COMSTOCK RESOURCES INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 21, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Feb 21, 2025
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-02-16.
0000950170-24-016532
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-21.
0000950170-25-024783
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 59 previous paragraphs and 58 current paragraphs.
27 unchanged; 29 reworded; 2 added; 3 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 4 previous and 4 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (2)
Current report
Issuance of 6.75% senior notes and debt issuance costs. In April 2024, we issued $400.0 million principal amount of 6.75% senior notes due 2029 in a private placement and received net proceeds after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts of $365.2 million, which were used to pay down outstanding borrowings on our bank credit facility. We incurred $6.8 million of debt issuance costs associated with the senior note issuance.
Current report
Issuance of common stock and stock issuance costs. In 2024, we issued 12,500,000 shares of common stock to two entities controlled by our majority stockholder in a private placement, receiving total proceeds of $100.5 million.
Removed paragraphs (3)
Previous report
Loss on early retirement of debt. During 2022, we retired $244.4 million principal amount of our 7.5% senior notes and $26.1 million principal amount of our 6.75% senior notes. As a result of premiums paid over face value and costs associated with the retirements, we recognized a loss on early retirement of debt of $46.8 million during 2022.
Previous report
Retirement of senior notes. In 2022, we retired all of our outstanding 7.5% senior notes due in 2025 for $248.9 million, which included premiums paid over face value of $4.5 million, and we retired $26.1 million principal amount of our 6.75% senior notes for $24.9 million.
Previous report
Debt issuance costs. In 2022, we entered into a new five-year bank credit facility and we incurred $10.8 million of issuance costs associated with the new bank credit facility
Reworded paragraphs (29)
Previous wording
We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in the United States. Our assets are concentrated in the Haynesville and Bossier shale located in North Louisiana and East Texas, a premier natural gas basin with superior economics due to the geographic proximity to Gulf Coast natural gas markets. We own interests in 2,478 producing natural gas and oil wells (1,516.7 net to us) and we operate 1,703 of these wells.
Current wording
We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in the United States. Our assets are concentrated in the Haynesville and Bossier shale located in North Louisiana and East Texas, a premier natural gas basin with superior economics due to the geographic proximity to Gulf Coast natural gas markets. We own interests in 2,427 producing natural gas and oil wells (1,542.6 net to us) and we operate 1,747 of these wells.
Previous wording
We generally sell our natural gas and oil at current market prices at the point our wells connect to third party purchaser pipelines or terminals. We have entered into certain transportation and treating agreements with midstream and pipeline companies to transport a substantial portion of our natural gas production to long-haul gas pipelines. We market our products several different ways depending upon a number of factors, including the availability of purchasers for the product, the availability and cost of pipelines near our wells, market prices, pipeline constraints and operational flexibility. Accordingly, our revenues are heavily dependent upon the prices of, and demand for, natural gas. Natural gas prices have historically been volatile and are likely to remain volatile in the future.
Current wording
We generally sell our natural gas and oil at current market prices at the point where our wells connect to third party purchaser pipelines or terminals. We have entered into certain transportation and treating agreements with midstream and pipeline companies to transport a substantial portion of our natural gas production to long-haul gas pipelines. We market our products in several different ways depending upon a number of factors, including the availability of purchasers for the product, the availability and cost of pipelines near our wells, market prices, pipeline constraints and operational flexibility. Accordingly, our revenues are heavily dependent upon the prices of and demand for natural gas. Natural gas prices have historically been volatile and are likely to remain volatile in the future.
Previous wording
Our operations and facilities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the exploration for, and the development, production and transportation of, natural gas and oil, and operating safety. Future laws or regulations, any adverse changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations or our failure to comply with existing legal requirements may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Applicable environmental regulations require us to remove our equipment after production has ceased, to plug and abandon our wells and to remediate any environmental damage our operations may have caused. The present value of the estimated future costs to plug and abandon our natural gas and oil wells and to dismantle and remove our production facilities is included in our reserve for future abandonment costs, which was $30.8 million as of December 31, 2023.
Current wording
Our operations and facilities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the exploration for, and the development, production and transportation of, natural gas and oil, and operating safety. Future laws or regulations, any adverse changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations or our failure to comply with existing legal requirements may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Applicable environmental regulations require us to remove our equipment after production has ceased, to plug and abandon our wells and to remediate any environmental damage our operations may have caused. The present value of the estimated future costs to plug and abandon our natural gas and oil wells and to dismantle and remove our production facilities is included in our reserve for future abandonment costs, which was $34.0 million as of December 31, 2024.
Previous wording
Prices for natural gas and oil have been highly volatile in recent years but we expect our natural gas production to increase, assuming we maintain a sufficient development program to offset expected production declines from our producing wells. The level of our drilling activity is dependent on natural gas prices. If we are unable to offset production declines with the new wells we plan to drill in 2024 and future periods, our production volumes and cash flows from our operating activities may not be sufficient to fund our capital expenditures, and thus, we may need to either curtail drilling activity or seek additional borrowings, which would result in an increase in our interest expense in 2024 and future periods. We may need to recognize impairments of our natural gas and oil properties if natural gas and oil prices decline, and as a result, the expected future cash flows from these properties becomes insufficient to recover their carrying value.
Current wording
Prices for natural gas and oil have been highly volatile in recent years but we expect our natural gas production to increase, assuming we maintain a sufficient development program to offset expected production declines from our producing wells. The level of our drilling activity is dependent on natural gas prices. If we are unable to offset production declines with the new wells we plan to drill in 2025 and future periods, our production volumes and cash flows from our operating activities may not be sufficient to fund our capital expenditures, and thus, we may need to either curtail drilling activity or seek additional borrowings, which would result in an increase in our interest expense in 2025 and future periods. We may need to recognize impairments of our natural gas and oil properties if natural gas and oil prices decline, and as a result, the expected future cash flows from these properties become insufficient to recover their carrying value.
Previous wording
Natural gas and oil sales. Natural gas and oil sales of $1.3 billion in 2023 decreased by $1.9 billion, or 60%, as compared to $3.1 billion in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower prices received for our natural gas production. Our 2023 natural gas production increased 5% to 524.5 Bcf (1.4 Bcf per day), and was sold at an average price of $2.40 per Mcf as compared to 500.6 Bcf (1.4 Bcf per day) sold at an average price of $6.23 in 2022.
Current wording
Natural gas and oil sales. Natural gas and oil sales of $1.0 billion in 2024 decreased by $0.2 billion, or 17%, as compared to $1.3 billion in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower prices received for our natural gas production. Our 2024 natural gas production increased 1% to 527.5 Bcf (1.4 Bcf per day), which was sold at an average price of $1.98 per Mcf as compared to 524.5 Bcf (1.4 Bcf per day) sold at an average price of $2.40 in 2023.
Previous wording
Gas services revenues. Gas services revenues of $300.5 million in 2023 decreased $202.9 million (40%) from $503.4 million in 2022. Gas services activities include sales of natural gas purchased from unaffiliated third parties for resale and fees received from unaffiliated third parties for natural gas gathering and treating services. These activities commenced in 2022 with the acquisition of a pipeline and natural gas treating plant and the opportunity to utilize our excess transport capacity in North Louisiana. Gas services revenues decreased in 2023 due primarily to lower natural gas prices on sales of natural gas purchased to utilize our excess transport capacity.
Current wording
Gas services revenues. Gas services revenues of $206.1 million in 2024 decreased $94.4 million (31%) from $300.5 million in 2023. Gas services activities include sales of natural gas purchased from unaffiliated third parties for resale and fees received from unaffiliated third parties for natural gas gathering and treating services. These activities commenced in 2022 with the acquisition of a pipeline and natural gas treating plant and the opportunity to utilize our excess transport capacity in North Louisiana. Gas services revenues decreased in 2024 due primarily to lower natural gas prices on sales of natural gas purchased to utilize our excess transport capacity.
Previous wording
Production and ad valorem taxes. Our production and ad valorem taxes increased $13.9 million (18%) to $91.8 million in 2023 from $77.9 million in 2022. This increase was primarily related to increases in the Louisiana production tax rate and higher ad valorem taxes.
Current wording
Production and ad valorem taxes. Our production and ad valorem taxes decreased $34.4 million (37%) to $57.4 million in 2024 from $91.8 million in 2023. This decrease was primarily related to a statutory decrease to the Louisiana production tax rate and lower Texas production taxes and ad valorem taxes related to lower natural gas prices in 2024.
Previous wording
Gathering and transportation. Gathering and transportation costs increased $29.2 million (19%) to $184.9 million in 2023 as compared to $155.7 million in 2022. This increase was due to production growth in areas with higher average gathering and transportation rates.
Current wording
Gathering and transportation. Gathering and transportation costs increased $10.0 million (5%) to $194.9 million in 2024 as compared to $184.9 million in 2023. This increase was due to production growth in areas with higher average gathering and transportation rates.
Previous wording
Lease operating expenses. Our lease operating expense of $132.2 million ($0.25 per Mcfe) in 2023 was $21.1 million, or 19%, higher than lease operating expenses in 2022 of $111.1 million ($0.22 per Mcfe). The increase in lease operating expense was due to higher production and increased water disposal costs and other production costs.
Current wording
Lease operating expenses. Our lease operating expense of $130.5 million ($0.25 per Mcfe) in 2024 was $1.7 million, or 1% lower than lease operating expenses in 2023 of $132.2 million ($0.25 per Mcfe). The decrease in lease operating expense was due to lower water disposal costs and other production costs as compared to 2023.
Previous wording
Gas services expenses. Gas services expenses of $282.1 million in 2023 were $183.0 million (39%) lower than gas services expenses in 2022 of $465.0 million. The decrease was due primarily to lower natural gas prices for purchases of third party natural gas for resale.
Current wording
Gas services expenses. Gas services expenses of $205.4 million in 2024 were $76.6 million (27%) lower than gas services expenses in 2023 of $282.1 million. The decrease was due primarily to lower natural gas prices for purchases of third-party natural gas for resale.
Previous wording
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense ("DD&A"). DD&A expense increased $118.5 million (24%) to $607.9 million in 2023 from $489.5 million in 2022 and our DD&A expense per equivalent Mcf produced was $1.16 per Mcfe in 2023 as compared to $0.98 per Mcfe in 2022. The increase in DD&A rate was primarily due to higher drilling and completion costs incurred for wells turned to sales in 2023 combined with lower estimated proved reserves resulting from the low natural gas price used in the determination of proved reserves at December 31, 2023.
Current wording
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense ("DD&A"). DD&A expense increased $187.5 million (31%) to $795.4 million in 2024 from $607.9 million in 2023 and our DD&A expense per equivalent Mcf produced was $1.51 per Mcfe in 2024 as compared to $1.16 per Mcfe in 2023. The increase in DD&A rate was primarily due to lower estimated proved undeveloped reserves used in determining the DD&A rate, which resulted from the low natural gas price used in the estimation of proved reserves at December 31, 2024.
Previous wording
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses, which are reported net of overhead reimbursements, decreased to $38.0 million in 2023 from $39.4 million in 2022 due primarily to lower personnel costs. Stock-based compensation included in general and administrative expenses was $9.9 million and $6.6 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Current wording
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses, which are reported net of overhead reimbursements, increased to $39.4 million in 2024 from $38.0 million in 2023 due primarily to higher stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation included in general and administrative expenses was $15.3 million and $9.9 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Previous wording
Derivative financial instruments. We use derivative financial instruments as part of our price risk management program to protect the cash flow we generate from our operating activities. We had net gains on derivative financial instruments of $187.6 million for 2023 as compared to net losses on derivative financial instruments of $662.5 million for 2022. Realized net gains from our natural gas price risk management program were $80.3 million in 2023 as compared to $862.7 million of realized net losses in 2022. We recognized unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments of $107.3 million and $200.2 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Current wording
Derivative financial instruments. We use derivative financial instruments as part of our price risk management program to protect the cash flow we generate from our operating activities. We had net gains on derivative financial instruments of $10.2 million for 2024 as compared to net gains on derivative financial instruments of $187.6 million for 2023. Realized net gains from our natural gas price risk management program were $207.8 million in 2024 as compared to $80.3 million of realized net gains in 2023. We recognized unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments of $197.6 million and unrealized gains of $107.3 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Previous wording
Interest expense. Interest expense was $169.0 million for 2023 as compared to $171.1 million for 2022. Included in interest expense was amortization of the premiums or discounts on our senior notes and the debt issuance cost amortization associated with our outstanding debt. The non-cash interest expense for 2023 totaled $8.0 million compared with $10.3 million for 2022. The decrease in interest expense in 2023 was due primarily to the retirement of our 7.5% senior notes in 2022.
Current wording
Interest expense. Interest expense was $210.6 million for 2024 as compared to $169.0 million for 2023. Included in interest expense was amortization of the premiums or discounts on our senior notes and the debt issuance cost amortization associated with our outstanding debt. The non-cash interest expense for 2024 totaled $11.5 million compared with $8.0 million for 2023. The increase in interest expense in 2024 was due primarily to the issuance of our 6.75% senior notes in 2024.
Previous wording
Income taxes. Our income tax provision was $35.1 million and $261.1 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our effective tax rate of 14% in 2023 and 19% in 2022 differed from the federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to changes in our valuation allowance on our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and state income taxes.
Current wording
Income taxes. Our income tax benefit was $149.1 million in 2024 as compared to a provision of $35.1 million in 2023. Our effective tax rate of 41% in 2024 differed from the federal income tax rate of 21% due primarily to research and development and other tax credits claimed in 2024, changes in our valuation allowance on our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and state income taxes, including a reduction in the Louisiana state corporate tax rates. Our effective tax rate of 14% in 2023 differed from the federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to changes in our valuation allowance on our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and state income taxes.
Previous wording
Net income. We reported net income available to common stockholders of $211.9 million or $0.76 per diluted share in 2023 and a net income available to common stockholders of $1.1 billion or $4.11 per diluted share in 2022. The decrease in net income in 2023 is primarily due to the impact of lower natural gas prices in 2023. Income from operations in 2023 decreased to $226.6 million as compared to $2.3 billion in 2022.
Current wording
Net income. We reported a net loss available to common stockholders of $218.8 million or $(0.76) per diluted share in 2024 and net income available to common stockholders of $211.9 million or $0.76 per diluted share in 2023. The net loss in 2024 is primarily due to the impact of lower natural gas prices in 2024 and the unrealized loss on our derivative financial instruments of $197.6 million. Loss from operations in 2024 was $168.6 million as compared to income from operations of $226.6 million in 2023.
Previous wording
Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash provided by our operating activities decreased $681.5 million (40%) to $1.0 billion in 2023 from $1.7 billion in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the lower realized natural gas prices we had in 2023.
Current wording
Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash provided by our operating activities decreased $396.5 million (39%) to $620.3 million in 2024 from $1.0 billion in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the lower natural gas prices we realized in 2024.
Previous wording
Contributions from noncontrolling interest. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we formed a midstream partnership to fund the future build-out of our Western Haynesville midstream system over the next several years. During 2023, the noncontrolling interest contributed $24.0 million to the midstream partnership.
Current wording
Contributions from noncontrolling interest. In 2023, we formed a midstream partnership to fund the future build-out of our Western Haynesville midstream system. During 2024 and 2023, our noncontrolling partner contributed $60.5 million and $24.0 million, respectively, to the midstream partnership.
Previous wording
Proceeds from asset sales. In 2023, we sold certain non-operated properties for net proceeds of $41.3 million. In 2022, we sold certain non-operated properties for net proceeds of $4.2 million.
Current wording
Proceeds from asset sales. In 2024, we sold certain non-operated properties for net proceeds of $1.2 million. In 2023, we sold certain non-operated properties for net proceeds of $41.3 million.
Previous wording
Capital expenditures. The increase in capital expenditures of $357.2 million is primarily due to higher drilling, completion and acquisition activities in 2023.
Current wording
Capital expenditures. The decrease in capital expenditures of $373.6 million is primarily due to lower drilling and completion activities in 2024.
Previous wording
We currently expect to spend approximately $750 million to $850 million in 2024 on our development and exploration projects primarily focused on the continued development of our Haynesville/Bossier shale properties including the exploration and development of our Western Haynesville acreage. We also expect to spend $125.0 million to $150.0 million in our Western Haynesville midstream partnership. Under our 2024 operating plan, we currently expect to run five operated drilling rigs and to drill 46 operated horizontal wells (35.9 net) and to turn 44 operated wells (38.2 net) to sales in 2024.
Current wording
We currently expect to spend approximately $1.0 billion to $1.1 billion in 2025 on our development and exploration projects primarily focused on the continued development of our Haynesville/Bossier shale properties including the exploration and development of our Western Haynesville acreage. We also expect to spend $130 million to $150 million in our Western Haynesville midstream partnership. Under our 2025 operating plan, we currently expect to drill 46 operated horizontal wells (40.3 net) and to turn 46 operated wells (39.7 net) to sales in 2025.
Previous wording
Common stock and preferred stock dividends. In 2023, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of 12.5¢ per share of common stock. On December 15, 2022, we paid a cash dividend of 12.5¢ per share of common stock. On November 30, 2022, all of the outstanding shares of our Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 43,750,000 shares of common stock.
Current wording
Common stock dividends. In 2023, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of 12.5¢ per share of common stock. We did not pay a dividend in 2024.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023, we had $480.0 million outstanding under a bank credit facility. Aggregate commitments under the credit facility are $1.5 billion, which matures on November 15, 2027. Borrowings under the bank credit facility are subject to a borrowing base, which is currently set at $2.0 billion. The borrowing base is re-determined on a semi-annual basis and upon the occurrence of certain other events. Borrowings under the bank credit facility are secured by substantially all of our assets and those of our restricted subsidiaries and bear interest at our option, at either adjusted SOFR plus 1.75% to 2.75% or an alternate base rate plus 0.75% to 1.75%, in each case depending on the utilization of the borrowing base. We also pay a commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% on the unused portion of the committed borrowing base. The bank credit facility places certain restrictions upon our and our restricted subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay cash dividends, repurchase common stock, make certain loans, investments and divestitures and redeem our senior notes. The only financial covenants are the maintenance of a leverage ratio of less than 3.5 to 1.0 and an adjusted current ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. We were in compliance with the covenants as of December 31, 2023.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024, we had $415.0 million outstanding under a bank credit facility. Aggregate commitments under the credit facility are $1.5 billion, which matures on November 15, 2027. Borrowings under the bank credit facility are subject to a borrowing base, which is currently set at $2.0 billion. The borrowing base is re-determined on a semi-annual basis and upon the occurrence of certain other events. Borrowings under the bank credit facility are secured by substantially all of our assets and those of our restricted subsidiaries and bear interest at our option, at either adjusted SOFR plus 2.25% to 3.25% or an alternate base rate plus 1.25% to 2.25%, in each case depending on the utilization of the borrowing base. We also pay a commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% on the unused portion of the committed borrowing base. The bank credit facility places certain restrictions upon our and our restricted subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay cash dividends, repurchase common stock, make certain loans, investments and divestitures and redeem our senior notes. The only financial covenants are the maintenance of a leverage ratio of less than 4.0 to 1.0, which reduces to 3.75 to 1.0 on June 30, 2025 and to 3.5 to 1.0 on September 30, 2025 and an adjusted current ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. We were in compliance with the covenants as of December 31, 2024.
Previous wording
As of December 31, 2023, we had $1.0 billion of liquidity, comprised of $1.0 billion of unused borrowing capacity under our bank credit facility and $16.7 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand. Our short and long-term capital requirements consist primarily of funding our development and exploration activities, acquisitions, payments of contractual obligations, and debt service.
Current wording
As of December 31, 2024, we had $1.1 billion of liquidity, comprised of $1.1 billion of unused borrowing capacity under our bank credit facility and $6.8 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand. Our short and long-term capital requirements consist primarily of funding our development and exploration activities, acquisitions, payments of contractual obligations, and debt service.
Previous wording
Our contractual obligations consist primarily of natural gas transportation and gathering contracts, principal and interest payments on our senior notes and bank credit facility and other operating lease obligations. Our natural gas transportation and gathering contracts extend to 2031 and commitments under these contracts are $97.8 million for 2024, $89.6 million for 2025, $63.9 million for 2026, $62.7 million for 2027, $56.3 million for 2028 and $96.4 million for commitments thereafter. Interest payments under our senior notes and bank credit facility are $175.1 million for 2024 through 2026, $170.6 million for 2027, $139.3 million for 2028 and $72.8 million for all periods thereafter.
Current wording
Our contractual obligations consist primarily of natural gas transportation and gathering contracts, principal and interest payments on our senior notes and bank credit facility and other operating lease obligations. Our natural gas transportation and gathering contracts extend to 2031 and commitments under these contracts are $84.4 million for 2025, $91.6 million for 2026, $90.0 million for 2027, $82.9 million for 2028, $73.8 million for 2029 and $98.0 million for commitments thereafter. Interest payments under our senior notes and bank credit facility are $196.6 million for 2025 and 2026, $192.8 million for 2027, $166.3 million for 2028, $75.0 million for 2029 and $2.4 million for all periods thereafter.
Previous wording
At December 31, 2023, we had $754.1 million in U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards and $1.7 billion in certain state net operating loss carryforwards. As a result of a change of control in August 2018, our ability to use U.S. federal net operating losses ("NOLs") to reduce taxable income is limited. If we do not generate a sufficient level of taxable income prior to the expiration of the pre-2018 NOL carry-forward periods, then we will lose the ability to apply those NOLs as offsets to future taxable income. We estimate that $740.6 million of the U.S. federal NOL carryforwards and $1.2 billion of the estimated state NOL carryforwards will expire unused.
Current wording
On December 31, 2024, we had $743.0 million in U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards and $1.8 billion in certain state net operating loss carryforwards. As a result of a change of control in August 2018, our ability to use U.S. federal net operating losses ("NOLs") to reduce taxable income is limited. If we do not generate a sufficient level of taxable income prior to the expiration of the pre-2018 NOL carry-forward periods, then we will lose the ability to apply those NOLs as offsets to future taxable income. We estimate that $740.6 million of the U.S. federal NOL carryforwards and $1.2 billion of the estimated state NOL carryforwards will expire unused.
Previous wording
Successful efforts accounting. We are required to select among alternative acceptable accounting policies. There are two generally acceptable methods for accounting for natural gas and oil producing activities. The full cost method allows the capitalization of all costs associated with finding natural gas and oil reserves, including certain general and administrative expenses. The successful efforts method allows only for the capitalization of costs associated with developing proven natural gas and oil properties as well as exploration costs associated with successful exploration projects. Costs related to exploration that are not successful are expensed when it is determined that commercially productive oil and gas reserves were not found. We have elected to use the successful efforts method to account for our oil and gas activities and we do not capitalize any of our general and administrative expenses.
Current wording
Successful efforts accounting. We are required to select among alternative acceptable accounting policies. There are two generally acceptable methods for accounting for natural gas and oil producing activities. The full cost method allows the capitalization of all costs associated with finding natural gas and oil reserves. The successful efforts method allows only for the capitalization of costs associated with developing proven natural gas and oil properties as well as exploration costs associated with successful exploration projects. Costs related to exploration that are not successful are expensed when it is determined that commercially productive oil and gas reserves were not found. We have elected to use the successful efforts method to account for our oil and gas activities.
Previous wording
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as the future tax consequences attributable to the future utilization of existing tax net operating loss and other types of carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the change in rate is enacted.
Current wording
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as the future tax consequences attributable to the future utilization of existing tax NOLs and other types of carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the change in rate is enacted.
Previous wording
In recording deferred income tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of our deferred income tax assets will be realized in the future. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those deferred income tax assets would be deductible. We believe that after considering all the available objective evidence, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, we are not able to determine that it is more likely than not that all of our deferred tax assets will be realized. As a result, we established valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets and U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards that are not expected to be utilized due to the uncertainty of generating taxable income prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. We will continue to assess the valuation allowances against deferred tax assets considering all available information obtained in future reporting periods.
Current wording
In recording deferred income tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of our deferred income tax assets will be realized in the future. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those deferred income tax assets would be deductible. We believe that after considering all the available objective evidence, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, we are not able to determine that it is more likely than not that all of our deferred tax assets will be realized. As a result, we established valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets and U.S. federal and state NOL carryforwards that are not expected to be utilized due to the uncertainty of generating taxable income prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. We will continue to assess the valuation allowances against deferred tax assets considering all available information obtained in future reporting periods.