e10vq
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     (Mark One)
     
þ   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2010
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to_____________
Commission File Number: 0-15905
BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  73-1268729
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
801 Travis Street, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
(713) 568-4725
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of May 15, 2010, there were 11,928,251 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, issued and outstanding.
 
 

 


 

BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT
ON FORM 10-Q
         
    3
 
       
    3  
    3  
    4  
    5  
    6  
    12  
    15  
    15  
 
       
    16
 
       
    16  
    16  
    16  
    16  
    16  
    16  
    16  
 
       
    18  
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2010     2009  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 776,583     $ 1,016,483  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
    482,886       428,124  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    241,230       359,850  
Loan receivable, net of allowance for loan receivable
             
 
           
Total current assets
    1,500,699       1,804,457  
 
               
Property and equipment, at cost:
               
Oil and gas properties (full-cost method)
    1,086,733       1,086,733  
Pipelines
    4,659,686       4,659,686  
Onshore separation and handling facilities
    1,919,402       1,919,402  
Land
    860,275       860,275  
Other property and equipment
    302,813       302,813  
 
           
 
    8,828,909       8,828,909  
Less: Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization
    5,129,247       5,011,401  
 
           
Total property and equipment, net
    3,699,662       3,817,508  
 
               
Loan receivable, net of allowance for loan receivable
             
 
               
Other assets
    9,463       9,463  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 5,209,824     $ 5,631,428  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 470,172     $ 372,275  
Note payable — insurance
    79,847       173,479  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    18,643       8,136  
Other long-term liabilities — current portion
    25,996       25,996  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    594,658       579,886  
 
           
 
               
Long-term liabilities:
               
Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion
    2,291,076       2,262,018  
 
           
Total long-term liabilities
    2,291,076       2,262,018  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    2,885,734       2,841,904  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock ($.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 11,928,251 and 11,876,967 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    119,283       118,770  
Additional paid-in capital
    32,838,212       32,778,405  
Accumulated deficit
    (30,633,405 )     (30,107,651 )
 
           
Total stockholder’s equity
    2,324,090       2,789,524  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 5,209,824     $ 5,631,428  
 
           
 
               
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Revenue from operations:
               
Pipeline operations
  $ 429,087     $ 514,759  
Oil and gas sales
    19,022       21,946  
 
           
Total revenue from operations
    448,109       536,705  
 
               
Cost of operations:
               
Pipeline operating expenses
    286,988       466,260  
Lease operating expenses
    21,188       48,031  
Depletion, depreciation and amortizaton
    117,846       128,913  
Impairment of oil and gas properties
          203,110  
General and administrative
    479,222       602,194  
Stock-based compensation
    40,320       62,644  
Accretion expense
    29,058       27,918  
 
           
Total cost of operations
    974,622       1,539,070  
 
           
 
               
Loss from operations
    (526,513 )     (1,002,365 )
 
               
Other income:
               
Interest and other income
    759       2,356  
 
           
 
               
Loss before income taxes
    (525,754 )     (1,000,009 )
 
               
Income taxes
           
 
           
 
               
Net loss
  $ (525,754 )   $ (1,000,009 )
 
           
 
               
Loss per common share
               
Basic
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.09 )
 
           
Diluted
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.09 )
 
           
 
               
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
               
Basic
    11,902,039       11,717,670  
 
           
Diluted
    11,902,039       11,717,670  
 
           
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Operating Activities:
               
Net loss
  $ (525,754 )   $ (1,000,009 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
    117,846       128,913  
Accretion of asset retirement obligations
    29,058       27,918  
Common stock issued for services
    20,000       20,000  
Compensation from issuance of stock options
    40,320       62,644  
Impairment of oil and gas properties
          203,110  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (54,762 )     8,970  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    118,620       205,518  
Abandonment costs incurred
          (4,843 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities
    108,404       44,581  
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (146,268 )     (303,198 )
 
               
Investing Activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
          (12,500 )
Exploration and development costs
          (3,060 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
          (15,560 )
 
               
Financing Activities:
               
Payments on insurance finance note
    (93,632 )      
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (93,632 )      
 
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (239,900 )     (318,758 )
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    1,016,483       3,864,876  
 
           
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 776,583     $ 3,546,118  
 
           
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2010
1. Organization and Operation of the Company
Organization
Blue Dolphin Energy Company was incorporated in Delaware in January 1986 to engage in oil and gas exploration, production and acquisition activities and oil and gas transportation and marketing. We were formed pursuant to a reorganization that was effective as of June 9, 1986.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Blue Dolphin Energy Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (referred to herein, with its predecessors and subsidiaries, as “Blue Dolphin,” “we,” “us” and “our”) included herein have been prepared by us, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary to present fair condensed consolidated statements of operations, financial position and cash flows. We believe that the disclosures are adequate and the information presented is not misleading. This report has been prepared in accordance with Form 10-Q instructions and therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations.
Our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Accounting Estimates. We have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of consolidated assets and liabilities and to the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. This includes the estimated useful life of pipeline assets, valuation of stock-based payments and reserve information, which affects the depletion calculation as well as the full-cost ceiling limitation. While we believe current estimates are reasonable and appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimated.
Going Concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, contemplate that we will continue as a going concern and do not contain any adjustments that might result if we were unable to continue as a going concern. We incurred a net loss of $525,754 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, and a net loss of $4,136,892 for the year ended December 31, 2009. At March 31, 2010, we had an accumulated deficit of $30,633,405, and at December 31, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of $30,107,651. We anticipate that we will continue to incur substantial operating losses unless and until we are able to achieve or sustain profitability or are otherwise able to secure external financing. Our cash flow deficiencies raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Existing and anticipated working capital needs, lower than anticipated revenues, increased expenses or the inability to collect on an outstanding loan receivable could all affect our ability to continue as a going concern.
We intend to raise additional working capital through private placements, public offerings, bank financing and/or advances from related parties or shareholder loans, as well as to continue evaluating potential merger and/or acquisition opportunities.
The continuation of our business is dependent upon obtaining further financing. The issuance of additional equity securities could result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of current stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, will increase liabilities and future cash commitments. There are no assurances that we will be able to raise additional capital through private placements, public offerings and/or bank financings in amounts necessary to support our working capital requirements. We do not currently have any arrangements in place to raise any additional capital.
Full-Cost Method of Accounting. We follow the full-cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties, wherein costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves are capitalized. Under this

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2010
method of accounting, we did not recognize an impairment to our oil and gas properties for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”), which excludes the dilutive effect of securities or contracts to issue common stock, is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the diluted weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, which includes the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were converted to common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.
Employee stock options outstanding at March 31, 2010 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their assumed exercise and conversion would have an antidilutive effect on the computation of diluted loss per share.
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
Basic and Diluted   2010     2009  
Net loss
  $ (525,754 )   $ (1,000,009 )
 
           
 
               
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potential dilutive shares of common stock
    11,902,039       11,717,670  
 
           
 
               
Per share amount
  $ (0.04 )   $ (0.09 )
 
           
Subsequent Events. We have evaluated all subsequent events through the issuance date of our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2010, and during this subsequent period no material subsequent events occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Developments
Fair Value Measurements. In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance that requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair-value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for Level 3 reconciliation disclosures that are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2010. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations.
3. Business Segment Information
Our operations are conducted in two principal business segments: (i) pipeline transportation services and (ii) oil and gas exploration and production. Our segments are managed jointly mainly due to the size of our employee base and the scope of our operations. Management uses earnings before interest expense and income taxes (“EBIT”) to assess the operating results and effectiveness of our business segments, which consist of our consolidated businesses and investments. We believe EBIT is useful to our investors because it allows them to evaluate our operating performance using the same performance measure analyzed internally by management. We define EBIT as net income (loss) adjusted for: (i) items that do not impact our income or loss from continuing operations, such as the impact of accounting changes, (ii) income taxes and (iii) interest expense (income). We exclude interest expense

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2010
(income) and other expense or income not pertaining to the operations of our segments from this measure so that investors may evaluate our current operating results without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. We understand that EBIT may not be comparable to measurements used by other companies. Additionally, EBIT should be considered in conjunction with net income and other performance measures such as operating cash flows.
Following is a reconciliation of our EBIT (by segment) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, and at March 31, 2010 and 2009:
                                 
    March 31, 2010  
    Segment              
            Oil and Gas              
    Pipeline     Exploration &     Corporate &        
    Transportation     Production     Other(1)     Total  
Revenues
  $ 429,087     $ 19,022     $     $ 448,109  
Operation cost(2)
    (714,720 )     (39,148 )     (102,908 )     (856,776 )
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
    (11,377 )     (105,043 )     (1,426 )     (117,846 )
 
                       
EBIT
  $ (297,010 )   $ (125,169 )   $ (104,334 )   $ (526,513 )
 
                       
 
                               
Capital expenditures
  $     $     $     $  
 
                       
 
                               
Identifiable assets(3)
  $ 4,319,843     $ 246,587     $ 633,624     $ 5,200,054  
 
                       
 
(1)   Includes unallocated G&A costs associated with corporate maintenance costs and legal expenses. It also includes as identifiable assets corporate available cash of $0.8 million.
 
(2)   Allocable G&A costs are allocated based on revenues.
 
(3)   Identifiable assets contain related legal obligations of each segment including cash, accounts receivable and payable and recorded net assets.
                                 
    March 31, 2009  
    Segment              
            Oil and Gas              
    Pipeline     Exploration &     Corporate &        
    Transportation     Production     Other(1)     Total  
Revenues
  $ 514,759     $ 21,946     $     $ 536,705  
Operation cost(2)
    (1,032,349 )     (71,773 )     (102,925 )     (1,207,047 )
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
    (105,042 )     (225,043 )     (1,938 )     (332,023 )
 
                       
EBIT
  $ (622,632 )   $ (274,870 )   $ (104,863 )   $ (1,002,365 )
 
                       
 
                               
Capital expenditures
  $ 12,500     $ 3,060     $     $ 15,560  
 
                       
 
                               
Identifiable assets(3)
  $ 4,603,878     $ 336,091     $ 3,485,935     $ 8,425,904  
 
                       
 
(1)   Includes unallocated G&A costs associated with corporate maintenance costs and legal expenses. It also includes as identifiable assets corporate available cash of $3.4 million.
 
(2)   Allocable G&A costs are allocated based on revenues.
 
(3)   Identifiable assets contain related legal obligations of each segment including cash, accounts receivable and payable and recorded net assets.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2010
4. Asset Retirement Obligations
We recorded the following activity related to our asset retirement obligations liability for the three months ended March 31, 2010:
         
Asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2009
  $ 2,262,018  
Liabilities settled
     
Accretion expense
    29,058  
 
     
Asset retirement obligations as of March 31, 2010
  $ 2,291,076  
 
     
5. Stock-Based Compensation
Effective April 14, 2000, after approval by our stockholders, we adopted the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, which was subsequently amended by stockholders in 2007 (the “2000 Plan”). Under the 2000 Plan, we are able to make awards of stock-based compensation. The total number of shares of common stock reserved for grants of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and other stock-based awards under the 2000 Plan is 1,200,000 shares. As of March 31, 2010, we had 341,040 shares of common stock remaining available for future grants. Options granted under the 2000 Plan have contractual terms from six to ten years. The exercise price of ISOs cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock determined on the grant date. All ISO awards granted in previous years vested immediately, however, 200,000 ISOs granted in May 2007 and 75,000 ISO’s granted in August 2008 have a three year vesting period and 150,000 ISOs granted in October 2007 have a two year vesting period. An additional 28,500 options were granted in October 2007 that vested immediately. Although the 2000 Plan provides for the granting of other incentive awards, only ISOs and non-statutory stock options have been issued under the 2000 Plan. The 2000 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.
Pursuant to FASB guidance on accounting for stock based compensation, we estimate the fair value of stock options granted on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. There were no stock options granted in the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the year ended December 31, 2009.
Expected volatility used in the model is based on the historical volatility of the common stock and is weighted 50% for the historical volatility over a past period equal to the expected term and 50% for the historical volatility over the past two years prior to the grant date. This weighting method was chosen to account for the significant changes in our financial condition beginning approximately three years ago. These changes include changes in our working capital, changes in pipeline throughput and the reduction and ultimate elimination of our outstanding debt.
The expected term of options granted used in the model represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The method used to estimate the expected term is the “simplified” method as allowed under the provisions of the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. This number is calculated by taking the average of the sum of the vesting period and the original contract term. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of the grant. As we have not declared dividends on common stock since we became a public company, no dividend yield was used. No forfeiture rate was assumed due to the lack of forfeiture history for this type of award. Actual value realized, if any, is dependent on the future performance of common stock and overall stock market conditions. There is no assurance that the value realized by an optionee will be at or near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2010
At March 31, 2010, there were a total of 424,559 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options under the 2000 Plan. A summary of the status of stock options granted to key employees, officers and directors, for the purchase of shares of common stock for the periods indicated, is as follows:
                                 
                    Weighted        
            Weighted     Average     Aggregate  
            Average     Remaining     Intrinsic  
    Shares     Exercise Price     Contractual Life     Value  
Options outstanding at December 31, 2009
    424,559     $ 2.53                  
 
                               
Options granted
        $                  
 
                               
Options exercised
        $                  
 
                               
Options expired or cancelled
        $                  
 
                             
 
                               
Options outstanding at March 31, 2010
    424,559     $ 2.53       5.2     $ 571  
 
                             
 
                               
Options exercisable at March 31, 2010
    356,559     $ 2.44       4.8     $ 571  
 
                             
The following table summarizes additional information about stock options outstanding at March 31, 2010:
                                         
    Options Outstanding        
            Weighted             Options Exercisable  
            Average                     Weighted  
            Remaining     Weighted             Average  
Range of   Number     Contractual Life     Average     Number     Exercise  
Exercise Prices   Outstanding     (Years)     Exercise Price     Exercisable     Price  
$0.35 to $0.80
    70,830       3.1     $ 0.44       70,830     $ 0.44  
$1.55 to $1.90
    23,429       1.9     $ 1.71       23,429     $ 1.71  
$2.81 to $2.99
    318,500       6.1     $ 2.92       250,500     $ 2.90  
$6.00
    11,800       0.1     $ 6.00       11,800     $ 6.00  
 
                                   
 
    424,559                       356,559          
 
                                   

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2010
The following summarizes the net change in non-vested stock options for the periods shown:
                 
            Weighted
            Average
            Grant Date
    Shares   Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2009
    68,000     $ 2.35  
Granted
        $  
Canceled or expired
        $  
Vested
        $  
 
               
 
               
Non-vested at March 31, 2010
    68,000     $ 2.35  
 
               
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recognized $40,320 of compensation expense for vested stock options. As of March 31, 2010, there was $13,440 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the 2000 Plan. The weighted average period over which the unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized is 0.1 months.
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recognized $20,000 of expense for stock issued to the Board of Directors at fair value.
6. Loan Receivable
On July 31, 2009, we issued a $2.0 million non-interest bearing loan (the “Loan”) to Lazarus Louisiana Refinery II, LLC (“LLRII” or the “Borrower”). The Loan, which was due on January 31, 2010, is secured by (i) a first lien on property owned by Lazarus Environmental, LLC (“LEN”), (ii) a second lien on property owned by LLRII and (iii) a guarantee from Lazarus Energy Holdings, LLC (“LEH”). We agreed to forbear the loan receivable until June 11, 2010, provided the Borrower satisfied certain conditions set forth in the forbearance agreement. Those certain conditions were not met, and on April 9, 2010, we called on the full value of the Loan to be paid by April 13, 2010. As of the date of this report, the Loan is in default and remains unpaid. Although management believes the Loan could be paid in full at a date in the future, we reserved an allowance for the entire $2.0 million balance of the Loan as of December 31, 2009, and expensed $1.5 million (net of $500,000 for the consulting agreement). We have begun the process to foreclose on the assets serving as collateral for the Loan
7. Contingencies
From time to time we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statements
Forward Looking Statements. Certain of the statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including those regarding future financial performance or results or that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The words “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Blue Dolphin (referred to herein, with its predecessors and subsidiaries, as “Blue Dolphin,” “we,” “us” and “our”) cautions readers that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements. Some of the important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking statements include:
    ability to continue as a going concern;
 
    collectability of a $2.0 million loan receivable;
 
    ability to regain compliance for continued listing on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (“NASDAQ”);
 
    ability to complete a combination with one or more target businesses;
 
    ability to improve pipeline utilization levels;
 
    ability to secure additional working capital to fund operations;
 
    performance of third party operators for properties where we have an interest;
 
    production from oil and gas properties that we have interests in;
 
    volatility of oil and gas prices;
 
    uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves, in the projection of future rates of production, the timing of development expenditures and the amount and timing of property abandonment;
 
    costly changes in environmental and other government regulations for which Blue Dolphin is subject; and
 
    adverse changes in the global financial markets.
Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Blue Dolphin’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no duty to update these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of the additional factors which may affect our business, including the disclosures made under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this report.
Executive Summary
We are engaged in two lines of business: (i) pipeline transportation services to producer/shippers, and (ii) oil and gas exploration and production.
Pipeline Transportation.
Our pipeline transportation assets are located both onshore and offshore in the Texas Gulf Coast area. We market our gathering and transportation services to producer/shippers operating in the vicinity of our pipeline systems offshore and charge them various fees for: (i) the transportation of their condensate and natural gas offshore to our onshore facilities, (ii) the separation, dehydration and storage of their condensate and natural gas at our onshore facilities and (iii) the subsequent sale of their condensate through our barge-loading terminal and/or their natural gas through our chemical plant complex and intrastate pipeline system tie-in. The following is a description of our pipeline transportation assets:

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§     Blue Dolphin Pipeline System (“BDPS”) — The BDPS includes: the Blue Dolphin Pipeline, an offshore platform, the Buccaneer Pipeline, onshore facilities for condensate and gas separation and dehydration, 85,000 Bbls of above-ground tankage for storage of crude oil and condensate, a barge loading terminal on the Intracoastal Waterway and 360 acres of land in Brazoria County, Texas where the Blue Dolphin Pipeline comes ashore and where the pipeline system’s onshore facilities, pipeline easements and rights-of-way are located. We own an 83% undivided interest in the BDPS. The BDPS has an aggregate capacity of approximately 160 MMcf of gas and 7,000 Bbls of crude oil and condensate per day. The BDPS is currently transporting an aggregate of approximately 15 MMcf of gas per day from 7 shippers, which represents 9% of throughput capacity.
 
§     Galveston Area Block 350 Pipeline (“GA 350 Pipeline”) — The GA 350 Pipeline is an 8-inch, 13 mile offshore pipeline extending from Galveston Area Block 350 to an interconnect with a transmission pipeline in Galveston Area Block 391 located approximately 14 miles south of the Blue Dolphin Pipeline. We own an 83% undivided interest in the GA 350 Pipeline. Current system capacity is 65 MMcf of gas per day. The GA 350 Pipeline is currently transporting an aggregate of approximately 20 MMcf of gas per day from 5 shippers, which represents 31% of throughput capacity.
 
§     Omega Pipeline — The Omega Pipeline originates in the High Island Area, East Addition Block A-173 and extends to West Cameron Block 342, where it was previously connected to the High Island Offshore System. The pipeline is currently inactive. Reactivation is dependent upon successful drilling activity in the pipeline’s vicinity and contracting with those producer/shippers to transport their discovery through the system. We own an 83% undivided interest in the Omega Pipeline.
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production.
We focus our oil and gas exploration and production activities in the western Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast. Although we sold substantially all of our producing oil and gas properties in 2002, we continue our oil and gas exploration and production activities, which include the exploration, acquisition, development, operation and, when appropriate, disposition of oil and gas properties. We also own seismic and other data that may be used to evaluate and develop prospects. Following is a description of our oil and gas exploration and production assets and activities (leasehold interests we hold in properties are subject to royalty, overriding royalty and interests of others):
§     Galveston Area Block 321 — Galveston Area Block 321 is located approximately 32 miles southeast of Galveston in an average water depth of approximately 66 feet. The lease is operated by Maritech Resources. We own a 0.5% overriding royalty interest in the well. The block contains one active well, the A-4 Well, which began production in March 2009. The well is currently commingled in the 5,400’ and 5,300’ sands. Once this commingled completion depletes, there are two upper zones up the hole with booked reserves.
 
§    High Island Block 115 — High Island Block 115 is located approximately 30 miles southeast of Bolivar Peninsula in an average water depth of approximately 38 feet. The lease is operated by Republic Petroleum. We own a 2.5% working interest in a single production zone in the well. The block contains one active well, the B-1 ST2 Well. The well has been shut-in since August 2009 due to production handling problems on our downstream production handling platform, High Island Block 71. We are exploring options with the lease operator to resolve the production handling issues.
 
§    High Island Block 37High Island Block 37 is located approximately 15 miles south of Sabine Pass, in an average water depth of approximately 36 feet. The lease is operated by Hilcorp Energy Company. We own an approximate 2.8% working interest in this lease that covers 5,760 acres. The block contains one active well, the A-2 Well, and one inactive well, the B-1 Well. Production from the A-2 Well was restarted in February 2009, after being shut-in as a result of Hurricane Ike. The B-1 Well is currently shut-in following an unsuccessful workover in September 2009.
We are continuing our efforts to increase the utilization of our pipeline assets and/or acquire additional assets that will improve our competitive position and be accretive to earnings. Unless we are able to replace production revenue with revenue from interests in other oil and gas properties, increase the level of utilization of our pipelines

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or acquire other revenue generating assets at an acceptable cost, our revenues and cash flow from operations will decrease and our financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
Results of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 (the “current quarter”), we reported a net loss of $525,754 compared to a net loss of $1,000,009 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 (the “previous quarter”).
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
Revenue from Pipeline Operations. Revenues from pipeline operations decreased by $85,672, or 17%, in the current quarter to $429,087 primarily due to decreases in volumes transported. Revenues in the current quarter from the BDPS decreased to approximately $356,000 compared to approximately $424,000 in the previous quarter. Daily gas volumes transported on the BDPS averaged 13 MMcf of gas per day in the current quarter compared to 19 MMcf of gas per day in the previous quarter. Revenues on the GA 350 Pipeline declined to approximately $73,000 compared to approximately $91,000 in the previous quarter due to a decrease in average daily gas volumes transported of 15 MMcf of gas per day in the current quarter from 22 MMcf of gas per day in the previous quarter.
Revenue from Oil and Gas Sales. Revenues from oil and gas sales decreased by $2,924 in the current quarter primarily due to the decline in production at our producing properties.
Pipeline Operating Expenses. Pipeline operating expenses in the current quarter decreased by $179,272 to $286,988 primarily due to decreases in storage tank repairs, pipeline leak repairs, crane repairs, insurance expense and other repairs attributable to Hurricane Ike. The decreases were partially offset by an increase in expense for chemicals.
Lease Operating Expenses. Lease operating expenses decreased in the current quarter by $26,843 to $21,188 due to decreased production at our producing properties.
General and Administrative Expenses and Stock Based Compensation. These expenses decreased by $145,296 to $519,542 in the current quarter primarily due decreases in officer salaries, consulting fees, contract labor and employee insurance. These decreases were partially offset by increases in audit expense and franchise taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash. Our primary source of cash is cash flow from operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we had negative cash flow from operations of approximately $0.3 million, excluding working capital changes, mainly due to low utilization of our pipeline systems and decreased production at our producing properties. Our available cash resources decreased from $1.1 million at December 31, 2009, to $0.8 million at March 31, 2010.
We do not enter into any hedges or any type of derivatives to offset changes in commodity prices. We also do not have any outstanding debt or a credit facility with a bank or institution that may restrict us from issuing debt or common stock.
In the past three years, our cash flows from operations were not adequate to fund our working capital requirements and we have used a portion of our cash reserves to fund working capital requirements that were not funded from operations.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
                 
    For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    (in millions)  
    2010     2009  
Cash flow from operations
               
Loss from operations
  $ (0.3 )   $ (0.6 )
Change in current assets and liabilities
    0.2       0.3  
 
           
Total cash flow from operations
    (0.1 )     (0.3 )
 
               
Cash outflows
               
Payments on note payable
    (0.1 )      
 
           
Total cash outflows
    (0.1 )      
 
           
 
               
Total change in cash flows
  $ (0.2 )   $ (0.3 )
 
           
Going Concern. Our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, contemplate that we will continue as a going concern and do not contain any adjustments that might result if we were unable to continue as a going concern. We incurred a net loss of $525,754 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, and a net loss of $4,136,892 for the year ended December 31, 2009. At March 31, 2010, we had an accumulated deficit of $30,633, 405, and at December 31, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of $30,107,651. We anticipate that we will continue to incur substantial operating losses unless and until we are able to achieve or sustain profitability. Our cash flow deficiencies raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Existing and anticipated working capital needs, lower than anticipated revenues, increased expenses or the inability to collect on an outstanding loan receivable could all affect our ability to continue as a going concern.
The continuation of our business is dependent upon obtaining additional financing. We intend to raise additional working capital through private placements, public offerings, bank financings and/or advances from related parties or shareholder loans, as well as to continue evaluating potential merger and/or acquisition opportunities.
The issuance of additional equity securities could result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of current or future stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, will increase liabilities and future cash commitments. There are no assurances that we will be able to raise additional capital through private placements, public offerings and/or bank financings necessary to support our working capital requirements. We do not currently have any agreements in place to raise any additional capital.
 
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not Applicable.
 
ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon this evaluation, as of March 31, 2010, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
With the exception of risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Recent Events in the Gulf of Mexico May Increase Risks, Costs and Delays in Our Offshore Operations. The recent explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the resulting oil spill, may lead to increased governmental regulation of our and our industry’s operations in a number of areas, including health and safety, environmental and licensing, any of which could result in increased costs or delays in current and future drilling operations along our pipelines. We cannot predict with any certainty whether such regulation will be enacted or what form such regulation could take. Furthermore, this event may lead to increased difficulties obtaining insurance coverage on economically manageable terms. Additional governmental regulation or tightening of the insurance markets could increase our costs, cause delays or have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. RESERVED
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits:
          The following exhibits are filed herewith:
             
 
    3.1(1)     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Blue Dolphin Energy Company.
 
           
 
    3.2(2)     Amended and Restated Bylaws of Blue Dolphin Energy Company.

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BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY & SUBSIDIARIES
             
 
    31.1     Ivar Siem Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
           
 
    31.2     T. Scott Howard Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
           
 
    32.1     Ivar Siem Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
           
 
    32.2     T. Scott Howard Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
(1)   Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed in connection with Form 8-K of Blue Dolphin Energy Company under Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, dated June 2, 2009 (Commission File No. 000-15905).
 
(2)   Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed in connection with Form 8-K of Blue Dolphin Energy Company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, dated December 26, 2007 (Commission File No. 000-15905).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  By:  BLUE DOLPHIN ENERGY COMPANY
 
 
May 17, 2010     /s/ IVAR SIEM    
    Ivar Siem   
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     
    /s/ T. SCOTT HOWARD    
    T. Scott Howard   
    Principal Financial and Accounting Officer   
 

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