ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this report to "Halcón," "our," "us," and "we"
refer to Halcón Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries, as a common entity.
Certain prior year financial statements are not comparable to our current year financial statements due to the adoption of fresh-start accounting. References to
"Successor" or "Successor Company" relate to the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to September 9, 2016. References to "Predecessor" or
"Predecessor Company" relate to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to, and including, September 9, 2016.
We
are an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore liquids-rich oil and natural gas assets in the United States. During
2017, we acquired certain properties in the Delaware Basin and divested our assets located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota (the Williston Divestiture) and in the El Halcón area
of East Texas (the El Halcón Divestiture). As a result, our properties and drilling activities are currently focused in the Delaware Basin, where we have an extensive drilling inventory
that we believe offers attractive economics. The Williston Divestiture improved our liquidity and significantly reduced our debt, better enabling us to accelerate development of our Delaware Basin
properties and execute our growth plans in the basin.
At
December 31, 2018, our estimated total proved oil and natural gas reserves, as prepared by our independent reserve engineering firm, Netherland, Sewell &
Associates, Inc. (Netherland, Sewell) using the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prices for crude oil and natural gas, which are based on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil
spot price of $65.56 per Bbl and Henry Hub natural gas spot price of $3.100 per MMBtu, were approximately 85.2 MMBoe, consisting of 50.7 MMBbls of oil, 17.1 MMBbls of natural gas liquids, and 104.7
Bcf of natural gas. Approximately 47% of our estimated proved reserves were classified as proved developed as of December 31, 2018. We maintain operational control of approximately 99% of our
estimated proved reserves.
Our
total operating revenues for 2018 were approximately $226.6 million compared to total operating revenues for 2017 of approximately $378.0 million. Full year 2018
production averaged 13,904 Boe/d compared to average daily production of 27,397 Boe/d for 2017. The decrease in total operating revenues and average daily production year over year was driven
by our divestitures in 2017 and was partially mitigated by the production associated with our assets located in the Delaware Basin and our drilling activities since acquiring the assets. In 2018, we
participated in the drilling of 31 gross (30 net) operated wells, none of which were dry holes.
Recent Developments
Sale of Water Infrastructure Assets
On December 20, 2018, we sold our water infrastructure assets located in the Delaware Basin (the Water Assets) to WaterBridge
Resources LLC (the Purchaser) for an adjusted purchase price of $214.1 million in cash (the Water Infrastructure Divestiture) at closing. The effective date of the transaction was
October 1, 2018. Additional incentive payments of up to $25.0 million per year for the next five years are available subject to our ability to meet certain annual incentive thresholds
relating to the number of wells connected to the Water Assets per year. Our ability to achieve the incentive thresholds will be driven by, among other things, our development program which will
consider future market conditions and is subject to change.
Upon
closing, we dedicated all of the produced water from our oil and natural gas wells within our Monument Draw, Hackberry Draw and West Quito Draw operating areas to the Purchaser.
There are no drilling or throughput commitments associated with the Water Infrastructure Divestiture. The
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Purchaser
will receive a current market price, subject to annual adjustments for inflation, in exchange for the transportation, disposal and treatment of such produced water, and the Purchaser will
receive a market price for the supply of freshwater and recycled produced water provided to us.
Acquisition of West Quito Draw Properties
On February 6, 2018, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the Shell PSA) with SWEPI LP
(Shell), an affiliate of Shell Oil Company, pursuant to which we agreed to purchase acreage and related assets in the Delaware Basin located in Ward County, Texas (the West Quito Draw Properties) for
a total adjusted purchase price of $198.5 million. The effective date of the acquisition was February 1, 2018, and we closed the transaction on April 4, 2018. We funded the cash
consideration of the acquisition of the West Quito Draw Properties with the net proceeds from our issuance of the Additional 2025 Notes (defined below) and common stock, both of which are discussed
below.
Issuance of Additional 2025 Notes
On February 15, 2018, we issued an additional $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% senior notes due 2025 at a
price to the initial purchasers of 103.0% of par (the Additional 2025 Notes). The Additional 2025 Notes were sold pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws, including Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. The net proceeds from the sale of the Additional 2025 Notes were approximately $202.4 million
after initial purchasers' premiums and deducting commissions and offering expenses. The proceeds were used to fund the cash consideration for the acquisition of the West Quito Draw Properties and for
general corporate purposes, including funding our 2018 drilling program. These notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of February 16, 2017, among us, certain of our subsidiaries and
U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, which governs our 6.75% senior notes due 2025 that were issued on February 16, 2017 (the 2025 Notes). The Additional 2025 Notes are treated as a
single class with, and have the same terms as the 2025 Notes, except that the Additional 2025 Notes will initially be subject to transfer restrictions and have the benefit of certain registration
rights and provisions for the payment of additional interest in the event of a breach with respect to such registration rights.
In
connection with the issuance of the Additional 2025 Notes, on February 15, 2018, we, our subsidiary guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC, on behalf of itself and
the initial purchasers, entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which we and our subsidiary guarantors agreed to, among other things, use reasonable best efforts to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act and complete an exchange offer for the Additional 2025 Notes within 180 days after closing. We filed such registration statement on
March 20, 2018 and it was declared effective by the SEC on April 9, 2018. In addition, we completed the exchange offer for the Additional 2025 Notes on May 17, 2018.
Issuance of Common Stock
On February 9, 2018, we sold 9.2 million shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in a public offering at a price of
$6.90 per share. The net proceeds to us from the offering were approximately $60.4 million, after deducting underwriters' discounts and offering expenses.
Senior Revolving Credit Facility
On February 28, 2019, the lenders party to our Senior Credit Agreement issued a consent (the Severance and Office Payments Consent) to us
whereby Severance Payments and Office Payments (as defined in the Severance and Office Payments Consent) may exceed the maximum level allowed for adding back non-recurring expenses and charges in the
definition of EBITDA (as defined in the Senior
8
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Credit
Agreement) when calculating the ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt to EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019.
On
February 15, 2019, we entered into the Seventh Amendment (the Seventh Amendment) to the Senior Credit Agreement which, among other things, provides for (i) the use of
annualized financial data in determining EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019 and
(ii) amends the ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) to EBITDA to be (a) 5.00 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019,
(b) 4.75 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019, (c) 4.5 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019, (d) 4.25 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter
ending December 31, 2019, and (e) 4.0 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2020 and any fiscal quarter thereafter.
On
November 16, 2018, we entered into the Sixth Amendment (the Sixth Amendment) to the Senior Credit Agreement, which, among other things, provided for (i) provisions
allowing for optional increases in the maximum Credit Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) by us and the lenders
party thereto. The Sixth Amendment also established the borrowing base at $350.0 million following the closing of the sale of the Water Assets; however, we and the lenders agreed to reduce the
Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) to $275.0 million, thereby effectively limiting the amount available to borrow under the Senior Credit Agreement to
$275.0 million.
On
November 7, 2018, we entered into the Fifth Amendment (the Fifth Amendment) to the Senior Credit Agreement which, among other things, provided for (i) the use of
annualized financial data in determining EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018, March 31, 2019,
June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019 and (ii) amended the ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) to EBITDA of (a) 4.75 to 1.0 for
the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2018, (b) 4.25 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2018 and (c) 4.0 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending
March 31, 2019 and any fiscal quarter thereafter.
On
November 6, 2018, the lenders party to our Senior Credit Agreement issued a consent (the H2S Consent) to us whereby H2S Expenses (as defined in the H2S Consent) may exceed the
maximum level allowed for adding back non-recurring expenses and charges in the definition of EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) when calculating the ratio of Consolidated Total Net
Debt to EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2018, December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019.
During
the year, we also periodically sought amendments to the covenants in the Senior Credit Agreement, including the financial covenants, where we anticipated difficulty in maintaining
compliance. On July 12, 2018, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement and on February 2, 2018, we entered into the Second Amendment to the Senior Credit
Agreement. Refer to
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
, for a further discussion of
these amendments.
Option Agreement to Acquire Monument Draw Assets (Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas)
On December 9, 2016, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries entered into an agreement with a private company, pursuant to which it acquired
the rights to purchase up to 15,040 net acres in the Monument Draw area of the Delaware Basin, located in Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas (the Ward County Assets) prospective for the Wolfcamp and
Bone Spring formations. The Ward County Assets are divided into two tracts (the Southern Tract and the Northern Tract) with separate options for each tract. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement (as
amended), on June 15, 2017, we purchased the
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Southern
Tract for approximately $87.4 million and on January 9, 2018, we purchased the Northern Tract for approximately $108.2 million.
2019 Capital Budget
We expect to spend approximately $190 million to $210 million on drilling and completion capital expenditures during 2019.
Overall, we currently plan to drill 17 gross operated wells during the year, complete 18 gross operated wells, bring 23 gross operated wells on production, and have five gross operated wells drilling
over year-end 2019. Our 2019 drilling and completion budget currently contemplates running an average of two operated rigs in the Delaware Basin during the year and is subject to change. In addition,
we expect to spend approximately $60 million to $80 million on infrastructure, seismic and other activities in 2019.
We
expect to fund our budgeted 2019 capital expenditures with cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Senior Credit Agreement. We strive to
maintain financial flexibility and may access capital markets as necessary to maintain adequate borrowing capacity under our Senior Credit Agreement, facilitate drilling on our large undeveloped
acreage position and permit us to selectively expand our acreage position and fund infrastructure projects. In the event our cash flows are materially less than anticipated and other sources of
capital we historically have utilized are not available on acceptable terms, we may be required to curtail drilling, development, land acquisitions and other activities to reduce our capital spending.
Our
financial results depend upon many factors, but are largely driven by the volume of our oil and natural gas production and the price that we receive for that production. Our
production volumes will decline as reserves are depleted unless we expend capital in successful development and exploration activities or acquire properties with existing production. The amount we
realize for our production depends predominately upon commodity prices and our related commodity price hedging activities, which are affected by changes in market demand and supply, as impacted by
overall economic activity, weather, pipeline capacity constraints, inventory storage levels, basis differentials and other factors. Accordingly, finding and developing oil and natural gas reserves in
an economical manner is critical to our long-term success.
Business Strategy
Our primary long-term objective is to increase stockholder value by cost-effectively increasing our production of oil, natural gas and natural
gas liquids, adding to our proved reserves and growing our inventory of economic drilling locations. To accomplish this objective, we intend to execute the following business
strategies:
-
-
Develop our Acreage Position to Grow Production and Reserves
Efficiently.
We are the operator for the majority of our acreage, which gives us control over the timing of capital expenditures, execution and
costs. It also allows us to adjust our capital spending based on drilling results and the economic environment. As operator, we are also able to evaluate industry drilling results and implement
improved operating practices which may enhance our initial production rates, ultimate recovery factors and rate of return on invested capital.
-
-
Manage Our Property Portfolio
Actively.
We continually evaluate our property base to identify and either divest, acquire or trade acreage to allow us to optimally execute on
our plans to drill long-lateral operated wells (i.e. primarily 10,000 foot laterals). We may also divest less economic properties over time which will allow us to focus on a portfolio of core
properties with the greatest economic potential to increase our proved reserves and production.
-
-
Selectively Grow Our Acreage
Positions.
We plan to selectively acquire high quality assets complementary to our core acreage and expand our drilling inventory. We will
leverage our management team's geologic, engineering and financial expertise to selectively identify and execute on such acreage at attractive prices.
10
Table of Contents
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
The proved reserves estimates reported herein for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 have been independently evaluated by
Netherland, Sewell, a worldwide leader of petroleum property analysis for industry and financial organizations and government agencies. Netherland, Sewell was founded in 1961 and performs consulting
petroleum engineering services under Texas Board of Professional Engineers Registration No. F-2699. Within Netherland, Sewell, the technical persons primarily responsible for preparing the
estimates set forth in the Netherland, Sewell reserves reports incorporated herein are Mr. Neil H. Little and Mr. Mike K. Norton. Mr. Little, a Licensed Professional Engineer in
the State of Texas (No. 117966), has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at Netherland, Sewell since 2011 and has over nine years of prior industry experience. He graduated from
Rice University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and from University of Houston in 2007 with a Master of Business Administration Degree. Mr. Norton, a Licensed
Professional Geoscientist in the State of Texas (No. 441), has been a practicing petroleum geoscience consultant at Netherland, Sewell since 1989 and has over ten years of prior industry
experience. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Geology. Netherland, Sewell has reported to us that both technical principals meet or exceed the education, training, and experience requirements set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the
Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers; they are both proficient in judiciously applying industry standard practices to
engineering and geoscience evaluations as well as applying SEC and other industry reserves definitions and guidelines.
Our
board of directors has established a reserves committee composed of independent directors with experience in energy company reserve evaluations. Our independent engineering firm
reports jointly to the reserves committee and to our Senior Vice President of Corporate Reserves. The reserves committee is charged with ensuring the integrity of the process of selection and
engagement of the independent engineering firm and in making a recommendation to our board of directors as to whether to approve the report prepared by our independent engineering firm.
Ms. Tina Obut, our Senior Vice President of Corporate Reserves, is primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of the annual reserve report by Netherland, Sewell. She graduated from
Marietta College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering, received a Master of Science degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State University and a Master of
Business Administration degree from the University of Houston.
The
reserves information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K represents only estimates. Reserve evaluation is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil
and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and
judgment. As a result, estimates of different engineers may vary significantly. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of an estimate may lead to revising the
original estimate. Accordingly, initial reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. The meaningfulness of such estimates depends
primarily on the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they were based. Except to the extent we acquire additional properties containing proved reserves or conduct successful exploration and
development activities or both, our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced. For additional information regarding estimates of proved reserves, the preparation of such estimates by
Netherland, Sewell and other information about our oil and natural gas reserves, see Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data
"
Supplemental Oil and Gas Information (Unaudited)
."
Proved
reserve estimates are based on the unweighted arithmetic average prices on the first day of each month for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018. Average prices for
the 12-month period were as follows: WTI crude oil spot price of $65.56 per Bbl, adjusted by lease or field for quality, transportation fees, and market differentials and a Henry Hub natural gas spot
price of
11
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$3.100 per
MMBtu, as adjusted by lease or field for energy content, transportation fees, and market differentials. All prices and costs associated with operating wells were held constant in
accordance with SEC guidelines.
The
following table presents certain proved reserve information as of December 31, 2018.
|
|
|
|
|
Proved Reserves (MBoe)
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
Developed
|
|
|
39,869
|
|
Undeveloped
|
|
|
45,343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
85,212
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
Natural gas reserves are converted to oil reserves using a ratio of six Mcf to one Bbl of oil. This ratio does not assume price
equivalency and, given price differentials, the price for a barrel of oil equivalent for natural gas may differ significantly from the price for a barrel of
oil.
The
following table sets forth the number of productive oil and natural gas wells in which we owned an interest as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Shut-in wells currently not
capable of production are excluded from the well information below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Oil
|
|
|
109
|
|
|
87.1
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
30.7
|
|
Natural Gas
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
9.5
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
96.6
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
32.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and Natural Gas Production
During 2017, we divested our assets located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and in the El Halcón area of East
Texas, which represented substantially all of our proved reserves and production at the time, and we acquired certain properties in the Delaware Basin. As a consequence, our estimated proved reserves,
oil and natural gas production and anticipated capital expenditures are currently focused entirely in this core area.
Core Resource PlayDelaware Basin
We have working interests in approximately 56,900 net acres in the Delaware Basin as of December 31, 2018 in Pecos, Reeves, Ward and
Winkler Counties, Texas. This core resource play is characterized by high oil and liquids-rich natural gas content in thick, continuous sections of source rock that can provide repeatable drilling
opportunities and significant initial production rates. Our primary targets in this area are the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations. Our current capital budget contemplates running an average of two
operated rigs in the Delaware Basin during 2019. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 104 operated wells producing in this area in addition to minor working interests in 19
non-operated wells. Our average daily net production from this area for the year ended December 31, 2018 was approximately 13,900 Boe/d. As of December 31, 2018, estimated proved
reserves for the Delaware Basin were approximately 85.2 MMBoe, of which approximately 47% were classified as proved developed and approximately 53% as proved undeveloped.
Risk Management
We have designed a risk management policy for the use of derivative instruments to provide partial protection against certain risks relating to
our ongoing business operations, such as commodity price
12
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declines,
including price differentials between the NYMEX commodity price and the index price at the location where our production is sold. Derivative contracts are utilized to hedge our exposure to
price fluctuations and reduce the variability in our cash flows associated with anticipated sales of future oil and natural gas production. Our objective generally is to hedge 70-80% of our
anticipated oil and natural gas production for the next 18 to 24 months. However, our decision on the quantity and price at which we choose to hedge our production is based in part on our view
of current and future market conditions. Our hedge policies and objectives change as our operational profile changes and/or commodity prices. Our future performance is subject to commodity price risks
and our future cash flows from operations may be subject to greater volatility than historically. We do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative trading purposes.
While
there are many different types of derivatives available, we typically use costless collar, fixed-price swap and basis swap agreements to attempt to manage price risk more
effectively. The costless collar agreements are put and call options used to establish floor and ceiling commodity prices for a fixed volume of production during a certain time period. All costless
collar agreements provide for payments to counterparties if the settlement price under the agreement exceeds the ceiling and payments from the counterparties if the settlement price under the
agreement is below the floor. The swap agreements call for payments to, or receipts from, counterparties depending on whether the index price of oil or natural gas for the period is greater or less
than the fixed price established for the period contracted under the swap agreement. Basis swaps effectively lock in a price differential between regional prices (i.e. Midland) where the
product is sold and the relevant pricing index under which the oil production is hedged (i.e. Cushing).
It
is our policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy financial institutions deemed by management as competent and competitive market makers.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not post collateral under any of its derivative contracts as they are secured under the Company's Senior Credit Agreement or are uncollateralized
trades. We will continue to evaluate the benefit of employing derivatives in the future. See Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk
and Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data
Note 9
, "Derivative and Hedging Activities,"
for additional information.
Oil and Natural Gas Operations
Our principal properties consist of leasehold interests in developed and undeveloped oil and natural gas properties and the reserves associated
with these properties. Generally, oil and natural gas leases remain in force as long as production in paying quantities is maintained. Leases on undeveloped oil and natural gas properties are
typically for a primary term of three to five years within which we are generally required to develop the property or the lease will expire. In some cases, the primary term of leases on our
undeveloped properties can be extended by option payments; the amount of any
13
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payments
and time extended vary by lease. The table below sets forth the results of our drilling activities for the periods indicated:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Exploratory Wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
Total Exploratory
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extension Wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
(1)
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
12.5
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
13.0
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Extension
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
12.5
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
13.0
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development Wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
(1)
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
15.0
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
20.7
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
22.1
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Development
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
15.0
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
20.7
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
22.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
(1)
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
27.5
|
|
|
124
|
|
|
33.7
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
30.6
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
27.5
|
|
|
124
|
|
|
33.7
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
30.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
Although a well may be classified as productive upon completion, future changes in oil and natural gas prices, operating costs
and production may result in the well becoming uneconomical, particularly extension or exploratory wells where there is no production
history.
We
own interests in developed and undeveloped oil and natural gas acreage in the locations set forth in the table below. These ownership interests generally take the form of working
interests in oil and natural gas leases that have varying provisions. The following table presents a summary of our acreage interests as of December 31, 2018:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed Acreage
|
|
Undeveloped
Acreage
|
|
Total Acreage
|
|
State
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Gross
|
|
Net
|
|
Montana
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
1,353
|
|
|
562
|
|
|
1,633
|
|
|
628
|
|
North Dakota
|
|
|
3,830
|
|
|
694
|
|
|
34,045
|
|
|
13,945
|
|
|
37,875
|
|
|
14,639
|
|
Oklahoma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
746
|
|
|
443
|
|
|
746
|
|
|
443
|
|
Texas
|
|
|
33,922
|
|
|
29,301
|
|
|
35,121
|
|
|
27,623
|
|
|
69,043
|
|
|
56,924
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Acreage
|
|
|
38,032
|
|
|
30,061
|
|
|
71,265
|
|
|
42,573
|
|
|
109,297
|
|
|
72,634
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
table below reflects the percentage of our total net undeveloped acreage as of December 31, 2018 that will expire each year if we do not establish production in paying
quantities on the units in
14
Table of Contents
which
such acreage is included or do not pay (to the extent we have the contractual right to pay) delay rentals or obtain other extensions to maintain the lease.
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Percentage
Expiration
|
|
2019
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
2020
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
2021
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
2022
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
2023 & beyond
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
our proved undeveloped locations that are not scheduled to be drilled until after lease expiration, we continually review our near-term lease expirations to determine which lease
extensions and renewals to actively pursue, and modify our drilling schedules in order to preserve the leases. We have no current plans to drill on acreage in other areas outside of our core area of
operations.
At
December 31, 2018, we had estimated proved reserves of approximately 85.2 MMBoe comprised of 50.7 MMBbls of crude oil, 17.1 MMBbls of natural gas liquids,
and 104.7 Bcf of natural gas. The following table sets forth, at December 31, 2018, these reserves:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved
Developed
|
|
Proved
Undeveloped
|
|
Total
Proved
|
|
Oil (MBbls)
|
|
|
24,672
|
|
|
25,982
|
|
|
50,654
|
|
Natural Gas Liquids (MBbls)
|
|
|
7,740
|
|
|
9,360
|
|
|
17,100
|
|
Natural Gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
44,743
|
|
|
60,006
|
|
|
104,749
|
|
Equivalent (MBoe)
(1)
|
|
|
39,869
|
|
|
45,343
|
|
|
85,212
|
|
-
(1)
-
Natural gas reserves are converted to oil reserves using a ratio of six Mcf to one Bbl of oil. This ratio does not assume price
equivalency and, given price differentials, the price for a barrel of oil equivalent for natural gas may differ significantly from the price for a barrel of
oil.
At
December 31, 2018, total estimated proved reserves were approximately 85.2 MMBoe, a 34.1 MMBoe net increase over the previous year's estimate of
51.1 MMBoe. The net increase in total proved reserves was the result of additions and extensions of 53.2 MMBoe and acquisitions totaling 3.7 MMBoe, partially offset by net
negative revisions of 17.6 MMBoe and production of 5.1 MMBoe.
At
December 31, 2018, our estimated proved undeveloped (PUD) reserves were approximately 45.3 MMBoe, a 10.2 MMBoe net increase over the previous year's estimate of
35.1 MMBoe. The net increase in total proved undeveloped reserves was the result of additions and extensions of 40.1 MMBoe, partially offset by net negative revisions of
17.9 MMBoe and development of 12.0 MMBoe.
As
of December 31, 2018, all of our PUD reserves are planned to be developed within five years from the date they were initially recorded. During 2018, approximately
$182.0 million in capital expenditures went toward the development of proved undeveloped reserves, which includes drilling, completion and other facility costs associated with developing proved
undeveloped wells.
Reliable
technologies were used to determine areas where PUD locations are more than one offset location away from a producing well. These technologies include seismic data, wire line
openhole log data, core data, log cross-sections, performance data, and statistical analysis. In such areas, these data demonstrated consistent, continuous reservoir characteristics in addition to
significant quantities of economic estimated ultimate recoveries from individual producing wells. Our management team has been a leader in data gathering and evaluation in these areas and was
instrumental in developing
15
Table of Contents
consortiums
that allow various operators to exchange data. We relied only on production flow tests and historical production data, along with the reliable geologic data mentioned above to estimate
proved reserves. No other alternative methods or technologies were used to estimate proved reserves. Out of total proved undeveloped reserves of 45.3 MMBoe at December 31, 2018,
10.8 MMBoe were associated with 10 gross PUD locations that were more than one offset location from a producing well.
The
estimates of quantities of proved reserves contained in this report were made in accordance with the definitions contained in SEC Release No. 33-8995,
Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting
. For
additional information on our oil and natural gas reserves, including a table detailing the changes by year
of our proved reserves, see Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Supplemental Oil and Gas Information
(Unaudited)."
We account for our oil and natural gas producing activities using the full cost method of accounting in accordance with SEC regulations. Accordingly, all costs
incurred in the acquisition, exploration, and development of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties, including the costs of abandoned properties, dry holes, geophysical costs, direct
internal costs and annual lease rentals are capitalized. All general and administrative corporate costs unrelated to drilling activities are expensed as incurred. Sales or other dispositions of oil
and natural gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recorded unless the ratio of cost to proved reserves would significantly change. Depletion of
evaluated oil and natural gas properties is computed on the units of production method based on proved reserves. The net capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties are subject to a
quarterly full cost ceiling test. See further discussion in Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data
Note 6,
"Oil and Natural Gas Properties."
Capitalized
costs of our evaluated and unevaluated properties at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
2018
|
|
December 31,
2017
|
|
December 31,
2016
|
|
Oil and natural gas properties (full cost method):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Evaluated
|
|
$
|
1,470,509
|
|
$
|
877,316
|
|
$
|
1,269,034
|
|
Unevaluated
|
|
|
971,918
|
|
|
765,786
|
|
|
316,439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross oil and natural gas properties
|
|
|
2,442,427
|
|
|
1,643,102
|
|
|
1,585,473
|
|
Lessaccumulated depletion
|
|
|
(639,951
|
)
|
|
(570,155
|
)
|
|
(465,849
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net oil and natural gas properties
|
|
$
|
1,802,476
|
|
$
|
1,072,947
|
|
$
|
1,119,624
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
Table of Contents
The following table summarizes our oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production volumes, average sales price per unit and average costs per unit. In
addition, this table summarizes our production for each field that contains 15% or more of our total proved reserves:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Successor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
September 10, 2016
through
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
|
Period from
January 1, 2016
through
September 9, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oilMBbl
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delaware
|
|
|
3,544
|
|
|
919
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bakken / Three Forks
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
6,235
|
|
|
2,639
|
|
|
|
|
5,282
|
|
El Halcón
|
|
|
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
566
|
|
|
|
|
1,613
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
223
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
3,558
|
|
|
7,511
|
|
|
3,250
|
|
|
|
|
7,118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gasMMcf
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delaware
|
|
|
4,607
|
|
|
1,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bakken / Three Forks
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,584
|
|
|
1,966
|
|
|
|
|
4,003
|
|
El Halcón
|
|
|
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
|
817
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
|
731
|
|
|
|
|
1,740
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
4,607
|
|
|
7,439
|
|
|
3,011
|
|
|
|
|
6,560
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas liquidsMBbl
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delaware
|
|
|
749
|
|
|
218
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bakken / Three Forks
|
|
|
|
|
|
924
|
|
|
384
|
|
|
|
|
791
|
|
El Halcón
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
|
|
213
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
749
|
|
|
1,249
|
|
|
501
|
|
|
|
|
1,096
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total MBoe
(1)
|
|
|
5,075
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
4,253
|
|
|
|
|
9,307
|
|
Average daily productionBoe
(1)
|
|
|
13,904
|
|
|
27,397
|
|
|
37,637
|
|
|
|
|
36,787
|
|
Average price per unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude oil priceBbl
|
|
$
|
56.10
|
|
$
|
45.36
|
|
$
|
43.01
|
|
|
|
$
|
34.85
|
|
Natural gas priceMcf
|
|
|
1.47
|
|
|
2.18
|
|
|
2.24
|
|
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
Natural gas liquids priceBbl
|
|
|
25.55
|
|
|
15.19
|
|
|
12.01
|
|
|
|
|
7.23
|
|
Barrel of oil equivalent priceBoe
(1)
|
|
|
44.44
|
|
|
37.58
|
|
|
35.87
|
|
|
|
|
28.53
|
|
Average cost per Boe:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
$
|
4.94
|
|
$
|
6.17
|
|
$
|
5.26
|
|
|
|
$
|
5.38
|
|
Workover and other
|
|
|
1.69
|
|
|
2.17
|
|
|
2.47
|
|
|
|
|
2.42
|
|
Taxes other than income
|
|
|
2.52
|
|
|
3.08
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
|
|
2.63
|
|
Gathering and other
|
|
|
11.84
|
|
|
4.08
|
|
|
3.45
|
|
|
|
|
3.15
|
|
-
(1)
-
Natural gas reserves are converted to oil reserves using a ratio of six Mcf to one Bbl of oil. This ratio does not assume price
equivalency and, given price differentials, the price for a barrel of oil equivalent for natural gas may differ significantly from the price for a barrel of
oil.
The
average crude oil and natural gas sales prices above do not reflect the impact of cash paid on, or cash received from, settled derivative contracts as these amounts are reflected as
"
Net gain (loss) on
17
Table of Contents
derivative contracts
" in the consolidated statements of operations, consistent with our decision not to elect hedge accounting. Including this impact, for the year ended
December 31, 2018, the average crude oil sales price was $56.82 per Bbl, the average natural gas sales price was $1.90 per Mcf and the average natural gas liquids sales price was $30.68 per
Bbl. Including this impact, for the year ended December 31, 2017, the average crude oil sales price was $47.62 per Bbl and the average natural gas sales price was $2.29 per Mcf. Including this
impact, during the period of September 10, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the period of January 1, 2016 through September 9, 2016, average crude oil sales prices were
$68.99 and $69.25 per Bbl, respectively and average natural gas sales prices were $2.33 and $1.58 per Mcf, respectively.
Competitive Conditions in the Business
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive and we compete with a substantial number of other companies that have greater financial
and other resources. Many of these companies explore for, produce and market oil and natural gas, as well as carry on refining operations and market the resultant products on a worldwide basis. The
primary areas in which we encounter substantial competition are in locating and acquiring desirable leasehold acreage for our drilling and
development operations, locating and acquiring attractive producing oil and natural gas properties, obtaining sufficient availability of drilling and completion equipment and services, obtaining
purchasers and transporters of the oil and natural gas we produce and hiring and retaining key employees. There is also competition between oil and natural gas producers and other industries producing
energy and fuel. Furthermore, competitive conditions may be substantially affected by various forms of energy legislation and/or regulation considered from time to time by the government of the United
States and the states in which our properties are located. It is not possible to predict the nature of any such legislation or regulation which may ultimately be adopted or its effects upon our future
operations. Such laws and regulations may substantially increase the costs of exploring for, developing or producing oil and natural gas and may prevent or delay the commencement or continuation of a
given operation.
Other Business Matters
Markets and Major Customers
The purchasers of our oil and natural gas production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas
pipeline companies. Historically, we have not experienced any significant losses from uncollectible accounts. In 2018, two individual purchasers of our production, Sunoco, Inc. and Western
Refining, Inc., each accounted for more than 10% of total sales, collectively representing 77% of our total sales for the period. In 2017 and 2016, two individual purchasers of our production,
Crestwood Midstream Partners and Suncor Energy Marketing, Inc., each accounted for more than 10% of total sales, collectively representing 58% of our total sales for each year.
Seasonality of Business
Weather conditions affect the demand for, and prices of, natural gas and can also delay drilling activities, disrupting our overall business
plans. Demand for natural gas is typically higher during the winter, resulting in higher natural gas prices for our natural gas production during our first and fourth fiscal quarters. Due to these
seasonal fluctuations, our results of operations for individual quarterly periods may not be indicative of the results that we may realize on an annual basis.
Operational Risks
Oil and natural gas exploration and development involves a high degree of risk, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful
evaluation may not be able to be overcome. There is no assurance that we will discover or acquire additional oil and natural gas in commercial quantities.
18
Table of Contents
Oil
and natural gas operations also involve the risk that well fires, blowouts, equipment failure, human error and other events may cause accidental releases of toxic or hazardous materials, such as
petroleum liquids or drilling fluids into the environment, or cause significant injury to persons or property. In such event, substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities may be
incurred, the satisfaction of which could substantially reduce available cash and possibly result in loss of oil and natural gas properties. Such hazards may also cause damage to or destruction of
wells, producing formations, production facilities and pipeline or other processing facilities.
As
is common in the oil and natural gas industry, we will not insure fully against all risks associated with our business either because such insurance is not available or because we
believe the premium costs are prohibitive. A loss not fully covered by insurance could have a material effect on our operating results, financial position or cash flows. For further discussion on
risks see Item 1A.
Risk Factors
.
Regulations
All of the jurisdictions in which we own or operate producing oil and natural gas properties have statutory provisions regulating the
exploration for and production of oil and natural gas, including provisions related to permits for the drilling of wells, bonding requirements to drill or operate wells, the location of wells, the
method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, sourcing and disposal of water used in the drilling and completion process, and the
plugging and abandonment of wells. Our operations are also subject to various conservation laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern the size of drilling and spacing units, the density
of wells that may be drilled in oil and natural gas properties and the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties. In this regard, some states allow the forced
pooling or integration of land and leases to facilitate exploration while other states rely primarily or exclusively on voluntary pooling of land and leases. In areas where pooling is primarily or
exclusively voluntary, it may be difficult to form spacing units and therefore difficult to develop a project if the operator owns less than 100% of the leasehold. In addition, state conservation laws
establish maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose specified requirements regarding the ratability of
production. On some occasions, local authorities have imposed moratoria or other restrictions on exploration and production activities pending investigations and studies addressing potential local
impacts of these activities before allowing oil and natural gas exploration and production to proceed.
The
effect of these regulations is to limit the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce from our wells and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill,
although we can apply for exceptions to such regulations or to have reductions in well spacing. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The
regulatory burden on the industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. Moreover, each state generally imposes a production or severance tax with respect to the production
and sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids within its jurisdiction.
Environmental Regulations
Our operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise
relating to health and safety or the protection of the environment. Numerous governmental agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency, commonly referred to as the EPA, issue
regulations to implement and enforce these laws, which often require difficult and costly compliance measures. Among other things, environmental regulatory programs typically govern the permitting,
construction and operation of a facility. Many factors, including public perception, can materially impact the ability to secure an environmental construction or operation permit. Failure to comply
with environmental laws and regulations may result
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in
the assessment of substantial administrative, civil and criminal penalties, as well as the issuance of injunctions limiting or prohibiting our activities. In addition, some laws and regulations
relating to protection of the environment may, in certain circumstances, impose strict liability for environmental contamination, which could result in liability for environmental damages and cleanup
costs without regard to negligence or fault on our part.
Beyond
existing requirements, new programs and changes in existing programs may address various aspects of our business, including natural occurring radioactive materials, oil and
natural gas exploration and production, air emissions, waste management, and underground injection of waste material. Environmental laws and regulations have been subject to frequent changes over the
years, and the imposition of more stringent requirements could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The following is a summary of the more significant
existing environmental, health and safety laws and regulations to which our business operations are subject and for which compliance in the future may have a material adverse impact on our capital
expenditures, earnings and competitive position.
Hazardous Substances and Wastes
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, referred to as CERCLA or the Superfund law, and comparable
state laws impose liability, without regard to fault, on certain classes of persons that are considered to be responsible for the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons
may include the current or former owner or operator of the disposal site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances that have
been released at the site. Under CERCLA, these persons may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of investigating and cleaning up hazardous substances that have been released into
the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of some health studies. In addition, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for
personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances or other pollutants released into the environment.
Under
the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, referred to as RCRA, most wastes generated by the exploration and production
of oil and natural gas are not regulated as hazardous waste. Periodically, however, there are proposals to lift the existing exemption for oil and gas wastes and reclassify them as hazardous wastes or
to subject them to enhanced solid waste regulation. If such proposals were to be enacted, they could have a significant impact on our operating costs and on those of all the industry in general. In
the ordinary course of our operations, moreover some wastes generated in connection with our exploration and production activities may be regulated as solid waste under RCRA, as hazardous waste under
existing RCRA regulations or as hazardous substances under CERCLA. From time to time, releases of materials or wastes have occurred at locations we own or at which we have operations. Under CERCLA,
RCRA and analogous state laws, we have been and may be required to remove or remediate such materials or wastes.
Water Discharges
Our operations also may be subject to the federal Clean Water Act and analogous state statutes. Those laws regulate discharges of wastewater,
oil, and other pollutants to surface water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, wetlands, and streams. Failure to obtain permits for such discharges could result in civil and criminal penalties, orders to
cease such discharges, and costs to remediate and pay natural resources damages. These laws also require the preparation and implementation of Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plans in
connection with on-site storage of significant quantities of oil. In the event of a discharge of oil into U.S. waters, we could be liable under the Oil Pollution Act for cleanup costs, damages and
economic losses.
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Our
oil and natural gas production also generates salt water, which we dispose of by underground injection. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Underground Injection Control
(UIC) regulations promulgated under the SDWA, and related state programs regulate the drilling and operation of salt water disposal wells. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
directly administers the UIC program in some states, and in others it is delegated to the state. Permits must be obtained before drilling salt water disposal wells, and casing integrity monitoring
must be conducted periodically to ensure the casing is not leaking salt water to groundwater. Contamination of groundwater by oil and natural gas drilling, production, and related operations may
result in fines, penalties, and remediation costs, among other sanctions and liabilities under the SDWA and state laws. In addition, third party claims may be filed by landowners and other parties
claiming damages for alternative water supplies, property damages, and bodily injury.
Hydraulic Fracturing
Our completion operations are subject to regulation, which may increase in the short- or long-term. In particular, the well completion technique
known as hydraulic fracturing, which is used to stimulate production of oil and natural gas, has come under increased scrutiny by the environmental community, and many local, state and federal
regulators. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand and additives under pressure, usually down casing that is cemented in the wellbore, into prospective rock formations at depths to
stimulate oil and natural gas production. We engage third parties to provide hydraulic fracturing or other well stimulation services to us in connection with substantially all of the wells for which
we are the operator.
Working
at the direction of Congress, the EPA issued a study in 2016 finding that hydraulic fracturing could potentially harm drinking water resources under adverse circumstances such as
injection directly into groundwater or into production wells lacking mechanical integrity. The EPA also promulgated pre-treatment standards under the Clean Water Act for wastewater discharges from
shale hydraulic fracturing operations to municipal sewage treatment plants. Beyond that, several environmental groups have petitioned the EPA to extend toxic release reporting requirements under the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act to the oil and natural gas extraction industry and to require disclosure under the Toxic Substances Control Act of chemicals used in fracturing.
Congress might likewise consider legislation to amend the federal SDWA to require the disclosure of chemicals used by the oil and natural gas industry in the hydraulic fracturing process. Various
states, including Texas, already have issued similar disclosure rules.
In
addition, the Department of the Interior promulgated regulations concerning the use of hydraulic fracturing on lands under its jurisdiction, which includes lands on which we conduct
or plan to conduct operations. While the Trump Administration rescinded those rules, that decision is being challenged in court. Regardless of how the federal issues are eventually resolved, states
have been imposing new restrictions or bans on hydraulic fracturing. Even local jurisdictions, such as Denton, Texas and several cities in Colorado, have adopted, or tried to adopt, regulations
restricting hydraulic fracturing. Additional hydraulic fracturing requirements at the federal, state or local level may limit our ability to operate or increase our operating costs.
Air Emissions
The federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws regulate emissions of various air pollutants through permitting programs and the imposition
of other requirements. In addition, the EPA has developed and may continue to develop stringent regulations governing emissions of toxic air pollutants at specified sources, including oil and natural
gas production. Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with air permits or other requirements of the federal Clean Air Act and
associated state laws and regulations. Our operations, or
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the
operations of service companies engaged by us, may in certain circumstances and locations be subject to permits and restrictions under these statutes for emissions of air pollutants.
In
2012 and 2016, the EPA issued air regulations for the oil and natural gas industry that address emissions from certain new sources of volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, air
toxics, and methane. The rules included the first federal air standards for natural gas and oil wells that are hydraulically fractured, or refractured, as well as requirements for other processes and
equipment, including storage tanks. Compliance with these regulations has imposed additional requirements and costs on our operations. The Trump Administration may rescind some of the 2016
requirements, but supporters of the existing regulations likely would seek judicial review of any such decision.
In
October 2015, the EPA announced that it was lowering the primary national ambient air quality standard for ozone from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion.
Implementation will take place over several years; however, the new standard could result in a significant expansion of ozone nonattainment areas across the United States, including areas in which we
operate. Oil and natural gas operations in ozone nonattainment areas would likely be subject to increased regulatory burdens in the form of more stringent emission controls, emission offset
requirements, and increased permitting delays and costs.
Climate Change
Studies over recent years have indicated that emissions of certain gases may be contributing to warming of the Earth's atmosphere. In response,
governments increasingly have been adopting domestic and international climate change regulations that require reporting and reductions of the emission of such greenhouse gases. Methane, a primary
component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, are considered greenhouse gases. Internationally, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement address greenhouse gas emissions, and several countries, including those comprising the European Union, have established
greenhouse gas regulatory systems. In the United States, at the state level, many states, either individually or through multi-state regional initiatives, have been implementing legal measures to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily through emission inventories, emissions targets, greenhouse gas cap and trade programs or incentives for renewable energy generation, while others have
considered adopting such greenhouse gas programs.
At
the federal level, the EPA has issued regulations requiring us and other companies to annually report certain greenhouse gas emissions from oil and natural gas facilities. Beyond its
measuring and reporting rules, the EPA has issued an "Endangerment Finding" under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, concluding greenhouse gas pollution threatens the public health and
welfare of current and future generations. The finding served as the first step in issuing regulations that require permits for and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for certain facilities.
In
addition, the Obama Administration developed a Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions that was intended to result by 2025 in a 40-45% decrease in methane emissions from the oil and gas
industry as compared to 2012 levels. Consistent with that strategy, the EPA issued air rules for oil and gas
production sources, and the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) promulgated standards for reducing venting and flaring on public lands. The Trump Administration has been trying to roll back many
of the Obama-era policies and rules; however, the long-term direction of federal climate regulation is uncertain.
Any
laws or regulations that may be adopted to restrict or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur additional operating costs, such as costs to purchase and
operate emissions control systems or other compliance costs, and reduce demand for our products.
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The National Environmental Policy Act
Oil and natural gas exploration and production activities may be subject to the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. NEPA requires
federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, to evaluate major agency actions that have the potential to significantly impact the environment. In the course of such evaluations, an
agency will prepare an Environmental Assessment that assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental
Impact Statement that may be made available for public review and comment. All of our current exploration and production activities, as well as proposed exploration and development plans, on federal
lands require governmental permits that are subject to the requirements of NEPA. This process has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects.
Threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, and natural resources
Various state and federal statutes prohibit certain actions that adversely affect endangered or threatened species and their habitat, migratory
birds, wetlands, and natural resources. These statutes include the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Clean Water Act. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service may
designate critical habitat areas that it believes are necessary for survival of threatened or endangered species. A critical habitat designation could result in further material restrictions on
federal land use or on private land use and could delay or prohibit land access or development. Where takings of or harm to species or damages to wetlands, habitat, or natural
resources occur or may occur, government entities or at times private parties may act to prevent or restrict oil and gas exploration activities or seek damages for any injury, whether resulting from
drilling or construction or releases of oil, wastes, hazardous substances or other regulated materials, and in some cases, criminal penalties may result.
Occupational Safety and Health Act
We are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and comparable state statutes that regulate the protection
of the health and safety of workers. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's hazard communication standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials
used or produced in operations and that this information be provided to employees.
Employees and Principal Office
As of December 31, 2018, we had 116 full-time employees. We hire independent contractors on an as needed basis. We have no collective
bargaining agreements with our employees. We believe that our employee relationships are satisfactory.
As
of December 31, 2018, we leased corporate office space in Houston, Texas at 1000 Louisiana Street, where our principal offices are located. We also lease corporate office space
in Denver, Colorado.
Access to Company Reports
We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. We make our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of directors
and officers, and any amendments to such reports, available free of charge through our corporate website at
www.halconresources.com
as soon as
reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, our
insider trading policy, regulation FD policy, equity-based incentive grant policy, corporate governance guidelines, code of conduct, code
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of
ethics, audit committee charter, compensation committee charter, nominating and corporate governance committee charter and reserves committee charter are available on our website under the heading
"InvestorsCorporate Governance". Within the time period required by the SEC and the NYSE, as applicable, we will post on our website any modifications to the code of conduct and the code
of ethics for our chief executive officer and senior financial officers and any waivers applicable to senior officers as defined in the applicable code, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
In addition, our reports, proxy and information statements, and our other filings are also available to the public over the internet at the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov
. Unless specifically incorporated
by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, information that you may find on our website is
not part of this report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Oil and natural gas prices are volatile, and low prices could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Our revenues, profitability, future growth and the carrying value of our properties depend substantially on prevailing oil and natural gas
prices. Prices also affect the amount of cash flow we have available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital. The amount we are able to borrow under our Senior
Credit Agreement is subject to periodic redeterminations based in part on the value of our estimated proved reserves which reflect current oil and natural gas prices and on changing expectations of
future prices. Lower prices may also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can economically produce and have an adverse effect on the value of our properties.
Oil
and natural gas prices are volatile. Among the factors that affect volatility are:
-
-
domestic and foreign supplies of oil and natural gas;
-
-
the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producing countries to agree upon and maintain production
levels;
-
-
social unrest and political instability, particularly in major oil and natural gas producing regions outside the United States, such as the
Middle East, and armed conflict or terrorist attacks;
-
-
the level of consumer demand for oil and natural gas, including demand growth in developing countries, such as China and India;
-
-
labor unrest in oil and natural gas producing regions;
-
-
weather conditions, including hurricanes and other natural occurrences that affect the supply and/or demand for oil and natural gas;
-
-
the price and availability of alternative fuels and energy sources;
-
-
the price and availability of foreign imports and domestic exports; and
-
-
global economic conditions.
These
external factors and the volatile nature of the energy markets make it difficult to estimate future prices of oil and natural gas.
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We are substantially dependent upon our drilling success on our Delaware Basin properties, which are largely
undeveloped and with which we have less experience.
We divested substantially all of our proved reserves and production when we sold our assets located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and
in the El Halcón area of East Texas in 2017. The disposition of these assets, combined with our other recent acquisition and divestiture activities, transformed our Company from
multiple basin operations in which we had years of accumulated operational experience and substantial proved developed acreage to a pure-play, single-basin operator in the Delaware Basin in West
Texas, where we have less accumulated operational experience and largely unproven acreage. As a consequence, our future drilling success is subject to the greater risks associated with a more
concentrated, largely undeveloped property portfolio in an area where we have less experience. If our drilling results are less than anticipated, or the risks associated with a more concentrated
property portfolio, such as regional supply and demand factors and delays or interruptions in production from governmental regulation, transportation constraints, market limitations, water shortages
or other conditions, adversely impact our ability to produce or market our production, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows.
We may have difficulty financing our planned capital expenditures which could adversely affect our growth.
Our business requires substantial capital expenditures primarily to fund our drilling program. We may also continue to selectively increase our
acreage position, which would require capital in addition to the capital necessary to drill on our existing acreage. In addition, it is possible that we will acquire acreage in other areas that we
believe are prospective for oil and natural gas production and expend capital to develop such acreage. We expect to use borrowings under our Senior Credit Agreement and proceeds from potential future
capital markets transactions, if necessary, to fund capital expenditures that are in excess of our operating cash flow and cash on hand.
Our
Senior Credit Agreement limits our borrowings to the lesser of the borrowing base and the total commitments. As of December 31, 2018, our Senior Credit Agreement had a
borrowing base of $275.0 million. As of December 31, 2018, we had no indebtedness outstanding, approximately $1.0 million of letters of credit outstanding and approximately
$274.0 million of borrowing capacity available under our Senior Credit Agreement. Our borrowing base is redetermined semi-annually, and may also be redetermined periodically at the discretion
of our lenders. A reduction in our borrowing base could require us to repay borrowings, if any, in excess of the borrowing base. Our Senior Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants,
including the maintenance of (i) a Total Net Indebtedness Leverage Ratio and (ii) a Current Ratio, each as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement. We have periodically sought amendments
to the covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement, including the financial covenants, where we have anticipated difficulty in maintaining compliance. In the event we have difficulty in the
future meeting the covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement, we would be required to seek additional relief, and there is no assurance that it would be granted. Failure to comply with the covenants
in the Senior Credit Agreement may limit our ability to borrow, result in an event of default and cause amounts outstanding under the Senior Credit Agreement to become being immediately due and
payable.
Additionally,
the indenture governing our senior debt contains covenants limiting our ability to incur indebtedness unless we meet one of two alternative tests or utilize the limited
exceptions available. The first test applies to all indebtedness and requires that, after giving effect to the incurrence of additional debt, our fixed charge coverage ratio (which is the ratio of our
adjusted consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our indenture) to our adjusted consolidated interest expense over the trailing four fiscal quarters) will be at least 2.00:1.00. The second test allows us
to incur additional indebtedness, beyond the limitations of the fixed charge coverage ratio test, as long as this additional debt is incurred under Credit Facilities (as defined in our indenture) and
generally, the amount thereof
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is
not more than, subject to certain exceptions, the greater of (i) $350 million, (ii) the borrowing base in effect under our Senior Credit Agreement, and (iii) 30% of our
adjusted consolidated net tangible assets, or ACNTA. ACNTA is defined in our indenture and is determined primarily by the value of discounted future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas
reserves plus the capitalized cost attributable to our unevaluated properties.
If
we are not able to borrow sufficient amounts under our Senior Credit Agreement, or otherwise, and are unable to raise sufficient capital to fund our capital expenditures, we may be
required to curtail our drilling, development, land acquisitions and other activities, which could result in a decrease in our production of oil and natural gas, forfeiture of leasehold interests if
we are unable or unwilling to renew them, and could force us to sell some of our assets on an untimely or unfavorable basis, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our results and
future operations.
Our exploration and development drilling efforts and the operation of our wells may not be profitable or
achieve our targeted rates of return.
Exploration, development, drilling and production activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that commercially productive
reservoirs will not be discovered. We invest in property, including undeveloped leasehold acreage, which we believe will result in projects that will add value over time. However, we cannot guarantee
that our leasehold acreage will be profitably developed, that new wells drilled by us will be productive or that we will recover all or any portion of our investment in such leasehold acreage or
wells. Drilling for oil and natural gas may involve unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient net reserves to return a profit
after deducting operating and other costs. In addition, wells that are profitable may not achieve our targeted rate of return. Our ability to achieve our target results is dependent upon current and
future market prices for our oil and natural gas, costs associated with producing oil and natural gas and our ability to add reserves at an acceptable cost. The costs of drilling and completing a well
are often uncertain, and are affected by many factors, including:
-
-
unexpected drilling conditions;
-
-
pressure or irregularities in formations;
-
-
equipment failures or accidents and shortages or delays in the availability of drilling and completion equipment and services;
-
-
adverse weather conditions; and
-
-
compliance with governmental requirements.
If
we are unable to accurately predict and control the costs of drilling and completing a well, we may be forced to limit, delay or cancel drilling operations.
Historically, we have had substantial indebtedness and we may incur substantially more debt in the future.
Higher levels of indebtedness make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business.
We have approximately $625.0 million principal amount of debt as of December 31, 2018. As a result of our indebtedness, we will
need to use a portion of our cash flow to pay interest, which will reduce the amount of cash flow we will have available to finance our operations and other business activities and could limit our
flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes or adverse developments in our business or economic downturns impacting the industry in which we operate. Indebtedness under our Senior Credit
Agreement is at a variable interest rate, and so a rise in interest rates will generate greater interest expense to the extent we do not have hedging arrangements that are effective in offsetting
interest rate fluctuations.
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We
may incur substantially more debt in the future. The indenture governing our outstanding senior notes contains restrictions on our incurrence of additional indebtedness. These
restrictions, however,
are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and under certain circumstances, we could incur substantial additional indebtedness in compliance with these restrictions. Moreover, these
restrictions do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute "indebtedness" as defined under the indenture or borrowing under our Senior Credit Agreement. At December 31,
2018, we had approximately $274.0 million of additional borrowing capacity available under our Senior Credit Agreement.
Our
ability to meet our debt obligations and other expenses will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, regulatory and other factors,
many of which we are unable to control. If our cash flow is not sufficient to service our debt, we may be required to refinance debt, sell assets or sell additional shares of common or preferred stock
on terms that we may not find attractive if it may be done at all. Further, our failure to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants relating to our indebtedness could result in a
default under that indebtedness, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Actions of activist stockholders could be costly and time-consuming, divert management's attention and
resources, and have an adverse effect on our business.
Fir Tree Capital Management LP Partners ("Fir Tree") disclosed in its Schedule 13D/A, filed on February 4, 2019, that it
beneficially owns approximately 5.22% of our common stock. Fir Tree has publicly communicated its opinions regarding actions that it believes would increase value to our stockholders, including
engaging in a process to sell the Company. We value the views of our stockholders, including Fir Tree, and are open to constructive discussions about such matters; nevertheless, Fir Tree (or other
activist stockholders) could take actions that could be costly and time-consuming to us, disrupt our operations, and divert the attention of our board of directors, management, and employees, such as
by engaging in a proxy contest, public insistence upon pursuing strategic combinations or other transactions, or other special requests. As a result, we may retain the services of various
professionals to advise us in these matters, including legal, financial, and communications advisers, the costs of which may negatively impact our future financial results. In addition, perceived
uncertainties as to our future direction, strategy, or leadership as a consequence of activist stockholder initiatives may result in the loss of potential business opportunities, harm our ability to
attract new or retain existing investors, customers, directors, employees, or other partners, and adversely affect our ability to maximize the value of our Company over time.
A downgrade in our credit rating could negatively impact our cost of and ability to access capital.
As of the date of this filing, our corporate credit rating was "CCC+" with a negative outlook by Standard and Poor's (S&P) and "B3" with a
negative outlook by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's). A downgrade in our credit ratings could negatively impact our cost of capital and our ability to finance our business. If our credit rating
were downgraded, it could be difficult for us to
raise debt in the public debt markets and the cost of that new debt could be higher than debt we could raise with our current ratings. In addition, a downgrade could impact requirements for us to
provide financial assurance of performance under contractual arrangements or derivative agreements.
Unless we replace our reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir
characteristics and other factors. Decline rates are typically greatest early in the productive life of a well. Estimates of the decline rate of an oil or natural gas well are inherently imprecise,
and are less precise with respect to new or emerging oil and natural gas
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formations
with limited production histories than for more developed formations with established production histories. Our production levels and the reserves that we currently expect to recover from
our wells will change if production from our existing wells declines in a different manner than we have estimated and can change under other circumstances. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and
production and, therefore, our cash flows and results of operations are highly dependent upon our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current properties and economically finding or
acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, find or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production at acceptable costs. If we are unable to
replace our current and future production, our cash flows and the value of our reserves may decrease, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and
potentially the borrowing capacity under our Senior Credit Agreement.
Estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves involve assumptions and any material inaccuracies in these
assumptions will materially affect the quantities and the value of our reserves.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves. The process of estimating oil and natural
gas reserves in accordance with SEC requirements is complex, involving significant estimates and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data.
Accordingly, these estimates are inherently imprecise. Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, capital expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil
and natural gas reserves most likely will vary from
those estimated. Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and the value of our reserves. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production
history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
The
estimates of our reserves as of December 31, 2018 are based upon various assumptions about future production levels, prices and costs that may not prove to be correct over
time. In particular, in accordance with SEC requirements, estimates of oil and gas reserves, future net revenue from proved reserves and the present value of our oil and gas properties are based on
the assumption that future oil and gas prices remain the same as the twelve month first-day-of-the-month average oil and gas prices for the year ended December 31, 2018. Average prices for oil
and natural gas for the 12-month period were as follows: WTI crude oil spot price of $65.56 per Bbl, adjusted by lease or field for quality, transportation fees, and market differentials and a Henry
Hub natural gas spot price of $3.100 per MMBtu, as adjusted by lease or field for energy content, transportation fees, and market differentials. Any significant variance in the actual future prices
from these assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantity and value of our reserves set forth in this report.
In
addition, at December 31, 2018, approximately 53% of our estimated proved reserves were classified as proved undeveloped. Recovery of proved undeveloped reserves requires
significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2018 assume that we will make future capital expenditures of approximately
$413.0 million in the aggregate primarily from 2019 through 2023, which are necessary to develop and realize the value of proved reserves on our properties. The estimates of these oil and
natural gas reserves and the costs associated with development of these reserves have been prepared in accordance with SEC regulations, however, actual capital expenditures will likely vary from
estimated capital expenditures, development may not occur as scheduled and actual results may not be as estimated.
We may not be able to drill wells on a substantial portion of our acreage.
We may not be able to drill on a substantial portion of our acreage for various reasons. We may not generate enough cash flow from operations or
be able to raise sufficient capital to do so. Commodities pricing may also make drilling some acreage uneconomic. Our actual drilling activities
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and
future drilling budget will depend on drilling results, oil and natural gas prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and
equipment, lease
expirations, gathering system and pipeline transportation constraints, regulatory approvals and other factors. In addition, any drilling activities we conduct may not be successful or result in
additional proved reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on our future business, financial condition and results of operations.
Certain of our undeveloped leasehold acreage is subject to leases that will expire over the next several
years unless production is established on units containing the acreage.
As of December 31, 2018, we owned leasehold interests in approximately 56,900 net acres in the Delaware Basin in West Texas of which
approximately 27,600 net acres are undeveloped. Unless production in paying quantities is established on units containing these leases during their terms or unless we pay (to the extent we have the
contractual right to pay) delay rentals or obtain other extensions to maintain the leases, these leases will expire. If our leases expire, we will lose our right to develop the related properties. We
have no current plans to drill on acreage in other areas outside of our core area of operations.
Our
drilling plans are subject to change based upon various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including drilling results, oil and natural gas prices, the availability and
cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and equipment, gathering system and pipeline transportation constraints, and regulatory approvals. Further, some of
our acreage is located in sections where we do not hold the majority of the acreage and therefore it is likely that we will not be named operator of these sections. As a non-operating leaseholder we
have less control over the timing of drilling and are therefore subject to additional risk of expirations.
We depend substantially on the continued presence of key personnel for critical management decisions and
industry contacts.
Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our executive officers and key employees, particularly with respect to providing the
critical management and operational decisions necessary to manage our business within a challenging and highly competitive industry. Competition for qualified personnel can be intense, particularly in
the oil and natural gas industry, and there are a limited number of people with the requisite knowledge and experience. Additionally, several of our senior executives recently departed to pursue other
opportunities, including our former chief executive officer, and we have begun a search to replace him. Under these conditions, we could be unable to attract qualified personnel or have difficulty
retaining our key personnel. The loss of the services of any of our remaining executive officers or other key employees for any reason and the inability to replace those key personnel could have a
material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
Our oil and natural gas activities are subject to various risks which are beyond our control.
Our operations are subject to many risks and hazards incident to exploring and drilling for, producing, transporting, marketing and selling oil
and natural gas. Although we take precautionary measures, many of these risks and hazards are beyond our control and unavoidable under the circumstances. Many of these risks or hazards could
materially and adversely affect our revenues and expenses, the ability of certain of our wells to produce oil and natural gas in commercial quantities, the rate of production and the economics of the
development of, and our investment in, the prospects in which we have or will acquire an interest. Such risks and hazards include:
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human error, accidents and other events beyond our control that may cause personal injuries or death to persons and destruction or damage to
equipment and facilities;
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blowouts, fires, hurricanes, pollution and equipment failures that may result in damage to or destruction of wells, producing formations,
production facilities and equipment;
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well-on-well interference that may reduce recoveries;
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unavailability of materials and equipment;
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engineering and construction delays;
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unanticipated transportation costs and delays;
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unfavorable weather conditions;
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hazards resulting from unusual or unexpected geological or environmental conditions;
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accidental leakage of toxic or hazardous materials, such as petroleum liquids, drilling fluids or salt water, into the environment;
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hazards resulting from the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) or other contaminants in gas we produce;
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changes in laws and regulations, including laws and regulations applicable to oil and natural gas activities or markets for the oil and natural
gas produced;
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fluctuations in supply and demand for oil and natural gas causing variations of the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production;
and
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the availability of alternative fuels and the price at which they become available.
As
a result of these risks, expenditures, quantities and rates of production, revenues and operating costs may be materially affected and may differ materially from those anticipated by
us.
Our ability to sell our production and/or receive market prices for our production may be adversely affected
by transportation capacity constraints and interruptions.
If the amount of natural gas, condensate or oil being produced by us and others exceeds the capacity of the various transportation pipelines and
gathering systems available in our operating areas, it will be necessary for new transportation pipelines and gathering systems to be built. Or, in the case of oil and condensate, it will be necessary
for us to rely more heavily on trucks or trains to transport our production, which is more expensive and less efficient than transportation via pipeline. The construction of new pipelines and
gathering systems is capital intensive and construction may be postponed, interrupted or cancelled in response to changing economic conditions, the availability and cost of capital, regulatory
restrictions and judicial challenges. In addition, capital constraints could limit our ability to build gathering systems to transport our production to transportation pipelines. In such event, costs
to transport our production may increase materially or we might have to shut in our wells awaiting a pipeline connection or capacity and/or sell our production at much lower prices than market or than
we currently expect, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
A
portion of our production may also be interrupted, or shut in, from time to time for numerous other reasons, including as a result of weather conditions (which may worsen due to
climate changes), accidents, loss of pipeline or gathering system access, field labor issues or strikes, or we might voluntarily curtail production in response to market conditions. If a substantial
amount of our production is interrupted at the same time, it could adversely affect our cash flow.
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We could experience periods of higher costs for various reasons, including due to higher commodity prices,
increased drilling activity in the Delaware Basin and trade disputes that affect the costs of steel and other raw materials that we and our vendors rely upon, which could adversely affect our ability
to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within budget.
Our industry is cyclical. When oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices increase, shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, water
or qualified personnel may result. During these periods, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies are substantially greater. In addition, the demand for, and wage rates of,
qualified drilling rig crews rise as the number of active rigs in service increases. Increasing levels of exploration and production, particularly in the Delaware Basin, likewise may increase demand
for oilfield services and equipment, and the costs of these services and equipment may increase, while the quality of these services and equipment may suffer. Cost increases may also result from a
variety of factors beyond our control, such as increases in the cost of electricity, steel and other materials that we and our vendors rely upon and increases in the cost of services to process, treat
and transport our production. Recently, for instance, the President exercised his authority to impose significant tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from a number of countries. Steel is
extensively used by us and those in oil and gas industry generally, including for such
items as tubulars, flanges, fittings and tanks, among many other items. As a result of the imposition of such tariffs, we will be paying significantly more for most or all of these items in the near
term. Any escalation or expansion of tariffs could result in higher costs and affect a greater range of materials we rely upon in our business. The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs,
pressure pumping equipment, tubulars and other supplies, and of qualified personnel can materially and adversely affect our operations and profitability. In order to secure drilling rigs and pressure
pumping equipment and related services, we may enter into contracts that extend over several months or years. If demand for drilling rigs and pressure pumping equipment subside during the period
covered by these contracts, the price we are required to pay may be significantly more than the market rate for similar services.
We are subject to various contractual limitations that affect the discretion of our management in operating
our business.
The indenture governing our debt and our Senior Credit Agreement contain various provisions that may limit our management's discretion in
certain respects. In particular, these agreements limit our and our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things:
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pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase shares of our common stock and any other capital stock we may issue;
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make loans to others;
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make investments;
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incur additional indebtedness;
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create certain liens;
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sell assets;
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enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us;
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consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets and those of our restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole;
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engage in transactions with affiliates;
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enter into hedging contracts;
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create unrestricted subsidiaries; and
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enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
Compliance
with these and other limitations may limit our ability to operate and finance our business and engage in certain transactions in the manner we might otherwise. In addition, if
we fail to comply with the limitations under our indenture or Senior Credit Agreement, our creditors, to the extent the agreements so provide, may accelerate the related indebtedness as well as any
other indebtedness to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to make further funds available to us.
Our business is highly competitive.
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive, including identification of attractive oil and natural gas properties for acquisition,
drilling and development, securing financing for such activities and obtaining the necessary equipment and personnel to conduct such operations and activities. In seeking suitable opportunities, we
compete with a number of other companies, including large oil and natural gas companies and other independent operators with greater financial resources, larger numbers of personnel and facilities,
and, in some cases, with more expertise. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively with these entities.
We are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that frequently are amended to
impose more stringent requirements that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
Companies that explore for and develop, produce, sell and transport oil and natural gas in the United States are subject to extensive federal,
state and local laws and regulations, including complex tax and environmental, health and safety laws and corresponding regulations, and are required to obtain various permits and approvals from
federal, state and local agencies. If these permits are not issued or unfavorable restrictions or conditions are imposed on our activities, we may not be able to conduct our operations as planned. We
also may be required to make large expenditures to comply with governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include:
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water discharge and disposal permits for drilling operations;
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drilling bonds;
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drilling permits;
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reports concerning operations;
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air quality, air emissions, noise levels and related permits;
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spacing of wells;
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rights-of-way and easements;
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unitization and pooling of properties;
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pipeline construction;
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gathering, transportation and marketing of oil and natural gas;
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taxation; and
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waste transport and disposal permits and requirements.
Failure
to comply with applicable laws may result in the suspension or termination of operations and subject us to liabilities, including administrative, civil and criminal penalties.
Compliance costs can
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be
significant. Moreover, the laws governing our operations or the enforcement thereof could change in ways that substantially increase our costs of doing business. Any such liabilities, penalties,
suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Under
environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we also could be held liable for personal injuries, property damage (including site clean-up and restoration costs) and other
damages including the assessment of natural resource damages. Such laws may impose strict as well as joint and several liability for environmental contamination, which could subject us to liability
for the conduct of others or for our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time such actions were taken. Environmental and other governmental laws and regulations also
increase the costs to plan, design, drill, install, operate and abandon oil and natural gas wells. Moreover, public interest in environmental protection has increased in recent years, and
environmental organizations have opposed, with some success, certain drilling and pipeline projects. Part of the regulatory environment in which we operate includes, in some cases, federal
requirements for performing or preparing environmental assessments, environmental impact studies and/or plans of development before commencing exploration and production activities. In addition, our
activities are subject to regulation by oil and natural gas producing states relating to conservation practices and protection of correlative rights. Such regulations affect our operations and limit
the quantity of oil and natural gas we may produce and sell. Delays in obtaining regulatory approvals or necessary permits, the failure to obtain a permit or the receipt of a permit with excessive
conditions or costs could have a material adverse effect on our ability to explore on, develop or produce our properties. Additionally, the oil and natural gas regulatory environment could change in
ways that might substantially increase the financial and managerial costs to comply with the requirements of these laws and regulations and, consequently, adversely affect our profitability. By way of
example, in 2015 the EPA lowered the primary national ambient air quality standard for ozone from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion. Implementation will take place over several years;
however, the new standard eventually could result in more stringent emissions controls and additional permitting obligations for our operations.
Our strategy involves drilling in shale formations, using horizontal drilling and completion techniques. The
results of our drilling program using these techniques may be subject to more uncertainties than conventional drilling programs, especially in areas that are new and emerging. These uncertainties
could result in an inability to meet our expectations for reserves and production.
The results of our drilling in shale formations are more uncertain initially than drilling results in areas that are more developed and have a
longer history of established production. Newer or emerging formations and areas have limited or no production history; consequently our predictions of drilling results in these areas are more
uncertain. In addition, the use of horizontal drilling and completion techniques used in shale formations involve certain risks and complexities that do not exist in conventional wells. The ultimate
success of our drilling and completion strategies and techniques will be better evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are better established.
If
our drilling results are less than anticipated our investment in these areas may not be as attractive as we anticipate and could result in material write-downs of unevaluated
properties and future declines in the value of our undeveloped acreage.
Federal, state and local legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result
in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.
We engage third parties to provide hydraulic fracturing or other well stimulation services to us in connection with many of the wells for which
we are the operator. Federal, state and local governments have been adopting or considering restrictions on or prohibitions of fracturing in areas where we currently conduct operations, or in the
future plan to conduct operations. Consequently, we could be
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subject
to additional levels of regulation, operational delays or increased operating costs and could have additional regulatory burdens imposed upon us that could make it more difficult to perform
hydraulic fracturing and increase our costs of compliance and doing business.
From
time to time, for example, legislation has been proposed in Congress to amend the federal SDWA to require federal permitting of hydraulic fracturing and the disclosure of chemicals
used in the hydraulic fracturing process. Further, the EPA issued a study in 2016 finding that hydraulic fracturing could potentially harm drinking water resources under adverse circumstances such as
injection directly into groundwater or into production wells lacking mechanical integrity. Other governmental reviews have also been conducted that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic
fracturing. Such activities eventually could result in additional regulatory scrutiny that could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing and increase our costs of compliance and doing
business.
Certain
states, including Texas where we conduct our operations, likewise are considering or have adopted more stringent requirements for various aspects of hydraulic fracturing
operations, such as permitting, disclosure, air emissions, well construction, seismic monitoring, waste disposal and water use. In addition to state laws, local land use restrictions, such as city
ordinances, may restrict or prohibit drilling in general or hydraulic fracturing in particular. Such efforts have extended to bans on hydraulic fracturing.
The
proliferation of regulations may limit our ability to operate. If the use of hydraulic fracturing is limited, prohibited or subjected to further regulation, these requirements could
delay or effectively prevent the extraction of oil and natural gas from formations which would not be economically viable without the use of hydraulic fracturing. This could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Regulation related to global warming and climate change could have an adverse effect on our operations and
demand for oil and natural gas.
Studies over recent years have indicated that emissions of certain gases may be contributing to warming of the Earth's atmosphere. In response,
governments increasingly have been adopting domestic and international climate change regulations that require reporting and reductions of the emission of such greenhouse gases. Methane, a primary
component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, are considered greenhouse gases. Internationally, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement address greenhouse gas emissions, and international negotiations over climate change and greenhouse gases are continuing.
Meanwhile, several countries, including those comprising the European Union, have established greenhouse gas regulatory systems.
In
the United States, many states, either individually or through multi-state regional initiatives, have begun implementing legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases,
primarily through emission inventories, emission targets, greenhouse gas cap and trade programs or incentives for renewable energy generation, while others have considered adopting such greenhouse gas
programs.
At
the federal level, the Obama Administration addressed climate change through a variety of administrative actions. The EPA thus issued greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting
regulations that cover oil and natural gas facilities, among other industries. Beyond measuring and reporting, the EPA issued an "Endangerment Finding" under section 202(a) of the Clean Air
Act, concluding certain greenhouse gas pollution threatens the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The finding served as the first step to issuing regulations that require
permits for and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for certain facilities. In March 2014, moreover, then President Obama released a Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions that included consideration
of both voluntary programs and targeted regulations for the oil and gas sector. Consistent with that strategy, the EPA issued final rules in 2016 for new and modified oil and gas production sources
(including hydraulically
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fractured
oil wells, natural gas well sites, natural gas processing plants, natural gas gathering and boosting stations and natural gas transmission sources) to reduce emissions of methane as well as
volatile organic compound and toxic pollutants. In addition, the BLM has promulgated standards for reducing venting and flaring on public lands. The Trump Administration has been trying to roll back
many of the Obama-era policies and rules, but those efforts have resulted in court challenges. At this point, the long-term direction of federal climate regulation is uncertain.
In
the courts, several decisions have been issued that may increase the risk of claims being filed by governments and private parties against companies that have or contribute to
significant greenhouse gas emissions. Such cases may seek emissions reductions, challenge air emissions or other permits or request damages for alleged climate change impacts to the environment,
people, and property.
The
direction of future U.S. climate change regulation is difficult to predict given the current uncertainties surrounding the policies of the Trump Administration. The EPA may or may
not continue developing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry. Even in the absence of federal efforts in this area, states may continue pursuing climate
regulations. Any laws or regulations that may be adopted to restrict or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur additional operating costs, such as costs to purchase and operate
emissions controls, to obtain emission allowances or to pay emission taxes, and reduce demand for our products.
Our operations substantially depend on the availability of water. Restrictions on our ability to obtain,
dispose of or recycle water may impact our ability to execute our drilling and development plans in a timely or cost-effective manner.
Water is an essential component of our drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes. If we are unable to obtain water to use in our operations
from local sources, we may be unable to economically produce oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Wastewaters from our operations typically are disposed of via underground injection. Some studies have linked earthquakes in certain areas to underground injection, which is leading to
greater public scrutiny and regulation of disposal wells. Any new environmental initiatives or regulations that restrict injection of fluids, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling
fluids and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of oil and gas, or that limit the withdrawal, storage or use of surface water or ground water necessary for hydraulic
fracturing of our wells, could increase our operating costs and cause delays, interruptions or cessation of our operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted, and all of which would have an
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The ongoing implementation of federal legislation enacted in 2010 could have an adverse impact on our ability
to use derivative instruments to reduce the effects of commodity prices, interest rates and other risks associated with our business.
We have entered into a number of commodity derivative contracts in order to hedge a portion of our oil and natural gas production. On
July 21, 2010, then President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires the SEC and the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (or CFTC), along with other federal agencies, to promulgate regulations implementing the new legislation.
The
CFTC has finalized many regulations implementing the Dodd-Frank Act's provisions regarding trade reporting, margin, clearing, and trade execution; however, some regulations remain to
be finalized and it is not possible at this time to predict when the CFTC will adopt final rules. For example, the CFTC has re-proposed regulations setting position limits for certain futures and
option contracts in the major energy markets and for swaps that are their economic equivalents. Certain bona fide hedging transactions are expected to be made exempt from these limits. Also, it is
possible under margin rules
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that
are being phased in between 2016 and 2020, some registered swap dealers may require us to post margin in connection with certain swaps not subject to central clearing.
The
Dodd-Frank Act and any additional implementing regulations could significantly increase the cost of some commodity derivative contracts (including through requirements to post
collateral, which could adversely affect our available liquidity), materially alter the terms of some commodity derivative contracts, limit our ability to trade some derivatives to hedge risks, reduce
the availability of some derivatives to protect against risks we encounter, and reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our existing commodity derivative contracts. If we reduce our use of
derivatives as a consequence, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital
expenditures. Increased volatility may make us less attractive to certain types of investors. Finally, the Dodd-Frank Act was intended, in part, to reduce the volatility of oil and natural gas prices,
which some legislators attributed to speculative trading in derivatives and commodity instruments related to oil and natural gas. If the implementing regulations result in lower commodity prices, our
revenues could be adversely affected. Any of these consequences could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We cannot be certain that the insurance coverage maintained by us will be adequate to cover all losses that
may be sustained in connection with all oil and natural gas activities.
We maintain general and excess liability policies, which we consider to be reasonable and consistent with industry standards. These policies
generally cover:
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personal injury;
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bodily injury;
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third party property damage;
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medical expenses;
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legal defense costs;
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pollution in some cases;
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well blowouts in some cases; and
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workers compensation.
As
is common in the oil and natural gas industry, we will not insure fully against all risks associated with our business either because such insurance is not available or because we
believe the premium costs are prohibitive. A loss not fully covered by insurance could have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. There can be no assurance
that the insurance coverage that we maintain will be sufficient to cover claims made against us in the future.
Title to the properties in which we have an interest may be impaired by title defects.
We generally obtain title opinions on significant properties that we drill or acquire. However, there is no assurance that we will not suffer a
monetary loss from title defects or title failure. Additionally, undeveloped acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage. Generally, under the terms of the operating agreements
affecting our properties, any monetary loss is to be borne by all parties to any such agreement in proportion to their interests in such property. If there are any title defects or defects in
assignment of leasehold rights in properties in which we hold an interest, we will suffer a financial loss.
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Our financial results following the sale of our Williston Basin and El Halcón assets will not
be comparable to our historical financial results and historical trends may not be indicative of our future results.
We divested substantially all of our proved reserves and production when we sold our assets located in the Williston Basin in North Dakota and
in the El Halcón area of East Texas in 2017. The dispositions of these assets, combined with our other recent acquisition and divestiture activities, have substantially transformed us
into a pure-play, single-basin company focused on developing largely unproven acreage concentrated in the Delaware Basin in West Texas. Our historical financial information in this report includes the
operations of our Williston Basin and El Halcón assets for periods prior to their sale and does not reflect the operations of our Delaware Basin assets in all periods. As a result, our
historical financial results will not be comparable to our future results and historical trends may not be indicative of results to be expected in future periods.
Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and realized built in losses to offset future taxable
income for U.S. federal income tax purposes is subject to limitation.
In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, a corporation that undergoes an "ownership change" is
subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change net operating losses (NOLs), and realized built in losses (RBILS), to offset future taxable income. In general, an ownership change
occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain stockholders (generally 5% stockholders, applying certain look-through rules) increases by more than 50 percentage points over such
stockholders' lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years).
We
experienced an ownership change in September 2016 as a result of the consummation of our plan of reorganization under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we may
experience additional ownership changes in the future. Limitations imposed on our ability to use NOLs and RBILS to offset future taxable income may cause U.S. federal income taxes to be paid earlier
than otherwise would be paid if such limitations were not in effect and could cause such NOLs and RBILS to expire unused, in each case reducing or eliminating the benefit of such NOLs and RBILS.
Similar rules and limitations may apply for state income tax purposes.
An
additional ownership change was experienced in December 2018 due to the aggregate stock ownership of certain stockholders increasing by more than 50 percentage points over
their lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (see discussion above).
We may be required to take non-cash asset write-downs.
We may be required under full cost accounting rules to write-down the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties if oil and natural gas
prices decline or if there are substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, increases in our estimates of development costs or deterioration in our exploration results. We
utilize the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration and development activities. Under full cost accounting, we are required by SEC regulations to perform a ceiling test each
quarter. The ceiling test is an impairment test and generally establishes a maximum, or "ceiling," of the book value of oil and natural gas properties that is equal to the expected after tax present
value (discounted at 10%) of the future net cash flows from proved reserves, including the effect of cash flow hedges when hedge accounting is applied, calculated using the unweighted arithmetic
average of the first day of each month for the 12-month period ending at the balance sheet date. If the net book value of oil and natural gas properties (reduced by any related net deferred income tax
liability and asset retirement obligation) exceeds the ceiling limitation, SEC regulations require us to impair or "write-down" the book value of our oil and natural gas properties.
As
of December 31, 2018, our net book value of oil and natural gas properties did not exceed our ceiling amount using the WTI unweighted 12-month average spot price $65.56 per Bbl
for oil and natural gas liquids and the Henry Hub unweighted 12-month average spot price of $3.100 per MMBtu
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for
natural gas. As ceiling test computations depend upon the calculated unweighted arithmetic average prices, it is impossible to predict the likelihood, timing and magnitude of any future
impairments. Depending on the magnitude, a ceiling test write-down could negatively affect our results of operations.
Costs
associated with unevaluated properties, which were approximately $971.9 million at December 31, 2018, are not initially subject to the ceiling test limitation.
Rather, we assess all items classified as unevaluated property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value based upon our intentions with respect to drilling on such properties,
the remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results, the assignment of proved reserves, and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. These
factors are significantly influenced by our expectations regarding future commodity prices, development costs, and access to capital at acceptable
cost. During any period in which these factors indicate impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are
transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion and the ceiling test limitation. Accordingly, a significant change in these factors, many of which are beyond our control, may shift
a significant amount of cost from unevaluated properties into the full cost pool that is subject to depletion and the ceiling test limitation.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market or the issuance of securities senior to our common
stock, or the perception that these sales may occur, could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and our ability to raise funds in stock offerings.
A large percentage of our shares of common stock are held by a relatively small number of investors. Further, we entered into registration
rights agreements with certain of those investors pursuant to which we filed a registration statement with the SEC to facilitate potential future sales of such shares by them. Sales by us or our
stockholders of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public markets, or even the perception that these sales might occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to
decline or could impair our ability to raise capital through a future sale of, or pay for acquisitions using, our equity securities.
We
are currently authorized to issue 1.0 billion shares of common stock and 1.0 million shares of preferred stock, with such designations, rights, preferences, privileges
and restrictions as determined by the board of directors. As of March 4, 2019, we had outstanding approximately 160.3 million shares of common stock and warrants and options to purchase
an aggregate of 12.1 million shares of our common stock. As of March 4, 2019, we have also reserved an additional 5.1 million shares for future issuance to our directors, officers
and employees as restricted stock or stock option awards pursuant to our 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The potential issuance of such additional shares of common stock may create downward pressure on
the trading price of our common stock.
We
may issue common stock or other equity securities senior to our common stock in the future for a number of reasons, including to finance acquisitions, to adjust our leverage ratio,
and to satisfy our obligations upon the exercise of warrants and options, or for other reasons. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales or issuances of shares of our common stock or
other equity securities, or the availability of shares of common stock or such other equity securities for future sale or issuance, will have on the trading price of our common stock.
Hedging transactions may limit our potential gains and increase our potential losses.
In order to manage our exposure to price risks in the marketing of our oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids production, we have entered
into oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids price hedging arrangements with respect to a portion of our anticipated production and we may enter into additional hedging transactions in the future.
While intended to reduce the effects of volatile commodity prices, such transactions may limit our potential gains and increase our potential losses if
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commodity
prices were to rise substantially over the price established by the hedge. In addition, such transactions may expose us to the risk of loss in certain circumstances, including instances in
which:
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our production is less than expected;
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there is a widening of price differentials between delivery points for our production; or
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the counterparties to our hedging agreements fail to perform under the contracts.
We will be subject to risks in connection with acquisitions, and the integration of significant acquisitions
may be difficult and may involve unexpected costs or delays.
We have completed in the past and may complete in the future significant acquisitions of reserves, properties, prospects and leaseholds and
other strategic transactions that appear to fit within our overall business strategy, which may include the acquisition of asset packages of producing properties, undeveloped acreage or existing
companies or businesses operating in our industry. The successful acquisition of assets in our industry requires an assessment of several factors, including:
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recoverable reserves;
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future oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and their appropriate differentials;
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development and operating costs; and
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potential environmental and other liabilities.
The
accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent
with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and
potential recoverable reserves. Inspections may not always be performed on every well or well site, and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken.
Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. We are generally not able to obtain
contractual indemnification for environmental liabilities and normally acquire properties on an "as is" basis.
Significant
acquisitions of existing companies or businesses and other strategic transactions may involve additional risks, including:
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diversion of our management's attention to evaluating, negotiating and integrating significant acquisitions and strategic transactions;
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the challenge and cost of integrating acquired operations, information management and other technology systems and business cultures with our
own while carrying on our ongoing business;
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difficulty associated with coordinating geographically separate organizations;
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the challenge of integrating environmental compliance systems to meet requirements of rapidly changing regulations;
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the challenge of attracting and retaining personnel associated with acquired operations; and
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failure to realize the full benefit that we expect in estimated proved reserves, production volume, cost savings from operating synergies or
other benefits anticipated from an acquisition, or to realize these benefits within our expected time frame.
The
process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our business. Members of our senior management may be required to devote
considerable amounts of time to this integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage our
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business.
If our senior management is not able to manage the integration process effectively, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, our
business could be materially and adversely affected.
We depend on computer, telecommunications and information technology systems to conduct our business, and
failures, disruptions, cyber-attacks or other breaches in data security could significantly disrupt our business operations, create liability and increase our costs.
The oil and natural gas industry in general has become increasingly dependent upon technology to conduct day-to-day operations, including
certain exploration, development and production activities. We have agreements with third parties for hardware, software, telecommunications and other information technology services necessary to our
business and have developed proprietary software systems, management techniques and other information technologies incorporating software licensed from third parties. We use these systems and data to,
among other things, estimate quantities of oil, NGL and natural gas reserves, process and record financial data and communicate with our employees and third parties. Failures in these systems due to
hardware or software malfunctions, computer viruses, natural disasters, fire, human error or other causes could significantly affect our ability to conduct our business. In particular, cyber-security
attacks on systems are increasing in frequency and sophistication and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security
breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, and corruption of data. Although we utilize various procedures and
controls to monitor and protect against these threats and to mitigate our exposure to them, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security threats
from materializing and any interruptions to our arrangements with third parties, to our computing and communications infrastructure or our information systems could significantly disrupt our business
operations. Further, the loss or corruption of sensitive information could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, as
cyber-attacks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any
vulnerability to cyber-attacks. We generally do not maintain insurance coverage for the costs associated with cyber-security events.
Our actual financial results may vary materially from the projections that we filed with the bankruptcy court
in connection with the confirmation of our plan of reorganization.
In connection with the disclosure statement we filed with the bankruptcy court, and the hearing to consider confirmation of our plan of
reorganization, we prepared projected financial
information to demonstrate to the bankruptcy court the feasibility of the plan of reorganization and our ability to continue operations upon our emergence from bankruptcy. Those projections were
prepared solely for the purpose of the bankruptcy proceedings and have not been, and will not be, updated on an ongoing basis and should not be relied upon by investors. At the time they were
prepared, the projections reflected numerous assumptions concerning our anticipated future performance and with respect to prevailing and anticipated market and economic conditions that were and
remain beyond our control and that may not materialize. Projections are inherently subject to substantial and numerous uncertainties and to a wide variety of significant business, economic and
competitive risks and the assumptions underlying the projections and/or valuation estimates may prove to be wrong in material respects. Actual results will likely vary significantly from those
contemplated by the projections. As a result, investors should not rely on these projections.
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Our historical financial information may not be indicative of our future financial performance.
Effective upon our emergence from chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 9, 2016, we adopted fresh-start accounting, as a consequence
of which our assets and liabilities were adjusted to fair values and we had no beginning or ending retained earnings or deficit balances on that date. Accordingly, our financial condition and results
of operations following our emergence from chapter 11 bankruptcy will not be comparable to the financial condition and results of operations reflected in our historical financial statements.
Further, as a result of the implementation of our plan of reorganization and the transactions contemplated thereby, our historical financial information may not be indicative of our future financial
performance.