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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-193613

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell the securities described herein and it is not soliciting an offer to buy such securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated July 21, 2016

Prospectus Supplement

(To prospectus dated May 15, 2015)

5,000,000 Shares

 

 

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Common Stock

 

 

We are selling 5,000,000 shares of our common stock.

Our shares trade on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “MCF.” On July 20, 2016, the last sale price of the shares as reported on the NYSE MKT was $12.48 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves risks that are described and incorporated by reference in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

		Per Common Share				Total
Public Offering Price		$				$
Underwriting Discount(1)		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

 

(1)	We refer you to “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” beginning on page S-18 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

The underwriters may exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares from us, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement.

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.

The shares will be ready for delivery on or about                     , 2016 (with any additional shares issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to be delivered on the same or a later date).

 

 

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY
SEAPORT GLOBAL SECURITIES

 

 

July     , 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, which describes the specific terms of this offering of our common stock. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to our common stock or this offering. Generally, when we refer to the “prospectus,” we are referring to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus combined. If the information relating to this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of a security.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” or “Contango” are to Contango Oil & Gas Company, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (File No. 001-16317) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy any documents that are filed at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at its Washington address. Please call the SEC at l-800-SEC-0330 for further information. Our filings are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents previously filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents we filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:

 

(a)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2016;

 

(b)

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on May 9, 2016;

 

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(c)

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2016 and May 25, 2016 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01); and

 

(d)

The description of our common stock which is contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-16317) filed with the SEC on January 16, 2001, including any amendments or reports we file for purposes of updating that description.

All documents filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement and before the termination of the offering of common stock under this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Attention: Corporate Secretary

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 236-7400

We also maintain a website at http://www.contango.com. However, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this prospectus supplement may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The words and phrases “should be”, “will be”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express our expectations about future events. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may not occur. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and our subsequent SEC filings and those factors summarized below:

 

•

our ability to successfully complete the acquisition of undeveloped acreage contemplated by the Exploration Agreement as described under “Summary — West Texas Exploration Agreement,” develop such acreage, integrate the operations relating thereto with our existing operations and realize the benefits from such acquisition;

 

•

our financial position;

 

•

our business strategy, including outsourcing;

 

•

meeting our forecasts and budgets;

 

•

expectations regarding natural gas and oil markets in the United States;

 

•

further or sustained declines in natural gas and oil prices;

 

•

operational constraints, start-up delays and production shut-ins at both operated and non-operated production platforms, pipelines and natural gas processing facilities;

 

•

the risks associated with operating deep high pressure and high temperature wells, including well blowouts and explosions;

 

•

the risks associated with exploration, including cost overruns and the drilling of non-economic wells or dry holes, especially in prospects in which we have made a large capital commitment relative to the size of our capitalization structure;

 

•

the timing and successful drilling and completion of natural gas and oil wells;

 

•

availability of capital and the ability to repay indebtedness when due;

 

•

availability and cost of rigs and other materials and operating equipment;

 

•

timely and full receipt of sale proceeds from the sale of our production;

 

•

the ability to find, acquire, market, develop and produce new natural gas and oil properties;

 

•

interest rate volatility;

 

•

uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures;

 

•

the need to take impairments on our properties due to lower commodity prices;

 

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•

the ability to post additional collateral for current bonds or comply with new supplemental bonding requirements imposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management;

 

•

operating hazards attendant to the natural gas and oil business including weather, environmental risks, accidental spills, blowouts and pipeline ruptures, and other risks;

 

•

downhole drilling and completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance;

 

•

potential mechanical failure or under-performance of significant wells, production facilities, processing plants or pipeline mishaps;

 

•

actions or inactions of third-party operators of our properties;

 

•

actions or inactions of third-party operators of pipelines or processing facilities;

 

•

the ability to find and retain skilled personnel;

 

•

the strength and financial resources of competitors;

 

•

federal and state legislative and regulatory developments and approvals;

 

•

worldwide economic conditions;

 

•

the ability to construct and operate infrastructure, including pipeline and production facilities;

 

•

the continued compliance by us with various pipeline and gas processing plant specifications for the gas and condensate produced by us;

 

•

operating costs, production rates and ultimate reserve recoveries of our natural gas and oil discoveries;

 

•

expanded rigorous monitoring and testing requirements; and

 

•

our ability to obtain insurance coverage on commercially reasonable terms.

Any of these factors and other factors contained in this prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results implied by these or any other forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Although we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that those statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus.

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by reserve engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that are ultimately recovered.

We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves substantial risk. In addition to the risk factors set forth below, you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus prior to making an investment in our common stock. If any of the described risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

The risks described below and those risks described in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial individually or in the aggregate may also adversely affect our business operations.

The acquisition of undeveloped acreage contemplated by the Exploration Agreement may not be completed, and as a result, we may fail to realize the benefits anticipated as a result of such acquisition.

The acquisition of a substantial portion of the undeveloped acreage contemplated by the Exploration Agreement is expected to close by the end of July 2016, with the remainder of the undeveloped acreage expected to be transferred within three months of the initial closing, and will be subject to satisfaction of certain title, due diligence and customary closing conditions. If these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Exploration Agreement may be terminated prior to conveyance of any acreage to us. There can be no assurances that the conveyances under the Exploration Agreement will be closed or that the expected benefits of the Exploration Agreement will be realized. This offering will not be contingent upon such closing or on a minimum conveyance of net acreage to be covered by the Exploration Agreement. If the transactions contemplated by the Exploration Agreement are delayed, not consummated or consummated in a manner different than described herein, the price of our common stock may decline. In addition, if the acquisition contemplated by the Exploration Agreement is not closed and the Exploration Agreement is terminated, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this offering. Accordingly, if you decide to purchase common stock in this offering, you should be willing to do so whether or not we complete the transactions contemplated by the Exploration Agreement.

Under the Exploration Agreement, we are entering a new area of exploration and development in which we have limited experience and facilities, and as a result we may experience inefficiencies, incur unanticipated or higher costs and expenses, or may not fully realize the benefits anticipated as a result of the Exploration Agreement.

We have not historically operated in West Texas. Assuming we obtain the conveyances contemplated by the Exploration Agreement, we will need to integrate the properties and operations relating thereto with our current oil and gas operations, which may increase the risk of inefficiencies in timing, coordination and staffing, unanticipated higher costs and expenses than we currently have projected or drilling results below our expectations. As a result, any desired benefits of the Exploration Agreement may not be fully realized, if at all, and our future financial performance and results of operations could be negatively impacted.

 

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The borrowing base under our revolving credit facility could be further reduced as a result of a continued low commodity price environment, declines in our proved oil and natural gas reserves or for other reasons, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness.

Effective May 6, 2016, as part of the regular redetermination schedule, the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility was redetermined at $140 million, which reflects the impact of a decline in commodity prices from those used in connection with the last redetermination and our limited drilling program. As of July 20, 2016, we had $25 million available for borrowing under our current borrowing base.

Our next regularly scheduled borrowing base redetermination is on November 1, 2016. The borrowing base under our revolving credit facility could be further reduced as a result of a continued low commodity price environment, declines in our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves due to production and our limited drilling to replace such reserves, or for other reasons. Furthermore, we anticipate that if initial drilling on acreage acquired pursuant to the Exploration Agreement has commenced and shows early success, recognition of significant value from proved reserves from such drilling in the November 1, 2016 borrowing base redetermination may be limited. If the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility is further reduced, our available credit would be reduced, or if our borrowings and letter of credit commitments exceed the redetermined borrowing base, we would be required to repay such excess. If our borrowing base is further reduced or we cannot access adequate funding under our revolving credit facility, it would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness.

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Although our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT, we cannot assure you that an active public market will continue for our common stock. If an active public market for our common stock does not continue, the trading price and liquidity of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected. If there is a thin trading market or “float” for our common stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, investors may be unable to liquidate their investment in us. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations, and the market price for our common stock could fluctuate significantly for various reasons, including:

 

•

our operating and financial performance and prospects;

 

•

our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry;

 

•

conditions that impact demand for crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, domestically and globally;

 

•

future announcements concerning our business;

 

•

changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts;

 

•

actions of competitors;

 

•

market and industry perception of our success, or lack thereof, in pursuing our growth strategy;

 

•

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

 

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changes in government and environmental regulation;

 

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general market, economic and political conditions, domestically and globally;

 

•

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

•

sales of common stock by us, our significant stockholders or members of our management team; and

 

•

natural disasters, terrorist attacks and acts of war.

Natural gas and crude oil prices declined severely during 2015 and have declined even further through 2016 to date. In addition, in recent years, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This decline in commodity prices and stock market volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our share price.

We have no plans to pay regular dividends on our common stock, so you may not receive funds without selling your common stock.

Our board of directors presently intends to retain all of our earnings for the expansion of our business; therefore, we have no plans to pay regular dividends on our common stock. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends, and other considerations that our board of directors deems relevant. Also, the provisions of our senior secured revolving credit agreement and second lien credit agreement restrict the payment of dividends. Accordingly, you may have to sell some or all of your common stock in order to generate cash flow from your investment.

Future sales or the possibility of future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock may depress the price of shares of our common stock.

Future sales or the availability for sale of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities.

We may issue shares of our common stock or other securities from time to time as consideration for future acquisitions and investments. If any such acquisition or investment is significant, the number of shares of our common stock, or the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of other securities that we may issue may in turn be substantial. We may also grant registration rights covering those shares of our common stock or other securities in connection with any such acquisitions and investments.

As of December 31, 2015, we had 116,461 stock options outstanding to purchase shares of our common stock outstanding, all of which were fully vested.

We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares of our common stock issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

 

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Our organizational documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could deprive our investors of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may make it more difficult for, or prevent a third party from, acquiring control of us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions:

 

•

permit us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, shares of preferred stock in one or more series and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting the series and the designation of the series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of the series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, if any, and any qualification, limitations or restrictions of the shares of such series;

 

•

require special meetings of the stockholders to be called by the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or by resolution of a majority of the board of directors;

 

•

require business at special meetings to be limited to the stated purpose or purposes of that meeting;

 

•

require that stockholder action be taken at a meeting rather than by written consent, unless approved by our board of directors;

 

•

require that stockholders follow certain procedures, including advance notice procedures, to bring certain matters before an annual meeting or to nominate a director for election; and

 

•

permit directors to fill vacancies in our board of directors.

We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our board of directors is authorized, without further stockholder action, to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the dividend rate, voting rights and other rights, preferences and restrictions of each such series. We are authorized to issue up to five million shares of preferred stock. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect the net proceeds from this offering to be approximately $        million (or approximately $        million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated fees and expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to fund the purchase price of our acquisition of undeveloped acreage pursuant to the Exploration Agreement and costs associated with the initial development thereof. Pending such use, we intend to use the proceeds of this offering to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility, which will be reborrowed from time to time. If the acquisition does not close, we intend to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

As of June 30, 2016, we had approximately $111 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility, which matures on October 1, 2019, and $1.9 million in outstanding letters of credit. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR, the U.S. prime rate, or the federal funds rate, plus a 2.5% to 4.0% margin, dependent upon the amount outstanding. As of June 30, 2016, the weighted average interest rate on our variable rate debt was 4.3% per year. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility are incurred for general corporate purposes, including the funding of our capital budget and recent acquisitions. Any amounts repaid with the proceeds from this offering may be reborrowed in the future.

An affiliate of RBC Capital Markets, LLC is a lender under our revolving credit facility and will receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering in the form of the repayment of borrowings under such facility. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization at March 31, 2016:

 

•

on an actual basis; and

 

•

on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance and sale of our common stock offered hereby and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares) as set forth under “Use of Proceeds.”

This table should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, “Use of Proceeds” and our historical audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

		March 31, 2016
		Actual				As Adjusted
		(in thousands, except share amounts)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	—			$	—
Long-term debt:
Revolving credit facility(1)		$	112,182			$
Total long-term debt			112,182
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.04 par value; 50,000,000 authorized; (i) 24,677,584 actual shares issued and (ii)        as adjusted shares issued, each at March 31, 2016			975
Additional paid-in capital			241,025
Retained earnings			113,701				113,701
Treasury stock, at cost; 5,284,583 shares at March 31, 2016, actual and as adjusted			(127,988	)			(127,988	)
Total stockholders’ equity			227,713
Total capitalization		$	339,895			$

 

(1)

At July 20, 2016, after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the common stock offered hereby and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares), we would have been able to incur an additional $        of indebtedness under our revolving credit facility. At July 20, 2016, we had approximately $113 million in borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “MCF.” The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported sale prices for our common stock, as reported on the NYSE MKT.

 

		Sales Price
		High				Low
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
Quarter Ended March 31, 2016		$	12.84			$	3.68
Quarter Ended June 30, 2016		$	14.14			$	10.52
Quarter Ended September 30, 2016 (through July 20, 2016)		$	12.85			$	11.55
Year Ended December 31, 2015:
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015		$	33.17			$	20.25
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015		$	25.41			$	11.32
Quarter Ended September 30, 2015		$	12.34			$	6.60
Quarter Ended December 31, 2015		$	10.46			$	5.73
Year Ended December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended March 31, 2014		$	50.44			$	40.09
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014		$	49.28			$	39.08
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014		$	42.98			$	32.80
Quarter Ended December 31, 2014		$	38.96			$	28.07

On July 20, 2016, the last sales price of our common stock as reported on the NYSE MKT was $12.48 per share.

As of July 20, 2016, there were approximately 123 holders of record of our common stock.

DIVIDEND POLICY

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for shares. Holders of our common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. We paid a special one-time dividend of $30.5 million, or $2 per share during the year ended December 31, 2012. Any decision to pay future dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, as we currently intend to retain all future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Our revolving credit facility currently restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock, and we may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that restrict or limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR

NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations related to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below) that holds our common stock as a “capital asset” (generally property held for investment). This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, this summary does not address the Medicare tax on certain investment income, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or any tax treaties. This summary also does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

 

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banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;

 

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tax-exempt or governmental organizations;

 

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qualified foreign pension funds;

 

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dealers in securities or foreign currencies;

 

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traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

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persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

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partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or holders of interests therein;

 

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persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

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persons that acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan;

 

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certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; and

 

•

persons that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction.

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATION, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

 

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Non-U.S. Holder Defined

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes a partnership or any of the following:

 

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more United States persons that have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) that has made a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, upon the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, we urge partners in partnerships (including entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) considering the purchase of our common stock to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by such partnership.

Distributions

We do not expect to pay any distributions on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, in the event we do make distributions of cash or other property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. See “— Gain on Disposition of Common Stock.” Subject to the withholding requirements under FATCA (as defined below) and with respect to effectively connected dividends, each of which is discussed below, any distribution made to a non-U.S. holder on our common stock generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) certifying qualification for the reduced rate.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are treated as attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons (as defined under the Code). Such effectively connected dividends will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies certain certification requirements by providing the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI certifying eligibility for exemption. If the non-U.S. holder is a non-U.S. corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30 percent rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which will include effectively connected dividends.

 

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Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below under “— Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

•

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met;

 

•

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); or

 

•

our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30 percent (or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount of such gain, which generally may be offset by U.S. source capital losses.

A non-U.S. holder whose gain is described in the second bullet point above or, subject to the exceptions described in the next paragraph, the third bullet point above, generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons (as defined under the Code) unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30 percent rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which will include such gain.

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50 percent of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we currently are, and expect to remain for the foreseeable future, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, as long as our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, only a non-U.S. holder that actually or constructively owns, or owned at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock, more than five percent of our common stock will be taxable on gain realized on the disposition of our common stock as a result of our status as a USRPHC. If our common stock were not considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market during the calendar year in which the relevant disposition by a non-U.S. holder occurs, such holder (regardless of the percentage of stock owned) would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a taxable disposition of our common stock (as described in the preceding paragraph), and a 15 percent withholding tax would apply to the gross proceeds from such disposition.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the foregoing rules to their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Any dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of these information returns may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Payments of dividends to a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding if the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8.

 

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Payments of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition by a non-U.S. holder of our common stock effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (at the applicable rate) unless the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 and certain other conditions are met. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that the holder is not a United States person and certain other conditions are met, or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of our common stock effected outside the United States by such a broker if it has certain relationships within the United States.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. income tax liability (if any) of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, and the Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (“FATCA”), impose a 30 percent withholding tax on any dividends paid on our common stock and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of our common stock (if such disposition occurs after December 31, 2018), in each case if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code) (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity is acting as an intermediary), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are non-U.S. entities with U.S. owners), (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or provides the applicable withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial United States owners of the entity (in either case, generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E), or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these rules may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS AND ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of our common stock by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.

In considering an investment in our common stock of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of our common stock by an ERISA Plan with respect to which we or the underwriters are considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may apply to the acquisition and holding of our common stock. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 84-14 respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any ERISA Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the ERISA Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

 

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Because of the foregoing, our common stock should not be purchased or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such purchase and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.

Plan Asset Issues

In addition to considering whether the purchase of our common stock is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the employee benefit plan will, by investing in our common stock, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our operations may be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Certain Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under certain circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s underlying assets generally would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:

 

(1)

the equity interests acquired by the employee benefit plan are publicly offered securities — i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, are “freely transferable” (as defined in the applicable Department of Labor regulations) and are either registered pursuant to certain provisions of the federal securities laws or sold to the employee benefit plan as part of a public offering under certain conditions;

 

(2)

the entity is an “operating company” — i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or

 

(3)

there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding any person or entity who has discretionary authority or control over our assets or who provides investment advice for any direct or indirect fee with respect to our assets, is held by the employee benefit plans referred to above (but not including governmental plans, foreign plans and certain church plans, in each case, as defined under ERISA).

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as legal advice. Employee benefit plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of our common stock should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable Similar Laws in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters named in the table below, which we will file as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase, the respective numbers of shares of common stock appearing opposite their names below:

 

Underwriter		Number of Shares
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
Seaport Global Securities LLC
Total			5,000,000

We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses in an amount up to $30,000 as set forth in the underwriting agreement.

All of the shares of common stock to be purchased by the underwriters will be purchased from us.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “MCF.”

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters are subject to various conditions, including (i) that the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriters are true, (ii) there is no material change in our business or the financial markets and (iii) our delivery of customary closing documents to the underwriters. The shares are offered by the underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares offered by this prospectus if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares of Common Stock

We have granted a 30-day option to the underwriters to purchase up to a total of 750,000 additional shares from us at the public offering price per share less the underwriting discounts and commissions per share, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and less any dividends or distributions declared, paid or payable on the shares that the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us but that are not payable on such additional shares. If the underwriters exercise this option in whole or in part, then the underwriters will be severally committed, subject to the conditions described in the underwriting agreement, to purchase the additional shares in proportion to their respective commitments set forth in the prior table.

Discounts and Commissions

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession of not more than $         per share, of which there will be no reallowance to other dealers. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be changed.

 

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The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions and the proceeds, before expenses, payable to us, both on a per share basis and in total, assuming either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option:

 

Total

Per Share

Without Option

With Option

Public offering price

$

$

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions

$

$

$

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

$

$

$

In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain legal and out-of-pocket expenses related to this offering in an amount up to $30,000. We estimate that the expenses of this offering payable by us, not including underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $350,000.

Indemnification of Underwriters

The underwriting agreement provides that we will indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, each of our directors and certain of our executive officers have agreed, subject to specified exceptions, that, without the prior written consent of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Seaport Global Securities LLC, we and they will not, during the period beginning on and including the date of this prospectus through and including the date that is the 90th day after the date of this prospectus, directly or indirectly:

 

•

issue (in the case of us), sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file (or otherwise participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the SEC in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to, any of our common stock or any other of our securities that are substantially similar to our common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing;

 

•

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock or any of our other securities that are substantially similar to our common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing (whether any such transaction described in the immediately preceding bullet point or this bullet point is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise); or

 

•

publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in the foregoing two bullet points.

Stabilization; Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In order to facilitate this offering of our shares of common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of our shares. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares

 

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available for purchase by the underwriters under their option. The underwriters may close out a covered short sale by exercising the option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the market price of our shares compared to the price payable under the option. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after the date of pricing of this offering that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares in the open market to stabilize the price of our shares, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. The underwriting syndicate may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing shares in this offering if the underwriting syndicate repurchases previously distributed shares to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the shares.

The foregoing transactions, if commenced, may raise or maintain the market price of our shares above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the shares.

The foregoing transactions, if commenced, may be effected on the NYSE MKT or otherwise. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in any of these transactions and these transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time without notice. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of the effect that the transactions described above, if commenced, may have on the market price of our shares.

Conflicts of Interest

Because an affiliate of RBC Capital Markets, LLC is a lender under our revolving credit facility and will receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering due to our repayment of amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility, RBC Capital Markets, LLC is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under FINRA Rule 5121. Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. The appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with this offering as a “bona fide public market,” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121, exists for our common stock. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, RBC Capital Markets, LLC will not confirm any sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the specific written approval of the transaction from the account holder. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may in the future perform these and other financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they will receive customary fees and commissions.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of instruments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and/or instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment

 

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recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. Certain affiliates of the underwriters will receive a portion of the net proceeds of this offering through their respective roles as lenders under our revolving credit facility, amounts outstanding under which we will repay using a portion of the net proceeds of this offering.

Sales Outside the United States

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the shares that are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the shares may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Certain of the underwriters may sell shares through one or more of their affiliates as selling agents.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The shares may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), no offer of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

a.

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

b.

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or

 

c.

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

 

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provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or the representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

Each person in a Relevant Member State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

We, the representatives and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

The distribution of this prospectus in the United Kingdom to anyone not falling within the above categories is not permitted and may contravene the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000. No person falling outside those categories should treat this prospectus as constituting a promotion to him, or act on it

 

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for any purposes whatever. Recipients of this prospectus are advised that we, the underwriters and any other person that communicates this prospectus are not, as a result solely of communicating this prospectus, acting for or advising them and are not responsible for providing recipients of this prospectus with the protections which would be given to those who are clients of any aforementioned entities that is subject to the Financial Services Authority Rules.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, us, or the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (“FINMA”), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (the “DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The contents of this document have not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to the public in Hong Kong to acquire shares. Accordingly, unless permitted by the securities laws of Hong Kong, no person may issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, this document or any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong other than in relation to shares which are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” (as such term is defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) (“SFO”) and the subsidiary legislation made thereunder); or in circumstances which do not result in this document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) (“CO”); or which do not constitute an offer or an invitation to the public for the purposes of the SFO or the CO. The offer of the shares is personal to the person to whom this document has been

 

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delivered, and a subscription for shares will only be accepted from such person. No person to whom a copy of this document is issued may issue, circulate or distribute this document in Hong Kong, or make or give a copy of this document to any other person. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor pursuant to Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (“SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased pursuant to an offer made in reliance on Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,

shares, debentures and units of shares, and debentures of that corporation, or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except:

 

(1)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA (in the case of that corporation) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA (in the case of that trust);

 

(2)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or

 

(3)

where the transfer is by operation of law.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas, as our counsel. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas.

EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Contango Oil & Gas Company incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Exaro Energy III LLC incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Contango incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineering firms. Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Exaro Energy III, LLC incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by W.D. Von Gonten & Co., an independent petroleum engineering firm. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of such firms as experts in such matters.

 

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PROSPECTUS

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

 

 

Guarantee of Debt Securities of Contango Oil & Gas Company by:

Crimson Exploration Inc.

Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.

Contango Energy Company

Contango Operators, Inc.

Contango Mining Company

Conterra Company

Contaro Company

Contango Alta Investments, Inc.

Contango Venture Capital Corporation

 

 

We may offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. Any debt securities we issue under this prospectus may be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. We refer to the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants collectively as the “securities.” The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $250,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time securities are offered, we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain more specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being offered, including any guarantees by our subsidiary. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

We may sell these securities directly or through agents, underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan of Distribution.” The prospectus supplement will list any agents, underwriters or dealers that may be involved and the compensation they will receive. The prospectus supplement will also show you the total amount of money that we will receive from selling the securities being offered, after the expenses of the offering.

You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in any of our securities.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risk. Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the securities.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “MCF.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated May 15, 2015.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus			1
The Company			1
About the Subsidiary Guarantors			1
Where You Can Find More Information			2
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3
Risk Factors			5
Use of Proceeds			6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			7
Description of Debt Securities			8
Description of Capital Stock			21
Description of Depositary Shares			24
Description of Warrants			26
Plan of Distribution			27
Legal Matters			30
Experts			30

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell up to $250,000,000 in total aggregate offering price of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the offered securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to “Contango,” “we” or “our” are to Contango Oil & Gas Company and its subsidiaries and all references to “Crimson” are to our subsidiaries, Crimson Exploration Inc. and Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.

THE COMPANY

We are a Houston, Texas based independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, exploitation and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the onshore Texas Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States, as well as maximizing production and cash flow from our producing properties in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Our principal executive offices are located at 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002, and our phone number is (713) 236-7400. Our website is located at http://www.contango.com. We make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this prospectus.

For additional information as to our business, properties, and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

If specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, Crimson Exploration Inc., Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc., Contango Energy Company, Contango Operators, Inc., Contango Mining Company, Conterra Company, Contaro Company, Contango Alta Investments, Inc., Contango Venture Capital Corporation, and any other of our future subsidiaries specified in the prospectus supplement (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) may jointly and severally, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. Financial information concerning our Subsidiary Guarantors and non-guarantor subsidiaries, if any, will be included in our consolidated financial statements filed as a part of our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

For additional information as to our and our subsidiaries’ business, properties, and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC (File No. 001-12108) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy any documents that are filed at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its Washington address. Please call the SEC at l-800-SEC-0330 for further information. Our filings are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents previously filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents we filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:

 

(a)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 3, 2015, as amended on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on March 31, 2015;

 

(b)

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015;

 

(c)

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2015 (in each case excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01); and

 

(d)

The description of our common stock which is contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-16317) filed with the SEC on January 16, 2001, including any amendments or reports we file for purposes of updating that description.

In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings made by Contango with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date of this filing (including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of this filing and prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement) and until all offerings under this shelf registration statement are terminated.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Attention: Corporate Secretary

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 236-7400

We also maintain a website at http://www.contango.com. However, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, or filings with the SEC and our public releases may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words and phrases “should be”, “will be”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express our expectations about future events. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may not occur. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus and elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and our subsequent SEC filings and those factors summarized below:

 

•

our financial position;

 

•

our business strategy, including outsourcing;

 

•

meeting our forecasts and budgets;

 

•

expectations regarding natural gas and oil markets in the United States;

 

•

natural gas and oil price volatility;

 

•

operational constraints, start-up delays and production shut-ins at both operated and non-operated production platforms, pipelines and natural gas processing facilities;

 

•

the risks associated with acting as the operator in drilling deep high pressure and temperature wells, including well blowouts and explosions;

 

•

the risks associated with exploration, including cost overruns and the drilling of non-economic wells or dry holes, especially in prospects in which we have made a large capital commitment relative to the size of our capitalization structure;

 

•

the timing and successful drilling and completion of natural gas and oil wells;

 

•

availability of capital and the ability to repay indebtedness when due;

 

•

availability and cost of rigs and other materials and operating equipment;

 

•

timely and full receipt of sale proceeds from the sale of our production;

 

•

the ability to find, acquire, market, develop and produce new natural gas and oil properties;

 

•

interest rate volatility;

 

•

uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures;

 

•

operating hazards attendant to the natural gas and oil business including weather, environmental risks, accidental spills, blowouts and pipeline ruptures, and other risks;

 

•

downhole drilling and completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance;

 

•

potential mechanical failure or under-performance of significant wells, production facilities, processing plants or pipeline mishaps;

 

•

actions or inactions of third-party operators of our properties;

 

•

actions or inactions of third-party operators of pipelines or processing facilities;

 

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•

the ability to find and retain skilled personnel;

 

•

strength and financial resources of competitors;

 

•

federal and state legislative and regulatory developments and approvals;

 

•

worldwide economic conditions;

 

•

the ability to construct and operate infrastructure, including pipeline and production facilities;

 

•

the continued compliance by us with various pipeline and gas processing plant specifications for the gas and condensate produced by us;

 

•

operating costs, production rates and ultimate reserve recoveries of our natural gas and oil discoveries;

 

•

expanded rigorous monitoring and testing requirements; and

 

•

ability to obtain insurance coverage on commercially reasonable terms.

Any of these factors and other factors contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results implied by these or any other forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Although we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that those statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus.

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by reserve engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that are ultimately recovered.

We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, including those included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and, if applicable, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, in evaluating an investment in our securities. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock or debt securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds we receive from any sales of securities by us under this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

 

•

reduction or refinancing of debt or other corporate obligations;

 

•

additions to our working capital;

 

•

capital expenditures; and

 

•

potential future acquisitions.

Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of net interest expense (inclusive of credit facility commitment fees) on all indebtedness and including capitalized interest expense, the amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts, and a reasonable estimation of interest associated with operating leases. In connection with the closing of our merger with Crimson on October 1, 2013, we changed our fiscal year end from June 30, to December 31, commencing with the twelve month period beginning on January 1, 2014. As a result of this change, we recast certain of our historical financial information to reflect consolidated results of operation of both Contango and Crimson for periods beginning December 31, 2013. The below ratios for the periods presented prior to this recast reflect only the historical financials of Contango and have not been adjusted to reflect the Merger.

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,				Years Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011				2010
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			—	1			—	2			41.3				—	3			333.0				—	4

 

1	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the coverage ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would have needed to generate additional earnings of approximately $29.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1.

2	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the coverage ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would have needed to generate additional earnings of approximately $44.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1.

3	During the year ended December 31, 2012, the coverage ratio was less than 1:1. The Company would have needed to generate additional earnings of approximately $0.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2012 to achieve a coverage ratio of 1:1.

4	Fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2010 were a gain of $0.2 million.

We did not have any preferred stock outstanding and there were no preferred stock dividends paid or accrued during the periods presented above.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The Debt Securities will be either our senior debt securities (“Senior Debt Securities”) or our subordinated debt securities (“Subordinated Debt Securities”). The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under separate indentures among us, the Subsidiary Guarantors of such Debt Securities, if any, and a trustee to be determined (the “Trustee”). Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” Together, the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are called “Indentures.”

The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of each series that are offered by a prospectus supplement will be described in the prospectus supplement.

Unless the Debt Securities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries as described below, the rights of Contango Oil & Gas Company and our creditors, including holders of the Debt Securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization, will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourself be a creditor with recognized claims against such subsidiary.

We have summarized selected provisions of the Indentures below. The summary is not complete. The form of each Indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the Indentures for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the Indentures.

General

The Indentures provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt Securities of any series. We will determine the terms and conditions of the Debt Securities, including the maturity, principal and interest, but those terms must be consistent with the Indenture. The Debt Securities will be our unsecured obligations.

The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt (as defined) as described under “—Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities” and in the prospectus supplement applicable to any Subordinated Debt Securities. If the prospectus supplement so indicates, the Debt Securities will be convertible into our common stock.

If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a particular series of Debt Securities, Crimson Exploration Inc., Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc., Contango Energy Company, Contango Operators, Inc., Contango Mining Company, Conterra Company, Contaro Company, Contango Alta Investments, Inc., Contango Venture Capital Corporation and any other of our future subsidiaries specified in the prospectus supplement (each a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) will fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”) that series as described under “—Subsidiary Guarantee” and in the prospectus supplement. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be an unsecured obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantee of Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated to the Senior Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt.

The Subsidiary Guarantors are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly, and any guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors will be full and unconditional. The Company has no assets or operations independent of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and there are no significant restrictions upon the ability of the Subsidiary Guarantors to distribute funds to the Company. The Company has one other wholly-owned subsidiary that is inactive. Finally, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries do not have restricted assets that exceed 25% of net assets as of the most recent fiscal year end that may not be transferred to the Company in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends by such subsidiary without the consent of a third party.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be issued will be offered for sale and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities:

 

(1)

the title of the Debt Securities;

 

(2)

whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities and, if Subordinated Debt Securities, the related subordination terms;

 

(3)

whether any Subsidiary Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Debt Securities;

 

(4)

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

 

(5)

each date on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;

 

(6)

the interest rate that the Debt Securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;

 

(7)

each place where payments on the Debt Securities will be payable;

 

(8)

any terms upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

 

(9)

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Debt Securities;

 

(10)

the portion of the principal amount, if less than all, of the Debt Securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities;

 

(11)

whether the Debt Securities are defeasible;

 

(12)

any addition to or change in the Events of Default;

 

(13)

whether the Debt Securities are convertible into our common stock and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion price or conversion rate and any adjustments thereto and the conversion period;

 

(14)

any addition to or change in the covenants in the Indenture applicable to the Debt Securities; and

 

(15)

any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture.

Debt Securities, including any Debt Securities that provide for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof (“Original Issue Discount Securities”), may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, special United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

The indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture with respect to each series of Subordinated Debt Securities, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities, and it may also be senior in right of payment to all of our Subordinated Debt. The prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities will summarize the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture applicable to that series including:

 

•

the applicability and effect of such provisions upon any payment or distribution respecting that series following any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings;

 

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•

the applicability and effect of such provisions in the event of specified defaults with respect to any Senior Debt, including the circumstances under which and the periods during which we will be prohibited from making payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities; and

 

•

the definition of Senior Debt applicable to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series and, if the series is issued on a senior subordinated basis, the definition of Subordinated Debt applicable to that series.

The prospectus supplement will also describe as of a recent date the approximate amount of Senior Debt to which the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series will be subordinated.

The failure to make any payment on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities by reason of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described in the prospectus supplement will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities arising from any such failure to make payment.

The subordination provisions described above will not be applicable to payments in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities from a defeasance trust established in connection with any legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the Subordinated Debt Securities as described under “—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”

Subsidiary Guarantee

If specified in the prospectus supplement, one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors will guarantee the Debt Securities of a series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the Subsidiary Guarantee of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Subject to the limitations described below and in the prospectus supplement, one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all our payment obligations under the Indentures and the Debt Securities of a series, whether for principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by a Subsidiary Guarantor being herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the applicable Trustee in enforcing any rights under a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor.

In the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt. No payment will be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee during any period in which payments by us on the Subordinated Debt Securities are suspended by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited in amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering such Subsidiary Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and will:

 

(1)

remain in full force and effect until either (a) payment in full of all the applicable Debt Securities (or such Debt Securities are otherwise satisfied and discharged in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture) or (b) released as described in the following paragraph;

 

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(2)

be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(3)

inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the applicable Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

In the event that (a) a Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary, (b) either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance occurs with respect to the series or (c) all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor is sold, including by way of sale, merger, consolidation or otherwise, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and discharged of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, and no other person acquiring or owning the assets or Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be required to enter into a Subsidiary Guarantee. In addition, the prospectus supplement may specify additional circumstances under which a Subsidiary Guarantor can be released from its Subsidiary Guarantee.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of each series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for such purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in that connection. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Security Registrar and any other transfer agent initially designated by us for any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of each series.

If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, we will not be required to (1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (2) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part.

Global Securities

Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more Global Securities that will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities they represent. Each Global Security will be registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary or nominee or its custodian and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable Indenture.

 

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Notwithstanding any provision of the Indentures or any Debt Security described in this prospectus, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless:

 

(1)

the Depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by the applicable Indenture, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days;

 

(2)

an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security has occurred and is continuing and the Trustee has received a written request from the Depositary to issue certificated Debt Securities;

 

(3)

subject to the rules of the Depositary, we shall have elected to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary; or

 

(4)

other circumstances exist, in addition to or in lieu of those described above, as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

All certificated Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct.

As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt Securities that it represents for all purposes under the Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security or any Debt Securities that it represents registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in exchange for those interests and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities that is represents for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the applicable Indenture. All payments on a Global Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of the security. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of Debt Securities take physical delivery of such Debt Securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee (“participants”) and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of Debt Securities represented by the Global Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants’ interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of Persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustees or the agents of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the Depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at our option payment of any interest on Debt Securities in certificated form may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Senior Debt Securities of each series, and the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as the sole Paying Agent for payment with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by us for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series.

All money paid by us to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to us for payment.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, any Person (a “successor Person”), and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:

 

(1)

the successor Person (if not us) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes our obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indentures;

 

(2)

immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing; and

 

(3)

several other conditions, including any additional conditions with respect to any particular Debt Securities specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, are met.

The successor Person (if not us) will be substituted for us under the applicable Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such Indenture, and, except in the case of a lease, we will be relieved from any further obligations under such Indenture and the Debt Securities.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series:

 

(1)

failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

 

(2)

failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

 

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(3)

failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such deposit is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

 

(4)

failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

(5)

failure to perform any of our other covenants in such Indenture (other than a covenant included in such Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the applicable Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, as provided in such Indenture;

 

(6)

any Debt of ourself, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by its holders because of a default and the total amount of such Debt unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million;

 

(7)

any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $20.0 million is entered against us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such judgment and is not discharged, waived or stayed;

 

(8)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(9)

if any Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed such series, the Subsidiary Guarantee of any such Subsidiary Guarantor is held by a final non-appealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture).

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to Contango Oil & Gas Company described in clause (8) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the applicable Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that is an Original Issue Discount Debt Security, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security as may be specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. If an Event of Default with respect to Contango Oil & Gas Company described in clause (8) above with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount Security, such specified amount) will automatically, and without any action by the applicable Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. After any such acceleration and its consequences, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable Indenture. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “—Modification and Waiver” below.

Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the Trustees in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Trustee will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to such Trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the

 

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Trustees, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to such Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

 

(1)

such Holder has previously given to the Trustee under the applicable Indenture written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series;

 

(2)

the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

 

(3)

the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security or, if applicable, to convert such Debt Security.

We will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers, to their knowledge, as to whether or not we are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify or amend an Indenture without the consent of any holders of the Debt Securities in certain circumstances, including:

 

(1)

to evidence the succession under the Indenture of another Person to us or any Subsidiary Guarantor and to provide for its assumption of our or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations to holders of Debt Securities;

 

(2)

to make any changes that would add any additional covenants of us or the Subsidiary Guarantors for the benefit of the holders of Debt Securities or that do not adversely affect the rights under the Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities in any material respect;

 

(3)

to add any additional Events of Default;

 

(4)

to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;

 

(5)

to secure the Debt Securities;

 

(6)

to establish the form or terms of any series of Debt Securities;

 

(7)

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee;

 

(8)

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(9)

to add Subsidiary Guarantors; or

 

(10)

in the case of any Subordinated Debt Security, to make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any Holder of Senior Debt.

Other modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, and the applicable Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the

 

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Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby:

 

(1)

change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security;

 

(2)

reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;

 

(3)

reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

 

(4)

change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;

 

(5)

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due on or any conversion right with respect to any Debt Security;

 

(6)

modify the subordination provisions in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, or modify any conversion provisions, in either case in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities;

 

(7)

except as provided in the applicable Indenture, release the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(8)

reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture;

 

(9)

reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults;

 

(10)

modify such provisions with respect to modification, amendment or waiver; or

 

(11)

following the making of an offer to purchase Debt Securities from any Holder that has been made pursuant to a covenant in such Indenture, modify such covenant in a manner adverse to such Holder.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable Indenture. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series.

Each of the Indentures provides that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under such Indenture as of any date:

 

(1)

the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of maturity to such date;

 

(2)

if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security;

 

(3)

the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the United States-dollar equivalent, determined as

 

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of such date in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security described in clause (1) or (2) above, of the amount described in such clause); and

 

(4)

certain Debt Securities, including those owned by us, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of our other Affiliates, will not be deemed to be Outstanding.

Except in certain limited circumstances, we will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the applicable Indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a particular series, only persons who are Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date may take such action. To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other period as may be specified by us (or the Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to time.

Satisfaction and Discharge

Each Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder, when:

 

(1)

either:

 

(a)

all outstanding Debt Securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Debt Securities that have been replaced or paid and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)

all outstanding Debt Securities of that series that have been not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and in any case we have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds money in an amount sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay the entire indebtedness of such Debt Securities not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the Stated Maturity or redemption date;

 

(2)

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series; and

 

(3)

we have delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series have been satisfied.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

To the extent indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect, at our option at any time, to have our obligations discharged under provisions relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, which we call “legal defeasance,” or relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series, which we call “covenant defeasance”.

Legal Defeasance. The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of our option (if any) to have the legal defeasance provisions applied to any series of Debt Securities, we and, if applicable, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be discharged from all our obligations, and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the

 

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provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, with respect to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to convert, exchange or register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust) upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants) to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things:

 

(1)

we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and legal defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and legal defeasance were not to occur;

 

(2)

no Event of Default or event that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with respect to any Event of Default described in clause (8) under “—Events of Default,” at any time until 121 days after such deposit;

 

(3)

such deposit and legal defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument (other than the applicable Indenture) to which we are a party or by which we are bound;

 

(4)

in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, at the time of such deposit, no default in the payment of all or a portion of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing, no event of default shall have resulted in the acceleration of any Senior Debt and no other event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing permitting after notice or the lapse of time, or both, the acceleration thereof; and

 

(5)

we have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Covenant Defeasance. The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of our option (if any) to have the covenant defeasance provisions applied to any Debt Securities, we may fail to comply with certain restrictive covenants (but not with respect to conversion, if applicable), including those that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (5) (with respect to such restrictive covenants) and clauses (6), (7) and (9) under “Events of Default” and any that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, will not be deemed to either be or result in an Event of Default and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, in each case with respect to such Debt Securities. In order to exercise such option, we must deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants) to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such covenant defeasance may occur only if we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance were not to occur, and the requirements set forth in clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) above are satisfied. If we exercise this option with respect to any series of Debt Securities and

 

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such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In such case, we would remain liable for such payments.

If we exercise either our legal defeasance or covenant defeasance option, any Subsidiary Guarantee will terminate.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Shareholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, shareholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Debt Securities, the Indentures or any Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be a part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Notices

Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.

Title

We, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustees and any agent of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors or a Trustee may treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.

Governing Law

The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

The Trustee

We will enter into the Indentures with a Trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and with any other Trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of Debt Securities. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with our Trustee and one or more of its affiliates.

Resignation or Removal of Trustee. If the Trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable Indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor Trustee under the applicable Indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Indenture.

The Trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Limitations on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor. Each Indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee, in the event that it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.

Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee. Each Indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of an Indenture, every application by us for action by the Trustee must be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following descriptions are summaries of material terms of our common stock, preferred stock, certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the designations of our preferred stock, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and by the provisions of applicable law.

We are authorized to issue 50.0 million shares of common stock, par value $0.04 per share, and 5.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.04 per share. As of May 7, 2015 there were 19,392,999 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding (including 456,068 shares of restricted common stock issued, pursuant to our equity compensation plans) and held by approximately 126 record owners.

Common Stock

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Because holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the members of the board of directors standing for election, subject to the rights, powers and preferences of any outstanding series of preferred stock. No share of common stock affords any preemptive rights or is convertible, redeemable, assessable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund.

Subject to the prior rights of holders of preferred stock, if any, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be lawfully declared from time to time by our board of directors. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive such assets as are available for distribution to our stockholders after there shall have been paid or set apart for payment the full amounts necessary to satisfy any preferential or participating rights to which the holders of each outstanding series of preferred stock are entitled by the express terms of the series.

The shares of our common stock presently outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, and any shares issued by us pursuant to this prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued. Our common stock trades on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “MCF.”

Preferred Stock

Our Board has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us without further action by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. Our preferred stock is senior to our common stock regarding liquidation. At present, we have no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.

Outstanding Options

At May 7, 2015, we had outstanding options for the purchase of approximately 129,852 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $25.70 to $60.33 per share, including employee stock. If we issue additional options, existing stockholders’ percentage ownership of us may be further diluted.

 

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Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws summarized below may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter, or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might result in a premium being paid over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that (unless, as a general matter, a preferred stock designation provides otherwise for that series of preferred stock):

 

•

permit us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, additional shares of preferred stock in one or more series and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting the series and the designation of the series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of the series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, if any, and any qualification, limitations or restrictions of the shares of such series;

 

•

require special meetings of the stockholders to be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, by resolution of a majority of the board of directors, or the holder or holders of one-half of all the shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereat;

 

•

require business at special meetings to be limited to the stated purpose or purposes of that meeting;

 

•

require that stockholder action be taken at a meeting rather than by written consent, unless approved by our board of directors;

 

•

require that stockholders follow certain procedures, including advance notice procedures, to bring certain matters before an annual meeting or to nominate a director for election; and

 

•

permit directors to fill vacancies in our board of directors.

The foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change of control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management.

Business Combinations. We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.

Section 203 defines a “business combination” as a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholders. Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or, in some cases, within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between us and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless:

 

•

our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholders becoming an interested stockholder prior to the date the person attained the status;

 

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•

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and issued employee stock plans, under which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held under the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

•

the business combination is approved by our board of directors on or subsequent to the date the person became an interested stockholder and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66  2⁄3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

This statutory provision has an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock. With approval of our stockholders, we could amend our certificate of incorporation in the future to elect not to be governed by the anti-takeover law.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we decide to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

We have summarized selected provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The summary is not complete. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC via a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to our offering of the depositary shares, and you should read such documents for provisions that may be important to you.

Dividends and Other Distributions

If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the Bank Depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the Bank Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the Bank Depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Bank Depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the Bank Depositary may determine.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Bank Depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the Bank Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Bank Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action which the Bank Depositary deems necessary in order to enable the Bank Depositary to do so. The Bank Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

 

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Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the Bank Depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the Bank Depositary or us only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.

Charges of Bank Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the Bank Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Bank Depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the Bank Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Miscellaneous

The Bank Depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the Bank Depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Neither the Bank Depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the Bank Depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and neither of us will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Further, both of us may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary

The Bank Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the Bank Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor Bank Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Bank Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock and/or preferred stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the warrant agreements.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants for the terms of and information relating to the warrants, including, where applicable:

 

(1)

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which such number of shares of common stock or preferred stock may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

(2)

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants commences and the date on which such right expires (the “Expiration Date”);

 

(3)

United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants;

 

(4)

the amount of the warrants outstanding as of the most recent practicable date; and

 

(5)

any other terms of the warrants.

Warrants will be offered and exercisable for United States dollars only. Warrants will be issued in registered form only. Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase such number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at such exercise price as is in each case set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. The exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of events described in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the Expiration Date (or such later date to which we may extend such Expiration Date), unexercised warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which, warrants may be exercised will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

Prior to the exercise of any warrants, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of common stock, including the right to receive payments of any dividends on the common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, or to exercise any applicable right to vote.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities on a delayed or continuous basis in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time, directly to purchasers, through agents or through a combination of these methods.

We, or agents designated by us, may directly solicit, from time to time, offers to purchase the securities. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act. We will name the agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities and describe any commissions payable by us to these agents in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, these agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. The agents may be entitled under agreements they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The agents may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Sales Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.

Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement and except as described below, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

At-the-Market Offerings

Underwriters or agents could makes sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the New York Stock Exchange, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

 

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To the extent that we make sales through one or more underwriters or agents in “at-the-market” offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a sales agency financing agreement or other “at-the-market” offering arrangement with such underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to any such agreement, we will issue and sell securities through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell securities on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The agreement will provide that any securities sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for such securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of securities. The terms of each such agreement will be set forth in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. In the event that any underwriter or agent acts as principal, or any broker-dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Any such activities will be described in the prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus relating to the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Remarketing Arrangements

We may offer and sell any of the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Derivative Transactions

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open

 

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borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Legal counsel to any underwriters may pass upon legal matters for such underwriters.

EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Contango Oil & Gas Company incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Exaro Energy III LLC incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Contango incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., W.D. Von Gonten & Co. and William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineering firms. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of such firms as experts in such matters.

 

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5,000,000 Shares

 

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Common Stock

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS
		SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY
				SEAPORT GLOBAL SECURITIES

 

 

P r o s p e c t u s    S u p p l e m e n t

 

 

July     , 2016