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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2024
Oct. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]    
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 8 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that any liability of the Company that may arise out of or with respect to these matters will not materially adversely affect the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

 

Unproved Property Leases

 

The Company holds interests in various leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project (see Note 6); two of the leases are held with the same lessor. The first lease, which covers 8,417 acres, was amended on May 27, 2022 to provide for an extension of then-current force majeure status for an additional, uncontested twelve months, during which the Company would be released from having to evidence to the lessor the existence of force majeure conditions. As consideration for the granting of the lease extension, the Company paid the lessor a one-time, non-refundable payment of $252,512; this amount was capitalized and reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of October 31, 2022. The extension period commenced on June 19, 2022 and currently, the “force majeure” status has been extinguished by the drilling of the HV-1 well. The ongoing operations and oil production at the HV-3A well maintains the validity of the lease.

 

 

The second lease covers 160 acres of the South Salinas Project; it is currently held by delay rental and is renewed every three years. Until drilling commences, the Company is required to make delay rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the delay rental payment for the period from October 2023 through October 2024.

 

The Company holds interests in various leases related to the unproved properties of the McCool Ranch Oil Field. These leases occur in two parcels, “Parcel 1” and “Parcel 2”. Parcel 1 comprises ten leases and approximately 480 acres, which are held by delay rental payments that are paid-up and current. Parcel 2 comprises one lease and approximately 320 acres, which is held by production. The total leasehold comprises approximately 800 gross and net acres.

 

During February and March of 2023, the Company entered into additional leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project with two groups of lessors. The first group of leases covers 360 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $25/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period February 2024 through February 2025. The second group of leases covers 307.75 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period from March 2024 through March 2025.

 

On November 10, 2023, the Company entered into the ARLO Agreement with HSO for a term of nine months which allows the Company the exclusive right to acquire up to a 20% interest in a 960 acre drilling and production program in the Asphalt Ridge leases for $2,000,000, which may be invested in tranches by the Company, with an initial tranche closing for an amount no less than $500,000 and paid within seven days subsequent to HSO providing certain required items to the Company.

 

On December 29, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the ARLO Agreement, whereby the Company funded $200,000 of the $500,000 payable by the Company to HSO at the Initial Closing, in advance of HSO satisfying certain required items for a 2% interest in the leases; such funds are to be used by HSO solely for the building of roads and related infrastructure in furtherance of the development of the leases. As of July 31, 2024, the Company has paid a total of $225,000 to HSO in costs related to infrastructure and has obtained a 2.25% interest in the leases; such costs are capitalized costs and are reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of July 31, 2024.

 

Board of Directors Compensation

 

On July 11, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved compensation for each of the non-employee directors of the Company, which would be effective upon the consummation of the IPO. Such compensation is structured as follows: an annual retainer of $50,000 cash plus an additional $10,000 for each Board committee upon which the Director serves, each paid quarterly in arrears. Payment for this approved compensation commenced upon successful completion of the Company’s IPO in April 2023; for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2024, the Company has recognized $55,000 and $165,000, respectively, in directors’ fees, and for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2023, the Company has recognized $78,132 and $78,132, respectively, in directors’ fees.

 

Agreements with Advisors

 

On July 28, 2022, the Company entered into a placement agent agreement with the Placement Agent with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC (“Spartan”), whereby Spartan agreed to serve as the exclusive agent, advisor or underwriter in any offering of securities of the Company for a one-year term. The agreement provided for a $25,000 non-refundable advance upon execution of the agreement and completion of a bridge offering to be credited against the accountable expenses incurred by the Placement Agent upon successful completion of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”), a cash fee of 7.5%, warrants to purchase a number of common shares equal to 5% of the aggregate number of common shares placed in the IPO and reimbursement of other expenses. On April 20, 2023, pursuant to this agreement, the Company issued representative warrants to Spartan to purchase up to an aggregate of 5,000 shares of common stock; such warrants have a five-year term with an exercise price of $66.00 and can be exercised any time after the IPO date.

 

On October 4, 2023 and December 29, 2023, the Company entered into additional placement agent agreements with Spartan, whereby Spartan would serve as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the closing of private placements. The agreements provided the agent with i) a cash fee 7.5% of the aggregate proceeds raised in the sale and ii) warrants to purchase a number of common shares equal to 5% of the number of common shares initially issuable upon conversion of each note tranche; warrants to purchase 4,167 and 2,750 common shares with exercise prices of $26.40 and $11.00 for the first and second tranches, respectively, were issued to Spartan as of January 31, 2024. Such warrants may be exercised beginning 6 months after issuance until four- and one-half years thereafter.

 

Compliance with NYSE American

 

On February 26, 2024, the Company received written notice from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”) indicating that the Company is not in compliance with the continued listing standard set forth in Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide (“Section 1003(f)(v)”) because the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) have been selling for a substantial period of time at a low price per share. The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s Common Stock and the Common Stock will continue to trade on the NYSE American under the symbol “TPET” with the designation of “. BC” to indicate that the Company is not in compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards. Additionally, the Notice does not result in the immediate delisting of the Company’s Common Stock from the NYSE American.

 

Pursuant to Section 1003(f)(v), the NYSE American staff (the “Staff”) determined that the Company’s continued listing is predicated on effecting a reverse stock split of its Common Stock or demonstrating sustained price improvement within a reasonable period of time, which the Staff determined to be no later than August 26, 2024.

 

On May 1, 2024, the NYSE American notified the Company that it had regained compliance with the NYSE American listing requirements with respect to Section 1003(f)(v) of the NYSE American Company Guide due to its shares of common stock demonstrating sustained price improvement.

 

NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that any liability of the Company that may arise out of or with respect to these matters will not materially adversely affect the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

 

Unproved Property Leases

 

As of October 31, 2023, the Company holds various leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project (see Note 5); two of the leases are held with the same lessor. The first lease, which covers 8,417 acres, was amended on May 27, 2022 to provide for an extension of then-current force majeure status for an additional, uncontested twelve months, during which the Company would be released from having to evidence to the lessor the existence of force majeure conditions. As consideration for the granting of the lease extension, the Company paid the lessor a one-time, non-refundable payment of $252,512; this amount was capitalized and reflected in the balance of the oil and gas property as of October 31, 2022. The extension period commenced on June 19, 2022; as of October 31, 2023, the “force majeure” status has been extinguished by the drilling of the HV-1 well, and the validity of the lease is maintained by the drilling of the well, which is in production testing.

 

The second lease covers 160 acres of the South Salinas Project; it is currently held by delay rental and is renewed every three years. Until drilling commences, the Company is required to make delay rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the delay rental payment for the period from October 2022 through October 2023.

 

During February and March of 2023, the Company entered into additional leases related to the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project with two groups of lessors. The first group of leases covers 360 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $25/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period February 2023 through February 2024. The second group of leases covers 307.75 acres and has a term of 20 years; the Company is required to make rental payments of $30/acre per year. The Company is currently in compliance with this requirement and has paid in advance the rental payment for the period from March 2023 through March 2024.

 

As of October 31, 2023, the Company assessed the unproved properties of the South Salinas Project and those adjacent to it for impairment, analyzing future drilling plans, leasehold expiration and the existence of any known dry holes in the area. Management concluded there is no impairment allowance required as of the balance sheet date.

 

Board of Directors Compensation

 

On July 11, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved compensation for each of the non-employee directors of the Company, which would be effective upon the consummation of the IPO. Such compensation is structured as follows: an annual retainer of $50,000 cash plus an additional $10,000 for each Board committee upon which the Director serves, each paid quarterly in arrears. Payment for this approved compensation commenced upon successful completion of the Company’s IPO and as of October 31, 2023, the Company has recognized $156,154 in directors’ fees.

 

 

Agreements with Advisors

 

On July 28, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC (“Spartan”) whereby Spartan will serve as the exclusive agent, advisor or underwriter in any offering of securities of the Company for the term of the agreement, which is one year. The agreement provides for a $25,000 non-refundable advance upon execution of the agreement and completion of a bridge offering to be credited against the accountable expenses incurred by Spartan upon successful completion of the IPO, a cash fee or an underwriter discount of 7.5% of the aggregate proceeds raised in the IPO, warrants to purchase a number of common shares equal to 5% of the aggregate number of common shares placed in the IPO, an expense allowance of up to $150,000 for fees and expenses of legal counsel and other out-of-pocket expenses and 1% of the gross proceeds of the IPO to Spartan for non-accountable expenses. The agreement also provides for an option to Spartan that is exercisable within 45 days after the closing of the IPO to purchase up to an additional 15% of the total number of securities offered by the Company in the IPO. For a period of 18 months following the July 28, 2023 expiration of the agreement, Spartan shall be entitled to receive the same 7.5% cash fee and 5% warrant coverage compensation under the “tail” terms of the agreement with respect to financing transactions the Company consummates with any party contacted or introduced by Spartan to the Company prior to the expiration of the Spartan agreement.

 

On April 20, 2023, pursuant to the agreement above, the Company issued representative warrants to Spartan to purchase up to an aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock; these warrants may be exercised commencing from the closing of the Offering and expiring five years from the effective date of the registration statement at an exercise price of $66.00 (110% of the public offering price of the common stock).

 

Trio LLC – Monthly Consulting Fee

 

Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to the Trio LLC PSA, the Company agreed, retroactively commencing on May 1, 2022, to accrue a monthly consulting fee of $35,000, due and payable by the Company to Trio LLC. This fee is intended to cover the work being done for the Company by Trio LLC’s employees prior to the closing date of the Company’s IPO. As of October 31, 2023, the Company has accrued and paid $406,000 in fees for these services.

 

On May 1, 2023, the Company entered into six employment agreements with Trio LLC employees; the agreements provide for compensation and restricted shares pursuant to the Plan (see Note 10) with a start date of May 1, 2023, provided that each individual continues to serve as an employee of Trio LLC on a part-time basis.