As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2003
Registration No. 333-_____
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Delaware 06-0842255
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(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation (I.R.S. Employee
or Organization) Identification Number)
P.O. Box 1146, Madison, Connecticut 06443-1146 (203) 245-7664
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(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
James R. Joyce, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Magellan Petroleum Corporation
P.O. Box 1146, Madison, Connecticut 06443-1146
(203) 245-7664
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(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number
Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
Edward B. Whittemore
Murtha Cullina LLP
CityPlace I, 185 Asylum Street
Hartford, CT 06103-3469
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From
time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [_]
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, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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, please 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 delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=============================== ===================== ======================== ========================== ==================
Title of Each Class of Amount to be Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
Securities to be Registered Registered Offering Price Per Aggregate Offering Price Registration Fee
Unit (1) (1)
------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------- ------------------
Common Stock,
$.01 par value per share 1,300,000 shares $1.28 $1,664,000 $134.62
=============================== ===================== ======================== ========================== ==================
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of
the average of the high and low sales prices of the Registrant's common
stock on October 3, 2003, as reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
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.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED October __, 2003
PROSPECTUS
1,300,000 SHARES
MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
All of the 1,300,000 shares of common stock offered hereby are being
offered by one of our shareholders. See "Selling Shareholder." We will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered hereby.
The shares of common stock offered hereby may be sold from time to time
in brokerage transactions at prevailing market prices through a broker to be
nominated by the Selling Shareholder or others, in privately negotiated
transactions for the account of the Selling Shareholder at prices at or near the
market price, or in other privately negotiated transactions. See "Plan of
Distribution."
We have agreed to bear all expenses, other than selling commissions and
related expenses relating to the shares, in connection with the registration and
sale of the shares being registered hereby. We have agreed to indemnify the
selling shareholder against certain liabilities and the selling shareholder has
agreed to indemnify us against certain liabilities in connection with this
offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
See "Plan of Distribution."
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the
symbol "MPET." The last reported sale price per share of our common stock on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market on October 3, 2003 was $1.25.
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors"
beginning on page 4 of this prospectus for a discussion of the factors that you
should consider before you purchase any shares of our common stock.
-----------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of
this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
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The date of this prospectus is _____________ __, 2003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Company 1
Risk Factors 4
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements 7
Selling Shareholder 8
Use of Proceeds 9
Plan of Distribution 9
Legal Matters 10
Experts 10
Where Can You Find More Information 11
Incorporation by Reference 11
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our common
stock, you should not rely upon any information other than the information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should assume
that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the
date of this prospectus, and you should assume the information contained in any
document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of the
date of that document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations
and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus is not an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy our common stock in any
circumstances or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
In this prospectus, "we," "us," and "our" refer to Magellan Petroleum
Corporation and its subsidiaries.
THE COMPANY
Magellan Petroleum Corporation (the "Company" or "MPC") is engaged in
the sale of oil and gas and the exploration for and development of oil and gas
reserves. As of the date of this prospectus, MPC's principal asset was a 55%
equity interest in its subsidiary, Magellan Petroleum Australia Limited
("MPAL"), which has one class of stock that is publicly held and traded in
Australia.
MPAL's major assets are two petroleum production leases covering the
Mereenie oil and gas field (35% working interest) and one petroleum production
lease covering the Palm Valley gas field (52% working interest). Both fields are
located in the Amadeus Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Santos
Ltd., a publicly owned Australian company, owns a 48% interest in the Palm
Valley field, a 65% interest in the Mereenie field and 18.3% of MPAL's
outstanding stock. Origin Energy Limited, a publicly owned Australian company,
owned 17.1% of MPAL's outstanding stock at June 30, 2003. On July 10, 2003, a
subsidiary of Origin Energy, Sagasco Amadeus Pty. Limited, agreed to exchange
1.2 million shares of MPAL for 1.3 million shares of the Company's common stock.
After the exchange was completed on September 2, 2003, the Company's interest in
MPAL increased to 55% and Origin Energy's interest decreased to 14.5%.
MPC has a direct 2.67% carried interest in the Kotaneelee gas field
located in the southeast Yukon Territory of Canada. Devon Canada Corporation is
the operator of this partially developed field which is connected to a major
pipeline system. During the month of June 30, 2003, average production from the
field was approximately 21.7 million cubic feet per day. During September 2003,
the litigants in the Kotaneelee litigation entered into a settlement agreement.
The Company will receive approximately $920,000, after Canadian withholding
taxes and reimbursement of certain legal costs. The plaintiffs will terminate
all litigation against the defendants related to the field, including the claim
that the defendants failed to fully develop the field. Since each party has
agreed to bear its own legal costs, there will be no taxable costs assessed
against any of the parties. See Item 3 - Legal Proceedings of the Company's Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, for a discussion of litigation
relating to the Kotaneelee field.
Mereenie Field
--------------
MPAL (35%) and Santos (65%), the operator, (together known as the
Mereenie Producers) own the Mereenie field which is located in the Amadeus Basin
of the Northern Territory. MPAL's share of the Mereenie field proved developed
oil reserves was approximately 380,000 barrels and 12.1 billion cubic feet (bcf)
of gas at June 30, 2003. The Mereenie Producers have agreed to install
additional compression equipment in the field at a cost of $13.1 million (MPAL
share $6.4 million) that will increase field deliverability and partially meet
certain gas contract requirements. In addition, two gas wells will be drilled to
meet the gas contractual requirements until June 2007.
During fiscal 2003, MPAL's share of oil sales was 145,000 barrels and
3.8 bcf of gas sold which is subject to net overriding royalties aggregating
4.0625% and the statutory government royalty of 10%. During fiscal 2003, the oil
was transported by means of a 167-mile eight-inch oil pipeline from the field to
an industrial park near Alice Springs. Most of the oil was then shipped south
approximately 950 miles by rail and road to a refinery in the Adelaide area of
South Australia. Effective July 1, 2003, the oil is being trucked to the Port
Bonython Export Terminal, Whyalla, South Australia for sale at approximately the
same cost as the previous method. The cost of transporting the oil to the
terminal is being borne by the Mereenie Producers. The Mereenie Producers are
providing Mereenie gas in the Northern Territory to the Power and Water
Authority (PAWA) and Gasgo Pty. Ltd., a company PAWA wholly owns, for use in
Darwin and other Northern Territory centers. See "Gas Supply Contracts" below.
The leases covering the Mereenie field were renewed in November 2002
for an additional term of 21 years.
Palm Valley Field
-----------------
MPAL has a 52% interest in, and is the operator, of the Palm Valley gas
field which is also located in the Amadeus Basin of the Northern Territory.
Santos, the operator of the Mereenie field, owns the remaining 48% interest in
Palm Valley which provides gas to meet the Alice Springs and Darwin supply
contracts with PAWA. See "Gas Supply Contracts" below. MPAL's share of the Palm
Valley proved developed reserves was16.8 bcf at June 30, 2003. During fiscal
2003, MPAL's share of gas sales was 3.1 bcf which is subject to a 10% statutory
government royalty and net overriding royalties aggregating 5%. MPAL plans to
drill an additional development well, Palm Valley-11, later in 2003 to increase
gas deliverability. PAWA will pay for the cost of the well under the gas supply
agreement.
The leases covering the Palm Valley field are due to expire in November
2003 and applications have been made to the Northern Territory governmental
authorities to renew the leases. Concurrently, negotiations have commenced with
the Aboriginal landowners. MPAL expects that the leases will be renewed.
Gas Supply Contracts
--------------------
In 1983, the Palm Valley Producers (MPAL and Santos) commenced the sale
of gas to Alice Springs under a 1981 agreement. In 1985, the Palm Valley
Producers and Mereenie Producers signed agreements for the sale of gas to PAWA
for use in PAWA's Darwin generating station and at a number of other generating
stations in the Northern Territory. The gas is being delivered via the 922-mile
Amadeus Basin to Darwin gas pipeline which was built by an Australian
consortium. Since 1985, there have been several additional contracts for the
sale of Mereenie gas. Both the Palm Valley and Mereenie contracts expire in the
year 2009. Under the 1985 contracts, there is a difference in price between Palm
Valley gas and most of the Mereenie gas for the first 20 years of the 25 year
contracts which takes into account the additional cost to the pipeline
consortium to build a spur line to the Mereenie field and increase the size of
the pipeline from Palm Valley to Mataranka. The price of gas under the Palm
Valley and Mereenie gas contracts is adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in
the Australian Consumer Price Index.
At June 30, 2003, MPAL's commitment to supply gas under the
above agreements was as follows:
Period Bcf
-------------------------------- ------
Less than one year 6.93
Between 1-5 years 27.54
Greater than 5 years 11.12
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Total 45.59
=====
The following chart illustrates the various relationships between MPC and the
various companies discussed above.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Our principal executive offices are located at P.O. Box 1146, Madison,
Connecticut 06443-1146 (Telephone 203-245-7664), and we maintain a website at
http://www.magpet.com. Information on our website is not part of this
prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below before buying
the shares of common stock offered hereby. 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 deem immaterial may also
significantly impair our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially harmed, the trading
price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your
investment.
Fluctuations In Our Operating Results And Other Factors May Depress Our Stock
Price.
During the past few years, the equity trading markets in the United
States have experienced declines in the value of securities generally and also
extreme price volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating
performance of particular companies. These broad market declines and
fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. From
time to time, there may be significant volatility in the market price of our
common stock. If we are unable to operate the Company at a profit, investors
could sell shares of our common stock at or after the time that it becomes
apparent that the expectations of the market may not be realized, resulting in a
decrease in the market price of our common stock.
The Company's Principal Oil & Gas Property and the Properties Owned by Our
Principal Subsidiary Could Stop Producing Oil And Gas.
MPAL's Palm Valley and Mereenie fields could stop producing oil and gas
or there could be a material decrease in productions levels at the fields. Since
these are the two principal revenue producing properties of MPAL, any decline in
production levels at these properties could cause MPAL's revenues to decline,
thus reducing the amount of dividends paid by MPAL to the Company. Any such
adverse impact on the revenues being received by the Company from MPAL could
restrict our ability to explore and develop oil and gas properties in the
future.
In addition, the Kotaneelee gas field, which is now the Company's main
source of revenue, could stop producing natural gas, produce gas in decreased
amounts, or be shut-in completely (so that production would cease). In this
event, the Company would experience a decline in revenues and would be forced to
rely completely on our receipt of dividends from MPAL.
We Only Have One Full Time Employee, And Our Operations Could Be Disrupted If He
Was Unable Or Unwilling To Perform His Duties.
We only have one full time employee, James R. Joyce, our President and
Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Joyce has an employment agreement with us that
expires on June 30, 2004. Mr. Joyce may terminate his employment relationship
with us at any time with no penalty other than the loss of future compensation.
If Mr. Joyce resigned or were unable or unwilling to perform the duties of
President and Chief Financial Officer, our operations could face significant
delay and disruption until a suitable replacement could be found to succeed Mr.
Joyce. Any such delay or disruption could also prevent the achievement of our
business objectives. We our working on a succession plan, but we do not have one
in place at this time.
There Are Risks Inherent In The Operation Of Oil And Gas Ventures.
An investment in the Company involves the inherent risks of companies
that operate oil and gas exploration and production ventures. Despite favorable
seismic and geological surveys and discoveries at particular properties, only
subsequent drilling operations, undertaken at substantial costs to the Company,
MPAL or third parties, can determine whether commercial development of oil and
gas reserves is economically feasible. If the Company and MPAL are not able to
successfully develop their properties into marketable oil and gas reserves, the
Company's revenues may decline and our stock price could be adversely impacted.
The odds against discovery of commercially exploitable hydrocarbon
reserves are always substantial. Even if a discovery is made, the Company's
ability to exploit the discovered hydrocarbons will depend upon a number of
additional factors, including, but not limited to, its ability to finance
development costs, the availability of markets and equipment and the resolution
of technical and engineering problems associated with the discovery, extraction
and transportation of hydrocarbon reserves.
There Are Risks Inherent In Foreign Operations Such As Adverse Changes In
Currency Values And Foreign Regulations Relating To MPAL's Exploration And
Development Operations And To MPAL's Payment Of Dividends To The Company.
The properties in which the Company has interests are located outside
the United States and are subject to certain risks related to the indirect
ownership and development of foreign properties, including government
expropriation, adverse changes in currency values and foreign exchange controls,
foreign taxes, nationalization and other laws and regulations, any of which may
adversely affect the Company's properties. In addition, MPAL's principal present
customer for gas in Australia is the Northern Territory Government, which also
has substantial regulatory authority over MPAL's oil and gas operations.
Although there are currently no exchange controls on the payment of dividends to
the Company by MPAL, such payments could be restricted by Australian foreign
exchange controls, if implemented.
Three Common Directors of MPC and MPAL May Have Potential Conflicts Of Interest.
The Company and MPAL have three common directors who serve on the
boards of each entity and owe separate fiduciary duties to each entity and its
stockholders. Under certain circumstances, these individuals could have
potential conflicts of interest by reason of the separate fiduciary duties they
owe to each entity.
Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation Includes Provisions That Could Delay
Or Prevent A Change In Control Of Our Company That Our Shareholders Consider
Favorable.
Article Twelfth of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company, as amended, provides that any matter to be voted upon at any meeting of
stockholders must be approved not only by a simple majority of the shares voted
at such meeting, but also by a majority of the shareholders present in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. This provision may have the effect
of making it more difficult to take corporate action than customary "one share
one vote" provisions, because it may not be possible to obtain the necessary
majority of both votes.
As a consequence, Article Twelfth may make it more difficult that a
takeover of the Company will be consummated, which could prevent the Company's
shareholders from receiving a premium for their shares. In addition, an owner of
a substantial number of shares of our common stock may be unable to influence
our policies and operations through the shareholder voting process (e.g., to
elect directors).
In addition, Article Thirteenth of our Restated Certificate of
Incorporation requires the approval of 66 2/3rds % of the voting shareholders
and of the voting shares for the consummation of any business combination (such
as a merger, consolidation, other acquisition proposal or sale, transfer or
other disposition of $5 million or more of the Company's assets) involving our
company and certain related persons (generally, any 10% or greater stockholders
and their affiliates and associates). This higher vote requirement may deter
business combination proposals which shareholders may consider favorable.
Our Dividend Policy Could Depress Our Stock Price and Harm Our Stockholders.
We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock and do not
anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. We plan
to retain any future earnings to reduce our accumulated deficit and finance
growth. As a result, our dividend policy could depress the market price for our
common stock and cause investors to lose some or all of their investment.
We May Issue A Substantial Number Of Shares Of Our Common Stock Under Our Stock
Option Plans And Shareholders May Be Adversely Affected By The Issuance Of Those
Shares.
As of September 30, 2003 , there were 921,000 stock options
outstanding, of which 896,000 are fully vested and exercisable and 25,000 were
not vested. There were also 205,000 options available for future grants under
the Company's Stock Option Plan. If all of these options, which total 1,126,000,
were awarded and exercised these shares would represent approximately 4.2% of
our outstanding common stock and would dilute the interests of other
shareholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
If The Company's Shares Are Delisted From Trading On The Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
Their Liquidity And Value Could Be Reduced.
In order for the Company to maintain the listing of its shares of
common stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the Company's shares must maintain a
minimum bid price of $1.00 as set forth in Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(4). If the
bid price of the Company's shares trade below $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading
days, then the bid price of the Company shares must trade at $1.00 or more for
10 consecutive trading days during a 180 day grace period to regain compliance
with the rule. At present, the Company meets the requirement for two 180 day
grace periods to regain compliance. If the Company shares were to be delisted
from trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap market, then most likely the shares would be
traded on the Electronic Bulletin Board. The delisting of the Company's shares
could adversely impact the liquidity and value of the Company's shares of common
stock.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, which
are based on assumptions and estimates and describe our future plans, strategies
and expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of the words
"anticipate," "will," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," or
similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may address among these
risks and uncertainties are pricing and production levels from the properties in
which the Company has interests, and the extent of the recoverable reserves at
those properties. In addition, the Company has a large number of exploration
permits and there is the risk that any wells drilled may fail to encounter
hydrocarbons in commercial quantities. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we
make or incorporate by reference in this prospectus are described under the
caption "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or
achievements may vary materially from future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf
are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this
section. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
SELLING SHAREHOLDER
The following table sets forth information provided to us by Sagasco
Amadeus Pty. Limited, the sole selling shareholder in this offering ("Sagasco"),
regarding its beneficial ownership of our common stock as of October 6, 2003,
and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares offered hereby, assuming that
all of the shares offered hereby will be sold. Under the rules of the SEC, a
person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of a security if he or she has or
shares the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, has or shares the
power to dispose of or direct the disposition of the security, or has the right
to acquire the security within 60 days.
---------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------- -------------------------------
Shareholder Shares Beneficially Owned Shares Being Offered Shares Beneficially Owned
Prior to the Offering After the Offering
---------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------- ---------------- --------------
Number Percent (%)
---------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------- ---------------- --------------
Sagasco Amadeus Pty. 1,300,000 1,300,000 0 0
Limited (1)
---------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------- ---------------- --------------
(1) Sagasco Amadeus Pty. Limited is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of
Sagasco NT Pty. Ltd., which is in turn a direct wholly owned subsidiary
of Origin Energy Resources Ltd. ("Resources"), which is in turn a
direct wholly owed subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited, a diversified
energy company based in Sydney, Australia.
The shares being offered by Sagasco were acquired on September 2, 2003
pursuant to a Share Sale Agreement entered into between the Company and Sagasco
on July 10, 2003. Under this Agreement, the Company agreed to issue 1,300,000
shares of our common stock as payment for, and in consideration of, the
Company's acquisition from Sagasco of 1,200,000 shares of MPAL, the Company's
52.44% owned subsidiary. The Company's acquisition of the 1,200,000 shares of
MPAL common stock increased the Company's holdings in MPAL from 52.44% to 55%.
Following the closing of the Share Sale Agreement, Sagasco exercised
its right to request that we register the shares offered hereby pursuant to a
Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 2, 2003, that we entered into in
connection with the Company's acquisition of the 1,200,000 shares of MPAL from
Sagasco.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The selling shareholder is offering all of the shares covered by this
prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The shares may be sold from time to time by Sagasco, as set forth in
the Registration Rights Agreement. Sagasco will act independently of us in
making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
Sagasco may make these sales on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or otherwise, at
prices and terms that are then-prevailing or at prices related to the
then-current market price, at fixed prices or in privately negotiated
transactions. Sagasco may use one or more of the following methods to sell the
shares of common stock:
o a block trade in which Sagasco's broker or dealer will attempt to sell
the shares as agent, but may position and resell all or a portion of
the block as a principal to facilitate the transaction;
o a broker or dealer may purchase the common stock as a principal and
then resell the common stock for its own account pursuant to this
prospectus;
o an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable automated interdealer quotation system;
o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers;
o sales through underwriters or dealers who may receive compensation in
the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling shareholder or such successors in interest and/or from the
purchasers of shares for whom they act as agents; and
o the pledge of the shares as security for any loan or obligation,
including pledges to brokers or dealers who may, from time to time,
themselves effect distribution of the shares or interests therein.
Sagasco may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers in
connection with sales of the shares or otherwise. In these transactions,
broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the shares in the course of hedging
the positions they assume with Sagasco. Sagasco may enter into option or other
transactions with broker-dealers that require the delivery to the broker-dealer
of the shares. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise transfer the
shares under this prospectus. Sagasco also may loan or pledge the shares to a
broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may sell the loaned shares, or upon a default
the broker-dealer may sell the pledged shares under this prospectus.
The aggregate proceeds to Sagasco from the sale of the shares will be
the purchase price of the common stock sold less the aggregate selling
commissions, if any, and other expenses of issuance and distribution not borne
by us. Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts or concessions from Sagasco. Broker-dealers or agents may
also receive compensation from the purchasers of the shares for whom they act as
agents or to whom they sell as principal, or both. Compensation as to a
particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions and will be
in amounts to be negotiated in connection with the sale. Broker-dealers or
agents and any other participating broker-dealers or Sagasco may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act in
connection with sales of the shares. Accordingly, any such commission, discount
or concession received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares
purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or concessions
under the Securities Act. Because Sagasco may be deemed to be an "underwriter"
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, it may be subject
to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the specific shares of common stock to be sold,
the purchase price, public offering price, the names of any such agent, dealer
or underwriter, and any applicable commission or discount with respect to a
particular offering will be described in a supplement to this prospectus.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we have agreed to bear
certain expenses of registration of the shares under the federal and state
securities laws and of any offering and sale hereunder, but not including
certain expenses such as (1) underwriting discounts, selling commissions and
stock transfer taxes attributable to the sale of the shares and (2) fees and
expenses of Sagasco's counsel.
The Registration Rights Agreement provides that we will indemnify
Sagasco against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act. Sagasco has agreed to indemnify us and against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
There can be no assurance that Sagasco will sell any or all of the
shares of our common stock offered by them hereunder.
LEGAL MATTERS
Murtha Cullina LLP, Hartford, Connecticut, will pass upon certain legal
matters with respect to the shares of common stock registered hereunder.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Magellan Petroleum Corporation
appearing in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2003,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing. Ernst and Young was dismissed as the Company's
independent auditors on September 26, 2003, upon filling of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2003.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with
the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more
information on its public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains an Internet
website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically
with the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement, which contains
this prospectus, on Form S-3 under the Securities Act. The registration
statement relates to the common stock offered by the selling shareholder. This
prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration
statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. Please
refer to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules for further
information with respect to us and the common stock. Statements contained in
this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document is not
necessarily complete and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of that
contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. You may
read and obtain a copy of the registration statement and its exhibits and
schedules from the SEC, as described in the preceding paragraph.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents that we have previously filed with the SEC or
documents that we will file with the SEC in the future. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later
information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus any filings
made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act after the date of this prospectus until the termination of the offering made
by this prospectus, as well as the following documents:
o Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2003, filed with the SEC on September 26, 2003; and
o An Amendment No. 2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
October 2, 2003 to report the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP as
Company's independent auditors.
o Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 7, 2003 to report
that effective October 30, 2003, the Audit Committee of the Company's
Board of Directors retained Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
new independent auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004.
o Our Proxy Statement for our 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed
with the SEC on October 21, 2002; and
o The description of our common stock contained in our Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on January 14, 1999.
We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this
prospectus (not including exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into the information incorporated into
this prospectus). Request for such information should be directed to Corporate
Secretary, Magellan Petroleum Corporation, P.O. Box 1146, Madison, Connecticut
06443-1146 (Telephone 203-245-7664)
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The expenses to be paid by the Registrant in connection with the
distribution of the securities being registered are as set forth in the
following table:
Registration Fee Under the Securities Act of 1933 $ 135
*Blue Sky Fees and Expenses 1,000
*Legal Fees and Expenses 20,000
*Accounting Fees and Expenses 10,000
*Printing and Engraving 5,000
*Miscellaneous 1,865
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*Total $38,000
=======
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* Estimated.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended,
contains the following provisions respecting indemnification.
FIFTEENTH:
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A director of this Corporation shall not be personally
liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law hereafter is
amended, changed or modified in any way to further eliminate or limit
the liability of directors to the Corporation or its stockholders or
third parties, then directors of the Corporation, in addition to the
circumstances in which directors are not personally liable as set forth
in the preceding sentence, shall also not be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders or third parties for monetary damages
to such further extent permitted by such amendment, change or
modification.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect the rights of any director of the Corporation relating
to claims arising in connection with events which took place prior to
the date of such repeal or modification.
SIXTEENTH:
----------
The Corporation shall enter into appropriate agreements with
its directors and officers (and with such other employees and agents as
the Board of Directors deems appropriate in its sole and exclusive
discretion) to both indemnify them and advance to them the funds for
litigation expenses to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the
State of Delaware, as the same presently exist or may hereafter be
amended, changed or modified.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect the rights of any director or officer (or any such
employees or agents) of the Corporation relating to claims arising in
connection with events which took place prior to the date of such
repeal or modification.
Article III, Section 9 of the Company's By-Laws which provides for
indemnification agreements with its directors and officers is substantially
identical to Article SIXTEENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation and provides
as follows:
SECTION 9. The Corporation shall enter into appropriate agreements with
its directors and officers (and with such other employees and agents as
the Board of Directors deems appropriate in its sole and exclusive
discretion) both to indemnify such directors and officers (and such
other employees and agents, if any) and to advance to such directors
and officers (and such other employees and agents, if any) the funds
for litigation expenses to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of
the State of Delaware, as the same presently exist or may hereafter be
amended, changed or modified.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not
adversely affect the rights of any director or officer (or any such
employee or agent) of the corporation relating to claims arising in
connection with events which took place prior to the date of such
repeal or modification.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides for the
indemnification of directors and officers. Generally Section 145 provides for
indemnification to cover the claims and lawsuits of two general categories. The
first category, third-party claims, includes lawsuits brought against the
Company and its directors or officers by third parties who claim to have been
injured by some unlawful action. Section 145 provides that a director or officer
subject to this class of claim is entitled to indemnification for any amount
paid for the judgment or settlement and any expenses incurred in a reasonable
defense thereof, provided that the director or officer (i) acted in good faith
and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company, and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
The second category of claims for which a director or officer could
seek indemnification are claims by or in the right of the Company, whether such
claims are made by the Company directly or by a stockholder in a derivative
action. Examples in this category include breach by a director of his duty of
loyalty to the Company. As to this category of claims and lawsuits, Section 145
provides specifically that the director or officer may obtain indemnification of
expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense
or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company and if a court of appropriate jurisdiction approves such
indemnification. However, directors and officers are not entitled to be
indemnified under the statute to recover amounts paid in damages or settlement
of such suits.
Section 145, by its terms, is not exclusive. Section 145(f) provides in
pertinent part: "The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise."
In accordance with Article SIXTEENTH of its Certificate of
Incorporation, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each
of its directors and officers.
In 1985, the Company purchased $100,000 of directors and officer's
liability insurance coverage from an unaffiliated Bermuda company at a cost of
$100,000 plus an annual $7,500 service fee during the period of the policy. The
policy amount was increased to $200,000 in 1998. The Company is credited with
investment income from the policy premium during the term of the policy and all
or a portion of such premium will be refunded at the end of the policy term to
the extent that no claims are made.
The Company presently has in effect a $10,000,000 policy of Directors
and Officers liability insurance at an annual premium cost of $121,000.
Item 16. Exhibits.
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation as filed on May 4, 1987 with the
State of Delaware and Amendment of Article Twelfth as filed on February
12, 1988 with the State of Delaware (each filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Form
S-8 Registration Statement, filed on January 14, 1999, and incorporated
herein by reference).
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation as filed on
December 26, 2000 with the State of Delaware (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to
the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on February 13, 2001
and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3 By-Laws, as amended (filed as Exhibit 4(c) to Form S-8 Registration
Statement, filed on January 14, 1999 and incorporated herein by
reference).
5 Opinion of Murtha Cullina LLP (filed herewith).
10.1 Share sale agreement by and between Magellan Petroleum Corporation and
Sagasco Amadeus Pty. Limited, (filed as Exhibit 10(q) to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 26, 2003 and incorporated
herein by reference).
10.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 2, 2003, between
Magellan Petroleum Corporation and Sagasco Amadeus Pty. Limited (filed
as Exhibit 10(r) to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed on
September 26, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith).
23.2 Consent of Murtha Cullina LLP (included in their opinion filed as
Exhibit 5).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (contained on signature page of this Registration
Statement).
Item 17. 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;
(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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration
statement or any material change to such information in this
registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i)
and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, 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.
Provided, however, That paragraphs (a)1(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is 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
registration statement.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act and 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) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act 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 SEC such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the Town of Madison, State of Connecticut, on October 6 2003.
MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By: /s/ James R. Joyce
----------------------
James R. Joyce
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
Know all men by these presents, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints James R. Joyce and Timothy L. Largay
(with full power to each of them to act alone) as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him or her and
in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities to sign any or all
amendments or post-effective amendments to this registration statement,
including post-effective amendments filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the
Securities Act, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, to sign any and all
applications, registration statements, notices or other documents necessary or
advisable to comply with the applicable state securities laws, and to file the
same, together with all other documents in connection therewith, with the
appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
/s/ James R. Joyce President, Chief Executive
-------------------------- Officer and Chief Financial
James R. Joyce Officer and Director October 6, 2003
/s/ Donald V. Basso Director October 6, 2003
--------------------------
Donald V. Basso
/s/ Timothy L. Largay Director October 6, 2003
--------------------------
Timothy L. Largay
/s/ Walter McCann Director October 6, 2003
--------------------------
Walter McCann
/s/ Ronald P. Pettirossi Director October 6, 2003
--------------------------
Ronald P. Pettirossi
EXHIBIT INDEX
5 Opinion of Murtha Cullina LLP.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2 Consent of Murtha Cullina LLP (included in their opinion filed
as Exhibit 5).