COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL MATTERS

While there are currently no pending legal proceedings to which we are a party (or that are to our knowledge contemplated by governmental authorities) that we believe will have individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results, from time to time we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business or otherwise. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in any such matters could occur that could harm our business, financial condition or results of operation, including significant monetary damages or limitations on our ability to engage in our business activities. Although we have director and officer insurance, in case such claims arise it may not apply to or fully cover any liabilities we may incur as a result of these lawsuits.

The following are descriptions of certain concluded legal proceedings in which we were involved that have historical significance in relation to the discussions herein under "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere, and are included for reference purposes.

Tullow and Dana Legal Actions

On January 11, 2016, we filed legal actions against members of the Consortium under the Joint Operating Agreement governing the oil and gas exploration rights offshore Guinea ("First JOA") in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and before the AAA against Tullow for their failure to meet their obligations under the First JOA. On January 28, 2016, the action in the Federal District Court was voluntarily dismissed by us and refiled in District Court in Harris County, Texas. On February 8, 2016 Tullow and Dana removed the case to Federal District Court.

On February 2, 2016, SCS filed an Application for Emergency Arbitrator and Interim Measures of Protection and requested the following relief: (a) expedite discovery prior to the constitution of the arbitral tribunal; (b) provide that the time period permitted by the parties' arbitration agreement for the selection of the arbitrators and the filing of any responsive pleadings or counterclaims be accelerated; (c) require Tullow, as the designated operator under the First JOA, to maintain existing "well-planning activities"; (d) require Tullow to undertake and complete certain planning activities; and (e) require Tullow and Dana to join with SCS in completing the negotiation of an acceptable amendment to the PSC and to agree to a process that will result in the execution of the amendment. With the exception of limited relief regarding discovery and agreement by Tullow to maintain certain well plan readiness, the Emergency Arbitrator ruled on February 17, 2016, that SCS is not entitled to the emergency injunctive relief it requested. Further, the Emergency Arbitrator enjoined all parties to the dispute from pursuing parallel District Court proceedings. On February 12, 2016, the case was voluntarily stayed by us.

The AAA action sought (1) a determination that Tullow and Dana were in breach of their contractual obligations and (2) the damages caused by the repeated delays in well drilling caused by the activities of Tullow and Dana. We determined to bring the legal actions only after it became apparent that Tullow and Dana would not move forward, despite many opportunities to do so, with petroleum operations. SCS believed that it exhausted all of its options for the pursuit of legal measures to require Tullow and Dana to drill the planned exploration well.

On August 15, 2016, we subsequently entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with Tullow and Dana ("Settlement and Release") with respect to our dispute in arbitration. Under the Settlement and Release, we released all claims against Tullow and Dana and Tullow and Dana (i) issued to the Government of Guinea a notice of withdrawal from the Concession and PSC effective immediately, (ii) transferred their interest in the long lead items of well construction material previously purchased by the Consortium in preparation for the initial drilling of the Fatala-1 well, and agreed to pay net cash of $0.7 million to us. We also agreed to pay Dana a success fee which is based upon $50,000 per million barrels upon declaration of the certified commercial reserves of the Fatala-1 well, if it results in a discovery.

Iroquois Lawsuit

On May 9, 2012, a lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against us and all of our directors. The plaintiffs, five hedge funds, including Iroquois Master Fund Ltd., that invested in us in early 2012, allege that we breached an agreement with the plaintiffs, and that we and the directors made certain negligent misrepresentations relating to our drilling operations. Among other claims, the plaintiffs alleged that we misrepresented the status of our drilling operations and the speed with which the drilling would be completed. The plaintiffs advanced claims for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation and sought damages in the amount of $18.5 million plus pre-judgment interest. On June 19, 2013, the court dismissed the negligent misrepresentation claim but declined to dismiss the breach of contract claim. On August 12, 2013, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. That complaint named only us and sought recovery for alleged breaches of contract.

On December 31, 2016, we entered into a settlement agreement with the five hedge funds in this lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Hyperdynamics would issue to the plaintiffs a total of 600,000 new shares of common stock, and it would cause a payment to be made of $1.35 million in cash that would be covered under its directors' and officers' insurance policy. The plaintiffs are restricted from selling the shares of common stock before April 1, 2017 under the terms of the agreement.

On January 26, 2017, an order to approve the settlement agreement was entered in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County and subsequently approved by the Court on the same day.

On January 11, 2017, a payment of $1.35 million was made by the insurance underwriters of the Company's directors' and officers' insurance policy to the hedge funds in the Iroquois lawsuit on behalf of the Company. On February 2, 2017, the Company issued 600,000 shares of its common stock to the hedge funds named in the settlement agreement.

Operating Leases

We lease office space under long-term operating leases with varying terms. Most of the operating leases contain renewal and purchase options. We expect that in the normal course of business, the majority of operating leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases.

The following is a schedule by years of minimum future rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of June 30, 2017 (in thousands):


Years ending June 30:
2018	$	—
2019		399
2020		406
2021		309
Total minimum payments required	$	1,114

Rent expense included in loss from operations for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively in each year.

HYPERDYNAMICS CORP 10-K