10-Q 1 s10q-93003.txt Form 1O-Q SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2003 Commission File No. 0-1392 Central Natural Resources, Inc. Incorporated in State of Delaware IRS Number: 44-0195290 911 Main Street, Suite 1710 Kansas City, Missouri 64105 Phone: 816-842-2430 Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 duringthe preceding twelve months, and (2) has been subject to suchfiling requirements for the past ninety days. Yes [X] No [ ] Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in rule 12 6-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes [ ] No [X] Common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2003 $1 par value; 491,824 shares CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings - Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income -Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 4. Controls and Procedures PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings Item 2. Changes in Securities, and Use of Proceeds Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Item 5. Other Information Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K SIGNATURES PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 (Unaudited) (amounts in unit dollars)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited) (amounts in unit dollars)

CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited) (amounts in unit dollars)

CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited) (amounts in unit dollars)

CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES INC. Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements September 30, 2003 (1) Basis of Presentation: In the opinion of Central Natural Resources, Inc. (the Company), the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring (accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2003, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. The Company uses the Successful Efforts method of accounting for revenue and expenses from oil and gas production that has been detailed in the Company's 10-K and previous reports. Revenue and expenses associated with oil and gas production is accrued in the period the revenue or expenses are generated. Revenue and expenses from oil and gas production in the period ended September 30, 2003 was generated by working interests in oil and gas properties acquired in February 2003 and working interests in unproved properties acquired in July 2002. No revenue or expenses from oil and gas production was recorded in the period ended September 30, 2002. Exploration and Production - Exploration expenses, including geological and geophysical costs, rental and exploratory dry holes, are charged against income as incurred. Costs of successful wells and related production equipment and developmental dry holes are capitalized and amortized by field using the unit-of-production method as the oil and gas are produced. Undeveloped acreage costs are capitalized and amortized at rates that provide full amortization on abandonment of unproductive leases. Costs of abandoned leases are charged to the accumulated amortization accounts, and costs of productive leases are transferred to the developed property accounts. Other - Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less reserves for depreciation, depletion and amortization. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, except that costs of replacements or renewals that improve or extend the lives of existing properties are capitalized. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - Proved oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment on a field-by-field basis when facts and circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In performing this review, future cash flows are estimated by applying estimated future oil and gas prices to estimated future production, less estimated future expenditures to develop and produce the reserves. If the sum of these estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the property, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over the estimated fair value of the property based on estimated future cash flows. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year. Stock Option Plans In the first nine months of 2003 the Company granted stock options in the amount of 1,250 shares to each of the Directors under the Company's "Director Nonqualified Stock Option Plan". Also in the first nine months of 2003, the Company approved the grant of 6,000 options, vesting in equal amounts over three years, to Phelps C. Wood, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In the third quarter of 2003 the Company made no grants to Directors or to employees of the Company. The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in accounting for its fixed plan stock options. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the then current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. As allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply the intrinsic value-based method of accounting described above, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123. The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period:

(2) Investment Securities: The amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value for held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities by major security type at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 are as follows:

Investment income (loss) consists of the following for each of the periods ended September 30:

Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity securities, which are carried at amortized cost. Investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities, which are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary results in a reduction in carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. Other than temporary impairment is analyzed quarterly on an individual security basis based on the length of time and the extent to which market value has been less than cost; the financial condition and any specific events which effect the issuer; and the Company's intent and ability to hold the security. During the three months ended September 30, 2003, the Company recognized no impairment charge for marketable equity securities. Other investments represent an equity interest in non-marketable securities for which the Company does not possess significant influence. These investments are accounted for at cost. An impairment charge was recognized in the amount of $87,282 to reflect an impairment in these securities in the first quarter of 2003. (3) Investment in Oil and Gas Property For the period ended September 30, 2003, working interests in oil and gas producing properties acquired by the Company's wholly- owned subsidiary, CNR Production, L.L.C. (CNR) in the first quarter of 2003, and discussed in previous reports, generated 100% of oil and gas production. In the third quarter of 2003, CNR began development work on its working interest properties in the Flores and the Tabasco fields in Hidalgo and Starr Counties in south Texas. Through the end of the third quarter CNR had paid $245,750 on four wells in this area (including an exploratory well on unproved property for which a 2% working interest was acquired in May, 2003, as discussed in a previous report). At quarter end, two wells were in the process of being completed while drilling activity continued on the remaining two wells. Through the end of the third quarter of 2003, CNR had paid $154,870 toward exploratory well development on CNR's east Texas working interest property located in Liberty County. This amount includes $92,785 expensed on the income statement under "Exploration expenses" due to unsuccessful exploratory wells. At quarter end, one well was in the process of being completed while drilling activity continued on the second well (known as the Grayburg #1). After the close of the quarter, the operator of the property made the determination that the Grayburg #1 was a dry-hole and would need to be plugged and abandoned. Costs incurred on this well in the third quarter are included in Exploration expenses described above. Oil and gas property recorded on the balance sheet is comprised of property that is both proved and unproved. At September 30, 2003, unproved properties amounted to $227,406, which is net of a write-down of $72,718 associated with exploratory dry-holes expensed in the third quarter of 2003 under Exploration Expenses on the Income Statement. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Results of Operations Total operating revenue increased in the first nine months of 2003 over the first nine months of 2002, and in the third quarter of 2003 over the third quarter of 2002, due partially to increased revenue from oil and gas royalties which, in turn, were due to increased production of oil and gas during the current periods under comparison, coupled with an increase in average prices during the comparable periods. Additionally, revenue from oil and gas working interests acquired in the first quarter of 2003, as described in more detail in Note 3 to the Financial Statements, contributed to the increase in operating revenue in the current period. Oil and other mineral lease rentals and bonuses decreased in the first nine months of 2003 from the first nine months of 2002 despite a slight increase in the third quarter of 2003 over the third quarter of 2002. The decrease during the comparable nine- month periods was due to reduced lease and bonus activities in the periods under comparison as well as lower income recognizable from these sources in the current periods under consideration. As mentioned in prior reports, a lessee continues to expand drilling operations and production of coal bed methane gas from certain of the Company's coal properties located in Sebastian County, Arkansas, with revenue continuing to be received from royalties from this operation during the current fiscal periods under comparison. Commercial production has been somewhat consistent over the past two years, however, the lessee plans to further develop this property over the next 12 to 18 months. If this development is successful, it could result in increased production and a corresponding increase in the amount of revenue that the Company receives from this lessee. Current and future revenue from this source will continue to be subject to the uncertainties of volume of production and price fluctuations in the market price of natural gas. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, royalties from coal bed methane production associated with these properties was $147,221 and are included in operating revenue in oil and gas royalties. General and administrative expenses increased in both the third quarter of 2003 from the third quarter of 2002 and the first nine months of 2003 from the first nine months of 2002 due partially to increased compensation associated with the engagement of a full time chief executive officer. Expenses associated with oil and gas operations, which include lease operating costs, depletion, depreciation and amortization, and exploration expenses, increased due to the acquisition and subsequent operation of the working interests discussed previously. Exploration expenses increased in the third quarter due to exploration activity in the Company's working interest properties. Exploration expenses for both the quarter and the nine month period ended September, 30, includes costs relating to unsuccessful well attempts as well as the write-down of capitalized lease costs related to those wells. There was positive non-operating income in the third quarter of 2003 compared to a non-operating loss in the third quarter of 2002, and non-operating losses decreased in the first nine months of 2003 from the first nine months of 2002. In the first nine months of 2002 the Company recognized impairment charges reflecting write- downs in the carrying value of certain marketable investment securities as described in Note 2 because decreases in current market values of those securities were deemed by Management to be other than temporary. There was no impairment charge recognized on investment equity securities in the first nine months of 2003 although during the first quarter of 2003 an impairment charge of $87,282 was taken on the carrying value of an investment in non- marketable securities held by the Company. The Company recorded a decrease in income tax benefits for the third quarter of 2003 from the third quarter of 2002 due to reduced losses in the current period under comparison. Income taxes increased in the first nine months of 2003, from the first nine months of 2002 due to taxable earnings generated in the current period versus a net loss in the comparable 2002 period. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Continued Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources The financial condition of the Company continued to be strong through the end of the first nine months of 2003 as it was at the end of the fiscal year in 2002. Although the Company utilized available liquidity to fund the acquisition of working interests in south Texas as well as exploratory and developmental drilling activities in east Texas and south Texas by the Company's wholly- owned subsidiary, CNR Production L.L.C. (CNR), the liquidity of the Company continues to be high as is evidenced by a continuing favorable ratio of current assets to current liabilities, and the fact that a significant portion of the Company's net worth continues to be represented by liquid assets. The Company continues to have no bank debt or other lender liability outstanding and no significant other liabilities. There are no off balance sheet arrangements. In addition, since the Company carries no inventory and has low amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable, its working capital needs are minimal, and since it has significant liquid assets, and there are no current known demands, commitments or contractual obligations, Management believes that liquidity should continue to be favorable and the financial condition of the Company strong. Regarding future capital expenditures, as reported in prior filings, CNR is participating in an oil and gas exploration venture in east Texas and continues to expand both developmental and exploratory efforts on its south Texas properties. Through the close of the third quarter of 2003, CNR had committed to participate in a total of seven wells as mentioned in Note 3, and CNR believes that additional exploratory and developmental well potential exists in these areas. CNR expects that in the near term, these activities will require additional funds pursuant to Authorizations for Expenditures as discussed hereafter. With regard to CNR's working interests in oil and gas properties described above, it will be called upon, from time to time, to pay its pro-rata share of expenses and capital expenditures associated with the projects. As discussed in past reports, prior to expenditures being incurred on these properties, the project operator will issue an Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) for review and approval by CNR. Management believes that, based upon the CNR's current liquidity level and the expected future revenue from these ventures, sufficient financial resources will be available to meet any and all funding requirements required by these projects. Other than these projects, the Company has no specific commitment for material expenditures at the present time. Management does, however, continue to actively pursue other business opportunities which may result in a more productive deployment of its assets and ultimately increase earnings, and in pursuit of that objective has focused on the possible acquisition of additional mineral properties or working interests in selected oil and gas operations. In addition, Management continues to aggressively pursue development of its currently owned oil and gas and coal properties and to attempt to lease more of its mineral properties in order to generate additional rental, bonus and royalty income. The only continuing commercial commitment is the operating lease for general office space of the Company and commitments with respect to the Texas oil and gas projects referred to above. Although, liquidity of the Company continues to be favorable, it is affected by cash flows. The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements illustrates that there was a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the first nine months of 2003 and in the same period in 2002, but the decrease was greater in the current period. Contributing to the differences was positive net earnings in the first nine months of 2003 compared to a net loss in the first nine months of 2002 and an increase in the amount of accounts receivable and advances to operators included in other assets in 2003 and a decrease in deferred oil lease bonuses. The increase in cash flows from operating activities in the first nine months of 2003 versus the same period of 2002 was also affected by differences in income tax liability including the receipt of a refund of state income taxes for prior years amounting to $70,093 in 2002. A significant use of cash from investing activities in the current period was the acquisition of working interests in oil and gas properties and differences in the amount of proceeds from the sale of equity securities and purchase of equity securities, and the amount of proceeds from matured/called investment debt securities which were reinvested. Both the 2003 and the 2002 periods under comparison included certain impairment charges which reduced earnings but did not reduce cash but the aggregate amount of such impairment charges were significantly greater in 2002. A purchase of Treasury Stock in the first nine months of 2003 reduced cash compared to the comparable period in 2002. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, Continued Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Other Matters A summary of significant accounting policies was contained in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company filed with Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. One example of a judgment made in applying a critical accounting policy is the impairment charge made relative to the decline in market value of certain securities that is deemed to be other than temporary as is referred to above. The impairment of the value of securities is analyzed quarterly on an individual security basis based on the length of time (generally six months), and the extent to which market value has been less than cost; the financial condition and any specific events which affect the issuers; and the Company's intent and ability to hold the security. There would be materially different reported results if different assumptions or conditions were to prevail. In the judgment of Management and the Board of Directors, the indicated charges were appropriate, however, they have taken note of the fact that the overall return of the portfolio since inception is positive. Another example of a judgment made in applying a critical accounting policy is the periodic review of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. This accounting policy has been applied in the past, for example, in downward adjustments to the carrying value of the Company's coal properties. However, this accounting policy does not permit an upward adjustment in such carrying values, when Management believes the current fair market value of an asset is greater than the carrying value on the balance sheet and in fact Management believes that this may be the case with respect to the carrying value of certain assets on the balance sheet carried at their historical cost. Yet another example of judgment exercised in applying a critical accounting policy is the election, approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, to utilize the "Successful Efforts" method of accounting with respect to the operation of the oil and gas working interests described above. "Successful Efforts" typically results in more of the costs of operations expensed as incurred. A cash dividend of $0.10 per share was paid in each of the first, second and third quarters of 2003, and a cash dividend of the same amount was paid in the first, second and third quarters of 2002. After the close of the current quarter, the Board declared a dividend of $0.10 to be paid in the fourth quarter. The Company was required to adopt SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations on January 1, 2003 and SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets on January 1, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No.143 and SFAS No. 144 had no material impact on the Company's financial statements. Forward-Looking Statements This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the business segment in which the Company operates, Management's beliefs, and assumptions made by Management. These and other written or oral statements that constitute forward-looking statements may be made by or on behalf of the Company. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, such as future changes in energy prices, including fluctuations in prevailing prices for oil and gas, the Company's ability to participate in or co-venture successful exploration or production of natural resources (such as oil, gas, coal and other minerals), results of drilling and other exploration and development activities, uncertainties regarding future political, economic, regulatory, fiscal, and tax policies and practices as well as assumptions concerning a relatively stable national economy, and the absence of a major disruption such as a domestic act of terrorism and the uncertainties of even routine litigation in which the Company is involved from time-to-time in the ordinary course of its business operations. In addition, the company relies on professional and management services provided by third parties in certain of its operating activities. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied, or forecast in such forward-looking statements. The Company does not, by including this statement, assume any obligation to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement referenced herein in light of future events. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The primary market risk exposures of the Company relate to changes in interest rates, changes in equity security prices, and changes in certain commodity prices. The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates solely to its fixed income portfolio which consists of U. S. government agency securities. All such securities are held-to-maturity and have original maturities of less than one year. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rates on its fixed income investment securities. The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in equity security prices relates solely to its marketable equity investment portfolio which consists primarily of common stocks of domestic, publicly held enterprises. The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in commodity prices relates to changes in the prices of coal, oil, and natural gas, and the effect thereof on its royalties and rentals relating to coal deposits and mineral rights, as is discussed in more detail in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, set forth in Part 1, Item 2 of this report. The Company does not use derivative commodity instruments to hedge its commodity risk exposures. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES As of September 30, 2003, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Central Natural Resources, Inc.'s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of material information about the Company required to be included in periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings. However, in evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting. PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings - None Item 2. Changes in Securities, and Use of Proceeds - None Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - None Item 5. Other Information - None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K - Attached PART II, ITEM 6. - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are as follows: Exhibit 31.1 - Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) for Chief Executive Officer (Attached as Exhibit 31.1 hereto). Exhibit 31.2 - Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) for Chief Financial Officer (Attached as Exhibit 31.2 hereto). Exhibit 32.1 - Section 1350 Certification for Chief Executive Officer (Attached as Exhibit 32.1 hereto). Exhibit 32.2 - Section 1350 Certification for Chief Financial Officer (Attached as Exhibit 32.2 hereto). (b) No Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the second quarter SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES INC. (Registrant) Date: November 13, 2003 ____________________________ By: /s/ Phelps C. Wood ____________________________ Phelps C. Wood President, and Chief Executive Officer Date: November 13, 2003 ____________________________ By: /s/ Leonard L. Noah ____________________________ Leonard L. Noah, Chief Financial Officer

CENTRAL NATURAL RESOURCES INC 10-Q