SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-KSB ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2000 Commission File No. 0-6119 TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 84-061743 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) Incorporation or Organization) 230 South Montclair Street, Suite 101, Bakersfield, California 93309 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) Registrant's Telephone Number Including Area Code: (661) 837-9300 Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.001 par value (Title of Class) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such requirement for the past 90 days. Yes___X__ No_____ Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB, if applicable, or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. ___X__ The issuer's revenues for the most recent fiscal year were $2,197,369. As of January25, 2001, 19,653,748 common shares were issued and outstanding, and the aggregate market value of the common shares of Tri-Valley Corporation held by non-affiliates on that date was approximately$29,078,340. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes; No X --- Exhibit Index appears on page 32. PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS ------------------ Tri-Valley Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is in the business of exploring, acquiring and developing prospective and producing petroleum and precious metals properties and interests therein. Tri-Valley has two wholly owned subsidiaries. Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company ("TVOG") operates the oil & gas activities. TVOG derives the majority of its revenue from gas production. Tri-Valley Power Corporation is the other wholly owned subsidiary. However, this subsidiary is inactive at the present time. The precious metals activity is operated directly by Tri-Valley Corporation. TVOG primarily generates its own exploration prospects from its internal database, and also screens prospect submittals from other geologists and companies. TVOG generates these geological "plays" within a certain geographic area of mutual interest ("AMI"). The prospect is then presented to potential co-venturers. The company deals with both sophisticated individual investors and energy industry companies. TVOG is the operator of these co-ventures. In 1987, the Company acquired precious metals claims on Alaska state lands. The Company has conducted exploration operations on these properties and has reduced its original claims to a block of approximately 38,760 acres (60.6 square miles). The Company has conducted trenching, core drilling, bulk sampling and assaying activities to date and has reason to believe that mineralization exists to justify additional exploration and development activities. However, to date, the Company has not identified probable mineral reserves on these properties ITEM 2. PROPERTIES -------------------- The Company's headquarters and administrative offices are located at 230 South Montclair Street, Suite 101, Bakersfield, California 93309. The Company leases approximately 2,500 square feet of office space at that location. The principal properties of the Company consist of proven and unproven oil and gas and precious metal properties, maps and geologic records related to prospective oil and gas and precious metal properties, office and other equipment. TVOG has a worldwide geologic library with data on every continent except Antarctica including over 700 leads and prospects in California, the Company's present area of emphasis. This is further supported by a database of over 20,000 line miles of 2-D seismic. Oil and Gas Operations ------------------------- The oil and gas properties in which the Company holds interests are primarily located in the area of central California known as the Sacramento Valley. The Company also leases exploration acreage in the San Joaquin and Santa Maria Valleys. The Company contracts for the drilling of all its wells and does not own any drilling equipment, bulk storage facilities, transportation pipelines or refineries. The company has retained the services of Cecil Engineering, an independent engineer, for the purposes of estimating the Company's net share of proved developed oil and gas reserves on all the Company's oil and gas properties at December 31, 2000. The Company does not include any undeveloped reserves in these reserve studies and, accordingly, only proved developed reserves are reported herein. Price is a material factor in the stated reserves of the Company, because higher prices permit relatively higher-cost reserves to be produced economically. Higher prices generally permit longer recovery, hence larger reserves at higher values. Conversely, lower prices generally limit recovery to lower-cost reserves, hence smaller reserves. The process of estimating oil and gas reserve quantities is inherently imprecise. Ascribing monetary values to those reserves, therefore, yields imprecise estimated data at best. The estimated future net recoverable oil and gas reserves from proved developed properties as of December 31, 2000, December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998 were as follows: ITEM 2. PROPERTIES -------------------- BBL MCF --- ----- December 31, 2000 Condensate 299 Natural Gas 1,842,672 December 31, 1999 Condensate 185 Natural Gas 1,540,003 December 31, 1998 Condensate 234 Natural Gas 1,434,539 Using year-end oil and gas prices and current levels of lease operating expenses, the estimated present value of the future net revenue to be derived from the Company's proved developed oil and gas reserves, discounted at 10%, was $12,920,069 at December 31, 2000, $1,308,178 at December 31, 1999,and $1,213,400 at December 31, 1998. Reference is made to the unaudited supplemental information of the consolidated financial statements for further information on oil and gas reserves and estimated values. The following table sets forth the net quantities of natural gas and crude oil produced by Registrant during: Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 1998 Natural Gas (MCF) 249,011 210,333 277,946 Crude Oil (BBL ) 50 119 137 The following table sets forth the average sales price and average production (lifting) cost per unit of oil and gas produced by registrant during: Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 1998 Natural gas (per MCF) $3.76 $2.20 $2.20 Production Costs (per MCF) .21 .20 .20 Net Profit per MCF $3.55 $2.00 $2.00 As of December 31, 2000, the Company had the following gross and net position in wells and developed acreage: Wells (1) Acres (2) ---------- ---------- Gross Net Gross Net 11 4.537 2192 645 (1) "Gross" wells represent the total number of producing wells in which the Company has a working interest. "Net" wells represent the number of gross producing wells multiplied by the percentages of the working interests therein by the Company. "Net wells" recognizes only those wells in which the Company holds an earned working interest. Working interests earned at payout have not been included. (2) "Gross" acres represent the total acres in which the Company has a working interest; "net" acres represent the aggregate of the working interests of the Company in the gross acres. The Company drilled one exploratory well in 2000, but as of March 15, 2001, the Company has not determined whether this well is capable of commercial production. See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition - Petroleum Activities, page 8. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES -------------------- The following table sets forth the number of productive and dry exploratory and development wells drilled by the Company during: Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 1998 Exploratory 2* Producing -0- -0- -0- Dry 1** -0- -0- Total 3 -0- -0- Development Producing -0- -0- -0- Dry -0- -0- -0- Total -0- -0- -0- *At December 31, 2000 , one well, the Ekho #1, had been drilled but not yet completed. The Sunrise Mayel #1 was still drilling. **During 2000 we plugged and abandoned one well that had been drilled in 1998 but had never produced hydrocarbons in commercial quantities. The following table sets forth information regarding undeveloped oil and gas acreage in which the Company had an interest on December 31, 2000. State Gross Acres Net Acres ----- ----------- --------- California 25,564 20,890 Nevada 14,575 14,575 Some of the Company's undeveloped acreage is held pursuant to leases from landowners. Such leases have varying dates of execution and generally expire one to five years after the date of the lease. Precious Metals ---------------- The precious metals properties are located in interior Alaska. They are comprised of 898 40-acre claims and 16 160-acre prospecting sites, of which 84 claims are leased from others, located solely on State open lands requiring annual assessment work, and an annual per claim fee. All fees are current. The following table sets forth the information regarding the acreage position the Company has under lease in Alaska as of December 31, 2000: State Gross Acres Net Acres ----- ----------- --------- Alaska 38,760 37,966 Mineral properties claimed on Open State land require minimum annual assessment work of $100 worth per State of Alaska claim. In 1999, the Company staked 40 160-acre prospecting sites. In July 2000, the Company converted 24 prospecting sites into 96 new claims and staked an additional 32 claims to bring its land position to approximately 40,640 acres (63.5 square miles). These additional 128 claims were subsequently dropped in November 2000. Also in 2000, Kinross Gold Co., successor to Cyprus Amax Mining Co., quitclaimed 81 claims to Tri-Valley, bringing its present land position to approximately 38,760 acres (60.6 square miles). Expenditures on the Richardson, Alaska acreage have already carried forward annual assessment requirements more than four years on all its claims. The Company has no Federal claims. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES -------------------- Tri-Valley has had a joint scientific research agreement with TsNIGRI, the Central Research Institute of Geological Prospecting for Base and Precious Metals, based in Moscow, Russia since 1991. The proprietary technology they use for evaluating large areas of covered sub-arctic terrain has been impressive and encouraging to our efforts. Physical gold has been found at 60 locations along a 20-mile swath and over 1,000 samples have been assayed by Bondar-Clegg, a respected assay house. We believe we have a great potential and intend to continue our exploration and future development of these properties. Management believes it has demonstrated that the Company possesses a superior mineral property which could reward the shareholders dramatically from discovery success with little downside exposure at present. Environmental ------------- The Company's energy operations are subject to a number of regulations relating to environmental protection, as are all exploration and production companies. However, the Company believes it is in full compliance with all environmental related rules and regulations. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ---------------------------- During 2000, we settled one lawsuit between the Company and a former consultant, which had been pending from 1997. We were not party to any other material legal proceedings during 2000. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS --------------------------------------------------------------------- On September 16, 2000, the Company held its annual meeting. The matters submitted to a vote of the security holders included the election of directors, restated Certificate of Incorporation , and the election by the Company to be governed by 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Laws. The shareholders elected all of the nominees for director who were recommended by the board. They approved the restated Certificate of Incorporation and approved the proposal to be governed by 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The shareholder votes were as follows: Measure #1 - Election of Directors FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN Earl H. Beistline 18,260,785 127,325 F. Lynn Blystone 18,264,680 123,430 Milton J. Carlson 18,266,485 121,625 Dennis P. Lockhart 18,266,485 121,625 Loren J. Miller 18,266,485 121,625 Measure #2 - Approved restated Certificate of Incorporation. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 14,352,402 111,309 4,046,024 Measure #3 - Election by the Company to be governed by 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Laws. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 14,318,398 189,213 4,002,124 ------ PART II ------- ITEM 5. MARKET PRICE OF THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLDER MATTERS --------------- Shares of Tri-Valley Corporation stock are traded over-the-counter on the Electronic Bulletin Board under the symbol "TRIL". The following table shows the high and low bid and asked prices of Tri-Valley stock for the quarterly periods indicated as reported by the OTC Stock Journal: Bid Prices Asked Prices ----------- ------------- High Low High Low ---- ---- ---- ---- 2000: First Quarter. $ 3.438 $ 1.44 $ 3.63 $ 1.43 Second Quarter $ 4.125 $ 2.03 $ 4.53 $ 1.88 Third Quarter. $ 3.188 $ 1.75 $ 3.38 $ 1.72 Fourth Quarter $ 1.938 $ 1.13 $ 2.06 $ 1.06 Bid Prices Asked Prices ----------- ------------- High Low High Low ---- --- ---- --- 1999: First Quarter $ .470 $ .34 $ .56 $ .34 Second Quarter $ 1.063 $ .38 $ 1.12 $ .38 Third Quarter $ 1.188 $ .72 $ 1.31 $ .63 Fourth Quarter $ 1.969 $ 1.19 $ 2.16 $ 1.19 As of December 31, 2000, the Company estimates that its common stock was held by approximately 2,000 shareholders of record in 40 states and at least 4 foreign countries. The Company historically has paid no dividends, and at this time does not plan to pay any dividends in the immediate future. Rather, the Company strives to add share value through discovery success. As of January 22, 2001, we had 13 market makers for our stock. In 2000, trading volume exceeded 14 million shares. Recent Sales of unregistered Securities ------------------------------------------- During 2000 there were 14,000 shares issued at $0.50 each from the exercise of stock options held by one director and one former employee. Additionally, 194,500 shares were sold to individuals in private placement, 55,000 at a price of $1.25 per share and 139,500 at a price of $1.50 per share, all exempt under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. Also in 2000, 40,000 shares were awarded to outside directors for past services and 5,000 shares were issued to F. Lynn Blystone according to the terms of his employment agreement. ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This report contains forward-looking statements. The words, "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "project," "could," "may," "foresee," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include information regarding expected development of the Company's business, lending activities, relationship with customers, and development in the oil and gas industry. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, believed, estimated or otherwise indicated. Overview We believe that, after 20 years of downsizing in the petroleum industry, increased oil and natural gas prices during the past year have created a favorable environment for renewed growth. Production from existing reserves continues to decline, while demand increases. While the trend for demand to outstrip available supplies is worldwide as well as national, we believe that it is particularly acute in California, our primary venue for exploration and production, which imports 53% of its oil and 85% of its natural gas demand. According to Liam McGee, the President of Bank of America, California is the world's fifth largest economy. Oil prices tend to be set based on worldwide supplies and prices, while natural gas prices seem to be more dependent on local conditions. Over the past year, natural gas prices in California have risen dramatically, and our revenue due to oil and gas sales has risen with the price of gas. We expect that gas prices will hold steady or possibly increase over the next year. If has prices should fall, for instance due to new regulatory measures or the discovery of new and easily producible reserves, our revenue from oil and gas sales would also fall. We are now grading and prioritizing our geologic library, which contains over 700 leads and prospects, for exploratory drilling. We use our library to decide where we should seek oil and gas leases for future explorations. Of course, we cannot be sure that any future prospect can be obtained at an attractive lease price or that any exploration efforts would result in a commercially successful well. Already the first two prospects, Ekho #1 and the Sunrise Mayel #1, have discovered resources of accumulations of exceptional potentials in the mapped area, according to logs and cores of the test wells recently drilled. Both wells are in "tight" reservoirs and require artificial hydraulic fracturing to enhance flow rates and neither can yet be certified as commercial, so we cannot be sure that either of these prospects will result in proved, developed reserves. In each play, Tri-Valley has as many as 40 or more locations based on spacing rules, in its lease blocks over mapped closures. Management is confident that the Company inventory and projects can deliver exceptional value to shareholders and partners if we can fund a velocity of drilling to make the discoveries among the inevitable dry holes of the exploration businessWe seek to fund and drill enough exploratory wells for commercial discoveries to make up for the cost of the inevitable dry holes that we can expect, in the exploration business. Our future results will depend on our success in finding new reserves and commercial production, and there can be no assurance what revenue we can ultimately expect from any new discoveries. Natural Gas Activities The Company generally sells a percentage of production on a fixed contract price and the remainder at the monthly spot price. In times when we expect the price of gas to weaken, we try to increase the amount we sell under fixed prices. When we expect the price of gas to rise, we seek to sell more gas in the spot market. In 2000, we sold 49% of our production under fixed price contracts and 51% on the spot market. Because we expect gas prices to continue to rise, we intend to sell 100% of our production on the spot market in 2001. Because we plan to sell only on the spot market in 2001, a drop in the price of gas would have a more adverse impact on us than if we entered into some fixed price contracts for sale of future production. ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION Our hydrocarbon reserves were valued by independent engineers at a net present value of $11,887,320 at December 31, 2000, an increase of $10,670,021 from December 31, 1999 after taking into account the SEC mandatory 10% discount rate and also taking into consideration the effect of income tax. This was due primarily to the increase in gas prices. This value does not appear on the balance sheet because accounting rules require discovered reserves to be carried on the balance sheet at the cost of obtaining them rather than the actual future net revenue from producing them. Tri-Valley arranges to be carried, (we don't have to pay for our interest), in the test wells on prospects. Under these arrangements, we usually minimize the Company's cost to drill and also receive relatively little value from the reserves we discover. On the other hand, we occasionally incur extra expenses for drilling or development that we choose, in our discretion, not to pass on to other venture participants. This occurred in 2000, when we incurred dry hole expenses of $440,228 that we elected not to charge to our co-venturers. Petroleum Activities We began drilling the Ekho No. 1 on February 7, 2000. This is the first of three test wells in a program to test deep mapped structure approximately 26 miles long and four to five miles wide and north of Bakersfield, where Tri-Valley Oil and Gas (TVOG) is headquartered. The Ekho No. 1 reached total depth of 19,085 feet in record time, taking only 80 drilling days. We hoped to drill into naturally fractured area of the target formation to achieve natural flow potential. The well did encounter oil that is 48.6 API gravity and 1,460 Btu gas with no H2S, CO2, nitrogen or water. However, the borehole encountered "tight"sands, which will require artificial fracturing to provide avenues for the oil and gas to flow at higher rates. This additional cost came at a time when the Canadian partners in the joint venture encountered national market conditions that precluded them from raising sufficient funds to stay in the project and all but one of the Canadian partners dropped out. Tri-Valley is in the process of repartnering the project with stronger partners to assure that the project can go forward through completion of the Ekho No. 1 and into drilling the Ekho No. 2 and No. 3 test wells. Precious Metals Activity The price of gold has fluctuated in the last 12 months from a high of $316.20 per oz. to a low of $262.80 per oz. However, the Company believes its properties contain deposits that can produce the gold at a cost that will still allow a significant profit. Tri-Valley and Placer Dome U.S., Inc., entered into an agreement on March 22, 1999, whereby they would explore part of our claim block. They performed field exploration work in the summer of 1999 and 2000. However due to the depressed prices of gold, Placer Dome on September 18, 2000, notified us that they were not going to go further on the agreement. Tri-Valley retains rights to 60.6square miles of claims and prospecting sites. We are confident that other parties will be willing to participate when the price of gold recovers. Kennecott Exploration has signed a confidentiality/non-compete agreement on Tri-Valley's entire claim block plus another 50 square miles surrounding. Telecommunications We loaned a general partnership $125,000.00 in 1997 which was secured by the assets of the partnership. The note is in default and the Company is trying to collect on this note. The managing general partner is alleging the assets belong to an L.L.C., which is in bankruptcy. The underlying licenses are being sold and the proceeds will be put in escrow until the bankruptcy court determines the rightful owner. We feel that we will prevail and be successful in recovering our claim. ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------ Balance Sheet -------------- The Company had $1,373,570 cash on hand at December 31, 2000 compared to $8,050,469 at December 31, 1999. This decrease was the result of the Company spending funds that had been advanced by our joint venture partners to drill Ekho #1. Trade accounts receivable are $663,177 (427% greater) for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to the same period last year. This was the result of increased production due to re-working of some of our wells and the increase of natural gas prices. Trade accounts payable were $189,913 (48% greater) in the year ended December 31, 2000 due to invoices to be paid related to drilling the Sunrise-Mayel#1 well. Accounts payable to joint venture participants is larger this year due to accrued revenue at year-end on their behalf. The decrease in advances from joint venture participants is because at year end 1999 we had funds on deposit for the Ekho #1 that were paid out over 2000 as the well was drilled. Revenues Oil and Gas sales of $1,045,013 for the year ended 2000 compared to $522,591 for the year ended 1999, a 199% increase. This $522,422 increase was due to increased production and the increase in natural gas prices. The decrease of $928,791 in sale of oil and gas properties was because the prospect we sold in 2000 was smaller than the prospect sold in 1999. Interest income increased by $66,881 (207%) in 2000 to $99,234, from $32,353 in 1999. The increased interest income came from funds the company had on account. Other income dropped to $34,862 in 2000 from $261,460 in 1999, because Placer Dome USA, paid the Company $225,000 pursuant to our option agreement signed in 1999, discussed inPrecious Metals Activity. Costs and Expenses -------------------- Costs and expenses are $900,287 greater for the fiscal year 2000, a 34% increase. The oil and gas lease expenses were $440,428 larger due to the write off of a well that was drilled in a previous year. Cost of oil and gas prospects sold are $276,051 (26%) less this year because this prospect was smaller than the one sold in 1999. General and administrative expenses are $928,847 (107%) greater due to legal costs and the settlement of a lawsuit filed in 1997. In 1999, we recorded $148,334 for impairment of acquisition costs, as we wrote down the value of previously acquired properties. We incurred no such impairment expense in 2000. Financial Condition Operating Activities Tri-Valley had a negative cash flow from operations during 2000. This was due in large part to a one-time charge to settle the lawsuit. Also, the Company incurred a write-off of a well deemed to be non-commercial. The Company expects to have a positive cash flow in the fiscal year 2001 due to the increased natural gas prices. Investing Activities In 2000, we spent $293,489 on capital expenditures, compared to $105,713 in 1999 - a 177% increase. The capital expenditures were incurred in connection with leasing activities. Our proceeds from sale of property increased by $74,760 (93%) in 2000 to $154,760, compared to $80,000 in 1999. Overall, our cash used by investing activities rose to $155,782 in 2000 from $27,033 in 1999, a $128,749 (476%) increase. ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION Financing Activities Cash used by financing activities was ($5,111,663) in fiscal year 2000 compared to cash provided financing activities of $7,918,906 for fiscal year ended 1999. In 1999, joint venture participants advanced $7,742,568 for the Ekho #1 well. In 2000, we recorded a decrease of funds advanced of $5,359,863 as we expended the funds to drill the well. The Company in recent years has financed a portion of its operations by the sale of the Company's common stock in private placement transactions. In 2000, we raised $285,000 from private placements of common stock, compared to $171,307 in 1999. The overall increase in all activity related to our cash flows in 2000 were directly related to the large size of the Ekho project, for which funds were largely raised in 1999 and spent in 2000, on the first Ekho well. ITEM 7: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION INDEX Page(s) ------- Report of Brown Armstrong Randall Reyes Paulden & McCown, Independent Auditor's Report 12 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2000 and 1999 13 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 14 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 15 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 16 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 17-25 Supplemental Information about Oil and Gas Producing Activities (Unaudited) 26-28 12 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S The Board of Directors Tri-Valley Corporation Bakersfield, California We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tri-Valley Corporation as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects the financial position of Tri-Valley Corporation at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. BROWN ARMSTRONG RANDALL REYES PAULDEN & MCCOWN ACCOUNTANCY CORPORATION Bakersfield, California February 9, 2001 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 16 TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ ASSETS ------ Current Assets Cash $ 1,373,570 $ 8,050,469 Accounts receivable, trade 818,361 155,184 Prepaid expenses 12,029 2,029 -------------- --------------- Total Current Assets 2,203,960 8,207,682 -------------- --------------- Property and Equipment, Net (Notes 1 and 2) 1,306,689 1,059,755 -------------- --------- Other Assets Deposits 100,105 100,000 Note receivable (Note 9) 125,000 125,000 Acquisition costs (Note 1) 51,270 50,000 Investments in partnerships (Note 1) 29,059 12,006 Well Database (net of accumulated amortization of $44,788 and $37,755 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively) 63,862 70,895 Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization of $210,593 and $199,747 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively)(Note 1) 223,260 234,106 Other 13,914 13,914 ------------- ---------------- Total Other Assets 606,470 605,921 -------------- ---------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 4,117,119 $ 9,873,358 ============== ============== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY --------------------------------------- Current Liabilities Notes payable (Note 3) $ 10,672 $ 10,554 Trade accounts payable 581,017 391,104 Amounts payable to joint venture participants 540,142 95,986 Advances from joint venture participants, net (Note 1) 2,517,737 7,877,600 -------------- --------------- Total Current Liabilities 3,649,568 8,375,244 -------------- --------------- Long-Term Portion of Notes Payable (Note 3) 12,038 21,055 -------------- --------------- Shareholders' Equity Common stock, $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 19,554,748 and 19,301,248, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively 19,555 19,281 Less: common stock in treasury, at cost, 163,925 and 179,425 shares at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively (21,913) (45,163) Capital in excess of par value 8,666,688 8,344,462 Accumulated deficit (8,208,817) (6,841,521) --------------- -------------- Total Shareholders' Equity 455,513 1,477,059 -------------- ---------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 4,117,119 $9,873,358 ================ =============== TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Revenues Sale of oil and gas $ 1,045,013 $ 522,591 Gain on sale of property 154,760 77,434 Interest income 99,234 32,353 Sale of oil and gas prospects 863,500 1,792,291 Other income 34,862 261,460 --------------- --------------- Total Revenues 2,197,369 2,686,129 --------------- --------------- Costs and Expenses Mining exploration costs 162,741 193,069 Oil and gas leases 601,946 161,518 Cost of oil and gas prospects sold 784,710 1,060,761 General and administrative 1,931,105 1,002,258 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 64,433 80,946 Interest 19,730 17,492 Impairment of acquisition costs - 148,334 --------------- ------- Total Costs and Expenses 3,564,665 2,664,378 --------------- --------------- Net Income (Loss) before Income Taxes (1,367,296) 21,751 Tax Provision (Note 5) - - ---------------- --------------- Net Income (Loss) $ (1,367,296) $ 21,751 =============== ================= Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share $ (.07) $ .00 ============== ================= Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share $ N/A $ .00 ============== ================= Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding 19,293,188 18,957,278 ================ ================ TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Capital in Excess of Accumulated Treasury Shareholder Shares Par Value Par Value Deficit ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Stock Equity -- ------------ Balance at December 31, 1998 19,088,248 $19,088 $8,177,655 $(6,863,272) $(41,061) $1,292,410 Issuance of common stock 193,000 193 171,307 - (4,102) 167,398 Stock issuance costs - - (4,500) - - (4,500) Net income 21,751 21,751 ---------- ------- --------- ----------- --------- ------ Balance at December 31, 1999 19,281,248 19,281 8,344,462 (6,841,521) (45,163) 1,477,059 Issuance of common stock 273,500 274 373,376 23,250 396,900 Stock issuance costs - (51,150) - (51,150) Net income (loss) - - (1,367,296) - (1,367,296) ---------- ------- --------- ----------- -------- ----------- Balance at December 31, 2000 19,554,748 $19,555 $8,666,688 $(8,208,817) $(21,913) $ 455,513 =========== ======= ========== ============ ========= ========== TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ 1,367,296) $ 21,751 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used by operating activities: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 64,433 80,946 (Gain) on sale of property (154,760) (77,434) Non-employee stock compensation 88,650 - Impairment, dry hole and other disposals of property and equipment - 164,529 Changes in operating capital: (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (663,177) 152,389 Increase in prepaids (10,000) - Increase in deposits and other assets (1,375) (28,992) Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable 189,915 (191,431) Increase (decrease) in amounts payable to joint venture participants and related parties 444,156 (154,390) ------------ ------------ Net Cash Used by Operating Activities (1,409,454) (32,632) ------------ -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from sale of property 154,760 80,000 Capital expenditures (293,489) (105,713) Investment in partnerships (17,053) (1,320) ---------- ------------ Net Cash Used by Investing Activities (155,782) (27,033) ----------- -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Increase (decrease) in advances from joint venture participants (5,359,863) 7,742,568 Principal payments on long-term debt (8,900) (5,134) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 274 192 Additional paid in capital 284,726 171,307 Purchase of treasury stock - (4,102) Sale of treasury stock 23,250 - Proceeds from loan - 18,575 Stock issuance costs (51,150) (4,500) -------------- -------------- Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities (5,111,663) 7,918,906 --------------- ---------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents (6,676,899) 7,859,241 Cash at Beginning of Year 8,050,469 191,226 ----------------- ----------------- Cash at End of Year $ 1,373,570 $ 8,050,469 ================ =============== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Interest paid $ 19,730 $ 17,492 ================== ================= Income taxes paid $ 15,756 $ 4,662 ================== ================== TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999 NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ---------------------------------------------- This summary of significant accounting policies of Tri-Valley Corporation is presented to assist in understanding the Company's financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company's management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles and have been consistently applied in the preparation of the financial statements. Principles of Consolidation ----------------------------- The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements ------------------------------------------------------------------- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the estimate of Company oil and gas reserves prepared by an independent engineering consultant. Such estimates are subject to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves. Estimated reserves are used in the calculation of depletion, depreciation and amortization as well as the Company's assessment of proved oil and gas properties for impairment. History and Business Activity -------------------------------- Historically an oil and gas exploration and production company, emphasizing the Sacramento Valley natural gas province and now very active in the south San Joaquin Valley. In 1987, the Company added precious metals exploration. The Company conducts its oil and gas business primarily through its wholly owned oil and gas subsidiary, Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company ("TVOG"). TVOG is engaged in the exploration, acquisition and production of oil and gas properties . At present, the precious metals exploration activities are conducted directly by the parent, Tri-Valley Corporation ("TVC"). TVC has traditionally sought acquisition or merger opportunities within and outside of petroleum and mineral industries. Cash Equivalent and Short-Term Investments ---------------------------------------------- Cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit, and highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. Goodwill -------- The consolidated financial statements include the net assets purchased of Tri-Valley Corporation's wholly owned oil and gas subsidiary, TVOG. Net assets are carried at their fair market value at the acquisition date. The excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of assets acquired is included in and has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill of $433,853 is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The carrying amount of goodwill is evaluated periodically. Factors used in the evaluation include the Company's ability to raise capital as a public company and anticipated cash flows from operating and non-operating mineral properties. Tri-Valley Corporation has not established an allowance for the impairment of goodwill which may be realized should the Company be acquired or merged with another organization. NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) ---------------------------------------------- Acquisition Costs ------------------ In prior years, the Company capitalized costs as a part of a potential acquisition of 26 wireless communication licenses held by five partnerships. As discussed in Note 9, the licenses and equipment, which the Company may eventually acquire, are included in a security agreement as collateral between the debtor and the Company. During 1999, $148,334 of previously capitalized acquisition costs were considered impaired. Drilling Agreements/Joint Ventures ------------------------------------ Tri-Valley frequently participates in drilling agreements whereby it acts as operator of drilling and producing activities. As operator, TVOG is contingently liable for the activities of these ventures. The Company owns a carried interest and/or overriding royalty interest in such ventures, earning a working interest at payout. Receivables from and amounts payable to these related parties (as well as other related parties) have been segregated in the accompanying financial statements. In the event the Company has expended funds for a project in an amount greater than the original contribution from investors, the Company cash-calls the participants for additional funds. Excess project funding is held until it is determined that no further requirement exists for abandonment or plugging back of project wells, at which time the funds are refunded. In 2000, the Company expensed $490,861 worth of joint venture project costs attributed to a dry hole project. Sale of Oil and Gas Prospects ---------------------------------- The Company sells the rights to oil and gas prospects to the joint ventures created for drilling and exploration activities. These amounts represent the Company's costs of leasing and acquiring the prospects, and other geological and geophysical costs (hereafter referred to as "GGLA") plus a profit to the Company. The Company recognizes gain on the sale of prospect GGLA at the point when the joint venture is fully funded, as the portion of the project cost attributed to GGLA is nonrefundable upon completion of project funding. Oil and Gas Property and Equipment (Successful Efforts) -------------------------------------------------------------- The Company accounts for its oil and gas exploration and development costs on the successful efforts method. Under this method, costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and gas properties, to drill and complete exploratory wells that find proved reserves and to drill and complete development wells are capitalized. Exploratory dry-hole costs, geological and geophysical costs and costs of carrying and retaining unproved properties are expensed when incurred, except those GGLA expenditures incurred on behalf of joint venture drilling projects, which the Company defers until the GGLA is sold at the completion of project funding. Depletion, depreciation and amortization of oil and gas producing properties are computed on an aggregate basis using the units-of-production method. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and/or Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of," requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. It establishes guidelines for determining recoverability based on future net cash flows from the use of the asset and for the measurement of the impairment loss. Impairment loss under SFAS No. 121 is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value. Any impairment loss is recorded in the current period in which the recognition criteria are first applied and met. Under the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas operations, the Company periodically assesses its proved properties for impairments by comparing the aggregate net book carrying amount of all proved properties with their aggregate future net cash flows. The statement requires that the impairment review be performed on the lowest level of asset groupings for which there are identifiable cash flows. In the case of the Company, this results in a field by field impairment review. Upon the sale of oil and gas reserves in place, costs less accumulated amortization of such property are removed from the accounts and resulting gain or loss on sale is reflected in operations. Upon abandonment of properties, the reserves are deemed fully depleted and any unamortized costs are recorded in the statement of operations under leases sold, relinquished and impaired. NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) ---------------------------------------------- Gold Mineral Property ----------------------- The Company has invested in several gold mineral properties with economic development potential. All mineral claim acquisition costs and exploration and development expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. The Securities and Exchange Commission permits capitalization of acquisition, exploration and development costs only after persuasive engineering evidence is obtained to support recoverability of these costs (ideally upon determination of proven and/or probable reserves based upon dense drilling samples and feasibility studies by a recognized independent engineer). Although the Company has performed drilling samples, and an independent engineer has deemed the gold properties contain profitable reserves, management has chosen to follow the more conservative method of accounting by expensing gold mineral costs in the period the expense is incurred. Properties and Equipment -------------------------- Properties and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Office furniture and fixtures 3 - 7 years Building 40 years Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease. Maintenance and repairs, which neither materially add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its life, are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on dispositions of property and equipment other than oil and gas are reflected in operations. Concentration of Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- As discussed in Note 6, the Company sells oil, gas and natural gas liquids to primarily one purchaser located in the northern California region. The Company places its temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. Fair value of financial instruments are estimated to approximate the related book value, unless otherwise indicated, based on market information available to the Company. The fair value of the Company's note receivable is estimated based on the discounted value of the future cash flows expected to be received, and considers the length of time the note has been in default. The present value is estimated to be $94,000 at December 31, 2000. Earnings (Loss) Per Share (SFAS 128) ----------------------------------------- Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings Per Share", was adopted by the Company for the year ended December 31, 1997. SFAS 128 replaces the presentation of primary earnings per share with a presentation of basic earnings per share based upon the weighted average number of common shares for the period. It also requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share for companies with complex structures. Reclassification ---------------- Certain amounts in the financial statements have been reclassified to be consistent and comparable from year-to-year. Accounting Pronouncements -------------------------- In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 which summarizes certain of the staff's views in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements. The Company does not anticipate a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) ---------------------------------------------- In April 2000, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation Number (FIN) 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation--an Interpretation of Accounting Principles Board No. 25. FIN 44 clarifies the application of Opinion No. 25. This Interpretation was effective immediately and all issues are to be handled prospectively. The adoption of FIN 44 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. NOTE 2 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT ------------------------ Oil and gas properties, and equipment and fixtures consist of the following: December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Oil and Gas - California ---------------------------- Proved properties, net of accumulated depletion of $525,916 and $496,282 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively $ 226,790 $ 200,104 Unproved properties 990,089 762,521 ------------ ------------ Total Oil and Gas Properties 1,216,879 962,625 ------------ ----------- Other Property and Equipment ------------------------------- Land 11,281 11,281 Building, net of accumulated depreciation $9,495 and $8,367 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively 35,629 36,758 Office equipment, vehicle, and leasehold improvements net of accumulated depreciation of $142,348 and $125,427 at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively 42,900 49,091 ----------- ------------- Total Other Property and Equipment 89,810 97,130 ------------ ------------- Property and Equipment (Net) $ 1,306,689 $ 1,059,755 ============== ============== NOTE 3 - NOTES PAYABLE -------------- December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Note payable to National Bank of Alaska dated August 27, 1992; secured by property; payable in monthly installments of $539 including interest. Interest rate at 12.00%, December 31, 2000, and December 31, 1999. $ 2,706 $ 8,460 Note payable to Imperial Premium Finance, Inc., dated June 9, 1997; secured by contractual policy; interest at 12.00%; payable in monthly installments of $680 including interest. 4,574 4,574 Note payable to Union Bank, dated January 15, 2000; secured by a vehicle; interest at 8.5%; payable in 60 monthly installments of $380. 15,430 18,575 ------ ------------ 22,710 31,609 Less current portion 10,672 10,554 ------------- ------------ Long-Term Portion of Notes Payable $ 12,038 $ 21,055 ============ ============ NOTE 3 - NOTES PAYABLE (Continued) -------------- Maturities of long-term debt for the years subsequent to December 31, 2000 are as follows: Year Ended December 31, --------------- 2001 $ 10,672 2002 3,691 2003 4,017 2004 4,330 ------------------ $ 22,710 ================ NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS ---------------------------- Employee Stock Options ------------------------ The Company has a qualified and a nonqualified stock option plan which provide for the granting of options to key employees, consultants, and nonemployee directors of the Company. The option price, number of shares and grant date are determined at the discretion of the Company's board of directors. Options granted under the plans are exercisable immediately, however, the plan expires in August 2008. The Company has elected to account for the stock option plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued for Employees," and related interpretations. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the stock option plans. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of granting using the Black-Scholes American option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2000 and 1999, respectively. Expected volatility of 89.28 and 89.97 percent for 2000 and 84.02 and 82.05 for 1999 and risk-free interest rates of 5.25 and 7.25 percent, respectively. A summary of the status of the Company's fixed stock option plan as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and changes during the years ending on those dates is presented below: 2000 1999 ------------------------ ------------------------------- Weighted-Average Weighted-Average Shares Exercise Price Shares Exercise Price -------- --------------- -------- --------------- Fixed Options Outstanding at beginning of year 1,248,000 $0.77 666,000 $0.71 Granted 1,410,000 $1.57 600,000 $0.63 Exercised (14,000) $0.50 (18,000) $0.50 Cancelled - - Outstanding at end of year 2,644,000 $1.20 1,248,000 $0.77 Options exercisable at year-end 2,644,000 1,248,000 Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year $ 1.30 $ 0.53 NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Continued) ---------------------------- The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options outstanding at December 31, 2000: Options Outstanding and Exercisable Weighted-Average Number Outstanding Remaining Weighted-Average ------------------ --------- ---------------- Range of Exercise Prices at December 31, 2000 Contractual Life Exercise Price ------------------------ -------------------- --------------- -------------- $.50 - $2.43 2,644,000 7.65 $ 1.20 A summary of option transactions during the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 is presented below: Number Weighted-Average of Shares Exercise Price ------------- ----------------- Outstanding at December 31, 1998 666,000 $ 0.71 Issued 600,000 0.63 Exercised (18,000) 0.50 --------- ----- Outstanding at December 31, 1999 1,248,000 0.77 Issued 1,410,000 1.57 Exercised (14,000) 0.50 --------- ----- Outstanding at December 31, 2000 2,644,000 1.20 ========== ===== Exercisable at December 31, 2000 2,644,000 1.20 ========== ===== Available for Issuance at December 31, 2000 995,000 ========== Beneficial Owners ------------------ The following is known to the Company to be the only beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock at December 31, 2000: Ownership Shares Percentage ---------------- ---------- Dennis Vaughan 1,009,200 5.2% Partnerships ------------ Tri-Valley is a general partner and operator of the Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Exploration Programs 1971-1 and Martins-Severin Partnerships. Income derived from these activities follows: December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ------------ ------------ Partnership income, net of expenses $ 140,833 $ 73,463 =========== ============ Issuance of Stock ------------------- In April of 2000, the Company issued 5,000 shares to the President and CEO of TVC and 10,000 shares to each of the four Board of Directors in lieu of cash payments for services rendered to the Company. These transactions have been recorded at the fair value of the Company's stock at the date of the award, which amount to $88,650. NOTE 5 - INCOME TAXES ------------- At December 31, 2000, the Company had available net operating loss carry forwards for financial statements and federal income tax purposes of approximately $2,100,000. These loss carry forwards expire between 2001 and 2014. The components of the net deferred tax assets were as follows: December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Deferred Tax Assets: Net operating loss carry forwards $ 802,644 $ 1,160,000 Statutory depletion carry forwards 259,233 215,000 ------------ ------------ Total Deferred Tax Assets 1,061,877 1,375,000 Valuation Allowance (1,061,877) (1,375,000) ---------------- ---------------- Net Deferred Tax Assets $ - $ - ============ ============ A full valuation allowance has been established for the deferred tax assets generated by net operating loss and statutory depletion carry forwards due to the uncertainty of future utilization. NOTE 6 - MAJOR CUSTOMERS ---------------- Oil and Gas ------------- The Company received in excess of 10% of its oil and gas revenue from various sources as follows: A Other ------------------- ------------------ Period Ended: December 31, 1999 $ 491,573 $ 31,018 December 31, 2000 $ 994,553 $ 50,460 All oil and gas sales have occurred in the northern California gas market. NOTE 7 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS -------------------------------------------------------- The Company adopted SFAS No. 131, Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information in 1998 which changes the way the Company reports information about its operating segments. The Company identifies reportable segments by product and country, although the Company currently does not have foreign country segments. The Company includes revenues from both external customers and revenues from transactions with other operating segments in its measure of segment profit or loss. The Company also includes interest revenue and expense, DD&A, and other operating expenses in its measure of segment profit or loss. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (see Note 1). The Company's operations are classified into two principal industry segments. Following is a summary of segmented information for 2000 and 1999: NOTE 7 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS (Continued) -------------------------------------------------------- Oil and Gas Precious Metals Total ------------ --------------- ----- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 Revenues from External Customers $ 1,045,013 $ - $ 1,045,013 Interest Revenue $ 99,234 $ - $ 99,234 Interest Expense $ 19,730 $ - $ 19,730 Expenditures for Segment Assets $ 293,489 $ - $ 293,489 Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization $ 64,433 $ - $ 64,433 Total Assets $ 4,117,119 $ - $ 4,117,119 Net Loss $ (1,204,555) $ (162,741) $ (1,367,296) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 Revenues from External Customers $ 522,591 $ - $ 522,591 Interest Revenue $ 32,353 $ - $ 32,353 Interest Expense $ 17,492 $ - $ 17,492 Expenditures for Segment Assets $ 105,713 $ - $ 105,713 Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization $ 80,946 $ - $ 80,946 Total Assets $ 9,873,358 $ - $ 9,873,358 Net Income (Loss) $ 214,820 $ (193,069) $ 21,751 NOTE 8 - COMMON STOCK ------------- During 2000 the Company issued 194,500 shares of unregistered, restricted common stock in private placement transactions, 45,000 shares to officers and directors, 14,000 issued to employees exercising options, and reissued 15,500 shares of treasury stock. NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES ------------------------------- Litigation ---------- During the year ended 1997, the Company filed an action in Contra Costa Superior Court against an unrelated Corporation (defendant) for breach of contract, declaratory relief, breach of confidence, deceit, negligent misrepresentation, interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition, and constructive trust. The matter proceeded to trial on January 19, 1999, and resulted in a judgement for defendants. The judgement was entered in favor of defendants on July 26, 1999. Thereafter, defendants filed a motion for their attorney fees pursuant to California Civil Code. On December 21, 1999, the Court issued an order awarding attorneys' fees to defendants. On January 19, 2000, the Company filed its appeal of the order. In November 2000, the matter was settled and the Company paid $600,000, which is included in general and administrative expenses as reported in results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2000. NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued) ------------------------------- On May 7, 1998, the Company executed a note receivable with 3rd Mobile in the amount of $125,000, and a Security Agreement dated May 9, 1997 which secured the note. The Security Agreement indicates that the Company holds a security interest in all assets and personal property of 3rd Mobile including, but not limited to, all accounts receivable, office equipment, automobiles, communications towers and business facilities and equipment, customer lists, FCC licenses (known and unknown), pending customer orders, and work product in progress, together with the proceeds thereof (the Collateral). The Collateral secures the amounts due under the $125,000 note, including interest, in addition to all costs and fees, including attorneys' fees, in regard to enforcement against the Collateral. During 1998, the note receivable went into default. An action was filed by the Company against 3rd Mobile on June 23, 1999 in the New York Supreme Court, Onondaga County to foreclose on the Collateral. Subsequent to June 23, 1999, the Company learned that the Collateral was included as listed assets of Central New York Mobile Systems, L.C., whom had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Sacramento, California. The Company believes that it properly and legally secured its interest in the Collateral and is awaiting the results of disposition from the bankruptcy court. Mining Activities ------------------ On March 22, 1999, the Company and Placer Dome U.S., Inc. (PDUS), executed a definitive agreement for PDUS to explore, develop and mine approximately 36 square miles of the Company's then 61.5-square mile claim block at Richardson, Alaska. Terms of the agreement called for PDUS to expend a minimum of $6.5 million in work on the property and partially reimburse the Company for some of its previous exploration, all within five years, in order for PDUS to earn 51% interest in the property. The Company received payments from PDUS totaling $0 and $225,000 during 2000 and 1999, respectively, which has been recorded as other revenue. After spending $750,000, PDUS terminated this agreement on September 18, 2000, and the 36 square miles has reverted back to the Company. Kennecott Exploration has signed a confidentiality/non-compete agreement on Tri-Valley's entire claim block plus another 50 square miles surrounding. Contingencies ------------- The Company is subject to possible loss contingencies pursuant to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These include existing and potential obligations to investigate the effects of the release of certain hydro-carbons or other substances at various sites; to remediate or restore these sites; and to compensate others for damages and to make other payments as required by law or regulation. These obligations relate to sites owned by the Company or others, and are associated with past and present oil and gas operations. The amount of such obligations is indeterminate and will depend on such factors as the unknown nature and extent of contamination, the unknown timing, extent and method of remedial actions which may be required, the determination of the Company's liability in proportion to other responsible parties, and the state of the law. Leases ------ The Company leases its office space on a month to month basis. ------ TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ABOUT OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED) The following estimates of proved oil and gas reserves, both developed and undeveloped, represent interests owned by the Company located solely in the United States. Proved reserves represent estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate to be reasonably certain to be recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells, with existing equipment and operating methods. Proved undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells for which relatively major expenditures are required for completion. Disclosures of oil and gas reserves which follow are based on estimates prepared by independent engineering consultants for the year ended December 31, 2000 and 1999. Such analyses are subject to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. These estimates do not include probable or possible reserves. These estimates are furnished and calculated in accordance with requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Because of unpredictable variances in expenses and capital forecasts, crude oil and natural gas price changes, largely influenced and controlled by U.S. and foreign government actions, and the fact that the basis for such estimates vary significantly, management believes the usefulness of these projections is limited. Estimates of future net cash flows presented do not represent management's assessment of future profitability or future cash flows to the Company. Management's investment and operating decisions are based upon reserve estimates that include proved reserves prescribed by the SEC as well as probable reserves, and upon different price and cost assumptions from those used here. It should be recognized that applying current costs and prices and a 10 percent standard discount rate does not convey absolute value. The discounted amounts arrived at are only one measure of the value of proved reserves. Capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing activities and related accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization were as follows: December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Aggregate capitalized costs: Proved properties $ 752,706 $ 696,386 Unproved properties 990,089 762,521 Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization (525,916) (496,282) Net Capitalized Assets $ 1,216,879 $ 962,625 =============== ================= The following sets forth costs incurred for oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities, whether capitalized or expensed, during: December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Acquisition of producing properties and productive and non-productive acreage 56,320 $ 80,398 ================= ================== Exploration costs $ 227,568 $ - ================ ======================= Results of operations from oil and gas producing activities ------------------------------------------------------------------- The results of operations from oil and gas producing activities are as follows: December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ Sales to unaffiliated parties $ 1,045,013 $ 521,271 Production costs (601,946) (161,518) Depletion, depreciation and amortization (29,634) (51,596) 413,433 308,157 Pro forma statutory income tax expense (144,489) (103,431) Results of operations from activities before extraordinary items (excluding blending operations, corporate overhead and interest costs) $ 268,944 $ 204,726 ================= ================= Changes in estimated reserve quantities ------------------------------------------- The net interest in estimated quantities of proved developed and undeveloped reserves of crude oil and natural gas at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and changes in such quantities during each of the years then ended, were as follows: December 31, 2000 December 31, 1999 -------------------- ---------------------- Oil Gas Oil Gas (BBL) (MCF) (BBL) (MCF) -------- --------- ------- --------- Proved developed and undeveloped reserves: Beginning of year 185 1,540,004 234 1,434,499 Revisions of previous estimates extensions, discoveries and other additions 164 551,679 70 315,838 Production (50) (249,011) (119) (210,333) --- -------- -------- --------- End of year 299 1,842,672 185 1,540,004 === ========= === ========= Proved developed reserves: Beginning of year 185 1,540,004 234 1,434,499 === ========= === ========= End of year 299 1,842,672 185 1,540,004 === ========= === ========= Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and gas reserves ------------------ A standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows is presented below for the year ended December 31, 2000 and 1999. The future net cash inflows are developed as follows: (1)Estimates are made of quantities of proved reserves and the future periods during which they are expected to be produced based on year-end economic conditions. (2) The estimated future production of proved reserves is priced on the basis of year-end prices. (3) The resulting future gross revenue streams are reduced by estimated future costs to develop and to produce proved reserves, based on year end cost estimates. (4) The resulting future net revenue streams are reduced to present value amounts by applying a ten percent discount. Disclosure of principal components of the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows provides information concerning the factors involved in making the calculation. In addition, the disclosure of both undiscounted and discounted net cash flows provides a measure of comparing proved oil and gas reserves both with and without an estimate of production timing. The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved reserves reflects income taxes. December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ------------------- ------------------- Future cash in flows $ 25,127,878 $ 3,265,995 Future production and development costs (1,975,633) (875,081) Future income tax expenses (7,951,963) (122,128) --------------- ---------------- Future net cash flows 15,200,282 2,268,786 10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows 6,716,556 1,051,537 ------------- ---------------- Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow $ 8,483,726 $ 1,217,249 =============== =============== Changes in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flow from proved -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- reserve quantities ------------------- This statement discloses the sources of changes in the standardized measure from year to year. The amount reported as "Net changes in prices and production costs" represents the present value of changes in prices and production costs multiplied by estimates of proved reserves as of the beginning of the year. The "accretion of discount" was computed by multiplying the ten percent discount factor by the standardized measure as of the beginning of the year. The "Sales of oil and gas produced, net of production costs" is expressed in actual dollar amounts. "Revisions of previous quantity estimates" is expressed at year-end prices. The "Net change in income taxes" is computed as the change in present value of future income taxes. December 31, December 31, 2000 1999 -------------------- -------------------- Standardized measure - beginning of period $ 1,217,249 $ 1,178,295 -------------- -------------- Sales of oil and gas produced, net of production costs (443,067) (260,215) Revisions of estimates of reserves provided in prior years: Net changes in prices and production costs 10,411,028 40,691 Revisions of previous quantity estimates 3,186,723 354,958 Extensions and discoveries 694,792 - Purchases of minerals in place 842,668 - Accretion of discount 1,306,674 221,930 Changes in production rates (timing) and other (902,506) (381,372) Net change in income taxes (7,829,835) 62,962 --------------- ------------------ Net increase 7,266,477 38,954 ---------------- ------------------ Standardized measure - end of period $ 8,483,726 $ 1,217,249 =============== =============== ------ PART III -------- ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT ------------------------------------------------------------------ The following information is furnished with respect to each director and executive officer: Year First Became Director or Position With Name of Director Age Executive Officer Company F. Lynn Blystone 65 1974 President, CEO, Director,TVC CEO and Director, TVOG President, CEO, Director, TVPC Dennis P. Lockhart(1) 54 1982 Director Milton J. Carlson(1) 70 1985 Director Earl H. Biestline 84 1992 Director Loren J. Miller(1) 56 1992 Director C. Chase Hoffman 78 2000 Director Thomas J. Cunningham 58 1997 Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, TVC, TVOG, and TVPC Joseph R. Kandle 58 1999 President, TVOG (1)- Member of Audit Committee F. LYNN BLYSTONE - 65 President and Chief Executive Officer of 1974 Tri-Valley Corporation and Tri-Valley Power Corporation, and CEO of Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company, which are two wholly owned subsidiaries of Tri-Valley Corporation, Bakersfield, California Mr. Blystone became president of Tri-Valley Corporation in October, 1981, and was nominally vice president from July to October, 1981. His background includes institution management, venture capital and various management functions for a mainline pipeline contractor including the Trans Alaska Pipe-line Project. He has founded, run and sold companies in several fields including Learjet charter, commercial construction, municipal finance and land development. He is also president of a family corporation, Bandera Land Company, Inc., with real estate interests in Kern, Riverside and Orange Counties California. A graduate of Whittler College, California, he did graduate work at George Williams College, Illinois in organization management. He gives full time to Tri-Valley. DENNIS P. LOCKHART - 54 President 1982 Heller International Group, Inc. Chicago, Illinois Mr. Lockhart is a senior officer and Director of Heller Financial Inc. and President of Heller's international subsidiary which operates in 18 countries. Heller Financial is a NYSE company active in various lines of commercial finance. He has been President of Heller International Group since 1988. Prior to 1988, Mr. Lockhart was an officer of Citicorp/Citibank and held a number of corporate banking and management positions in the U.S. and overseas. He is a graduate of Stanford University and The John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He also attended the Senior Executive Program at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT ------------------------------------------------------------------ MILTON J. CARLSON - 70 Investor, Kalispell, Montana 1985 Mr. Carlson is a principal in Earthsong Corporation which, in part, consults on environmental matters and performs environmental audits for government agencies and public and private concerns. Until its merger with another firm, Mr. Carlson formerly was vice president and corporate secretary of Union Sugar Company, a $100 million unit of Sara Lee Corporation. He was involved in representing industrial end users of energy tthrough the California Manufacturers Association as the former chairman of the CMA steering committee of the standing energy and environmental committees. Mr. Carlson was also the energy and environmental representative with Sara Lee energy advisory group and monitored related matters before the California Public Utilities Commission and Energy Commission as well as serving as the legislative representative in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Mr. Carlson attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Denver. LOREN J. MILLER, CPA - 56 Treasurer, The Jankovich Company 1992 San Pedro, California Mr. Miller has served in a treasury and chief financial officer capacity as Vice president successively of Hershey Oil Corporation and Mock Resources, Inc. Prior to that he was vice president and general manager of Tosco Production Finance Corporation and formerly a senior auditor with Touche Ross & Co. He is experienced in exploration, production, product trading, refining and distribution as well as corporate finance. He holds a B.S. in accounting and a M.B.A. in finance from the University of Southern California. EARL H. BEISTLINE, LLD. - 84 Mining Consultant 1992 Fairbanks, Alaska Dr. Beistline is a past chairman of the Alaska State Minerals Commission and Dean Emeritus of the School of Mineral Industry of the University of Alaska. Born in Juneau, he has achieved a special position in Alaska during its transition from territorial status into statehood. He has numerous honors from local, state and federal governments, academia, professional and civic organizations and the mineral industry. An active miner in the Central-Circle Mining District, Dr. Beistline also serves as a director of one of the state's primary companies, Usibelli Coal Mines, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Mining Engineering, Engineer of Mines and Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Alaska. C. CHASE HOFFMAN - 78 Owner, Hoffman Farms 2000 Tulare, California Mr. Hoffman has owned and operated a milk cow dairy since 1965. He was a Senior Vice President and General Manager for Knudsen for the State of California. He has been a land and housing developer in California and Hawaii. Mr. Hoffman also sits as a director for these other companies, Seine River Resources, Vancouver, British Columbia, with California gold operations and Guatemala oil properties, and Power House Corporation, a British Columbia, Canada, hydroelectric project THOMAS J. CUNNINGHAM - 58 Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial 1997 Officer of Tri-Valley Corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company and Tri-Valley Power Corporation, Bakersfield, California Named as Tri-Valley Corporation's Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer in February 1997, and as Corporate Secretary on December 21, 1998. Mr. Cunningham has over 25 years experience in corporate finance, Securities and Exchange Commission public company reporting, shareholder relations, and employee benefits. In his career he served as Staff Accountant for Forest Oil, Supervisor for Tesoro Petroleum, Controller for Tucker Drilling, Inc., and as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director for Star Resources, Inc. Most recently he was a Management Consultant in finance, marketing and human resource matters including employee benefit planning. He received his education in accounting and business administration from Angelo State University, Texas. ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT ------------------------------------------------------------------ JOSEPH R. KANDLE - 58 President and Chief Operating Officer 1998 Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company, wholly owned subsidiary of Tri-Valley Corporation Bakersfield, California Mr. Kandle was named as President of Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co. February 1, 1999 after having joined Tri-Valley Oil & Gas on June 1, 1998, as Vice President - Engineering. Mr. Kandle is a 1965 graduate of the Montana school of mines with a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering. Mr. Kandle has 34 years of experience in drilling, production, and operations starting with Mobil in 1965 where he specialized in deep drilling. After Mobil, he has held positions of V.P. & Chief Engineer of Great Basins Petroleum, V.P. - Engineering with Star Resources and V.P.- Engineering with Atlantic Oil Company. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations require that the Company's directors, certain officers, and greater than 10 percent shareholders must file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and must furnish the Company with copies of all such reports they file. Based solely on the information furnished to the Company, we believe that no person failed to file required Section 16(a) reports on a timely basis during or in respect of 2000. ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ---------------------------------- The following table summarizes the compensation of the chairman of the board and the president of the Company and its subsidiaries, F. Lynn Blystone (the "Named Officer"), for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998. Long Term Compensation Annual Compensation Awards (a) (b) ( c ) (d) (e) Other Securities Name Period Covered Salary Compensation Underlying Options F. Lynn FYE 12/31/00 $ 95,870 $9,850(2) Blystone, CEO FYE 12/31/99 $ 95,712 FYE 12/31/98 $156,000(1) (1) Includes salary that was deferred when Mr. Blystone took a reduced salary in 1996. (2) Includes value of common shares awarded pursuant to Mr. Blystone's employment contract. Aggregated 2000 Option Exercises and Year-End Values The following table summarizes the number and value of all unexercised stock options held by the Named Officer and the Directors at the end of 2000. ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ---------------------------------- ( A ) ( B ) ( C ) Number of Securities Value of Unexercised In- Underlying Unexercised The-Money Options/SARs at Options/SARs at FY-End (#) FY-End ($)* NAME EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE ---- ------------------------- ------------------------- F. Lynn Blystone 595,000/0 0/0 Dennis P. Lockhart 220,000/0 0/0 Milton J. Carlson 218,000/0 0/0 Loren J. Miller 220,000/0 0/0 Earl H. Beistline 198,000/0 0/0 C. Chase Hoffman 150,000/0 0/0 *Based on a fair market value of $1.47 per share, which was the closing bid price of the Company's Common Stock in the NASD National Market System on December 31, 2000. Compensation of Directors --------------------------- The Company compensates non-employee directors for their service on the board of directors. On 4/3/00, four non-employee directors were issued 10,000 shares of common stock valued at fair market value of $1.97. These shares were awarded at the 1999 Annual Meeting and Mr Hoffman was not a director at that time. On 9/16/00, each non-employee director received 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of $2.43 per option. On 11/10/00, each non-employee director received 100,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.22 per option. The following tables sets forth information regarding the cash compensation paid to outside directors in 2000. (A) (B) NAME FEES ---- ---- Earl Beistline $2,650 Milton Carlson $2,650 Dennis P. Lockhart $1,800 Loren J. Miller $2,650 C. Chase Hoffman $850 ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As of December 31, 2000, there were 19,554,748 shares of the Company's common stock outstanding. The following persons were known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of such outstanding common stock: ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Percent of Name and Address Shares Total F. Lynn Blystone P.O. Box 1105 Bakersfield, CA 93302 1,024,264(1) 5.1% Dennis Vaughan 2298 Featherhill Road Santa Barbara, CA 93108 1,009,200(1) 5.2% (1) Includes 595,000 shares of stock Mr. Blystone has the right to acquire upon the exercise of options within 60 days after December 31, 2000, and 30,200 shares held in the name of Bandera Land Company, Inc., a family corporation of which Mr. Blystone is the president. The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's common stock as of December 31, 2000 by each director, by each of the executive officers named in Item 11, and by the executive officer named in Item 10 and directors as a group: Number of Percent of Directors Shares(1) Total(2) F. Lynn Blystone 1,024,264(3) 5.1% Dennis P. Lockhart 282,091(3) 1.4% Milton J. Carlson 289,000(3) 1.4% Loren J. Miller 255,300(3) 1.3% Earl H. Beistline 248,000(3) 1.3% C. Chase Hoffman 197,500(3) 1.0% Total group (all directors and Executive officers 6 persons) 2,295,955(3) 10.9% (1) Includes shares which the listed shareholder has the right to acquire, from options, within 60 days after Decmeber 31, 2000, as follows: Dennis P. Lockhart 220,000; Milton J. Carlson 218,000; Loren J. Miller 220,000 and Earl H. Beistline198,000. F. Lynn Blystone has 595,000. (2) Based on total outstanding shares of 19,554,748 as of December 31, 2000. The persons named herein have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable. (3) Includes 30,200 shares held in the name of Bandera Land Company, Inc., a family corporation of which Mr. Blystone is the president. ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS ------------------------------------------------------------- None. ITEM 13. EXHIBITS, LISTS, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K --------------------------------------------------------- (a) Exhibits. Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit Page 3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 21.1 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K - None SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. March 23, 2001 By:_/s/ F. Lynn Blystone____________________ F. Lynn Blystone President, Chief Executive Officer and Director March 23, 2001 By:__/s/ Thomas J. Cunningham________________ Thomas J. Cunningham Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates included: March 23, 2001 By:__/s/ Dennis P. Lockhart__________________ Dennis P. Lockhart, Director March 23, 2001 By:__/s/ Milton J. Carlson___________________ Milton J. Carlson, Director March 23, 2001 By:__/s/ Earl H. Beistline___________________ Earl H. Beistline, Director March 23, 2001 By:__/s/ Loren J. Miller____________________ Loren J. Miller, Director March 23, 2001 By:__/s/ C. Chase Hoffman____________________ C. Chase Hoffman, Director