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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark

 (Mark One)

[ ]    
Registration Statement Pursuant To Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

OR

[ X ] 
Annual Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

2019.


OR

[ ]    
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from __ to __
OR

[ ]    
Shell Company Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report:
Commission file number 000-24027

NXT Energy Solutions Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Alberta, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Suite 302, 3320 - 17th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4
(Address of principal executive offices)

Jakub Brogowski

Eugene Woychyshyn
Phone: 403-206-0807

403-206-0805

Facsimile: 403-264-6442

Suite 302, 3320 - 17th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and address of Company Contact Person)



Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Shares

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

58,161,133

64,406,891 common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 (62,832,8432019 (64,406,891 common shares outstanding as of April 30, 2018).

May 5, 2020)


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Table of Contents

Yes___ NoX

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Yes  _ ___ NoX

Note-Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YesX No____    

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).

YesX No____    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer     ___ Accelerated filer     ___ Non-accelerated filerX
      Emerging growth Company___

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ___
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ___
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.

U.S. GAAPX International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board     ___ Other     ___

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17     ___ Item 18     ___

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)

Yes___ NoX

2

20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

  20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 is being filed pursuant to the order of the Securities and Exchange Commission contained in SEC Release No. 34-88465, dated March 25, 2020 (the “Order”). We filed a Form 6-K on April 28, 2020, prior to the original due date of the Form 20-F, indicating our reliance on the relief granted by the Order.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

PART I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

ITEM 1.IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS54
ITEMITEM 2.OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE54
ITEM 3.KEY INFORMATION5
ITEM 4.   4.INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY1516
ITEM 4A.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS2526
ITEM 5.OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS2526
ITEM 6.DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES3938
ITEM 7.MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS4947
ITEM 8.FINANCIAL INFORMATION5149
ITEM 9.THE OFFER AND LISTING5250
ITEM 10.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION5350
ITEM 11.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK6660
ITEM 12.DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES6660
PART II
ITEM 13.DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES6761
ITEM 14.MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS6761
ITEM 15.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES6861
ITEM 16A.AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT6863
ITEM 16B.CODE OF ETHICS6863
ITEM 16C.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES6863
ITEM 16D.EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES6963
ITEM 16E.PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS6963
ITEM 16F.CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT6964
ITEM 16G.CORPORATE GOVERNANCE6964
ITEM 16H.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE6964
PART III
ITEM 17.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS6964
ITEM 18.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS6964
ITEM 19.EXHIBITS70

EXHIBITS3

20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

65

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 20-F contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business. These statements relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “will” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including current trend information, projections for deliveries and other trend projections, that may cause our actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those suggested or described in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

These risks include:

·our ability to generate sufficient ongoing cash flow from operations or to raise adequate capital to allow us to grow the business and continue operations;
·conducting operations in international markets;
·the availability of suitable aircraft used in conducting our operations;
·the emergence of alternative competitive technologies;
·protection of our intellectual property and rights to our Stress Field Detection (“SFD®”) technology;
·the loss of key personnel;
·our dependence on a limited number of clients;
·foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations may affect our financial position;
·recent low commodity prices for oil and gas have impacted demand for our services and ongoing volatility in oil and natural gas commodity prices may reduce demand for our services in the future; and
·other factors described herein under “Risk Factors” (see Item 3. D.)

●
novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV/COVID-19), and the potentially negative effects thereof on the Company's workforce, its supply chain or demand for its products our ability to generate sufficient ongoing cash flow from operations or to raise adequate capital to allow NXT to grow the business and continue operations;
●
the ability of management to execute its business plan;
●
health, safety and the environment (including risks related the novel coronavirus);
●
the emergence of alternative competitive technologies;
●
our ability to protect and maintain our intellectual property and rights to our SFD® technology;
●
our reliance on a limited number of key personnel;
●
our reliance on a limited number of aircraft;
●
our reliance on a limited number of clients;
●
counterparty credit risk;
●
foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations;
●
changes in, or in the interpretation of, laws, regulations or policies; and general business, economic and market conditions (including global commodity prices); and
●
other factors described herein under “Risk Factors” (see Item 3. D.).
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Given these uncertainties, users of the information included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including investors and prospective investors, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update the forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, except as specified otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company”, and “NXT” refer to NXT Energy Solutions Inc. and its subsidiaries. All references to “fiscal” in connection with a year shall mean the year ended December 31.

All financial information contained herein is expressed in Canadian dollars (“Cdn$”) unless otherwise stated.

4

20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. 
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "U.S. Exchange Act") and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
ITEM 2. 
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.

ITEM 3. 
KEY INFORMATION

A.            
Selected financial data.

The following historical financial information should be read in conjunction with the section entitled “Operating and Financial Review” (see Item 5 herein) and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included elsewhere in this document. The consolidated statements of income (loss) data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018, and 20152017 and selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 are derived from and qualified by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated statements of income (loss) data for the years ended December 31, 20142016 and 2013 is2015 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, are derived from our previously filed audited consolidated financial statements (which are not included in this Form 20-F).

INCOME (LOSS) & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 (expressed in Canadian Dollars)20172016201520142013
Survey revenues$                 -$1,447,269$ 17,422,151 $ 3,913,367 $ 2,684,095    
Operating expenses     
 Survey costs1,289,4291,157,1855,095,691431,5181,632,159
 General and administrative  4,960,9615,645,4595,049,690     4,132,108     4,112,787
 Stock based compensation expense581,356790,5001,081,000658,000492,000
 Amortization expense1,897,5762,104,864704,943        67,162        85,484
  8,729,3229,698,00811,931,3245,288,788     6,322,430
Other expense (income)     
 Interest expense (income), net4,485(17,254)(13,910)      (50,824)        (25,455)
 Foreign exchange (gain) loss69,676272,713(712,480)       (158,817)        (150,350)
 Other expense (income)91,370218,853529,081354,781107,985
 Increase (decrease) in fair value of
   US$ Warrants

 

-

 

-


-
42,800
1,371,500
  165,531474,312(197,309)187,9401,303,680
Income (loss) before income taxes(8,894,853)(8,725,051)5,688,136(1,563,361)(4,942,015)
Income tax expense (recovery)75,545374,511(4,852,092)-399,546
Net income (loss) and comprehensive
 income (loss) for the year		(8,970,398)(9,099,562)10,540,228(1,563,361)(5,341,561)
Net income (loss) per share -
Basic

 

(0.16)

 ($ 0.17)$0.22 ($ 0.04)
($0.13)
Diluted(1)(0.16) ($ 0.17)$0.21 ($ 0.04)($0.13)
Weighted average # of common
shares outstanding		     
Basic54,523,11353,526,15547,782,64744,375,54041,660,190
Diluted(1)54,523,11353,526,15549,041,38344,375,54041,660,190
      
# of common shares outstanding58,161,13353,856,50953,306,10944,958,84342,418,326

(expressed in Canadian Dollars)
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Survey revenues
 $11,976,149 
 $- 
 $- 
 $1,447,269 
 $17,422,151 
Operating expenses
    
    
    
    
    
Survey costs
  2,611,086 
  1,103,946 
  1,289,429 
  1,157,185 
  5,095,691 
General and administrative
  3,497,785 
  3,999,089 
  4,960,961 
  5,645,459 
  5,049,690 
Stock based compensation expense
  43,809 
  386,154 
  581,356 
  790,500 
  1,081,000 
Amortization expense
  1,781,181 
  1,790,267 
  1,897,576 
  2,104,864 
  704,943 
 
  7,933,861 
  7,279,456 
  8,729,322 
  9,698,008 
  11,931,324 
Other expense (income)
    
    
    
    
    
Interest expense (income), net
  (20,684)
  (62,004)
  4,485 
  (17,254)
  (13,910)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
  233,231 
  (19,852)
  69,676 
  272,713 
  (712,480)
Other expense (income)
  56,833 
  (43,428)
  91,370 
  218,853 
  529,081 
Gain on extinguishment of liability (Note 20)
  - 
  (185,661)
  - 
  - 
  - 
Increase (decrease) in fair value of US$ Warrants
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
  269,380 
  (310,945)
  165,531 
  474,312 
  (197,390)
Income (loss) before income taxes
  3,772,908 
  (6,968,511)
  (8,894,853)
  (8,725,051)
  5,688,136 
Income tax expense (recovery)
  - 
  - 
  75,545 
  374,511 
  (4,852,092)
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the year
  3,772,908 
  (6,968,511)
  (8,970,398)
  (9,099,562)
  10,540,228 
Net income (loss) per share - Basic
 $0.06 
 $( 0.11)
 $(0.16)
 $( 0.17)
 $0.22 
Diluted (1)
 $0.06 
 $( 0.11)
 $(0.16)
 $( 0.17)
 $0.21 
Weighted average # of common shares outstanding
    
    
    
    
    
Basic
  68,156,059 
  65,455,325 
  54,523,113 
  53,562,155 
  47,782,647 
Diluted (1)
  68,156,059 
  65,455,325 
  54,523,113 
  53,562,155 
  49,041,383 
 
    
    
    
    
    
# of common shares outstanding
  64,406,891 
  68,573,558 
  58,161,133 
  53,856,509 
  53,306,109 
(1) in In periods with a loss, the diluted total excludes the 8,000,000 convertible preferred shares which were outstanding until converted
on August 31, 2015, as their effect is anti-dilutive.

5

20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

Table of Contents


Balance Sheet Data

(expressed in Canadian Dollars)

 20172016201520142013
Working capital (deficiency)$(318,166)$1,703,510$ 7,534,128$ 5,029,013$ 1,618,719
      
Current assets1,284,0082,316,34110,691,9185,811,6396,577,175
Deposits518,765----
Property and equipment, net778,6853,348,5573,678,985237,464262,818
Intellectual property, net21,339,53323,024,26824,709,000--
Total assets23,920,99128,689,16639,079,9036,049,1036,839,993
      
Current liabilities1,602,174612,8313,157,790782,6264,958,456
Long-term liabilities741,408264,775300,46250,00064,560
Total liabilities2,343,582877,6063,458,252832,6265,023,016
      
Shareholders’ equity:     
 Common shares88,121,28685,966,39385,051,55365,792,30761,340,321
 Preferred shares---232,600232,600
Contributed capital8,195,0757,613,7197,239,0896,400,7895,889,914
 Deficit(75,449,886)(66,479,487)(57,379,926)(67,920,154)(66,356,793)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income710,934710,935710,935710,935710,935
Total equity21,577,40927,811,56035,621,6515,216,4771,816,977
Total liabilities and equity23,920,99128,689,16639,079,9036,049,1036,839,993

 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Working capital (deficiency)
 $7,129,182 
 $3,823,832 
 $(318,166)
 $1,703,510 
 $7,534,128 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Current assets
  8,445,904 
  4,365,970 
  1,284,008 
  2,316,341 
  10,691,918 
Deposits
  535,554 
  560,341 
  518,765 
  - 
  - 
Property and equipment, net
  677,647 
  683,157 
  778,685 
  3,348,557 
  3,678,985 
Right of use assets
  3,063,769 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Intellectual property, net
  17,970,067 
  19,654,800 
  21,339,533 
  23,024,268 
  24,709,000 
Total assets
  30,692,941 
  25,264,268 
  23,920,991 
  28,689,166 
  39,079,903 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Current liabilities
  1,316,722 
  542,138 
  1,602,174 
  612,831 
  3,157,790 
Long-term liabilities
  2,691,217 
  510,661 
  741,408 
  264,775 
  300,462 
Total liabilities
  4,007,939 
  1,052,799 
  2,343,582 
  887,606 
  3,458,252 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Shareholders’ equity:
    
    
    
    
    
Common shares
  95,313,064 
  96,656,248 
  88,121,286 
  85,966,393 
  85,051,553 
Preferred shares
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Contributed capital
 $9,306,493 
 $9,262,684 
 $8,195,075 
 $7,613,719 
 $7,239,089 
Deficit
  (78,645,489)
  (82,418,397)
  (75,449,886)
  (66,479,487)
  (57,379,926)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  710,934 
  710,934 
  710,934 
  710,935 
  710,935 
Total equity
  26,685,002 
  24,211,469 
  21,577,409 
  27,811,560 
  35,621,651 
Total liabilities and equity
  30,692,941 
  25,264,268 
  23,920,991 
  28,689,166 
  39,079,903 

Throughout the history of the Company there have been no dividends declared.

The following table sets forth certain exchange rates between our financial reporting currency, the Canadian dollar, and the United States dollar (“US$”) based on the noon rate of exchange for the US$, expressed in Canadian dollars, as reported by the Bank of Canada (i.e. multiply by these rates to convert Cdn$ to US$).

DateUS$ per Cdn$ Exchange Rates
   
Last 6 months endedHighLow
   
March 31, 20180.77940.7641
February 28, 20180.81380..7807
January 31, 20180.81350.7978
December 31, 20170.79710.7760

November 30, 2017

October 31, 2017

0.7759

0.8018

0.7885

0.7756

   
   
Last Quarter & Last 5 YearsAverage 
Quarter ended March 31, 20180.7910 
Year ended December 31, 20170.7701 
Year ended December 31, 20160.7555 
Year ended December 31, 20150.7820 
Year ended December 31, 20140.9054 
Year ended December 31, 20130.9710 
   
 Ending 
March 31, 20180.7756 

6

20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

Table of Contents

B.            
Capitalization and indebtedness.

Not applicable.

This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
C.            
Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds.

Not applicable.

This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
D.            
Risk factors.

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information included in this document, you should carefully consider the risks described below before purchasing our common shares. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could materially suffer. As a result, the trading price of our common shares could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment.

Covid-19 (2019-nCoV/COVID-19) Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has not had a material effect on the operations of the Company. The Company has made provisions so employees can work from home, suspended all travel, mandated that international travelers are to self-isolate for 14 days after return to Canada, and implemented hygiene and social distancing policies. NXT continues to communicate with employees and customers via available communication methods such as tele-conferences and on-line video conferencing.
Demand for our services and prospective revenues may become adversely impacted the longer the Covid-19 pandemic continues. The impact of the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic may hamper our ability to deliver SFD® surveys contracts in the following ways. If restrictions on international travel continue, our aircraft and personal will not be able to perform surveys. An outbreak of the virus among our staff or our customers’ personnel would delay any survey in progress. Business development may be delayed when in-person meetings and technical presentations may be a superior delivery method to tele-conferences or on-line video conferencing.

Our ability to continue operating is not certain.

We areoperating.

The consolidated financial statements for December 31, 2019 have been prepared on a going concern basis.  The going concern basis of presentation assumes that NXT will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the early stagesnormal course of realizingbusiness. 
NXT's financial statements for December 31, 2018 included disclosure related to the goaluse of widespread industry acceptancethe "going concern" basis of our SFD® technology, duringpresentation. In 2019, NXT has had positive cash flow from operations which we may havehas resulted in a significant economic dependencystrengthening of the Company's liquidity and working capital position. As a consequence, management is of the view that removal of the "going concern" disclosure in respect of its December 31, 2019 disclosure is warranted on the basis than the Company currently has sufficient funds to maintain operations for the next 12 months as of the date of the financial statements.
In the preparation of the December 31, 2019 financial statements, management determined that there are no existing conditions or reasonably foreseeable events that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. However, NXT's future financial results and its longer term success remains dependent upon the ability to continue to attract and execute client projects to build its revenue base. NXT continues to develop its pipeline of opportunities to secure new revenue contracts. However, the Company's longer-term success remains dependent upon its ability to convert these opportunities into successful contracts and to continue to attract new client projects and expand the revenue base to a level sufficient to exceed fixed operating costs and continue to generate positive cash flow from operations.  The occurrence and timing of these events cannot be predicted with certainty.
NXT's cash and cash equivalents plus short-term investments at December 31, 2019 totaled $6.64 million. Net working capital totaled $7.13 million.
As NXT is operating on a limitedgoing concern basis, NXT's short-term ability to generate sufficient cash depends on the success of signing contracts and receiving advance payments pursuant to the terms of such agreements. NXT's longer-term success remains dependent upon our ability to continue to attract new client projects and expand the revenue base to a level sufficient to exceed G&A expenses and generate excess net cash flow from operations. Proceeds from past equity financings have been used to provide NXT with funds to pursue, close and implement commercial transactions currently in negotiation, develop additional revenue streams including multi-client data sales and strategic partnerships and for general corporate and net working capital purposes.



Risks related to having sufficient ongoing net working capital to execute survey project contracts are mitigated through our normal practice of obtaining advance payments and progress payments from customers throughout the course of the projects, which often span three to four months. In addition, where possible, risk of default on client billings has been mitigated through the use of export insurance programs offered by Export Development Canada.
In 2019, NXT continued to make progress in strengthening its liquidity and net working capital by completing the Nigerian SFD® Survey and reducing corporate costs by reducing the number of clientsstaff and prospects. by implementing new human resource policies to reduce staffing costs.

As such, there is uncertainty aboutof the timing and magnitudedate of future revenues. We recognizethis 20-F, NXT has sufficient funds to maintain its operations for more than 12 months.
The Company does not have provisions in its leases, contracts, or other arrangements that there is limited ability to support operations indefinitely without generating sufficient new revenue sourceswould trigger additional funding requirements or securing additional financing if such should become required.

early payments.


The financial statements rely upon estimates and assumptions that could be incorrect.

The preparation of financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities including the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as well as revenues and expenses recorded in our financial statements. Estimates made relate primarily to the measurement of accrued liabilities, stock-based compensation expense, valuation of future income tax assets, estimates for asset retirement obligations, and the useful lives of capital assets, and intellectual property.

The estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and are based upon the best information available to management; however, we cannot provide assurance that future events will not prove that these estimates and assumptions are inaccurate. Any revisions to our estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on our future reported net income or loss and assets and liabilities.

Volatility in oil and natural gas commodity prices may affect demand for our services.

We incur a risk

NXT's customer base is in the oil and natural gas exploration industry, which is exposed to risks of market changesvolatility in oil and natural gas commodity prices. Prospective revenues from the sale ofAs such, demand for our services can beand prospective revenues may become adversely impacted by ongoing declines in oil and natural gas price changes.prices. The impact of price changes on our ability to enter into SFD®SFD® survey contracts cannot be readily determined; however,determined. However, in general, if commodity prices decline significantly, our opportunity to obtain and execute SFD®SFD® survey contracts will also likely decline.

decline, at least in the short term.

Our financial position is affected by foreign currency fluctuations.

We currently conduct cash transactions and have holdings in Canadian dollars, U.S. dollars and periodically have holdings of local currency in other countries. We generally contract to earn revenues in U.S. dollars and potentially may earn revenues in Canadian dollars and other foreign currencies.

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Our reporting currency is in Canadian dollars. We currently do not engage in currency hedging activities, but are reviewing opportunities to do so. Our cash positions and potential foreign currency revenue streams in currencies other than Canadian dollars exposes usNXT to exchange rate fluctuations between the Canadian dollar and foreign currencies.

Our financial position will be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. We may earn revenue and incur expenses denominated in foreign currencies, yet report our financial results in Canadian dollars. Furthermore, we intend to enter into contracts to provide services in foreign countries and may periodically conduct business in other currencies such as the Euro. Changes in currency exchange rates could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.



Our net income or loss is impacted by interest rate fluctuations.

We periodically invest available cash in short term investments that generate interest income that will be affected by any change in interest ratesrates. (See Item 11).

We rely upon the availability

Availability of aircraft to conduct our survey operations.

Aircraft.

In April 2017, NXT completed a sale and leaseback agreement of its aircraft with a Calgary based international aircraft services organization (the “Lessor”). The terms of the agreement resulted in NXT selling its’its 1997 Cessna Citation Ultra 560 jet aircraft that was purchased in 2015. NXT has leased the aircraft over an initial term of 60 months and retains all existing operating rights and obligations. NXT is required to make monthly payments to the Lessor of approximately US$40,000.39,500. NXT has the option to extend the term of the lease by an additional two years. Should NXT want to repurchase the aircraft at the end of the initial lease term, the purchase price is US$1,450,000. When the aircraft is not needed for use by NXT, we seek to earn charter hire revenues from the aircraft through a 3rd party, Air Partners.

Air Partners also has access to an alternate, similar model aircraft (certified for the use of our survey equipment) which could be charter hired for use by NXT if needed.

In the event that NXT’s aircraft is not available (due to damage, a need for extensive repairs, or other unforeseen events) to conduct survey projects, there is a risk that suitable alternative aircraft may not be available on a timely basis from other charter operators when needed. This inability to conduct survey operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are a small business with limited personnel and our inability to segregate duties between administrative staff is an internal control weakness.

Certain duties that are most appropriately segregated between different employees are due to our current limited staff, assigned to one individual.

or two individuals depending on the task.

Standard internal control methodology involves the separation of incompatible functions by assigning these functions to separate individuals and in larger organizations to separate departments. We often cannot allocate these functions to separate individuals because our administrative staff is limited.

Although we have adopted alternative control methods designed to compensate for the reduced ability to separate incompatible functions, these alternative controls are not effective and there is more than a remote likelihood that our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect material misstatements if they should exist in our financial statements. This lack of separation of duties exposes usNXT to potential misappropriation of funds, embezzlement and other forms of fraud and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operationsoperations. (see also Item 15).


If the Company were to default on its office lease, the current month rent plus the next three months become immediately due. If the Company were to default on the aircraft lease, the Company would be required to deliver the aircraft back to the Lessor.
We may periodically engage in transactions with related parties.

We may periodically enter into related party transactions with our officers and directors. The most significant transaction was a “Technology Transfer Agreement” (the “TTA”) that was executed on December 31, 2006 between NXT and Mr. George Liszicasz, our CEO, President and Chairman wherein we issued 10,000,000 convertible preferred shares to him in exchange for the rights to the SFD®SFD® technology for use in hydrocarbon exploration. In 2013, a total of 2,000,000 of these preferred shares were converted (on a one-to-one basis) into common shares, and the remaining 8,000,000 preferred shares were converted in August 2015.

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20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 In addition to the related party transactions discussed elsewhere herein (i.e. the Co-operation Agreement, the Loan Arrangement and the Targeted Issuer Bid), one of the members of NXT's Board, Thomas Valentine, is a partner in the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP which provides legal advice to NXT.

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For a full history of the TTA see also Item 4. part A, “Information on the Company - History and development of the Company”, and Item 4. part B. “Information on the Company - Business Overview – Technology Transfer Agreement”.

Although we manage this potential conflict of interest risk through maintenance of a strong independent board of directors (the “Board”), all related party transactions have the potential for conflicts of interest that may compromise the ability of Board members to exercise their fiduciary responsibility to NXT shareholders.

For the period December 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018, Mr. Selby one of the Company’s independent directors acted as the Interim CFO of the Company.

A single major shareholder who is also a Board member and an officer of the Company retains the ability to influence or control the Company, and this influence or control may result in a conflict of interest.

Mr. George Liszicasz, our CEO, is our largest shareholder and as of March 29, 2018May 5, 2020 owns approximately 25%23% of our outstanding common shares and therefore has a substantial influence in all shareholder matters.

Controls do exist to mitigate any potential risks associated with this conflict of interest. Mr. Liszicasz adheres to a code of conduct which includes a fiduciary responsibility to the Company, and its shareholders and this conduct is governed by the independent Board of directors who collectively represent a majority of the Board. Furthermore, all material related party transactions are disclosed publicly.

However, should these conflict of interest controls not be effective, decisions could be made by the Company that may advantage Mr. Liszicasz and negatively impact other shareholders.

Our rights to SFD®SFD® technology may be challenged and we may need to defend our rights to the technology in the courts.

Our rights to ownership and use of SFD®SFD® technology depended on Mr. Liszicasz having the lawful right to sell to NXT the exclusive rights to exploit the SFD®SFD® technology for the exploration of hydrocarbons as agreed to in the TTA.

A risk exists that an unknown party may claim some legal entitlement to our intellectual property, our rights to commercialize this intellectual property or our right to create SFD®SFD® devices and processes. However, we believe that such a claim would be without merit.

The SFD®SFD® technology is an essential component of our business plan. If a third party challenged our lawful entitlement to this technology, the legal defense of our right to the technology may be expensive and could cause a loss of our right to the SFD®SFD® technology, or a protracted legal process to assert our right to the technology would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.



We rely on specialized equipment, including a limited number of SFD®SFD® sensors and this limitation may affect our ability to conduct business.

We rely on specialized data acquisition equipment, including a limited number of SFD®SFD® sensor devices, to conduct our aerial SFD®SFD®survey operations. We would be at risk if these survey sensors were to become damaged, destroyed, worn out, stolen or in any way became unavailable for use in operations prior to us creating and testing additional sensors. Should the sensors become unavailable for any reason, our ability to conduct surveys could be delayed for several months as we built new sensors. During this period we may become unable to satisfy contractual obligations, which may jeopardize future revenue opportunities and may potentially result in a client drawing on a contract performance bond posted by the Company or otherwise making claims against the Company for breach of contract.

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In addition, an inability to satisfy contractual obligations may have an adverse effect on our developing reputation within the oil and gas community.

NXT seeks to mitigate this risk by researching new designs and constructing additional SFD®SFD® sensor devices.

As the Company is in the early commercialization phase, SFD®SFD® surveys have not been tested over all potential geological conditions. Some geological conditions may subsequently be proven to be unsuited for SFD®SFD® surveys thereby creating unforeseen limitations to the application of SFD®SFD® surveys.

Any limitation to the application of SFD®SFD® surveys has the potential of restricting future revenue opportunities and if not properly disclosed to industry clients, such limitations may impact the reputation of the Company with these clients.

Unless we pursue ongoing technological improvement and development, we may be unable to respond to changes in customer requirements or new competitive technologies.

We must continue to refine and develop our SFD®SFD® survey system to make it scalable for growth and to respond to potential future competitive pressures. These improvements require substantial time and resources. Furthermore, even if resources are available, there can be no assurance that the Company will be commercially or technically successful in enhancing the technology. Our inability to keep pace with new technologies and evolving industry standards and demands could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on a limited number of key personnel who collectively possess the knowledge and skills to conduct SFD®SFD® surveys and interpret SFD®SFD® data as required to meet contract obligations. Additional or replacement personnel cannot be found and trained quickly. The loss of any of these key persons or increased demand for our services from clients could impair our ability to meet contract obligations, thereby adversely impacting our reputation and our ability to earn future revenue from clients.

We rely on a limited number of key personnel who collectively possess the knowledge and skills to conduct SFD®SFD® surveys and interpret SFD®SFD® data as required to meet contract obligations. Additional or replacement personnel cannot be found and trained quickly. The loss of any of these key persons or increased demand for our services from clients could impair our ability to meet contract obligations, thereby adversely impacting our reputation and our ability to earn future revenue from clients.

The Company's future success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued service of its key technical and management personnel and on our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified employees. The loss of the services of our employees or a failure to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not have “key man” insurance on any of our personnel.

The Company put in place employment agreements with all of its executive officers, including GeorgeMr. Liszicasz, its President and CEO.

We have a dependence on Mr. Liszicasz and three other staff members to be involved in theSFD®the SFD® data interpretation process and to continue to enhance our technology. We are working to minimize dependency on key personnel. Mr. Liszicasz has trained and continues to train a team of signal interpreters to minimize our reliance on him to perform these functions. Currently, a total of four persons, two of which are highly experienced, are trained to interpret SFD®SFD® signals.


Although we have engaged employees with suitable credentials to work with Mr. Liszicasz to enhance our interpretation process and further develop the SFD®SFD® technology, if we are unable to reduce dependence on Mr. Liszicasz and he becomes incapable of performing or unwilling to perform these functions, then there may be an adverse effect on our ability to interpret the data from SFD®SFD® surveys or to enhance our technology.

Within the province of Alberta, the skilled personnel that we require may periodically be in short supply and there is specialized training required that can take several months in order for a new employee to become effective. If we cannot hire these key personnel, we have inadequate time to train them or should we lose current personnel, then our ability to accept contracts or meet contract commitments may be adversely affected, thereby restricting our ability to earn revenue.

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Cyberattacks or other breaches of our technology hardware and software, as well as risks associated with compliance and data privacy could have an adverse effect on our systems, our service to our customers, our reputation, our competitive position, and financial results. 
Our ability to manage our operations successfully is critical to our success. Our business relies on our ability to electronically gather, compile, process, store and distribute data and other information. Unintended interruptions or failures resulting from computer and telecommunications failures, equipment or software malfunction, power outages, catastrophic events, security breaches (such as unauthorized access by hackers), social engineering schemes, unauthorized access, errors in usage by our employees, computer viruses, ransomware or malware, and other events could harm our business.
In April 2019, we were the target of a ransomware attack that involved the infiltration and infection of our computer systems.  We made no payments relating to the ransomware, and believe we lost no data.  Following the ransomware incident, we began undertaking remediation efforts and other steps to enhance our data security infrastructure. In connection with these efforts, we have incurred costs and expect to incur additional costs as we take further steps to prevent unauthorized access to our systems and the data we maintain.  We cannot provide any assurance that all potential causes of the incident have been identified and remediated and will not occur again.  While we have taken measures to minimize the impact of these problems, the proper functioning of these systems is critical to our business operations. Any security breach or failure in our computer equipment, systems or data could result in the interruption of our business operations and adversely impact our financial results.
There is no certainty that an investor can trade our common shares on public markets at a stable market price.

The Company has historically had a limited public market for our common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX-V”), and the United States (“U.S.”) OTC Markets Group’s Venture Stage Marketplace (the “OTCQB”) and there is a risk that a broader or more active public trading market for our common shares will not develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will not be sustained. Effective March 22, 2016, the Company’s application to graduate from the TSX-V to the broader Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”), Canada’s premier stock exchange listing, was approved.

The market price for the common shares on the exchanges where our stock is listed has been and we anticipate will continue to be, extremely volatile and subject to significant price and volume fluctuations in response to a variety of external and internal factors. This is especially true with respect to emerging companies such as ours. Examples of external factors, which can generally be described as factors that are unrelated to the operating performance or financial condition of any particular Company, include changes in interest rates and worldwide economic and market conditions, as well as changes in industry conditions, such as changes in oil and natural gas prices, oil and natural gas inventory levels, regulatory and environment rules and announcements of technology innovations or new products by other companies. Examples of internal factors, which can generally be described as factors that are directly related to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations, would include release of reports by securities analysts and announcements we may make from time to time relative to our operating performance, clients exploration results, financing, advances in technology or other business developments.

Because we have a limited operating history and a limited history of profitability to date, the market price for the common shares is more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer. Changes in the market price of the common shares, for example, may have no connection with our operating results or the quality of services provided to clients. No predictions or projections can be made as to what the prevailing market price for the common shares will be at any time, or as to what effect, if any, that the sale of shares or the availability of common shares for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price. Given the relatively low historic trading volumes, small trades of NXT’s common shares can adversely and potentially dramatically affect the market prices for those shares.


Accordingly, investors in our common stock should anticipate both volatile stock price and poor liquidity unless these conditions change.

You will be subject to the penny stock rules to the extent our stock price on the OTCQB is less than $5.00.

Since the common shares are not listed on a national stock exchange within the United States, trading in the common shares on the OTCQB is subject, to the extent the market price for the common shares is less than $5.00 per share, to a number of regulations known as the "penny stock rules". The penny stock rules, subject to certain exemptions, require a broker-dealer to deliver a standardized risk disclosure, the form of which is developed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to provide the customer with additional information, including current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account, and to make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and to receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. To the extent these requirements may be applicable, they will reduce the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the common shares and may severely and adversely affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell the common shares.

You should not expect to receive dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common shares and we do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Our current business plan is to retain any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of directors and will be dependent upon our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors as our Board of directors may deem relevant at that time.

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Our right to issue additional capital stock at any time could have an adverse effect on your proportionate ownership and voting rights.

We are authorized under our Articles of Incorporation to issue an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares. We may issue these shares under such circumstances and in such manner and at such times, prices, amounts and purposes as our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine to be necessary and appropriate, subject to compliance with all applicable exchange regulations and corporate and securities laws. Proportionate ownership and voting rights of common shareholders could be adversely affected by the issuance of additional common shares which may result in common share value dilution.

We may not be able to protect our trade secrets and intellectual property from competitors who would use this knowledge to eliminate or reduce our technological advantage.

Our success and future revenue growth will depend, in part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property (“IP”). We have commenced an IP strategy process to obtain patents related to the SFD®SFD® technology, while also utilizing “trade secrets” protection of the proprietary nature of our technology as applicable.

Initiatives to expand and protect our IP (including patenting and new R&D initiatives) werehave been very successful in 2017.successful. Squire Patton Boggs LLP, a United States (“US”)U.S. based leader in IP protection, has been advising NXT on our IP strategy, including the prior filing of an initial US provisional patent application in May 2012. In November 2014, NXT filed a related patent amendment submission in the US and since that time has undertaken new patent applications in select strategic international markets.

So far, SFD®SFD® patents applications have been filed in nine (9) jurisdictions worldwide.  Thus far seven (7) patents have been grantedgranted: two (2) in Russia (January 2017), Japan (July 2017), Canada (August 2017), Europe (September 2017) and the United States (November 2017)U.S., and noticesone (1) in each of allowance have been alsothe following countries: Canada, Japan, China, Russia, and Mexico. NXT has recently received confirmation of a patent granted from Mexico (July 2017) and China (March 2018), which are areasthe European Patent Office. This brings the total number of prime commercial focuscountries granting the patent to 44. The final step is for the Company. Asvalidation process of the writing of this financial report, NXT has been granted patents, filed or receivedSFD®technology patent allowance for SFD® in different 48select European countries. This is expected to take several month to complete.The SFD®SFD® patents serve an important purpose beyond the protection they provide to the proprietary SFD®SFD® technology. Our patents also serve as an independent third-party verification of the scientific principles that form the basis of the SFD®SFD® process and its application.


The patent protection application process requires disclosure of at least some aspects of our SFD®SFD® technology to third parties and ultimately public disclosure. This disclosure could significantly increase the risk of unlawful use of our technology by third parties. Furthermore, we have no assurance that, even if we seek patent protection, a patent could be registered to protect our IP in all or any jurisdictions within North America or other countries throughout the world. If registered, there can be no assurance that it would be sufficiently broad to protect our technology or that any potential patent would not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that any right granted thereunder would provide meaningful protection or a competitive advantage to us. Finally, protection afforded by patents is limited by the financial resources available to legally defend IP rights. We currently do not possess the required financial resources to fund a lengthy defense of our rights if challenged by a much larger competitor or an oil and gas Company.

company.

We do enjoy common and contract law protection of our technology and trade secrets. Employees and contractors are governed by confidentiality agreements as well as a fiduciary responsibility to protect our technology, supporting documentation and other proprietary information.

Our strongest protection of the SFD®SFD® technology comes from restricting access to knowledge concerning the technology. Only a very limited number of NXT personnel have access to or knowledge of the underlying SFD®SFD® technology and no one employee and only one officer has access or knowledge of all aspects of the SFD®SFD® system. Currently, no third party has any significant knowledge of the technology. As further protection, SFD®SFD® equipment does not leave the direct control of NXT employees, thereby preventing unauthorized replication of the equipment.

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The Company reassesses the appropriateness of its IP protection strategy on an ongoing basis and seeks advice from IP advisors as necessary.

It is possible that a third party will copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company's technology without authorization, develop a similar technology independently or design around the Company's secrets. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our IP will be successful.

An inability to protect our IP would make it possible for competitors to offer similar products and services that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We experience operational hazards in our flight operations that may subject us to potential claims in the event that an incident or accident occurs.

We experience operational hazards in our flight operations that may subject us to potential claims in the event that an incident or accident occurs.

The flight operations of SFD®SFD® surveys are subject to the hazards associated with general flight operations. An aircraft accident may cause personal injury and loss of life, as well as severe damage to and destruction of property or the SFD®SFD® sensors and related equipment.

Independent third parties provide all the services required to maintain and operate the aircraft; they bear the primary risks of flight operations. These services are provided by an organization accredited by Transport Canada to operate aircraft in accordance with Transport Canada approved and audited operating procedures. The aircraft operator employs the required pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and support personnel and ensures that they operate within their Transport Canada operating certificate. Our employees do not perform any airworthiness or flight safety operations.

We require the flight contractor to maintain appropriate insurance coverage for the risks associated with aircraft operations and we obtain insurance coverage to provide us with additional risk protection. In addition, we maintain general business insurance coverage, and believe that this insurance and the policy limits are appropriate for the operational risks that we incur.


Despite our policy to not operate the aircraft directly and our insurance coverage, we cannot avoid or alternatively be insured for all risks of flight operations. In the event of an incident or accident we may be sued by injured parties in excess of our policy limits or for damages that are not covered by our insurance policy. The magnitude of a lawsuit of this nature is not determinable. Furthermore, to the extent that our SFD®SFD® equipment is damaged, we may be unable to conduct SFD®SFD® surveys for several months following an accident.

We are a Canadian Company and our nationality may impair the enforceability of a judgment for any person resident outside Canada.

Since we are a Canadian Companycompany and most of our assets and key personnel are located in Canada, you may not be able to enforce a U.S. judgment for claims you may bring against us, our assets, our key personnel or many of the experts named in this document. This may prevent you from receiving compensation to which you may otherwise have a claim.

We are organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada and substantially all of our assets are normally located in Canada. In addition, all but two of our current members of our Board of directors and all of our officers are residents of Canada.Canada. As a result, it may be impossible for you to affect service of process upon us or these individuals within the U.S. or to enforce any judgments in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, a Canadian court may not permit you to bring an original action in Canada or to enforce in Canada a judgment of a U.S. court based upon civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.

We conduct operations in foreign countries, which exposes us to several risks that may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

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We conduct operations in foreign countries, which exposes us to several risks that may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Criminal Activity and Social Instability – weWe have operated in the past in foreign countries such as Colombia, which over the past two decades experienced significant social upheaval and criminal activity relating to drug trafficking, kidnapping and terrorist acts. While the situation has improved dramatically in recent years, there can be no guarantee that the situation will not deteriorate again, nor are these risks eliminated as yet. Furthermore, other potential international survey locations may have similar or other indeterminate criminal or social instability risks.

Systemic criminal activity in a country or isolated criminal acts may disrupt operations, impact our ability to earn revenue, dramatically add to our cost of operations or potentially prevent us from earning any survey revenue in a country.

In addition, foreign markets may be susceptible to a higher risk of corruption and bribery. All of NXT’s employees, contractors and independent sales agents are required to adhere to the Company’s code of conduct and business ethics, which prohibits illegal activities, including any acts of bribery or corruption.

Political Instability -Any changes in regulations or shifts in political attitudes are beyond the control of the Company and may adversely affect our business. Exploration may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations which have the effect of restricting exploration and production activities. These changes may adversely impact the laws and policies governing price controls, export controls, foreign exchange controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation, site safety or other areas.

Currently, there are no restrictions (other than the payment of local with-holding taxes) on the repatriation back to Canada of our earnings in foreign countries in which we have operated, such as Colombia and Bolivia; however, there can be no assurance that significant restrictions on repatriation to Canada of earnings will not be imposed in the future.

Our operations may also be adversely affected by changes in laws and policies in Canada impacting foreign travel and immigration, foreign trade, taxation and investment.

Commercial Disputes – While operating in a foreign country, we are subjected to local commercial laws which often involve executing contracts in a foreign language. Although every effort is made to ensure we have access to an accurate English translation, misunderstanding and potential disputes between parties may arise.


In the event of a dispute arising in connection with our foreign operations for any reason, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdictions of the courts of Canada or enforcing Canadian judgments in such other jurisdictions. We may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing our rights with respect to a government instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity.

Accordingly, these risk factors have the potential of adversely reducing the level of survey revenue from our clients, our ability to operate effectively or our ability to be paid for our services and may have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Where possible, NXT utilizes risk mitigation products offered by entities such as Export Development Canada (“EDC”). EDC financial products include insurance coverage of contract accounts receivable, guarantee support for contract performance bonds and wrongful call insurance for such bonds.

We rely upon the right to conduct airborne surveys in foreign countries. These foreign operations expose us to the risks that we will be prevented from conducting surveys when requested by clients.

The operation of our business, namely conducting aerial SFD®SFD® surveys and interpreting SFD®SFD® data, is not subject to material governmental or environmental regulation in Canada and the United States with the exception of flight rules issued by Transport Canada and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) governing the use of commercial aircraft, including rules relating to low altitude flights. The requirements in other countries vary greatly and may require permits and/or provide other restrictions to conducting flight operations in the country that may restrict our ability to perform SFD®SFD® surveys.

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For example, in South American countries in which we have operated, such as Colombia and Bolivia, SFD®SFD® surveys must comply with additional requirements not encountered in Canada and the United States, including customs obligations and bonds related to the importation and exportation of the aircraft into the country, obtaining permits from the local aviation authority and obtaining permits from the local Air Force. We have successfully operated in South America and other global regions in accordance with these typical requirements.

With our North America and International experience to date, we do not anticipate any government controls or regulations that will prevent timely completion of SFD®SFD® surveys. However, we may encounter government restrictions in other countries that may impact or restrict our ability to conduct surveys.

If we encounter government regulation and restrictions that impact or prevent us from conducting surveys in any country, then we will not be able to earn revenue in the country and we may be exposed to forfeiting any performance bonds which may have been issued.

We caution that the factors referred to above and those referred to as part of particular forward-looking statements may not be exhaustive and that new risk factors emerge from time to time in our rapidly changing business environment.

ITEM 4. 
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A.            
History and development of the Company.

We are a technology company focused on providing a service to oil and natural gas exploration clients using our proprietary SFD®SFD® remote sensing airborne survey system. SFD®SFD® and NXT®® are both registered trademarks of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.


NXT’s corporate history is summarized as follows:

·NXT was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on September 27, 1994 as Auric Mining Corporation.
·In January 1996, NXT acquired all of the common stock of NXT Energy USA, Inc. (which was then known as Pinnacle Oil Inc.) from its shareholders in exchange for common shares. As a consequence of this reverse acquisition, NXT Energy USA Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary and its shareholders acquired a 92% controlling interest in NXT’s common shares.
·Prior to this reverse acquisition transaction, NXT was a corporate shell conducting no active business, and NXT Energy USA Inc. was a development stage research and development enterprise holding the worldwide rights to use what is now our SFD® technology for hydrocarbon exploration purposes.
·Shortly thereafter, on February 23, 1996 we changed our name to Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. and on June 13, 2000, subsequently changed our name to Energy Exploration Technologies.
·On October 24, 2003, our shareholders approved the continuance of the Company from the State of Nevada to the Province of Alberta, Canada under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the “ABCA”). Also, our name was modified to Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. (“EETI”).
·On September 22, 2008 EETI changed its name to NXT Energy Solutions Inc. by way of Articles of Amendment filed pursuant to the ABCA.

●
NXT was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on September 27, 1994 as Auric Mining Corporation.
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In January 1996, NXT acquired all of the common stock of NXT Energy USA, Inc. (which was then known as Pinnacle Oil Inc.) from its shareholders in exchange for common shares. As a consequence of this reverse acquisition, NXT Energy USA Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary and its shareholders acquired a 92% controlling interest in NXT’s common shares.
●
Prior to this reverse acquisition transaction, NXT was a corporate shell conducting no active business, and NXT Energy USA Inc. was a development stage research and development enterprise holding the worldwide rights to use what is now our SFD® technology for hydrocarbon exploration purposes.
●
Shortly thereafter, on February 23, 1996 we changed our name to Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. and on June 13, 2000, subsequently changed our name to Energy Exploration Technologies.
●
On October 24, 2003, our shareholders approved the continuance of the Company from the State of Nevada to the Province of Alberta, Canada under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the “ABCA”). Also, our name was modified to Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. (“EETI”).
●
On September 22, 2008 EETI changed its name to NXT Energy Solutions Inc. by way of Articles of Amendment filed pursuant to the ABCA.
Our registered office is located at 3700, 400302, 3320 – 3rd Street17th AVE SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4 and our telephone number is (403) 264-7020.

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We are a reporting issuer in Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia and are principally governed by the Alberta Securities Commission in accordance with theSecurities Act (Alberta) and theBusiness Corporations Act (Alberta).We are a foreign private issuer under United States securities laws and are subject to the regulation of the US Securities in accordance with theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Act.

The underlying technology employed by our SFD®SFD® survey system was invented by GeorgeMr. Liszicasz, our President and CEO, chairman and largest shareholder. The technology was initially licensed to the Company by Mr. Liszicasz until December 31, 2006 through a series of consecutive license agreements. On December 31, 2006, we obtained the rights to the technology from Mr. Liszicasz pursuant to the terms of the TTA.

Upon execution of the TTA, Mr. Liszicasz transferred to us all his rights and entitlements to the SFD®SFD® technology for use in the field of hydrocarbon exploration.

SFD®

SFD® technology for the purposes of the TTA is defined as the theories of quantum physics and engineering which are utilized in the operation of stress field detectors used by NXT for the reception, collection and recording of subsurface geological stresses for hydrocarbon exploration.

Our business does not normally rely on significant capital expenditures.expenditures other than period regulatory additions for the aircraft. As described in below in “Property and equipment and related amortization expense” a significant expenditure was incurred for acquiring and installing in its aircraft a new transponder technology known as ADS-B. For 2020 we do not anticipate further significant upgrades for the aircraft. For the last three fiscal years, the Company made capital expenditures for property and equipment of $8,727 (2017)$216,691 (2019), $89,702 (2016)$10,006 (2018), and $3,380,717 (2015)$8,727 (2017). These annual expenditures normally relate largely to upgrades to office computer equipment and SFD®SFD® survey equipment. In 2015, capital expenditures included the purchase of a survey aircraft (which had previously been charter-hired as needed from the owner / operator of the aircraft), as well as leasehold improvement costs incurred in a move to a new office location in Calgary.

The Company does not currently have any significant capital expenditures in progress, or planned for the short term, for Canada or other international operations.

SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov), which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding NXT that we file electronically with the SEC. Our website is http://www.nxtenergy.com.

B.            
Business overview.

Description of the nature of the Company’s operations and principal activities

We utilize our proprietary, airborne SFD®SFD® survey system to provide a service for the oil and gas exploration industry. NXT provides a rapid and cost-effective method for our clients to evaluate large land areas for their exploration potential.

The underlying technology employed by our SFD®SFD® survey system was invented by GeorgeMr. Liszicasz, our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chairman and one of our largest shareholder.shareholders. The technology was initially licensed to the Company by Mr. Liszicasz until December 31, 2006 through a series of consecutive license agreements. On December 31, 2006 we obtained the rights to the technology from Mr. Liszicasz pursuant to the terms of a Technology Transfer Agreement (“TTA”).

Upon execution of the TTA, Mr. Liszicasz transferred to usNXT all his rights and entitlements to the SFD®SFD® technology for use in the field of hydrocarbon exploration.

SFD®

For further details of the TTA, see “Section 10.1” below.
SFD® technology for the purposes of the TTA is defined as the theories of quantum physics and engineering which are utilized in the operation of stress field detectors used by NXT for the reception, collection and recording of subsurface geological stresses for hydrocarbon exploration.

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SFD®

SFD® sensors remotely respond to gravity perturbations and changes in subsurface stress regimes that are meaningful for oil and gas exploration. These responses are captured as raw data that when interpreted, can provide an indirect method to detect the presence of geological features such as structures, faults, fractures and reefs that are often associated with traps and reservoir accumulations. SFD®SFD® is highly effective in frontier and under-explored areas, in offshore or onshore environments and over any terrain. The SFD®SFD® survey system has been demonstrated to quickly focus exploration resources, offering the benefit of reducing the risk, time and expense associated with frontier exploration.

Following completion of the aerial surveys, we deliver to our clients a detailed report and maps of the surveyed area that identifies, ranks and recommends areas with SFD®SFD® indications of reservoir potential.

In 2006, we commenced our current business model and began providing SFD®SFD® survey services to clients on a fee-for-service basis. In accordance with this model, we have not invested either directly or indirectly in exploration or development wells or engaged in other exploration or production activities. Our current business model minimizes our capital requirements, thereby conserving cash and minimizes any perceived or real conflicts between the interests of NXT and its survey clients.

NXT’s primary business model is to earn revenues by conducting SFD®SFD® surveys for clients on a fee-for-service basis. Secondly, we may be able to negotiate to earn revenue from gross overriding royalty income and/or other incentive fees from clients should they generate production on areas recommended by SFD®SFD® surveys. Finally, in the future, we may earn a fee by providing other related geological and geophysical integration services to clients.

We also continue to utilize high quality local sales representatives with key knowledge of their respective areas, potential clients and the exploration potential of a region allowing usNXT to cover larger areas and more clients with minimum fixed cost. Our sales representatives continue to pursue SFD®SFD® opportunities in numerous regions including Latin America, the Middle-East and Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan).Asia. Furthermore, to ensure our sales representatives follow industry best practices, each representative is required to annually certify they adhere to NXT's code of conduct and business ethics.

In support of these sales efforts, NXT has also been effective in positioning the SFD®SFD® method as an established geophysical tool for oil & gas exploration following the successful completion of projects in Latin America (Bolivia and Mexico) with the publication of technical papers and the creation of project case studies and the development of a strong list of references and recommendation letters.studies. In addition, NXT has now been granted patents or received patent allowance in 48 separate countries.


Our overall objective remains to continue to increase industry awareness and appreciation of the value of our SFD®SFD® survey system and our strategy to achieve this includes maximizing client endorsement opportunities (such as through joint case studies) and targeting the most appropriate markets (i.e. where SFD®SFD® provides the maximum benefits). Our specific tactics include:

1.Focus the majority of sales resources on high profile primary markets which offer the maximum opportunity for success;

2.Build upon success in this initial market, and step out to other markets (such as Argentina, Peru, Brazil) in Latin America, and in South Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka);

3.Pursue requests of interest from qualified potential client "bluebirds" from all other locations in the world. The bluebird model is defined as an opportunity that arises, not from deliberate targeted sales initiatives, but in response to unsolicited client enquiries;

4.Continue to conduct pilot surveys to expand our knowledge base and provide documentation to support the use of SFD® in the development of additional revenue streams. Each new application opens more market opportunities and provides valuable case studies to support our sales initiatives; and

5.Respond to opportunities to present at technical conferences, publish papers in periodicals and generally maximize our opportunities to educate the industry on SFD® capabilities and document case study successes.
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As we

1.
Focus sales resources on high profile primary markets which offer the maximum opportunity for success;
2.
Build upon success in this initial market, and step out to other markets in Latin America, and in South Asia;
3.
Pursue requests of interest from qualified potential client "bluebirds" from all other locations in the world. The bluebird model is defined as an opportunity that arises, not from deliberate targeted sales initiatives, but in response to unsolicited client enquiries;
4.
Continue to conduct pilot surveys to expand our knowledge base and provide documentation to support the use of SFD® in new applications. Each new application opens more market opportunities and provides valuable case studies to support our sales initiatives; and
5.
Respond to opportunities to present at technical conferences, publish papers in periodicals and generally maximize our opportunities to educate the industry on SFD® capabilities and document case study successes.
We continue to progress and grow our project pipeline on a Fee for Survey Project basis, we remain optimistic given our progress during the year coupled with the steadily improving oil & gas environment. Notwithstanding,basis. NXT has concurrently sought the development of an alternative business line though the sale of “Multi-Client Datasets” focused on IOCs and the development of their global exploration strategies. The purpose of this strategy has been to integrate our SFD®SFD® technology into the standard exploration process of such organizations. We believe this approach will be instrumental in helping usNXT to build an independent and steady backlog of smaller scale data sales enabling us to enhance and smooth our revenue flow while we continue to execute on larger Fee for Survey Projects.

Description of the principal markets in which the Company competes

We have an opportunity to provide our services in any region of the world where oil and gas exploration activities are conducted. However, we choose to be strategic and focus our limited marketing and sales resources in a limited number of markets in the early stages of commercialization.

A summary of revenues derived in our primary geographic market segments for the last 3 fiscal years, and highlights of global survey operations, follows:

Year ended December 31201720162015
South and Central America$ -$ 1,447,269$ 17,422,151
North America---
 -1,447,26917,422,151

Year ended December 31
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
African and Middle East Markets
 $11,976,149 
 $- 
 $- 
South and Central America
  - 
  - 
  - 
North America
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
 
 $11,976,149 
 $- 
 $- 
North America Market

We began marketing

In February 2019, NXT entered into a Co-operative Agreement with one of its largest shareholders, Alberta Green Ventures Limited Partnership (“AGV”), to propose up to three SFD® surveys within two years. The Co-operative Agreement is based on a cost plus formula and a gross overriding royalty interest in oil and gas production arising on lands subject to the SFD®surveys.
Under the Co-operative Agreement, NXT and AGV will consider at least two SFD® surveys in North America and an additional SFD® survey system in 2006 largely in Canadainternationally. The first SFD® survey was contemplated to be completed by August 31, 2019 and continued with this market focus until the endfees payable by AGV are partially secured by a US$100,000 non-refundable deposit. NXT has granted AGV an extension of 2008.

the August 31, 2019 requirement under the Co-operation Agreement to complete at least one of three SFD® survey to June 30, 2020. If the survey is not completed by June 30, 2020, the non-refundable deposit will be forfeited to NXT. AGV has committed to completing an exploration drilling program on each of the lands subject to the SFD® surveys within two years of completion of the surveys.


Latin America and Central America Markets

In 2008, exploration activity seriously diminished in Canada because of the world-wide credit crisis and falling natural gas commodity prices. In response, in late 2008 we looked to international markets for new revenue opportunities, especially where there were emerging, frontier-type exploration markets. Latin and Central America became a target market for us, with Colombia viewed as an attractive initial proving ground due to its many characteristics desirable for achieving market success for our SFD® survey system.

Colombia’s business-friendly approach and practical resource policies allowed it to attract many exploration and production companies from around the world. In Colombia, there are obstacles to acquire geological and geophysical data as required to properly evaluate unexplored land. Obstacles include rain forests, environmental and community restrictions, security concerns and the high cost and time required to shoot seismic programs, particularly onshore. SFD® can be a very effective tool to help overcome these obstacles. NXT earned survey revenue in Colombia of US$2.9 million in 2012.

Building on our initial Colombia success, NXT began to also pursue survey business in other South America countries as oil and gas exploration activity expanded in the region.

In 2014, we invested significant marketing efforts in seeking to expand into the emerging Bolivia market. We were able to leverage our experience in Colombia and Mexico, and in 2015, we successfully secured our largest single survey project to date. The contract with Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (“YPFB”), the National Oil Company of Bolivia, was based on the local Bolivianos currency (which has an ongoing fixed rate to the US$) and had an equivalent value of US$13 million (net of local sales taxes included in the contract price).

Our SFD® data acquisition operations commenced in Bolivia in early June 2015, and the data acquisition phase was completed in August, with NXT’s related recommendations reports delivered to YPFB in late October 2015. During the data acquisition phase, YPFB chose to undertake an additional survey “expansion” project valued at approximately US$1.0 million. The decision for YPFB’s expansion was based on the rapid delivery of preliminary SFD® results, which had excellent correlations noted between anomalies identified by SFD® and the clients’ existing ones identified using seismic methods. A contract amendment was finalized in October 2015 for this project, the final results for which were delivered by NXT in January 2016.

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NXT also had ongoing discussions concerning potential SFD® survey project opportunities with several of YPFB’s affiliated, subsidiary companies which hold exploration acreage in Bolivia. Two entities expressed interest in obtaining SFD® data for certain of their exploration lands in Bolivia: YPFB Chaco and YPFB Andina (which is a partnership with Repsol, a major Spanish oil company). A contract with YPFB Chaco to purchase initial SFD® data (which was acquired in summer 2015) in the amount of US$0.2 million was completed and delivered by NXT in Q4 2015.  NXT had also been informed by YPFB Andina in writing of a potential purchase of further SFD data expected to potentially occur in 2017, however, the purchase has not been finalized and discussions continue.

NXT completed the data acquisition and interpretation of 37,596 line kmline-km for the first ever SFD®SFD® Multi-Client survey in the Gulf of Mexico in June 2017. The airborne survey was conducted over the area that was identified by Comision Nacional de HidrocarburosNational Hydrocarbon Commission (“CNH”) for the shallow water Bid Roundbid round 2.1 covering the Tampicao-Misantla, Veracruz and Cuencas del Sureste exploration areas. The survey data provides 100% grid coverage over the offshore blocks offered in Bid Round 2.1, an area of approximately 8,900 square kilometers and was completed ahead of time and budget. In addition, NXT acquired incidental data over many of the 35 blocks offered in the recently concluded Bid Round 3.1. Based on the Five-Year Tender Program for the Exploration and Extraction of Hydrocarbons 2015 - 2019 by the Mexican Secretary of Energy, much of the remaining data will also be applicable to future bid rounds.Bid Rounds. To date, there have been no sales of this proprietary data.

Recently with respect to our 2017 SFD® Gulf of Mexico survey over the 2.1 bid-round offshore blocks, a lead area, indicated by SFD® as prospective, has now been drilled by third parties and the results confirm that it is a commercial discovery with early estimates of volumes greater than 200 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBOE”). Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, from a capital expenditure allocation perspective, another seismic prospect, considered non-prospective by NXT, is currently working with CNHwas drilled as part of the same campaign and was declared unsuccessful. The announcements concerning these drilling activities was reported by internationally recognized upstream data providers starting late 2019. The SFD® data for the 2.1 bid-round offshore blocks was submitted to make itand has been available to bid round participants.

The resulting exposure that has resulted from the marketing effortCNH of this multi-client surveyMexico since mid-2018. These results highlight the value of adding SFD® to an upstream work program and evidences the efficacy of our geophysical method in recommending prospects with potential for hydrocarbon traps. Drilling activities over SFD® recommendations are ongoing in numerous countries.

Asia Markets
In October 2018, we signed an MOU with BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, to further explore opportunities for NXT and BGP Inc. to work together. NXT’s forward strategy is to secure SFD® contracts with BGP and its affiliates. In addition a distribution agreement has provided insight into other areasbeen signed for Malaysia.
African and Middle East Markets
In March 2019, the Company signed an US$8.9 million contract with PE to provide 5,000 line kilometers of SFD® surveys in Nigeria. As the Nigerian SFD® Survey was the Company's first project in Africa, the Company was required to deliver more than 10,000 pages of documents to NNPC and the Department of Petroleum Resources, a department under Nigeria's Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and complete a test flight as part of the qualification process which took seven months. Data acquisition operations were completed on May 1, 2019 and NXT's recommendations were delivered in the region where there is potential interest for SFD® datasets.third quarter of 2019.
Prior to entering into the Nigerian SFD® Survey contract with PE, the Company conducted significant due diligence to ensure it understood the business environment in Nigeria and was in compliance with applicable laws in each of Canada, the United States of America and Nigeria. The Company also engaged Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP and Kreller Group as advisors to provide guidance and to ensure the integrity of its contract with PE, as well as PE's contract with NNPC.
The Company has received payments of US$8.4 million for the Nigerian SFD® Survey as at the date hereof. The contracted holdback amount of approximately US$0.5 million is therefore considering performing further SFD® multi-client surveysshould be paid to the Company upon the conclusion of negotiations for additional work under the current contract framework.
The Department of Petroleum Resources (the "DPR"), a department under the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Ministry of Petroleum Resources responsible for the sustainable development of Nigeria's oil and gas resources, provided written confirmation of their recommendation in additionfavour of NXT's SFD® technology based on the recent survey results, noting specifically "in line with federal government aspiration to sole-source projectsincrease its Oil and Gas reserves base at a considerable reduced cost, risk and optimize exploration cycle, the Stress Field Detection SFD® technology is hereby adopted and recommended to be deployed as an independent data exploration tool for hydrocarbon exploration to identify and rank prospect-level leads to focus exploration efforts in the future.

South East Asia Markets

Nigerian Oil and Gas industry".


In 2016,March 2020, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding with an independent oil company with interests in East-Central Africa.
Notes Receivable
In September 2019, NXT continuedadvanced to expand its search to international frontier exploration marketsAGV US$250,000 (“the Principal Amount”), as evidenced by, and governed in South East Asia which have desirable attributes for the utilization of SFD® such as large tracts of under explored offshore acreage.

As announced on September 19th, 2016 NXT has submitted a proposal to SHINE Quests FZC (“SQ”) for a project where the SFD® survey method is the lead technology in the proposed “Project SHINE”, currently under consideration by the Sri Lankan government. NXT has agreedaccordance with the terms of, contract with SQa promissory note dated September 6, 2019 (the "Notes Receivable"), for the provisionpurpose of SFD® survey servicesproviding AGV with additional funds necessary to continue advancing the common objectives of NXT and this agreement will be signedAGV under the Co-operation Agreement (the “Loan Arrangement”). Pursuant to the Notes Receivable, it was agreed and workacknowledged, among other things, that:

a)
AGV was indebted to the Company and unconditionally promised to pay to, or to the order of, the Company on or before December 15, 2019 (the "Repayment Date"), the Principal Amount together with all interest payable at a rate of the greater of 2% and the rate prescribed under theIncome Tax Act(Canada) from time to time in monthly arrears on the SFD® surveyfirst day of each month commencing October 1, 2019 until the repayment of the Principal Amount in full (the "Interest");
b)
AGV had the right and privilege of prepaying the whole or any portion of the Principal Amount together with the Interest at any time or times without notice, bonus or penalty; and
c)
NXT, in its sole and absolute discretion, was entitled to elect to receive any payment made by AGV in accordance with the Notes Receivable by way of, in whole or in combination: (i) wire transfer or other immediately available funds ("Cash"), or (ii) delivery for cancellation to the Company of the equivalent number of Common Shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate of such amounts, calculated using the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares as reported and traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately preceding the repayment date (the "5-day VWAP").
On December 13, 2019, the last business and trading day before the Repayment Date, the Company elected to receive and directed AGV to:
a)
in respect of the Principal Amount, deliver to the Company for cancellation 543,673 Common Shares, calculated as the product of US$250,000 being the Principal Amount owing on the last business day before the Repayment Date, and 1.3183, being the daily average US$/CDN$ exchange rate as quoted on the Bank of Canada's website for December 13, 2019, the last business day for which a daily average exchange rate was published before the Repayment Date, divided by $0.6062, being the 5-day VWAP, the delivery of such Common Shares to occur subject to and only upon receipt of confirmation from the Company that all necessary regulatory approvals had been received; and
b)
in respect of the Interest, pay US$1,366.12 by way of Cash. AGV paid this amount.
On April 13, 2020, NXT issued a Direction to Pay to AGV in which NXT has revoked the previous Direction to Pay dated December 13, 2019, and has now directed AGV to deliver US$250,000 as repayment on the Principle Amount. Interest will begin once SQ andto accrue until the Sri Lankan government have finalized a separate contract for a larger scale infrastructure and resource development within the Mannar Basindate on which will include a commitment to use SFD®. There are political and practical considerations governing SQ’s contract with the Sri Lankan government and no assurance can be given that the contract will be finalizedpayment in the near future, or at all. SQ is partially owned by Generation Resource Discoveries FZC (“GRD”) a private company. SQ and GRD are both companies that are registered with the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”). The head office for GRD is P.O. Box 317919, Doha Qatar. GRD is an appointed representative of NXT to solicit prospective clients and SFD survey projects in exchange for a floating scale commission (which is 12.0% based upon delivery and execution of a currently expected net SFD® contract value of approximately $19.9 million with no retainer). No other consideration has been exchanged, or is intended to be exchanged between NXT and GRD. Mr. Sajid Sayeed, Director of Business Development at NXT, is the brother of Mr. Mohammed Salman Sayeed, who is the Chairman of SQ. Mr. Salman Sayeed is also the principal shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of GRD and an indirect shareholder of SQ (though his shareholdings in GRD). Mr. Sajid Sayeed is also cousin of Mr. Syed Saahil Saif who is a Managing Director and also a shareholder of SQ.

Once finally approved by the agencies of the Government of Sri Lanka the performance of the contract and the payment for the achievement of milestones by SQ to NXT shall be governed by the following schedule:

40% within 15 days from agreement of Contractual Terms and prior to project commencement and mobilization of the aircraft;
15% on completionfull of all flight surveys;
15% on delivery of Final SFD® resultsamounts owing pursuant to the Customer (estimated 6 months from Contractual Terms exe-cution);Principle Amount are received by NXT.
The Company may change its election if it so decides, in its sole and
30% on completion and submission absolute discretion to receive the Principal Repayment by way of technical reports.

The SFD® survey data is intended to provide information on trap integrity (the simultaneous presence of trap, reservoir and seal). The purpose of the project is to build a new multi-client data set for Sri Lanka. This will involve the integration of the SFD® survey data with all existing Geological & Geophysical data, (which includes regional seismic data), that is available for the Mannar Basin.

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The revenue from the “Project SHINE” to NXT is estimated to be approximately US$28.7 million, of which an estimated US$19.9 million relates directly to SFD® services. The SFD® survey work includes the data acquisition, data interpretation and data integration with seismic data. All these services will be provided utilizing the SFD® technology and NXT personnel. The remaining revenue estimated to be approximately US$8.8 million relatesCommon Shares by application to the additional work that may be undertaken, for example, a geological engineering study, the purchase and reprocessing of existing seismic data, seismic data integration and correlations studies, all of which will be outsourced by NXT to other local and international companies respectively.

The timing of the project is uncertain as it is dependent on a number of factors including government approval and execution of final sales agreements. Dealing with government organizations is a slow and patient process. During our engagement with this project, the Sri Lankan Government made certain changes that slowed down the process. These changes to critical staff engaged with our project have been the primary reason for the delays.

Alberta Securities Commission.


Description of seasonality of the Company’s main business

There is no seasonality to our business. NXT does however, have a very cyclical business, as revenue activity is dependent upon the level of capital investment in exploration drilling in the oil & gas industry and the size and timing of a limited number of survey contracts each year.

Description of the sources and availability of raw materials

We do not foresee any constraints upon materials or equipment that will impede our ability to execute our business plan or affect our ability to conduct and/or expand our business. Our main direct project input costs are aircraft operating costs and data interpretation staff. None of these expenses have been subject to significant price volatility.

In order to conduct our survey operations, we require the following:

●
Survey aircraft – Historically, we have both owned aircraft and chartered aircraft from independent charter aircraft companies. From 2009 to December 2015, we utilized an aircraft charter agreement with Air Partners, a Calgary-based air-charter operator, to provide aircraft, crew and maintenance services for our survey operations worldwide In December 2015, we acquired from Air Partners a jet aircraft which was previously charter hired to NXT. In April 2017, NXT completed a sale and leaseback agreement of its aircraft with a Calgary based international aircraft services organization. The terms of the agreement resulted in NXT selling itsits’ 1997 Cessna Citation Ultra 560 jet aircraft. We currently rely on Air Partners as the manager / operator of the aircraft which we use in SFD®SFD®survey operations.
  • SFD®
●
SFD® sensors - All of the survey sensors are manufactured in-house. Certain machining is required by third party machine shops, with final assembly performed by our technical staff. The sensors, once assembled, require flight testing prior to being considered acceptable for operational use. Not all sensors meet the performance criteria for operational use; however, we have demonstrated our ability to manufacture new functional SFD®SFD® sensors.
  • SFD®
    • ●
    SFD® assembly - The units in which the sensors are incorporated are custom designed, fabricated and assembled in-house or through subcontracted vendors. We utilize the services of Transport Canada approved Design Approval Representatives to prepare subsequent type certificates (“STC”) for the installation of our SFD®SFD® units in each aircraft that we utilize for surveys. The time to obtain an STC approval for the installation of our SFD®SFD® units into any proposed aircraft type may require several months.
    • ●
    Computer hardware and software - (Data Acquisition System, SFD®SFD® Signal Conditioning Unit, and dataInterpretation software). During 2016, a new data acquisition system completed final testing. The software was developed by in-house personnel and will be utilized on future surveys. The hardware we use in our SFD®SFD® survey systems (other than the SFD®SFD® unit), and the balance of the computer software we use, are all readily available from retail or wholesale sources.
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    We are not dependent upon any other third-party contract manufacturers or suppliers to satisfy our technology requirements.

    Description of marketing channels

    We largely use direct sales methods with some use of independent commissioned sales representatives in international markets.

    Summary information on dependence on patents, licenses and contracts

    Patents

    In May 2012, we commenced a “provisional” patent application process in the U.S. and formally filed a patent on May 22, 2013, which was subsequently published on November 28, 2013. We intend to continue expanding the process with additional formal patent applications in the future. We understand that our right to patent the SFD® technology is not compromised by our ongoing commercial use of the technology, as the components of the SFD® technology have never been disclosed to third parties (except under very limited and confidential terms) or released in any manner into the public domain.

    Initiatives to expand and protect our IP (including patenting and new R&D initiatives) were very successful in 2017. Squire Patton Boggs LLP, a United States (“US”)U.S. based leader in IP protection, has been advising NXT on our IP strategy, including the prior filing of an initial US provisional patent application in May 2012. In November 2014, NXT filed a related patent amendment submission in the US and since that time has undertaken new patent applications in select strategic international markets.

    NXT’s patent applications have been filed in nine (9) jurisdictions.  Thus far five (5)

    SFD® patents have been granted: U.S.A.granted in Russia (January 2017), Japan (July 2017), Canada Japan, Russia,(August 2017), Mexico (September 2017), U.S. (November 2017 and Mexico; one (1) allowance was received inSeptember 2018), China (the examination has been completed,(April 2018), and the Letters Patent document will be issued shortly); three (3) are pending: European Patent Office (38 countries), Brazil, and India. Inconsisting of 38 member states (January 2020). These are areas of prime commercial focus for the Company. So far, the total NXTnumber of countries granting the patent has been grantedreached 44.  The immediate next step is the validation of the patents or received patent allowance for SFD® in 48 separateselect European countries.  SFD®This process is expected to take several month to complete. Our patents granted in the U.S.A. and many other countries serve an important purpose beyond the protection of ourfor the proprietary SFD®SFD® technology. They also provide multiple independent third-party recognitions of the technological invention in terms of the practical applicability, conceptual novelty, and knowledge advancement.

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    Basis for statements made regardingcompetitive position

    Our SFD®SFD® airborne survey service is based upon a proprietary technology, which is capable of remotely identifying, from a survey aircraft, subsurface anomalies associated with potential hydrocarbon traps with a resolution that we believe is technically superior to other airborne survey systems. To our knowledge there is no other company employing technology comparable to our SFD®SFD® survey system for oil and natural gas exploration.

    Seismic is the standard technology used by the oil & gas industry to image subsurface structures. It is our view that the SFD®SFD® survey system is highly complementary to seismic analysis. Our system may reduce the need for seismic in wide-area reconnaissance but will not replace the role of seismic in verifying structure, closure and selecting drilling locations. The seismic industry is very competitive with many international and regional service providers.

    The SFD®SFD® system can be used as a focusing tool for seismic. With an SFD®SFD® survey a large tract (i.e. over 5,000 square kilometers) of land can be evaluated quickly to identify locations with indications of reservoir potential. Seismic surveys, although effective in identifying these locations, are much more expensive, require significantly more time and impose a much greater negative impact on local communities and the environment. An SFD®SFD® survey deployed first can provide necessary information to target a seismic program over a limited area of locations selected by SFD®SFD®. This approach can result in a more effective seismic program and reduce the overall cost, time, community resistance and environmental impact required to locate and qualify a prospect.

    The industry uses other technologies for wide area oil and natural gas reconnaissance exploration, such as aeromagnetic and gravity surveys. These systems can provide regional geological information, such as basement depth, sedimentary thickness and major faulting and structural development; however, these other airborne techniques are not as suitable for identifying areas with reservoir potential as the SFD®SFD® system.

    Description of material effects of governmental & environmental regulation

    SFD®

    SFD® Survey Flight Operations

    The operation of our business, namely conducting aerial SFD®SFD® surveys and interpreting SFD®SFD® data, is not subject to material governmental or environmental regulation in Canada and the United StatesU. S. with the exception of flight rules issued by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Authority governing the use of commercial aircraft, including rules relating to low altitude flights. The requirements in other countries vary greatly and may require permits and/or provide other restrictions to conducting flight operations in the country that may restrict our ability to perform SFD®SFD® surveys as freely as in Canada and the United States.

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    For example, in Colombia, SFD®SFD® surveys must comply with three requirements not encountered in Canada and the United States. These requirements are;are i) customs obligations and bonds related to the importation and exportation of the aircraft into Colombia, ii) obtaining permits from the local aviation authority, and iii) obtaining permits from the Colombian Air Force. NXT has successfully operated in the past in Colombia in accordance with these requirements.

    With our past experience in Canada, the United States,U.S., Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia and other countries, we do not anticipate any unusual government controls or regulations that might significantly prevent timely completion of SFD®SFD® surveys. However, we may encounter unforeseen government regulations or restrictions in other countries that may impair or restrict our ability to conduct surveys, which could limit our ability to earn revenue or potentially expose usNXT to forfeiture of performance bonds.

    C.            
    Organizational structure.

    The following table provides a list of all subsidiaries and other companies controlled by NXT:


    Subsidiaries

    Date and Manner of Incorporation

    Authorized Share Capital

    Issued and Outstanding Shares

    Nature
    of the Business

    % of each Class of Shares owned by NXT

    NXT Energy USA, Inc.October 20, 1995 by Articles of Incorporation – State of Nevada20,000,000 common5,000,000 commonInactive100%
    NXT Aero USA, Inc.August 28, 2000 by Articles of Incorporation – State of Nevada

    1,000 common

    4,000 preferred

    100 common

    		Inactive100%
    Cascade Petroleum Inc. (Formerly Survey Services
    International Inc.)¹    		September 6, 2011
    by Articles of
    Incorporation –
    Province of Alberta    		Unlimited
    number of common shares    		100 commonInactive100%
    NXT Energy4,000 preferred
    Cascade Petroleum Inc. (Formerly Survey Services (SFD)International Inc.)¹December 2008
    2011-09-06 by Federal Articles of
    Incorporation –
    Canada Province of Alberta    		Unlimited
    number of common shares    		100 commonInactive100%
    PetroCazaNXT Energy Services (SFD®
    Exploration    ) Inc.
    		May 20152019-12-08 by Federal Articles of Incorporation –
    Province of Alberta Canada    		Unlimited
    number of common and preferred shares    		100 commonInactive100%

    PetroCaza Exploration Inc.May 2015 by Articles of Incorporation Province of AlbertaUnlimited number of common and preferred shares100 commonInactive100%
    ¹On January 16th, 2017, the name of Survey Services International Inc. was changed to “Cascade Petroleum Inc.”

    In February 2010, NXT registered a wholly owned “Branch” entity with the tax administration and Chamber of Commerce authorities in Colombia, (NXT Energy Solutions Inc. Sucursal Colombia). The formation of this branch became a Colombian legal requirement following the Company commencing permanent activity in Colombia in 2010 while conducting commercial survey operations. This branch was closed in 2017.

    In addition, in March 2015, NXT registered NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (Sucursal Bolivia) as a wholly owned “Branch” entity under the laws of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, to contract and conduct survey operations in Bolivia. Operations have now ceased in Bolivia and we are in the Branch was closedprocess of closing the branch which should be completed in November 2017.

    23

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    the second quarter of 2020.

    Table of Contents


    D.            
    Property, plant and equipment.

    Oil and Gas Properties

    We have minor historical interests in a limited number of acreage holdings of undeveloped lands in western Canada. These assets are not a material asset and have been written off in our financial statements. Additionally, we may in the future become entitled to receive gross over-riding royalty (“GORR”) interests on production from portions of certain lands where we conducted past surveys for clients in Canada, such as in the Horn River shale gas basin in British Columbia, Canada. There is no certainty that wells on these lands will become placed on production, or that future royalty revenues will be earned from these entitlements prior to the expiry of the landowners’ related mineral leases. No asset value has been recorded in the financial statements for these GORRs.

    Facilities

    / Office Premises

    In August 2015, NXT moved to a new larger office premises (11,333 square feet) at 3320 – 17th Avenue SW in Calgary under a 10-year lease at an initial estimated minimum monthly lease payment of $44,624$48,243 (including building operating costs) commencing in October 2015. See also Item 5.F “Contractual Obligations”.

    Aircraft

    In order to perform our survey services, NXT requires to fly the survey area in a jet aircraft. In April 2017, NXT completed a sale and leaseback agreement of its aircraft with a Calgary based international aircraft services organization (the “Lessor”). The terms of the agreement resulted in NXT selling its’ 1997 Cessna Citation Ultra 560 jet aircraft that was purchased in 2015. NXT has leased the aircraft over an initial term of 60 months and retains all existing operating rights and obligations. NXT is required to make monthly payments to the Lessor of approximately US$40,000.39,500. NXT has the option to extend the term of the lease by an additional two years. Should NXT want to repurchase the aircraft at the end of the initial lease term, the purchase price is US$1,450,000. When the aircraft is not needed for use by NXT, we seek to earn charter hire revenues from the aircraft through a third party, Air Partners.

    Air Partners also has access to an alternate, similar model aircraft (certified for the use of our survey equipment) which could be charter hired for use by NXT if needed.

    Equipment

    Our SFD®SFD® technology is comprised of three main components, detailed below, which we collectively refer to as our SFD®SFD® survey system. This system is generally stored at our Calgary office facility unless deployed during survey operations when this equipment would travel with the aircraft or be stored in a locked facility at the survey location when not in use. In addition, there is extensive interpretation equipment located in Calgary. The main categories of equipment we use are:

    ·●

    Stress Field Detector -theThe stress field detector, or SFD®SFD® system, including a unit which houses the SFD®SFD® sensors, is the principal component of our technology.  SFD®The SFD® sensors respond to fine-scale perturbations in the gravitational field caused by changes in subsurface stress.density and stress distribution. These responses are transformed through a passive transducerelectromechanical transduction into electronic digital signals.signals as the output.  The SFD® method has proven highly effective at identifying potential hydrocarbon traps in a wide variety of geological settings onshore and offshore. Airborne SFD® surveys are normallycurrently conducted utilizing an array of 22 SFD®SFD® sensors, consisting of 6 primary, 8 secondary and 8 research and development sensors, allowing the acquisition of multiple independent SFD®SFD® signals responsesto be acquired at all points of a designed survey.

    ·●

    Data Acquisition System -used in conjunction with the SFD®SFD® sensor array on surveys, our data acquisition system is a compact, portable computer system which concurrently acquires the electronic digital signals from the SFD®SFD® sensor array and other pertinent client data, including the GPS location information of the data.

    ·● 

    SFD®

    SFD® Signal Conditioning Unit -this self-contained unit contains electronic circuits for stabilizing and conditioning electronic signals. All sensor output is directly connected to this unit and after signal conditioning is completed, all output is forwarded to the computer system.

    ●24

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

    ·

    Interpretation Theatre -once returned to our home base, the SFD®SFD® data collected is processed and converted into a format that can be used by our interpretation staff using systems consisting of generally off-the-shelf computer equipment, high definition monitors, projectors and screens. This equipment is generally permanently set up at our Calgary office facility. A remote SFD®SFD® data interpretation theater is available and may be deployed during survey operations and would be set up in a facility at the survey client’s city.


    We are not affected by any significant environmental concerns, nor is there any planned significant capital additions contemplated.

    ITEM 4A. 
    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

    None.

    Not applicable.
    ITEM 5. 
    OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

    The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes to those statements incorporated by reference elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report, particularly under the caption “Risk Factors”.

    A.            
    Operating results.

    Overall Operational Performance

    Selected Annual InformationFor the year ended December 31
     201720162015
        
    Survey revenue$ -$ 1,447,269$ 17,422,151
    Net comprehensive income (loss)(8,970,398)(9,099,562)10,540,228
    Net income (loss) per common share - basic(0.16)$(0.17)$ 0.22
    Net income (loss) per common share - diluted(0.16)$(0.17)$ 0.21
    Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities(5,464,679)(7,587,614)6,984,922
    Cash and short term investments1,116,6181,943,5879,141,281
    Total assets23,920,99128,689,16639,079,903
    Long term liabilities741,408264,775300,462

    Selected Annual Information
     
    For the year ended December 31
     
     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Survey revenue  $
     $ 11,976,149 
     $- 
     $- 
    Net comprehensive income (loss)
      3,772,908 
      (6,968,511)
      (8,970,398)
    Net income (loss) per common share - basic
     $ 0.06 
     $(0.11)
     $(0.16)
    Net income (loss) per common share - diluted
     $ 0.06 
     $(0.11)
     $(0.16)
    Net cash generated by (used in) operating activities
      4,078,427 
      (6,043,919)
      (5,464,679)
    Cash and short term investments
      6,639,757 
      4,239,532 
      1,116,618 
    Total assets
      30,692,941 
      25,264,268 
      23,920,991 
    Long term liabilities
      2,691,217 
      510,661 
      741,408 

    Summary financial highlights for the last three fiscal years are as follows:

    Financial Highlights for 2019
    ●
    In Q3 the Company completed its Nigerian SFD® survey for approximately US$8.9 Million with PE Energy Limited (“PE”), a Nigerian oil and gas service company. PE had a contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (“NNPC”), to provide 5,000-line kilometers of SFD® surveys in Nigeria.
    ●
    As of the date of this 20-F, the Company has received a total of US$8.4 million payments in cash from PE for the SFD® survey in Nigeria, including US$1.9 million in Q4 and an additional US$0.47 million in the first quarter of 2020. The final payment for contracted holdbacks amount to approximately $0.5 million USD.

    ●
    NXT received confirmation of a patent granted from the European Patent Office. This brings the total number of countries granting the patent to 44. The final step is for the validation process of the SFD® technology patent in select European countries.
    ●
    In February 2019, NXT entered into a Co-operative Agreement with AGV, for AGV to bring to proposal up to three SFD® surveys for cooperation with the Company within two years. The Co-operative Agreement is based on a cost-plus formula and a gross overriding royalty interest in oil and gas production arising on lands subject to the surveys. The Company received a US$100,000 non-refundable deposit paid in connection with the Co-operative Agreement in Q2. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement, the deadline to complete at least one of three SFD® surveys is June 30, 2020.
    ●
    In Q3, the Company advanced US$250,000 to AGV for the purpose of furthering the shared objectives of NXT and AGV under the Co-operation Agreement. On April 13, 2020, NXT elected to receive and directed AGV to deliver US$250,000 as repayment of the Principal Amount.
    ●
    During Q4 the Company completed the C$1,250,000 targeted issuer bid, purchasing for cancellation 4,166,667 common shares in the capital of the Company representing approximately 6.08% of the total outstanding Common Shares as of November 14, 2019, at a price of C$0.30 per Common Share.
    ●
    Common share purchase warrants held by AGV have expired as of October 31, 2019.
    ●
    Cash and short-term investments at the end of the 2019 were $6.64 million.
    ●
    There was $11.98 million of survey revenues recorded in 2019.
    ●
    Net income of $3.77 million was recorded for 2019, including amortization expense of $1.78 million.
    ●
    Operating activities provided $4.08 million of cash during 2019 and net cash used for financing activities was $1.39 million.
    ●
    Net income per common share for 2019 was $0.06 basic and $0.06 fully diluted.
    ●
    General and administrative costs for 2019 as compared to 2018 have been reduced by $0.50 million or 13% mostly due a reduction in business development costs, lower headcount and costs and certain expenditures being recognized as direct survey costs, offset by higher professional fees and information technology costs.
    Financial Highlights for 2018
    ●
    Following the Company’s participation at the Upstream West Africa Summit in Senegal in Q2, NXT management traveled twice to Africa to meet with representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (“GNPC”) to discuss the benefits SFD® would bring to their current exploration programs.
    ●
    Discussions with NNPC continued in the fourth quarter of 2018 and have resulted in the signing of a contract in March 2019 with PE Energy Limited, a Nigerian oil and gas service company, for the value of approximately $US8.9 million.
    ●
    NXT has entered into a three year exclusive sales representative agreement with AGV, in nine jurisdictions in the Middle East and Latin America. This agreement has expired in 2020.
    ●
    NXT received notification of the granting of NXT's SFD® patent in China on April 13, 2018.
    ●
    In September 2018, NXT received a U.S. patent for its new sensor design we term the “Cascade” configuration.
    o
    The Cascade sensor is the result of NXT’s continued research & development efforts and builds upon our existing US patent. Management believes the Company’s Cascade sensors will provide enhanced ability for identifying trapped fluid bodies indicative of potential hydrocarbon accumulations along with improved reliability and flexibility during SFD® survey operations.
    ●
    In October 2018, we signed an MOU with BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, to further explore opportunities for NXT and PGP Inc. to work together. NXT’s forward strategy is to secureSFD®contracts with BGP and its affiliates.
    ●
    The MOU entered into between Generation Resource Discoveries (“GRD”), NXT’s regional representative, and the Government of Aceh, Indonesia on February 22, 2018, GRD has expired.
    ●
    NXT completed a Private Placement financing on July 3, 2018 of $9,484,810 through the issuance of an aggregate of 10,264,946 units at $0.924 per unit (the "Private Placement"). Each unit consisted of one common share and one-third of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), and each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $1.20 for twelve (12) months from closing of the first tranche of the Private Placement on February 16, 2018. The Warrants expired on October 31, 2019.

    ●
    No survey revenues were recorded in 2018.
    ●
    A net loss of $6.97 million was recorded for 2018, including amortization expense of $1.79 million and stock-based compensation expense of $0.39 million.
    ●
    Losses per common share was $0.11 for 2018 (basic and diluted).
    ●
    Operating activities used $6.04 million as at 2018 and net cash from financing activities was $9.18 million.
    ●
    General and administrative costs for 2018 as compared to 2017 have been reduced by $0.96 million or 19% mostly due to a reduction in headcount, public company costs and partially offset by increased business development activity.
    ●
    Cash and short-term investments at the end of the 2018 were $4.24 million.
    Financial Highlights for 2017

    ·No survey revenues were recorded for 2017.
    ·NXT completed its first ever SFD® Multi-Client survey in the Gulf of Mexico.
    oAcquired 37,596 line km of SFD® data in June 2017 for the shallow water Bid Round 2.1 covering the Tampicao-Misantla, Veracruz and Cuencas del Sureste exploration areas. The SFD® survey data provides 100% grid coverage over the offshore blocks, an area of approximately 8,900 km2. In addition, NXT acquired incidental data over many of the 35 blocks offered in the recently concluded Bid Round 3.1 and believe the remaining data will also be applicable to future bid rounds.
    ·Successfully tested the upgraded SFD® Data Acquisition System during the Gulf of Mexico survey.
    ·Significantly expanded protection of IP through multiple patent grants globally.
    oSFD® patents granted in Russia (January 2017), Japan (July 2017), Mexico (July 2017), Canada (August 2017) and the United States (November 2017); and notices of allowance received from China (February 2018).
    ·A net loss of $8,970,398 for the year including amortization expense of $1,897,576.
    ·Operating activities used $5,464,679 of cash during the year and net cash utilization was $323,878.
    ·Losses per common share were $0.16(basic and diluted).
    ·Significant progress made in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 to reduce corporate costs and execute on financing options significantly strengthening the Company’s liquidity and working capital position.
    o$2.7 million sale and leaseback arrangement on our airplane completed in April 2017.
    oRights offering completed on November 3rd for gross proceeds of $2,093,645.
    oOn February 16, 2018 announced a three-tranche Private Placement of 10,905,212 Units at a price of $0.924 per Unit for total gross proceeds of approximately $10,076,416.
    ·Cash and short-term investments at the end of 2017 were $1,116,618.
    25

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

    Financial Highlights

    ●
    No survey revenues were recorded for 2016

    ·While conducting operations in Bolivia during the summer of 2015, NXT acquired additional proprietary SFD® data flight lines requested by YPFB Andina and minor additional SFD® data for YPFB Chaco. Additional YPFB Chaco data resulted in a total revenue amount of $1.45m CAD recognized in 2016. At present, we are uncertain as to the timing of the YPFB Andina data sale and receipt of the associated funds.
    ·Survey costs were $1,157,185, we experienced a net loss of $9,099,562 for 2016, compared to net income of $10,540,228 in 2015.
    ·Cash flow from operating activities was $(7,587,614) for 2016, compared to $6,984,922 for 2015.
    ·Capital expenditures in 2016 resulted in net cash use of $89,702 which is primarily associated with the purchase of computer hardware and software.
    ·We had cash and short-term investments of $1,943,587 at the end of 2016.

    Financial Highlights2017.

    ●
    NXT completed its first ever SFD® Multi-Client survey in the Gulf of Mexico.
    o
    Acquired 37,596 line km of SFD® data in June 2017 for 2015

    ·In the Q4-15 period, we completed US$17,422,151 million of survey projects for two new clients in Bolivia, primarily for YPFB, the National Oil Company of Bolivia. A separate project expansion for YPFB, valued at US$1 million, was started in mid-2015 and delivered to the client in January 2016 (to be recognized in revenue in Q1-16).
    ·Survey costs were $5,095,691, and with completion of this large survey project, we generated overall net income of $10,540,228 for 2015, compared to net loss of $1,563,361 for 2014.
    ·Cash flow from operating activities generated net cash of $6,984,922 in 2015, compared to a $3,581,186 net use of cash in 2014.
    ·We undertook significant capital expenditures in 2015, with the net cash use of $3,380,717 including $2,734,611 for the purchase of a survey aircraft in December 2015, and most of the remainder for net costs of leasehold improvements at a new office premises.
    ·We had cash and short-term investments of $9,141,281 at the end of 2015.

    26

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    the shallow water Bid Round 2.1 covering the Tampicao-Misantla, Veracruz and Cuencas del Sureste exploration areas. The SFD® survey data provides 100% grid coverage over the offshore blocks, an area of approximately 8,900 km2. In addition, NXT acquired incidental data over many of the 35 blocks offered in the recently concluded Bid Round 3.1 and believe the remaining data will also be applicable to future bid rounds.

    Table of Contents

    ●

    Net Income (Loss)

     201720162015
        
    Survey revenue$                 -$1,447,269$ 17,422,151
    Expenses   
     Survey costs1,289,4291,157,1855,095,691
     General and administrative4,960,9615,645,4595,049,690
     Stock based compensation expense581,356790,5001,081,000
     Amortization expense1,897,5762,104,864704,943
      8,729,3229,698,00811,931,324
    Other expense (income), net165,531474,312(197,309)
        
    Income (loss) before income taxes(8,894,853)(8,725,051)5,688,136
    Income tax expense (recovery)   
     Current75,545374,5111,970,908
     Deferred -(6,823,000)
      75,545374,511(4,852,092)
    Net income (loss) for the year(8,970,398)(9,099,562)10,540,228

    Successfully tested the upgraded SFD® Data Acquisition System during the Gulf of Mexico survey.
    ●
    Significantly expanded protection of IP through multiple patent grants globally.
    o
    SFD®patents granted in Russia (January 2017), Japan (July 2017), Mexico (July 2017), Canada (August 2017) and the U.S. (November 2017); and notices of allowance received from China (February 2018).
    ●
    A net loss of $8,970,398 for the year including amortization expense of $1,897,576.
    ●
    Operating activities used $5,464,679 of cash during the year and net cash utilization was $323,878.
    ●
    Losses per common share were $0.16 (basic and diluted).
    ●
    Significant progress made in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018 to reduce corporate costs and execute on financing options significantly strengthening the Company’s liquidity and working capital position.
    o
    $2.7 million sale and leaseback arrangement on our airplane completed in April 2017.
    o
    Rights offering completed on November 3rdfor gross proceeds of $2,093,645.
    ●
    Cash and short-term investments at the end of 2017 were $1,116,618.

    Net Income (Loss)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Survey revenue
     $11,976,149 
     $- 
     $ - 
    Expenses
        
        
        
    Survey costs
      2,611,086 
      1,103,946 
      1,289,429 
    General and administrative
      3,497,785 
      3,999,089 
      4,960,961 
    Stock based compensation expense
      43,809 
      386,154 
      581,356 
    Amortization expense
      1,781,181 
      1,790,267 
      1,897,576 
     
      7,933,861 
      7,279,456 
      8,729,332 
    Other expense (income), net
      269,380 
      (310,945)
      165,531 
    Income (loss) before income taxes
      3,772,908 
      (6,968,511)
      (8,894,853)
    Income tax expense (recovery)
        
        
        
    Current
      - 
      - 
      75,545 
    Deferred
      - 
      - 
      - 
     
      - 
      - 
      75,545 
    Net income (loss) for the year
      3,772,908 
      (6,968,511)
      (8,970,398)

    Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015

    2017

    Survey costs – Survey expenses relate entirely to the direct survey costs and aircraft handling and maintenance costs, net of charter hire revenue.
    In 2019, survey expenses included direct incremental survey costs for the Nigerian SFD® Survey incurred which include aircraft and hanger operating costs, staff costs to support the survey, and mobilization/demobilization costs. Also these costs dependinclude staff costs to interpret and integrate the survey, and their travel costs. Aircraft operations costs in 2019 were higher than 2018 as additional scheduled maintenance was required after the Nigerian SFD® Survey, net of charter hire revenue.
    The aircraft is available for charter to third parties through our aircraft manager when it is not being used by NXT. Any charter fees received are used to offset aircraft costs.
    In comparing 2018 with 2017, costs for aircraft operations are higher because of the Phase 5 major maintenance performed on the numberaircraft. This was offset by increased charter hours for all of survey projects conducted and completed2018 which offset operating costs. Aircraft lease costs in each fiscal year. We apply2018 are $202,085 higher than 2017 as the completed contract basislease payments started in May 2017, which resulted in 4 months less of revenue recognition, with survey revenue and expenses recognizedlease costs in the quarterly period2017. Correspondingly, amortization costs are lower in which our overall survey recommendations report is delivered to our client. Survey costs may also periodically include expenses related to some R&D and equipment test flights (as was the case in 2016 and 2014) as well as aircraft maintenance charges, which are not necessarily directly related to projects undertaken.

    2018.

    For most of 2017, the survey costs related entirely to the aircraft lease and maintenance costs, net of charter hire revenue. During Q2 2017, NXT completed itsfirst ever SFD®SFD® Multi-Client survey in the Gulf of Mexico. There have been no sales for the SFD®SFD® data that was recorded and therefore the direct costs of the survey have been expensed. Survey costs only represent the direct costs that were incurred during operations of this survey and exclude any indirect costs associated with the use of the technology.

    Survey expenses in 2016 include the net costs related to maintaining our survey aircraft, which was acquired in December 2015. The aircraft is available for charter to third parties through our aircraft manager when it is not being used by NXT.

    2015 survey costs related to the projects which commenced in May 2015 and were completed in Q4-15 for two new clients in Bolivia. These survey costs include a minor level of expenses incurred for a new local office which was opened in Bolivia in 2015 for administration and servicing of the projects.

    General and administrative (“G&A”) expense - G&A is a major component of NXT's total expenses. All salaries and overhead costs related to SFD®SFD® data interpretation staff (other than out of country per diem allowances) are included in G&A, and not included with direct survey expenses. The categories included in G&A expense are as follows:

    27

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    Table of Contents

    For the year ended December 31 201720162015
    Salaries, benefits and consulting charges $ 2,709,194$3,192,304$2,563,445
    Board, professional fees, and public company costs 873,864908,086881,299
    Indirect financing costs 35,865--
    Premises and administrative overhead 842,994886,795862,052
    Business development 257,465589,300369,087
    Bolivia/Colombia overhead 241,57968,97320,807
      4,960,9615,645,4594,696,690
    Bonus expense  -353,000
    Total G&A 4,960,9615,645,4595,049,690

    For the year ended December 31
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Salaries, benefits and consulting charges
     $ 1,599,247 
     $ 2,046,886 
     $2,709,194 
    Board, professional fees, and public company costs
      857,556 
      781,330 
      873,864 
    Indirect financing costs
      - 
      - 
      35,865 
    Premises and administrative overhead
      800,626 
      753,380 
      842,994 
    Business development
      240,356 
      382,146 
      257,465 
    Bolivia/Colombia overhead
      - 
      35,347 
      241,579 
    Total G&A
      3,497,785 
      3,999,089 
      4,960,961 
    G&A expenses decreased by $501,304, or 13%, in 2019 compared to 2018 for the following reasons:
    ●
    salaries, benefits and consulting charges decreased $447,639, or 22%, due primarily to a change to a lower cost mix in corporate staff, two less headcount and allocation of direct salary costs to survey costs;
    ●
    board and professional fees and public company costs increased $76,226, or 10%, due primarily to higher professional fees paid in connection with the Nigerian SFD® Survey and higher insurance costs given the increased business activity (partially offset by termination costs to suspend the Advisory Board in 2018);
    ●
    premises and administrative overhead increased $47,246, or 6%, due primarily to increased costs related to the improvement of the Company's information systems security;

    ●
    business development costs decreased $141,790, or 37%, due primarily to Company resources focused on first the negotiation and then the implementation of the Nigerian SFD® Survey; and
    ●
    Bolivian overhead costs decreased by $35,347, or 100%, as the Company officially closed its offices and ceased operations in that country in Q4-18.
    G&A expenses decreased by 19% or $961,872 in 2018:
    ●
    The main reason for salaries, benefits and consulting charges being lower in 2018 than 2017 is due to a reduction in corporate headcount. In addition, focus was put on reducing vacation liabilities.
    ●
    Board, professional fees and public company costs, were 14% lower in 2018 compared to 2017 as the Advisory Board was indefinitely suspended and there was one less Director on the Board of Directors. Also, professional fees were higher in 2017 as there were two significant transactions, the Rights Offering and the Sale Leaseback transaction which required significant legal assistance. In 2018, the significant transaction was the Private Placement.
    ●
    Premises and administrative overhead was 11% lower in 2018 compared to the prior year, mostly due to lower property taxes and lower maintenance costs early in the year. In addition, there was significant cost reduction efforts in office overhead costs like supplies and subscriptions.
    ●
    Business development costs increased $124,681 as the Company increased marketing efforts for the SFD® technology during 2018.
    ●
    2018 YTD Bolivian overhead costs of $35,347 are related to closing of the branch.
    Total G&A for 2017 was 5.0$5.0 million which was 0.7$0.7 million lower than 2015.2016. G&A within the six individual expense categories noted above reflect several factors:

    ·2017 salaries, benefits and consulting charges are lower than 2016 levels due to lower staffing levels.
    ·For 2017 the full year costs were slightly down due to 2 less board members and other cost controls.
    ·Indirect financing costs in 2017 were higher due to work focused on obtaining new financing and negotiating the aircraft leaseback.
    ·Premises and administrative overhead where lower in 2017 versus the 2016 due to cost reduction and deferred spending efforts.
    ·Business development costs were lower for the year as marketing costs were reduced.
    ·
    ●
    2017 salaries, benefits and consulting charges are lower than 2016 levels due to lower staffing levels.
    ●
    For 2017 the full year costs were slightly down due to 2 less board members and other cost controls.
    ●
    Indirect financing costs in 2017 were higher due to work focused on obtaining new financing and negotiating the aircraft leaseback.
    ●
    Premises and administrative overhead where lower in 2017 versus the 2016 due to cost reduction and deferred spending efforts.
    ●
    Business development costs were lower for the year as marketing costs were reduced.
    ●
    Before 2017, Bolivian overhead costs were classified as consolidated survey costs as the sole purpose of the office opening was to administer the YPFB survey. At the beginning of Q1 2017, Bolivian overhead costs were presented as G&A to reflect the fact the office has been maintained to facilitate periodic operating activities in Bolivia that are anticipated from time to time. In Q2 2017 a previously held “fiscal tax credit” of $127,798 was expensed as the recoverability of this receivable was no longer considered certain. The credit related to the Bolivian equivalent of input sales tax and is usually offset against output sales tax. It is not refundable if input tax exceeds output tax.

    Total G&A for 2016to reflect the fact the office has been maintained to facilitate periodic operating activities in Bolivia that are anticipated from time to time. In Q2 2017, a previously held “fiscal tax credit” of $127,798 was $5.6 million, whichexpensed as the recoverability of this receivable was $0.6 million higher thanno longer considered certain. The credit related to the 2015 total,Bolivian equivalent of input sales tax and the overall net changes in G&A within the five individual expense categories noted above reflect several factors:

    ·2016 salaries, benefits and consulting charges are higher than 2015 levels as NXT incurred termination fees of $280k in Q2-16.
    ·Business development expenses increased in 2016 as a result of an extensive marketing campaign carried out by senior members of NXT.
    ·Premises and administrative overhead has decreased in 2016 YTD as the moving costs incurred in 2015 were not repeated. Spending on office supplies, printing, international calls and computer equipment were reduced by more than half in comparison to 2015.
    ·Board, professional and legal fees, were higher in 2016 primarily due to investor relations activities and additional legal and regulatory charges arising from moving onto the TSX from the TSX-V.
    ·2016 noted an increase in Columbia office costs resulting from an income tax expense of $39k, as well as consulting fees totaling $24k for the year.
    ·No bonus pools were expensed during year.

    Total G&A for 2015 of $5.0 million was $0.9 million higher than the 2014 total, and the overall net changes in G&A within the five individual expense categories noted above reflect several factors:

    ·Staff levels were higher in 2015, leading to an increase salaries and related benefits.
    28

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    is usually offset against output sales tax. It is not refundable if input tax exceeds output tax.

    Table of Contents

    ·In the Q4-14 period, public company costs were much lower than the normal rate for each quarter based on the timing of discretionary investor relations activities.
    ·Board, professional fees, & public company costs were higher in 2015 primarily due to a higher level of spending on investor relations activities, and in 2014, a higher percentage of the total fees for NXT Board members were settled in the form of stock options granted, rather than paid in cash.
    ·Premises and overhead costs rose in Q4-15, and for 2015 YTD, following the move to new, larger office premises in August, 2015. The increase included an overlap of office rent on two locations for one month in Q3-15, and the effect of amortizing the initial “rent-free” period at the new location to G&A expense over the 10 year term of the new lease (which resulted in a “deferred charge” being recorded in long-term liabilities).
    ·Business development costs were slightly lower for 2015 YTD, although they are somewhat discretionary each quarter, as they are a function of the timing of activity in developing new client opportunities. Costs incurred in 2015 related to opportunities being pursued in the Latin America, Africa and south Asia regions.
    ·A decrease in costs in 2015 for the Colombia office following the lay off in summer 2014 of the office administrator.
    ·A corporate bonus pool of $353,000 was expensed in Q4-15 based on financial results of the Bolivia survey project.

    Stock-Based Compensation Expense (“SBCE”) - this expense –

    SBCE varies in any given quarter or year as it is a function of several factors such asincluding the number of stock options issued in the period and the period of amortization (based on the term of the contract and / and/or number of years for full vesting of the options, which is normally 3three years) of the resultant expense. Also, SBCE is a function of periodic changes in the inputs used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model, such as volatility in NXT's trailing share price.

    SBCE in 2019 was lower compared to 2018 by $342,345. In Q1 2018, 333,333 options vested resulting in substantial SBCE. In 2019, most options previously issued by the Company had vested resulting in minimal SBCE, partially offset by 100,000 options awarded to a consultant.
    SBCE was lower in 2018 versus 2017 as significant unvested options were forfeited and almost all remaining options were fully vested early 2018.
    There was a lower average number of options outstanding at the end of 2017 (total of 1,648,667 as compared to 3,321,001 at the end of 2016).

    Total SBCE also includes additional expense recognized related to the “Rights” which were personally issued by NXT’s CEO in January 2014 (see prior discussion in “Item 4.B – Technology Transfer Agreement” related to the convertible preferred shares), and for which the term to expiry was extended by one year to December 31, 2016 in 2015, as follows:

     201720162015
    SBCE recognized related to:   
     Rights – grant in 2014$             -$           -$244,000
     Rights – extension of term in 2015--210,000
       -454,000
     Stock options581,356790,500627,000
      581,356  790,500  1,081,000  


    Amortization expense – consists of the following amounts:

    29

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

     201720162015
    Amortization of:   
     Property and equipment$ 212,841$ 420,131$142,943
     Intellectual property1,684,7351,684,733562,000
      1,897,576  2,104,864  704,943  

    Most

     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Amortization of:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Property and equipment
     $96,448 
     $105,534 
     $212,841 
    Intellectual property
      1,684,733 
      1,684,733 
      1,684,735 
     
      1,781,181 
      1,790,267 
      1,897,576 
    Property and equipment and related amortization expense. Property and equipment additions in 2019 was for acquiring and installing in its aircraft a new transponder technology known as ADS-B. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA") and European Aviation Safety Agency have mandated that all aircraft flying in designated controlled airspaces must be equipped with ADS-B by January 1, 2020 (US airspace) and June 7, 2020 (European airspace). Total costs for installing the ADS-B was approximately $208,000. This amortization was offset as the Company uses the declining balance method of depreciation, thereby having the effect of lowering amortization each year on existing assets. In prior years most of our capital investment in property and equipment iswas in computer hardware, which is amortized on a 30% declining balance basis, such that amortization is high in the initial year of capital investment. Prior to 2015,Since 2016, annual capital spending has been minimal, resulting in declining levels of amortization expense.

    Capital expenditure

    Intellectual property and related amortization expense. NXT acquired specific rights to utilize the proprietary SFD® technology in 2017 was $8,727,global hydrocarbon exploration applications from the inventor of the SFD® technology, NXT's Chairman, President and this related mainly to a new data acquisition system and other IT upgrades. Although significant capital expenditures were incurred in 2015 for the purchase of a survey aircraft (in December, 2015) and for leasehold improvements (completed in August 2015), amortizationChief Executive Officer, on such applied for only a portion of 2015, whereas in 2016 a full year of amortization was charged. The aircraft was sold in April 2017 in the sales leaseback transaction and therefore amortization expense of equipment is lower for 2017.

    Amortization expense for 2017 also relates to intellectual property, which was acquired by NXT upon the August 31, 2015 conversion (the “Conversion”) of the final 8 million NXT preferred shares.

    2015. The Conversion gave risevalue attributed to the application of “fair-value” accounting in Q3-15, whereby the 8 million common shares issued were assigned an estimated fair-value of $18.5acquired IP assets was $25.3 million. An intellectual property (“IP”) asset related to the technology acquired was recognized at approximately $25.3 million, which included a tax effect gross-up of $6.8 million (as the IP acquired has no corresponding deferred tax pool deduction for ongoing Canadian current income tax purposes).

    The IP assets December 31, 2017 net book value of $21.3 million isare being amortized on a straight linestraight-line basis over a 15-year period (future amortization expense of $1,685,000 per year) and willare also bebeing subject to ongoing tests of potential impairment of the recorded net book value.

    No impairments were recognized in 2019, 2018 or 2017.

    Other Expense (Income)

     201720162015
    Interest expense (income), net$ 4,485$ (17,254)$ (13,910)
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss69,676272,713(712,480)
    Feasibility study and other expenses91,370218,853529,081
    Increase (decrease) in fair value of US$ Warrants---
     165,531474,312(197,309)

     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Interest expense (income), net
     $(20,684)
     $(62,004)
     $4,485 
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss
      233,232 
      (19,852)
      69,676 
    Intellectual property, R&D and ARO
      56,833 
      (43,428)
      91,370 
    Gain on extinguishment of liability
      - 
      (185,661)
        
     
      269,381 
      (310,945)
      165,531 
    Interest income - Interest(income) expense, net. This category of other expenses includes interest income generated by short termearned on short-term investments is offsetnetted by interest expense incurredfrom financial lease obligations. Since January 1, 2019 interest on such itemsfinance leases is included in this account under the new lease accounting standard. 2019 interest (income) expense net was $41,320 less than 2018, as capital lease obligations for leasehold improvements, and varies by year based on the level of cash available for investment. For 2017 interest includes interest income on short-term investments & interest expense from capital lease obligations. Interest expense as at the endhas offset income earned on guaranteed investment certificates.
    Foreign exchange loss (gain). This category of 2017 was $4,485 as compared to interest income in 2016other expenses includes losses and 2015.

    Foreign exchange(gain) loss– gains and losses on foreign exchange are caused by changes in the relative currency exchange values of the US$US dollars and Canadian dollar. For example, when the Canadian dollar trades higher relative to the US$, cash held in US$ will decline in value and this decline will be reflected as a foreign exchange loss in the period. We normally hold cash and short-term investments in Canadian dollars to reduce the effect of market volatility; however, we occasionally are contractually obligated to hold certain restricted cash funds in US$ instruments to support performance bond commitments issued for projects in certain foreign countries.

    The value of net US$ monetary assets can vary widely each period, based on such factors as the extent of US$ revenue contracts in process, and the level of US$ cash and short-term investments on hand.

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    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

    The valuation is also affected by the relative strength of the US$ at each period end, resulting in both realized and unrealized net exchange movements on the net holdings of US$ cash and other working capital items.CDN dollars. The foreign exchange (gain) loss for the yearperiods was primarily caused by the translation of assets and liabilities in the Canadian Company which were held in US$.

    Feasibility study The Company held significant assets in US dollars at December 31, 2019, including accounts receivable, cash and other expensescash equivalents, short-term investments and the security deposit for the aircraft, all of which have an effect on the unrealized foreign exchange gain and loss. At December 31, 2019, the Company had a significant foreign exchange loss which was the result of the CDN dollar strengthening compared to May 2019 when several of the US dollar assets were initially recorded. The Company does not currently have the ability to enter hedging contracts, but uses strategies to reduce the volatility of US dollar assets including converting excess US dollars to CDN dollars.


    Intellectual property, R&D and ARO– this total includes costs incurred for the following:

     201720162015
    Feasibility study$           -$            -$ 400,104
    Intellectual property and R&D86,60460,143121,348
    TSX Listing-147,099-
    Other, net4,76611,6117,629
     91,370  218,853  529,081  

     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Intellectual property, R&D and ARO
     $56,833 
     $ (43,428)
     $86,604 
    TSX Listing
      - 
      - 
      - 
    Other, net
      - 
      - 
      4,766 
     
      56,833 
      (43,428)
      91,370 
    This category includes primarily costs related to IP filings and R&D activity related to the SFD® technology and costs for certain non-recurring, "project" activities.
    In 2019, the Company's IP, R&D and ARO expenses related mostly to costs associated with the validation process for certain European SFD® patents. In 2018, these costs were negative as the Company renegotiated fees from a provider of R&D services.
    In 2018, the Company's Intellectual property and R&D expenses were negative as it incurred less costs from a provider of services than originally estimated. The Company also updated estimates for several asset retirement obligations related to minor non-operated interests in oil and natural gas wells in which NXT has outstanding abandonment and reclamation obligations in accordance with government regulations were significantly reduced in Q4-18.
    Gain on Extinguishment of Liability - In Q3-18, the Company determined that liabilities it had recorded before 2005 were no longer payable. As a result, a gain of $185,661 was recorded in other income on the extinguishment of the liability. No cash was paid to settle the liability.
    For 2017 YTD, other expenses consisted primarily of costs incurred to secure a patent for SFD® in the U.S. and to continue to develop SFD® technology.
    For 2017, Intellectual property and R&D costs consisted primarily of costs incurred to secure a patent for SFD® in the United StatesU.S. and to continue to develop SFD® technology.

    In March 2016, NXT graduated from the TSX Venture Exchange to the main TSX Exchange. There were certain costs incurred associated with this move which totaled $147,099.

    In the Q4-14 period, NXT commenced a feasibility study undertaken with the aim of monetizing the value of specific portions of our proprietary SFD® data library, and started to incur significant geotechnical and consulting costs related to this project, which continued through mid-2015.

    Other expenses includes primarily discretionary costs related to intellectual property / patent filings and R&D activity related to the SFD®SFD® technology. Also, minor net expenses are incurred related to pre-2009 minority interests in oil & gas activities.

    NXT has certain asset abandonment and reclamation obligations (“ARO”) related to our historical minority working interests in various oil and gas wells in which NXT had participation prior to 2005. At December 31, 2017, the ARO is estimated to be $56,702, based on obligations which are estimated to be settled in the next three years. The net present value of the ARO is estimated based on inflation of 2.0% and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 1.6%.

    We currently have no other outstanding derivative financial instruments, such as foreign currency hedges.

    Income tax expense - – There was no income tax expense in 2019 or 2018.
    NXT periodically earns revenues while operating outside of Canada inas a non-resident within certain foreign jurisdictions. Payments made to NXT forjurisdictions and services rendered to clients and subsidiary companies in certainsuch countries may be subject to foreign income tax with-holdings. Suchwithholding taxes, incurredwhich are only recoverable in certain limited circumstances, including potential utilization in Canada ascircumstances. Income tax expense for 2017 is a foreign tax credit against future taxable earnings from the foreign jurisdictions.

    In 2017, NXT expensed foreignresult of withholding tax of $75,545 (2016 - $159,990, 2015 – $1,755,678) which wastaxes that were incurred in connection withon charges related to the Bolivia survey project.

    There was no income tax expense in Canada or Bolivia during 2018.

    A total net income tax recovery was recognized in 2017 as follows:

     201720162015
    Foreign with-holding taxes incurred$             75,545$ 159,990$ 1,755,678
     75,545159,9901,755,678
    Foreign corporate taxes incurred-446,925215,230
    Less portion accrued at Dec 2015-(232,404)-
    Corporate income tax expense – foreign75,545214,521215,230
     75,545374,5111,970,908
    Deferred tax recovery--(6,823,000)
    Net tax expense (recovery)75,545374,511(4,852,092)

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    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Foreign with-holding taxes incurred
     $- 
     $- 
     $75,545 
     
      - 
      - 
      75,545 
    Foreign corporate taxes incurred
      - 
      - 
      - 
    Less portion accrued at Dec 2015
      - 
      - 
      - 
    Corporate income tax expense – foreign
      - 
      - 
      75,545 
     
      - 
      - 
      75,545 
    Deferred tax recovery
      - 
      - 
      - 
    Net tax expense (recovery)
      - 
      - 
      75,545 

    At the end of 2017,2019, NXT has available for future Canadian income tax deduction purposes significant unrecorded deferred income tax assets, the benefit of which has not been recorded in the Company’s financial statements due to uncertainty regarding the amount and timing of their potential future utilization. These deferred income tax assets include non-capital losses carried-forward (expiring in 2027 to 2038)2039) and other resource deductions totaling approximately $38.5$39.4 million.

    Summary of Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

    A summary of operating results for each of the trailing 8 quarters (including a comparison to each respective prior quarter) follows. The extent of the profit or loss each quarter is mainly due to the timing and the number of survey contracts that are underway, and variances in such non-cash items as SBCE, which can occasionally be a significant expense in any given quarter.

     Q4-17Q3-17Q2-17Q1-17
     Dec 31, 2017Sep 30, 2017Jun 30, 2017Mar 31, 2017
    Survey revenue          $                  -$                  -$                  -$                  -
    Net income (loss)(2,096,360)(1,935,356)(2,723,956)  (2,214,726)
    Income (loss) per share - basic                   (0.04)                    (0.04)                   (0.05)                  (0.04)
    Income (loss) per share - diluted(0.04)(0.04)                   (0.05)(0.04)

     Q4-16Q3-16Q2-16Q1-16
     Dec 31, 2016Sep 30, 2016Jun 30, 2016Mar 31, 2016
    Survey revenue          $                  -$                  -$                  -$ 1,447,269
    Net income (loss)(2,356,848)(2,142,834)(2,643,938)  (1,955,942)
    Income (loss) per share - basic                   (0.04)                    (0.04)                   (0.05)                  (0.04)
    Income (loss) per share - diluted(0.04)(0.04)                   (0.05)(0.04)

    Q4-17quarter

     
     
    Q4-19 
     
     
    Q3-19 
     
     
    Q2-19 
     
     
    Q1-19 
     
     
     
     
    Dec 31, 2019
     
     
     
     Sep 30, 2019 
     
     
    Jun 30, 2019
     
     
     Mar 31, 2019  
     
    Survey revenue
     $- 
     $1,021,532 
     $10,954,617 
     $- 
    Net income (loss)
      (1,775,287)
      (774,373)
      8,085,888 
      (1,763,320)
    Income (loss) per share - basic
      (0.03)
      (0.01)
      0.12 
      (0.03)
    Income (loss) per share - diluted
      (0.03)
      (0.01)
      0.11 
      (0.03)
     
      Q4-18 
      Q3-18 
      Q2-18 
      Q1-18 
     
     
     
    Dec 31, 2018
     
     
     
    Sep 30, 2018
     
     
    Jun 30, 2018
     
     
    Mar 31, 2018
     
    Survey revenue
     $- 
     $- 
     $- 
     $- 
    Net income (loss)
      (1,392,716)
      (1,660,031)
      (1,961,114)
      (1,954,650)
    Income (loss) per share - basic
      (0.02)
      (0.02)
      (0.03)
      (0.03)
    Income (loss) per share - diluted
      (0.02)
      (0.02)
      (0.03)
      (0.03)

    Significant or Unusual Items Impacting Net Income (Loss):
    In Q4-19, SBCE was lower as most outstanding options were fully vested. In Q3-19, NXT recognized $1,021,532 of revenue for services rendered in connection with the Nigerian SFD® Survey, compared to Q3-17 comparison – NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil$10,954,617 in Q3-17),Q2-19. There were no revenues in the previous five quarters, rather, the Company incurred net losses in each due primarily to survey costs of $252,212 ($261,658 in Q3-17) related to aircraft maintenance costs and SBCE of $84,351 ($162,724 in Q3-17).

    Q3-17 to Q2-17 comparison - NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil in Q2-17), survey costs of $261,658 ($612,342 in Q2-17) related(related to aircraft lease and aircraft maintenance costs,costs), G&A expenses and non-cash items like SBCE, of $162,724 ($169,033which can be a significant expense in Q2-17).

    Q2-17 to Q1-17 comparison – NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil any given quarter, as detailed more specifically below:

    ●
    in Q1-17),Q1-19, survey costs (relatedwere higher due to scheduled maintenance on the aircraft and significant legal and contract negation costs in preparing for the Nigerian SFD® Survey;
    ●
    In Q4-18, SBCE was lower by $283,811 as unvested options were forfeited. In addition, G&A costs decreased $156,271 for two reasons. Firstly, business development decreased as most of the business development work was centred in Calgary supporting Nigerian SFD® survey negotiations. Secondly, there was a decrease in public company costs as the previous quarter had significant costs related to the GulfPrivate Placement. Offsetting this was an increase of Mexico Multi-Client$44,010 in survey andexpenses as NXT’s aircraft lease andincurred a scheduled major maintenance costs)in December 2018.
    ●
    In Q3-18, a gain of $612,342 ($163,217$185,661 has been recognized on the extinguishment of a liability that was recorded before 2005 which is no longer payable. Also, interest income of $26,171 was earned on cash received from the Private Placement.
    ●
    In Q1-18, G&A costs were lower as NXT began to recognize the full extent of cost reductions started in Q1-17), and SBCE of $169,033 ($165,248 in Q1-17).

    Q1-17 to Q4-16 comparison – NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil in Q4-16), survey costs (related to equipment test flights and aircraft maintenance costs) of $163,217 ($9,998 in Q4-16), and SBCE of $165,248 ($287,500 in Q4-16).

    Q4-16 to Q3-16 comparison– NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil in Q3-16), survey costs (related to overseas branch costs, equipment test flights and aircraft maintenance costs) of $9,998, ($200,443 in Q3-16), and SBCE of $287,500 ($218,000 in Q3-16).

    Q3-16 to Q2-16 comparison– NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($nil in Q2-16), survey costs of $200,443 ($157,365 in Q2-16), SBCE of $218,000 ($135,000 in Q2-16), and total amortization expense of $521,945 ($520,493 in Q2-16).

    Q2-16 to Q1-16 comparison– NXT had survey revenue of $nil ($1,447,269 in Q1-16), survey costs of $157,365 ($789,379 in Q1-16), SBCE of $135,000 ($150,000 in Q1-16), and total amortization expense of $520,493 ($514,258 in Q1-16).

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    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    the prior quarter.

    Table of Contents

    Q1-16 to Q4-15 comparison– NXT had survey revenue of $1,447,269 ($17,422,151 in Q4-15), survey costs of $789,379 ($5,070,023 in Q4-15), SBCE of $150,000 ($490,000 in Q4-15), and total amortization expense of $514,258 ($523,760 in Q4-15).


    B.            
    Liquidity and capital resources.

    Going Concern
    The consolidated financial statements for 2019 have been prepared on a going concern basis.  The going concern basis of presentation assumes that NXT will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. 
    NXT's financial statements for 2018 included disclosure related to the use of the "going concern" basis of presentation. In 2019, NXT has had positive cash flow from operations which has resulted in a significant strengthening of the Company's liquidity and working capital position. As a consequence, management is of the view that removal of the "going concern" disclosure in respect of its 2019 disclosure is warranted on the basis than the Company currently has sufficient funds to maintain operations for the next 12 months as of the date of these financial statements.
    In the preparation of the 2019 financial statements, management determined that there are no existing conditions or reasonably foreseeable events that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. However, NXT's future financial results and its longer term success remains dependent upon the ability to continue to attract and execute client projects to build its revenue base. NXT continues to develop its pipeline of opportunities to secure new revenue contracts. However, the Company's longer-term success remains dependent upon its ability to convert these opportunities into successful contracts and to continue to attract new client projects and expand the revenue base to a level sufficient to exceed fixed operating costs and continue to generate positive cash flow from operations.  The occurrence and timing of these events cannot be predicted with certainty.
    NXT's cash and cash equivalents plus short-term investments at December 31, 2019 totaled $6.64 million. Net working capital totaled $7.13 million.
    As NXT is operating on a going concern basis, NXT's short-term ability to generate sufficient cash depends on the endsuccess of 2017 was $ $1,116,618.

    signing contracts and receiving advance payments pursuant to the terms of such agreements.NXT's longer-term success remains dependent upon our ability to continue to attract new client projects and expand the revenue base to a level sufficient to far exceed G&A expenses and generate excess net cash flow from operations. Equityoperations. Proceeds from past equity financings have been used to supplementprovide NXT with funds to pursue, close and implement commercial transactions currently in negotiation, develop additional revenue streams including multi-client data sales and strategic partnerships and for general corporate and net working capital as required.

    purposes.

    Risks related to having sufficient ongoing net working capital to execute survey project contracts are mitigated through our normal practice of obtaining advance payments and progress payments from prospective clientscustomers throughout the course of the projects, which often span 3three to 4four months. In addition, where possible, risk of default on client billings ishas been mitigated through the use of export insurance programs offered viaby Export Development Canada (“EDC”).

    During 2017Canada.

    In 2019, NXT made significantcontinued to make progress in strengthening its liquidity and net working capital position through a seriesby completing the Nigerian SFD® Survey and reducing corporate costs by reducing the number of corporate actions described below.

    staff and by implementing new human resource policies to reduce staffing costs. Please see the discussion under "Summary of Operating Results – General and Administrative Expenses" for the results of these cost reductions.

    As of the date of this 20-F, NXT has sufficient funds to maintain its operations for more than 12 months. The Company began by securing of a $2,700,000 sale and leaseback arrangement ofdoes not have provisions in its airplane.  Following this transaction, NXT took steps to reduce corporate costs; the most significant included the deferral of a portion of the employees’ cash compensation, deferral of all of the Board and Advisory Board members’ cash compensation and a reduction in non-essential staff. In addition,leases, contracts, or other arrangements that would trigger additional funding requirements or early payments.

    If the Company completed a Rights Offeringwere to default on its existing shareholders on November 3rd, 2017 for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,093,645. Finally on February 16, 2018office lease, the current month rent plus the next three months become immediately due. If the Company entered into an agreementwere to complete a three-tranche PrivatePlacement under whichdefault on the Subscriber has committedaircraft lease, the Company would be required to purchase 10,905,212 Units at a price of $0.924 per Unit for total gross proceeds of approximately $10,076,416.

    Sale Lease Back: In order to enhance the short-term cash flow of the business, NXT completed a sale and leaseback agreement with a Calgary based international aircraft services organization on April 28th, 2017. The terms of the agreement involve NXT selling its’ Cessna Citation aircraft that was purchased in 2015 for US$2,000,000 for the sum of US$2,300,000. NXT has leaseddeliver the aircraft back for a minimum period of 60 months and retains all existing operating rights and obligations. Net proceeds to NXT from the sale were approximately CAD $2,700,000, after payment of all commissions and fees. The net book value of the asset of $2,400,000 was derecognized and the resulting gain on disposition of $776,504 was deferred ($621,203 included in long term liabilities and $155,301 included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities). The gain will be recognized as a reduction to the Company’s lease expense over the 60 month term of the lease. The resulting leaseback transaction is an operating lease. NXT is required to make monthly payments to the lessor of approximately US$40,000. NXT has the option to extend the term of the lease by an additional two years. Should NXT want to repurchase the aircraft at the end of the initial lease term, the purchase price is US$1,450,000.

    Reduction in Corporate Costs:Following the completion of the sale and leaseback, NXT took steps to reduce corporate costs; the most significant included the deferral of a portion of the employees’ cash compensation, deferral of all of the Board and Advisory Board members’ cash compensation and a reduction in non-essential staff.

    Rights Offering: On September 26th, 2017 the Company announced a Rights Offering to its existing shareholders.

    The Rights Offering closed on November 3rd 2017 with the following results:

     Non InsidersInsidersTotalPercentage
    Basic Subscription   1,556,751     680,856     2,237,60753%
    Over Subscription   1,949,683                  -        1,949,68347%
    Total Shares Purchased   3,506,434     680,856     4,187,290100%
    Total Proceeds   $ 2,093,645 

    33

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Lessor.

    Table of Contents

    Private Placement: On February 16, 2018 the Company entered into an agreement to complete a three-tranche PrivatePlacement under which the Subscriber has committed to purchase 10,905,212 Units at a price of $0.924 per Unit for total gross proceeds of approximately $10,076,416. Each Unit consists of one CommonShare and one-third of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Warrant Share at an exercise price of $1.20 for twelve (12) months from closing of the first tranche of the Private Placement.

    Closing of First Tranche of Private Placement

    The first tranche of the Private Placement was completed on February 16, 2018 and the Company received $4,310,500 in connection with the issuance of 4,665,043 Units. The Subscriber now holds approximately 9.9% of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares (including the Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants).

    Additional Tranches of Private Placement

    Closing of the second tranche of 5,538,203 Units for gross proceeds of approximately $5,117,300, is expected to occur prior to the Company’s annual and special meeting of common shareholders scheduled to be held on Wednesday, May 16. 2018. The Company received the necessary TSX clearance of Personal Information Forms submitted by certain principals of the Subscriber in late March 2018 and has commenced the process of closing this tranche. No shareholder approval is required to close the second tranche of the financing. Following the completion of the second tranche of the Private Placement, closing of the third tranche of the Private Placement, consisting of issuance of 701,965 Units for gross proceeds of approximately $648,616, will cause the Subscriber to be deemed a “Control Person” of the Company under applicable securities laws and is subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company (other than the Subscriber and its associates or affiliates) on or before May 17, 2018.

    Other Material Agreements

    In conjunction with closing the second tranche, the Company and the Subscriber have agreed to enter into an Investor Rights Agreement pursuant to which: (a) the Subscriber will have the right to nominate one director for election to the board of directors of the Company (subject to maintaining any equity ownership of at least 10% in the Company); (b) the Subscriber will be entitled to participate in future equity or convertible security offerings of the Company in order to maintain its pro rata equity interest in the Company (subject to maintaining any equity ownership of at least 10% in the Company); (c) the Subscriber will be entitled to a similar equity offering participation right in connection with certain new entities that may be created by the Company to expand the application of its proprietary technologies; and (d) the Subscriber has agreed to a 18 month standstill from the closing date of the second tranche of the Private Placement and a 12 month restriction on dispositions of 75% of the securities acquired in the Private Placement.

    Following the proceeds received as a result of the Rights Offering and the Private Placement, NXT has estimated that it will have sufficient funds to meet its ongoing obligations for a period of approximately 24 months.

    We do not presently have any legal or economic restrictions that would affect the ability of any subsidiaries to transfer funds to us. As of the last fiscal year end, and the present date, we do not have any material outstanding commitments for capital expenditures that require funding.

    NXT's longer term success remains dependent upon our ability to continue to attract new client projects and expand the revenue base to a level sufficient to far exceed G&A expenses, and generate excess net cash flow from operations. Equity financings have been used on a limited basis in recent years to supplement working capital as required.

    Risks related to having sufficient ongoing working capital to execute survey project contracts are mitigated through our normal practice of obtaining progress payments from clients throughout the course of the projects, which often span 3 to 4 months. In addition, where possible, risk of default on client billings is mitigated through the use of export insurance programs offered via Export Development Canada (“EDC”).

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    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

    EDC can also be utilized by NXT for financial support in the form of guarantees of specific bank letters of credit required to be issued by NXT as performance guarantees on international projects, such as was utilized on our project for YPFB in Bolivia. This aids in reducing restrictions on working capital that is needed to initiate and undertake projects.

    NXT has minimal secured debt and had total “net working capital deficit” of $0.3 million as at December 2017 as follows:

     December 31,December 31,net change
     20172016in 2017
    Current assets (current liabilities):   
     Cash and cash equivalents$ 166,618$ 490,496$(323,878)
     Short-term investments950,0001,453,091(503,091)
      1,116,6181,943,587(826,969)
     Accounts receivable60,027205,952(145,925)
     Prepaid expenses and deposits107,363166,802(59,439)
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1,562,394)(575,964)(986,430)
     Income taxes payable(201)(98)(103)
     Current portion of capital lease obligation(39,579)(36,769)(2,810)
    Net working capital(318,166)1,703,510(2,021,676)

    The $2.0 million year to date decrease in net working capital is primarily due to the net outflow of cash due to no revenues offset by cash provided by the aircraft sales leaseback transaction, the Rights Offering an increase in payables due to deferral of cash payments.

    NXT applies the "completed contract" method of revenue recognition - revenues and related project costs are deferred until the period in which the survey contract is completed. At each period end, if applicable, deferred revenue (a current liability) represents progress billing amounts that are to be recognized in revenue in future periods. Similarly, WIP relates to deferred survey costs which will be expensed in future periods upon completion of the related contracts. As these amounts will not result in additional future cash inflows or outflows to the Company, they are excluded (in periods in which applicable) from NXT’s above noted table / analysis of net working capital.

    This discussion includes references to terms such asthe term “net working capital” and “net working capital before the undernoted items”, which do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.  NXT management uses this non-GAAP measure to improve our ability to assess liquidity at a point in time.  Net working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, excluding amounts accumulated in work in progress and deferred revenue.  Management excludes these amounts from the calculation as they do not represent future cash inflows or outflows to the Company.

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    Table of Contents

    NXT had no secured debt and had net working capital of $7,129,182 as at December 31, 2019 as follows:
     
     
    December 31,
     
     
    December 31,  
     
     
    net change 
     
     
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    in 2019
     
    Current assets (current liabilities):
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Cash and cash equivalents
     $2,858,245 
     $ 339,532 
     $2,518,713 
    Short-term investments
      3,781,512 
      3,900,000 
      (118,488)
     
      6,639,757 
      4,239,532 
      2,400,225 
    Accounts receivable
      1,384,315 
      61,279 
      1,323,036 
    Note receivable
      324,700 
      - 
      324,700 
    Prepaid expenses and deposits
      97,132 
      65,159 
      31,973 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
      (448,928)
      (499,535)
      50,607 
    Contract obligations
      (131,386)
      - 
      (131,386)
    Current portion of capital lease obligation
      (736,408)
      (42,603)
      (693,805)
    Net Working Capital
      7,129,182 
      3,823,832 
      3,305,350 
    The increase in net working capital in 2019 was due to recognizing accounts receivable, cash from the Nigerian SFD® Survey and the note receivable in respect of the Loan Arrangement. This increase was offset due to the recognition of the current portion of lease obligations under ASC Topic 842 ("Topic 842") and contract obligations (deposit) received from AGV for the Co-operation Agreement.
    Sources and uses of cash

    The following table,overall net changes in cash balances in each of the periods noted above is a function of several factors including any inflows (outflows) due to changes in net working capital balances and net of any cash transferred into/out of short-term investments. Further information on the narrative below, summarizes NXT’s net changes in cash, flows,by each of the operating, financing and the total cash plus short-term investments heldinvesting activities, at the end of the periods, for the last three fiscal years:

    For the year ended December 31201720162015
    Cash provided by (used in):   
     Operating activities$ (5,464,679)$ (7,587,614)$ 6,984,922
     Financing activities2,022,943464,811327,824
     Investing activities3,117,858527,496(277,578)
    Net cash inflow (outflow)(323,878)(6,595,307)7,035,168
    Cash & cash equivalents, start of the year490,4967,085,80350,635
    Cash & cash equivalents, end of the year166,618490,4967,085,803
        
    Cash & cash equivalents166,618490,4967,085,803
    Short-term investments950,0001,453,0912,055,478
    Total1,116,6181,943,5879,141,281

    years is as follows:

    For the year ended December 31
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Cash provided by (used in):
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Operating activities
     $ 4,078,427 
     $ (6,043,919)
     $ (5,464,679)
    Financing activities
      (1,385,787)
      9,176,839 
      2,022,943 
    Investing activities
      (173,927)
      (2,960,006)
      3,117,858 
    Net cash inflow (outflow)
      2,518,713 
      172,914 
      (323,878)
    Cash & cash equivalents, start of the year
      339,532 
      166,618 
      490,496 
    Cash & cash equivalents, end of the year
      2,858,245 
      339,532 
      166,618 
     
        
        
        
    Cash & cash equivalents
      2,858,245 
      339,532 
      166,618 
    Short-term investments
      3,781,512 
      3,900,000 
      950,000 
    Total
      6,639,757 
      4,239,532 
      1,116,618 

    Operating Activities

    Net cash flow from operating activities listed above is a function of net income (loss) for the year, an add back of the net non-cash revenue and expense items (such as SBCE, amortization expense, deferred tax expense / (recovery), and the net change in year-end working capital items (for example, a net decrease in working capital in the year gives rise to a source of cash), with these components each year as follows:

    For the year ended December 31201720162015
    Comprehensive income (loss) for the year$ (8,970,398)$ (9,099,562)$ 10,540,228
    Add back net non-cash expense and income items2,676,7052,896,447(4,948,061)
     (6,293,693)(6,196,585)5,592,167
    Change in non-cash working capital balances829,014(1,384,499)1,392,755
    Total cash provided by (used in) in operations(5,464,679)(7,587,614)6,984,922

    For the year ended December 31
     
    2019
     
     
    2018
     
     
    2017
     
    Comprehensive income (loss) for the year
     $ 3,772,908 
     $ (6,968,511)
     $(8,970,398)
    Add back net non-cash expense and income items
      1,777,580 
      1,782,762 
      2,676,705 
     
      5,550,488 
      (5,185,749)
      (6,293,693)
    Change in non-cash working capital balances
      (1,472,061)
      (858,170)
      829,014 
    Total cash provided by (used in) in operations
      4,078,427 
      (6,043,919)
      (5,464,679)
    Operating cash flow increased by $10,122,347 in 2019 as compared to 2018 because of payments received from the Nigerian SFD® Survey net of payments for survey costs.
    For all periods,2018 and 2017, changes in operating cash flow was driven by the lack of revenue and incurred operating costs for the period.

    36

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

    Financing Activities

    2019 – During the fourth quarter of 2019 the Company completed the TIB for $1,250,000 plus costs of $93,184 to repurchase 4,166,667 TIB Common Shares, at a price of $0.30 per. Also NXT recorded a net cash financing outflow of $42,603 in 2019 on payments for its finance leases.
    2018 – During 2018 NXT recorded a net inflow of $9,176,839 as a result of proceeds received from the closing of tranches in the Private Placement.
    2017- NXT recorded a cash inflow of $2,019,865 in 2017 related mostly from the Rights Offering.

    2016 - The only financing activity

    Investing Activities
    2019 – Company acquired the new transponder technology known as ADS-B for its aircraft. Total costs for installing the ADS-B was related to proceedsapproximately $208,000. Short-term investments in 2019 increased as the Company invested excess funds from exercise of NXT stock options. Q4-16 reflectsoperations into Guaranteed Investment Certificates.

    2018 –Short-term investments increased as a $34,159 cash use for repaymentsresult of the capital lease obligation and $498,970 proceeds from the exercise of NXT stock options.

    2015 – The overall net cash from financing activities of $327,824 reflects:

    ·$335,946 of proceeds from exercise of a total of 347,266 NXT stock options. $8,122 used for repayment of the new capital lease obligation which was entered into in 2015.

    Investing Activities

    Private Placement funds.

    2017 - The overall net cash source in investing activities of $3,117,858 for 2017 reflects these components:

    ·On April 28th, 2017 NXT completed a sale and leaseback transaction on its’ Cessna Citation aircraft for $3,142,260 (US$2,300,000). The aircraft was originally purchased for $2,734,610 (US$2,000,000) in December2015 and at the date of sale accumulated amortization of $368,854. The sale resulted in a gain of $776,504, which was deferred and will be amortized over the term of the lease (5 years).
    ·A use of $518,765 for deposits on the aircraft and building leases.
    ·
    ●
    On April 28th, 2017 NXT completed a sale and leaseback transaction on its’ Cessna Citation aircraft for $3,142,260 (US$2,300,000).
    ●
    A use of $518,765 for deposits on the aircraft and building leases.
    ●
    A source of $503,091 from a net decrease in cash invested in short-term investments.

    2016– The overall net decrease in cash sourceinvested in investing activities of $527,496 for 2016 reflects these components:

    ·A use of $89,702 for net capital additions, which relate primarily to $45,725 for computer equipment, $16,178 for SFD Equipment – non computer, $15,141 for computer software, $8,102 for SFD computer hardware and, $4,555 for leaseholds.
    ·A source of $602,387 from a net decrease in cash invested in short-term investments.
    ·A source of $75,000 related to a decrease in restricted cash balance.
    ·A use of $60,187 arising from a decrease in non – cash working capital balances related to investing activities.

    2015 – The overall net cash used in investing activities of $277,578 for 2015 reflects these components:

    37

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    short-term investments

    Table of Contents

    ·A use of $3,380,717 for net capital additions, which relate primarily to $2.7 million for a survey aircraft acquired in December 2015 and $0.6 million net cash paid for leasehold improvement costs incurred ($0.8 million costs net of a tenant leasehold improvement allowance received, and less $0.2 million of capital lease financing) for construction of the new office facility, which NXT moved to in August, 2015.
    ·A source of $3,117,952 from a net decrease in cash invested in short-term investments.
    ·A use of $75,000 related to an increase in restricted cash balances (issued for bank security purposes).
    ·A source of $60,187 arising from an increase in non-cash working capital balances related to investing activities.

    C.            
    Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.

    There was no separate

    Research and development, patents and licenses for NXT primarily includes costs related to intellectual property filings, research and development activity related to the SFD® technology and certain non-recurring project activities.
    For 2019, the Company's expenses related mostly to costs associated with the validation process for certain European SFD® patents. In 2018, these costs were negative as the Company renegotiated fees from a provider of R&D expense reported inservices. In 2017 these costs were the financial statements in the years 2017, 2016 and 2015. In these three years, expenditures related to R&D were included within general and administrative expense (related to a portionresult of staff salaries and overhead) and in other expense (for patent filings and related costs).

    acquiring patents.

    D.            
    Trend information.

    We have historically conducted a limited number of service contracts each year, the dollar value and timing of securing and ultimate delivery of which are subject to numerous external factors. As at April 30, 2018 we do not have a significant committed “backlog” or order book of contracts to be performed.

    We are not aware of any current external trends (such as in commodity prices, etc.) which could affect our operations for the next fiscal year.

    As noted previously, the amount and timing of our annual revenues can vary widely year to year, as we derive our revenues from a limited number of service contracts each year and each individual contract may have a large effect on the aggregate annual revenues and profits. For example, in 2012, we conducted our first contract with PEMEX, the National Oil Company of Mexico. This project was completed in 2012 and was our largest to that time, at US$5.8 million. In 2015, projects totaling US$13 million were completed in Bolivia for YPFB.

    We continue to seek future business projects with large exploration clientsYPFB, then our next survey in Nigeria during 2019 was for US$8.9 million. At the date of this 20-F current external trends such as PEMEXin commodity prices and YPFB,Covid-19 could affect our operations for the current fiscal year. Please see Item 1 3B for a discussion on these risks.

    E.            
    Off-balance sheet arrangements.
    The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements as of the date of this MD&A other than office premise non-lease operating costs with Interloq Capital (the "Landlord"). If the Company were to default on its office lease the current month rent including operation costs plus the next three months become immediately due. Operating cost amounts are disclosed under the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources – Contractual Commitments". NXT pays an estimated operating cost during the current year, but has the obligation to pay the actual operating costs incurred as defined in the office lease with the aimLandlord early in the first quarter of having each new client become an ongoing repeat customer.

    E.             Off-balance sheet arrangements.

    We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

    the preceding year if the estimate was low, or will receive a refund if the estimate was too high. Currently, the Company believes that the current operating cost estimate is reasonable and is constant with discussions with the Landlord.

    F.            
    Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations.

    The following table sets forth our outstanding contractual obligations as at December 31, 2017:

      less than2 to 34 to 5more than
     Total1 yearyearsyears5 years
    Long-term debt$            -$          -$           -$                -$                 -
    Capital (finance) lease obligations124,69739,57985,118--
    Operating lease obligations:     
     Premises rent / operating lease4,334,019551,5531,106,0791,126,9001,549,487
     Aircraft Lease2,527,190594,6331,189,266743,291-
    Purchase obligations-----
    Other long term liabilities:     
     Asset retirement obligation56,702-56,702--

    38

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    2019:

     
     
     
     
     
    less than
     
     
    1 to 3
     
     
    3 to 5
     
     
    more than
     
     
     
    Total
     
     
    1 year
     
     
    years
     
     
    years
     
     
    5 years
     
    Long-term debt
     $- 
     $- 
     $- 
     $- 
     $- 
    Lease obligations:
        
        
        
        
        
         Premises rent
      2,102,840 
      358,712 
      734,370 
      734,370 
      275,388 
    Premises operating costs
      1,278,949 
      222,069 
      445,002 
      445,002 
      166,876 
    Aircraft Lease
      2,031,754 
      646,204 
      1,385,550 
      - 
      - 
    Office equipment
      63,210 
      52,860 
      10,350 
      - 
      - 
    Purchase obligations
      - 
      - 
      - 
      - 
      - 
    Other long term liabilities:
        
        
        
        
        
    Asset retirement obligation
      21,481 
      - 
      21,481 
      - 
      - 
    Total
      5,498,234 
      1,279,845 
      2,596,753 
      1,179,372 
      442,264 

    G.            
    Safe Harbor.
    The Company seeks safe harbor for our forward-looking statements. Please see the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” above.
    Table of Contents

    ITEM 6. 

    DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

    A.            
    Directors and senior management.

    Our articles of incorporation provide for a minimum of one director and a maximum of 15 directors comprising our Board of directors. At present, our Board of directors consists of fivesix members.

    Our directors are elected by our shareholders at our annual meeting of shareholders and hold the position either until the next annual shareholders’ meeting, the date of their resignation or until a successor is appointed.

    The following sets forth information, including directorships in other reporting issuers, as of April 30, 2018,May 5, 2020, for our directors, executive officers and key employees:

      

    George Liszicasz

    Age 64

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Director, Chairman and Chief

    Executive Officer since January

    1996; President since July 2002

    Mr. Liszicasz is the inventor of the SFD®SFD® Technology and has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since the Corporation's inception in 1996. Mr. Liszicasz’ primary responsibilities, as the President and CEO, are to oversee all operations and to further develop the SFD®SFD® technology.

    He holds an Electronics Engineer degree from the Landler Jeno Technitken in Hungary in 1973 and studied general sciences at the University of British Columbia between 1979 and 1983. Mr. Liszicasz has extensive R&D body of work with various technologies, and 52 inventions.

    Charles Selby

    Age 61

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Director since
    January 2006

    Mr. Selby holds a B.Sc.B. Sc. (Hons) in Chemical Engineering, a J.D. degree and is a registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Alberta.  He previously practiced law for two large Canadian law firms, specializing in securities, international transactions in the energy business and corporate finance matters and remainsmatters.  Since leaving the practice of law,   Mr. Selby was a memberVice President of good standing withPengrowth Corporation, the Bar.Administrator of Pengrowth Energy Trust, for almost 20 years.  He also has served on the board and in management of a number of reporting issuers including Arakis Energy, which had operations in the Sudan, and other issuers in the oil and natural gas industry.

    He is currently the Chairmanpresident and CEOa director of Montana Exploration Corp. (formerly AltaCanada Energy Corp.), an oil and gas company listed on the TSX-V, and is the president of CaledonianWildcat Royalty Corporation, Caledonian Global Corporation and Caledonian Midstream Corporation, private entities which are involved in oil & gas production and the midstream business.

    oil and gas business primarily in the Province of Alberta.  He is a director of Caledonian Global Corporation, an international company with royalty interests Vietnam and Chairman and CEO of Montana Exploration Corp. (formerly AltaCanada Energy Corp.) an oil and gas company.

    Mr. Selby is the Lead Independent Director of NXT.  He is also Chair of NXT’sNXT's Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit, Disclosure, and Strategic Planning Committees.

    Mr. Selby also served as the Company’s interim CFOCompany's Interim Chief Financial Officer from December, 2017 to January, 2018.

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    John Tilson

    Age 74

    Montecito, California, USA
    Director since
    February 2015

    Mr. Tilson is retired, and after obtaining MBA and CFA designations, had a distinguished career as an analyst, portfolio manager, and advisor in the US investment and financial industry with such firms as Sutro & Company and EF Hutton & Company. Mr. Tilson joined Roger Engemann and Associates in 1983 when assets under management were roughly US$160 million. During his tenure there, the Pasadena Group of Mutual Funds was started, with Pasadena Capital Corporation formed as the holding company for the mutual funds and investment management business. After working as an analyst and portfolio manager, John later became Executive Vice President & Managing Director of Pasadena Capital Corporation. Assets under management had grown to over US$5 billion by the time the firm was sold to Phoenix Companies in 1997. Mr. Tilson later retired in 2005.

    From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Tilson was a member of the Board of Trustees, including three years serving as VP and Chairman of the long-range planning committee, for Lotusland, a Santa Barbara non-profit organization established by Madame Ganna Walska.

    Mr. Tilson is the Chair of the Board’s Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of the Compensation, Governance and Audit Committees.


    Thomas E. Valentine

    Age 56

    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Director since
    November 2007


    Corporate Secretary since
    April 2014

    Mr. Valentine is a Partner with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, where he has practiced law, both as a Barrister and a Solicitor, since his call to the Bar in 1987.

    Mr. Valentine is a Partner with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, where he has practiced law, both as a Barrister and a Solicitor, since his call to the Bar in 1987. He is a member of the firm’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group and is involved in energy and energy related matters throughout the Middle East, North Africa, the CIS, Asia and South America.

    Mr. Valentine is a member of the Board of Directors of Touchstone Exploration Inc., and formerly was a director of two other Canadian public companies, Calvalley Petroleum Inc. (to May 2015) and Veraz Petroleum Ltd.

    Mr. Valentine holds a BA from the University of British Columbia, a LLB from Dalhousie University, and a LL.M. from the London School of Economics.

    Mr. Valentine is the Chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.

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    Bruce G. Wilcox
    Age 63
    New York, New York, USA
    Director since
    June 2015

    Mr. Wilcox has had a long career as an investment company CEO, analyst and portfolio manager. He spent most of his career with Cumberland Associates, LLC, a New York equity fund, from 1986 through retirement in 2010, progressing from analyst / portfolio manager to partner, and Chairman of the Management Committee. Mr. Wilcox specialized in Cumberland’sCumberland's investments in the energy industry (E&P and service companies), with an emphasis on value and long-term holdings. During his tenure, the fund’sfund's assets under management ranged from US$0.7 to $1.5 billion.

    From 1984 to 1986, Mr. Wilcox was with Central National-Gottesman, Inc. as an analyst and portfolio manager on a team responsible for a $500 million listed equity portfolio.

    Mr. Wilcox is presently CEO of E Street Management, LLC which manages a long/short equity fund of funds. He is also one of the managing members of Xiling Fund III, LLC, part of a series of private equity funds (US$100+ million) which specialize in investing in museum quality Chinese art and collectibles.

    Mr. Wilcox obtained a BA (Honors), in Modern Chinese from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix.

    Mr. Wilcox is a member of several Boards, including the Teachers College of Colombia University (2003 to date, including acting as the Chair of the Investment Committee), the University of California Santa Barbara Foundation (2003 to date, including as former Chair of the Board, Investment and Finance Committees), and is a Trustee (2001 to date) of the Manhattan Institute For Policy Research, a leading urban, state, and national policy institution, which works on matters such as energy policy.

    Mr. Wilcox is the chair of the Board’sBoard's Audit Committee and a member of the Disclosure, Governance and Strategic Planning Committees.

    Jakub Brogowski

    Age 38

    V-P

    Frank Ingriselli
    Danville, California, USA
    Director since September 2019
    Mr. Ingriselli has over 40 years of experience in the energy industry, Mr. Ingriselli is a seasoned leader and entrepreneur with wide-ranging energy industry experience in diverse geographies, business climates and political environments.
    Mr. Ingriselli has over 40 years of experience in the energy industry, Mr. Ingriselli is a seasoned leader and entrepreneur with wide-ranging energy industry experience in diverse geographies, business climates and political environments.
    From 1979 to 2001, Mr. Ingriselli worked at Texaco in a variety of senior executive positions involving exploration and production, power and gas operations, merger and acquisition activities, pipeline operations and corporate development.  While at Texaco, Mr. Ingriselli held the position of President of Texaco Technology Ventures, President and CEO of the Timan Pechora Company (owned by affiliates of Texaco, Exxon, Amoco, Norsk Hydro and Lukoil), and President of Texaco International Operations, where he directed Texaco's global initiatives in exploration and development.  During his tenure, Mr. Ingriselli, also led Texaco's initiatives in exploration and development in China, Russia, Australia, India, Venezuela and many other countries.
    From 2005 to 2018, he was the founder, President, CEO and Chairman of PEDEVCO Corp. and Pacific Asia Petroleum, Inc., both energy companies which are or were listed on the New York or American stock exchanges.  From 2016 through 2019, Mr. Ingriselli was the founder, President and CEO of Blackhawk Energy Ventures Inc. which endeavored to acquire oil and gas assets in the U.S. for development purposes.
    Currently Mr. Ingriselli is the President of Indonesia Energy Corporation and is a member of the Board of Directors of DataSight Corporation.  Mr. Ingriselli serves on the Board of Trustees of the Eurasia Foundation, and is the founder and Chairman of Brightening Lives Foundation, Inc., a US Section 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation.
    Mr. Ingriselli graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in business administration. He also earned an M.B.A. from New York University in both finance and international finance and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
    Mr. Ingriselli is a member of NXT’s audit committee.
    Eugene Woychyshyn
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    VP Finance and CFO
    since FebruaryDecember 2018

    Mr. Brogowski hasWoychyshyn originally served as a consultant to NXT since late November 2017 providing controllership services. Mr. Woychyshyn brings to NXT over 1625 years of priorleadership experience in oil & gas investment banking experience spanning capital markets inmultiple industries and worldwide regions including North America, Europe Middle East, Africa and Asia. Beginning his career with TD Securities in Calgary, he was instrumental in expanding their oil & gas advisory operations to London, UK in 2010. In 2011, Mr. Brogowski joined RBC Capital Markets in London as a senior member of the European Energy team andHe has extensive hands-on experience and accomplishments in financings, mergers and acquisitions, organizational restructuring, purchasing, treasury, financial reporting and structuring transactionscontrol, compliance, human resource management and tax planning. In almost ten years as an expatriate with assignments in CanadaNorway, China, the U.S. and internationally. He alsoSouth East Asia he developed international business competencies.
    Mr. Woychyshyn is a Chartered Professional Accountant, CA, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree(Hons.) from the University of Calgary.

    Manitoba and a Masters of Business Administration from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia PA.

    Mr. BrogowskiWoychyshyn is a member of the Disclosure Committee.



    None of ourthe directors or executive officers is, or directors havehas been involved in any bankruptcy proceedings within the last fiveten years, been convicteda director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of or have pending any criminal proceeding, beencompany that: (i) was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days that was issued while the director was acting in that capacity; (ii) was subject to such an order judgmentthat was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or decree enjoining, barring, suspendingchief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in such a capacity.
    None of the directors or otherwise limiting involvementexecutive officers is, or has been in the last ten years, a director or executive officer of any typecompany that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of business, securitiesthat person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or banking activityinsolvency or been foundwas subject to have violatedor instituted any federal, stateproceedings, arrangement or provincial securitiescompromise with creditors or commodities laws.

    had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets, other than as discussed below.

    Charles Selby was previously a member of the board of directors of Wellpoint Systems Inc. (“Wellpoint”, a reporting issuer on the TSX-V), which in 2011 had a Receiver appointed by the Court of Queen’s Bench of the Province of Alberta on behalf of the holders of secured debts.  Wellpoint was subsequently wound up following a restructuring and sale of its operating assets.  Charles Selby was previously a member of the board of directors of Idaho Natural Resources Corp., which was cease-traded by the TSX Venture Exchange in December 2012 for failing to meet listing requirements.

      A cease trade order was issued by the Alberta Securities Commission on May 4, 2018 against Montana Exploration Corp. (“MEC”) for failing to file its annual audited financial statements, annual management’s discussion and analysis and certification of annual filings within the required time period.  Charlies Selby is the Chief Executive Officer of MEC.  The TSX Venture Exchange has announced that upon revocation of the Cease Trade Order, MEC’s shares will remain suspended until the company meets TSX Venture Exchange requirements.

    None of the directors or executive officers has, within the last ten years, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold their assets.
    Messrs. Selby, Tilson, Valentine, Ingriselli, and Wilcox are considered "independent" within the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 58-101.

    securities law.

    B.            
    Compensation

    Executive Compensation

    The following table sets out certain information regarding the annual and long-term compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer at December 31, 2017,2019, as well as any additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to the above criteria except that the individual was not serving as an officer of the Company at the end of 2017.2019. All officers of the Company are based in the Calgary, Canada head office and are paid in Canadian dollars.

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    Summary compensation table for the year ended December 31, 2017:

    Name & Principal PositionSalaryTermination(1)Vacation(2)Other(3)Total
          
    George Liszicasz, President & CEO(4)$ 274,800$-$ -$ 11,294$ 286,094
    Charles Selby, Interim CFO(5)22,671---22,671
    Beverly Stewart, Chief Financial Officer (5)164,083-4,1311,902170,116

    2019:
    Name & Principal Position
     
    Salary 
     
     
    Stock Options
     
     
     Vacation (1)
     
     
    Other (2)
     
     
     Total
     
    George Liszicasz, President & CEO (4)
     $274,800 
     $- 
     $- 
     $11,145 
     $285,945 
    Eugene Woychyshyn, VP of Finance & Chief Financial Officer(6)
     $174,167 
     $- 
     $- 
     $1,227 
     $175,394 

    (1) None in 2017.

    (2) “vacation”“Vacation” represents a cash payout in the year of a portion of unused vacation entitlements carried forward.

    (3) “other”

    (2) “Other” consists of any vehicle allowance paid ($9,000 for Mr. Liszicasz) plus the taxable portion of company paid amounts for group health benefits and parking.

    (4) salary

    (3) Salary and other totals exclude the cash portion of fees earned as Board Members, $35,000 for Mr. Liszicasz and $30,000 forLiszicasz.
    (4) Mr. Selby which was earned in 2017, but not paid.

    (5) Ms. Stewart resignedEugene Woychyshyn became the Corporate Controller as CFO onof November 30, 2017. Mr. Selby was1, 2018, the interim CFOInterim Chief Financial Officer from December 1, 2017 until January 31, 2018.

    2018 and then the VP-Finance, Chief Financial Officer as of August 1, 2019.

    (See Item 6.E “Share Ownership” for details regarding stock options granted to officers).

    No amount is set aside or accrued by the Company or its subsidiaries to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to officers or directors.

    Director Compensation

    NXT compensates directors for serving on our Board by paying a combination of an annual cash retainer as well granting stock options to purchase NXT common shares. New members who join the Board receive a separate grant of stock options (with entitlement to exercise vesting over a 3 year period) in the year of joining the Board.

    There were was one new Board member in 2019 and no options were granted to Board members.


    In 2017, $170,000 of board fees remained outstanding at December 31, 2017. In 2016,2019, the directors group each individually elected to receive a mix of cash and / or stock option grants as payment of Board fees earned for the year. The annual cash retainer was based on $30,000 ($35,000 in the case of each of the Chairman of the Board and the Audit Committee. The lead Director receives an additional $30,000 per year.) Compensation payable (including pro-rated amounts for periods of partial service in the year) for 2017 and 20162019 is summarized as follows:

     20172016
    Payable in cash$ 170,000$ 145,000
       
    # of stock options granted as part of annual Board fee compensation-75,000

    2019
    George Liszicasz
    $35,000
    Charles Selby
    30,000
    Bruce G. Wilcox
    35,000
    Tom Valentine
    30,000
    John Tilson
    30,000
    Frank Ingriselli
    9,750
    The amount and terms of any stock options granted as compensation for Board member services is determined by the Board. We do not provide additional compensation for committee participation (other than as noted previously re the minor additional amount for service as the Chairman of the Board and of the Audit Committee) or for special assignments of the Board. (See Item 6.E “Share ownership” for details regarding stock options granted to directors.)

    During 2017 Mr. Charles Selby was paid $22,671 in respect of his being the Interim Chief Financial Officer.

    The Company reimburses directors for out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board and committee meetings. We do not provide termination benefits for directors.

    C.            
    Board practices.

    Expiration Dates

    No director or member of our administrative, or supervisory bodies has an expiration date for their current term of office. Directors are elected by shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders and hold the position either until the next annual shareholders’ meeting or until a successor is appointed. The period during which each individual has served as a director is set out in the table under Item 6.A – “Directors and senior management”.

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    Service Contracts

    No directors (other than an employment contract for the CEO, Mr. Liszicasz) have service contracts with the Company or any of its subsidiaries that provide benefits upon termination of employment.

    Board of Directors Mandate

    The principal role of the Board is stewardship of the Company through the creation of shareholder value, including the protection and enhancement of the value of its assets, as the fundamental objective. The stewardship responsibility means that the Board oversees the general operation of the business and management, which is responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the business. The Board must assess and ensure systems are in place to manage the risks of the Company’s business with the objective of preserving the Company’s assets. The Board, through the CEO, sets the attitude and disposition of the Company towards compliance with applicable laws, environmental, safety and health policies, financial practices and reporting. In addition to its primary accountability to shareholders, the Board is also accountable to employees, government authorities, other stakeholders and the public. The Mandate of the Board of directors is posted on the Company website and may viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 302, 3320 - 17th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4.

    Board Committees

    Corporate Governance Committee

    CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
    The Company and the Board recognize the importance of corporate governance to the effective management of the Company and to its shareholders. The Company’s approach to significant issues of corporate governance is designed with a view to ensuring that the business and affairs of the Company are effectively managed so as to enhance shareholder value. The Mandate of the Corporate Governance Committee is posted on the Company website and may be viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 302, 3320 - 17th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4.

    The Board and management endorse the need to establish forward-looking governance policies and to continuously evaluate and modify them to ensure their effectiveness.


    Composition of the Corporate Governance Committee

    Messrs. Valentine (Chair), Wilcox and Tilson are the current members of the Corporate Governance Committee. All members of the Corporate Governance Committee are independent within the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 58-101.

    Responsibilities of the Corporate Governance Committee

    The Corporate Governance Committee’s duties, as outlined in its charter, are to deal with the Company’s approach to corporate governance and the promotion of compliance with industry and regulatory standards. The committee is responsible for overseeing and assessing the functioning of the Board and the committees of the Board and for the development, recommendation to the Board, implementation and assessment of effective corporate governance principles and guidelines. The Committee’s responsibilities also include identifying new candidates for director and recommending that the Board select qualified director candidates for election at the next annual meeting of shareholders.

    Disclosure Committee


    DISCLOSURE COMMITTEE
    Composition of the Disclosure Committee

    The Disclosure Committee currently consists of Mr. Selby, Mr. Wilcox (Chair) and Mr. BrogowskiWoychyshyn (the VP FinanceCorporate Controller and Interim CFO of the Company).

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    Responsibilities of theDisclosureCommittee

    The Disclosure CommitteeCommittee’s duties are to ensure that the Company provides timely, accurate and balanced disclosure of all material information about the Company and to provide fair and equal access to such information. All news releases, including but not limited to releases of material information, are managed by the Disclosure Committee. If the information has been determined by the Disclosure Committee to be material, news releases will be prepared, reviewed and then disseminated through a news-wire service that provides simultaneous service to widespread news services and financial media. Additionally, the Disclosure Committee is responsible for ensuring public disclosure through filing these news releases on SEDAR, EDGAR, and EDGAR as well as the Company’sour website.

    STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

    Composition of the Strategic Planning Committee

    Messrs. Tilson (Chair), Wilcox and Selby are the current members of the Strategic Planning Committee. All members of the Strategic Planning CommitteeMessrs. Tilson (Chair) and Wilcox are independent.

    Responsibilities of the Strategic Planning Committee

    The Strategic Planning Committee's duties are to set out the long-term goals of the Company and to take an active role in the development and execution of plans to achieve those goals. The Committee participates in establishing priority areas of Company business, assessment of strategic initiatives from Company senior executives with regard to development and implementation control of the Company Strategy and business area specific strategies of the Company. The Committee also makes recommendations regarding the overall organization and management structure including areas where management needs to be strengthened, reviewing the organizational job descriptions, and requirements and also procedures for coordination of organizational management and board resources. The Committee is actively involved in the Company’s strategic planning process and reviews all materials relating to the strategic plan with management. The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the strategic plan. At least one board meeting each year is centered on discussing and considering the strategic plan, which takes into account the risks and opportunities of the business. Management must seek the Board’s approval for any transaction that would have a significant impact on the strategic plan.


    AUDIT COMMITTEE

    Composition of the Audit Committee

    The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Wilcox (Chair), Selby, Ingriselli, and Tilson. All members of the Audit CommitteeMessrs. Wilcox (Chair), Ingriselli, and Tilson are independent and each member is financially literate. The Company’s Audit Committee Charter is posted on our website and may be viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at Suite 302, 3320 – 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4.

    Bruce G. Wilcox

    Mr. Wilcox holds a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management and has extensive experience in financial statement analysis, through hisPhoenix. His career serving as an investment company CEO, analyst and portfolio manager was spent primarily with Cumberland Associates, LLC, and a New York equity fund, managerwhere he was a partner, and CEO inserved as Chairman of the investment management industry.Managing Committee. He has previously served as audit committee chair of a publicly traded company.

    Charles Selby

    Mr. Selby is both a lawyer and Professional Engineer, holding B.Sc. (Hons) and JD degrees. He previously practiced law for two large Canadian law firmswith past legal experience specializing in securities and corporate finance matters and remains a member of good standing with the Bar.matters.  He has served on the board andor in senior management ofroles with a number of private firms as well as reporting issuers including Arakis Energy, which had operations in the Sudan, and other issuers in the oil and natural gas industry. He is currently the CEO of Montana Exploration Corp. (formerly AltaCanada Energy Corp.), an oil and gas company listed on the TSX, and is the president of Caledonian Royalty Corporation and Caledonian Global Corporation, both private entities.

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    Mr. Selby was also formerly the Chairman and CEO of Canadian Star Energy Limited, and was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of AltaCanada Energy Corp. He also formerly served as the Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Pengrowth Corporation, the administrator of Pengrowth Energy Trust.

    Mr. Selby has previously served on the audit committees of Alta Canada Energy Corp. and served as the audit committee and as audit chairman of several reporting issuers.

    for Idaho Natural Resources Corp. (formerly Bridge Resources Corp.).

    John Tilson

    Mr. Tilson has bothis retired, and after obtaining MBA and CFA designations, He previously servedhad a distinguished career as an analyst, portfolio manager, and advisor in the US investment and financial industry with such firms as Sutro & Company and EF Hutton & Company, and Roger Engemann. After working as an analyst and portfolio manager, Mr. Tilson later became Executive Vice President & Managing Director of Pasadena Capital Company.

    All members of the Audit Committee have the educational background and experience that provides them with the knowledge and ability to understand accounting policies and related financial reporting and disclosure issues, in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as an Audit Committee member.

    Frank Ingriselli
    Mr. Ingriselli graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in business administration. He also earned an M.B.A. from New York University in both finance and international finance and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
    All members of the Audit Committee have the educational background and experience that provides them with the knowledge and ability to understand accounting policies and related financial reporting and disclosure issues, in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as an Audit Committee member.
    Audit Committee Oversight- The Company’s Board has adopted all recommendations by the Audit Committee with respect to the nomination and compensation of the external auditor.


    Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures- The Audit Committee has adopted a formal policy requiring the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit related services to be provided by the Company’s principal auditor prior to the commencement of the engagement, subject to the following:

    ·The Audit Committee will review annually a list of audit, audit related, recurring tax and other non-audit services and recommend pre-approval of those services for the upcoming year. Any additional requests will be addressed on a case-by-case specific engagement basis;
    ·For engagements not on the pre-approved list, the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Committee the authority to pre-approve individual non-audit service engagements with expected costs of up to $50,000 (annual aggregate total) subject to reporting to the Audit Committee, at its next scheduled meeting; and
    ·For engagements not on the pre-approved list and with expected costs greater than $350,000 (annual aggregate total), the entire Audit Committee must approve this service, generally at its next scheduled meeting.

    ●
    the Audit Committee will review annually a list of audit, audit related, recurring tax and other non-audit services and recommend pre-approval of those services for the upcoming year. Any additional requests will be addressed on a case-by-case specific engagement basis;
    ●
    for engagements not on the pre-approved list, the Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Committee the authority to pre-approve individual non-audit service engagements with expected costs of up to $50,000 (annual aggregate total) subject to reporting to the Audit Committee, at its next scheduled meeting; and
    ●
    for engagements not on the pre-approved list and with expected costs greater than $50,000 (annual aggregate total), the entire Audit Committee must approve this service, generally at its next scheduled meeting.

    COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

    Composition of theCompensationCommittee

    Messrs. Selby (Chair), and Tilson and Valentine are members of the Compensation Committee,Committee. Messrs. Tilson and Valentine are all independent. The charter or mandate of the Compensation Committee is posted on the Company website and may viewed at www.nxtenergy.com or you may request a copy be mailed to you by writing to our offices at 302, 3320 – 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4.

    Responsibilities oftheCompensationCommittee

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    The Compensation Committee's duties, as outlined in its charter, are to deal with the assessment of management and succession to key positions and compensation within the Company. The Compensation Committee shall assist the Board in discharging the Board’s oversight responsibilities relating to the compensation and retention of key senior management employees, and in particular the CEO, with the skills and expertise needed to enable the Company to achieve its goals and strategies at fair and competitive compensation and appropriate performance incentives. In discharging its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee will report and where appropriate, make recommendations to the Board in respect of the matters identified in the charter.

    D.            
    Employees

    Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

    2019

    As of the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172019, we had a total of 9 employees and one part-time independent contractor.10 employees. NXT has no employees that are members of a labor union. The following summarizes the number of employees and independent contractors by main job function as at December 31, 20172019::

    Functionemployeescontractorstotal
    Senior management team1-1
    Finance, administration and sales314
    Operations and technical development5-5
    Total9110

    Function
     
    employees
     
     
    contractors
     
     
    total
     
    Senior management team
      2 
      - 
      2 
    Finance, administration and sales
      2 
      - 
      2 
    Operations and technical development
      6 
      - 
      6 
    Total
      10 
      - 
      10 
    All of the above noted staff are based in Calgary, Canada. The 56 operations and technical development staff includes one research scientist holding a Ph.D. and 43 geoscientists. We periodically engage other technical and administrative contract personnel as required on a project basis.


    Fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

    2018

    As at December 31, 2016,2018, we had a staff of 23 and one contractor,11, all based in Calgary, as follows:

    Functionemployeescontractorstotal
    Senior management team4-4
    Finance, administration and sales617
    Operations and technical development13-13
    Total23-24

    Function
     
    employees
     
     
    contractors
     
     
    total
     
    Senior management team
      2 
      - 
      2 
    Finance, administration and sales
      3 
      - 
      3 
    Operations and technical development
      6 
      - 
      6 
    Total
      11 
      - 
      11 
    All of the above noted staff are based in Calgary, Canada except for 2 based in the Santa Cruz, Bolivia.Canada. The 136 operations and technical development staff includesincluded one research scientist holding a Ph.D. and 53 geoscientists.

    E.            
    Share ownership.

    Information on the ownership of our common shares is given under Item 7, Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.

    Summary of Stock Options, Restricted Share Units and Stock Appreciation Rights Granted To Executive Officers and Directors

    All stock options have been granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) of the Company or predecessor plans with substantially the same terms. The Plan is approved and ratified by shareholders annuallyevery three years at the Company’s annual general meeting (“AGM”). The Plan, as was re-approved and ratified at the Company’s last AGM held on June 4, 2016.25, 2019. Pursuant to this Plan, all stock option grants must be approved by the Board of directors of the Company. Stock options may be granted to the directors, officers and employees of NXT and to consultants retained by the Company. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, and any other plan of the Corporation, shall not, at the time of the stock option grant, exceed ten percent of the total number of issued and outstanding shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis) unless the Company receives the permission of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the shares are then listed to exceed such threshold. No stock option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding five (5) years from the date the stock option is granted unless the Company receives the permission of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the shares are then listed and as specifically provided by the Board and as permitted under the rules of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the shares are then listed, and in any event, no stock option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding ten (10) years from the date the option is granted.

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    Stock options are generally issued with a three year vesting period wherein entitlement to exercise one third of the options granted shall vest at the end of each of the first three years following the grant date. The exercise price for an option grant is set at the last trade price on the date preceding the grant or some higher price at the discretion of the Board.

    The Restricted Share Unit Plan (the”RSU”) was approved and ratified by the shareholders at the Company’s last annual meeting on June 21, 2017. Pursuant to the RSU, all grants must be approved by the Board of directors of the Company. Stock options RSU’s may be granted to the directors, officers and employees of NXT and to consultants retained by the Company. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, and any other plan of the Corporation, shall not, at the time of the RSU grant, exceed ten percent of the total number of issued and outstanding shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis).


    The RSU’s are generally issued with a three year vesting where they shall vest at the end of each of the first three years following the grant date. The price is determined on the vesting date.

    The Deferred Share Unit Plan (the ”DSU Plan”) was approved and ratified by the shareholders at the Company’s annual meeting on June 25, 2019. The DSU Plan is a long-term incentive plan that permits the grant of deferred share units ("DSUs") to qualified directors, as determined by the Board in its absolute discretion (collectively, the "Designated Participants"). Designated Participants are required to elect (in respect of each calendar year) the amount of the aggregate annual retainer or fee to be received in the form of DSUs, cash, Common Shares purchased on the secondary market, or a combination thereof, subject to requirements imposed by the Board to receive a specified
    minimum value of his or her annual retainer or fee in the form of DSUs. DSUs granted under the DSU Plan are to be settled at the election of the Board in cash, Common Shares issued from treasury (subject to Shareholder approval of unallocated entitlements thereunder every three years thereafter), or, at the election of the Board, or a combination of cash and Common Shares.
    The following stock options and DSUs were granted to NXT’s executive officers and directors in the three prior fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015,2019, 2018 and 20142017 and to date to April 30, 2018.May 5, 2020. No RSU’sRSUs have been granted to date.

    In 20172019 and to date in 2018:

    ·No options were granted in 2017.

    ·A total of 1,000,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.13 per common share were granted in February 2018 to the new Chief Financial Officer.

    2020:

    ●
    A total of 16,573 DSUs were granted on March 31, 2020 to a director of the Company.
    In 2016:

    ·A total of 150,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.49 per common share were granted in May 2016 to the new Chief Financial Officer.
    ·A total of 37,500 stock options with an exercise price of $1.48 per common share were granted in July 2016 to three directors as part of their elected form of payment of the Board of director fees earned for 2016. All of these options had immediate vesting at the grant date.
    ·A total of 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.50 per common share were granted in July 2016 to a directors as part of their Advisory Board of director fees earned for 2016.
    ·A total of 37,500 stock options with an exercise price of $1.45 per common share were granted in December 2016 to three directors as part of their elected form of payment of the Board of director fees earned for 2016. All of these options had immediate vesting at the grant date.

    2018:

    ●
    A total of 1,000,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.13 per common share were granted in February 2018 to the new Chief Financial Officer. These options were forfeited on December 30, 2018.
    ●
    A total of 150,000 stock options with an exercise price of $0.59 per common share were granted in November 2018 to the new Corporate Controller.
    In 2015:

    ·A total of 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of $2.10 per common share were granted in September 2015 to two persons who joined the NXT Board of Directors in 2015.
    47

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 20172017:

    ●
    No options were granted in 2017.
    Table of Contents

    ·A total of 42,600 stock options with an exercise price of $1.73 were granted in December 2015 to two directors as part of their elected form of payment of their Board of director fees earned for 2015. All of these options had immediate vesting at the grant date

    The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding stock options which have been granted to our directors and officers as of April 30, 2018.May 5, 2020. All options are issued at an exercise price set at the closing trade price on the trading date prior to the grant. Each option entitles the option holder to acquire one common share of the Company.


    Issued and outstanding stock options held by directors and officers of the Company(as (as of April 30, 2018)


    Name and
     Position
    Exercise
     Price    		 Option
    Grant
    Date    		Option
    Expiry
     Date

    # of
    options

    held

    		%  of total
    outstanding options
    George Liszicasz$ 0.86 5-Jul-20135-Jul-20187,500 
    CEO & Director$ 1.83 18-Dec-201318-Dec-10187,500 
     $ 1.39 9-Jul-20149-Jul-20197,500 
     $ 1.35 9-Jan-20159-Jan-20207,500 
         30,0001.3 %
           
    Jakub Brogowski$ 1.13 26-May-201626-May-2021           1,000,000 
    V-P Finance & CFO      
         1,000,00043.6%
           
    Charles Selby$ 0.86 5-Jul-20135-Jul-20187,500 
    Director$ 1.83 18-Dec-201318-Dec-20187,500 
     $ 1.39 9-Jul-20149-Jul-20197,500 
     $ 1.35 9-Jan-20159-Jan-20207,500 
     $ 1.50 22-Jul-201622-Jul-202150,000 
                  80,0003.5 %
           
    John Tilson$ 2.10 16-Sep-201516-Sep-2020150,000 
    Director$ 1.73 10-Dec-201510-Dec-202025,600 
     $ 1.48 14-Jul-201614-Jul-202115,000 
     $ 1.45 22-Dec-201622-Dec-202115,000 
         205,6009.0 %
           
    Thomas Valentine$ 0.86 5-Jul-20135-Jul-20187,500 
    Director$ 1.83 18-Dec-201318-Dec-20187,500 
     $ 1.39 9-Jul-20149-Jul-20197,500 
     $ 1.35 9-Jan-20159-Jan-20207,500 
     $ 1.48 14-Jul-201614-Jul-20217,500 
     $ 1.45 22-Dec-201622-Dec-202115,000 
                  52,5002.3 %
           
    Bruce Wilcox$ 2.10 16-Sep-201516-Sep-2020150,000 
    Director$ 1.73 10-Dec-201510-Dec-202017,000 
     $ 1.48 14-Jul-201614-Jul-202115,000 
     $ 1.45 22-Dec-201622-Dec-20217,500 
         189,5008.3 %
           
     Total number of stock options held by officers and directors 1,557,60068.0 %
            

    48

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017May 5, 2020)

    Table of Contents

    Name and Position
     
     
    Exercise
     Price
     
     
    Option
    Grant
    Date
     
     
    Option
    Expiry
     Date
     
     
    # of
    options
    held
     
     
    % of total
    outstanding
     options
     
     
     
     
     
    		  
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Eugene Woychyshyn
     $0.59 
    		01-Nov-1801-Nov-23
      150,000 
     
     
     
    V-P Finance & CFO
        
    		  
      150,000 
      16.1%
     
        
    		  
        
        
    Charles Selby
     $1.50 
    		22-Jul-1622-Jul-21
      50,000 
        
    Director
        
    		  
      50,000 
      5.4%
     
        
    		  
        
        
    John Tilson
     $2.10 
    		16-Sep-1516-Sep-20
      150,000 
        
    Director
     $1.73 
    		10-Dec-1510-Dec-20
      25,600 
        
     
     $1.48 
    		14-Jul-1614-Jul-21
      15,000 
        
     
     $1.45 
    		21-Dec-1621-Dec-21
      15,000 
        
     
        
    		  
      205,600 
      22.0%
     
        
    		  
        
        
    Thomas Valentine
     $1.48 
    		14-Jul-1614-Jul-21
      7,500 
        
    Director
     $1.45 
    		21-Dec-1621-Dec-21
      7,500 
        
     
        
    		  
      15,000 
      1.6%
     
        
    		  
        
        
    Bruce G. Wilcox
     $2.10 
    		16-Sep-1516-Sep-20
      150,000 
        
    Director
     $1.73 
    		10-Dec-1510-Dec-20
      17,000 
        
     
     $1.48 
    		14-Jul-1614-Jul-21
      15,000 
        
     
     $1.45 
    		21-Dec-1621-Dec-21
      15,000 
        
     
        
    		  
      197,000 
      21.1%
     
        
    		  
        
        
    Total number of stock options held by officers and directors
    		 
      617,600 
      66.2%
    Charles Selby currently has 16,573 DSUs.
    ITEM 7. 
    MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

    A.
    Major shareholders.

    The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common shares as of April 30, 2018
    May 5, 2020 by persons who beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding common shares of NXT, each person who is a director of NXT, each executive officer named in this Form 20-F, each individual referenced in Item 6.E above and all directors and executive officers as a group. For the purposes of this Form 20-F, a person is considered to be a “beneficial owner” of common shares in the Company if that person has, or shares with another person, the power to direct the vote or disposition of the common shares or to receive the economic benefit of ownership of the common shares.

    A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of a common share if that person has the right to acquire the share within 60 days by option or other agreement (whether or not, in the case of a stock option, the current market price of the underlying common share is below the stock option exercise price). Therefore, the table below also reflects, for each such beneficial owner, the number of options exercisable into common shares within 60 days of April 30, 2018May 5, 2020 that are owned by each beneficial owner, but, in determining the percentage ownership and general voting power of such person, does not assume the exercise of options or the conversion of securities owned by any other person.

    We believe that the beneficial owners of common shares listed below, based on information they furnished, have sole voting and investment power over the number of shares listed opposite their names. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 62,826,17664,406,891 common shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2018.May 5, 2020. This total of 62,826,17664,406,891 excludes all outstanding options and warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2018May 5, 2020 (which is adjusted for each individuals’ % purposes as noted in footnote 4 below).

    Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Officers (“D&O”)
     
    Beneficially
    Owned as at
    May 5, 2020
    		 
    Percent of
    Common
    Shares 4 
     
    Directors and Officers:
     
    		 
     
    		 
     
    George Liszicasz 1 & 2
     
    		    15,014,617 
     
    		    23.31
    %
    Charles Selby 1
     
    		    458,161 
     
    		   *
    		3
    John Tilson 1
     
    		    3,832,850 
     
    		    5.95
    %
    Thomas E. Valentine 1
     
    		    15,000 
     
    		    *
    		3
    Bruce G. Wilcox 1
     
    		    562,000 
     
    		    *
    		3
    Eugene Woychyshyn 2
     
    		    146,200 
     
    		    *
    		3
     Total D & O Common Shares
     
    		    20,028,828 
     
    		    31.10
    %
    Major Shareholders (> 5%):
     
    		       
     
    		       
     
    Alberta Green Ventures Limited Partnership
     
    		    6,764,945 
     
    		    10.50
    %
    Mork Capital Management, LLC.
     
    		    5,717,420 
     
    		    8.88
    %
    1
    Director of NXT
    2
    Officer of NXT
    3
    Beneficially owns less than one percent of the total outstanding common shares.
    4
    For each beneficial owner’s percentage of common shares calculation, it is assumed that any stock options that they hold which are or will become exercisable within 60 days of May 5, below).

    Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Officers (“D&O”)Beneficially
    Owned as at
    April 30, 2018    		Percent of Common Shares6
    Directors and Officers:   
    George Liszicasz1 & 2 15,832,49025.2 %
    Charles Selby1  488,161* %
    John Tilson1  2,989,3484.8 %
    Thomas E. Valentine1  52,500*3
    Bruce Wilcox1  354,753*3
    Jakub Brogowski2  471,506*3
     Total D & O Common Shares 20,188,75832.1 %
         

    Major Shareholders (> 5%):

    Alberta Green Ventures Limited Partnership6

     

     

    		6,220,057

     

    9.9%

     

    Mork Capital Management, LLC., and Michael Mork4

     

    		5,644,420

     

    9.0 %

     

    1   Director of NXT   
    2   Officer of NXT   

    3 Beneficially owns less than one percent of the total outstanding common shares.

    4 based on information provided to the Company as atMarch 28, 2018by 
    Mork Capital Management, LLC. and its principal, Mr. Michael Mork.

    5 Alberta Green Ventures Limited partnership includes shares and warrants.

    6 For each beneficial owner’s percentage of common shares calculation, it is assumed that any stock options that they hold which are or will become exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2018 have been exercised (while also assuming that no one else similarly exercises), and such options are thus included in both the numerator and denominator for purposes of each of their own individual calculations as follows:

    		 
          
    49

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    2020 have been exercised (while also assuming that no one else similarly exercises), and such options are thus included in both the numerator and denominator for purposes of each of their own individual calculations as follows:

    Table of Contents


     common vested & 
     shares exercisablePro forma
     held options total
        
    Liszicasz15,802,49030,00015,832,490
    Selby408,16180,000488,161
    Tilson2,833,748155,6002,989,348
    Valentine-52,50052,500
    Wilcox215,253139,500354,753
    Brogowski138,176333,330471,506
        
     19,397,828790,93020,188,758

     
     
    common
     
     
     vested &
     
     
     
     
     
     
    shares
     
     
     exercisable
     
     
    Pro forma
     
     
     
    held
     
     
     options
     
     
     total
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Liszicasz
      15,014,617 
      - 
      15,014,617 
    Selby
      408,161 
      50,000 
      458,161 
    Tilson
      3,627,250 
      205,600 
      3,832,850 
    Valentine
      - 
      15,000 
      15,000 
    Wilcox
      365,000 
      197,000 
      562,000 
    Woychyshyn
      46,200 
      100,000 
      146,200 
     
      19,461,228 
      567,600 
      20,028,828 
    Major changes in the last 3 years in the percentage ownership of persons who beneficially own (as at the respective December 31, year-end dates) 5% or more of the outstanding common shares of NXT were:

    ·In May 2013, George Liszicasz acquired 2,000,000 common shares upon conversion
    1.
    Mr. Liszicasz entered into a matrimonial settlement dated December 23, 2019 that includes the transfer of 800,000 NXT common shares to his former spouse by March 31, 2020.
    2.
    Since May 5, 2019 Mr. Liszicasz, Mr. Tilson, and Mr. Wilcox acquired common shares in acquisitions on the public markets.
    3.
    In December 2019 the Company completed the $1,250,000 targeted issuer bid, purchasing for cancellation 4,166,667 common shares in the capital of an initial total of 2,000,000 of the 10,000,000 preferred shares which he held. In August 2015, the remaining 8,000,000 preferred shares were converted into 8,000,000 common shares issued to George Liszicasz pursuant to completion of the acquisition of the SFD® technology under the terms of the TTA.
    ·On February 16, 2018 the Company entered into an agreement to complete a three-tranche PrivatePlacement under which the Alberta Green Ventures Limited Partnership has committed to purchase 10,905,212 Units at a price of $0.924 per Unit for total gross proceeds of approximately $10,076,416. Each Unit consists of one CommonShare and one-third of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Warrant Share at an exercise price of $1.20 for twelve (12) months from closing of the first tranche of the Private Placement. The first tranche of the Private Placement was completed on February 16, 2018 and the Company received $4,310,500 in connection with the issuance of 4,665,043 Units.

    The following information is taken from AGV, representing approximately 6.08% of the recordstotal outstanding Common Shares as of Computershare Trust CompanyNovember 14, 2019, at a price of Canada, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada,C$0.30 per Common Share.

    4.
    In July 2018, the Company's transfer agentcompany completed the Private Placement with AGV. In total, AGV purchased 10,264,946 Units at a price of $0.924 per Unit for itstotal gross proceeds of approximately $9,484,810. As a result of the Private Placement, a total of 10,264,946 common shares.shares and a total of 3,421,648 warrants were issued to the Subscriber. As of April 30, 2018 there were 131 registered holders of record of the Company's common shares, including 73 in the United States who collectively held 2,226,659 common shares, representing 3.5% of NXT’s 62,826,176 total issued and outstanding common shares.

    October 31, 2019 AGV’s 3,421,648 warrants (“Warrants”) expired.


    NXT is a foreign private issuer for its current fiscal year. As of the last business day of the Company’s first fiscal quarter, the majority of the Company’s executive officers and directors are Canadian citizens who reside in Canada, the majority of the Company’s assets are in Canada and the Company is administered principally in Canada. The Company’s major shareholders in common shares have the same voting rights as other holders of common shares. The Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation, a foreign government or any other natural or legal persons severally or jointly. There are no arrangements known to the Company which may result in a change of control of the Company.



    B.
    Related party transactions

    transactions.

    Summarized below are certain other transactions and business relationships between NXT and persons who are related parties, for the current fiscal year ended December 31, 20172019 through the current date, May 5, 2020:
    ●
    Details of stock options which have been granted to related parties during the above noted period are included with Item 6.E above. No stock options have been exercised by related parties in this period.
    ●
    One of the members of NXT’s Board of directors, Mr. Thomas Valentine is a partner in the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, which provides legal advice to NXT. In 2019, NXT incurred legal expenses of $276,261 with this firm, for which a total of $146,197 is included in accounts payable as at December 31, 2019. Norton Rose Fulbright continues to provide legal services to NXT. In 2020 as of the report date, total fees incurred are $87,513 for which $104,694 is still outstanding.
    ●
    There were no stock options to acquire common shares of the Company exercised in 2019 by persons who were directors or officers of NXT as at the date of their exercise.
    ●
    In the fourth quarter of 2019 the Company completed the $1,250,000 targeted issuer bid, purchasing for cancellation 4,166,667 common shares.
    ●
    In February 2019, NXT entered into a Co-operative Agreement with AGV, for AGV to bring to proposal up to three SFD® surveys for cooperation with the Company within two years. The Co-operative Agreement is based on a cost-plus formula and a gross overriding royalty interest in oil and gas production arising on lands subject to the surveys. The Company received a US$100,000 non-refundable deposit paid in connection with the Co-operative Agreement in the second quarter of 2019. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement, the deadline to complete at least one of three SFD® surveys is June 30, 2020.
    ●
    In September 2019, the Company advanced US$250,000 (the "Principal Amount") to AGV for the purpose of furthering the shared objectives of NXT and AGV under the Co-operation Agreement. On April 30, 2018:

    50

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    13, 2020, NXT elected to receive and directed AGV to deliver US$250,000 as repayment of the Principal Amount (the "Principal Repayment).

    Table of Contents

    ●
    ·Details of stock options which have been granted to related parties during the above noted period are included with Item 6.E above. Details of stock options which have been exercised by related parties are noted below.
    ·One of the members of NXT’s Board of directors is a partner in a law firm which provides legal advice to NXT. In 2017, NXT incurred legal expenses of $172,199 with this firm, for which a total of $120,479 is included in accounts payable as at December 31, 2017. In 2018 as of the report date total fees incurred are $20,893, for which $75,415 is still outstanding.
    ·In 2017 one board member received $22,671 in compensation for services provided as the Interim CFO. During 2018 he received $22,671 as compensation as the Interim CFO.
    ·Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2017 includes a total of $14,210 related to re-imbursement of expenses owing to persons who are directors and officers of NXT. As of the report date $21,789 was outstanding to persons who are directors and officers of NXT.
    ·There were no stock options to acquire common shares of the Company exercised in 2017 by persons who were directors or officers of NXT as at the date of their exercise.

    Common share purchase warrants held by AGV have expired as of October 31, 2019.
    C.
    Interests of experts and counsel.

    Not applicable.

    ITEM 8.        
    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    A.
    Consolidated statements and other financial information.

    The Company’s consolidated financial statements are stated in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

    The financial statements and notes thereto as required under Item 8 are attached as Exhibit 15.1 to this annual report and are incorporated by reference herein. The audit report of KPMG LLP is included therein immediately preceding the consolidated financial statements and is also incorporated by reference herein.

    No significant events or changes have occurred subsequent to the date of the December 31, 20172019 consolidated financial statements, except as otherwise disclosed therein.

    Legal Proceedings

    To the best of the Company's knowledge, there are no legal or arbitration proceedings existing or pending which have had or may have, significant effects on the Company's financial position or profitability and no such proceedings are pending or known to be contemplated by governmental authorities.


    Dividend Policy

    The Company does not pay dividends.

    B.            Consolidated statements and other financial information.

    Significant Changes.
    As of April 30, 2018,May 5, 2020, there have not been any significant subsequent events which have occurred subsequent to the date of consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. NXT’s interim, unaudited consolidated financial statements for the 3-month period ended March 31, 20182020 will be released in mid-May, 2018.

    51

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    2019.

    Table of Contents

    ITEM 9. 

    THE OFFER AND LISTING

    A.            
    Offer and listing details.

    The following tables set forth the price history of the Company’s common shares listed on the OTC in the United States and on the TSX-V and the TSX in Canada.1

      OTC QBTSX-V & TSX 
    Period High LowHighLow
     (in US$)(in US$)(in Cdn$)(in Cdn$)
    5 prior fiscal years     
    Year endedDecember 31, 2017$1.19$0.32$1.57$0.39
    Year endedDecember 31, 2016$1.41$0.90$1.92$1.21
    Year endedDecember 31, 2015$ 2.17$ 0.99$ 2.73$ 1.18
    Year endedDecember 31, 2014$ 1.80$ 0.84$ 1.93$ 0.90
    Year endedDecember 31, 2013$ 1.99$ 0.56$ 2.04$ 0.56
          
    Prior Quarters     
    Quarter endedQ1 - March 31, 2018$1.04$0.75$1.34$0.96
    Quarter endedQ4 - December 31, 2017$0.96$0.32$1.20$0.41
    Quarter endedQ3 - September 30, 2017$0.98$0.32$1.23$0.39
    Quarter endedQ2 - June 30, 2017$0.99$0.64$1.33$0.85
    Quarter endedQ1 - March 31, 2017$ 1.19$ 0.82$ 1.57$ 1.08
    Quarter endedQ4 - December 31, 2016$1.22$0.96$1.59$1.32
    Quarter endedQ3 - September 30, 2016$1.25$1.02$1.65$1.34
    Quarter endedQ2 - June 30, 2016$1.21$0.95$1.55$1.35
    Quarter endedQ1 - March 31, 2016$ 1.41$ 0.90$ 1.92$ 1.21
          
    For each of the last 6 months     
    Month endedMarch 31, 2018$1.04$0.85$1.34$1.12
    Month endedFebruary 28, 2018$1.00$0.75$1.27$1.01
    Month endedJanuary 31, 2018$1.02$0.79$1.25$0.96
    Month endedDecember 31, 2017$0.96$0.49$1.20$0.65
    Month endedNovember 30, 2017$0.90$0.44$1.15$0.57
    Month endedOctober 31, 2017$0.74$0.32$0.92$0.41
    (1)    See section C. “Markets” below for further information on share trading history.  

    B.            Plan of distribution.

    Not applicable.

    C.            Markets.

    Our common shares are currently quoted in the United StatesU.S. on the OTC Markets QB Exchange under the symbol “NSFDF”, in Canada on the TSX under the symbol “SFD”. There have been no trading suspensions over the last three years.
    B.            
    Plan of distribution.
    Not applicable.
    C.            
    Markets.
    Our common shares are currently quoted in the U.S. on the OTC Markets QB Exchange under the symbol “NSFDF”, in Canada on the TSX-V under the symbol “SFD.V” (to March 21, 2016) and on the TSX under the symbol “SFD” effective from March 22, 2016, and in Europe on the Frankfurt and Berlin Exchanges (both of these listings are inactive) under the symbol “EFW”.

    The Company’s common shares commenced trading on the US Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board pursuant to a reverse takeover transaction in 1996, and were approved for listing on the Frankfurt and Berlin Exchanges in January 2004, and on the TSX-V in December 2007. Effective March 22, 2016, NXT upgraded its Canadian listing from the TSX-V to the TSX.

    52

    20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017

    Table of Contents

    D.            
    Selling shareholders.

    Not applicable.

    E.            
    Dilution.

    Not applicable.

    F.            
    Expenses of the issue.

    Not applicable.

    ITEM 10. 
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    A.            
    Share capital.

    Not applicable.


    B.            
    Memorandum and articles of association.

    NXT was incorporated in the State of Nevada.Nevada in 1994. With respect to the foregoing items, the law applicable to NXT in the Province of Alberta is not significantly different from that in the State of Nevada. NXT was established in Alberta pursuant to a Certificate of Continuance issued October 24, 2003 by the Registrar of Corporations of the Province of Alberta. NXT’s Alberta Corporate Access Number is 2010730915. The Articles of Continuance of NXT were amended to create the Series 1 Preferred Shares on December 28, 2006, and provide that there are no restrictions on the nature of the business that may be carried on by NXT. On September 19, 2008, pursuant to Articles of Amendment, the name of the Company was changed from Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. to NXT Energy Solutions Inc.

    Quorum

    The Board of directors of NXT may fix the quorum for meetings of the Board or of a committee of the Board, but unless so fixed, a majority of the directors or of a committee of directors holding office at the time of the meeting constitutes a quorum provided that no business may be transacted unless at least half of the directors present are resident Canadians. Business cannot be transacted without a quorum. A quorum of directors may vote on any matter of business properly brought before the meeting provided that where a director is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract or is a director or an officer of or has a material interest in any person who is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with NXT, such director must disclose his or her interest at the earliest possible date, request the conflict be noted in the minutes of the meeting and with few exceptions, refrain from voting on the matter in which the director has a conflict of interest. There is no limitation on the Board of directors to vote on matters of their remuneration as a director, officer, employee or agent of NXT or of an affiliate of NXT.

    Borrowing Powers

    The Board of directors may, without authorization of the shareholders of NXT:

    (a)borrow money on the credit of NXT;
    (b)issue, reissue, sell or pledge debt obligations of NXT;
    (c)subject to restrictions respecting financial assistance prescribed in the ABCA, guarantee, on behalf of NXT, the performance of an obligation of any person; and
    (d)mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any property of NXT, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation of NXT.

    (a)
    borrow money on the credit of NXT;
    (b)
    issue, reissue, sell or pledge debt obligations of NXT;
    (c)
    subject to restrictions respecting financial assistance prescribed in the ABCA, guarantee, on behalf of NXT, the performance of an obligation of any person; and
    (d)
    mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any property of NXT, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation of NXT.
    The Board of directors of NXT may, by resolution, delegate to a director, a committee of directors or an officer all or any of the foregoing borrowing powers.

    Directors

    A person is qualified to be or stand for election as a director provided such person is at least 18 years of age, is not bankrupt and is not mentally incapacitated pursuant to applicable mental health legislation of the Province of Alberta or pursuant to an order of the courts of the Province of Alberta. There is no provision in NXT’s Articles or By-Laws relating to the retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement. There is also no requirement in NXT’s Articles or By-Laws for a director to hold securities of NXT.

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    Pursuant to the ABCA, a director or officer shall not be disqualified by his office, or be required to vacate his office, by reason only that he is a party to, or is a director or officer or has a material interest in any person who is a party to, a material contract or proposed material contract with NXT or subsidiary thereof. Such a director or officer shall, however, disclose the nature and extent of his interest in the contract at the time and in the manner provided by the ABCA. Any such contract or proposed contract shall be referred to the Board of directors of NXT or shareholders for approval even if such contract is one that in the ordinary course of NXT's business would not require approval by the Board or shareholders. Subject to the provisions of the ABCA, a director shall not by reason only of his office be accountable to NXT or to its shareholders for any profit or gain realized from such a contract or transaction, and such contract or transaction shall not be void or voidable by reason only of the director's interest therein, provided that the required declaration and disclosure of interest is properly made, the contract or transaction is approved by the directors or shareholders, and it is fair and reasonable to NXT at the time it was approved and, if required by the ABCA, the director refrains from voting as a director on the contract or transaction and absents himself from the director's meeting at which the contract is authorized or approved by the directors, except attendance for the purpose of being counted in the quorum.


    Rights Attached to Common Shares

    The holders of the common shares are entitled to dividends as and when declared by the directors of NXT, to one vote per share at meetings of shareholders of NXT, and upon liquidation, subject to the rights of the holders of preferred shares, are entitled to share rateably with the holders of the common shares in all distributions of assets of NXT.

    Rights Attached to Preferred Shares

    Preferred shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of directors of NXT is expressly authorized to provide by resolution duly adopted prior to issuance, for the creation of each such series and to fix the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the shares of each such series, including the rate or amount of dividends or the method of calculating dividends, the dates of payment of dividends, the redemption, purchase and/or conversion prices and terms and conditions of redemption, purchase and/or conversion, and any sinking fund or other provisions.

    The preferred shares of each series shall, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of NXT, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other return of capital or distribution of the assets of NXT among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, rank on a parity with the preferred shares of every other series and be entitled to preference over the common shares and over any other shares of NXT, if any, ranking junior to the preferred shares. The preferred shares of any series may also be given other preferences, not inconsistent with the articles of continuance of NXT (the "Articles"), over the common shares and any other shares of NXT ranking junior to the preferred shares of a series as may be fixed by the Board of directors of NXT.

    If any cumulative dividends or amounts payable on the return of capital in respect of a series of preferred shares are not paid in full, all series of preferred shares shall participate rateably in respect of accumulated dividends and return of capital.

    Unless the Board of directors of NXT otherwise determine in the articles of amendment designating a series of preferred shares, the holder of each share of a series of preferred shares shall not, as such, be entitled to receive notice of or vote at any meeting of shareholders, except as otherwise specifically provided in the ABCA.

    Alteration of the Rights of Shareholders

    Under the ABCA, any substantive change to the Articles (including, but not limited to, change of any maximum number of shares that NXT is authorized to issue, creation of new classes of shares, add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions in respect of all or any of its shares, whether issued or unissued, change the shares of any class or series, whether issued or unissued, into a different number of shares of the same class or series or into the same or a different number of shares of other classes or series) or other fundamental changes to the capital structure of NXT, including a proposed amalgamation or continuance of NXT out of the jurisdiction, requires shareholder approval by not less than 2/3 of the votes cast by shareholders voting in person or by proxy at a shareholders’ meeting called for that purpose. In certain prescribed circumstances, holders of shares of a class or of a series are entitled to vote separately as a class or series on a proposal to amend the Articles whether or not shares of a class or series otherwise carry the right to vote. The holders of a series of shares of a class are entitled to vote separately as a series only if the series is affected by an amendment in a manner different from other shares of the same class.

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    Meetings of Shareholders

    NXT’s By-Laws provide that the Board of directors shall call an annual meeting of shareholders to be held not later than fifteen months after holding the last preceding annual meeting. NXT’s By-Laws provide that the Board of directors may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders. Only the registered holders of shares are entitled to receive notice of and vote at annual and special meetings of shareholders, except to the extent that:

    (a)if a record date is fixed, the person transfers ownership of any of the person’s shares after the record date; or

    (b)if no record date is fixed, the person transfers ownership of any of the person’s shares after the date on which the list of shareholders is prepared; and
    (c)the transferee of those shares;
    §produces properly endorsed share certificates; or
    §otherwise establishes ownership of the shares; and
    §demands, not later than ten (10) days before the meeting, that the transferee’s name be included in the list before the meeting;

    (a)
    if a record date is fixed, the person transfers ownership of any of the person’s shares after the record date; or
    (b)
    if no record date is fixed, the person transfers ownership of any of the person’s shares after the date on which the list of shareholders is prepared; and
    (c)
    the transferee of those shares;
    ●
    produces properly endorsed share certificates; or
    ●
    otherwise establishes ownership of the shares; and
    ●
    demands, not later than ten (10) days before the meeting, that the transferee’s name be included in the list before the meeting; and
    ●
    in which case the transferee is entitled to vote the shares.


    The ABCA also permits the holders of not less than 5% of the issued voting securities of NXT to give notice to the Board of directors requiring them to call and hold a meeting of NXT.

    The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders are:

    (a)the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting;
    (b)the Board of directors of NXT;
    (c)the external auditor of NXT; and
    (d)any others who, although not entitled or required under the provisions of the ABCA, any unanimous shareholder agreement, or the Articles or the By-Laws, are allowed to be present at the meeting.

    (a)
    the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting;
    (b)
    the Board of directors of NXT;
    (c)
    the external auditor of NXT; and
    (d)
    any others who, although not entitled or required under the provisions of the ABCA, any unanimous shareholder agreement, or the Articles or the By-Laws, are allowed to be present at the meeting.
    Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the Chairperson of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.

    There are no restrictions in NXT’s Articles or By-Laws as to the number of shares that may be held by non-residents other than restrictions set out in theInvestment Canada Act (the “ICA”) (Canada), as further described under Item 10.D – “Exchange Controls” below.

    Change of Control

    There are no specific provisions in the Articles or By-Laws of NXT that have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of NXT and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving NXT (or any of its subsidiaries). Notwithstanding this, the Board of directors, under the general powers conferred to it under NXT’s By-Laws, have the authority to approve and invoke a shareholders rights plan that will protect shareholders from unfair, abusive or coercive take-over strategies, including the acquisition or control of NXT by a bidder in a transaction or series of transactions that does not treat all shareholders equally or fairly or that does not afford all shareholders an equal opportunity to share in any premium paid upon an acquisition of control. NXT has not adopted such a plan.

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    Shareholder Ownership Disclosure

    There are no provisions in NXT’s By-Laws regarding public disclosure of individual shareholdings.

    C.            
    Material contracts.

    Each material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the Company has been a party, for the two years immediately preceding publication of this annual report, is summarized elsewhere herein.

    Please see Item 4. B for description of the AGV Co-operative Agreement, the AGV Notes Receivable, the Targeted Issuer Bid, and the Nigerian SFD® survey with PE Energy. Also see Item 3. D for a description of the Sales Leaseback contract.

    D.            
    Exchange controls.

    There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada relating to restrictions on the export or import of capital, or affecting the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-residents. Dividends paid to U.S. residents, however, are subject to a 15% withholding tax or a 5% withholding tax for dividends if the shareholder is a corporation owning at least 10% of the outstanding voting shares of NXT pursuant to Article X of the reciprocal tax treaty between Canada and the U.S.


    Except as provided in the ICA, which has provisions that restrict the holding of voting shares by non-Canadians, there are no limitations specific to the rights of non-Canadians to hold or vote the common shares under the laws of Canada or the Province of Alberta, or in the charter documents of NXT or its subsidiaries.

    Management of NXT believes that the following summary fairly describes those provisions of the ICA pertinent to an investment in NXT by a person who is not a Canadian resident (a “non-Canadian”).

    The ICA requires a non-Canadian making an investment which would result in the acquisition of control of a Canadian business (i.e. the gross value of the assets of which exceed a certain monetary threshold) to identify, notify, or file an application for review with the Investment Review Division of Industry Canada (“IRD”).

    The notification procedure involves a brief statement of information about the investment on a prescribed form which is required to be filed with the IRD by the investor at any time up to 30 days following implementation of the investment. It is intended that investments requiring only notification will proceed without government intervention unless the investment is in a specific type of business activity related to Canada’s cultural heritage and national identity.

    If an investment is reviewable under the ICA, an application for review in the form prescribed is normally required to be filed with the IRD prior to the investment taking place and the investment may not be implemented until the review has been completed and the Minister of Industry Canada (the “Minister”) (the Minister responsible for Investment Canada) is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. The Minister has up to 75 days to make this determination. If the Minister is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, the non-Canadian must not implement the investment or, if the investment has been implemented, may be required to divest himself of control of the business that is the subject of the investment.

    The following investments by non-Canadians are subject to notification under the ICA:

    1.An investment to establish a new Canadian business; and
    2.An investment to acquire control of a Canadian business that is not reviewable pursuant to the Act.

    1.
    An investment to establish a new Canadian business; and
    2.
    An investment to acquire control of a Canadian business that is not reviewable pursuant to the Act.
    The following investments by a non-Canadian are subject to review under the ICA:

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    1.An investment is reviewable if there is an acquisition of a Canadian business and the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired equals or exceeds the following thresholds:

    (a)For non-World Trade Organization (“WTO”) investors, the threshold is $5 million for a direct acquisition and $50 million for an indirect acquisition; the $5 million threshold will apply however for an indirect acquisition if the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired exceeds 50% of the asset value of the global transaction;

    (b)Except as specified in paragraph (c) below, a threshold is calculated annually for reviewable direct acquisitions by or from WTO investors. The threshold for 2012 was $330 million. Pursuant to Canada’s international commitments, indirect acquisitions by or from WTO investors are not reviewable;

    (c)The limits set out in paragraph (a) apply to all investors for acquisitions of a Canadian business that:

    1.
    An investment is reviewable if there is an acquisition of a Canadian business and the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired equals or exceeds the following thresholds:
    (a)
    For non-World Trade Organization (“WTO”) investors, the threshold is $5 million for a direct acquisition and $50 million for an indirect acquisition; the $5 million threshold will apply however for an indirect acquisition if the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired exceeds 50% of the asset value of the global transaction;
    (b)
    Except as specified in paragraph (c) below, a threshold is calculated annually for reviewable direct acquisitions by or from WTO investors. The threshold for 2012 was $330 million. Pursuant to Canada’s international commitments, indirect acquisitions by or from WTO investors are not reviewable;
    (c)
    The limits set out in paragraph (a) apply to all investors for acquisitions of a Canadian business that:
    (i)
    engages in the production of uranium and owns an interest in a producing uranium property in Canada;

    (ii)
    provides any financial service;

    (iii)
    provides any transportation services; or

    (iv)
    is a cultural business.

    Notwithstanding the above, any investment which is usually only notifiable, including the establishment of a new Canadian business, and which falls within a specific business activity, including the publication and distribution of books, magazines, newspapers, film or video recordings, audio or video music recordings, or music in print or machine-readable form may be reviewed if an Order-in-Council directing a review is made and a notice is sent to the investor within 21 days following the receipt of a certified complete notification.


    Generally speaking, an acquisition is direct if it involves the acquisition of control of the Canadian business or of its direct or indirect Canadian parent and an acquisition is indirect if it involves the acquisition of control of a non-Canadian direct or indirect parent of an entity carrying on the Canadian business. No change of voting control will be deemed to have occurred if less than one-third of the voting control of a Canadian corporation is acquired by an investor.

    A WTO investor, as defined in the ICA, includes an individual who is a national of a member country of the WTO or who has the right of permanent residence in relation to that WTO member, a government or government agency of a WTO investor-controlled corporation, a limited partnership, trust or joint venture that is neither WTO-investor controlled or Canadian controlled of which two-thirds of its Board of directors, general partners or trustees, as the case may be, are any combination of Canadians and WTO investors.

    The ICA exempts certain transactions from the notification and review provisions of ICA, including, among others, (a) an acquisition of voting shares if the acquisition were made in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities; (b) an acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of a security interest granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the ICA; (c) the acquisition of voting interests by any person in the ordinary course of a business carried on by that person that consists of providing, in Canada, venture capital on terms and conditions not inconsistent with such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Minister; and (d) acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the Company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged.

    E.            
    Taxation.

    Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

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    The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares of the Company.

    This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including, without limitation, specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable income tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. In addition, except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.

    No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the conclusions described in this summary.


    Scope of this Summary

    Authorities

    This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and U.S. court decisions that are applicable, and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this document. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied retroactively. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation.

    U.S. Holders

    For purposes of this summary, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of common shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

    ·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) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
    ·an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
    ·a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

    ●
    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) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
    ●
    an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
    ●
    a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
    U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed

    This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position;integrated transaction; (f) acquire common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) are requiredsubject to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to common shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;special accounting rules; or (i) own, have owned or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power or value of the outstanding shares of the Company. This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; (b) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”); (c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold common shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Tax Act; or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.

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    If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity or arrangement and the partners (or other owners or participants) of such entity or arrangement generally will depend on the activities of the entity or arrangement and the status of such partners (or owners or participants). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partner (or owner or participants). Partners (or other owners or participants) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as “pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.


    Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

    PFIC Status of the Company

    If the Company were to constitute a “passive foreign investment company” under the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code (a “PFIC”, as defined below)PFIC for any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, then certain potentially adverse rules maywould affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder as a result ofresulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. [The Company believes that it was classified asnot a PFIC for the tax year ended December 31, 2017, but based on current business plans and financial expectations, the Company does not anticipate that it will be a PFIC for its current tax year.] [NTD: Company to confirm.]2019. No opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning the status of the Company as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested. The determinationHowever, PFIC classification is fundamentally factual in nature, generally cannot be determined until the close of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for athe tax year in question and is determined annually. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on the assets and income of such corporation over the course of each such tax year and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this document. Accordingly,Consequently, there can be no assurance that the IRSCompany has never been and will not challengebecome a PFIC for any determination made by the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) concerning its PFIC status. Eachtax year during which U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the PFIC status of the Company and each subsidiary of the Company.

    Holders hold shares.

    In addition, in any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require. In addition to penalties, aA failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621.

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    The Company generally will be a PFIC under Section 1297 of the Code if, after the application of certain “look-through” rules with respect to subsidiaries in which the Company holds at least 25% of the value of such subsidiary, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company for such tax year is passive income (the “PFIC income“income test”) or (b) 50% or more of the value of the Company’s assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”), based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets (the “PFIC asset test”).assets. “Gross income” generally includes all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income” generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.

    For purposes Active business gains arising from the sale of commodities generally are excluded from passive income if substantially all of a foreign corporation’s commodities are stock in trade or inventory, depreciable property used in a trade or business or supplies regularly used or consumed in the PFIC income testordinary course of its trade or business, and PFIC asset test described above, if the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, the Company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and PFIC asset test described above, and assuming certain other requirements are met, “passive income” does not include certain interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by the Company from certain “related persons” (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code) also organized in Canada, to the extent such items are properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income.

    Under certain attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will generally be deemed to own their proportionate share of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interest in any company that is also a PFIC (a ‘‘Subsidiary PFIC’’), and will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their proportionate share of (a) any “excess distributions,” as described below, on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC and (b) a disposition or deemed disposition of the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC by the Company or another Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holders directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any indirect gain realized on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC on the sale or disposition of common shares. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should be aware that they could be subject to tax under the PFIC rules even if no distributions are received and no redemptions or other dispositions of common shares are made.

    Default PFIC Rules under Section 1291 of the Code

    satisfied.

    If the Company iswere a PFIC forin any tax year during which a U.S. Holder owns commonheld shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares will depend on whether and when such U.S. Holder makes an election to treat the Company and each Subsidiary PFIC, if any, as a “qualified electing fund” or “QEF” under Section 1295 of the Code (a “QEF Election”) or makes a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code (a “Mark-to-Market Election”). A U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election will be referred to in this summary as a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder.”

    A Non-Electing U.S. Holder willholder generally would be subject to thespecial rules of Section 1291 of the Code (described below) with respect to (a) any gain recognized“excess distributions” made by the Company on the sale or other taxableshares and with respect to gain from the disposition of common shares and (b) anyshares. An “excess distribution” received ongenerally is defined as the common shares. A distribution generally will be an “excess distribution”excess of distributions with respect to the extent that such distribution (together with all other distributionsshares received by a U.S Holder in the currentany tax year) exceedsyear over 125% of the average annual distributions such U.S. Holder has received from the Company during the shorter of the three preceding tax years, (or during aor such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares, if shorter).

    Under Section 1291 ofshares. Generally, a U.S. Holder would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares (including an indirect disposition of the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC), and any “excess distribution” received on common shares or with respect to the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC, must be ratably allocated to each day in a Non-Electing U.S. Holder’sover its holding period for the respective common shares. The amountSuch amounts allocated to the year of any such gainthe disposition or excess distribution allocated to the tax year of disposition or distribution of the excess distribution and to years before the entity became a PFIC, if any, would be taxed as ordinary income, (and not eligible for certain preferred rates). Theand amounts allocated to any otherprior tax yearyears would be subject to U.S. federaltaxed as ordinary income tax at the highest tax rate applicable to ordinary income in effect for each such year and an interest charge at a rate applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed on the tax liability for each such year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such year. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder that is not a corporation must treat any such interest paid as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.

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    If the Company is a PFIC for any tax year during which a Non-Electing U.S. Holder holds common shares, the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such Non-Electing U.S. Holder, regardless of whether the Company ceases to be a PFIC in one or more subsequent tax years. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above), but not loss, as if such common shares were sold on the last day of the last tax year for which the Company was a PFIC.

    QEF Election

    A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election for the first tax year in which the holding period of its common shares begins generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to its common shares. A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election will be subject to

    While there are U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of (a) the net capital gain of the Company, which willelections that sometimes can be taxed as long-term capital gainmade to such U.S. Holder, and (b) the ordinary earnings of the Company, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder. Generally, “net capital gain” is the excess of (a) net long-term capital gain over (b) net short-term capital loss, and “ordinary earnings” are the excess of (a) “earnings and profits” over (b) net capital gain. A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such amounts for each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such U.S. Holder by the Company. However, for any tax year in which the Company is a PFIC and has no net income or gain, U.S. Holders that have made a QEF Election would not have any income inclusions as a result of the QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder that made a QEF Election has an income inclusion, such a U.S. Holder may, subject to certain limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. If such U.S. Holder is not a corporation, any such interest paid will be treated as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.

    A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election with respect to the Company generally (a) may receive a tax-free distribution from the Company to the extent that such distribution represents “earnings and profits” of the Company that were previously included in income by the U.S. Holder because of such QEF Election and (b) will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in income or allowed as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF Election. In addition, a U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares.

    The procedure for making a QEF Election, and the U.S. federal incomemitigate these adverse tax consequences of making a QEF Election, will depend on whether such QEF Election is timely. A QEF Election will be treated as “timely” if such QEF Election is made for(including the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares in which the Company was a PFIC. A U.S. Holder may make a timely QEF Election by filing the appropriate QEF Election documents at the time such U.S. Holder files a U.S. federal income tax return for such year. If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely and effective QEF Election for the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares, the U.S. Holder may still be able to make a timely and effective QEF Election in a subsequent year if such U.S. Holder meets certain requirements and makes a “purging” election to recognize gain (which will be taxed“QEF Election” under the rules of Section 12911295 of the Code discussed above) as ifand the “Mark-to-Market Election” under Section 1296 of the Code), such common shares were sold for their fair market value on the day the QEF Election is effective. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election but does not make a “purging” election to recognize gain as discussedelections are available in the preceding sentence, then such U.S. Holder shall be subject to the QEF Election ruleslimited circumstances and shall continue to be subject to tax under the rules of Section 1291 discussed above with respect to its common shares. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through another PFIC, separate QEF Elections must be made for the PFIC in which the U.S. Holder is a direct shareholder and the Subsidiary PFIC for the QEF rules to apply to both PFICs.

    A QEF Election will apply to the tax year for which such QEF Election is timely made and to all subsequent tax years, unless such QEF Election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of such QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election and, in a subsequent tax year, the Company ceases to be a PFIC, the QEF Election will remain in effect (although it will not be applicable) during those tax years in which the Company is not a PFIC. Accordingly, if the Company becomes a PFIC in another subsequent tax year, the QEF Election will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the QEF rules described above during any subsequent tax year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC.

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    U.S. Holders should be aware that, there can be no assurances that the Company will satisfy the record keeping requirements that apply to a QEF, or that the Company will supply U.S. Holders with information that such U.S. Holders are required to report under the QEF rules, in the eventfor each tax year, if any, that the Company is a PFIC, includingthe Company can provide no assurances that it will satisfy the record-keeping requirements of a PFIC, Annual Information Statement. Thus,or that it will make available to U.S. Holders may not be ablethe information such U.S. Holders require to make a QEF Election with respect to their common shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a QEF Election.

    A U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return. However, if the Company does not provide the required information with regard to the Company or any of its Subsidiary PFICs, U.S. Holders will not be able to make a QEF Election for such entity and will continue to be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed abovesubsidiary that apply to Non-Electing U.S. Holders with respect to the taxation of gains and excess distributions.

    Mark-to-Market Election

    A U.S. Holder may make a Mark-to-Market Election only if the common shares are marketable stock. The common shares generally will be “marketable stock” if the common shares are regularly traded on (a) a national securities exchange thatalso is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) the national market system established pursuant to section 11A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or (c) a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located, provided that (i) such foreign exchange has trading volume, listing, financial disclosure, and surveillance requirements, and meets other requirements and the laws of the country in which such foreign exchange is located, together with the rules of such foreign exchange, ensure that such requirements are actually enforced and (ii) the rules of such foreign exchange effectively promote active trading of listed stocks. If such stock is traded on such a qualified exchange or other market, such stock generally will be “regularly traded” for any calendar year during which such stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Provided that the common shares are “regularly traded” as described in the preceding sentence, the common shares are expected to be marketable stock. However, each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor in this regard.

    A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to its common shares generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to such common shares. However, if a U.S. Holder does not make a Mark-to-Market Election beginning in the first tax year of such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares for which the Company is a PFIC and such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF Election, the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above will apply to certain dispositions of, and distributions on, the common shares.

    A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will include in ordinary income, for each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the common shares, as of the close of such tax year over (b) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such common shares. A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares, over (b) the fair market value of such common shares (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included incomeclassified as a result of the Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years).

    A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election generally also will adjust such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election. In addition, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will recognize ordinary income or ordinary loss (not to exceed the excess, if any, of (a) the amount included in ordinary income because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years over (b) the amount allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years). Losses that exceed this limitation are subject to the rules generally applicable to losses provided in the Code and Treasury Regulations.

    A U.S. Holder makes a Mark-to-Market Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 to a timely filed United States federal income tax return. A Mark-to-Market Election applies to the tax year in which such Mark-to-Market Election is made and to each subsequent tax year, unless the common shares cease to be “marketable stock” or the IRS consents to revocation of such election. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.

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    Although a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common shares, no such election may be made with respect to the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC that a U.S. Holder is treated as owning, because such stock is not marketable. Hence, the Mark-to-Market Election will not be effective to avoid the application of the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code described above with respect to deemed dispositions of Subsidiary PFIC stock or excess distributions from a Subsidiary PFIC to its shareholder.

    Other PFIC Rules

    Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would cause a U.S. Holder that had not made a timely QEF Election to recognize gain (but not loss) upon certain transfers of common shares that would otherwise be tax-deferred (e.g., gifts and exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations). However, the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder may vary based on the manner in which common shares are transferred.

    Certain additional adverse rules may apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether suchthe U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. For example, under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. HolderThese rules include special rules that uses common shares as security for a loan will, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such common shares.

    Special rules also apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. Subject to suchthese special rules, foreign taxes paid with respect to any distribution in respect of stock in a PFIC are generally eligible for the foreign tax credit. The rules relating to distributions by a PFIC and their eligibility for the foreign tax credit are complicated, and a U.S. HolderHolders should consult with itstheir own tax advisors regarding the availabilitypotential application of the foreign tax credit with respect to distributions by a PFIC.

    The PFIC rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules and howto the PFIC rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.

    shares, and the availability of certain U.S. tax elections under the PFIC rules.


    General Rules Applicable to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares

    The following discussion describes the general rules applicable to the ownership and disposition of the common shares but is subject in its entirety to the special rules described above under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

    Distributions on Common Shares

    A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a common share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current and accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A dividend generally will be taxed to a U.S. Holder at ordinary income tax rates if the Company is a PFIC for the tax year of such distribution or the preceding tax year. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated “earnings and profits” of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares. (See “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below). However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of its earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder may have to assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on common shares by corporate U.S. Holders generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction.” Subject to applicable limitations and provided the Company is eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, dividends paid by the Company to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for dividends, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that the Company not be classified as a PFIC in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the application of such rules.

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    Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares

    Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of cash received plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder's tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in common shares generally will be such holder’s U.S. dollar cost for such common shares. Gain or loss recognized on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the common shares have been held for more than one year.

    Preferential tax rates currently apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.

    Additional Considerations

    Additional Tax on Passive Income

    Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts (other than trusts that are exempt from tax) will be subject to a 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes dividends on the common shares and net gains from the disposition of the common shares. Further, excess distributions treated as dividends, gains treated as excess distributions under the PFIC rules discussed above, and mark-to-market inclusions and deductions are all included in the calculation of net investment income.

    Treasury Regulations provide, subject to the election described in the following paragraph, that solely for purposes of this additional tax, that distributions of previously taxed income will be treated as dividends and included in net investment income subject to the additional 3.8% tax. Additionally, to determine the amount of any capital gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares that will be subject to the additional tax on net investment income, a U.S. Holder who has made a QEF Election will be required to recalculate its basis in the common shares excluding QEF basis adjustments.

    Alternatively, a U.S. Holder may make an election which will be effective with respect to all interests in controlled foreign corporations and QEFs held in that year or acquired in future years. Under this election, a U.S. Holder pays the additional 3.8% tax on QEF income inclusions and on gains calculated after giving effect to related tax basis adjustments. U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to any of their income or gains in respect of the common shares.

    Receipt of Foreign Currency

    The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). A U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.


    Foreign Tax Credit

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    Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the common shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income that is subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.

    Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder’s worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder’s various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. However, the amount of a distribution with respect to the common shares that is treated as a “dividend” may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. The foreign tax credit rules are complex and involve the application of rules that depend on a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. Accordingly, each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.

    Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

    Under U.S. federal income tax law, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on individuals who are U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain thresholds. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.

    Payments made within the U.S., or by a U.S. payer or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, common shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 24%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

    The discussion of reporting requirements set forth above is not intended to constitute a complete description of all reporting requirements that may apply to a U.S. Holder. A failure to satisfy certain reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax and, under certain circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any unsatisfied reporting requirement. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.

    THE ABOVE SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF ALL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. HOLDERS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THEM IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

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    F.            
    Dividends and paying agents.

    Not applicable – The Company is filing this Form 20-F as an annual report.

    applicable.

    G.            
    Statement by experts.

    Not applicable – The Company is filing this form 20-F as an annual report.

    applicable.

    H.            
    Documents on display.

    We will furnish our shareholders with annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. We intend, although we are not obligated to do so, to furnish when requested by our shareholders quarterly reports by mail with the assistance of a corporate services provider, which will include unaudited interim financial information prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP for each of the three quarters of each fiscal year following the end of each such quarter. We may discontinue providing quarterly reports at any time without prior notice to our shareholders. For additional information on the Company, please consult our website at www.nxtenergy.com, or the SEDAR website at http://sedar.com.

    www.sedar.com.

    Our reports and other information, including this annual report and the exhibits hereto, as filed with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, copies of such reports and other information filed with the SEC can be obtained from www.sec.gov.

    ITEM 11.     11.0 
    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

    As at December 31, 20172019 and to date in 2018,2020, we do not have any interest bearing debt facilities or any forward / futures hedging contracts in place to manage risks related to foreign currency or interest rate fluctuations.

    Currency Fluctuations

    We currently hold our cash in both Canadian and United States of America currency, as we generally bill revenues in U.S. currency, and periodically hold certain short-term monetary assets and liabilities in other foreign currencies. Any transaction in a currency other than the Canadian dollar exposes usNXT to the impact of exchange rate fluctuations between the Canadian and the foreign currencies. We do not currently engage in hedging activities to mitigate the effects of foreign currency fluctuation, and are reviewing opportunities to do so.

    At

    As at December 31, 20172019, we held U.S $dollar cash and short term investments totaling US$1,598.2,436,411. Accordingly, a hypothetical 10% change in the value of one U.S. $dollar expressed in Canadian dollars as at December 31, 20172019 would have had a $160$243,641 effect on the unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss for the year.

    Interest Fluctuations

    At

    As at December 31, 20162019, we held a total of $1,116,618$6,639,756 in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments. If all this cash was held in an interest bearing account for a full year, an actual 1% change in interest rates during the year ended December 31, 20172019 would have resulted in approximately an $11,166a $66,398 change in interest income for the year.

    We caution that the factors referred to above and those referred to as part of particular forward-looking statements may not be exhaustive and that new risk factors emerge from time to time in our rapidly changing business environment.
    ITEM 12. 
    DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

    Not applicable.

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    PART II

    ITEM 13. 
    DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

    There have not been any defaults, dividend arrears or delinquencies.

    ITEM 14. 
    MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

    There have been no material modifications to the rights of security holders except as outlined in Item 4.B “Summary information on dependence on patents, licenses and contracts” within this Form 20-F.

    ITEM 15. 
    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

    Disclosure Controls and Procedures
    We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures (“DCP”) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports is accumulated and communicated to management, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

    Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
    The Company's Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”, together the "Responsible Officers") are responsible for establishing and maintaining DCP, or causing them to be designed under their supervision, for NXT to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is made known to the Responsible Officers by others within the organization, particularly during the period in which the Company's quarterly and year-end financial statements, Form 20-F and Canadian MD&A are being prepared.

    As of December 31, 20172019, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Responsible Officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s DCP as defined under the rules adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act. The evaluation concluded that there are material weaknesses in the Company’s ICFR that have a direct impact on the Company’s DCP as discussed in more detail below.

    Our management, under the supervision of the Responsible Officers, is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our Responsible Officers assessed the effectiveness of our ICFR as of December 31, 2017.2019. In making this assessment, they used the criteria established inInternal Control – Integrated Framework 2013, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

    Our ICFR were not required to be independently audited. Accordingly, no independent audit was performed over the effectiveness of internal controls as at December 31, 20172019 and this annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding ICFR. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.


    During this process, we identified the following material weaknesses in the Company’s ICFR that have a direct impact on the Company’s DCP:

    ·Due to the limited number of staff, it is not feasible to achieve adequate segregation of incompatible duties. NXT mitigates this deficiency by adding management and Audit Committee review procedures over the areas where inadequate segregation of duties are of the greatest concern, and
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    ·NXT does not have a sufficient level of staff with specialized expertise to adequately conduct separate preparation and a subsequent independent review of certain complex or highly judgmental accounting issues. These complex areas have historically included accounting for income taxes and equity related transactions. NXT mitigates this deficiency by preparing financial statements with their best judgments and estimates of the complex accounting matters and relies on reviews by management, external consultants and the Audit Committee for quality assurance.

    ●
    due to the limited number of staff, it is not feasible to achieve adequate segregation of incompatible duties – NXT mitigates this deficiency by adding management and Audit Committee review procedures over the areas where inadequate segregation of duties are of the greatest concern; and
    ●
    NXT does not have a sufficient level of staff with specialized expertise to adequately conduct separate preparation and a subsequent independent review of certain complex or highly judgmental accounting issues – NXT mitigates this deficiency by preparing financial statements with their best judgments and estimates of the complex accounting matters and relies on reviews by management, external consultants and the Audit Committee for quality assurance.
    From time to time to reduce these risks and to supplement a small corporate finance function, the Company engages various outside experts and advisors to assist with various accounting, controls and tax issues in the normal course. In addition the Company has retained a part time controller to assist in these matters.

    Notwithstanding NXT’s efforts to mitigate the risks associated with the above-mentioned deficiencies, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company's ICFR are not effective and as a result its DCP are not effective as at December 31, 2017.2019. NXT reached this conclusion based upon their assessment that there is more than a remote likelihood that its ICFR will not prevent or detect material misstatements if they should exist in our consolidated financial statements.

    NXT has therefore further taken on a process of continuous improvement in financial reporting and disclosure policies and responsibilities from which we continue to expect to see benefits over the course of 2020.

    It should be noted that a control system, including the Company’s DCP and ICFR procedures, no matter how well conceived, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met and it should not be expected that the DCP and ICFR will prevent all errors or fraud.

    Changes in Internal Controls

    During the 3 month period ended December 31, 2017, a majority

    The small size of the Company’sCompany's finance team including its CFOhas resulted in control deficiencies in maintaining DCPs and Accounting Analyst, leftICFR that in turn have led to a recurrence of previously identified deficient disclosure.  Given the Company.  Prior to the departuresmall size of the Company’s previous CFO at the end of November 2017, NXT contracted a part-time Controller starting on November 27, 2017, who is now engaged on a full-time basis,Companies finance team and in order to assist in the transition of finance and disclosure responsibilities for the Company.  During December 2017 and January 2018, one of the Company’s board members took the role of interim CFO until the Company’s current CFO took office on February 1, 2018.  The transition to new financial management and limited overlap between personnel have resulted in a temporary weakening of ICFR.  To address this issue and improve ICFR moving forward, management has established a practice of increased engagement of the Company’sCompany's Disclosure Committee and Audit CommitteesCommittee in reviewing the public disclosure and has increased engagement of external consultants and legal counsel as well.  Notwithstanding,
    NXT's efforts to mitigate the Company recognizesrisks associated with the above-mentioned deficiencies has resulted in continuous improvements in its disclosure practicesDCPs. The Responsible Officers concluded that, as at December 31, 2019, the Company's ICFR have improved, but are still have deficienciesnot effective and has therefore further taken onas a result its DCPs are still not sufficiently effective. NXT reached this conclusion based upon its assessment that there is a more than remote likelihood that its ICFR will not prevent or detect material misstatements if they should exist in the Company's consolidated financial statements. NXT continues a process ofcontinuous improvement in financial reporting and disclosure policies and responsibilities from which we expectthe Company expects to see continued benefits in 2020. The Responsible Officers continue to take certain actions to remediate these material weaknesses including: (i) the implementation of new controls with regards to the review procedures surrounding its disclosure; and (ii) engagement of third-party specialists. In addition, the Company has appointed its Corporate Controller as the new Chief Financial Officer as of August 1, 2019. The Chief Financial Officer engages subject matter consultants as the need arises.
    The new controls over financial reporting and disclosure policies and responsibilities have been performed over seven quarterly periods. Material weaknesses cannot be considered remediated until the courseremedial controls operate for a sufficient period of 2018.

    time and Responsible Officers have concluded through testing that these controls are operating effectively.

    It should be noted that a control system, including the Company's DCPs and ICFR procedures, no matter how well conceived, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met, and it should not be expected that the DCPs and ICFR will prevent all errors or fraud.  
    There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the period ended December 31, 2017.

    2019.


    ITEM 16A. 
    AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

    Our Board of Directors has determined that we have at least one audit committee “financial expert” (as defined under Item 16.A of Form 20-F) serving on our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Wilcox (Chair), Ingriselli, Selby and Tilson. Each member of the NXT Audit Committee has relevant experience in understanding and evaluating financial information, generally accepted accounting principles, control systems and audit committee functions. Each member of NXT’s Audit Committee is considered a financial expert, and each is anMessrs. Wilcox, Ingriselli, and Tilson are “independent” director,directors, as that term is defined under the listing standards of NASDAQ.

    ITEM 16B. 
    CODE OF ETHICS

    NXT has in place a Code of Conduct & Business Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of our directors, officers, employees, and consultants. This Code of Conduct is incorporated in our Employee Handbook, is an integral part of our employee contracts and our Employee Handbook and contains Company policies on Business Ethics, Employee Practices and Conflicts of Interest.

    During 2017,2019, the Company did not significantly amend its Code of Conduct or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code of Conduct to any of its directors, officers or employees. Copies of NXT’s Code of Conduct are available without charge to any person upon request from NXT’s Chief Financial Officer at nxt_info@nxtenergy.com or at NXT’s headquarters at Suite 302, 3320 – 17th Avenue SW, Calgary Alberta, Canada, T3E 0B4, and on the Company website.

    website, www.nxtenergy.com.

    ITEM 16C. 
    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

    The following table sets forth the aggregate audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees of our principal accountants and all other fees billed for products and services provided by our principal accountants for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016.

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    2018.

    Table of Contents

     20172016
    Audit fees$143,420$ 125,250
    Audit related fees – Colombia branch-8,910
    Audit related fees – Bolivian branch9,8009,509
     153,220143,669
    Tax fees--
    Other Audit Related Fees16,72017,500
      Total fees169,940161,169

     
     
    2019
     
     
     2018
     
    Audit fees
     $136,470 
     $126,810 
    Tax fees
      18,340 
      5,510 
    Total fees
      154,810 
      132,320 
    Audit Committee’s Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

    Our Audit Committee nominates and engages our independent auditors to audit our financial statements. Our Audit Committee also requires management to obtain the Audit Committee’s approval on a case-by-case basis before engaging our independent auditors to provide any audit or permitted non-audit services to the Company or any of our subsidiaries. All fees shown have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

    ITEM 16D. 
    EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

    Not applicable.

    ITEM 16E. 
    PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

    The Company did not directly, or through

    Period
     
    Total Number of Shares Purchased
     
     
    Average Price Paid per Shares
     
     
    Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
     
     
    Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
     
    November 15, 2019 – December 9, 2019
      4,166,667 
     $.30 
      4,166,667 
      0 



    Targeted Issuer Bid
    Between November 15, 2019 (the "TIB Commencement Date") and December 9, 2019 (the "TIB Completion Date"), NXT purchased for cancellation an affiliate purchaser, purchase shares or other unitsaggregate of any class4,166,667 Common Shares, representing approximately 6.08% of the issuer’s equity securities that is registered68,573,558 Common Shares outstanding as at the TIB Commencement Date. The purchase price of $0.30 per Common Share represented a discount of approximately 22.9% relative to the market price of $0.389 per Common Share as at the TIB Commencement Date. Gross proceeds received by the issuer pursuant to section 12AGV totaled approximately $1,250,000.00, representing approximately 6.1% of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 781)Company's market capitalization of approximately $26,675,114.062 as at the TIB Commencement Date.
    The terms of the Targeted Issuer Bid also provided that the 3,421,648 Warrants expired effective October 31, 2019, and that certain deadlines under the Co-operation Agreement be extended. AGV's registered ownership in the Company was reduced from 10,264,946 Common Shares and 3,421,648 Warrants, representing, on a fully diluted basis, approximately 20.0% of the 68,573,558 issued and outstanding Common Shares as at the TIB Commencement Date, to 6,098,279 Common Shares and nil Warrants, representing approximately 9.5% of the 64,406,891 issued and outstanding Common Shares as at the TIB Completion Date.
    By strategically acquiring its Common Shares for cancellation in a private transaction at a discount to the then current market price, the Company improved the equity position of its other shareholders and provided AGV with additional funds necessary to continue advancing the common objectives of the parties under the Co-operation Agreement, while also avoiding a substantial decrease in the market price and liquidity of the Common Shares reasonably expected if AGV were to sell a substantial portion of its equity position into the open market.
    The Targeted Issuer Bid was exempt from the formal valuation and disinterested shareholder approval requirements typically applicable to related party transactions under applicable securities laws as neither the fair market value of the Common Shares (approximately $1,620,833.46) nor the consideration received by AGV for the Common Shares (approximately $1,250,000.00) exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization at the TIB Commencement Date (approximately $26,675,114.06).

    ITEM 16F. 
    CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

    Not applicable.

    ITEM 16G. 
    CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

    Not applicable.

    ITEM 16H. 
    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

    Not applicable.

    PART III

    ITEM 17. 
    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    The Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and included in Item 818 to this annual report.

    ITEM 18. 
    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    Not applicable as the Company has filed its

    The Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

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    ITEM 19. 

    EXHIBITS

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit No.Description
    1.1

    Articles of Incorporation of Auric Mining Corporation as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on September 27, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on June 29, 1998)

    1.2

    Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Auric Mining Corporation as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on February 23, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on June 29, 1998)

    1.3
    Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on April 1, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on June 29, 1998)

    1.4

    Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Pinnacle Oil International, Inc. as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on June 13, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to our Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 as filed on July 28, 2000)

    1.5

    Articles of Amendment of Energy Exploration Technologies Inc. as filed with the province of Alberta, Canada on September 22, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.8 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed on June 29, 2009)

    1.6

    Amendment to the Articles of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (incorporated by reference to Item V of Exhibit 99.1 to Form 6-K as filed on September 20, 2013)

    1.7

    NXT Energy Solutions Inc. By-Law No. 1 (incorporated by reference to Schedule “D” to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 6-K as filed on September 20, 2013)

    4.1
    2.1

    Description of Securities
    4.1
    Form of Indemnification Agreement between NXT Energy Solutions Inc. and each of its Directors and Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed on April 30, 2014)

    4.2

    SFD®SFD® Technology Ownership Agreement dated December 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to Form 6-K as filed on January 12, 2007)

    4.3

    Technology Transfer Agreement dated December 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to Form 6-K as filed on January 12, 2007)

    8.1

    List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed on April 30, 2014)

    11.1

    Code of Conduct and Business Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed on April 30, 2014)

    12.1
    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President
    12.2

    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer

    13.1
    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and President
    13.2

    Section 1350 Certification of VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer

    15.1
    Consolidated Financial Statements and Audit report of KPMG LLP for the year ended December 31, 20172019
    15.2
    Consent of KPMG LLP
    15.3
    Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 20172019

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    SIGNATURES

    The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

    NXT Energy Solutions Inc.

    By:/s/ /s/ George Liszicasz

           George Liszicasz

           Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

    Dated: April30, 2018

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    Exhibit 12.1

    CERTIFICATION

    I, George Liszicasz, certify that:

    1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.;

    2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

    3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

    4. The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

    (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

    (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

    (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

    (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

    5. The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s Board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

    (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

    (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

    Dated:April 30, 2018

    /s/ George Liszicasz

    George Liszicasz

    Chief Executive Officer and President

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    Exhibit 12.2

    CERTIFICATION

    I, Jakub Brogowski, certify that:

    1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.;

    2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

    3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

    4. The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

    (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

    (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

    (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

    (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

    5. The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s Board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

    (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

    (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

    Dated:April 30, 2018

    /s/ Jakub Brogowski

    Jakub Brogowski

    VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer

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    Exhibit 13.1

    Certification
    Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
    Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

    Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 1350(a) and (b)), the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (the “Company”) that the Annual Report of the Company on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

    Dated: April30, 2018

    /s/ George Liszicasz

    George Liszicasz

    Chief Executive Officer and President

    A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906 HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND WILL BE RETAINED BY NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.

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    Exhibit 13.2

    Certification
    Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
    Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

    Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 1350(a) and (b)), the undersigned hereby certifies in his capacity as an officer of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. (the “Company”) that the Annual Report of the Company on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

    Dated: April30, 2018

    /s/ Jakub Brogowski

    Jakub Brogowski

    VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer

    A SIGNED ORIGINAL OF THIS WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 906 HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND WILL BE RETAINED BY NXT ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC. AND FURNISHED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ITS STAFF UPON REQUEST.

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    Exhibit 15.2



    KPMG LLP
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    Fax (403) 691-8008
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    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

    ACCOUNTINGFIRM

    The Board of Directors
    NXT Energy Solutions Inc.

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 333-89251, 333-108465, 333-129803 and 333-146890) on Form S-8 of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. of our report dated April 30, 2018, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of NXT Energy Solutions Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and explanatory information, which report appears in the December 31, 2017 annual report on Form 20-F of NXT Energy Solutions Inc.


    Chartered Professional Accountants
    Calgary, Canada
    April 30, 2018

    KPMG LLP is a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. KPMG Canada provides services to KPMG LLP.