |
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
344,011 |
|
|
|
959,702 |
|
Other
comprehensive gain(loss) for period
|
|
|
|
(2,935,166 |
) |
|
|
(1,858,291 |
) |
|
|
(198,288 |
) |
|
|
(813,979 |
) |
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss), end of period
|
|
|
$ |
(3,165,059 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,165,059 |
) |
|
$ |
145,723 |
|
|
$ |
145,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
1. NATURE
OF OPERATIONS
Bontan
Corporation Inc. (“the Company”) is a diversified natural resource company that
invests in major oil and gas exploration and exploitation projects in countries
around the globe through its subsidiary by acquiring joint venture, indirect
participation interest and working interest in those projects. The company
focuses on projects where the other project partners have proven experience in
oil and gas exploration, development and distribution.
The
Company currently does not have any active project participation and has now
expanded its search for participation in suitable projects in all
sectors.
2. PRINCIPLES
AND USE OF ESTIMATES
These
financial statements consolidated the accounts of the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiary, Bontan Oil and Gas Corporation., and have been prepared in
accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") with
respect to interim financial statements, applied on a consistent basis.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
for compliance with GAAP in Canada for annual audited financial statements.
These Statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
The
accounting policies adopted for the preparation of these Statements are the same
as those applied for the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2009 except as discussed below for the adoption of new
accounting standards.
The
preparation of these Statements and the accompanying unaudited notes requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported.
In the opinion of management, these Statements reflect all adjustments necessary
to state fairly the results for the periods presented. Actual results could vary
from these estimates and the operating results for the interim periods presented
are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full
year.
Adoption of new accounting and
disclosure policies
Goodwill
and intangible assets
In
February 2008, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”) issued
accounting standard Section 3064 “Goodwill, and intangible assets”, replacing
accounting standard Section 3062 “Goodwill and other intangible assets” and
accounting standard Section 3450 “Research and development costs”. Section 3064
establishes standards for the recognition, measurement, presentation and
disclosure of intangible assets and goodwill subsequent to its initial
recognition. The new Section was applicable to financial statements relating to
fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008. Accordingly, the Company
adopted the new standards for its fiscal year beginning April 1, 2009. Adoption
of this standard has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
2. PRINCIPLES
AND USE OF ESTIMATES - continued
Adoption of new accounting and
disclosure policies
Credit
risk and the fair value of financial assets and financial
liabilities
Effective
April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the recommendations of the
Emerging Issues Committee Abstract EIC -173, “Credit Risk and the Fair Value of
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” which states that an entity’s own
credit and the credit risk of the counterparty should be taken into account in
determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities. These
recommendations were particularly applied in evaluating the fair values of the
short term investments.
Recent
accounting pronouncements
International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”)
In
January 2006, the CICA’s Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") formally adopted
the strategy of replacing Canadian GAAP with IFRS for Canadian enterprises with
public accountability. The current conversion timetable calls for financial
reporting under IFRS for accounting periods commencing on or after January 1,
2011. On February 13, 2008 the AcSB confirmed that the use of IFRS will be
required in 2011 for publicly accountable profit-oriented enterprises. For these
entities, IFRS will be required for interim and annual financial statements
relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.
The
Company’s transition date of April 1, 2011 will require the restatement for
comparative purposes of amounts reported by the Company for the year ending
March 31, 2011. The financial reporting impact of the transition cannot be
reasonably estimated at this time.
The
initial phase of implementation included conceptual application of the new
rules, analysis of the Company’s accounting data and assessment of key areas
that may be impacted. In this phase, short term investments were identified. The
next phase will include the analysis of accounting policy alternatives available
under IFRS as well as the determination of changes required to existing
information systems and business processes.
In
January 2009, the CICA issued the new handbook Section 1582, Business
Combinations, effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.
Earlier adoption of Section 1582 is permitted. This pronouncement further aligns
Canadian GAAP with US GAAP and IFRS and changes the accounting for business
combinations in a number of areas. It establishes principles and requirements
governing how an acquiring company recognizes and measures in its financial
statements identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any
non-controlling interest in the acquiree, and goodwill acquired. The section
also establishes disclosure requirements that will enable users of the acquiring
company’s financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of
its business combinations. Although the Company is considering the impact of
adopting this pronouncement on the consolidated financial statements, it will be
limited to any future acquisitions beginning in fiscal 2012.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
2. PRINCIPLES
AND USE OF ESTIMATES - continued
Adoption of new accounting and
disclosure policies
Consolidated
financial statements and non-controlling interests
In
January 2009, the CICA issued the new handbook Section 1601, Consolidated
Financial Statements, and Section 1602, Non-controlling Interests, effective for
fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Earlier adoption of these
recommendations is permitted. These pronouncements further align Canadian GAAP
with US GAAP and IFRS. Sections 1601 and 1602 change the accounting and
reporting for ownership interest in subsidiaries held by parties other than the
parent. Non-controlling interests are to be presented in the consolidated
statement of financial position within the entity but separate from the parent’s
equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to
the non-controlling interest is to be clearly identified and presented on the
face of the consolidated statement of income. In addition, these pronouncements
establish standards for a change in a parent’s ownership interest in a
subsidiary and the valuation of retained non-controlling equity investments when
a subsidiary is deconsolidated. They also establish reporting requirements for
providing sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between
the interests of the parent and the interests of the non-controlling owners. The
Company is currently considering the impact of adopting these pronouncements on
its consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2012 in connection with the
conversion to IFRS.
3.
|
SHORT
TERM INVESTMENTS
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
average costs
|
|
|
fair
market value
|
|
|
Carrying
average costs
|
|
|
fair
market value
|
|
Marketable
securities
|
|
|
5,328,686 |
|
|
|
2,469,617 |
|
|
|
4,637,738 |
|
|
|
3,330,970 |
|
Non-marketable
securities
|
|
|
305,990 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
302,790 |
|
|
|
302,790 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,634,676 |
|
|
$ |
2,469,617 |
|
|
$ |
4,940,528 |
|
|
$ |
3,633,760 |
|
Unrealised
loss before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3,165,059 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
Movements
in unrealised (loss)gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
beginning of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
959,702 |
|
(loss)gain
during period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,858,291 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,266,470 |
) |
At
end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3,165,059 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1,306,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
3.
|
SHORT
TERM INVESTMENTS – continued
|
a. Marketable
securities
Marketable
securities are designated as “available-for-sale”.
Marketable
securities are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices on the balance
sheet as at September 30, 2009. An unrealised gain of $1,086,369 for the six
months ended September 30, 2009 was included in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive loss and accumulated other comprehensive loss.
As at
September 30, 2009, the Company held warrants in certain marketable securities
which are exercisable at its option to convert into equal number of common
shares of the said securities. The total exercise price of these warrants was $
$ 123,632 (March 31, 2009: $138,189) and the market value of the underlying
securities was $ 40,788 as at that date (March 31, 2009: $ 34,509). These
warrants and the underlying unrealised gains and losses have not been accounted
for in the financial statements since the Company has not yet determined if it
would exercise these warrants before their expiry between November 2009 and
April 2012.
b. Non-marketable
securities
The Company held shares
in two private corporations as at September 30, 2009, which are designated as
“Available for sale”. Based on the management review of the affairs of the above
investee companies and discussions with their management, it was concluded that
there was no other than temporary impairment in the carrying costs of these
investments as at September 30, 2009 The factors
considered in our impairment review included length of time the security was
held, extent to which the fair value was below cost, current financial
conditions of the investee companies, near term prospects of the investee
companies and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time
sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.
The
Company however believed that as at September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2009, the
value of these investments was seriously affected due partly to the overall
adverse market conditions and has therefore continued to value them at zero
value.
4.
|
OFFICE
EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Accumulated
amortisation
|
|
|
Net
book value
|
|
|
Net
book value
|
|
|
|
As
at September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
|
Office
furniture
|
|
|
4,725 |
|
|
|
898 |
|
|
|
3,827 |
|
|
|
4,252 |
|
Software
|
|
|
5,256 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
5,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
Computer
|
|
|
2,298 |
|
|
|
670 |
|
|
|
1,628 |
|
|
|
1,954 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,279 |
|
|
$ |
1,699 |
|
|
$ |
10,580 |
|
|
$ |
6,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
5. PREPAID
CONSULTING SERVICES
Prepaid
consulting services relate to the fair value of shares and options issued under
the Company’s Consultants’ Stock Compensation and Stock Option Plans to
consultants for services that will be performed during the period subsequent to
the balance sheet date. Changes during the period were as follows:
|
|
Balance
at April 1, 2008
|
|
|
Deferred
during period
|
|
|
Expensed
during period
|
|
|
Balance
at September 30, 2008
|
|
Options
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(3,940 |
) |
|
$ |
3,938 |
|
Stocks
|
|
|
278,018 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(158,016 |
) |
|
|
120,003 |
|
|
|
$ |
285,896 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
(161,956 |
) |
|
$ |
123,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at April 1, 2007
|
|
|
Deferred
during the year
|
|
|
Expensed
during the year
|
|
|
Balance
at March 31, 2008
|
|
Options
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
7,878 |
|
Stocks
|
|
|
276,146 |
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
|
|
(314,248 |
) |
|
|
278,018 |
|
|
|
$ |
276,146 |
|
|
$ |
323,998 |
|
|
$ |
(314,248 |
) |
|
$ |
285,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at April 1, 2007
|
|
|
Deferred
during period
|
|
|
Expensed
during period
|
|
|
Balance
at September 30, 2007
|
|
Stocks
|
|
|
276,146 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(156,890 |
) |
|
|
119,256 |
|
|
|
$ |
276,146 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(156,890 |
) |
|
$ |
119,256 |
|
(a)
|
In
December 2008, the directors approved payment of fee in cash to two
consultants upon their returning, for cancelation, common shares of the
Company issued earlier in settlement of the said fee. One of the
consultants, Mr. Terence Robinson returned his shares prior to March 31,
2009 and the other consultant, Mr. John Robinson returned, for
cancelation, 350,000 in July 2009 and hence cash liability of $82,000 and
related shares cancelation was accounted for by the Company during the
quarter ended September 30, 2009.
|
(b)
|
The
Company issued 50,000 common shares each to two new consultants whose
services were hired with effect from September 1, 2009. The shares issued
covered their fees for September 2009 and were valued at market price of
the Company’s common shares on the date of
issue.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
6. CAPITAL
STOCK
(a) Authorized
Unlimited number of common
shares
(b) Issued
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Beginning
of period
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
|
28,430,203 |
|
|
$ |
32,413,811 |
|
Warrants
exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
315,540 |
|
|
|
122,446 |
|
Expenses
relating to warrants excercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,245 |
) |
Value
of warrants transferred to capital stoock upon exercise
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,356 |
|
Issued
under 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
316,120 |
|
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
|
30,095,743 |
|
|
$ |
32,901,488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
On
April 7, 2009, the Company registered 2009 Consultant Stock Compensation
Plan with Securities and Exchange Commission in a registration statement
under the US Securities Act of 1933. 3 million common shares of the
Company were registered under the Plan. No shares have yet been allocated
under this Plan. During September 30, 2009, 100,000 common shares were
issued to two consultants out of this plan in settlement of their fee for
the month. These shares were valued at the market price of the common
shares prevailing on the date of
issue.
|
(b)
|
On
December 12, 2008, The Board of Directors of the Company approved a
private placement to raise equity funds up to US$500,000. The private
placement consists of Units up to maximum of ten million, to be issued at
US0.05 per Unit. Each Unit would comprise one common share of the Company
and one full warrant convertible into one common share of the Company at
an exercise price of US$0.10 each within two years of the issuance of
warrant. The units and underlying common shares and warrants have not been
registered with SEC under the US Securities Act of
1933.
|
The board
also approved a finder’s fee at 10% of the proceeds from the issuance of units
and warrants attached thereto payable to Current Capital Corp., a related party
(note 12).
During
the three months ended September 30, 2009,, the Company received four
subscriptions for a total of 1.5 million units. The total number of units
subscribed as at September 30, 2009 was 2.5 million. The closing date for this
private placement was revised to October 15, 2009 and the balance of 7.5 million
units was subscribed by October 13, 2009.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
7. STOCK
OPTION PLANS
(a) The
following is a summary of all Stock Option Plans as at September 30,
2009::
Plan
|
Date
of registration *
|
|
#
of Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered
|
|
|
issued
|
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
1999
Stock option Plan
|
April
30, 2003
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
(70,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,200,000 |
) |
|
|
1,730,000 |
|
2003
Stcok Option Plan
|
July
22, 2004
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
####### |
|
|
|
(400,000 |
) |
|
|
1,945,000 |
|
The
Robinson Plan
|
December
5, 2005
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,100,000 |
|
2005
Stock Option Plan
|
December
5, 2005
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
7,600,000 |
|
|
|
6,650,000 |
|
|
|
####### |
|
|
|
(1,600,000 |
) |
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of
America (SEC) as required under the Securities Act of
1933.
|
All
options were fully vested on the dates of their grant.
(b)
|
There
were no movements during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The
weighted average exercise price of the outstanding stock options is
US$0.15 (March 31, 2009: $0.15, September 30, 2008:
$0.46.)
|
(C) Details
of weighted average remaining life of the options granted and outstanding are as
follows:
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
outstanding & excercisable
|
|
|
Options
outstanding & excercisable
|
|
Exercise
price in US$
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
1,680,000 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
1,680,000 |
|
|
|
1.67 |
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
3,015,000 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
3,015,000 |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
0.88 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
0.88 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
4,825,000 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
options were fully vested immediately as at September 30 and March 31, 2009. The
options can be exercised at any time after vesting within the exercise period in
accordance with the applicable option agreement. The exercise price was more
than the market price on the date of the grants for 1,995,000 options and less
than the market price for the balance of 2,830,000 options. Upon expiry or
termination of the contracts, vested options must be exercised within 30 days
for consultants and 90 days for directors.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
(a)
|
Movement
in warrants during the period are as
follows:
|
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#
of warrants
|
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price
|
|
|
Fair
value
|
|
|
#
of warrants
|
|
|
Weighted
average exercise price
|
|
|
Fair
value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding, beginning of period
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
|
|
13,161,960 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
2,215,213 |
|
Exercised
during year
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(315,540 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(61,356 |
) |
Issued
and outstanding, end of year
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
|
|
12,846,420 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
2,153,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
The
company issued 1.5 million warrants under a 2009 private placement
relating to Units subscribed during the current quarter as explained in
Note 6(a). These warrants are convertible into equal number of common
shares at an exercise price of US$0.10 per warrant and expire within two
years of their issue.
|
|
The
fair value of these warrants has been estimated using a Black-Scholes
option price model with the following
assumptions:
|
Risk
free interest rate
|
1%
|
|
The
fair value of the warrants as per the Black-Scholes option price model
amounted to $475,353. Using the relative fair value method, an amount of
$58,725 (87%) has been accounted for as reduction in value of shares and
increase in value of warrants.
|
|
Option
price models used for calculating fair value of warrants require input of
highly subjective assumptions including the expected price volatility.
Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair
value estimate, and therefore the models do not necessarily provide a
reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s
warrants.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2009)
|
(b) Details
of weighted average remaining life of the warrants granted and outstanding
are as follows:
|
|
September
30, 2008
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
|
|
Warrants
outstanding & excercisable
|
Warrants
outstanding & excercisable
|
Exercise
price in US$
|
Number
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
Number
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life (years)
|
1.00
|
1,721,960
|
0.50
|
1,721,960
|
1.00
|
0.35
|
11,124,460
|
0.27
|
11,124,460
|
0.77
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.46
|
12,846,420
|
0.30
|
12,846,420
|
0.80
|
On June
4, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a further extension of
the expiry date of 11,124,460 warrants issued as part of 2006 private placement
and still outstanding by one year from their existing expiry dates. The fair
value of these warrants was not recalculated due to this change.
On
September 28, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a further
extension of the expiry date of 1,721,960 warrants issued as part of 2003
private placement and still outstanding by nine months from their existing
expiry dates. The fair value of these warrants was not recalculated due to this
change.
9. LOSS
PER SHARE
Loss per
share is calculated on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the period, which were 30,912,410 shares for the six
months and 31,004,076 for the three months ended September 30, 2009
(Six and three months ended September 30, 2008– 30,095,743).
The
Company had approximately 15.3 million (September 30, 2008:12.8 million)
warrants and 4.8 million options (September 30, 2008: 4.8 million) , which were
not exercised as at September 30, 2009. Inclusion of these warrants and options
in the computation of diluted loss per share would have an anti-dilutive effect
on loss per share and are therefore excluded from the computation. Consequently,
there is no difference between loss per share and diluted loss per
share.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2008)
10. COMMITMENTS AND
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
(a)
|
The
Company entered into media relations and investor relations contracts with
Current Capital Corp., a shareholder corporation, effective July 1, 2004
initially for a period of one year and renewed automatically unless
cancelled in writing by a 30-day notice for a total monthly fee of
US$10,000.00
|
(b)
|
The
Company entered into a consulting contract with Mr. Kam Shah, the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer on April 1, 2005 for a
five-year term up to March 31, 2010. The fee for each of the
years is to be decided at the board meeting after the end of the third
quarter of the calendar year. The fee for the calendar year ending
December 31, 2008 consists of 450,000 common shares of the Company issued
under 2007 Consultant compensation plan. Mr. Shah was also
approved cash fee of $10,000 plus taxes per month for the period from
January 2008 to May 2008 for his services in connection with the new
internal control compliance matters. Effective June 1, 2008, Mr. Shah is
allowed to draw $10,000 per month in arrears until market price of the
Company’s common shares reaches $0.50 provided that such drawings will be
considered as fee advances to be repaid when the market price of the
common shares of the Company stays at $0.50 or above for a consecutive
period of three months. . Further, the contract provides for a lump sum
compensation of US$250,000 for early termination of the contract without
cause. The contract also provides for entitlement to stock compensation
and stock options under appropriate plans as may be decided by the board
of directors from time to time.
|
(c)
|
The
Company entered into a consulting contract with Mr. Terence Robinson, a
key consultant and a former Chief Executive Officer, on April 1, 2003 for
a six-year term up to March 31, 2009. The contract provides for a monthly
fee of $10,000 inclusive of taxes plus reimbursement of expenses and a
lump sum compensation of $250,000 for early termination of the contract
without cause. Mr. Robinson accepted 550,000 common shares
issued under 2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, in lieu of his fees
for the year ending December 31,
2008.
|
|
(d) The Company has a consulting
contract with Mr. John Robinson. Mr. John Robinson is sole owner of
Current Capital Corp., a firm with which the Company has an ongoing
contract for media and investor relations, and a brother of Mr. Terence
Robinson who is a key consultant to the Company and a former Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. On March 28, 2008, the
Company renewed the consulting contract with Mr. John Robinson for another
year to June 30, 2009. The consulting fee was agreed to be
US$82,000 which was pre-paid by issuance of 350,000 common shares under
2007 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan. Mr. Robinson will
provide services that include assisting the management in evaluating new
projects and monitoring short term investment opportunities that the
Company may participate in from time to
time.
|
|
(e) The Company has
agreed to payment of a finder’s fee to Current Capital Corp., a related
party, at the rate of 10% of the proceeds from exercise of any of the
outstanding warrants. The likely fee if all the remaining warrants are
exercised will be approximately
US$562,000.
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2008)
11. RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions
with related parties are incurred in the normal course of business and are
measured at the exchange amount. Related party transactions and balances have
been listed below, unless they have been disclosed elsewhere in the financial
statements. Amounts are for six months ended September 30, 2008 and balances are
at September 30, 2008. Comparative amounts are for the six months ended
September 30, 2007 and balances as at September 30, 2007.
(i)
|
Included
in shareholders information expense is $ 61599 (2007 – $ 65,021) to
Current Capital Corp, (CCC) for media relations services. CCC is a
shareholder corporation and a director of the Company provides accounting
services as a consultant.
|
(ii)
|
CCC
charged $8,589 for rent (2007:
$2,871).
|
(iii)
|
Finders
fees of $ nil (2007: $12,245) was charged by CCC in connection with the
private placement.
|
(iv)
|
Business
expenses of $9,583 (2007: $9,677) were reimbursed to directors of the
corporation and $34,007 (2007 - $59,371) to a key consultant and a former
chief executive officer of the
Company.
|
(v)
|
Cash
fee paid to directors for services of $25,000 (2007: $ nil). Fees prepaid
to a director $2,168 (Expense advance to director in 2007: $ 2,500). These
fees are included under travel, promotion and consulting
expenses.
|
(vi)
|
Accounts
payable includes $11,347 (2007: $5,829) due to CCC, $2,803 (2007: $1,576)
due to directors and $2,723 (2007: $3,503) due to a key consultant and a
former chief executive officer of the
Company.
|
|
(vii)
|
Included
in short term investments is an investment of $200,000 (2007: $100,000) in
a private corporation controlled by a brother of the key consultant. The
investment was stated at market value which was considered nil as at
September 30, 2008 ($100,000 as at September 30,
2007)
|
(viii)
|
Included
in short term investments is an investment of $1,833,966 carrying cost and
$724,620 fair value (2007: $1,870,515 carrying cost and $2,321,670 fair
value) in a public corporation controlled by a key shareholder of the
Company. This investment represents common shares acquired in open market
or through private placements and represents less than 1% of the said
Corporation.
|
(ix)
|
Included
in other receivable is an advance of $40,000 made to a director. (2007: $
nil). The advance is repayable upon happening of certain events as
explained in note 10 (b).
|
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2008)
12. SEGMENTED
INFORMATION
As at
September 30 and March 31, 2008, the Company had only one major business
segment-
Energy sector: This segment
includes the Company’s acquisition of interests in joint ventures and projects
relating to exploration and commercial drilling of oil and gas and related
products.
The
accounting policies of the segments are same as those described in Note 2 of the
audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31,
2008.
The
Company had no business activity in the above segment.
The
Company is now seeking business participation opportunities in all sectors. This
may change the future major business segments for the Company.
Geographic
Information
The
Company operates from one location in Canada. Its assets were located in Canada
as at September 30, 2008, March 31, 2008 and September 30, 2007.
13. FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS AND CONCENTRATION OF RISKS
The
Company is exposed in varying degrees to a number of risks arising from
financial instruments. Management’s close involvement in the operations allows
for the identification of risks and variances from expectations. The Company
does not participate in the use of financial instruments to mitigate these risks
and has no designated hedging transactions. The Board approves and monitors the
risk management processes. The Board’s main objectives for managing risks are to
ensure liquidity, the fulfilment of obligations, the continuation of the
Company’s search for new business participation opportunities, and limited
exposure to credit and market risks while ensuring greater returns on the
surplus funds on hand. There were no changes to the objectives or the process
from the prior period.
The types
of risk exposure and the way in which such exposures are managed are as
follows:
(a)
Concentration risk:
Concentration
risks exist in cash and cash equivalents because significant balances are
maintained with one financial institution and two brokerage firms. The risk is
mitigated because the financial institution is a prime Canadian bank and the
brokerage firms are well known Canadian brokerage firms with good market
reputation.
(b)
Market price risk:
Market
risk primarily arises from the Company’s short term investments in marketable
securities which accounted for approximately 77% of total assets of the Company
as at September 30, 2008 (69% at March 31,
2008). Further, the Company’s holding in one Canadian marketable security
accounted for approximately 29% (March 31, 2008: 31%) of the total short term
investment in marketable securities or 23% (March 31, 2008: 21%) of total assets
at September 30, 2008.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2008)
13. FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS AND CONCENTRATION OF RISKS – Continued ....
The
management mitigates this risk by daily monitoring of all its investments by
experienced consultants.
Liquidity
risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial
obligations as they become due.
The
Company ensures there is sufficient capital to meet short term business
requirements. In addition, management and key consultants have opted to accept
the Company’s common shares instead of cash towards their fee to ensure greater
cash flow for other operational and business needs.
One of
management’s goals is to maintain an optimal level of liquidity through the
active management of the assets, liabilities and cash flows.
The
Company’s maintains limited cash for its operational needs while most of its
surplus cash is invested in short term marketable securities which are available
on short notice to fund the Company’s operating costs and other financial
demands.
(d) Currency
risk
The
operating results and financial position of the Company are reported in Canadian
dollars. Significant part of cash and short term investments are held in US
dollars – approximately 17% of total assets at September 30, 2008 (23% as at
March 31, 2008). The results of the Company’s operations are therefore subject
to currency transaction and translation risk.
The
fluctuation of the US dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar will
consequently impact the loss of the Company and also affect the value of the
Company’s assets and the amount of shareholders’ equity.
Comparative
foreign exchange rates are as follows:
September 30, 2008March 31, 2008
US Dollar
to CDN
Dollar
1.0599 1.0279
The
Company has not entered into any agreements or purchased any foreign currency
hedging arrangements to hedge possible currency risks at this time.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Canadian
Dollars)
September
30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited
– see Notice to Reader dated November 20, 2008)
14. CAPITAL
DISCLOSURES
The
Company considers the items included in Shareholders’ Equity as capital. The
Company currently has no debts or significant financial commitments. The
Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue new business
opportunities and to maintain a flexible capital structure which optimizes the
costs of capital at an acceptable risk.
The
Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of
changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying
assets. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may attempt to
issue new shares, issue new debt, acquire or dispose of assets or adjust the
amount of cash and short term investments.
As at
September 30, 2008, the shareholders’ equity was approximately $ 3.2 million
(March 31, 2008: $ 5.2 million). Approximately 78% or $2.5 million was held in
short term investments (March 31, 2008: $3.6 million or 69%) and the balance was
held in cash. Absence of any external debts iensures the Company’s continued
financial strength.
The
Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements and does
not presently utilize any quantitative measures to monitor its
capital.
The
Company expects its current capital resources will be sufficient to carry its
business plans and operations through its current operating period.
15.
|
DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING
PRINCIPLES
|
These
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in Canada ("Canadian GAAP"). Which are not
materially different from principles, practices and methods used in the United
States ("US GAAP") and in SEC Regulation S-X.
Future
U.S. accounting policy changes
There
were no new accounting developments in the US standards that would affect the
results of operations or financial position of the Company other than those
detailed in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended
March 31, 2008.
16
|
PRIOR
PERIOD COMPARATIVES
|
|
Certain
prior period comparatives have been restated to conform to the current
presentation.
|
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN
PROSPECTUS
ITEM
6. – INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The
Bylaws require us to indemnify a director or officer, a former director or
officer, or a person who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer
of a body corporate of which we are or were a shareholder or creditor, and his
heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses,
including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably
incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or
proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a
director or officer of or such body corporate, if (a) he acted honestly and in
good faith with a view to the best interests of our company; and (b) in the case
of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was
lawful. We will also indemnify such person in such other
circumstances as the Business Corporations Act or law permits or
requires. The Bylaws permit the purchase of indemnity
insurance.
ITEM 7. – RECENT SALES OF
UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
In the
three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, we have issued
and sold the following securities that were not registered under the Securities
Act. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from
registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation D under the
Securities Act or pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act regarding
transactions not involving a public offering or in reliance on Regulation S
under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore
transactions.
As of
December 31, 2009, we sold 8,725,000 units at USD $0.20 per unit to 11
accredited investors. Each unit consisted of one common share and one
warrant to purchase one common share at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per
share. Proceeds net of issuance costs from the sale were
approximately USD $1,570,500. In addition, we issued warrants to purchase
872,500 common shares at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share to an
accredited party as a finder’s fee. This private placement is
expected to close in March 2010.
On
November 13, 2009, we issued 8,617,686 common shares and a 7- year warrant to
purchase 22,853,058 common shares at an exercise price of USD $4.00 per share to
PetroMed as consideration for the purchase of the Mira and Sarah licenses and
the Benjamin permit by IPC Cayman. In addition, in connection with
the acquisition, we issued a warrant to purchase up to 5,000,000 common shares
to International Three Crown Petroleum and a warrant to purchase up to 2,000,000
common shares to Allied Ventures. These warrants have a 5-year term
and an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share.
On
November 12, 2009, we sold a USD $850,000 promissory note together with a 5-year
warrant to purchase 1,000,000 common shares at an exercise price of USD $0.35
per share to one accredited investor.
On
October 15, 2009, we sold 10 million units at USD $0.05 per unit to 11
accredited investors. Each unit consisted of one common share and one
warrant to purchase one common share at an exercise price of USD $0.10 per
share. Proceeds net of issuance costs from the sale were
approximately USD $450,000. In addition, we issued warrants to purchase
1,000,000 common shares at an exercise price of USD $0.10 per share to an
accredited party as a finder’s fee.
ITEM 8. – EXHIBITS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
1.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation of the Company - Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 1(ix) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed
on June 12, 2000.
|
1.2
|
By-Laws
of the Company - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(xi) to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.3
|
Certificate
of name change from Kamlo Gold Mines Limited to NRT Research Technologies
Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(iii) to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.4
|
Certificate
of name change from NRT Research Technologies Inc. to NRT Industries Inc.
- Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 1(iv) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
20-F filed on June 12, 2000.
|
1.5
|
Certificate
of name change from NRT Industries Inc. to CUDA Consolidated Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 1(v) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on
June 12, 2000.
|
1.6
|
Certificate
of name change from CUDA Consolidated Inc. to Foodquest Corp. -
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(vi) to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.7
|
Certificate
of name change from Foodquest Corp. to Foodquest International Corp. -
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(vii) to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.8
|
Certificate
of name change from Foodquest International Corp. to Dealcheck.com Inc. -
Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000.
|
1.9
|
Certificate
of name change from Dealcheck.com Inc. to Bontan Corporation Inc. - Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 20-F filed on September 23,
2003.
|
2(a)
|
Specimen
Common Share certificate - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
1(viii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on September 23,
2003.
|
4(a)2.i
|
Investor
relations contract with Current Capital Corp. dated April 1, 2003 Incorporated
herein by reference to
Exhibit 4 (a) 2i to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal
2005 filed on September 28, 2005.
|
4(a)2.ii
|
Media
Relation Contract with Current Capital corp. dated April 1, 2003 Incorporated
herein by reference to
Exhibit 4 (a) 2ii to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal
2005 filed on September 28, 2005.
|
4(a)2.iii
|
A
letter dated April1, 2005 extending the contracts under 4(a)2.i and
ii. Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (a)
2iii to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on
September 28, 2005.
|
4(c)1
|
Consulting
Agreement dated April 1, 2005 with Kam Shah Incorporated herein by
reference to
Exhibit 4 (c) 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal
2005 filed on September 28, 2005.
|
4(c)2
|
Consulting
Agreement dated April 1, 2003 with Terence Robinson - Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4 (a)
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2004 filed on
August 30, 2004.
|
4(c)3
|
Letter
dated March 28, 2008 extending the Consulting Agreement with Mr. John
Robinson to June 30, 2009.
|
4(c)(iv)1
|
The
Robinson Option Plan, 2005 Stock Option Plan and 2005 Consultant Stock
Compensation Plan - Incorporated
herein by reference to Form S-8 filed on December 5,
2005.
|
4(c)(iv)2
|
2007
Consultant Stock Compensation Plan – Incorporated herein by reference to
Form S-8 filed on January 16, 2007.
|
5.1*
|
Legal
Opinion of Sui & Company
|
10.1*
|
Contribution
and Assignment Agreement dated as of November 14, 2009 by and among
International Three Crown Petroleum LLC, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation,
the Company, Allied Ventures Incorporated and Israel Petroleum Company,
Limited.
|
10.2*
|
Stockholders
Agreement dated as of November 14, 2009 by and among Israel Petroleum
Company, Limited, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation, Allied Ventures
Incorporated and the Company (for the purposes identified
therein)
|
10.3*
|
Form
of Warrant Certificate by and between PetroMed Corporation and the
Company
|
10.4*
|
Promissory
Note to Castle Rock Resources II, LLC, dated November 12,
2009
|
10.5*
|
Pledge
Agreement with Castle Rock Resources II,
LLC
|
10.6*
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock by and between International Three
Crown Petroleum LLC and the Company
|
10.7*
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock by and between Allied Ventures
Incorporated and the Company
|
10.8*
|
Consulting
Agreement dated August 4, 2009 with Terence
Robinson
|
10.9*
|
Consulting
Agreement dated July 1, 2009 with John
Robinson
|
23.1**
|
Consent
of Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP
|
23.2*
|
Consent
of Sui & Company
|
|
* To
be filed by amendment
|
ITEM 9.-
UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
|
(i) To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
|
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which,
individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value
of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may
be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration
statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) If
the registrant is a foreign private issuer, to file a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements
required by § 210.3-19 of this chapter at the start of any delayed offering
or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and
information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be
furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of
a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this
paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other
information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those
financial statements. Not withstanding the foregoing, with respect to
registration statements on Form F-3 (§ 239.33 of this chapter), a
post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and
information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act or § 210.3-19 of
this chapter if such financial statements and information are contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.
(b) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
(c) The
undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that:
(1) For
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(d) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, on February 16, 2010.
By: /s/ KAM
SHAH
Kam Shah
Chief
Executive Officer
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
|
Title/Capacity
|
Date
|
|
|
|
/s/ KAM SHAH
Kam
Shah
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director
|
February
16, 2010
|
/s/ DEAN BRADLEY
Dean
Bradley
|
Director
|
February
16, 2010
|
/s/ BRETT REES
Brett
Rees
|
Director
|
February
16, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
1.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation of the Company - Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 1(ix) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed
on June 12, 2000.
|
1.2
|
By-Laws
of the Company - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(xi) to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.3
|
Certificate
of name change from Kamlo Gold Mines Limited to NRT Research Technologies
Inc. - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(iii) to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.4
|
Certificate
of name change from NRT Research Technologies Inc. to NRT Industries Inc.
- Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 1(iv) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
20-F filed on June 12, 2000.
|
1.5
|
Certificate
of name change from NRT Industries Inc. to CUDA Consolidated Inc. -
Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 1(v) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on
June 12, 2000.
|
1.6
|
Certificate
of name change from CUDA Consolidated Inc. to Foodquest Corp. -
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(vi) to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.7
|
Certificate
of name change from Foodquest Corp. to Foodquest International Corp. -
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(vii) to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on June 12,
2000.
|
1.8
|
Certificate
of name change from Foodquest International Corp. to Dealcheck.com Inc. -
Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form 20-F filed on June 12, 2000.
|
1.9
|
Certificate
of name change from Dealcheck.com Inc. to Bontan Corporation Inc. - Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 1(viii) to the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 20-F filed on September 23,
2003.
|
2(a)
|
Specimen
Common Share certificate - Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
1(viii) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on September 23,
2003.
|
4(a)2.i
|
Investor
relations contract with Current Capital Corp. dated April 1, 2003 Incorporated
herein by
reference to
Exhibit 4 (a) 2i to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal
2005 filed on September 28, 2005.
|
4(a)2.ii
|
Media
Relation Contract with Current Capital corp. dated April 1, 2003 Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (a)
2ii to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2005 filed on
September 28, 2005.
|
4(a)2.iii
|
A
letter dated April1, 2005 extending the contracts under 4(a)2.i and
ii. Incorporated
herein by
reference to
Exhibit 4 (a) 2iii to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal
2005 filed on September 28, 2005.
|
4(c)1
|
Consulting
Agreement dated April 1, 2005 with Kam Shah Incorporated herein by
reference to
Exhibit 4 (c) 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal
2005 filed on September 28, 2005.
|
4(c)2
|
Consulting
Agreement dated April 1, 2003 with Terence Robinson - Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4 (a)
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2004 filed on
August 30, 2004.
|
4(c)3
|
Letter
dated March 28, 2008 extending the Consulting Agreement with Mr. John
Robinson to June 30, 2009.
|
4(c)(iv)1
|
The
Robinson Option Plan, 2005 Stock Option Plan and 2005 Consultant Stock
Compensation Plan - Incorporated
herein by reference to Form S-8 filed on December 5,
2005.
|
4(c)(iv)2
|
2007
Consultant Stock Compensation Plan – Incorporated herein by reference to
Form S-8 filed on January 16, 2007.
|
5.1*
|
Legal
Opinion of Sui & Company
|
10.1*
|
Contribution
and Assignment Agreement dated as of November 14, 2009 by and among
International Three Crown Petroleum LLC, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation,
the Company, Allied Ventures Incorporated and Israel Petroleum Company,
Limited.
|
10.2*
|
Stockholders
Agreement dated as of November 14, 2009 by and among Israel Petroleum
Company, Limited, Bontan Oil & Gas Corporation, Allied Ventures
Incorporated and the Company (for the purposes identified
therein)
|
10.3*
|
Form
of Warrant Certificate by and between PetroMed Corporation and the
Company
|
10.4**
|
Promissory
Note to Castle Rock Resources II, LLC, dated November 12,
2009
|
10.5*
|
Pledge
Agreement with Castle Rock Resources II,
LLC
|
10.6*
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock by and between International Three
Crown Petroleum LLC and the Company
|
10.7*
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock by and between Allied Ventures
Incorporated and the Company
|
10.8*
|
Consulting
Agreement dated August 4, 2009 with Terence
Robinson
|
10.9*
|
Consulting
Agreement dated July 1, 2009 with John
Robinson
|
23.1*
|
Consent
of Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP
|
23.2*
|
Consent
of Sui & Company (included in exhibit
5.1)
|
|
** To
be filed by amendment
|
caagmt_112009.htm
CONTRIBUTION
AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
THIS
CONTRIBUTION AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of
November 14, 2009, is by and among International Three Crown Petroleum LLC, a
Colorado limited liability company (“ITC”), Bontan Oil & Gas
Corporation, an Ontario corporation (“Bontan”), Bontan Corporation
Inc., an Ontario corporation (“Bontan Parent”), Allied
Ventures Incorporated, a Belize corporation (“2.5% Holder”) and Israel
Petroleum Company, Limited, a Cayman Islands limited company (the “Company”), individually
sometimes referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the
“Parties.”
RECITALS
A. ITC
has previously entered into that certain Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale
(the “Option
Agreement”), dated October 15, 2009, between ITC and PetroMed
Corporation, a Belize corporation (“PetroMed”), pursuant to which
ITC obtained, among other things, an exclusive option to purchase PetroMed’s
interest in the Offshore Israel Project. Capitalized terms used but
not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Option
Agreement.
B. ITC,
Bontan and 2.5% Holder have formed the Company for the purpose of, among other
things, acquiring PetroMed’s interest in the Offshore Israel Project, and each
of ITC, Bontan and 2.5% Holder now desire to contribute, and, in the case of
Bontan, to commit to contribute, certain assets to the Company in exchange for
2,250 ordinary voting shares of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”),
representing a 22.5% equity interest in the Company, 7,500 Ordinary Shares,
representing a 75% equity interest in the Company, and 250 Ordinary Shares,
representing a 2.5% equity interest in the Company, respectively, on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
C. In
consideration of the benefit Bontan Parent will receive from its ownership of
all of the outstanding equity interests of Bontan, Bontan Parent is willing to
enter into this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW,
THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Contribution, Assignment and
Assumption of Option Agreement. Concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, ITC and the Company shall execute and deliver an
assignment agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Assignment Agreement”),
pursuant to which ITC shall contribute, assign and transfer to the Company all
of ITC’s right, title and interest in, to, and under the Option Agreement, and
the Company will accept such contribution and assignment, and assume and agree
to perform all obligations of ITC under the Option Agreement. Upon
the execution and delivery of the Assignment Agreement by ITC and the Company,
ITC shall be relieved of all liability under the Option Agreement that arises or
accrues after the date hereof.
2. Contributions by
Bontan.
(a) Initial
Contributions. Conditioned upon ITC’s or the Company’s
election to exercise the Option under the Option Agreement, Bontan shall
contribute the following to the Company on the date of Closing under the Option
Agreement (the “Initial
Contribution Date”); except that as an administrative
convenience to Bontan and the Company, Bontan Parent shall pay and deliver the
following directly to PetroMed, with all such deliverables (i) being first
deemed a contribution to Bontan by Bontan Parent, (ii) next being deemed a
subsequent contribution by Bontan to the Company and (iii) thereafter
constituting a subsequent payment and distribution by the Company to PetroMed
under the Option Agreement:
(i) US$850,000
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts
designated by PetroMed in the Option Agreement;
(ii) 8,617,686
shares of common stock of Bontan Parent (the “Contributed Shares”),
evidenced by a Stock Certificate, issued to and in the name of PetroMed;
and
(iii) a
warrant to purchase up to 22,853,058 shares of common stock of Bontan Parent in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and duly
executed by Bontan Parent.
(b) Contributions Upon
Closing. Immediately following the Closing under the Option
Agreement, Bontan Parent shall contribute to Bontan, which in turn shall
contribute to the Company, US$1,500,000 by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account or accounts designated by the Company, which
amounts shall be used to, among other things, (i) pay a monthly fee of US$20,000
to ITC for managing the Company pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement, (ii)
reimburse ITC for any expenses incurred after the Closing under the Option
Agreement in connection with the management of the Offshore Israel Project, and
(iii) pay the Company’s expenses following the Closing under the Option
Agreement.
(c) Contribution of Financing
Proceeds. As soon as practicable after its receipt thereof,
Bontan Parent shall contribute to Bontan, which in turn shall contribute to the
Company, the net proceeds of each closing under the Financings (as defined
below).
(d) Proceeds from Prior
Financing. If Bontan Parent receives any proceeds from a
Financing prior to the execution of the Agreement, it will hold the net proceeds
for contribution to Bontan, and for subsequent contribution to the Company, for
the purposes described in Sections 2(a)(i) and 2(b) above.
3. Issuance of Ordinary Shares;
Execution of Stockholders Agreement. Upon execution of this
Agreement, the Company shall issue 7,500 Ordinary Shares to Bontan, 2,250
Ordinary Shares to ITC and 250 Shares to 2.5% Holder (collectively, the “Shares”). Concurrently
with the execution of this Agreement, ITC, Bontan, Bontan Parent and 2.5% Holder
shall execute and deliver, the Stockholders Agreement of the Company, in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Stockholders
Agreement”).
4. Distribution of Over-Riding
Royalty. Immediately following the Closing under the Option
Agreement, the Company shall execute the Assignment of Overriding Royalty to H.
Howard Cooper or its designee in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D conveying a
gross 1% over-riding royalty of all oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons
produced, saved and sold from the area covered by the Offshore Israel Project,
exclusive of existing burdens, and which shall not be reduced by subsequent
farmouts or transfers of other interests in the Offshore Israel
Project.
5. Warrant
Plan. As promptly as reasonably practicable following the
Closing, the Company and Bontan Parent shall enter into an agreement (the “Warrant Plan”), pursuant to
which Bontan Parent will be obligated to issue warrants, over a period to be
defined in the Warrant Plan, to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 500,000 shares
of common stock of Bontan Parent, which warrants shall be issued to officers,
employees, agents and consultants of the Company (other than Howard Cooper) in
accordance with the Warrant Plan. The warrants issued or issuable
pursuant to the Warrant Plan shall be in a form mutually agreeable to the
Company and Bontan Parent, shall have an exercise price of $US0.35 or such other
price (which may be based on a formula) as is agreed to in the Warrant Plan, and
shall have such other terms, including vesting provisions, as shall be set forth
in the Warrant Plan. Bontan Parent agrees to use its best efforts to
register the common shares underlying all such warrants on Form S-8 (or such
other available form) prior to the first warrants to vest.
6. Financings.
(a) Financings. ITC
has assisted, and will endeavor to continue to assist, Bontan Parent, subject to
the limitations in Section 6(e), in identifying investors and/or lenders to
provide Bontan Parent with up to US$18,000,000 in financing (whether through one
or more debt or equity securities offerings or any other financing transactions)
to cover the cost of seismic and other technical work and other expenses
incurred, or expected to be incurred, in connection with the Offshore Israel
Project (the “Financings”), and Bontan
Parent shall use its best efforts to consummate the Financings.
(b) $850,000
Financing. It is anticipated that Bontan Parent will raise at
least US$850,000, net of expenses, through a Financing, the proceeds of which
will used by Bontan Parent and Bontan to satisfy the US$850,000 cash closing
obligation referred to in paragraph 2(a)(i) above and to cover related costs and
expenses. The proceeds from such Financing that are received prior to
the Closing under the Option Agreement shall be placed in escrow with Bontan
Parent’s counsel, and shall be delivered to the Company immediately following
such Closing. In the event such Closing shall not occur, such proceeds shall be
returned to the participants in the Financing. Subject to ITC’s
consent, Bontan Parent agrees to include the shares of Bontan Parent common
stock issued in such Financing, along with the shares underlying any warrants
issued in such Financing, in the first registration statement it files with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission covering the resale of the Bontan Parent
stock underlying the warrants issued pursuant to Section 7(b)
below.
(c) $5,500,000
Financing. It is anticipated that Bontan Parent will also
raise an aggregate of US$5,500,000, net of expenses, through a Financing, the
net proceeds of which will be applied towards the remaining cash contributions
required to be made by Bontan pursuant to paragraph 2 and for the Company’s
general working capital purposes. Bontan Parent agrees to contribute
the proceeds, net of expenses, of the Financing contemplated by this Section
6(c) to Bontan for subsequent contribution to the Company pursuant
hereto. Not later than 60 days following completion of the Financing
contemplated by this Section 6(c), Bontan Parent agrees to file a registration
statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission covering the resale
of the shares of Bontan Parent common stock sold in such Financing, along with
the shares underlying any accompanying warrants, and to use its best efforts to
obtain effectiveness of such registration statement within 60 days thereafter
(and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement while any
shares are issuable pursuant to such warrants); provided, however, that to the
extent such Financing has closed prior to the effectiveness of the registration
statement required to be filed pursuant to Section 7(b) below, such shares may,
subject to ITC’s consent, be registered under such registration
statement.
(d) Additional
Financings. Upon the Closing, the Company will have assumed
certain obligations under the Material Agreements. Bontan Parent
shall use its best efforts to complete additional Financings in order to raise
at least $12,500,000, and shall contribute the proceeds of any such Financing,
net of expenses, to Bontan for subsequent contribution to the Company as shall
be necessary to permit the Company (by virtue of the contribution of the
Financing proceeds) to perform all obligations of the Company under the Material
Agreements and any other obligations relating to the conduct of exploratory
operations on the Licenses and Permit, unless the Company is able to obtain the
payment of such obligations by third parties in exchange for farmouts or other
acquisitions of interests in the Offshore Israel Project; provided, however,
that Bontan and/or Bontan Parent shall be entitled to keep up to $500,000 (in
aggregate) of such proceeds, if and only if, Bontan Parent has raised and
contributed to the Company not less than $5,500,000 of proceeds from the
Financings. Not later than 60 days following completion of any such
Financing, Bontan Parent agrees to file a registration statement with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission covering the resale of the shares of Bontan
Parent common stock sold in any such Financing, along with the shares underlying
any accompanying warrants, and to use its best efforts to obtain the
effectiveness of such registration statement within 60 days thereafter and to
maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement while any shares are
issuable pursuant to such warrants.
(e) ITC
Services. ITC shall agree to provide, and shall obtain the
agreement of its manager Howard Cooper to provide, reasonable assistance to
Bontan Parent with respect to providing information on the Offshore Israel
Project and shall introduce prospective investors and lenders for the Financings
to Bontan Parent but shall not be involved in any meetings with potential
investors or other Bontan Parent selling efforts.
(f) Market
Stand-Off. Bontan Parent shall not file any registration
statement covering any shares other than the shares required to be registered
pursuant to this Agreement, or sell, dispose of, transfer, grant any option for
the purchase of, or enter into any transaction with the same economic effect as
a sale of, any such shares (other than pursuant to this Agreement, the
Financings or the Warrant Plan) prior to the earlier of (i) 120 days following
the effectiveness of the last registration statement required to be filed by
Bontan Parent pursuant to this Section 6 or Section 7(b), or (ii) 9 months
following the Closing under the Option Agreement.
7. Additional
Agreements.
(a) Reimbursement. Upon
execution of this Agreement, Bontan Parent shall contribute to Bontan and Bontan
shall pay to ITC US$125,000 as a completion of reimbursement of ITC for the
Option Payment delivered to PetroMed and for expenses already incurred and
anticipated to be incurred by ITC in negotiation of the Option Agreement, travel
to Israel, due diligence, preparation for assuming operation of the Offshore
Israel Project, and accomplishing the Closing under the Option Agreement, and
for Howard Cooper’s time in connection with the foregoing. Such
payment shall be nonrefundable regardless of the actual amount of such expenses
and regardless whether the Option is exercised or the acquisition of the
Offshore Israel Project is consummated provided that ITC duly performs its
Obligations under the Option Agreement.
(b) Issuance of
Warrants. Upon the completion of the Closing under the Option
Agreement, Bontan Parent shall issue to ITC a warrant to purchase up to
5,000,000 shares of common stock of Bontan Parent and shall issue to 2.5% Holder
a warrant to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock of Bontan Parent,
each in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, which
warrants shall be exercisable for a period of five years and shall have an
initial exercise price of US$0.35 per share (which shall be subject to
adjustment as provided for therein). Bontan Parent agrees to file a
registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission covering
such warrants and the underlying shares within 60 days of the Closing under the
Option Agreement and to use its best efforts to obtain the effectiveness thereof
within 60 days of such filing and to maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statement while any shares are issuable pursuant to such warrants.
The company may also include in such registration statement any shares issued
(i) in a Financing (the net proceeds of which have been contributed to the
Company pursuant hereto), (ii) pursuant to the warrants issued in any such
Financing or (iii) pursuant to this Agreement, but no other shares may be
included in such registration statement.
(c) Joinder and
Deliveries. Bontan Parent and Bontan shall execute and
deliver, prior to the Closing under the Option Agreement, a joinder to the
Option Agreement for the limited purposes stated in Section 5.2(d) of the Option
Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and PetroMed, and
shall deliver and perform, when required under the Option Agreement, all other
items required to be delivered and performed by Pubco under the Option
Agreement.
8. Representations and
Warranties.
(a) Company Representations and
Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to the other
parties, as of the date hereof, as follows:
(i) The
Company is an exempt company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands;
(ii) All
action on the part of the Company necessary for the authorization of the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Shareholder
Agreement by the Company has been taken;
(iii) Each
of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, when executed and delivered,
will be the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general
application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and general principles of
equity that restrict the availability of equitable remedies; and
(iii) Immediately
following the issuance thereof, the Equity Interests will be the only
outstanding equity interests in the Company.
(b) ITC Representations and
Warranties. ITC represents and warrants to the other parties,
as of the date hereof, as follows:
(i) ITC
is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Colorado;
(ii) All
action on the part of ITC, its managers and member necessary for the
authorization of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the Shareholder Agreement by ITC has been taken;
(iii) Each
of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, when executed and delivered,
will be the valid and binding obligation of ITC enforceable against ITC in
accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application
affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and general principles of equity that
restrict the availability of equitable remedies;
(iv) ITC
has the full right, power and authority to assign the Option Agreement to the
Company, and to take any and all other actions required to be taken by it
hereunder, and no consent of any third party is required to assign the Option
Agreement to the Company or to take any and all other actions required to be
taken by it hereunder that has not been obtained.
(v) ITC
has performed, and will continue to perform, due diligence on the Offshore
Israel Project and will share all such information with Bontan and Bontan Parent
as requested and will otherwise cooperate with Bontan and Bontan Parent to
assist them and their counsel and advisors in their own due diligence of the
Option Agreement and the Offshore Israel Project. To the best of
ITC’s knowledge, the representations and warranties of PetroMed in the Option
Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof in all material
respects. ITC shall not have changed its understanding regarding the
foregoing representations of PetroMed at the time of Closing under the Option
Agreement and will reconfirm this at the time of Closing under the Option
Agreement.
(vi) Upon
making the contribution of the Option Agreement to the Company under Section 1
above, ITC will vest in the Company all of the right, title and interest in, to
and under the Option Agreement as originally conveyed by PetroMed to ITC under
the Option Agreement, free and clear of any mortgages, liens, pledges, charges,
claims, security interests, agreements, and encumbrances whatsoever, other than
those imposed by law, arising as a result of ITC’s ownership of the rights under
the Option Agreement.
(vii) All
of the equity owners of ITC are “accredited investors” within the meaning of
Regulation D of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
(viii) ITC,
through its manager, Howard Cooper, is experienced in making investments in
highly speculative investments, such as the warrants being acquired from Bontan
Parent and the Offshore Israel Project. ITC has had access to full
and complete information regarding Bontan and Bontan Parent and has used such
access to its satisfaction for the purpose of obtaining information about Bontan
and Bontan Parent. ITC has had the opportunity to ask questions of,
and to receive answers from, the officers of Bontan and Bontan Parent concerning
Bontan and Bontan Parent and the Bontan Parent warrants and underlying shares
and to obtain any additional information concerning Bontan and Bontan
Parent. ITC has received all information it considers necessary or
advisable in order to make an investment decision, and acknowledges that the
entire investment in Bontan Parent and the Company may be lost.
(ix) ITC
acknowledges that the warrants it is acquiring from Bontan Parent have not been
registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state, and
that the warrants are offered in a transaction not involving a public offering
in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation
D. Accordingly, ITC recognizes that the warrants, and the shares
issuable upon their exercise, are “restricted securities” within the meaning of
Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act. ITC understands that
Bontan Parent cannot assure that the shares underlying the warrants will
ultimately be registered under the Securities Act. ITC is acquiring
the warrants, and the shares in the Company, for investment and not with a view
to their distribution in whole or in part.
(x) ITC
agrees not to assign, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of or transfer
the warrants, or the shares issuable upon their exercise, except in compliance
with the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. ITC is
also aware that any resale inconsistent with applicable securities laws in the
Province of Ontario (“Canadian
Securities Laws”) may create liability on ITC’s part and/or the part of
Bontan Parent, and agrees not to assign, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise
dispose of or transfer the warrants or the shares underlying them except in
compliance with Canadian Securities Laws.
(c) Bontan and Bontan Parent
Representations and Warranties. Bontan and Bontan Parent each
represent and warrant to the other Parties, as of the date hereof, as
follows:
(i) Each
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the province of Ontario;
(ii) All
action on the part of each, and its respective officers, directors and
stockholders necessary for the authorization of the execution, delivery and
performance by each of this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement and the
warrants to be issued pursuant hereto (the “Warrants”) has been
taken;
(iii) Each
of this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement and the Warrants, when executed
and delivered, will be the valid and binding obligation of Bontan and Bontan
Parent enforceable, respectively, against each in accordance with its terms,
except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of
creditors’ rights and general principles of equity that restrict the
availability of equitable remedies;
(iv) Bontan
Parent has the full right, power and authority to issue and deliver the
Contributed Shares and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the
“Warrant Shares”), and
to take any and all other actions required to be taken by it hereunder, and no
consent of any third party is required to issue the Contributed Shares or the
Warrant Shares, or to take any and all other actions required to be taken by it
hereunder, that has not been obtained; and
(v) The
Contributed Shares and the Warrant Shares, when issued, will be duly authorized,
validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and free of all
preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, and the recipient
of such shares will acquire good, valid, and marketable title thereto, free and
clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, charges, claims, security interests,
agreements, and encumbrances whatsoever, other than those imposed by
law.
(vi) Bontan
Parent is experienced in making investments in highly speculative investments,
such as the investment in the Company and the Offshore Israel
Project. Bontan Parent has had access to full and complete
information regarding the Company and the Offshore Israel Project as provided by
the Company or ITC and has used such access to its satisfaction for the purpose
of obtaining information. Bontan Parent has had the opportunity to
ask questions of, and to receive answers from, the officers of the Company and
ITC concerning the Company, the Offshore Israel Project and the shares of the
Company and to obtain any additional information concerning the Company or the
Offshore Israel Project. Bontan Parent has received all information
it considers necessary or advisable in order to make an investment decision, and
acknowledges that the entire investment in the Company may be lost.
(vii) Bontan
and Bontan Parent acknowledges that the shares Bontan is acquiring in the
Company have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws
of any state, and that such shares are offered in a transaction not involving a
public offering in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule
506 of Regulation D. Accordingly, Bontan and Bontan Parent recognize
that such shares of the Company are “restricted securities” within the meaning
of Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act. Bontan and Bontan
Parent understand that those shares will not be registered under the Securities
Act. Bontan is acquiring such shares for investment and not with a
view to their distribution in whole or in part.
(d) 2.5% Holder Representations
and Warranties. The 2.5% Holder represents and warrants to the
other parties, as of the date hereof, as follows:
(i) 2.5%
Holder is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of Belize;
(ii) All
action on the part of 2.5% Holder, its managers and member necessary for the
authorization of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the Stockholders Agreement by 2.5% Holder has been taken;
(iii) Each
of this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, when executed and delivered,
will be the valid and binding obligation of 2.5% Holder enforceable against 2.5%
Holder in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application
affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights and general principles of equity that
restrict the availability of equitable remedies;
(iv) All
of the equity owners of 2.5% Holder are “accredited investors” within the
meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act.
(v) 2.5%
Holder, through its manager, is experienced in making investments in highly
speculative investments, such as the warrants being acquired from Bontan Parent
and the Offshore Israel Project. 2.5% Holder has had access to full
and complete information regarding Bontan Parent and has used such access to its
satisfaction for the purpose of obtaining information about Bontan
Parent. 2.5% Holder has had the opportunity to ask questions of, and
to receive answers from, the officers of Bontan Parent concerning Bontan Parent
and the warrants and underlying shares and to obtain any additional information
concerning Bontan Parent. 2.5% Holder has received all information it
considers necessary or advisable in order to make an investment decision, and
acknowledges that the entire investment in Bontan Parent and the Company may be
lost.
(vi) 2.5%
Holder acknowledges that the warrants it is acquiring from Bontan Parent have
not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any
state, and that the warrants are offered in a transaction not involving a public
offering in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of
Regulation D. Accordingly, 2.5% Holder recognizes that the warrants,
and the shares issuable upon their exercise, are “restricted securities” within
the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act. 2.5% Holder
understands that Bontan Parent cannot assure that the shares underlying the
warrants will ultimately be registered under the Securities Act. 2.5%
Holder is acquiring the warrants, and the shares in the Company, for investment
and not with a view to their distribution in whole or in part.
(vii) 2.5%
Holder agrees not to assign, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of or
transfer the warrants, or the shares issuable upon their exercise, except in
compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities
laws. 2.5% Holder is also aware that any resale inconsistent with
Canadian Securities Laws may create liability on 2.5% Holder’s part and/or the
part of Bontan, and agrees not to assign, sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise
dispose of or transfer the warrants or the shares underlying them except in
compliance with Canadian Securities Laws.
9. Risk
Acknowledgment. Bontan, Bontan Parent and 2.5% Holder each
acknowledge and agree that all information provided by or on behalf of ITC or
the Company is being provided solely for the purpose of assisting Bontan, Bontan
Parent and 2.5% Holder in conducting their own independent evaluations and
analysis and the recipient’s reliance on or use of the same is at the
recipient’s sole risk. Bontan, Bontan Parent and 2.5% Holder
acknowledge and agree that ITC and its representatives, officers, directors,
employees, agents, affiliates and controlling persons expressly disclaim any and
all liability and responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness or
materiality of the information, including, without limitation: (i) the existence
of any and all prospects or potential upside opportunities referenced in the
information, (ii) the geological or geophysical characteristics associated with
any and all prospects or potential upside opportunities referenced in the
information, (iii) the existence, quality, quantity, or recoverability of
hydrocarbon reserves associated with the property, (iv) the costs, expenses,
revenues or receipts associated with the property, (v) the ownership of or title
to the property, (vi) the contractual, economic or financial data associated
with the property, (vii) the present or future value, financial viability or
productivity of the property, (viii) regulatory matters that may bear on the
ability to conduct operations on the Licenses and Permit or on the cost or
profitability thereof; and/or (ix) the environmental, security or physical
condition of the property or of the surrounding area.
10. Further Assurances;
Access. The parties shall promptly execute and deliver any
additional instruments or documents which may be reasonably necessary to
evidence or better effect the transactions contemplated
hereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party agrees to give the
other Parties and their respective management personnel, legal counsel,
accountants, and technical and financial advisors, access and opportunity before
the Closing under the Option Agreement to inspect and investigate the books,
records, contracts, and other documents of such Party as it relates to its
respective business and all of its assets and liabilities (actual or contingent)
(except that ITC shall not be obligated to provide confidential information
regarding its investors) and further agrees to provide the other with such
additional information as may be reasonably requested pertaining to its
respective business and assets to the extent reasonably necessary to complete
the transactions contemplated herein.
11. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by each party on a
separate counterpart or counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.
12. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be an agreement made
under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with such laws.
13. Binding
Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of each of the parties and its successors and assigns.
14. No-Shop;
Confidentiality.
(a) Bontan,
Bontan Parent and 2.5% Holder, directly or indirectly, in any manner,
specifically agree not to contact the Israeli government, PetroMed or any party
involved with the Offshore Israel Project or the Option Agreement without ITC’s
prior written consent and without ITC being present for the
communication. Bontan Parent agrees that it will not, for the period
from execution of this Contribution Agreement through the Closing under the
Option Agreement (or, if the Closing does not occur, through November
16, 2009), without the prior written consent of ITC, take any action
to solicit, initiate, encourage or assist the submission of any proposal,
negotiation or offer from any person or entity other than ITC relating to the
sale or issuance, of any of the capital stock of Bontan Parent (other than in
furtherance of the Financings) or the acquisition, sale, lease, other
disposition of Bontan Parent or any material part of the stock or assets of
Bontan Parent and shall notify ITC promptly of any inquiries by any third
parties in regards to the foregoing.
(b) Without
the prior written consent of the other Parties, no Party will disclose the terms
of this Contribution Agreement to any person other than its respective officers,
members of the Board, accountants and attorneys, investors, or advisors, all of
whom will agree to maintain the confidentiality hereof. Despite the
foregoing, the Parties acknowledge that Bontan Parent plans to publicly announce
this Agreement and its terms on the earlier of five days from execution and
delivery of the Agreement or the Closing under the Option Agreement and to file
a copy of the Agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. Bontan Parent shall cooperate with the Company in seeking
confidential treatment for any information that may be appropriately kept
confidential. All Parties agree that they will not issue a press
release until Bontan Parent issues the press release referred to above, without
the prior written consent of the Company and Bontan Parent.
(c) In
addition, no Party shall assign any of its rights or obligations under this
Contribution Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Parties,
which may be withheld in their absolute discretion, and any purported assignment
by a Party without such prior consent shall be void.
[Signature Page
Follows]
0812351.02
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Signature
Page to Contribution and Assignment Agreement
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor and Sundance have executed this Agreement as of the
date first hereinabove written.
INTERNATIONAL
THREE CROWN PETROLEUM LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
By:_________________________________
Name: H. Howard Cooper
Title: Manager
BONTAN
OIL & GAS CORPORATION, an
Ontario
corporation
By:_________________________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
BONTAN
CORPORATION, INC., an Ontario corporation
By:_________________________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
ALLIED
VENTURES INCORPORATED, a Belize corporation
By:_________________________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
ISRAEL
PETROLEUM COMPANY, LIMITED, a Cayman Islands limited company
|
By:
INTERNATIONAL THREE CROWN PETROLEUM LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company
|
By:___________________________
Name: H.
Howard Cooper
Title:
Manager
-- 0812351.02
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stockholdersagmt_112009.htm
STOCKHOLDERS
AGREEMENT
ISRAEL
PETROLEUM COMPANY, LIMITED
This
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
(this “Agreement”) is
entered into as of November 14, 2009, by and among Israel Petroleum Company,
Limited, a Cayman Islands limited company (the “Company”), Bontan Oil &
Gas Corporation, an Ontario corporation (“Bontan”), Allied Ventures
Incorporated, a Belize corporation (“2.5% Holder”) and
International Three Crown Petroleum LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
(“ITC” and together with
Bontan and 2.5% Holder, the “Stockholders”, and each
individually, a “Stockholder”). In
addition, Bontan Corporation Inc., an Ontario corporation and owner of 100% of
the shares of Bontan (“Bontan
Parent”), is joining this Agreement for the purposes identified
within.
RECITALS
A. ITC
has previously entered into that certain Option Agreement for Purchase and Sale
(the “Option
Agreement”), dated October 15, 2009, between ITC and PetroMed
Corporation, a Belize corporation (“PetroMed”), pursuant to which
ITC obtained, among other things, an exclusive option to purchase PetroMed’s
interest in the Offshore Israel Project.
B. The
Stockholders have formed the Company for the purpose of, among other things,
acquiring PetroMed’s interest in the Offshore Israel Project, and each of ITC,
Bontan and 2.5% Holder have contributed, and, in the case of Bontan, committed
to contribute, certain assets to the Company in exchange for ordinary voting
shares of the Company (“Shares”) representing a 22.5%
equity interest, a 75% equity interest and a 2.5% equity interest in the
Company, respectively, as set forth in that certain Contribution and Assignment
Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2009, by and among ITC, Bontan, 2.5% Holder,
Bontan Parent and the Company.
C. The
Memorandum of Association of the Company was filed with the Registrar of the
Cayman Islands on November 11, 2009, and the Company was formed pursuant to and
in accordance with the Companies Law (2009 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the
“Companies
Law”).
D. The
parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement in order to provide for the
management of the Company and to provide certain rights of first refusal,
information rights and other rights to the respective Stockholders as set forth
herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties
hereto agree as follows:
1. Contributions. Each
of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that the fair market value of ITC’s and
Bontan’s initial capital contributions represent all of the initial capital
contributed to the Company, that Bontan’s initial capital contribution
represents 75% of the total initial capital of the Company and ITC’s initial
capital contribution represents 25% of the total initial capital of the Company,
and that for U.S. partnership tax and accounting purposes the Stockholders’
capital accounts shall reflect the foregoing. The Stockholders may make
additional contributions to the capital of the Company from time to time, but
the Stockholders shall not be required or obligated to make any contributions to
the capital of the Company other than as set forth in the Contribution
Agreement.
2. Management.
(a) Management Vested in a
Single Director. Responsibility for the management of the
business and affairs of the Company shall be vested in a single Director (the
“Director”). Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Director shall have all right,
power and authority to conduct the business and manage the affairs of the
Company. The Director may, in the Director’s sole discretion, appoint
any officers of the Company that the Director deems appropriate and may delegate
to such officer or officers any responsibilities for the day-to-day operation
and conduct of the business of the Company that the Director deems
appropriate. In conducting the business and managing the affairs of
the Company, the Director shall have all rights, duties and powers conferred by
the Companies Law, and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, is
hereby expressly authorized, on behalf of the Company, to make all decisions
with respect to the Company’s business and affairs and to take all actions
necessary to carry out such decisions, including, except as otherwise provided
in the this Agreement, the right, power and authority to cause the Company to
take any action that would otherwise require the consent or approval of the
Stockholders of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Stockholders, in their capacity as stockholders of the Company,
shall take no part in the control, management, direction or operation of the
business and affairs of the Company, and the Stockholders shall have no right,
power or authority to vote on or consent to any action of the Company or any
other matter. No Stockholder shall have the power or authority to bind the
Company.
(b) Additional Responsibilities
of the Director: In addition to the responsibilities, rights,
powers and authority granted to the Director in Section 2(a), the Director shall
have the responsibility, right, power and authority to make all elections
provided in the Option Agreement, including, but not limited to, whether to
exercise the Option, and such elections shall bind the Company and Bontan Parent
The Director shall also have authority to execute and deliver all instruments
and documents, perform all acts, and cause the Company to make all payments
necessary or appropriate to consummate the Closing under the Option Agreement
and to obtain all approvals, transfers, or documents necessary or appropriate to
vesting ownership of the Licenses and Permit in the Company, all on such terms
and conditions as the Director shall deem appropriate in its good faith
judgment.
(c) Appointment and Removal of
Director.
(i) The
initial Director shall be ITC (the “Initial Director”) and the
Initial Director shall serve in such capacity until its resignation or
removal. The Initial Director may not be removed by the Stockholders
other than:
(A) for
willful misconduct of the Initial Director that materially and adversely affects
the Offshore Israel Project (as defined below), which shall include the
conviction of the manager of the Initial Director for a crime in connection with
the operation or management of the Offshore Israel Project; or
(B) in
the event that a controlling interest in ITC is transferred to a Person who is
not a Qualified Buyer (as defined below) and thereafter the management team of
ITC is not substantially the same as the management team of ITC prior to such
transfer.
The
Initial Director may be removed pursuant to this clause (i) only by the
resolution or the written consent of the Stockholders holding a majority of the
Shares. Subject to clause (iii) below, in the event of the removal of
the Initial Director pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Stockholders may
replace the Initial Director and remove and replace any subsequent Director at
any time and from time to time by the vote of the Stockholders holding at least
80% of the Shares.
(ii) The
Director (including the Initial Director) may resign at any time by giving
written notice of its or his resignation to each of the Stockholders, and the
Director shall have no liability to the Company or the Stockholders as a result
of such resignation. Subject to clause (iii) below, upon any Director’s
resignation, the Stockholders holding at least 80% of the Shares shall replace
the Director by their resolution or written consent.
(iii) Subject
to ITC’s prior compliance with Section 5 hereof, in the event that ITC transfers
a majority of the Shares held by ITC on the date hereof to any Person that has
experience in the oil and gas industry substantially equivalent to, or greater
than, that of ITC (a “ Qualified Buyer”), then such
Qualified Buyer (and only such Qualified Buyer) shall have the sole authority to
appoint and remove the Director; provided, however, that any such Director may
be removed by Stockholders holding a majority of the Shares in the event of such
Director’s willful misconduct that materially and adversely affects the Offshore
Israel Project), which shall include the conviction of the Director, or any
officer, director or manager of the Director, for a crime in connection with the
operation or management of the Offshore Israel Project. In the event
of the removal of the then serving Director pursuant to the preceding sentence,
the Stockholders may replace such Director and remove and replace any subsequent
Director at any time and from time to time by the vote of the Stockholders
holding at least 80% of the Shares.
(d) Actions Requiring the
Approval of the Stockholders. Notwithstanding the power and
authority granted to the Director hereunder, the Director shall have no
authority to cause the Company to, and the Company shall not, either directly or
indirectly by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise, take any of the
following actions unless the same is approved by the resolution or the written
consent of the Stockholders holding a majority of the Shares:
(i) expand
the scope of the Company’s business beyond the acquisition, development and
potential farmout or sale of the Israeli Drilling Licenses Nos. 347 (Sarah) and
348 (Myra) and Exploration Permit No. 199 (Benjamin) and any License that may be
issued in lieu of such permit (collectively, the “Licenses and Permit”) and the
exploitation and commercialization of the Licenses and Permit, including the
exploration, operation and development of thereof (the “Offshore Israel
Project”);
(ii) enter
into any transaction involving the sale, conversion or merger of the Company
with or into any other Person or the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company’s assets to any other Person (other than a sale
or farmout to an industry partner that is not affiliated with ITC, Cooper, 2.5%
Holder or the Director in connection with a commitment to conduct exploratory or
development operations on the Licenses and Permit, if such arrangement does not
affect Bontan’s interest in the Company differently than such arrangement
affects ITC’s and 2.5% Holder’s interests in the Company other than by virtue of
Bontan’s proportionately larger equity interest in the Company or resulting from
ITC’s Success Fees as described below or other compensation arrangements in
effect between the Company and ITC, Cooper or the Director or any affiliate of
ITC, Cooper or the Director);
(iii)
issue any Shares or other equity interest (including any securities directly or
indirectly convertible or exchangeable for Shares or other equity interests) in
the Company to any Person or otherwise admit any additional Person as a
stockholder of the Company, provided that this clause (iii) shall not apply to a
Transfer (as defined below) of Shares complying with the provisions of Section 5
hereof;
(iv) liquidate,
dissolve or wind-up the business and affairs of the Company;
(v) enter
into any contract or agreement between the Company and ITC, Cooper, 2.5% Holder
or the Director, or any affiliate of ITC, Cooper, 2.5% Holder or the
Director;
(vi) modify
any compensation arrangement between the Company and ITC, Cooper, 2.5% Holder or
the Director, or any affiliate of ITC, Cooper, 2.5% Holder or the
Director;
(vii) amend,
alter, terminate or repeal the Memorandum of Association;
(viii) amend,
alter, terminate or repeal this Agreement; or
(ix) redeem
any Shares or other equity interests (including any securities directly or
indirectly convertible or exchangeable for Shares or other equity interests) in
the Company, including pursuant to Section 5(b)(iv) below.
(e) Certain Actions Not
Requiring the Approval of the Stockholders: In furtherance of
Section 2(a) and notwithstanding the foregoing Section 2(d), the following
actions shall be subject to the Director’s sole authority as Director; provided
that (1) with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) only, such action does not
involve a transaction between the Company and any of ITC, Cooper, 2.5% Holder,
the Director, or any of their respective affiliates, and (2) such arrangement
does not affect Bontan’s interest in the Company differently than such
arrangement affects ITC’s and 2.5% Holder’s interests in the Company (other than
by virtue of Bontan’s proportionately larger equity interest in the Company or
resulting from ITC’s Success Fees (as described below) or other compensation
arrangements in effect between the Company and ITC, Cooper or the Director or
any affiliate of ITC, Cooper or the Director):
(i) the
farmout, option, sale, assignment, mortgage, or other transfer of all or a
portion of the Offshore Israel Project for the purpose of conducting exploratory
or development operations on the Licenses or Permit;
(ii) seeking
any additional debt or equity financing for the Company or the Offshore Israel
Project; provided,
however, the actual approval of any equity financing that entails the
issuance of Shares or any other equity interest (including any securities
directly or indirectly convertible or exchangeable for Shares or other equity
interests) in the Company to any Person, or the admittance of any Person as a
stockholder of the Company, requires approval by the resolution or the written
consent of the Stockholders holding a majority of the Shares, except with
respect to a Transfer (as defined below) of Shares complying with the provisions
of Section 5 hereof;
(iii) entry
into consulting agreements and broker agreements on behalf of the
Company;
(iv) the
indemnification by the Company of any officer, employee or agent of the Company
or any other Person in accordance with this Agreement;
(v) the
authorization, making, payment or distribution of any distribution or dividend
to the Stockholders; or
(vi) payment
to ITC or the Director of the Success Fees and Management Fee as provided below
or reimbursements as provided in this Agreement or in the Contribution
Agreement.
(f) Action of the
Stockholders.
(i) Unless
otherwise provided by the rights and preferences of the Shares held by a
Stockholder, each Stockholder shall have one vote for each Share
held. However, if Shares are designated by percentages, then each
Stockholder shall have the number of votes corresponding to his or its
percentage interest of voting Shares. Whenever a matter referred to
in this Agreement requires approval by resolution of the Stockholders, the
Director shall promptly give written notice to all Stockholders entitled to vote
of the purpose of the meeting and the action to be taken and the date, time and
place of a meeting of the Stockholders to consider and vote upon such
action. A Stockholder entitled to vote that holds at least 10% of the
outstanding voting Shares may also demand the holding of a meeting of the
Stockholders for a purpose provided hereunder by giving written notice to the
Company. In such case, the Director shall give written notice of such
meeting within ten (10) business days. If the Director fails to
timely call such meeting, the demanding Stockholder(s) may call the meeting by
providing written notice to the Stockholders as otherwise provided
herein. All meetings of Stockholders shall be held on at least ten
(10) days’ prior written notice. A quorum of the Stockholders is
required to take action at any meeting, which shall constitute the holders of a
majority of the Shares entitled to vote at such meeting. Stockholders
may participate in meetings by teleconference or by
proxy. Stockholders may waive notice before or after a meeting in
writing, or by participation at a meeting (other than to object to the holding
of a meeting for lack of adequate notice).
(ii) The
Stockholders may also take action in writing at any time on any matter in lieu
of a meeting of the Stockholders. The written approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting Shares of the Company shall constitute
action of the Stockholders. The Company shall give prompt written
notice of the taking of any action in writing to those Stockholders who did not
consent to the action so taken.
3. Reimbursements; Fees;
Royalties and Commissions.
(a) Reimbursement. The
Director shall be reimbursed by the Company for the reasonable out-of-pocket
costs incurred by the Director on behalf of the Company, including legal
expenses, consulting fees and costs, travel expenses to Israel and living
expenses in Israel, and expenses of copying, telephone, internet and similar
items or services. The Director shall submit invoices to the Company,
with a copy to the other Stockholders, on a periodic basis, but no less often
than monthly, for its costs and expenses, and shall include with each such
invoice a brief description of the work performed by the Director and the
Company and the costs and expenses incurred, together with such supporting
documentation as shall be reasonably requested by the
Stockholders. The Company shall pay each invoice within fifteen (15)
days of its receipt thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Director shall not be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for any overhead
costs or costs or fees of employees of the Company without the prior written
consent of the Stockholders holding a majority of the Shares.
(b) Management
Fee. The Company shall pay to the Director a monthly
management fee of $20,000.00, payable in advance, beginning December __, 2009,
and on the first day of each subsequent month, for the Director’s services as
manager of the Company. The management fee shall be pro-rated for the
month of November 2009, starting with November __, 2009, and this pro-rated
amount shall be payable within thirty (30) days after the date of this
Agreement.
(c) Success
Fees.
(i) Upon
receipt by Bontan Parent of at least $900,000 pursuant to any Financing (as
defined in the Contribution and Assignment Agreement of even date herewith
between the Parties), the Company shall pay to ITC the sum of $42,500 for
services predating the execution of this Agreement.
(ii) Following
the Closing under the Option Agreement, for any farmout, option, sale,
assignment, mortgage or other transfer of all or a portion of the Offshore
Israel Project (each an “Offshore Israel Project
Transfer”), (A) the Company shall upon closing of such transaction pay to
ITC an amount equal to the Calculated Percentage (as defined below) of the gross
cash proceeds received by the Company or its Stockholders with respect to such
Offshore Israel Project Transfer (the “Cash Proceeds”) and (B) Bontan
Parent shall issue to ITC a warrant in substantially the form attached to the
Contribution Agreement as Exhibit D to purchase that number of shares of common
stock of Bontan Parent equal to (x) the Calculated Percentage of the fair market
value of all consideration received by the Company, including the cash proceeds
and any other consideration (calculated by reference to the estimated cost of
drilling wells to be undertaken by the transferee or of performing such other
work to be done by the transferee and provided for in any agreement made in
connection with the Offshore Israel Project Transfer, or as shall otherwise be
appropriate), divided by (y) the Market Price (as defined in the form of
Warrant) as of the date of issuance of the Warrant. Such warrants
shall have an initial exercise price equal to such Market Price and shall have a
term of five (5) years. The “Calculated Percentage” is
equal to 5% of the percentage ownership interest of Bontan in the Company at the
time of the triggering event in (A) or (B) above. For clarification,
the Calculated Percentage, based on the initial ownership interests of the
Parties at the date of this Agreement, is 3.75% (i.e., 75% of 5%).
(iii) ITC
shall also receive an amount equal to $50,000 for every $1,000,000 increase in
current assets received by the Company or Bontan Parent (without double
counting) from investors or other parties introduced by ITC to the Company or
Bontan Parent, calculated for each increase of current assets. Such
amount shall be payable to ITC within 15 days following such increase in current
assets, and shall be payable by whichever of the Company or Bontan Parent
receives the additional current assets.
(d) Director Benefits and
Taxes. The Director shall not be entitled to any unemployment
insurance, medical, disability or life insurance, bonus, or other benefits
provided by the Company to its employees by virtue of the Director’s service as
the Director of the Company. The Company shall not withhold taxes,
FICA or other payments out of any consideration payable to the Director
hereunder. The Company shall furnish the Director on a timely basis,
a Form 1099 covering the payments made to it hereunder, and the Director shall
pay all required foreign, federal, state and local taxes on the payments made to
it hereunder, including income tax, self-employment tax, Social Security tax and
other payroll taxes, as may be applicable. The Director will
indemnify and hold the Company harmless against any claim relating to such
taxes.
4. Information.
(a) The
Director shall cause the Company to provide all Stockholders and Bontan Parent
with such information as the Stockholders or Bontan Parent shall reasonably
request in connection with the management of the business and financial affairs
of the Company, including but not limited to, information reasonably requested
by Bontan Parent in order for Bontan Parent to satisfy its public reporting
obligations under U.S. and Canadian securities law, its obligations under the
Ontario Business Corporations Act and its internal controls documentation
requirements under the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations
thereunder (“SOX”). In
furtherance of the foregoing, the Director shall advise Bontan Parent as soon as
reasonably practicable of (i) the Company’s execution or termination of any
material contract, (ii) the Company’s acquisition or disposition of a
significant amount of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, or
(iii) if a material charge to any of the Company’s assets is required under
United States generally accepted accounting principals. The Director
also shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to maintain
its financial records in accordance with Bontan’s reasonable requests, and, if
requested to do so by Bontan Parent, the Company will appoint the same firm of
independent accountants as Bontan Parent utilizes to serve as the Company’s
independent accountants and will cooperate with such firm as to any quarterly
reviews or annual audit of financial statements. No less than
quarterly, the Company shall provide to the Stockholders unaudited operating
financial information. Unless Bontan Parent has otherwise arranged
for an annual audit of the Company’s financial statements, the Company shall
deliver audited financial statements to each Stockholder not later than 90 days
after the end of each calendar year. Each Stockholder and Bontan
Parent shall have the right, at its own expense, and upon at least seven
business days written notice to the Company, to inspect and audit the books and
records of the Company, such inspection to occur at reasonable times and shall
be subject to any applicable confidentiality restrictions in effect on the
Company. On a quarterly basis, the Company shall otherwise keep the
Stockholders and Bontan Parent reasonably informed of all material developments
affecting the Company and the Offshore Israel Project. The keeping of
the Company’s books and records, preparation of the Company’s unaudited
financial statements and annual audit (unless the auditors are designated by
Bontan Parent) is an expense of the Company. The provision of any
information requested by any Stockholder or Bontan Parent and the specific use
of any accounting firm at the request of Bontan Parent pursuant hereto shall be
at the sole cost and expense of the person (whether a Stockholder or Bontan
Parent) making such request, and each Stockholder and Bontan Parent agrees to
reimburse the Company and the Director for any such cost or
expense.
(b) ITC
acknowledges that, by virtue of Bontan’s equity interest in the Company, the
business and financial information of the Company is material to the business
and affairs of Bontan Parent. As such, ITC may be subject to certain
restrictions on trading in Bontan Parent’s securities when it is in possession
of non-public information that is material to the business and affairs of Bontan
Parent.
5. Restrictions on Sale or
Transfer of Interest/Shares.
(a) General
Prohibition. No Stockholder shall sell, assign, transfer,
give, pledge, encumber or in any way dispose of (collectively, a “Transfer”), any Shares, or
enter into an agreement to Transfer any Shares, without the Director’s prior
written consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, and unless (a)
such Stockholder has complied with the provisions of this Section 5, and (b) the
transferee of any such Shares has agreed to be bound by the terms of, and become
a party to, this Agreement. Any purported Transfer in violation of
any provision of this Agreement shall be void and ineffective and shall not
operate to Transfer any interest or title to the purported transferee, and
neither the Director nor any other Person shall be required to register such
prohibited Transfer on the books and records of the Company.
(b) Right of First
Refusal.
(i) If
at any time, other than pursuant to an Exempt Transfer (as defined below), any
Stockholder (a “Seller”)
desires to Transfer any or all of the Shares or any rights to Shares held by
such Seller to any Person, such Seller shall reduce to writing the terms
pursuant to which the Seller desires to Transfer such Shares (a “Transfer
Offer”). The Transfer Offer shall identify the number of
Shares to be transferred, the consideration payable for the Shares, if any, the
identity of the proposed transferee, and all the other terms and conditions of
such Transfer Offer. The Seller shall deliver the Transfer Offer to
the Company and the other Stockholders (each, a “Transfer Offeree” and
collectively, the “Transfer
Offerees”).
(ii) Subject
to the conditions set forth in Section 5(b)(i), each of the Transfer Offerees
shall have the right to purchase up to his, her or its pro rata portion of the
Shares offered in the Transfer Offer, on the terms therein, exercisable by
written notice to the Seller within 25 days of receipt of the Transfer
Offer. For purposes of this Section 5(b)(ii), pro rata portion is
determined by the respective Share holdings of each Transfer Offeree, expressed
as a percentage of the total number of Shares held by all Transfer
Offerees.
(iii) If,
after expiration of the 25-day period in Section 5(b)(ii), any Shares subject to
the Transfer Offer remain unsubscribed, then the Seller shall, by written notice
(the “Second Notice”) no
later than three business days after expiration of such 25-day period, offer the
Transfer Offerees who have elected to purchase Shares under Section 5(b)(ii)
(the “Participating Transfer
Offerees”) the right to purchase their pro rata portion of the
unsubscribed Shares, such right exercisable by written notice to the Seller
within five days of receipt of the Second Notice. The Second Notice
shall state the number of unsubscribed Shares and the pro rata portion of those
Shares for each Participating Transfer Offeree. For purposes of this
Section 5(b)(iii), pro rata portion is determined by the respective Share
holdings of each Participating Transfer Offeree, expressed as a percentage of
the total number of Shares held by all Participating Transfer
Offerees. Participating Transfer Offerees electing to purchase
unsubscribed Shares under this Section 5(b)(iii) may assign to each other some
or all of their pro rata portion.
(iv) If
the Transfer Offerees elect to purchase all, but not less than all, of the
Shares subject to the Transfer Offer, the closing of the purchases of Shares by
the Participating Transfer Offerees shall take place at the principal office of
the Company no more than 15 days after the expiration of the Transfer
Offer. At such closing, the Participating Transfer Offerees shall
deliver a certified check or checks or wire transfers of immediately available
funds in the appropriate amount to the Seller against delivery of certificates
representing the Shares so purchased, duly endorsed in blank for transfer or
accompanied by a stock power duly executed in blank. In the event
that the consideration specified in the Transfer Offer is other than cash, then
the Participating Transfer Offerees may, at their option, deliver at such
closing cash, in lieu of such other consideration, in an amount equal to the
fair market value of such other consideration, as agreed upon by the parties or
as determined by an independent appraisal, agreed upon by the
parties.
(v) The
right of first refusal granted to the Stockholders pursuant to this Section 5(b)
shall terminate with respect to a Transfer Offer if the Participating Transfer
Offerees elect to purchase less than all of the Shares offered in the Transfer
Offer. In that event, the Seller shall then have the right, for a
period of 50 days from the termination of the Transfer Offer, to Transfer all,
but not less than all, of the Shares subject to the Transfer Offer to the
proposed transferee in accordance with the terms of the Transfer
Offer. If the Seller has not completed the sale of all such Shares
within such 50-day period, the Seller shall no longer be permitted to Transfer
such remaining Shares pursuant to this Section 5(b) without again fully
complying with the provisions hereof.
(vi) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no Transfer may be made to any Person unless such Person agrees
in writing, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company, to be
bound by the provisions of this Agreement. Promptly after any
Transfer pursuant to this Section 5(b), the Seller shall notify the Company of
the consummation thereof and shall furnish such evidence of the completion,
including time of completion, of such Transfer and of the terms thereof as the
Company may reasonably request.
(c) Exempt
Transfer. As used herein, the term “Exempt Transfer” shall mean a
Transfer between a Stockholder and either (a) any Person that, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, has voting control of, is
controlled by, or is under common voting control with, such Stockholder; (b)
with respect to natural persons, such Stockholder’s spouse, parents, children,
siblings and/or grandchildren; (c) a trust, corporation, partnership or other
entity, whose beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, or owners, or other Persons
holding a controlling interest, consist of such Stockholder and/or such other
Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (a) or (b); (d) with
respect to any Stockholder that is a partnership, a limited partnership, a
limited liability company or a corporation, such Stockholder’s partners, members
or stockholders; or (e) the Company pursuant to the terms of an employment
agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement between such Stockholder
and the Company; provided that in the event of any Transfer made pursuant to one
of the exemptions provided by clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), (i) the
Stockholders shall inform the Company of such transfer and (ii) the transferee
shall enter into a written agreement to be bound by and comply with all
provisions of this Agreement, as if it were an original Stockholder hereunder,
as applicable.
(d) Opinion of
Counsel. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary,
if timely requested by the Company, no Stockholder shall Transfer any Shares
unless such Stockholder shall first obtain an opinion of counsel satisfactory to
the Company to the effect that such Transfer is either exempt from the
registration provisions of the Securities Act (as defined below) or that the
Securities Act is inapplicable to such Transfer.
6. Representations, Warranties
and Acknowledgments of the Stockholders. Each Stockholder
hereby acknowledges, and represents and warrants to the Company and the Initial
Director, that, (i) its investment in the Company and its rights hereunder
constitutes a “security” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities Act”)
and/or state “blue-sky” laws, (ii) its investment in the Company has not been
registered under the Securities Act or any state law, and that it is being sold
to the Stockholder in reliance upon an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act or any state law for transactions which do
not involve a public offering, (iii) the Stockholder may not sell, offer for
sale, transfer, pledge or hypothecate all or any part of its interest in the
Company in the absence of an effective registration statement covering such
interest under the Securities Act unless such sale, offer of sale, transfer,
pledge or hypothecation is exempt from registration under the Securities Act
(iv) except as to Bontan, the Stockholder is an “accredited investor” as such
term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities
Act, (v) the Stockholder is sophisticated with respect to, and has substantial
knowledge and experience in, business matters generally, and oil and gas
investments specifically, has made investments in oil and gas interests in the
past, and is capable of evaluating all the merits and risks of an investment in
the Company, (vi) the Stockholder has reviewed its investment in the Company
with its tax and legal counsel to the extent it deems the same advisable (vii)
the Stockholder is making its investment in the Company for its own account, for
investment, and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any
distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act, (viii) the Stockholder
recognizes that an investment in the Company is speculative and involves
substantial risk, and that oil and gas exploration and development, in
particular, is an unpredictable and high risk investment; and (ix) neither the
Company nor the Initial Director have made any guaranty or representation upon
which the Stockholder has relied concerning the possibility or probability of
profit or loss as a result of its membership interest in the Company and that
all information that the Stockholder has provided to the Company, concerning
itself and its financial position is true and accurate.
7. Other
Activities. The Director and each of the Stockholders, and any
of their respective affiliates, may engage in any other activities he or it
chooses, and it is specifically recognized that the Director and the
Stockholders, and their respective affiliates or affiliated Persons, are
currently or may hereafter be engaged in the exploration for, and production of,
oil and gas, both for their own accounts and for others, and nothing herein
shall prevent the Director, the Stockholders, or any of their respective
affiliates or related Persons, from engaging in such activities, individually or
jointly with others, in any locale. Neither the Director nor the Stockholders,
nor any of their respective affiliates or related persons, is required to offer
the other (or the Company) the right to participate in any other business,
activity or operation in which it may engage, and the Director and each of the
Stockholders hereby waive, relinquish and renounce any such right or claim of
participation.
8. Distributions other than
Upon Dissolution. Subject to Section 9 and the limitations and
requirements set forth in the Companies Law, the Company shall make
distributions to the Stockholders at such times and in such amounts as the
Director deems advisable; provided that each
Stockholder may require annual distributions of the minimum amount necessary to
cover its tax liability resulting from its ownership of the
Company.
9. Winding Up, Dissolution and
Distributions Upon Dissolution.
(a) Upon
dissolution of the Company, the Director shall wind up the business and affairs
of the Company, and shall cause all property and assets of the Company to be
distributed as follows:
(i) first,
all of the Company’s debts, liabilities, and obligations, of the Company shall
be paid in full or reserves therefor shall be set aside; and
(ii) any
remaining assets shall be distributed to the Stockholders in accordance with
their respective percentage equity interests in the Company.
(b) Upon
the completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided above, the
Company shall be terminated and the Director shall file the articles of
dissolution or other appropriate document as required by the Companies Law and
shall take such other actions as required by the Companies Law or as otherwise
may be necessary to terminate the Company.
10. Exculpation;
Indemnification. The Director shall not be liable to the
Company or any of the Stockholders for any act or failure to act, nor for any
errors of judgment, but only for willful misconduct or gross negligence in its
management of the business and affairs of the Company. The Company
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Director and the Director’s affiliates,
and any agents, officers, and employees, if any, of the Director and such
affiliates, from and against any and all loss, liability or damage incurred as a
result of any act or omission, or any error of judgment, related to the
Director’s management of the business and affairs of the Company unless such
loss, liability or damage results from the Director’s willful misconduct or
gross negligence. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless any
of the Company’s officers, agents, Stockholders and control Persons, as well as
their respective affiliates, from and against any and all loss, liability or
damage incurred as a result of any act or omission, or any error of judgment,
related to such officer’s, agent’s, Stockholder’s or control Person’s
performance of his or its duties or actions with respect to the Company, unless
such loss, liability or damage results from the willful misconduct or gross
negligence of such officer, agent, Stockholder or control Person. The
indemnification rights provided by this Section 10 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement and shall continue as to any Person who has ceased to be a
Director, officer, agent, Stockholder or control Person of the Company and shall
inure to the benefit of the personal representatives, heirs, executors and
administrators of such Person.
Notwithstanding
the above, it is a condition of any indemnification by the Company that, with
respect to the acts or omissions alleged, the prospective indemnitee (i) acted
in good faith, (ii) acted in a manner that such person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (iii) in the case of
a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person’s
conduct was unlawful.
11. Definitions. As
used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
“Person” means any individual,
sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation,
institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint stock company, estate,
entity or government agency.
12. Tax
Principles. The Director shall have sole authority to make all
tax elections and other decisions relating to taxes regarding the
Company. The Director shall cause the Company to timely elect (such
election to be effective from the formation of the Company) under applicable
U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes,
and to file any required forms (including U.S. Treasury Form 8832) with the
applicable taxing authorities. To the extent relevant for U.S. tax
purposes, as determined by the Director in its sole discretion:
(a) The
Company shall maintain capital accounts for its stockholders in accordance with
U.S. Treasury Regulation 1.704-1(b);
(b) All
"profit" or "loss" of the company shall be allocated in accordance with the
Stockholders percentage share ownership in the Company, and "profit" or "loss"
shall mean the profit or loss of the Company as determined under the capital
accounting rules of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) for purposes of
adjusting the capital accounts of the Stockholders, including, without
limitation, the provisions of paragraphs (b), (f) and (g) of those regulations
relating to the computation of items of income, gain, deduction and
loss;
(c) Notwithstanding
the preceding clause (b), the following allocations shall apply:
(i) the
"qualified income offset" provisions of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.704
1(b)(2)(ii)(d) are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to adjust
the allocation of profit and loss otherwise provided for under clause (b) to the
extent provided in that regulation;
(ii) the
"minimum gain" provisions of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.704 2 are
incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to adjust the allocation of
profit and loss otherwise provided for under clause (b) to the extent provided
in that regulation;
(iii) notwithstanding
the provisions of clause (b), if during any fiscal year of the Company the
allocation of any loss or deduction, net of any income or gain, to a Stockholder
would cause or increase a negative balance in a Stockholder’s capital account as
of the end of that fiscal year, only the amount of such loss or deduction that
reduces the balance to zero shall be allocated to the Stockholder and the
remaining amount shall be allocated to the other Stockholders. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, a capital account shall be reduced by the
adjustments, allocations and distributions described in U.S. Treasury
Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6), and increased by the
amount, if any, of the negative balance in the Stockholder's capital account
that the Stockholder is obligated to restore within the meaning of U.S. Treasury
Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) as of that time or is deemed obligated to
restore under U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(g)(1) or § 1.704 2(i)(5);
and
(iv) all
allocations pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this clause (c) (the
"Regulatory Allocations") shall be taken into account in computing allocations
of other items under clause (b), including, if necessary, allocations in
subsequent fiscal years, so that the net amounts reflected in the Stockholders’
capital accounts and the character for income tax purposes of the taxable income
recognized (e.g., as capital or ordinary) will, to the extent possible, be the
same as if no Regulatory Allocations had been given effect.
(d) The
Stockholders recognize that with respect to property contributed to the Company
by a Stockholder and with respect to property revalued in accordance with U.S.
Treasury Regulation § 1.704 1(b)(2)(iv)(f), there will be a difference between
the agreed values or "carrying values" of such property at the time of
contribution or revaluation and the adjusted tax basis of such property at that
time. All items of tax depreciation, cost recovery, amortization,
amount realized and gain or loss with respect to such assets shall be allocated
among the Stockholders to take into account the book-tax disparities in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and the U.S. Treasury Regulations
under those sections;
(e) In
the event of a Transfer of Shares, Section 706 of the Code will apply to
allocations of profit or loss in the year of the transfer, as determined by the
Director;
(f) To
the extent required as determined by the Director in its sole discretion, the
Company shall file all applicable U.S. tax returns and make all required tax
reporting to the Stockholders, and withhold from any distributions to
Stockholders any U.S. taxes required to be withheld under the Code and
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations; and
(g) The
Director shall be the "tax matters partner" under Section 6231(a) of the
Code.
In
discharging the Director’s responsibilities as tax matters partner, the Director
agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the non-U.S. status of
the Company so as to minimize the potential for Bontan and Bontan Parent to
become subject to U.S. tax withholding, payment or filing requirements; provided
that, the Parties acknowledge and agree that ITC shall be managed within the
United States and shall carry out some or all of its responsibilities as a
Director of the Company within the United States, and this sentence shall not
prevent ITC from any of such activities.
13. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, along with the Articles of
Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, the Contribution
Agreement, and any exhibits hereto and thereto, along with any other documents
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or pursuant to the Option Agreement
constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties
with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof and no party shall be liable or
bound to any other in any manner by any oral or written representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein and
therein. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the
Articles of Association or the Memorandum of Association of the Company, the
provisions of this Agreement will control. Each party expressly represents and
warrants that it is not relying on any oral or written representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements outside of this Agreement.
14. Amendment. This
Agreement may be amended by an instrument in writing signed by each of the
parties hereto and approved in the manner prescribed in Section 2(e)
above.
15. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (but not including the choice
of law rules thereof).
16. Notices. All
notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b)
when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal
business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next Business Day, (c) five
(5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written
verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the
party to be notified at the address as set forth below or at such other address
as such party may designate by ten days advance written notice to the other
parties hereto.
The
Company:
Israel
Petroleum Company, Limited
c/o
International Three Crown Petroleum, LLC
P.O. Box
774327
Steamboat
Springs, Colorado 80477
Attn: H.
Howard Cooper
ITC:
International
Three Crown Petroleum, LLC
P.O. Box
774327
Steamboat
Springs, Colorado 80477
Attn: H.
Howard Cooper
Bontan
and Bontan Parent:
47 Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5R 2G3
Attention: Kam Shah,
Chairman and CEO
17. Severability. In
the event one or more of the provisions of this Agreement should, for any
reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such
invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein.
18. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
19. Binding
Effect. The provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of,
and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective successors,
assigns, heirs, executors and administrators and other legal
representatives.
20. Assignment. No
party hereto shall assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the other parties, which may be withheld in
their absolute discretion, and any purported assignment by a party without such
prior consent shall be void.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
\\\DE
- - 075764/000630 - 435319 v10
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the
undersigned have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first above
written.
STOCKHOLDERS:
INTERNATIONAL
THREE CROWN PETROLEUM LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
By:_________/s/_____________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
ALLIED
VENTURES INCORPORATED, a Belize corporation
By:_____________/s/____________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
BONTAN OIL & GAS
CORPORATION,
an Ontario corporation
By:___________/s/______________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
AS
TO THOSE MATTERS SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO HEREIN:
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation
By:__________/s/_______________________
Name:
______________________________
Title:
_______________________________
[signatures continued on next
page]
Signature
Page to Stockholders Agreement
\\\DE
- - 075764/000630 - 435319 v10
COMPANY:
ISRAEL
PETROLEUM COMPANY, LIMITED, a Cayman Islands limited company
|
By:
|
INTERNATIONAL
THREE CROWN PETROLEUM LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company
|
By:____/s/______________________
Name: H.
Howard Cooper
Title:
Manager
INITIAL DIRECTOR:
INTERNATIONAL
THREE CROWN PETROLEUM LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
By:_______/s/______________________
Name: H. Howard Cooper
Title: Manager
Signature
Page to Stockholders Agreement
\\\DE
- - 075764/000630 - 435319 v10
warrantcert_petromed.htm
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
T: 416-929-1806
F: 416-929-6612
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
-
and -
PETROMED
CORPORATION
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
- and
- -
PETROMED
CORPORATION
22,853,058 WARRANTS
Certificate
No.: PM –W2-09
Warrant Certificate No. PM-W2-09
No.
of Warrants :
22,853,058
Void
After 4:00 p.m (Toronto time) on NOVEMBER 13, 2016
THIS
WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR
OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR, IN
THE OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY; AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS.
UNLESS
PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY
SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY
AFTER THE CLOSING DATE.
WARRANT
CERTIFICATE
FOR THE PURCHASE OF COMMON
SHARES OF
BONTAN CORPORATION
INC.
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT, for
value received, PetroMed
Corporation a
Belize corporation, having an address of No. 35, New Road,P.O.Box 1708, Belize
City, Belize, Central America (the "Warrant Holder") shall have the right
to purchase from BONTAN
CORPORATION, INC. an Ontario Corporation ("BONTAN"), upon and subject to
the terms and conditions hereinafter stated in this certificate (the "Warrant
Certificate") one fully paid and non-assessable common share of BONTAN (``Warrant Share``) for each
one (1) warrant specified above under "No. of Warrants" at the price of $4.00 US
Funds per common share in lawful money of the United States until 4:00 p.m.
Toronto time on or before November 16,
2016.
The right
to purchase common shares of BONTAN may only be exercised by the Warrant Holder
within the time hereinbefore set out by: (a) duly completing and executing the
subscription form attached hereto, in the manner therein indicated; (b)
surrendering this Warrant Certificate to BONTAN at 47 Avenue Road, Suite 200,
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2G3; and (c) paying the appropriate purchase price for the
common shares of BONTAN subscribed for by a wire transfer to the following
account of BONTAN.
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
HSBC
Bank Canada, Branch # 10362, 150 Bloor St. West
Suite
M100, Toronto, ON M5S 2Y5
Account
# 066663-070 Bank Code 001, Branch Code 00022
Bank
Phone # 416-968-7622
Swift:
MRMDUS33
Correspondent
bank in US: HSBC Bank USA, New York, NY
Or by a
certified cheque to be delivered to the BONTAN’s corporate office at 47 Avenue
Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2G3, Canada.
Upon
surrender and payment, BONTAN will issue to the Warrant Holder the number of
common shares subscribed for. Within five business days of surrender and payment
BONTAN will mail to the Warrant Holder a certificate evidencing the common
shares subscribed for. If the Warrant Holder subscribes for a lesser number of
common shares than the number of shares permitted by this Warrant Certificate,
BONTAN shall forthwith cause to be delivered to the Warrant Holder a further
warrant certificate in respect of the common shares referred to in this Warrant
Certificate but not subscribed for.
Save and
except in the case of the issuance of additional shares of BONTAN for
consideration, if the issued and outstanding shares of BONTAN are changed by a
subdivision, consolidation, reduction in capital or by any other capital
reorganization or reclassification of the capital stock of BONTAN, or
consolidation or merger of BONTAN with another corporation shall be effected,
then, the warrants herein shall be adjusted and lawful and adequate provision
shall be made whereby the Warrant Holder hereof shall thereafter have the right
to purchase and receive upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions
specified in this warrant certificate and in lieu of the shares of BONTAN
immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the
rights represented hereby, such shares of stock, securities or assets as may be
issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for a number of outstanding
shares equal to the number of shares of such stock immediately theretofore
purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the warrants represented hereby
had such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation or merger not taken
place, and in any such case appropriate provision shall be made with respect to
the rights and interest of the Warrant Holder.
THE
WARRANTS AND THE SECURITIES UNDERLYING THE WARRANTS REPRESENTED
HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENEDED (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”) OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, EXERCISED OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO BONTAN CORPORATION INC. (B) OUTSIDE THE UNTIED STATES IN
COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS S UNDER THE U.S SECURITIES ACT, (C) IN COMPLIANCE
WITH AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY
RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF AVAILABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE
SECRITIES LAW, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM RESIGTRATION UNDER THE
U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; AND BONTAN
CORPORATION INC. SHALL HAVE RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCETABLE
TO BONTAN CORPORATION INC. CONFIRMING THE AVAILABILITY OF AN EXEMPTION
FOR ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER UNDER CLAUSES (B) THROUGH (D)
ABOVE.
UNLESS
PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY
SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY
AFTER THE CLOSING DATE.
FURTHER,
THE TRANSFERABILITY OR SALE OF THE WARRANTS AND THE SECURITIES UNDERLYING THE
WARRANTS COVERED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE RESTRICTED FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS
AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUANCE AND AS TO 50% OF THE SHARES FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIX
MONTHS PERIOD THEREAFTER.
All
securities issued upon the exercise this warrant shall bear the legends set
forth in this Warrant Certificate. The holding of this Warrant
Certificate will not entitle the Warrant Holder to any right or interest as a
shareholder of BONTAN.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, BONTAN has
caused this Warrant Certificate to be issued as of the November 13,
2009
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
Per:
/s/ Kam
Shah
Kam Shah,
CEO
pledgeagmt_castlerock.htm
STOCK PLEDGE
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made
and entered into as of the 12th day
of November,
2009
by and between Castle Rock
Resources II, LLC a corporation duly organized under the laws of The State of
Colorado, USA (the "Pledgee") and Bontan
Corporation Inc., a corporation duly organized under the laws of Province of
Ontario, Canada ("Pledgor");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS the Pledgor, as Borrower, has
entered into that certain loan evidenced by a Promissory Note in favour of the
Pledgee as Lender dated 12th day
of November,
2009 in
the principal sum of US$850,000
(as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Promissory Note"), the terms
and provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, terms which are defined in the
Promissory Note and which are used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall
have the same meanings herein as ascribed thereto in the Promissory Note;
and
WHEREAS, to induce the Lender to extend
credit to the Pledgor, the Pledgor has agreed to make and enter into this
Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, for $10.00 and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, and to induce the Pledgee to extend credit to the Pledgor, the
Pledgor hereby agrees as follows:
1.
|
The
Pledgor does hereby pledge, hypothecate, assign, transfer, set over,
deliver and grant a security interest in and to the Pledgee, in all that
stock of the Pledgor set forth and described on Schedule "A", attached
hereto and by reference made a part hereof, together with any and all
other securities, cash or other property at any time and from time to time
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any
or all of such pledged stock, and together with the proceeds thereof
(hereinafter said property being collectively referred to as the "Stock
Collateral"), all as security for the payment and performance when due of
any and all obligations of the Pledgor, as Borrower, to the Pledgee, as
Lender, under the loan evidenced by the Promissory Note (the
"Obligations").
|
2.
|
The
Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that the Pledgee shall hold the Stock
Collateral, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges
and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto forever, subject,
however, to return of the Stock Collateral (or such portion thereof as may
be existing from time to time hereafter after giving effect to the terms
hereof) by the Pledgee or the Pledgor upon payment and performance in full
of all the obligations and termination by the Lender in writing of any and
all credit commitments with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any cash dividends received under the Stock Collateral shall
first be used to retire the Principal Sum and the Pledgee shall have the
right to exercise all voting rights under the Stock Collateral until all
accrued interest and the Principal Sum are paid in
full.
|
3.
|
In
order to induce the Pledgee to accept this Agreement, the Pledgor hereby
represents and warrants to the
Pledgee:
|
|
(i)
|
that
the Pledgor has the complete and unconditional authority to pledge the
Stock Collateral, holds (or will hold on the date of the pledge hereof)
the Stock Collateral free and clear of any and all liens, charges,
encumbrances and security interests thereon (other than in favour of the
Pledgee) and has (or will have on the date of the pledge thereof) good
right, title and legal authority to pledge the Stock Collateral in the
manner contemplated herein; and
|
|
(ii)
|
that
all stock now owned or hereafter owned by the Pledgor and constituting or
which will constitute Stock Collateral hereunder is, or will be on the
date of the pledge thereof, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
|
4.
|
The
Pledgor further covenants with the Pledgee that the Pledgor will cause any
additional securities or other property issued to or received by the
Pledgor with respect to any of the Stock Collateral, whether for value
paid by the Pledgor or otherwise, to be deposited forthwith with the
Pledgee and pledged hereunder, in each case accompanied by proper
instruments of assignment duly executed by the Pledgor in such form as may
be required by the Agent.
|
5.
|
The
Pledgor further acknowledges and agrees that the Pledgee may hold any of
the Stock Collateral in its own name for its benefit, endorsed or signed
in blank or in the name of any nominee or nominees, and the Pledgee, after
occurrence of a default in payment under the Promissory Note, may deliver
any or all of the Stock Collateral to the issuer or issuers thereof for
the purpose of making denominational exchanges or registrations or
transfer or for such other purposes in furtherance of this Agreement as
the Pledgee may deem advisable.
|
6.
|
The
Pledgor hereby agrees that it will not assign, attempt to encumber,
subject to further pledge or security interest, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of the Stock Collateral without the prior written
consent of the Pledgee.
|
7.
|
From
and after the occurrence of a default in payment under the Promissory
Note, the Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that the Pledgee shall be
entitled to collect and receive all distributions in respect of the Stock
Collateral and that the Pledgee may exercise any and all rights and
remedies of the Pledgor with respect thereto, including, but not limited
to, sale and voting rights, in addition to the exercise by the Pledgee of
any and all rights, powers and remedies of the Pledgee existing by law or
agreement.
|
8.
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the province of Ontario
and shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.
|
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed under seal as of
the date first above written.
|
Bontan Corporation
Inc.
[Missing Graphic
Reference]
Kam
Shah, CEO__ /s/ __
(Authorized
Signing Officer)
Castle
Rock Resouces II, LLC
Per:
_______/s/___________________
_
_________________/s/___________
(Authorized
Signing Officer)
Schedule
"A"
Stock
Collateral:
1,125 Shares
of Israel
Petroleum Company Limited
warrant_itc.htm
THIS
WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OR REDEMPTION HEREOF HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED,
HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF OR EXERCISED UNLESS (I) A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT REGISTERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR (II) THE
COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER
MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (III) SUCH SECURITIES
ARE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A.
UNLESS
PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY
SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITY ON PUBLIC MARKETS IN CANADA BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS
FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF THIS
WARRANT.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
of
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
THIS
CERTIFIES that INTERNATIONAL THREE CROWN PETROLEUM LLC, a Colorado limited
liability company, or any subsequent holder hereof (“Holder”) has the
right to purchase from BONTAN CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation (the
“Company”), up
to Five Million (5,000,000) fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s
common stock (“Common
Stock”), subject to adjustment as provided herein, at a price of US$0.35
per share, subject to adjustment as provided herein, at any time during the Term
(as defined below). The shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant
is exercisable, as the same may be adjusted pursuant hereto, are referred to
herein as the “Shares,” and the per
share exercise price for the Shares, as the same may be adjusted pursuant
hereto, is referred to herein as the “Exercise
Price.”
By
accepting this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of the Company (this “Warrant” or this
“Agreement”),
Holder agrees that its rights hereunder shall be held subject to all of the
terms, conditions, limitations and provisions set forth herein.
1. Date
of Issuance and Term.
This
Warrant shall be deemed to be issued on November 14, 2009 (the “Date of Issuance”).
The term of this Warrant begins on the Date of Issuance and ends at 5:00 p.m.
Eastern time on the fifth (5th)
anniversary thereof (the “Term”).
2. Mechanics of
Exercise.
(a) Manner of
Exercise. This Warrant may
be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the Term by delivery to
the Company, by facsimile, electronic mail or overnight courier in accordance
with Section 10(g), of a duly completed and executed Exercise Form in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Form”), and
within three (3) Trading Days thereafter, payment in full of the Exercise Price
(which may be satisfied by a Cash Exercise or a Cashless Exercise, as each is
defined below) for each Share as to which this Warrant is exercised (the “Aggregate Exercise
Price”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company
until Holder has purchased all of the Shares available hereunder and this
Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, Holder shall surrender this
Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the
date the final Exercise Form is delivered to the Company. Partial
exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total
number of Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the total
number of Shares thereafter purchasable hereunder by an amount equal to the
aggregate number of Shares so purchased. Holder and the Company shall maintain
records showing the number of Shares purchased and the dates of such
purchases.
(b) Payment of Exercise
Price. Payment of the Exercise Price may be made by either of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Holder:
(i) Cash
Exercise: Holder may pay the Exercise Price in cash, bank or
cashier’s check, or by wire transfer (a “Cash Exercise”);
or
(ii) Cashless
Exercise: Holder may convert this
Warrant, in whole or in part, into a number of Shares determined using the
following formula (a “Cashless
Exercise”):
X = Y (A-B)/A
|
where:
|
X =
the number of Shares to be issued to
Holder.
|
|
Y =
the number of Shares for which this Warrant is being
exercised
|
|
A =
the Market Price of one (1) share of Common
Stock
|
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Market Price,” as of
any date, means the average Volume Weighted Average Price (as defined below) of
the Common Stock over the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period
immediately preceding the date in question, and the “Volume Weighted Average
Price” as of any date means the volume weighted average sale price of the
Common Stock on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such
security is listed or traded (the “Trading Market”) as
reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets or an equivalent, reliable reporting
service mutually acceptable to Holder and the Company (“Bloomberg”), or, if
no volume weighted average sale price is reported for such security, then the
last closing trade price of such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no
last closing trade price is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average
of the bid prices of any market makers for such security that are listed in the
over the counter market by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or
in the “pink sheets” by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. If the
Volume Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated for such security on such
date in the manner provided above, the Volume Weighted Average Price shall be
the fair market value as mutually determined by Holder and the
Company.
For
purposes of Rule 144 of the Securities Act and sub-section (d)(3)(ii) thereof,
it is intended, understood and acknowledged that the Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of this Warrant pursuant to a Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have
been acquired at the time this Warrant was issued. Moreover, it is intended,
understood and acknowledged that the holding period for the Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of this Warrant pursuant to a Cashless Exercise shall be
deemed to have commenced on the date this Warrant was issued.
(c) Date of Exercise. The “Date of Exercise” of
all or any portion of this Warrant shall be the first (1st) date on which both
the Exercise Form and the Aggregate Exercise Price with respect to such exercise
shall have been delivered to the Company. In the case of a Cashless
Exercise, the Aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares being issued upon such
Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have been delivered and paid in full upon
Holder’s delivery of the Exercise Form properly electing such Cashless Exercise.
Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of
record of the Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised (the
“Exercise
Shares”) as of the applicable Date of Exercise, irrespective of the date
such Exercise Shares are credited to Holder’s Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) account or the
date of delivery of certificates evidencing such Exercise Shares, as the case
may be.
(d) Delivery of Shares Upon
Exercise. Within ten (10) Trading Days after the Date of Exercise
(the “Delivery
Period”), the Company shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer
agent (the “Transfer
Agent”) to issue and deliver, the Exercise Shares (and the certificates
evidencing the same) to Holder by crediting Holder’s prime broker account with
the DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (“DWAC”) system if the
Company is a participant in such system, and otherwise by delivering to Holder
one (1) or more physical stock certificates evidencing the Exercise Shares. The
Company shall, at its own cost and expense, take all reasonable steps, to ensure
such delivery, including obtaining and delivering an opinion of counsel, to
assure that the Transfer Agent shall issue stock certificates representing the
Exercise Shares in the name of Holder (or its nominee) or such other persons as
designated by Holder and in such denominations as specified by Holder. The
Company warrants that no instructions contrary to these instructions have been,
or will be given, to the Transfer Agent and that, provided that at least one (1)
of the Unrestricted Conditions (as defined below) is met and unless waived by
Holder, the Exercise Shares will be free-trading, and freely transferable, and
will not contain a legend restricting the resale or transferability of the
Exercise Shares.
(e) Delivery Failure. In addition to
any other remedies which may be available to Holder, in the event that the
Company fails for any reason to effect delivery of the Exercise Shares by the
end of the Delivery Period, Holder will be entitled to rescind all or any part
of the applicable exercise of this Warrant, by delivering a notice to such
effect to the Company, whereupon the Company and Holder shall each be restored
to their respective positions immediately prior to the delivery of the Exercise
Form applicable to such exercise to the extent of such rescission.
(f) Buy-In. In
addition to any other rights available to Holder, if the Company fails to
transmit or to cause its Transfer Agent to credit Holder’s DTC account or
otherwise transmit to Holder a certificate or certificates representing the
Exercise Shares on or before the expiration of the Delivery Period (other than a
failure caused by any incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to
the Company hereunder or the negligence of the Transfer Agent), and if after
such date Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market
transaction or otherwise) or Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases shares
of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by Holder of the Exercise
Shares that Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the
Company shall: (1) pay in cash to Holder the amount by which (x) Holder’s
total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of
Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying
(A) the number of Exercise Shares that the Company was required to deliver
to Holder in connection with the exercise at issue, times (B) the price at
which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed; and
(2) at the option of Holder, either (a) reinstate the portion of the
Warrant and equivalent number of Shares for which such exercise was not honored
or (b) deliver to Holder certificate(s) representing the number of shares of
Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with
its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if
Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover
a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise to cover the sale of Common Stock
with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000,
under subsection (1) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company
shall be required to pay Holder $1,000. Holder shall provide the Company written
notice indicating the amounts payable to Holder in respect of the Buy-In,
together with applicable confirmations and other evidence reasonably requested
by the Company. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other
remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without
limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with
respect to the Company’s failure to timely credit Holder’s DTC account or
otherwise deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock upon exercise
of this Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
3. Registration
of Shares.
(a) Registration. All
Shares issuable hereunder shall, prior to such issuance, be registered by the
Company pursuant to an effective registration statement (the “Registration
Statement”) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”). No later than
sixty (60) days following the Date of Issuance, the Company shall file a
Registration Statement with the SEC covering the maximum number of Shares
issuable hereunder. To the extent that any Shares issuable hereunder are not
otherwise covered by an effective Registration Statement, the Company agrees
that, promptly following any request therefor from Holder, it shall prepare and
file with the SEC a Registration Statement covering such Shares. The Company
shall use its best efforts to cause any Registration Statement required to be
filed by it pursuant hereto to become effective as soon as possible after such
filing and to remain effective so long as any Shares are issuable
hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
Company may delay or suspend the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or
the use of any prospectus forming a part of a Registration Statement due to the
non-disclosure of material, non-public information concerning Company, the
disclosure of which at the time would, in the good faith opinion of the
Company’s Board of Directors after consultation with counsel, result in a
material adverse effect on the Company, provided that no such periods
of delay shall individually exceed seventy-five (75) days or in the aggregate
exceed seventy-five (75) days during any twelve (12)-month
period.
(b) Failure to
Register. In the event the Registration Statement has not been
filed with the SEC within sixty (60) days following the Date of Issuance, or
such Registration Statement is not declared effective prior to the date that is
nine (9) months following the Date of Issuance, then, in each
case, on the date of such failure, the number of Shares for which
this Warrant is then exercisable shall be increased by two percent
(2.0%). In addition, for each subsequent thirty (30) day period
during which the Registration Statement is not filed or effective (whether or
not the Registration Statement had previously been declared effective) for any
reason, the number of Shares for which this Warrant is then exercisable shall be
increased by one percent (1.0%). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no
event shall the total number of Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable
exceed 5,500,000 (provided that such number shall be adjusted to account for any
adjustment to the number of Shares purchasable hereunder pursuant hereto,
including pursuant to Section 5 hereof).
(c) Information by
Holder. The Holder shall furnish to the Company such
information regarding the Holder and the distribution proposed by the Holder as
the Company may reasonably request and as shall be reasonably required in
connection with any registration referred to in Section 3(a).
4. Restrictive
Legends
(a) Restrictive Legend.
Holder understands that until such time as this Warrant or the Exercise Shares
have been registered under the Securities Act or otherwise may be sold pursuant
to Rule 144 of the Securities Act or an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act without any restriction as to the number of securities as of a
particular date that can then be immediately sold, this Warrant and the Exercise
Shares, as applicable, shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the
following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of the
certificates for such securities):
“THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAW, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED,
HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF OR EXERCISED UNLESS (I) A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT REGISTERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR (II) THE
COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER
MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (III) SUCH SECURITIES
ARE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A.
UNLESS
PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY
SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITY ON PUBLIC MARKETS IN CANADA BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS
FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF THIS
WARRANT.”
(b) Removal of Restrictive
Legends. The certificates evidencing the Exercise Shares shall
not contain any legend restricting the transfer thereof: (i) while a
registration statement covering the resale of such Exercise Shares is effective
under the Securities Act (provided that, if the Holder is selling pursuant to
such registration statement, the Holder agrees to only sell such Exercise Shares
during such time that such registration statement is effective and not withdrawn
or suspended) or, (ii) following any sale of such Exercise Shares pursuant to
Rule 144 of the Securities Act (if the Holder is not an Affiliate of the
Company), or (iii) if such Exercise Shares are eligible for sale under Rule
144(b)(1)(i) of the Securities Act, or (iv) if such legend is not required
under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial
interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the SEC) and the
Company shall have received an opinion of counsel of Holder, satisfactory to the
Company, to such effect (collectively, the “Unrestricted
Conditions”). If any of the Unrestricted Conditions is met at
the time of issuance of any Exercise Shares, then such Exercise Shares shall be
issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that following the
Effective Date or at such other time as any of the Unrestricted Conditions is
met or a restrictive legend is otherwise no longer required, it will, no later
than ten (10) Trading Days following the delivery by Holder to the Company
or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Exercise Shares and issued
with or containing a restrictive legend, deliver or cause to be delivered to
Holder a certificate (or electronic transfer) representing such Exercise Shares
that is free from all restrictive and other legends. For purposes hereof, “Effective Date” shall
mean the date that a Registration Statement covering the Exercise Shares shall
have been declared effective by the SEC.
5. Notice; Adjustments
Upon Certain Events.
(a) Notice. Holder,
as the holder of this Warrant, shall be entitled to receive notice of
all matters as to which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to, or
otherwise do, receive notice concurrently with the notice provided to the
holders of the Common Stock.
(b) Subsequent Equity
Sales. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall issue or sell, or shall grant any warrant, option or other
right to purchase or otherwise acquire, any Common Stock or any security
convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, with or without
consideration, any Common Stock (any such warrant, option, right or security
(other than the Common Stock) a “Convertible
Security”), at an Effective Price (as defined below) that is less than
the Exercise Price, or if the holder of any Common Stock or Convertible
Securities shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price
adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices,
or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued
in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock
at an Effective Price that is less than the Exercise Price (any such sale,
issuance, grant, adjustment or reset, a “Dilutive Issuance”),
which adjustment or reset shall, for the purposes hereof, be deemed to be an
issuance of the number of shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities so
effected as of the date of such reset or adjustment, then
(i) the Exercise Price shall be reduced
(and only reduced) by multiplying the Exercise Price by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Dilutive Issuance, plus (B) the total
number of shares of Common Stock issuable (prior to giving effect to any
adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive Issuance) upon the
exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities outstanding immediately prior
to the Dilutive Issuance and with an Effective Price (prior to giving effect to
any adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive Issuance) that is
less than the Effective Price of the security or securities being offered in the
Dilutive Issuance, plus (C) the number of shares of Common Stock that the
Aggregate Consideration (as defined below) received or deemed received by the
Company in connection with the Dilutive Issuance would purchase at the Exercise
Price (prior to giving effect to the adjustment required by this Section 5(b) in
connection with such Dilutive Issuance), and the denominator of which shall be
the sum of (X) the number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Dilutive Issuance plus (Y) the total number of shares
of Common Stock issuable (prior to giving effect to any adjustment
required by in connection with such Dilutive Issuance) upon the exercise or
conversion of Convertible Securities outstanding immediately prior to the
Dilutive Issuance and with an Effective Price (prior to giving effect to any
adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive Issuance) that is less
than the Effective Price of the security or securities being offered in the
Dilutive Issuance, plus (Z) the number of shares of Common Stock issued or
deemed issued in connection with the Dilutive Issuance; and
(ii) the number of Shares
issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the Aggregate Exercise Price
payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price,
shall be equal to the Aggregate Exercise Price prior to such
adjustment. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock
or Convertible Securities are issued or deemed issued.
The
Company shall notify Holder in writing of any Dilutive Issuance, no later than
the Trading Day following such Dilutive Issuance, indicating therein the
applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price or
conversion price, as applicable, and any other pricing terms (such notice the
“Dilutive Issuance
Notice”), and stating therein the number of Shares then purchasable
hereunder and the Exercise Price therefor, as calculated in accordance with this
Section 5(b). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the
Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 5(b), upon
the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, after the date of such Dilutive
Issuance, Holder shall be entitled to purchase, upon exercise of this Warrant,
the number of Shares determined and at the Exercise Price calculated in
accordance with this Section 5(b).
For the
purpose of making any adjustment required by this Section 5(b), the
aggregate consideration received by the Company for any issue or sale of Common
Stock or Convertible Securities (the “Aggregate
Consideration”) shall be the sum or all consideration received or deemed
received by the Company determined as follows: (i) to the extent such
consideration consists of cash, the gross amount of such cash received by the
Company before deduction of any underwriting or similar commissions,
compensation or concessions paid or allowed by the Company in connection with
such issue or sale and without deduction of any expenses payable by the Company,
(ii) to the extent such consideration consists of property other than cash, the
fair value of that property as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board
of Directors, (iii) if Common Stock or Convertible Securities are issued or sold
together with other stock or securities or other assets of the Company for
consideration that covers both, the portion of the consideration so received or
deemed received that may be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company’s
Board of Directors to be allocable to such Common Stock or Convertible
Securities, and (iv) if the Company issues or sells Convertible Securities, the
Company shall be deemed to have issued at the time of the issuance of such
Convertible Securities the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise or conversion thereof and to have received as consideration for
the issuance of such shares an amount equal to the total amount of the
consideration, if any, received by the Company for the issuance of such
Convertible Securities plus the
minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the
exercise or conversion of such Convertible Securities in full; provided that if the minimum
amounts of such consideration cannot be ascertained, but are a function of
antidilution or similar protective clauses, then the Company shall be deemed to
have received the minimum amounts of consideration without reference to such
clauses. If the minimum amounts of consideration payable to the
Company upon the exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities is reduced
over time or on the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified events other than
by reason of antidilution adjustments, the Effective Price shall be recalculated
using the figure to which such minimum amount of consideration is reduced; provided further, that if the
minimum amounts of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or
conversion of such Convertible Securities is subsequently increased, the
Effective Price shall again be recalculated using the increased minimum amounts
of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or conversion of such
Convertible Securities. No further adjustment to the number of Shares
purchasable hereunder or the Exercise Price shall be made as a result of the
actual issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise or conversion of
Convertible Securities.
The
“Effective
Price” of Common Stock shall mean the quotient determined by dividing the
total number of shares of Common Stock issued or sold, or deemed to have been
issued or sold by the Company under this Section 5(b), into the Aggregate
Consideration received, or deemed to have been received by the Company for such
issuance under this Section 5(b), for such shares of Common
Stock. In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock or the
Effective Price cannot be ascertained at the time of issuance, such shares of
Common Stock shall be deemed issued immediately upon the occurrence of the first
event that makes such number of shares or the Effective Price, as applicable,
ascertainable.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no adjustment shall be made under this Section 5(b) in respect of
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable (i) to officers, directors, employees
of, or consultants to, the Company, pursuant to a stock option or purchase plan
or agreements on terms approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, (ii) upon
exercise of options or warrants outstanding on the date hereof, (iii) as
consideration in a merger, consolidation, acquisition or similar
business combination that is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, (iv)
pursuant to a borrowing or commercial financing arrangement with parties not
affiliated with the Company that is approved by the Company’s Board of
Directors, or (v) pursuant to that certain Contribution and Assignment Agreement
dated as of November 14, 2009 (the “Contribution Agreement”) among the Holder,
the Company, Allied Ventures Incorporated and Israel Petroleum Company, Limited,
but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any securities issued in the
connection with the Financings (as defined in the Contribution Agreement)
contemplated thereby.
(c) Stock Split, Stock Divided,
Recapitalization or Reclassification. If the Company shall
at any time issue a stock dividend or effect a stock split, recapitalization,
reclassification or other similar transaction of such character that additional
shares of Common Stock shall be issued to the Holders of Common Stock for no
consideration or the shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or become
exchangeable for a larger or smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then upon
the effective date thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock which Holder
shall be entitled to purchase upon exercise of this Warrant shall be increased
or decreased, as the case may be, in direct proportion to the increase or
decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated on a
fully diluted basis) by reason of such recapitalization, reclassification or
similar transaction, and the Exercise Price shall be, in the case of an increase
in the number of shares, proportionally decreased and, in the case of decrease
in the number of shares, proportionally increased. The Company shall give Holder
the same notice it provides to holders of Common Stock of any transaction
described in this Section 5(c).
(d) Fundamental
Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, (i) the Company effects any merger or consolidation of the Company
with or into another Person, (ii) the Company effects any sale of all or
substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions,
(iii) any tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another
Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to
tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property, or (iv)
the Company effects any reclassification of the Common Stock or any compulsory
share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into
or exchanged for other securities (other than Common Stock of the Company), cash
or property (any such case, a “Fundamental
Transaction”), then, Holder shall have the right, upon any subsequent
exercise of this Warrant, to receive, for each Share that would have been
issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such
Fundamental Transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor
or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation,
and any additional consideration (the “Alternate
Consideration”) receivable upon or as a result of such reorganization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets by a holder of
the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable
immediately prior to such event. For purposes of any such exercise,
the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply
to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration
issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental
Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the
Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of
any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common
Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received
in a Fundamental Transaction, then Holder shall be given, the same choice as to
the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant
following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall give Holder
the same notice it provides to holders of Common Stock of any Fundamental
Transaction, but in no event shall the Company provide Holder such notice later
than fifteen (15) days prior to the consummation of the Fundamental
Transaction.
(e) Fundamental Transaction
Agreements. To the extent necessary to give effect to Holder’s
rights hereunder, any agreement pursuant to which a Fundamental Transaction is
effected shall include terms requiring the successor to the Company or the
surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction, as applicable, to give effect
to, and to comply with, the provisions of this Agreement, and any such successor
or surviving entity shall issue to Holder a new warrant consistent with this
Agreement and evidencing Holder’s right to exercise such warrant into Alternate
Consideration and ensuring that this Warrant (or any such replacement security)
will be similarly adjusted upon any subsequent transaction analogous to a
Fundamental Transaction.
(f) Notice of
Adjustments. In the event that at
any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 5 or
otherwise, Holder shall, upon exercise of this Warrant, become entitled to
receive a different number Shares and/or any other securities, property or
assets, or if the Exercise Price shall be adjusted, then, (i) the Company shall
promptly mail to Holder a notice (an “Adjustment Notice”)
setting forth the number of Shares and/or any other securities, property or
assets, and the Exercise Price, after giving effect to such adjustment and
setting forth a statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, and (ii)
wherever appropriate, all references herein to shares of Common Stock shall be
deemed to refer to and include such shares and/or other securities or assets,
and references to Exercise Price shall be deemed to refer to the adjusted
Exercise Price; and thereafter the number of such shares and/or other securities
or assets, and the Exercise Price, shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time in a manner and upon terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall, upon the written request at any
time of Holder, furnish to such Holder a like Warrant (a “Replacement Warrant”)
setting forth (A) such adjustment or readjustment, (B) the Exercise
Price at the time in effect and (C) the number of shares of Common Stock
and the amount, if any, of other securities or property which at the time would
be received upon exercise of the Warrant. For the avoidance of doubt,
the adjustments provided for herein shall be given effect whether or not the
Company provides an Adjustment Notice and whether or not Holder requests a
Replacement Warrant.
6.
Fractional Interests.
No
fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issuable upon
the exercise of this Warrant. If, on exercise of this Warrant, Holder would be
entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock or a right to acquire a
fractional share of Common Stock, such fractional share shall be disregarded and
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise shall be the next
higher whole number of shares.
7. Transfer
of Warrant.
(a) Transferability. Subject
to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth
in Section 7(d) hereof, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including,
without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in
part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or
its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly
executed by Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any
transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender
and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new
warrant or warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and in the
denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and
shall issue to the assignor a new warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant
not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled.
(b) New
Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other
Warrants upon presentation hereof at the principal office of the Company,
together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which
new warrants are to be issued, signed by Holder or its agent or
attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 7(a), as to any transfer
which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute
and deliver a new warrant or warrants in exchange for this Warrant and/or any
other warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such
notice.
(c) Warrant
Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon
records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”),
in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem
and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for
the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to Holder, and for all
other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
(d) Transfer
Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant
in connection with any transfer of this Warrant to any person or entity that is
not an Affiliate of the transferor, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be
registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws, the Company may
require, as a condition of allowing such transfer (i) that Holder or transferee
of this Warrant, as the case may be, furnish to the Company a written opinion of
counsel (which opinion shall be in form, substance and scope customary for
opinions of counsel in comparable transactions) to the effect that such transfer
may be made without registration under the Securities Act and under applicable
state securities or blue sky laws, (ii) that the holder or transferee execute
and deliver to the Company an investment letter in form and substance acceptable
to the Company, and (iii) that the transferee be an “accredited investor” as
defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), or (a)(8) promulgated under
the Securities Act or a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule
144A(a) of the Securities Act.
8. No
Circumvention.
The
Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of
its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or through any reorganization, transfer
of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or
sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the
observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all
times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Warrant and take all
action as may be reasonably required to protect the rights of Holder. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) shall not
increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the
exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect,
(ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in
order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and
(iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations,
exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction
thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations
under this Warrant.
9. Dispute
Resolution.
If Holder
and the Company shall disagree as to the determination of the closing price or
the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Common Stock or the calculation of the
Exercise Price, the Aggregate Exercise Price or the Market Price, Holder and the
Company shall cooperate in good faith in an attempt to agree upon such
determination or calculation. If Holder and the Company are unable to
agree upon such determination or calculation within two (2) Business Days,
then the Company shall promptly submit the disputed items to an
independent, reputable investment bank or an independent, reputable outside
accountant selected by the Company and approved by Holder, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld, to make the disputed determination or calculation,
and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the investment bank or the
accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations
and notify the Company and Holder of the results no later than five
(5) Business Days from the time it receives the disputed determinations or
calculations. Such investment bank’s or accountant’s determination or
calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding upon all parties absent
demonstrable error, and the Company and Holder shall each pay one-half of the
fees and costs of such investment bank or accountant.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Rights as Shareholder
Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle Holder to any
voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the
exercise hereof.
(b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or
Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt
by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to
any Exercise Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall
not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of
such warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and
deliver a new warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such
cancellation, in lieu of such warrant or stock certificate.
(c) Saturdays, Sundays,
Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right
may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
(d) Authorized
Shares. In addition to the requirements of Section 3, the
Company covenants that during the Term, it will reserve from its authorized and
unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance
of the Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The
Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute
full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Exercise
Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company
will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such
Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law
or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the
Common Stock may be listed.
(e) Governing Law;
Jurisdiction. This Agreement, and all questions concerning the
construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation thereof, shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law
thereof or of any other jurisdiction to the extent that they would result in the
application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. Each party agrees
that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and
defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether brought
against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers,
shareholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state
and federal courts located in Delaware. Each party hereby irrevocably
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in
Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection
herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and
hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or
proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of
any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an
inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably
waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any
such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or
certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party
at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way
any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. The
parties hereby waive all rights to a trial by jury.
(f) Nonwaiver and
Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to
exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of
such right or otherwise prejudice Holder's rights, powers or
remedies. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to
enforce any provisions of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in such
action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation,
preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
(g) Notices. All
notices, requests,
demands, claims, and other communications given or made pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the
earlier of actual receipt or: (a) personal delivery to the party to
be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile or electronic mail during
normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business
hours, then on the next Business Day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
(d) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight
courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written
verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the
respective parties at their facsimile, number, e-mail address or physical
address as set forth below or to such other facsimile number, e-mail address or
physical address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance
with this Section 10(g).
If
to Holder:
International
Three Crown Petroleum LLC
P.O.
Box 774327
Steamboat
Springs, Colorado 80477
Attn:
H. Howard Cooper
Fax: __________________________
E-Mail:
________________________
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If
to the Company:
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200,
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
Attn:
Kam Shah
Fax:416-361-6228
E-Mail:
Kam@bontancorp.com
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(h) Limitation of
Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any
affirmative action by Holder to exercise this Warrant, and no enumeration herein
of the rights or privileges of Holder, shall give rise to any liability of
Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the
Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of
the Company.
(i) Remedies. Holder,
in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be
adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the
provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the
defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
(j) Successors and
Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant
and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors and
permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be
for the benefit of all Holders from time to time of this Warrant and shall be
enforceable by any such Holder or the holder of any Exercise
Shares.
(k) Amendment
. This
Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the
written consent of Holder and the Company.
(l) Severability
. Wherever
possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as
to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of
this Warrant.
(m) Headings
. The
headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and
shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
(n) Definitions.
(i) “Affiliate” means any
person or entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a
person or entity, as such terms are used in the Securities Act. With respect to
a Holder, any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a
discretionary basis by the same investment manager as such Holder will be deemed
to be an Affiliate of such Holder.
(ii) “Business Day” means a
day on which banks are open for business in The City of New York.
(iii) “Trading Day” means
any day on which the Common Sock is traded for at least two (2) hours on the
Trading Market or, if the Common Stock is not so traded, then any Business
Day.
[Remainder
of page intentionally left blank.]
\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v7
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has
executed this Warrant as of the 14th day of November 2009.
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
By:
Print
Name:
Title:
\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v7
EXHIBIT
A
EXERCISE
FORM
TO:
BONTAN CORPORATION, INC.
The
undersigned hereby irrevocably exercises the right to purchase
shares of Common Stock of BONTAN CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation (the
“Company”), evidenced by the Warrant dated November 14, 2009 and issued by the
Company to International Three Crown Petroleum LLC, a copy of which is attached
hereto (the “Warrant”).
The
undersigned is exercising the attached Warrant pursuant to:
¨ Cash
Exercise ¨ Cashless
Exercise
The
undersigned hereby irrevocably directs that the said exercised shares be issued
and delivered as follows:
Name(s)
in Full
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(include Postal/Zip Code)
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(Please
print in full the name in which certificates are to be issued. If any
of the securities are to be issued to a person or persons other than the
undersigned, then the Transfer of Warrants form must be completed and the
transferee and the undersigned must pay to the Company all eligible transfer
taxes or other government charges.)
The
undersigned requests that any stock certificates for such shares be issued free
of any restrictive legend.
DATED
____________________
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Witness
or Signature Guarantee
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\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v7
EXHIBIT
B
TRANSFER
OF WARRANT
(To be
executed by the registered holder
desiring
to transfer the Warrant)
FOR VALUE
RECEIVED, the undersigned holder of the attached warrant (the “Warrant”) hereby
sells, assigns and transfers unto the person or persons below named the right to
purchase
shares of the Common Stock of BONTAN CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation,
evidenced by the Warrant and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
attorney to transfer the Warrant on the books of the Company, with full power of
substitution in the premises.
The
undersigned hereby certifies that the Warrant is being sold, assigned or
transferred in accordance with all applicable securities laws.
Dated: Signature:
Fill in
for new registration of Warrant:
Name:
Address:
Please print nae and addres of assignee (including zip code
number):
warrant_alliedventures.htm
THIS
WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OR REDEMPTION HEREOF HAVE NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED,
HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF OR EXERCISED UNLESS (I) A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT REGISTERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR (II) THE
COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER
MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (III) SUCH SECURITIES
ARE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A.
UNLESS
PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY
SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITY ON PUBLIC MARKETS IN CANADA BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS
FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF THIS
WARRANT.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
of
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
THIS
CERTIFIES that ALLIED VENTURES INCORPORATED, a Belize corporation, or any
subsequent holder hereof (“Holder”) has the
right to purchase from BONTAN CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation (the
“Company”), up
to Two Million (2,000,000) fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s
common stock (“Common
Stock”), subject to adjustment as provided herein, at a price of US$0.35
per share, subject to adjustment as provided herein, at any time during the Term
(as defined below). The shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant
is exercisable, as the same may be adjusted pursuant hereto, are referred to
herein as the “Shares,” and the per
share exercise price for the Shares, as the same may be adjusted pursuant
hereto, is referred to herein as the “Exercise
Price.”
By
accepting this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of the Company (this “Warrant” or this
“Agreement”),
Holder agrees that its rights hereunder shall be held subject to all of the
terms, conditions, limitations and provisions set forth herein.
1. Date
of Issuance and Term.
This
Warrant shall be deemed to be issued on November 14, 2009 (the “Date of Issuance”).
The term of this Warrant begins on the Date of Issuance and ends at 5:00 p.m.
Eastern time on the fifth (5th)
anniversary thereof (the “Term”).
2. Mechanics of
Exercise.
(a) Manner of
Exercise. This Warrant may
be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the Term by delivery to
the Company, by facsimile, electronic mail or overnight courier in accordance
with Section 10(g), of a duly completed and executed Exercise Form in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Exercise Form”), and
within three (3) Trading Days thereafter, payment in full of the Exercise Price
(which may be satisfied by a Cash Exercise or a Cashless Exercise, as each is
defined below) for each Share as to which this Warrant is exercised (the “Aggregate Exercise
Price”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company
until Holder has purchased all of the Shares available hereunder and this
Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, Holder shall surrender this
Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the
date the final Exercise Form is delivered to the Company. Partial
exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total
number of Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the total
number of Shares thereafter purchasable hereunder by an amount equal to the
aggregate number of Shares so purchased. Holder and the Company shall maintain
records showing the number of Shares purchased and the dates of such
purchases.
(b) Payment of Exercise
Price. Payment of the Exercise Price may be made by either of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Holder:
(i) Cash
Exercise: Holder may pay the Exercise Price in cash, bank or
cashier’s check, or by wire transfer (a “Cash Exercise”);
or
(ii) Cashless
Exercise: Holder may convert this
Warrant, in whole or in part, into a number of Shares determined using the
following formula (a “Cashless
Exercise”):
X = Y (A-B)/A
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where:
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X =
the number of Shares to be issued to
Holder.
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Y =
the number of Shares for which this Warrant is being
exercised
|
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A =
the Market Price of one (1) share of Common
Stock
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For
purposes of this Agreement, “Market Price,” as of
any date, means the average Volume Weighted Average Price (as defined below) of
the Common Stock over the five (5) consecutive Trading Day period
immediately preceding the date in question, and the “Volume Weighted Average
Price” as of any date means the volume weighted average sale price of the
Common Stock on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such
security is listed or traded (the “Trading Market”) as
reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets or an equivalent, reliable reporting
service mutually acceptable to Holder and the Company (“Bloomberg”), or, if
no volume weighted average sale price is reported for such security, then the
last closing trade price of such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no
last closing trade price is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average
of the bid prices of any market makers for such security that are listed in the
over the counter market by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. or
in the “pink sheets” by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. If the
Volume Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated for such security on such
date in the manner provided above, the Volume Weighted Average Price shall be
the fair market value as mutually determined by Holder and the
Company.
For
purposes of Rule 144 of the Securities Act and sub-section (d)(3)(ii) thereof,
it is intended, understood and acknowledged that the Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of this Warrant pursuant to a Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have
been acquired at the time this Warrant was issued. Moreover, it is intended,
understood and acknowledged that the holding period for the Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of this Warrant pursuant to a Cashless Exercise shall be
deemed to have commenced on the date this Warrant was issued.
(c) Date of Exercise. The “Date of Exercise” of
all or any portion of this Warrant shall be the first (1st) date on which both
the Exercise Form and the Aggregate Exercise Price with respect to such exercise
shall have been delivered to the Company. In the case of a Cashless
Exercise, the Aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares being issued upon such
Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have been delivered and paid in full upon
Holder’s delivery of the Exercise Form properly electing such Cashless Exercise.
Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of
record of the Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised (the
“Exercise
Shares”) as of the applicable Date of Exercise, irrespective of the date
such Exercise Shares are credited to Holder’s Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) account or the
date of delivery of certificates evidencing such Exercise Shares, as the case
may be.
(d) Delivery of Shares Upon
Exercise. Within ten (10) Trading Days after the Date of Exercise
(the “Delivery
Period”), the Company shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer
agent (the “Transfer
Agent”) to issue and deliver, the Exercise Shares (and the certificates
evidencing the same) to Holder by crediting Holder’s prime broker account with
the DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (“DWAC”) system if the
Company is a participant in such system, and otherwise by delivering to Holder
one (1) or more physical stock certificates evidencing the Exercise Shares. The
Company shall, at its own cost and expense, take all reasonable steps, to ensure
such delivery, including obtaining and delivering an opinion of counsel, to
assure that the Transfer Agent shall issue stock certificates representing the
Exercise Shares in the name of Holder (or its nominee) or such other persons as
designated by Holder and in such denominations as specified by Holder. The
Company warrants that no instructions contrary to these instructions have been,
or will be given, to the Transfer Agent and that, provided that at least one (1)
of the Unrestricted Conditions (as defined below) is met and unless waived by
Holder, the Exercise Shares will be free-trading, and freely transferable, and
will not contain a legend restricting the resale or transferability of the
Exercise Shares.
(e) Delivery Failure. In addition to
any other remedies which may be available to Holder, in the event that the
Company fails for any reason to effect delivery of the Exercise Shares by the
end of the Delivery Period, Holder will be entitled to rescind all or any part
of the applicable exercise of this Warrant, by delivering a notice to such
effect to the Company, whereupon the Company and Holder shall each be restored
to their respective positions immediately prior to the delivery of the Exercise
Form applicable to such exercise to the extent of such rescission.
(f) Buy-In. In
addition to any other rights available to Holder, if the Company fails to
transmit or to cause its Transfer Agent to credit Holder’s DTC account or
otherwise transmit to Holder a certificate or certificates representing the
Exercise Shares on or before the expiration of the Delivery Period (other than a
failure caused by any incorrect or incomplete information provided by Holder to
the Company hereunder or the negligence of the Transfer Agent), and if after
such date Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market
transaction or otherwise) or Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases shares
of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by Holder of the Exercise
Shares that Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the
Company shall: (1) pay in cash to Holder the amount by which (x) Holder’s
total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of
Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying
(A) the number of Exercise Shares that the Company was required to deliver
to Holder in connection with the exercise at issue, times (B) the price at
which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed; and
(2) at the option of Holder, either (a) reinstate the portion of the
Warrant and equivalent number of Shares for which such exercise was not honored
or (b) deliver to Holder certificate(s) representing the number of shares of
Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with
its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if
Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover
a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise to cover the sale of Common Stock
with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000,
under subsection (1) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company
shall be required to pay Holder $1,000. Holder shall provide the Company written
notice indicating the amounts payable to Holder in respect of the Buy-In,
together with applicable confirmations and other evidence reasonably requested
by the Company. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other
remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without
limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with
respect to the Company’s failure to timely credit Holder’s DTC account or
otherwise deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock upon exercise
of this Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
3. Registration
of Shares.
(a) Registration. All
Shares issuable hereunder shall, prior to such issuance, be registered by the
Company pursuant to an effective registration statement (the “Registration
Statement”) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”). No later than
sixty (60) days following the Date of Issuance, the Company shall file a
Registration Statement with the SEC covering the maximum number of Shares
issuable hereunder. To the extent that any Shares issuable hereunder are not
otherwise covered by an effective Registration Statement, the Company agrees
that, promptly following any request therefor from Holder, it shall prepare and
file with the SEC a Registration Statement covering such Shares. The Company
shall use its best efforts to cause any Registration Statement required to be
filed by it pursuant hereto to become effective as soon as possible after such
filing and to remain effective so long as any Shares are issuable
hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
Company may delay or suspend the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or
the use of any prospectus forming a part of a Registration Statement due to the
non-disclosure of material, non-public information concerning Company, the
disclosure of which at the time would, in the good faith opinion of the
Company’s Board of Directors after consultation with counsel, result in a
material adverse effect on the Company, provided that no such periods
of delay shall individually exceed seventy-five (75) days or in the aggregate
exceed seventy-five (75) days during any twelve (12)-month
period.
(b) Failure to
Register. In the event the Registration Statement has not been
filed with the SEC within sixty (60) days following the Date of Issuance, or
such Registration Statement is not declared effective prior to the date that is
nine (9) months following the Date of Issuance, then, in each
case, on the date of such failure, the number of Shares for which
this Warrant is then exercisable shall be increased by two percent
(2.0%). In addition, for each subsequent thirty (30) day period
during which the Registration Statement is not filed or effective (whether or
not the Registration Statement had previously been declared effective) for any
reason, the number of Shares for which this Warrant is then exercisable shall be
increased by one percent (1.0%). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no
event shall the total number of Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable
exceed 2,200,000 (provided that such number shall be adjusted to account for any
adjustment to the number of Shares purchasable hereunder pursuant hereto,
including pursuant to Section 5 hereof).
(c) Information by
Holder. The Holder shall furnish to the Company such
information regarding the Holder and the distribution proposed by the Holder as
the Company may reasonably request and as shall be reasonably required in
connection with any registration referred to in Section 3(a).
4. Restrictive
Legends
(a) Restrictive Legend.
Holder understands that until such time as this Warrant or the Exercise Shares
have been registered under the Securities Act or otherwise may be sold pursuant
to Rule 144 of the Securities Act or an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act without any restriction as to the number of securities as of a
particular date that can then be immediately sold, this Warrant and the Exercise
Shares, as applicable, shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the
following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of the
certificates for such securities):
“THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAW, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED,
HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF OR EXERCISED UNLESS (I) A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT REGISTERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR (II) THE
COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH TRANSFER
MAY LAWFULLY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (III) SUCH SECURITIES
ARE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A.
UNLESS
PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY
SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITY ON PUBLIC MARKETS IN CANADA BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS
FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF THIS
WARRANT.”
(b) Removal of Restrictive
Legends. The certificates evidencing the Exercise Shares shall
not contain any legend restricting the transfer thereof: (i) while a
registration statement covering the resale of such Exercise Shares is effective
under the Securities Act (provided that, if the Holder is selling pursuant to
such registration statement, the Holder agrees to only sell such Exercise Shares
during such time that such registration statement is effective and not withdrawn
or suspended) or, (ii) following any sale of such Exercise Shares pursuant to
Rule 144 of the Securities Act (if the Holder is not an Affiliate of the
Company), or (iii) if such Exercise Shares are eligible for sale under Rule
144(b)(1)(i) of the Securities Act, or (iv) if such legend is not required
under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial
interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the SEC) and the
Company shall have received an opinion of counsel of Holder, satisfactory to the
Company, to such effect (collectively, the “Unrestricted
Conditions”). If any of the Unrestricted Conditions is met at
the time of issuance of any Exercise Shares, then such Exercise Shares shall be
issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that following the
Effective Date or at such other time as any of the Unrestricted Conditions is
met or a restrictive legend is otherwise no longer required, it will, no later
than ten (10) Trading Days following the delivery by Holder to the Company
or the Transfer Agent of a certificate representing Exercise Shares and issued
with or containing a restrictive legend, deliver or cause to be delivered to
Holder a certificate (or electronic transfer) representing such Exercise Shares
that is free from all restrictive and other legends. For purposes hereof, “Effective Date” shall
mean the date that a Registration Statement covering the Exercise Shares shall
have been declared effective by the SEC.
5. Notice; Adjustments
Upon Certain Events.
(a) Notice. Holder,
as the holder of this Warrant, shall be entitled to receive notice of
all matters as to which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to, or
otherwise do, receive notice concurrently with the notice provided to the
holders of the Common Stock.
(b) Subsequent Equity
Sales. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, shall issue or sell, or shall grant any warrant, option or other
right to purchase or otherwise acquire, any Common Stock or any security
convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, with or without
consideration, any Common Stock (any such warrant, option, right or security
(other than the Common Stock) a “Convertible
Security”), at an Effective Price (as defined below) that is less than
the Exercise Price, or if the holder of any Common Stock or Convertible
Securities shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price
adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices,
or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which are issued
in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock
at an Effective Price that is less than the Exercise Price (any such sale,
issuance, grant, adjustment or reset, a “Dilutive Issuance”),
which adjustment or reset shall, for the purposes hereof, be deemed to be an
issuance of the number of shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities so
effected as of the date of such reset or adjustment, then
(i) the
Exercise Price shall be reduced (and only reduced) by multiplying the Exercise
Price by a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of (A) the number of
shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Dilutive
Issuance, plus (B) the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable (prior to
giving effect to any adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive
Issuance) upon the exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities outstanding
immediately prior to the Dilutive Issuance and with an Effective Price (prior to
giving effect to any adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive
Issuance) that is less than the Effective Price of the security or securities
being offered in the Dilutive Issuance, plus (C) the number of shares of Common
Stock that the Aggregate Consideration (as defined below) received or deemed
received by the Company in connection with the Dilutive Issuance would purchase
at the Exercise Price (prior to giving effect to the adjustment required by this
Section 5(b) in connection with such Dilutive Issuance), and the denominator of
which shall be the sum of (X) the number of shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Dilutive Issuance plus (Y) the total number
of shares of Common Stock issuable (prior to giving effect to any
adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive Issuance) upon the
exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities outstanding immediately prior
to the Dilutive Issuance and with an Effective Price (prior to giving effect to
any adjustment required by in connection with such Dilutive Issuance) that is
less than the Effective Price of the security or securities being offered in the
Dilutive Issuance, plus (Z) the number of shares of Common Stock issued or
deemed issued in connection with the Dilutive Issuance; and
(ii) the number of Shares
issuable hereunder shall be increased such that the Aggregate Exercise Price
payable hereunder, after taking into account the decrease in the Exercise Price,
shall be equal to the Aggregate Exercise Price prior to such
adjustment. Such adjustment shall be made whenever such Common Stock
or Convertible Securities are issued or deemed issued.
The
Company shall notify Holder in writing of any Dilutive Issuance, no later than
the Trading Day following such Dilutive Issuance, indicating therein the
applicable issuance price, or applicable reset price, exchange price or
conversion price, as applicable, and any other pricing terms (such notice the
“Dilutive Issuance
Notice”), and stating therein the number of Shares then purchasable
hereunder and the Exercise Price therefor, as calculated in accordance with this
Section 5(b). For purposes of clarification, whether or not the
Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 5(b), upon
the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance, after the date of such Dilutive
Issuance, Holder shall be entitled to purchase, upon exercise of this Warrant,
the number of Shares determined and at the Exercise Price calculated in
accordance with this Section 5(b).
For the
purpose of making any adjustment required by this Section 5(b), the
aggregate consideration received by the Company for any issue or sale of Common
Stock or Convertible Securities (the “Aggregate
Consideration”) shall be the sum or all consideration received or deemed
received by the Company determined as follows: (i) to the extent such
consideration consists of cash, the gross amount of such cash received by the
Company before deduction of any underwriting or similar commissions,
compensation or concessions paid or allowed by the Company in connection with
such issue or sale and without deduction of any expenses payable by the Company,
(ii) to the extent such consideration consists of property other than cash, the
fair value of that property as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board
of Directors, (iii) if Common Stock or Convertible Securities are issued or sold
together with other stock or securities or other assets of the Company for
consideration that covers both, the portion of the consideration so received or
deemed received that may be reasonably determined in good faith by the Company’s
Board of Directors to be allocable to such Common Stock or Convertible
Securities, and (iv) if the Company issues or sells Convertible Securities, the
Company shall be deemed to have issued at the time of the issuance of such
Convertible Securities the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon exercise or conversion thereof and to have received as consideration for
the issuance of such shares an amount equal to the total amount of the
consideration, if any, received by the Company for the issuance of such
Convertible Securities plus the
minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the
exercise or conversion of such Convertible Securities in full; provided that if the minimum
amounts of such consideration cannot be ascertained, but are a function of
antidilution or similar protective clauses, then the Company shall be deemed to
have received the minimum amounts of consideration without reference to such
clauses. If the minimum amounts of consideration payable to the
Company upon the exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities is reduced
over time or on the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified events other than
by reason of antidilution adjustments, the Effective Price shall be recalculated
using the figure to which such minimum amount of consideration is reduced; provided further, that if the
minimum amounts of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or
conversion of such Convertible Securities is subsequently increased, the
Effective Price shall again be recalculated using the increased minimum amounts
of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or conversion of such
Convertible Securities. No further adjustment to the number of Shares
purchasable hereunder or the Exercise Price shall be made as a result of the
actual issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise or conversion of
Convertible Securities.
The
“Effective
Price” of Common Stock shall mean the quotient determined by dividing the
total number of shares of Common Stock issued or sold, or deemed to have been
issued or sold by the Company under this Section 5(b), into the Aggregate
Consideration received, or deemed to have been received by the Company for such
issuance under this Section 5(b), for such shares of Common
Stock. In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock or the
Effective Price cannot be ascertained at the time of issuance, such shares of
Common Stock shall be deemed issued immediately upon the occurrence of the first
event that makes such number of shares or the Effective Price, as applicable,
ascertainable.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no adjustment shall be made under this Section 5(b) in respect of
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable (i) to officers, directors, employees
of, or consultants to, the Company, pursuant to a stock option or purchase plan
or agreements on terms approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, (ii) upon
exercise of options or warrants outstanding on the date hereof, (iii) as
consideration in a merger, consolidation, acquisition or similar
business combination that is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, (iv)
pursuant to a borrowing or commercial financing arrangement with parties not
affiliated with the Company that is approved by the Company’s Board of
Directors, or (v) pursuant to that certain Contribution and Assignment Agreement
dated as of November 14, 2009 (the “Contribution Agreement”) among the Holder,
the Company, International Three Crown Petroleum LLC and Israel Petroleum
Company, Limited, but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any securities
issued in the connection with the Financings (as defined in the Contribution
Agreement) contemplated thereby.
(c) Stock Split, Stock Divided,
Recapitalization or Reclassification. If the Company shall
at any time issue a stock dividend or effect a stock split, recapitalization,
reclassification or other similar transaction of such character that additional
shares of Common Stock shall be issued to the Holders of Common Stock for no
consideration or the shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or become
exchangeable for a larger or smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then upon
the effective date thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock which Holder
shall be entitled to purchase upon exercise of this Warrant shall be increased
or decreased, as the case may be, in direct proportion to the increase or
decrease in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (calculated on a
fully diluted basis) by reason of such recapitalization, reclassification or
similar transaction, and the Exercise Price shall be, in the case of an increase
in the number of shares, proportionally decreased and, in the case of decrease
in the number of shares, proportionally increased. The Company shall give Holder
the same notice it provides to holders of Common Stock of any transaction
described in this Section 5(c).
(d) Fundamental
Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is
outstanding, (i) the Company effects any merger or consolidation of the Company
with or into another Person, (ii) the Company effects any sale of all or
substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions,
(iii) any tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another
Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to
tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property, or (iv)
the Company effects any reclassification of the Common Stock or any compulsory
share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into
or exchanged for other securities (other than Common Stock of the Company), cash
or property (any such case, a “Fundamental
Transaction”), then, Holder shall have the right, upon any subsequent
exercise of this Warrant, to receive, for each Share that would have been
issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such
Fundamental Transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor
or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation,
and any additional consideration (the “Alternate
Consideration”) receivable upon or as a result of such reorganization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets by a holder of
the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable
immediately prior to such event. For purposes of any such exercise,
the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply
to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration
issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental
Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the
Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of
any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common
Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received
in a Fundamental Transaction, then Holder shall be given, the same choice as to
the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant
following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall give Holder
the same notice it provides to holders of Common Stock of any Fundamental
Transaction, but in no event shall the Company provide Holder such notice later
than fifteen (15) days prior to the consummation of the Fundamental
Transaction.
(e) Fundamental Transaction
Agreements. To the extent necessary to give effect to Holder’s
rights hereunder, any agreement pursuant to which a Fundamental Transaction is
effected shall include terms requiring the successor to the Company or the
surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction, as applicable, to give effect
to, and to comply with, the provisions of this Agreement, and any such successor
or surviving entity shall issue to Holder a new warrant consistent with this
Agreement and evidencing Holder’s right to exercise such warrant into Alternate
Consideration and ensuring that this Warrant (or any such replacement security)
will be similarly adjusted upon any subsequent transaction analogous to a
Fundamental Transaction.
(f) Notice of
Adjustments. In the event that at
any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 5 or
otherwise, Holder shall, upon exercise of this Warrant, become entitled to
receive a different number Shares and/or any other securities, property or
assets, or if the Exercise Price shall be adjusted, then, (i) the Company shall
promptly mail to Holder a notice (an “Adjustment Notice”)
setting forth the number of Shares and/or any other securities, property or
assets, and the Exercise Price, after giving effect to such adjustment and
setting forth a statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, and (ii)
wherever appropriate, all references herein to shares of Common Stock shall be
deemed to refer to and include such shares and/or other securities or assets,
and references to Exercise Price shall be deemed to refer to the adjusted
Exercise Price; and thereafter the number of such shares and/or other securities
or assets, and the Exercise Price, shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time in a manner and upon terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall, upon the written request at any
time of Holder, furnish to such Holder a like Warrant (a “Replacement Warrant”)
setting forth (A) such adjustment or readjustment, (B) the Exercise
Price at the time in effect and (C) the number of shares of Common Stock
and the amount, if any, of other securities or property which at the time would
be received upon exercise of the Warrant. For the avoidance of doubt,
the adjustments provided for herein shall be given effect whether or not the
Company provides an Adjustment Notice and whether or not Holder requests a
Replacement Warrant.
6.
Fractional Interests.
No
fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issuable upon
the exercise of this Warrant. If, on exercise of this Warrant, Holder would be
entitled to a fractional share of Common Stock or a right to acquire a
fractional share of Common Stock, such fractional share shall be disregarded and
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise shall be the next
higher whole number of shares.
7. Transfer
of Warrant.
(a) Transferability. Subject
to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth
in Section 7(d) hereof, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including,
without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in
part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or
its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly
executed by Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any
transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender
and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new
warrant or warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and in the
denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and
shall issue to the assignor a new warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant
not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled.
(b) New
Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other
Warrants upon presentation hereof at the principal office of the Company,
together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which
new warrants are to be issued, signed by Holder or its agent or
attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 7(a), as to any transfer
which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute
and deliver a new warrant or warrants in exchange for this Warrant and/or any
other warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such
notice.
(c) Warrant
Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon
records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”),
in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem
and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for
the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to Holder, and for all
other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
(d) Transfer
Restrictions. If, at the time of the surrender of this Warrant
in connection with any transfer of this Warrant to any person or entity that is
not an Affiliate of the transferor, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be
registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act and under applicable state securities or blue sky laws, the Company may
require, as a condition of allowing such transfer (i) that Holder or transferee
of this Warrant, as the case may be, furnish to the Company a written opinion of
counsel (which opinion shall be in form, substance and scope customary for
opinions of counsel in comparable transactions) to the effect that such transfer
may be made without registration under the Securities Act and under applicable
state securities or blue sky laws, (ii) that the holder or transferee execute
and deliver to the Company an investment letter in form and substance acceptable
to the Company, and (iii) that the transferee be an “accredited investor” as
defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), or (a)(8) promulgated under
the Securities Act or a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule
144A(a) of the Securities Act.
8. No
Circumvention.
The
Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of
its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or through any reorganization, transfer
of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or
sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the
observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all
times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Warrant and take all
action as may be reasonably required to protect the rights of Holder. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) shall not
increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the
exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect,
(ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in
order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and
(iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations,
exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction
thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations
under this Warrant.
9. Dispute
Resolution.
If Holder
and the Company shall disagree as to the determination of the closing price or
the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Common Stock or the calculation of the
Exercise Price, the Aggregate Exercise Price or the Market Price, Holder and the
Company shall cooperate in good faith in an attempt to agree upon such
determination or calculation. If Holder and the Company are unable to
agree upon such determination or calculation within two (2) Business Days,
then the Company shall promptly submit the disputed items to an
independent, reputable investment bank or an independent, reputable outside
accountant selected by the Company and approved by Holder, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld, to make the disputed determination or calculation,
and the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the investment bank or the
accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations
and notify the Company and Holder of the results no later than five
(5) Business Days from the time it receives the disputed determinations or
calculations. Such investment bank’s or accountant’s determination or
calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding upon all parties absent
demonstrable error, and the Company and Holder shall each pay one-half of the
fees and costs of such investment bank or accountant.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Rights as Shareholder
Until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle Holder to any
voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the
exercise hereof.
(b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or
Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt
by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to
any Exercise Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall
not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of
such warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and
deliver a new warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such
cancellation, in lieu of such warrant or stock certificate.
(c) Saturdays, Sundays,
Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for
the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted
herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right
may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
(d) Authorized
Shares. In addition to the requirements of Section 3, the
Company covenants that during the Term, it will reserve from its authorized and
unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance
of the Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The
Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute
full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Exercise
Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company
will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such
Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law
or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the
Common Stock may be listed.
(e) Governing Law;
Jurisdiction. This Agreement, and all questions concerning the
construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation thereof, shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law
thereof or of any other jurisdiction to the extent that they would result in the
application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. Each party agrees
that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and
defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether brought
against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers,
shareholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state
and federal courts located in Delaware. Each party hereby irrevocably
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in
Delaware, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection
herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and
hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or
proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of
any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an
inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably
waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any
such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or
certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party
at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way
any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. The
parties hereby waive all rights to a trial by jury.
(f) Nonwaiver and
Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to
exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of
such right or otherwise prejudice Holder's rights, powers or
remedies. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to
enforce any provisions of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in such
action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation,
preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
(g) Notices. All
notices, requests,
demands, claims, and other communications given or made pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the
earlier of actual receipt or: (a) personal delivery to the party to
be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by facsimile or electronic mail during
normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business
hours, then on the next Business Day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or
(d) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight
courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written
verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the
respective parties at their facsimile, number, e-mail address or physical
address as set forth below or to such other facsimile number, e-mail address or
physical address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance
with this Section 10(g).
If
to Holder:
Allied
Ventures Incorporated
__________________________
__________________________
Attn:
_____________________
Fax: __________________________
E-Mail:
________________________
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If
to the Company:
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200,
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
Attn:
Kam Shah
Fax:416-361-6228
E-Mail:
Kam@bontancorp.com
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(h) Limitation of
Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any
affirmative action by Holder to exercise this Warrant, and no enumeration herein
of the rights or privileges of Holder, shall give rise to any liability of
Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the
Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of
the Company.
(i) Remedies. Holder,
in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be
adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the
provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the
defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
(j) Successors and
Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant
and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors and
permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be
for the benefit of all Holders from time to time of this Warrant and shall be
enforceable by any such Holder or the holder of any Exercise
Shares.
(k) Amendment
. This
Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the
written consent of Holder and the Company.
(l) Severability
. Wherever
possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as
to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of
this Warrant.
(m) Headings
. The
headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and
shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
(n) Definitions.
(i) “Affiliate” means any
person or entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a
person or entity, as such terms are used in the Securities Act. With respect to
a Holder, any investment fund or managed account that is managed on a
discretionary basis by the same investment manager as such Holder will be deemed
to be an Affiliate of such Holder.
(ii) “Business Day” means a
day on which banks are open for business in The City of New York.
(iii) “Trading Day” means
any day on which the Common Sock is traded for at least two (2) hours on the
Trading Market or, if the Common Stock is not so traded, then any Business
Day.
[Remainder
of page intentionally left blank.]
\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has
executed this Warrant as of the 14th day of November 2009.
BONTAN
CORPORATION INC.
By:
Print
Name:
Title:
\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v3
EXHIBIT
A
EXERCISE
FORM
TO:
BONTAN CORPORATION, INC.
The
undersigned hereby irrevocably exercises the right to purchase
shares of Common Stock of BONTAN CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation (the
“Company”), evidenced by the Warrant dated November 14, 2009 and issued by the
Company to Allied Ventures Incorporated, a copy of which is attached hereto (the
“Warrant”).
The
undersigned is exercising the attached Warrant pursuant to:
¨ Cash
Exercise ¨ Cashless
Exercise
The
undersigned hereby irrevocably directs that the said exercised shares be issued
and delivered as follows:
Name(s)
in Full
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DWAC
Account Number or
Address(es)
(include Postal/Zip Code)
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Numbers(s)
of Shares of Common Stock
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(Please
print in full the name in which certificates are to be issued. If any
of the securities are to be issued to a person or persons other than the
undersigned, then the Transfer of Warrants form must be completed and the
transferee and the undersigned must pay to the Company all eligible transfer
taxes or other government charges.)
The
undersigned requests that any stock certificates for such shares be issued free
of any restrictive legend.
DATED
____________________
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Witness
or Signature Guarantee
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Signature
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\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v3
EXHIBIT
B
TRANSFER
OF WARRANT
(To be
executed by the registered holder
desiring
to transfer the Warrant)
FOR VALUE
RECEIVED, the undersigned holder of the attached warrant (the “Warrant”) hereby
sells, assigns and transfers unto the person or persons below named the right to
purchase
shares of the Common Stock of BONTAN CORPORATION INC., an Ontario corporation,
evidenced by the Warrant and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
attorney to transfer the Warrant on the books of the Company, with full power of
substitution in the premises.
The
undersigned hereby certifies that the Warrant is being sold, assigned or
transferred in accordance with all applicable securities laws.
Fill in
for new registration of Warrant:
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print name and address of assignee
(including
zip code number)
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\\\DE - 025224/000003 - 436029 v3
consultagmt_tr.htm
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
47
Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
T: 416-929-1806
F: 416-929-6612
CONTRACT between
TERENCE ROBINSON & BONTAN CORPORATION INC.
August 4,
2009
Mr.
Terence Robinson
68
Admiral Road
Toronto,
ON
M5R
2L5
Dear Mr.
Robinson:
Further
to our discussions, I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors have
agreed to renew the Consulting Agreement dated April 1, 2003 with you
for a further period of five years up to March 31, 2014. This extension is
effective from April 1, 2009.
All the
terms of the consulting contract remain same as the ones described in the
Agreement dated April 1, 2003 except for the following:
You fee
will be CDN$10,000 per month plus GST. This may be paid in cash or in common
shares of the Company as may be mutually agreed from time to time.
If you
agree with the above, please sign a copy of this letter and return to us for our
record.
Sincerely,
/S/ Kam Shah
Kam
Shah
Chief
Executive and Financial Officer
I accept
and agree with the contents of this letter.
/S/ Terence
Robinson
Terence
Robinson
consultagmt_jr.htm
Bontan Corporation Inc.
47 Avenue Road, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2G3
T: 416-929-1806
F: 416-929-6612
CONSULTING
AGREEMENT between JOHN ROBINSON & BONTAN CORPORATION
INC.
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 1st
day of July 2009 (the “EFFECTIVE DATE”).
BETWEEN
JOHN ROBINSON
(hereinafter referred to as the
“CONSULTANT”)
OF THE
FIRST PART
-and-
BONTAN CORPORATION INC., a
corporation incorporated
under the laws of the province of
Ontario,
(hereinafter referred to as the
“CORPORATION”)
OF THE SECOND PART
WHEREAS the Consultant has certain
considerable expertise in the areas of investment management in small
cap companies portfolio, research and statistical information and knowledge of
several European languages.
AND WHEREAS the Corporation is
currently seeking new businesses primarily in resource sector but also in all
other sectors on a global basis. ( “CORPORATION’S BUSINESS”);
AND WHEREAS the Corporation desires to
obtain and apply the expertise of the Consultant to the Corporation’s
Business:
THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in
consideration of Ten Dollars ($10.00) paid by each party to the other, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each, together with
the covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1.
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CONSULTING
SERVICES – The Corporation hereby retains the services of the Consultant,
on a non-exclusive basis, and the Consultant hereby agrees to provide the
consulting services to the Corporation described in this
Agreement.
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2.
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SCOPE
OF SERVICES – The Consultant shall provide all such services that are
required of him by the management and the Board of the Corporation. These
services generally will entail review, monitoring and advising management
of the Corporation’s investments in various small cap public companies,
researching, translating and providing input on any new project
documentations that may be passed on to him by the
management.
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It is
understood by both the parties that Mr. Robinson’s role here as consultant is
independent of his role as the owner of Current Capital Corp., which is hired to
provide investor and media relations services under a separate contract and that
there is no overlapping
of functions
in such capacities.
3.
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QUALIFICATIONS
– The Consultant represents that he has all the necessary knowledge,
experience, abilities, qualifications and contracts to effectively perform
the Services. The Consultant represents that he shall provide
the Services in such manner as to permit the Corporation to have full
benefit of the Consultant’s knowledge, experience, abilities,
qualifications and contacts and that it shall provide the Services in
strict compliance with all applicable laws and
regulations.
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4.
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TERM
OF AGREEMENT – The provision of services by the Consultant to the
Corporation hereunder shall commence on the Effective Date and shall,
subject to Section 14 of this Agreement, remain in force until March 31,
2014. Thereafter, the Corporation may in its sole discretion
extend this Agreement for a further 5 – year term, with any additional
extensions subject to Section 14.
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5.
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COMPENSATION
– Consultant shall be entitled to a fee of $ 8,500 per month plus GST,
payable in advance. Fee may be settled in cash or common shares of the
Corporation as may be mutually agreed from time to
time.
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6.
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CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION –
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As used
herein the words “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION” include:
1.
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such
information as a director, officer or senior employee of the Corporation
may from time to time designate to the Consultant as being included in the
expression “Confidential
Information”;
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2.
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any
secret or trade secret or know how of the Corporation or any information
relating to the Corporation or to any person, firm or other entity with
which the Corporation does business which is not known to persons outside
the Corporation including, without limitation, the commission of or
results from any exploration conducted or authorized by the Corporation or
its agents in connection with any of the Corporation’s mining properties
or claims;
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3.
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any
information, process or idea that is not generally known outside of the
Corporation;
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4.
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all
proprietary information relating to the Corporation;
and
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5.
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all
investor information now existing or currently under development by the
Corporation.
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(1)
|
The
Consultant acknowledges that the foregoing is intended to be illustrative
and that other confidential information may currently exist or arise in
the future.
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(2)
|
The
Corporation and the Consultant acknowledge and agree that the relationship
between them is one of mutual trust and
reliance.
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(3)
|
The
Consultant acknowledges that he may be exposed from time to time to
information and knowledge, including Confidential Information relating to
all aspects of the business of the Corporation, the disclosure of any of
which to the Corporation’s competitors, customers, or the general public
may be highly detrimental to the best interests of the
Corporation.
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(4)
|
The
Consultant acknowledges that the business of the Corporation cannot be
properly protected from adverse consequences of the actions of the
Consultant other than by restrictions as hereinafter set
forth.
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(5)
|
The
Consultant agrees that he will not disclose at any time during the term of
this Agreement or after termination of this Agreement any of the
Confidential Information (whether or not conceived, originated, discovered
or developed in whole or in part by the Consultant) it being expressly
acknowledged and agreed by the Consultant that the Confidential
Information shall be kept strictly confidential at all
times. The Confidential Information shall not include any
information, which is already in the public domain or becomes so through
no fault of the Consultant.
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(6)
|
In
the event this Agreement is terminated for any reason whatsoever, whether
by passage of time or otherwise, the Consultant shall forthwith upon such
termination return to the Corporation each and every copy of any
Confidential Information (including all notes, records and documents
pertaining thereto) in the possession or under the control of the
consultant at that time, and the Consultant shall continue to be subject
to the restrictions of this Section 7 notwithstanding termination of this
Agreement.
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(7)
|
The
Consultant hereby acknowledges that, as between the Consultant and the
Corporation, the Corporation is and shall remain the sole owner of all
right, title and interest in the Confidential Information, including, but
not limited to any and all rights and copyright, patent, trade secret and
trademark. In the event this Agreement is terminated for any
reason whatsoever, whether by afflux ion of time or otherwise, the
Consultant shall forthwith upon such termination return to the Corporation
each and every copy of any Confidential Information (including all notes,
records and documents pertaining thereto) in the possession or under the
control of the Consultant at that
time.
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8.
|
NON
– COMPETITION – The Consultant agrees with the Corporation that the
Consultant will not, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and
until six (6) months following the date of termination of this Agreement,
participate directly or indirectly, in any business which is substantially
similar to the Corporation’s Business or competitive with the
Corporation’s Business anywhere within Canada
whether:
|
(1) as a principal or partner;
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(2)
|
in
conjunction or association with any incorporated or unincorporated entity
as an officer, director or similar official of any incorporated or
unincorporated entity (including, without restricting the generality of
the foregoing any corporation, partnership, joint venture, association
syndicate or trust) engaged in any of the activities included as part of
the Corporation’s Business (each of which entities is hereinafter referred
to as the “OTHER ENTITY”);
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(3)
|
as
the consultant or advisor to or agent of any Other Entity be engaged in
any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the vermiculite
industry;
|
|
(4)
|
as
a holder of shares in any Other Entity engaged in a vermiculite – related
business in such number which, together with all shares in such Other
Entity which are subject to an agreement to, or which in fact, vote (or
otherwise act) in concert with the Consultant, exercise the effective
control of any such Other Entity;
|
|
(5)
|
by
canvassing or soliciting on behalf of the Other Entity orders for the
Corporation’s Business; or
|
|
(6)
|
by
providing, directly or indirectly, financial or other assistance to a
business which is substantially similar to or competitive with the
Corporation’s Business.
|
|
9.
|
CONSULTANT
NOT AN EMPLOYEE – The parties acknowledge and agree that the Consultant
shall provide the Services to the Corporation as an independent contractor
and not as an employee of the Corporation and that an employer – employee
relationship is not created by this Agreement. The Consultant
shall have no power or authority to bind the Corporation or to assume or
create any obligation or responsibility, expressed or implied, on the
Corporation’s behalf, or in its name, nor shall it represent to anyone
that it has such power or authority, except as expressly provided in this
Agreement. As the Consultant is not an employee of the
Corporation, he shall not be entitled to receive from the Corporation any
benefits whatsoever and the Corporation shall not be required to make
contributions for unemployment insurance, Canada Pension, workers
compensation and other similar levies in respect of any fee for services
to be paid to the Consultant pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
|
10.
|
NO
DEROGATORY REMARKS – The Consultant agrees with the Corporation that from
and after the Effective Date the Consultant and the Corporation shall not
make any derogatory remarks regarding the Corporation and the Consultant,
respectively, and that the Consultant will not take any act as a result of
which the relations between the Corporation and its suppliers, customers,
employees or others may be impaired or which act may otherwise be
detrimental to the business of the Corporation as the same is now or may
hereafter be carried on by the Corporation. The Corporation
shall be affixed with the same policy as the Consultant in this
regard.
|
11.
|
CONSULTANT
SHALL NOT CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF CORPORATION – The Consultant shall not
enter into any contract or commitment in the name of or on behalf of the
Corporation or bind the Corporation in any respect whatsoever, nor shall
he represent to anyone that he has such power or authority other than the
powers and authority vested in him under the terms of this
agreement.
|
12.
|
USE
OF CONSULTANT’S WORK – Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Agreement, the Corporation shall not be bound to act or otherwise utilize
the Consultant’s advice or materials produced by the Consultant in the
performance of the Services.
|
|
(1)
|
This
Agreement shall, if not previously terminated as provided for herein,
automatically be terminated at the close of business March 31, 2014,
subject to the sole discretion of the Corporation to extend the Agreement
for a further 5 – year term. Any options not exercised at the
time of notice of termination shall expire fourteen (14) days after the
date of the written notice of
termination.
|
|
(2)
|
This
Agreement may be immediately terminated by mutual consent of the parties
at any time during the term of this
Agreement.
|
|
(3)
|
The
Corporation or the consultant may immediately terminate this Agreement in
the event that the other party is in breach of any of the terms or
conditions of the Agreement applicable to that other
party.
|
|
(4)
|
This
Agreement shall be terminated automatically and with immediate effect if
at any time either the Corporation or the Consultant becomes insolvent or
voluntarily or involuntarily bankrupt, or makes an assignment for the
benefit of either party’s
creditors.
|
|
14.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
– The Corporation hereby agrees to indemnify the Consultant and save him
harmless from and against any and all losses, expenses, liabilities,
claims (including fines, penalties and interest thereon), costs (including
legal costs on a solicitor – client basis) and damages for or by reason of
or in any way arising out of the Consultant’s compliance with the terms of
this Agreement.
|
15.
|
AMENDMENTS
AND WAIVERS – No amendment to this Agreement shall be valid or binding
unless set forth in writing and duly executed by both of the parties
hereto. No waiver of any breach of any term or provision of
this Agreement shall be effective or binding unless made in writing and
signed by the party purporting to give the same and, unless otherwise
provided in the written waiver, shall be limited to the specific breach
waived.
|
|
16.
|
ASSIGNMENT
– The Consultant shall not assign, transfer, sub-contract or pledge this
Agreement or any rights or the performance of any obligation arising under
this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the
Corporation.
|
|
17
|
SURVIVAL
– Without limitation, the parties acknowledge that Sections 7, 8 and 14
shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
|
|
18
|
SEVERABILITY
– If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or
unenforceable in whole or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability
shall attach only to such provision or part thereof and the remaining part
of such provision and all other provisions hereof shall continue in full
force and effect.
|
19.
|
FURTHER
ASSURANCES – Each party hereto agrees from time to time, subsequent to the
date hereof, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered
to the other of them such instruments or further assurances as may, in the
reasonable opinion of the other of them, be necessary or desirable to give
effect to the provisions of this
Agreement.
|
|
20.
|
GOVERNING
LAW – This Agreement and the rights and obligations and relations of the
parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable
therein (but without giving effect to any conflict of laws
rules). The parties hereto agree that the courts of Ontario
shall have jurisdiction to entertain any action or other legal proceedings
based on any provisions of this Agreement. Each party hereto
does hereby attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of
Ontario.
|
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first above written.
SIGNED,
SEALED AND
DELIVERED
) by: /S/ John Robinson
) John
Robinson
) Consultant
)
) by: /S/ Kam
Shah
) Per:
) Name: Kam
Shah,
CEO
legalopinion_suico.htm
Sui
& Company
Solicitors
|
Toronto
Office:
The
Exchange Tower, Box 427
130
King St. W., Ste. 1800
Toronto,
Ontario M5X 1E3
Tel:
416-360-6481
Fax:
416-360-3761
|
Vancouver
Office:
Suite
200,
1311
Howe Street
Vancouver,
B.C. V6Z 1R7
Tel:
604-605-6117
Fax:
604-605-6118
|
Our
File No.: B130-C
February
17, 2010
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
47 Avenue
Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario
M5R
2G3
Attention:
Kam Shah, President & C.E.O.
Dear
Sirs:
Re:Registration Statement on Form
F-1
We are
your Canadian counsel in connection with a Registration Statement on Form F-1
(the “Registration Statement”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”) for the registration of the offer and sale by the
persons named as selling stockholders in the Registration Statement
of:
1.
|
26,342,686
common shares, no par value, of Bontan Corporation Inc., an Ontario
corporation (the “Company”);
|
2.
|
22,853,058
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
USD $4.00 per share;
|
3.
|
10,747,500
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
USD $0.35 per share;
|
4.
|
7,000,000
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, which have a cashless
exercise feature, at an exercise price of USD $0.35 per share;
and
|
5.
|
11,000,000
common shares issuable upon exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
USD $0.10 per share. The common shares referred to in 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5 are collectively referred to herein as the
“Shares.”
|
In
connection with this opinion, we have examined such documents and have made such
investigation as we have deemed relevant and necessary. We have
assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural
persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates
or certified or conformed copies and the authenticity of the originals of such
latter documents.
Our
opinion set forth below is limited to Ontario law, including applicable
statutory provisions and reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws.
Based
upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1.
|
the
Shares that have been issued have been duly authorized and are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
and
|
2.
|
the
Shares that are issuable upon the exercise of warrants have been duly
authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the
applicable warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
|
We
consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
and to the reference to our firm wherever appearing in the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act.
Yours
truly,
Sui
& Company
auditorconsent_slf.htm
Schwartz
Levitsky Feldman llp
CHARTERED
ACCOUNTANTS
LICENSED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TORONTO ·
MONTREAL
CONSENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby
consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form
F-1 of our report dated June 11, 2009 relating to the consolidated financial
statements of Bontan Corporation Inc. appearing in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2009.
“SCHWARTZ
LEVITSKY FELDMAN LLP”
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
February
19, 2010
Chartered
Accountants
Licensed
Public Accountants
1167
Caledonia Road
Toronto,
Ontario M6A 2X1
Tel: 416
785 5353
Fax: 416
785 5663
legalconsent_suico.htm
Sui
& Company
Solicitors
|
Toronto
Office:
The
Exchange Tower, Box 427
130
King St. W., Ste. 1800
Toronto,
Ontario M5X 1E3
Tel:
416.360.6481
Fax:
416.360.3761
|
Vancouver
Office:
Suite
306
1311
Howe Street
Vancouver,
B.C. V6Z 1R7
Tel:
604.605.6117
Fax:
604.605.6118
|
Our
File No.: B130-C
PRIVILEGED
AND CONFIDENTIAL
February
19, 2010
Bontan
Corporation Inc.
47 Avenue
Road, Suite 200
Toronto,
Ontario
M5R
2G3
Attention:Kam Shah
Dear
Sirs:
|
Re:Bontan
Corporation Inc.
|
This
reply to your enquiry letter of February 17, 2010 is made in accordance with the
Joint Policy Statement referred to in that letter.
We
confirm, based on an examination of our records, as of February 19, 2010, there
are no claims or possible claims for which our firm’s advice or representation
has been sought.
This
letter should not be quoted from or referred to in your financial statements or
in dealings with third parties without our prior written consent.
Yours
truly,
Sui
& Company
"Erwin Sui"
|
cc:Jehangir
Katrak', Schwartz Levitsky Feldman, LLP (via email to jehangir.katrak@slf.ca)
|