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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
This summary of significant accounting policies of the Company is presented to assist in understanding our condensed consolidated financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company’s management who are responsible for their integrity and objectivity and have prepared them in accordance with our customary accounting practices.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, both domestic and international. Equity investments in which we exercise significant influence but do not control and of which we are not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. All significant inter-company and intra-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The portion of the consolidated subsidiaries not owned by the Company and any related activity is eliminated through
Non-controlling interests in
the consolidated balance sheets and Net income (loss) attributable to
redeemable non-controlling interests in
the consolidated statements of operations. The results of operations attributable to the
non-controlling
interest are presented within equity and net income (loss) and are shown separately from the Company’s equity and net income attributable to the Company. Some of the existing inter-company balances, which are eliminated upon consolidation, include features allowing the liabilities of Exploraciones Oceánicas S. de R.L. de CV (“ExO”) and Oceanica Resources, S. de R.L. (“Oceanica”), majority owned subsidiaries of the company, to be converted into additional equity of a subsidiary, which, if exercised, could increase the Company’s direct or indirect interest in the
non-wholly
owned subsidiaries.
 
Use of Estimates
Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC Topic 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue.
The Company currently generates revenues from service contracts with customers. Currently, there are two sources of revenue, marine services and other services. The contracts for the marine services provide research, scientific services, marine operations planning, management execution and project management. These services are billed generally on a monthly basis and recognized as revenue as the services are performed or provided. The Company generally does not receive any upfront consideration for these services, and there is no variable consideration for the services. Costs associated with both marine and other services include all direct consulting labor, and minimal supplies, and
are
charged to operations as a component of Operations and Research.
Accounts receivable are based on amounts billed to customers. We evaluate our accounts and notes receivable to estimate an allowance for credit losses over the remaining life of the financial instrument. The remaining life of our financial assets is determined by considering contractual terms among other factors. We estimate an allowance for credit losses based on ongoing evaluations of the accounts and notes receivable, the related credit risk characteristics, and the overall economic and environmental conditions affecting the financial assets. Credit losses are
charged-off
against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of the financial asset is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance once received. A credit loss expense, or benefit, is recorded as Other expense in the Statement of Operations in an amount necessary to adjust the allowance for credit losses to our estimate as of the end of each reporting period. At December 31, 2023 and 2022 we determined no allowance was necessary. If we were to have a recorded allowance, the accounts receivable would be stated net of the recorded
allowance
.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash in banks. We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
Bismarck Exploration License
The Company follows the guidance pursuant to ASC 350, “
Intangibles-Goodwill and Other
” (ASC topic 350”) in accounting for its Bismarck Exploration License. Management determined the rights to use the license to have an indefinite life. This assessment is based on the historical success of renewing the license every two years since 2006, and the fact that management believes there are no legal, regulatory, or contractual provisions that would limit the useful life of the asset. The Company was notified in November 2023 that the 2022 exploration license renewal application was approved. The Bismarck Exploration License is not dependent on another asset or group of assets that could potentially limit the useful life of the Bismarck Exploration License. We test the Bismarck Exploration License for impairment annually, and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, per the guidance of the ASC topic 350. We did not have any impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Derivative Financial Instruments
From time to time, we may enter into a financial instrument that may contain a derivative. In evaluating the fair value of derivative financial instruments, there are numerous assumptions management must make that may influence the valuation of the derivatives that would be included in the financial statements.
Derivative financial instruments consist of financial instruments or other contracts that contain a notional amount and one or more underlying variables (e.g., interest rate, security price or other variable), require a small or no initial net investment and permit net settlement. Derivative financial instruments may be free-standing or embedded in other financial instruments. We generally do not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow, market or foreign-currency risks. However, we have entered into certain other financial instruments and contracts with features that are either (i) not afforded equity classification, (ii) embody risks not clearly and closely related to host contracts, or (iii) may be
 
net-cash
 
settled by the counterparty. As required by ASC 815 –
 
Derivatives and Hedging
, these instruments are required to be carried as derivative liabilities, at fair value, in our financial statements with changes in fair value reflected in our income.
As discussed in NOTE 10 Loans Payable and
 
NOTE 12 Fair Value Financial Instruments to the consolidated financial statements, we have certain Litigation Financing with detachable warrants, warrant liabilities and an embedded derivative related to the 37N Note (as defined in NOTE 10) on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 that are considered derivative financial instruments.
The terms of the Litigation Financing agreement involved numerous amendments, significant
non-cash
financing, issuance of warrants, and issuance costs requiring judgment of the facts and circumstances, in particular with respect to the determination of the fair value of the derivative. The fair value of the derivative was based on management’s good-faith estimates of the potential outcomes of the NAFTA case, the potential outcomes conditional on Odyssey winning arbitration, amounts funded and the potential repayment date.
The Company determines the accounting classification of warrants it issues as either liability or equity classified by first assessing whether the warrants meet liability classification in accordance with ASC
480-10,
Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity
, then in accordance with ASC
815-40,
Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock
. Under ASC 480, warrants are considered liability classified if the warrants are mandatorily redeemable, obligate the Company to settle the warrants or the underlying shares by paying cash or other assets, or if they require or may require settlement by issuing a variable number of shares. If warrants do not meet the liability classification under ASC 480, the Company assesses the requirements under ASC
815-40,
which states that contracts that require or may require the issuer to settle the contract for cash are liabilities recorded at fair value, irrespective of the likelihood of the transaction occurring that triggers the net cash settlement feature. If the warrants do not require liability classification under ASC 815, and in order to conclude equity classification, the Company also assesses whether the warrants are indexed to its Common Stock and whether the warrants are classified as equity under ASC
815-40
or other applicable GAAP. After all relevant assessments, the Company concludes whether the warrants are classified as liability or equity. Liability classified warrants require fair value accounting at issuance and subsequent to initial issuance with all changes in fair value after the issuance date recorded in the Statements of Operations. Equity classified warrants only require fair value accounting at issuance with no changes recognized subsequent to the issuance date.
The 2022 Warrant, the December 2023 Warrant and the reclassified March 2023 Warrant were determined to meet the definition of derivative liability and the fair value was estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model.
 
The 37N Note was determined to include an embedded derivative liability related to the
share
settled redemption feature of the Note in accordance with ASC 815. The embedded derivative fair value is determined using the
with-and-without
valuation method.
Investment in Unconsolidated Entities
As discussed in NOTE 6 Investment in Unconsolidated Entities, the Company has cost basis method investments and equity method investments with related parties. We account for the investments we make in certain legal entities in which equity investors do not have (1) sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or (2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have either the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, or (3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the legal entity. The Company has entered into agreements with a certain related parties that required analysis of ASC
810-10
to determine if the investment is considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the investment is determined to be a VIE, then the Company evaluates whether it is considered the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that meets both of the following criteria: (i) has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. We determine whether any of the entities in which we have made investments is a VIE at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred. At such times, we also consider whether we must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about our involvement in a VIE. This analysis required judgment and review of the facts and circumstance to determine the proper accounting for the cost and equity method investments. A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will absorb a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. A reporting entity must consider the rights and obligations conveyed by its variable interests and the relationship of its variable interests with variable interests held by other parties to determine whether its variable interests will absorb a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE’s expected residual returns, or both. For investments in VIEs in which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary, the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the VIE are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no VIEs for which the Company was the primary beneficiary. We also review these investments for any potential impairment annually.
We use the equity method to account for investments in companies if our investment provides us with the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Our Consolidated Statement of Operations includes our Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of these companies. It is our policy to account for our share of the investee’s net income or loss using a three-month lag period with an estimate of the most recent quarter results. Our judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investee includes considering key factors, such as our ownership interest, representation of the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions, other commercial arrangements and material intercompany transactions.
We eliminate from our financial results all significant intercompany transactions, including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.
Property and Equipment and Depreciation
Property and equipment is stated at historical cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method at rates based on the assets’ estimated useful lives which are normally three years for computers and peripherals, five years for furniture and office equipment and between
five
and ten years for marine equipment. Items that may require major overhauls (such as marine equipment) that enhance or extend the useful life of these assets qualify to be capitalized and depreciated over the useful life or remaining life of that asset, whichever was shorter. All other repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred.
Long-Lived Assets
Our policy is to recognize impairment losses relating to long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment. Decisions are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results and projected cash flows. The carrying amount of long-lived assets held and used by the Company are
 
reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular asset may not be fully recoverable. In such instances, the requirement for impairment could be triggered if the estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the asset’s carrying amount.
Any impairment losses are included in depreciation at the time of impairment. We did not have any impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) has been computed pursuant to the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, and is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in our earnings. We use the treasury stock method to compute potential common shares from stock options, restricted stock units and warrants and use the
if-converted
method to compute potential common shares from preferred stock, convertible notes or other convertible securities.
Dilutive common stock equivalents include the dilutive effect of
in-the-money
stock equivalents, which are calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method, excluding any common stock equivalents if their effect would be anti-dilutive. The potential common shares in the following tables represent potential common shares from outstanding options, restricted stock awards, convertible notes and other convertible securities that were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS during periods due to having an anti-dilutive effect are:
 

 
  
Three Months Ended
 
 
  
March 31, 2024
 
  
March 31, 2023
 
 
  
 
 
  
(As restated)
 
Average market price during the period
   $ 4.44      $ 3.21  
Option awards
     1,529,824        848,118  
Unvested restricted stock awards
     10,087        13,547  
Convertible notes
     146,482        11,858,244  
Common Stock Warrant related
     951,148        6,918,729  
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income per share:
 

 
  
Three Months Ended
 
 
  
March 31,
2024
 
  
March 31,
2023
 
 
  
 
 
  
(As restated)
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
   $ 3,498,024      $ 22,307,687  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Numerator:
     
Basic net income (loss) available to stockholders
   $ 3,498,024      $ 22,307,687  
Fair value change in debt instruments
     (1,617,819      —   
Fair value change in warrants
     (6,798,430      —   
Interest expense related to convertible debt
     —         3,562  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Diluted net income (loss) available to stockholders
   $ (4,918,225    $ 22,311,249  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Denominator:
     
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic
     20,425,934        19,666,459  
Dilutive effect of options
     —         4,399  
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards
     —         170,681  
Dilutive effect of warrants
     1,909,565        —   
Dilutive effect of convertible instruments
     4,322,601        37,005  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted
     26,658,100        19,878,544  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Net (loss) income per share – basic
   $ 0.17      $ 1.13  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Net (loss) income per share – diluted
   $ (0.18    $ 1.12  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Operations and research
Operations and research expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
Stock-based Compensation
Our stock-based compensation is recorded in accordance with the guidance in the ASC Topic 718 for Stock-Based Compensation (see
NOTE 
3 Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit)). All share-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense in earnings over the requisite service period. The expense is determined on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The amount of compensation costs recognized at any date is to be at least equal to the portion of grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date. For performance-based share awards, the Company recognizes expense when it is determined the performance criteria are probable of being met. The probability of vesting is reassessed at each reporting date and compensation cost is adjusted using a cumulative
catch-up
adjustment. Forfeitures are recognized in compensation cost when they occur. Benefits or deficiencies of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs are reported within operating cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments consist of cash, evidence of ownership in an entity, and contracts that both (i) impose on one entity a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument to a second entity, or to exchange other financial instruments on potentially unfavorable terms with the second entity, and (ii) conveys to that second entity a contractual right (a) to receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity, or (b) to exchange other financial instruments on potentially favorable terms with the first entity. Accordingly, our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, equity securities, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, litigation financing and loans payable. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Certain loans payable are measured at fair value based on valuation techniques using observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices in active markets and, accordingly, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. The litigation financing is considered a derivative financial instrument and is carried at fair value as is required under current accounting standards. Derivative financial instruments are initially, and subsequently, measured at fair value and recorded as liabilities or, in rare instances, assets.
We adopted ASC Topic 820 for certain financial instruments measured as fair value on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with US GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 established a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
Fair Value Hierarchy
The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Level
 1.
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level
 2.
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs also include
non-binding
market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, as well as quoted prices that were adjusted for security-specific restrictions.
 
Level
 3.
Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology are significant to the measurement of the fair value of assets or liabilities. Level 3 inputs also include
non-binding
market consensus prices or
non-binding
broker quotes that we were unable to corroborate with observable market data.
The following tables summarize our fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
 
    
March 31, 2024
 
    
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total Balance
 
Liabilities:
           
37N Note embedded derivative
   $ —       $ —       $ 336,857      $ 336,857  
Put option liability
     —         —         4,384,777        4,384,777  
Litigation financing
     —         —         52,691,820        52,691,820  
Warrant liabilities issued with debt (December 2023 Warrants)
     —         —         2,268,472        2,268,472  
Warrant liabilities issued with equity (2022 Warrants)
     —         —         9,202,078        9,202,078  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
March 2023 note warrants
     —         —         5,263,018        5,263,018  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total of fair valued liabilities
   $ —       $ —       $ 74,147,022      $ 74,147,022  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
    
December 31, 2023
 
    
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total Balance
 
Liabilities:
           
37N Note embedded derivative
   $ —       $ —       $ 702,291      $ 702,291  
Put option liability
     —         —         5,637,162        5,637,162  
Litigation financing
     —         —         52,115,647        52,115,647  
Warrant liabilities issued with debt (December 2023 Warrants)
     —         —         2,392,563        2,392,563  
Warrant liabilities issued with equity (2022 Warrants)
     —         —         13,399,822        13,399,822  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total of fair valued liabilities
   $ —       $ —       $ 74,247,485      $ 74,247,485  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
At March 31, 2024 the Company recorded the 37N Note measured at fair value, Level 3, for which the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Company’s debt instruments are generally based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active market. The OML equity exchange agreement, Put option liability (the “Put Option”), and Litigation financing are measured at fair value, Level 3. The OML Put Option valuation was based on expected timing and likelihood of completing the subsequent closings, the exercise period of the equity exchange agreement, share price and volatility. The Litigation Financing valuation was based on the following assumptions: amounts funded by the Funder, the corresponding IRR calculation, applicable percentage applicable to the recovery percentage calculation and managements good-faith estimates for estimated outcome probabilities and estimated debt repayment dates. The fair value of 2022 Warrant and the Dec 2023 Warrant are measured at fair value, Level 3, using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The assumptions used in this model included the use key inputs, including expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option and the expected dividend yield. Expected volatility is calculated based on our historical volatility of our Common Stock over the term of the warrant. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on risk–free rates for the appropriate term. The expected life is estimated based on contractual terms as well as expected exercise dates. The dividend yield is based on the historical dividends issued by us. If the volatility rate or risk-free interest rate were to change, the value of the warrants would be impacted.
 
Change in our Level 3 fair value measurements were as follows:
 
                                                         
 
  
March 2023
note warrants
 
 
37N Note
embedded
derivative
 
 
Put option
liability
 
 
Litigation
financing
 
  
Warrant
liabilities
issued with
debt (December
2023 warrants)
 
 
Warrant
liabilities issued
with equity
(2022 warrants)
 
 
Total
 
Year ended December 31, 2023
     —        702,291       5,637,162       52,115,647        2,392,563       13,399,822       74,247,485  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Change in fair value
     (2,491,420     (365,434     (1,252,385     576,173        (124,091     (4,197,744     (7,854,901
Classification of warrant as liability
     7,754,438       —        —        —         —        —        7,754,438  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2024
     5,263,018       336,857       4,384,777       52,691,820        2,268,472       9,202,078       74,147,022  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2022 As restated
     —        —        —        45,368,948        —        13,602,467       58,971,415  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Change in fair value
     —        —        —        1,685,517        —        (4,732,403     (3,046,886
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Other
     —        —        —        2,528        —        —        2,528  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2023
 
(As restated)
     —        —        —        47,056,993        —        8.870.064       55,927,057  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Additional information about the Litigation Financing liability, the 2022 Warrant, the December 2023 Warrants and the March 2023 Warrant is included in NOTE 10 Loan Payable and NOTE 12 Fair Value Financial Instruments
.