Yuma Energy, Inc. Announces 2015 Financial Results and Provides an Operational Overview

About Yuma Energy, Inc.

Yuma Energy, Inc. is an independent Houston-based exploration and production company with approximately 13.3 million Boe of proved reserves as of December 31, 2015. We are focused on the acquisition, development, and exploration for conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas resources, primarily in the U.S. Gulf Coast and California. We were incorporated in California on October 7, 1909. We have employed a 3-D seismic-based strategy to build a multi-year inventory of development and exploration prospects. Our current operations are focused on onshore assets located in central and southern Louisiana, where we are targeting the Austin Chalk, Tuscaloosa, Wilcox, Frio, Marg Tex and Hackberry formations. In addition, we have a non-operated position in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota and operated positions in Kern and Santa Barbara Counties in California. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol “YUMA.” Our Series A Preferred Stock is traded on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol “YUMAprA.” For more information about Yuma Energy, Inc., please visit our website at www.yumaenergyinc.com.

Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization

On February 10, 2016, the Company and privately held Davis Petroleum Acquisition Corp. (“Davis”) entered into a definitive merger agreement for an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, we will reincorporate in Delaware, implement a one-for-ten reverse split of our common stock, and convert each share of our existing Series A Preferred Stock into 35 shares of common stock prior to giving effect for the reverse split (3.5 shares post reverse split). Following these actions, we will issue additional shares of common stock in an amount sufficient to result in approximately 61.1% of the common stock being owned by the current common stockholders of Davis. In addition, we will issue approximately 3.3 million shares of a new Series D preferred stock to existing Davis preferred stockholders, which is estimated to have a conversion price of approximately $5.70 per share, after giving effect for the reverse split. The Series D preferred stock is estimated to have an aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $18.7 million at closing, and will be paid dividends in the form of additional shares of Series D preferred stock at a rate of 7% per annum. Upon closing, there will be an aggregate of approximately 23.7 million shares of our common stock outstanding (after giving effect to the reverse stock split and conversion of Series A Preferred Stock to common stock). The transaction is expected to qualify as a tax-deferred reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

The merger agreement is subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies, as well as other customary approvals, including authorization to list the newly issued shares on the NYSE MKT. The parties anticipate completing the transaction in mid-2016.

Davis is a Houston-based oil and gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of domestic oil and gas properties. Over 90% of the common stock of Davis is owned by entities controlled by or co-investing with Evercore Capital Partners, Red Mountain Capital Partners, and Sankaty Advisors. These major stockholders purchased the predecessor company from the family of Marvin Davis in 2006. Davis’ company-operated properties are conventional fields located onshore in south Louisiana and the upper Texas Gulf Coast, and its non-operated properties include Eagle Ford and Woodbine properties in east Texas.

Amendment to Senior Credit Agreement

On December 30, 2015, we entered into the Waiver, Borrowing Base Redetermination and Ninth Amendment (the “Amendment”) to our Credit Agreement (the “credit agreement”) with Société Générale (the “Bank”) as administrative agent and issuing bank, and each of the lenders and guarantors party thereto. Pursuant to the Amendment, the borrowing base under the credit agreement was reduced from $35.0 million to $29.8 million and will automatically be reduced to $20.0 million on May 31, 2016 unless otherwise reduced by or to a different amount by the lenders under the credit agreement. The Amendment also provided a waiver of the financial covenant related to the maximum permitted ratio of funded debt to EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015 and any failure to comply with that financial covenant and certain other financial covenants for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015. Pursuant to the Amendment, we agreed that on or before February 6, 2016, we will engage an investment bank to explore strategic options for our finances and, on or before March 31, 2016, we will either enter into an underwritten commitment for additional capital in an aggregate amount sufficient for us to pay any borrowing base deficiency then existing or enter into a definitive agreement for the acquisition by a third party of all or substantially all of our assets by merger, asset purchase, equity purchase or other structure acceptable to the Bank and the lenders. Thereafter, on February 10, 2016, we entered into the merger agreement with Davis as discussed above, and we expect to enter into another amendment to the credit agreement to account for the contemplated merger with Davis.

In addition, the Amendment to the credit agreement provides for a line of credit until May 20, 2017. Pursuant to the credit agreement, we secured a credit facility (the “credit facility”), which is available to provide financing of up to $29.8 million through May 31, 2016 and thereafter the borrowing base will automatically be reduced to $20.0 million unless otherwise reduced by or to a different amount by the lenders under the credit agreement. The credit agreement is secured by a first lien on substantially all of our assets. As of March 29, 2016, the borrowing base was $29.8 million and the debt outstanding was $29.8 million. Amounts borrowed under the credit agreement bear interest at either (a) LIBOR plus 2.25% to 3.25% or (b) the prime rate plus 1.25% to 2.25%, depending on the amount borrowed under the credit facility. The credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, sell certain assets and engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Additionally, the credit agreement contains a covenant restricting the payment of dividends on our preferred stock if there is less than ten percent availability on the borrowing base. The credit facility also requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios. For the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015, we were not in compliance with certain financial ratio covenants in the credit agreement; however, we received a waiver from the lenders under the credit agreement pursuant to the Amendment.

Receipt of Audit Opinion with Going Concern Qualification

The audit opinion provided by the Company’s independent public auditing firm relating to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 included a going concern qualification. The financial statements were included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2016. The opinion of the Company’s independent public auditing firm notes that the Company incurred net losses in each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and as of December 31, 2015, the Company’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by $27.2 million, and as of March 30, 2016, the Company will require additional funds for the balance of fiscal year 2016 to repay $9.8 million under its credit agreement when the Company’s borrowing base is reduced to $20.0 million on May 31, 2016. The Company’s independent public auditing firm indicated in its opinion that these conditions raise a substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

As discussed above, on February 10, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization with Davis for an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, subject to shareholder and bank approval, it is anticipated that the Company will enter into another credit agreement amendment that will take into account the contemplated merger with Davis. While Management believes that the merger is likely to occur, it can provide no assurance of the completion of the merger with Davis and the amendment to the credit agreement.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” or “probable” or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “will,” “should,” or “could” be taken, occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements include statements about future operations, estimates of reserve and production volumes and the anticipated timing for closing the proposed merger. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Yuma and Davis in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the possibility that the companies may be unable to obtain stockholder approval or satisfy the other conditions to closing; the possibility that the combined company may be unable to obtain an acceptable reserve-based credit facility; that problems may arise in the integration of the businesses of the two companies; that the acquisition may involve unexpected costs; the risks of the oil and gas industry (for example, operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas); risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; revisions to reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future production, costs and expenses; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather; further declines in oil and gas prices; inability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals, shortages of drilling equipment, oil field personnel and services, unavailability of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities and the possibility that government policies may change. Yuma’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, recent current reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition. Yuma and Davis undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Additional Information about the Transaction

In connection with the proposed transaction, Yuma intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Yuma that also constitutes a prospectus of Yuma relating to Yuma common stock and the Yuma common stock issued upon conversion of the Series D preferred stock to be issued pursuant to the merger. The proxy statement/prospectus will include important information about both Yuma and Davis. Yuma also plans to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YUMA, DAVIS AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain these documents when available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Yuma can be obtained free of charge from Yuma’s website at www.yumaenergyinc.com.

Participants in Solicitation

Yuma and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Yuma in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Yuma’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2016, and its proxy statement for its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2015. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act.