BATTALION OIL CORP
For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Apr 1, 2024.
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FY2023 · Filed Apr 1, 2024
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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Battalion Oil Corporation (“Battalion” or the “Company”) is the successor reporting company to Halcón Resources Corporation (Halcón). On January 21, 2020, Battalion filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State to effect a change of the Company’s corporate name from Halcón Resources Corporation to Battalion Oil Corporation.
Battalion is 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. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority-owned, controlled subsidiaries. The Company operates inone reportable segment which focuses on oil and natural gas acquisition, production, exploration and development. Allocation of capital is made across the Company’s entire portfolio without regard to operating area. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date of issuance of this report in conjunction with the preparation of these consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Estimates and assumptions that, in the opinion of management of the Company, are significant include oil and natural gas revenue accruals, capital and operating expense accruals, oil and natural gas reserves, depletion relating to oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations, and fair value estimates. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statement and the results presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Amounts in the consolidated balance sheets included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Restricted cash” reconcile to the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows as follows:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $57,529 | | $32,726 | ||
| Restricted cash | | | 90 | | | 90 |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | $57,619 | | $32,816 | ||
Restricted cash consists primarily of funds to collateralize letters of credit outstanding.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. Accounts receivable are recorded at the amount due, less an allowance for doubtful accounts, when
applicable. Payment of the Company’s accounts receivable is typically received within 30-60 days. The Company’s historical credit losses have been de minimis and are expected to remain so in the future assuming no substantial changes to the business or creditworthiness of the Company’s counterparties.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its investment in oil and natural gas properties as prescribed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). 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, treating equipment and gathering support facilities, dry holes, geophysical 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 estimated proved reserves would significantly change. Depletion of evaluated oil and natural gas properties is computed on the units of production method based on estimated proved reserves. The net capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties are subject to a full cost ceiling limitation in which the costs are not allowed to exceed their related estimated future net revenues discounted at 10%, net of tax considerations. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depletion, exceed the discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, net of deferred taxes, such excess capitalized costs are charged to expense.
Costs associated with unevaluated properties are excluded from the full cost pool until the Company has made a determination as to the existence of proved reserves. The Company reviews its unevaluated properties at the end of each quarter to determine whether the costs incurred should be transferred to the full cost pool and thereby subject to amortization. Investments in unevaluated oil and natural gas properties and exploration and development projects for which depletion expense is not currently recognized, and for which exploration or development activities are in progress, qualify for interest capitalization. The Company determines capitalized interest, when applicable, by multiplying the Company’s weighted-average borrowing cost on debt by the average amount of qualifying costs incurred that were excluded from the full cost pool; however, the amount of capitalized interest cannot exceed the amount of gross interest expense incurred in any given period. The Company’s accounting policy on the capitalization of interest establishes thresholds for the determination of a development project for the purpose of interest capitalization.
Additionally, the Company assesses all properties classified as unevaluated property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment. The Company assesses properties on an individual basis or as a group, if properties are individually insignificant. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; drilling results and activity; the assignment of proved reserves; and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. 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 full cost ceiling test limitation.
Other Operating Property and Equipment
Other operating property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings, twenty years; automobiles andcomputers, three years; computer software, fixtures, furniture and equipment, five years; trailers, seven years; heavy equipment, eight toten years and leasehold improvements, lease term. Land and artwork are not depreciated. Upon disposition, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gains or losses are reflected in current operations. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to operating expense as incurred. Material expenditures which increase the life or productive capacity of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset.
The Company reviews its other operating property and equipment for impairment in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360,Property, Plant, and Equipment (ASC 360). ASC 360 requires the Company to evaluate other operating property and equipment for impairment as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below the carrying amount. If the carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then the Company would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. Further, the Company evaluates the remaining useful lives of its other operating property and equipment at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining depreciation periods.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company’s primary concentrations of credit risk are the risks of uncollectible accounts receivable and of nonperformance by two counterparties under the Company’s derivative contracts. Each reporting period, the Company assesses the recoverability of material receivables using historical data, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to determine expected collectability of its material receivables.
The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. The purchasers of the Company’s oil and natural gas production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas pipeline companies. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant losses from uncollectible accounts from its oil and natural gas purchasers. In 2023, two individual purchasers of the Company’s production, Western Refining Company L.P. and Sunoco Inc., each accounted for more than 10%of total sales, collectively representing 79% of its total sales for the year. In 2022, three individual purchasers of the Company’s production, Western Refining Company L.P., Sunoco Inc. and Targa Resources Inc., each accounted formore than 10% of total sales, collectively representing 82% of its total sales for the year.
The Company operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, the Company makes full payments for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other working interest owners in the property for their share of those costs. The Company’s joint interest partners consist primarily of independent oil and natural gas producers. Joint operating agreements govern the operations of an oil or natural gas well and, in most instances, provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and its joint interest owners. If the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry in general was adversely affected, the ability of the Company’s joint interest partners to reimburse the Company could be adversely affected.
The Company’s exposure to credit risk under its derivative contracts is varied among major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, where it has master netting agreements which provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and the counterparty. To manage counterparty risk associated with derivative contracts, the Company selects and monitors counterparties based on an assessment of their financial strength and/or credit ratings. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s derivative counterparties include two major financial institutions, both of which are secured lenders under the Amended Term Loan Agreement.
Risk Management Activities
From time to time, in accordance with the Company’s policy, it may hedge a portion of its forecasted oil and natural gas production. The Company recognized all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The Company has elected to not designate any of its positions for hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company records the net change in the mark-to-market valuation of these positions, as well as payments and receipts on settled contracts, in*“Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts”* on the consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method wherein deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company classifies all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheets.
The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with ASC Topic 740,Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) is a two-step process. The first step is a recognition process to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more likely than not recognition threshold, it is presumed that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is a measurement process whereby a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is calculated to determine the amount of benefit/expense to recognize in the consolidated financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit/expense that is more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company records asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) to reflect the Company’s legal obligations related to future plugging and abandonment of its oil and natural gas wells, treating equipment and gathering support facilities. The Company estimates the expected cash flows associated with the obligation and discounts the amounts using a credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rate. At least annually, the Company reassesses the obligation to determine whether a change in the estimated obligation is necessary. The Company evaluates whether there are indicators that suggest the estimated cash flows underlying the obligation have materially changed. Should these indicators suggest the estimated obligation may have materially changed on an interim basis (quarterly), the Company will accordingly update its assessment. Additional retirement obligations increase the liability associated with new oil and natural gas wells, treating equipment and gathering support facilities as these obligations are incurred.
The Company records the ARO liability on the consolidated balance sheets and capitalizes the cost in*“Oil and natural gas properties”* during the period in which the obligation is incurred. The Company records the accretion of its ARO liabilities in*“Depletion, depreciation and accretion”* expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The additional capitalized costs are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04,Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) (“ASU 2020-04”), in response to the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This amendment provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging arrangements, and other transactions that reference LIBOR. On December 21, 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848” (“ASU 2022-06”). ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024. As of the date of this filing, neither ASU 2020-04 nor ASU 2022-06 had a material impact on the Company’s operating results, financial position or disclosures.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company early adopted the FASB’s ASU 2020-06,Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”). The update simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock by reducing the number of accounting models and limiting the number of embedded conversion features separately recognized from the primary contract. The guidance also includes targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings per share. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07,Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which requires an entity, even one with only one reportable segment, to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis, and provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. Additionally, it requires an entity to disclose the title and position of the chief operating decision maker. ASU 2023-07 does not change how an entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. Entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2023-07 retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-07 and we expect limited impact on our disclosures with no impact to our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09,Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), which focuses on the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 requires an entity to disclose, on an annual basis, a tabular rate reconciliation using both percentages and currency amounts, broken out into specified categories, with certain reconciling items further broken out by nature and jurisdiction to the extent those items exceed a specified threshold. In addition, entities are required to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds received disaggregated by federal, state/local, and foreign, and by jurisdiction if the amount is at least 5% of total income tax payments, net of refunds received. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. An entity may apply the amendments in ASU 2023-09 prospectively by providing the revised disclosures for the period ending December 31, 2025 and continuing to provide the pre-ASU disclosures for the prior periods, or may apply the amendments retrospectively by providing the revised disclosures for all period presented. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-09 but do not expect it to have a material impact on our disclosures, with no impact to our results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.
2. MERGER AGREEMENT
Agreement and Plan of Merger
On December 14, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”) with Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”) and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The Merger Agreement provides, that upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, each of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) shall be converted into the right to receive $9.80 in cash, without interest, which represents a total transaction value of approximately $450.0 million, and such shares shall otherwise cease to be outstanding, shall automatically be canceled and retired and cease to exist; and each outstanding share of redeemable convertible preferred stock will be contributed to Parent in exchange for new preferred shares of Parent , or sold to Parent for cash, in each case at a valuation based on the conversion or redemption value of such preferred stock.
On January 24, 2024, Parent and the Company agreed to cause an amount equal to $10.0 million to be distributed from the escrow account to the Company.
The obligations of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions, including, among other things: (a) the absence of any law or order of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over a party to the Merger Agreement prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger, and (b) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by a majority vote of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.
3. LEASES
The Company leases equipment and office space pursuant to operating leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception and combines lease and nonlease components, when fixed, for all lease contracts. Nonlease components include common area maintenance charges on office leases and, when applicable, services associated with equipment leases. Operating leases with a lease term greater than 12 months where the Company is the lessee are included in*“Operating lease right of use assets”* and*“Operating lease liabilities”* on the consolidated balance sheets and recorded based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The Company does not recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less, but rather recognizes the lease payments associated with its short-term leases when incurred.
Payments due under the lease contracts include fixed payments plus, in some instances, variable payments. Variable lease payments, if applicable, associated with the Company’s leases are recognized when the event, activity, or circumstance in the lease agreement on which those payments are assessed occurs. Variable lease payments, when applicable, are presented as*“Gathering and other”* or*“General and administrative”* in the consolidated statements of operations in the same line item as the expense arising from the fixed lease payments on the operating leases.
The*“Operating lease right of use assets”* outstanding on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 have initial lease terms of 1.9 years and 2.7 years and the*“Operating lease right of use assets”* as of December 31, 2022 have initial lease terms of 2.3 years. The table below summarizes the Company’s leases for the periods indicated (in thousands, except years and discount rate):
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Years Ended December 31, · | |||||||
| · · 2023 · 2022 | |||||||
| Lease cost | | | | | | | |
| Operating lease costs | | $601 | | $391 | | ||
| Short-term lease costs | | | 2,536 | | | 7,972 | |
| Total lease costs | | $3,137 | | $8,363 | | ||
| | | | | | | | |
| Other information | | | | | | | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | | $604 | | $391 | | ||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | | | 1.8 | years | | 0.9 | years |
| Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | | | 12.32% | | 4.29% | ||
Future minimum lease payments associated with the Company’s non-cancellable operating leases for office space and equipment as of December 31, 2023, are presented in the table below (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| · · December 31, 2023 | |||
| 2024 | | $688 | |
| 2025 | | | 430 |
| 2026 | | | 86 |
| Total operating lease payments | | | 1,204 |
| Less: discount to present value | | | (120) |
| Total operating lease liabilities | | | 1,084 |
| Less: current operating lease liabilities | | | 594 |
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | | $490 | |
4. OPERATING REVENUES
Substantially all of the Company’s oil, natural gas, and NGL revenues are derived from the Delaware Basin in Pecos, Reeves, Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas. Revenue is presented disaggregated in the statement of operations by major product, and depicts how the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors in the Company’s single basin operations.
Revenue is recognized when the following five steps are completed: (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligation (promise) in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, (5) recognize revenue when the reporting organization satisfies a performance obligation. Revenues from the sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are recognized, at a point in time, when a performance obligation is satisfied by the transfer of control of each unit (e.g. barrel of oil, Mcf of gas) of commodity to the customer. Revenue is measured based on contract consideration allocated to each unit of commodity and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from revenue.
Since the Company’s performance obligations have been satisfied and an unconditional right to consideration exists as of the balance sheet date, the Company recognized amounts due from contracts with customers of $19.8 million and $34.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as*“Accounts receivable, net”* on the consolidated
balance sheets. The Company utilizes the practical expedient exempting the disclosure of the transaction price of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less and (ii) contracts where variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation (each unit of product typically represents a separate performance obligation, and therefore, future volumes under the Company’s long-term contracts are wholly unsatisfied).
The Company records revenue in the month its production is delivered to the purchaser. However, to the extent settlement statements and/or payments are not available, the Company is required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. The Company records any differences, which historically have not been significant, between the actual amounts ultimately received and the original estimates in the period they become finalized.
Oil Sales
The Company recognizes revenue when control of the crude oil transfers at the delivery point at the net price received. Generally, this occurs when the Company (i) sells its crude oil production at the wellhead where control of the crude oil transfers to the customer at an index price, averaged over the daily settlement prices for a production month, and adjusted for pricing differentials and other deduction or (ii) when delivered to the customer at a contractual delivery point at which the customer takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product. The Company receives a specified index price from the customer, averaged over the daily settlement prices for a production month, and net of applicable market-related adjustments. Settlement statements for the Company’s crude oil production are typically received within the month following the date of production and therefore the amount of production delivered to the customer and the price that will be received for that production are known at the time the revenue is recorded.
Natural Gas and NGL Sales
The Company evaluates its natural gas gathering and processing arrangements in place with midstream companies to determine when control of the natural gas is transferred. Under contracts where it is determined that control of the natural gas transfers at the wellhead, any fees incurred to gather or process the unprocessed natural gas are treated as a reduction of the sales price of unprocessed natural gas, and therefore revenues from such transactions are presented on a net basis. Under contracts where it is determined that control of the natural gas transfers at the tailgate of the midstream entity’s processing plant, revenues are presented on a gross basis for amounts expected to be received from the midstream company or third party purchasers through the gathering and treating process and presented as*“Natural gas”* or*“Natural gas liquids”* and any fees incurred to gather or process the natural gas are presented separately as*“Gathering and other”* on the consolidated statements of operations.
Under certain contracts, the Company may elect to take its residue gas and/or natural gas liquids in-kind at the tailgate of the midstream entity’s processing plant. The Company then sells the products to a customer at contractual delivery points at prices based on an index. In these instances, revenues are presented on a gross basis and any fees incurred to gather, process or transport the commodities are presented separately as “Gathering and other” on the consolidated statements of operations.
The majority of the Company’s natural gas and NGLs prices are based on daily average pricing for the month. Settlement statements for the Company’s natural gas and NGLs production are typically received 30 days after the date of production and therefore the Company estimates the amount of production delivered to the customer and the price that will be received for that production. Historically, differences between the Company’s estimates and the actual revenue received have not been material.
5. OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES
Oil and natural gas properties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| Subject to depletion | | $755,482 | | $713,585 | ||
| Not subject to depletion: | | | | | | |
| Other capital costs: | | | | | | |
| Incurred in 2023 | | | 31 | | | — |
| Incurred in 2022 | | | 1,427 | | | 1,427 |
| Incurred in 2021 and prior(1) | | | 57,451 | | | 61,194 |
| Total not subject to depletion | | | 58,909 | | | 62,621 |
| Gross oil and natural gas properties | | | 814,391 | | | 776,206 |
| Less accumulated depletion | | | (445,975) | | | (390,796) |
| Net oil and natural gas properties | | $368,416 | | $385,410 | ||
| (1) | In 2019, with the adoption of fresh-start accounting, the Company’s unevaluated properties were recorded at fair value. |
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its investment in oil and natural gas properties. Under this method of accounting, all costs of acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves (including such costs as leasehold acquisition costs, geological expenditures, treating equipment and gathering support facilities costs, dry hole costs, tangible and intangible development costs and direct internal costs) are capitalized as the cost of oil and natural gas properties when incurred. Depletion for oil and natural gas properties is calculated using the unit of production method, which depletes the capitalized costs of evaluated properties plus future development costs based on the ratio of production for the current period to total reserve volumes of evaluated properties as of the beginning of the period. Depletion expense was $55.2 million and $51.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Depletion expense is recorded in*“Depletion, depreciation and accretion”* in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The net capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties are subject to a full cost ceiling limitation in which the costs are not allowed to exceed their related estimated future net revenues discounted at 10%, net of tax considerations. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depletion, exceed the discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, net of deferred taxes, such excess capitalized costs are charged to expense.
The ceiling test value of the Company’s reserves was calculated based on the following prices:
| · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · West TexasIntermediate(per barrel) (1) · Henry Hub(per MMBtu) (1) | |||||
| December 31, 2023 | | $78.21 | | $2.64 | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | 94.14 | | $6.36 |
| (1) | Unweighted average of the first day of the 12-months ended spot price, adjusted by lease or field for quality, transportation fees, and regional price differentials. |
The Company's net book value of oil and natural gas properties for both 2023 and 2022 did not exceed the ceiling amount. Changes in commodity prices, production rates, levels of reserves, future development costs, transfers of
unevaluated properties to the full cost pool, capital spending, and other factors will determine the Company’s ceiling test calculation and impairment analyses in future periods.
6. DEBT
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Term loan credit facility | | $200,000 | | $235,000 | ||
| Other | | | 215 | | | 190 |
| Total debt (Face Value) | | | 200,215 | | | 235,190 |
| Less: | | | | | | |
| Current Portion of Long-Term Debt(1) | | | (50,106) | | | (35,067) |
| Other(2) | | | (9,833) | | | (17,447) |
| Long-Term Debt, net | | $140,276 | | $182,676 | ||
| (1) | Amounts primarily reflect payments due of $50.0 million and $35.0 million under the Amended Term Loan Agreement due within one year as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. |
| (2) | Amounts primarily reflect unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $6.9 million and $13.0 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, but also include an unamortized debt discount associated with an embedded derivative separately presented and further described in Note 7. “Fair Value Measurements”. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded approximately $7.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, in interest expense reflecting the amortization/accretion of these amounts. |
Term Loan Credit Facility
On November 24, 2021, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Halcón Holdings, LLC (Borrower) entered into an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement (Term Loan Agreement) with Macquarie Bank Limited, as administrative agent, and certain other financial institutions party thereto, as lenders. The Term Loan Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the senior secured revolving credit agreement, as amended, (the Senior Credit Agreement) entered into in 2019.
On November 14, 2022, the Company paid approximately $2.4 million and entered into a further Amended Credit Agreement (the “Amended Term Loan Agreement”) with its lenders which modified certain provisions of its original Term Loan Agreement. The Amended Term Loan Agreement also contains certain financial covenants (as defined in the Amended Term Loan Agreement), including the maintenance of the following ratios:
| ● | Asset Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.80 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2023 and the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter; |
| ● | Total Net Leverage Ratio of not greater than 2.50 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2023 and each fiscal quarter thereafter, and |
| ● | Current Ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00, determined as of the last day of any fiscal quarter period, as of December 31, 2023 and each fiscal quarter thereafter. |
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the Amended Term Loan Agreement.
The Company may elect, at its option, to prepay any borrowings outstanding under the Amended Term Loan Agreement subject to the following prepayment premiums:
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Period (after applicable borrowing date(1)) | | | Premium |
| Months 0 - 12 | | | Make-whole amount equal to 12 months of interest plus 2.00% |
| Months 13 - 24 | | | 2.00% |
| Months 25 - 36 | | | 1.00% |
| Months 37 - 48 | | | 0.00% |
| (1) | Applicable borrowing dates are November 2021 for the original $200.0 million borrowed and April and November 2022 for the $20.0 million and $15.0 million in delayed borrowings, respectively. |
The Company’s prepayment premiums would differ from those noted in the table above if a change of control results in prepayment within the second anniversary of the amendment date, as a 2% payment premium will apply.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $200.0 million of indebtedness outstanding and approximately $0.3 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Term Loan Agreement. An additional $4.7 million is available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Company has a variable interest rate on its borrowings based on SOFR plus an applicable margin of 7.5%. The weighted average interest rate on the Company’s borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 12.68%. The maturity date of the Amended Term Loan Agreement is November 24, 2025.
The Company may be required to make mandatory prepayments under the Amended Term Loan Agreement in connection with the incurrence of non-permitted debt, certain asset sales, or with excess cash on hand in excess of certain maximum levels beginning in 2023. For each fiscal quarter after January 1, 2023, the Company is required to make mandatory prepayments when the Consolidated Cash Balance, as defined in the Amended Term Loan Agreement, exceeds $20.0 million. Until December 31, 2024, the forecasted capital expenditures for the succeeding fiscal quarter on the approved plan of development (“APOD”) wells (i.e. oil and natural gas wells located within a specified boundary as set by the Amended Term Loan Agreement) are excluded for purposes of determining the Consolidated Cash Balance. As of December 31, 2023, the Consolidated Cash Balance, as defined in the Amended Term Loan Agreement, did not exceed $20.0 million when considering forecasted APOD capital expenditures and cash held in unrestricted subsidiaries; therefore, no mandatory prepayment was necessary.
The Company is required to make scheduled remaining amortization payments in the aggregate amount of $85.0 million from the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024 through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025 with $10.0 million due at the end of the first quarter of 2024, $12.5 million due at the end of each of the second and third quarters of 2024, $15.0 million due at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, and $10.0 million due at the end of each of the second and third quarters of 2025. The Company will be required to make a final payment of $115.0 million at maturity on November 24, 2025. Amounts outstanding under the Amended Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Borrower’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and such direct and indirect subsidiaries, and by the equity interests of the Borrower held by the Company. As part of the Amended Term Loan Agreement there are certain restrictions on the transfer of assets, including cash, to Battalion from the guarantor subsidiaries.
The Amended Term Loan Agreement also contains an APOD for the Company’s Monument Draw acreage through the drilling and completion of certain wells. The Amended Term Loan Agreement contains a proved developed producing production test and an APOD economic test which the Company must maintain compliance with; otherwise, subject to any available remedies or waivers, the Company is required to immediately cease making expenditures in respect of the APOD other than any expenditures deemed necessary by the Company in respect of no more thansix additional APOD wells.
The Amended Term Loan Agreement also contains certain events of default, including non-payment; breaches of representations and warranties; non-compliance with covenants or other agreements; cross-default to material indebtedness; judgments; change of control; and voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy.
In conjunction with entering into the original Term Loan Agreement in November 2021, the Company agreed to pay a premium to the lenders upon a future change of control event in which a majority of the board of directors or the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) or the Principal Chief Financial Officer positions do not remain held by the same persons as before the change of control event (“Change of Control Call Option”). The premium is reduced over time through the payment of interest and certain fees. The Change of Control Call Option is accounted for as an embedded derivative not clearly and closely related to the host debt instrument. Accordingly, the Company recorded the initial fair value separately on the consolidated balance sheet within*“Other noncurrent liabilities”* and records changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative each reporting period in*“Interest expense and other”* on the consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 7, “Fair Value Measurements,” for a discussion of the valuation approach used, the significant inputs to the valuation, and for a reconciliation of the change in fair value of the Change of Control Call Option.
Debt Maturities
Aggregate maturities required on debt at December 31, 2023 due in future years are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $50,106 | ||
| 2025 | | | 150,096 |
| 2026 | | | 13 |
| Total | | $200,215 | |
7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s determination of fair value incorporates not only the credit standing of the counterparties involved in transactions with the Company resulting in receivables on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, but also the impact of the Company’s nonperformance risk on its own liabilities. Fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company separates the fair value of its financial instruments using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy assigns the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 2 measurements are inputs that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included within Level 1. The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. The Company classifies fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs.
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. There wereno transfers between fair value hierarchy levels for any period presented. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and
liabilities associated with commodity-based derivative contracts that were accounted for at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| · · December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||
| Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Assets from commodity-based derivative contracts | | $— | | $13,869 | | $— | | $13,869 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities from commodity-based derivative contracts | | $— | | $33,249 | | $— | | $33,249 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||
| Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Assets from commodity-based derivative contracts | | $— | | $21,623 | | $— | | $21,623 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities from commodity-based derivative contracts | | $— | | $62,935 | | $— | | $62,935 | ||||
Derivative contracts listed above as Level 2 include fixed-price swaps, collars, puts, calls, basis swaps and WTI NYMEX rolls that are carried at fair value. The Company records the net change in the fair value of these positions in*“Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts”* in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Level 2 observable data includes the forward curves for commodity prices based on quoted market prices and implied volatility factors related to changes in the forward curves. See Note 8,“Derivative and Hedging Activities,” for additional discussion of derivatives.
The Company’s derivative contracts are with major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings which are believed to have minimal credit risk. As such, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent of nonperformance by the counterparties in the derivative contracts; however, the Company does not anticipate such nonperformance.
As discussed in Note 6,“Debt,” the Company recorded the fair value of the Change of Control Call Option separately on the consolidated balance sheets in*“Other noncurrent liabilities.”* The fair value of the Change of Control Call Option is subsequently remeasured each reporting period with fair values changes recorded in “Interest expense and other” on the consolidated statement of operations. The valuation of the Change of Control Call Option includes significant inputs such as the timing and probability of discrete potential exit scenarios, forward interest rate curves, and discount rates based on implied and market yields. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of the Change of Control Call Option classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| · · Change of Control | |||
| · · Call Option | |||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | | $4,136 | |
| Change in fair value | | | (2,052) |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | | $2,084 | |
Estimated fair value amounts have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair value of borrowings under the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement approximate carrying value because the interest rates approximate current market rates.
The Company follows the provisions of the FASB’s ASC Topic 820,Fair Value Measurement for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These provisions apply to the Company’s initial recognition of AROs for which fair value is used. The ARO estimates are derived from historical costs and management’s expectation of future cost environments; and therefore, the Company has designated these liabilities as Level 3. See Note 8,“Asset Retirement Obligations,” for a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the liability for the Company’s AROs.
8. DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, such as commodity price risk and interest rate risk. In accordance with the Company’s policy and the requirements under the Term Loan Agreement, it generally hedges a substantial, but varying, portion of anticipated oil and natural gas production for future periods. Derivatives are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities, with the changes in the fair value included in the consolidated statements of operations for the period in which the change occurs. The Company has elected not to designate any of its derivative contracts for hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company records the net change in the mark-to-market valuation of these derivative contracts, as well as all payments and receipts on settled derivative contracts, in*“Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts”* on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s hedge policies and objectives may change significantly as its operational profile changes. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative trading purposes.
It is the Company’s policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy financial or commodity hedging institutions deemed by management as competent and competitive market makers. As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not post collateral under any of its derivative contracts as they are secured under the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement.
The Company’s crude oil and natural gas derivative positions at any point in time may consist of fixed-price swaps, costless put/call collars, basis swaps and WTI NYMEX rolls further described as follows:
| ● | Fixed-price swaps are designed so that the Company receives or makes payments based on a differential between fixed and variable prices for crude oil and natural gas. |
| ● | Costless collars consist of a sold call, which establishes a maximum price the Company will receive for the volumes under contract and a purchased put that establishes a minimum price and are generally utilized less frequently by the Company than fixed-price swaps. |
| ● | 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). |
| ● | WTI NYMEX roll agreements account for pricing adjustments to the trade month versus the delivery month for contract pricing. |
The following table summarizes the location and fair value amounts of all derivative contracts in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Years Ended December 31, · · · · Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| Balance sheet location · 2023 · 2022 · Balance sheet location · 2023 · 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Current assets | | $8,992 | | $16,244 | | Current liabilities | | $(17,191) | | $(29,286) | ||||
| Other noncurrent assets | | | 4,877 | | | 5,379 | | Other noncurrent liabilities | | | (16,058) | | | (33,649) |
| | | $13,869 | | $21,623 | | | | $(33,249) | | $(62,935) | ||||
The following table summarizes the location and amounts of the Company’s realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Location of gain or (loss) · · · · | ||||||||
| · · on derivative contracts on · · Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| Type · Statement of Operations · 2023 · 2022 | ||||||||
| Commodity contracts: | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized gain (loss) | | Other income (expenses) | | $21,934 | | $20,256 | ||
| Realized gain (loss) | | Other income (expenses) | | | (9,245) | | | (130,262) |
| Total net gain (loss) | | | | $12,689 | | $(110,006) | ||
At December 31, 2023, the Company had the following open crude oil and natural gas derivative contracts:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument · · 2024 · · 2025 · · 2026 · · · 2027 | ||||||||||||
| Crude oil: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed-price swap: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total volumes (Bbls) | | | 1,834,924 | | | 1,405,463 | | | 1,016,641 | | | 620,387 |
| Weighted average price | | $63.62 | | $61.59 | | $63.50 | | $61.38 | ||||
| Basis swap: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total volumes (Bbls) | | | 1,834,321 | | | 1,430,806 | | | 1,023,669 | | | 682,265 |
| Weighted average price | | $0.27 | | $0.24 | | $0.04 | | $0.44 | ||||
| WTI NYMEX roll: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total volumes (Bbls) | | | 1,814,073 | | | 1,430,806 | | | 1,023,669 | | | 682,265 |
| Weighted average price | | $0.27 | | $0.13 | | $(0.01) | | $(0.02) | ||||
| Natural gas: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed-price swap: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total volumes (MMBtu) | | | 4,452,855 | | | 4,284,179 | | | 2,357,998 | | | 1,587,636 |
| Weighted average price | | $3.54 | | $3.40 | | $3.96 | | $3.68 | ||||
| Two-way collar: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total volumes (MMBtu) | | | 2,610,639 | | | 1,651,321 | | | 2,063,812 | | | 1,355,000 |
| Weighted average price (call) | | $5.08 | | $5.12 | | $5.26 | | $5.57 | ||||
| Weighted average price (put) | | $3.67 | | $3.72 | | $3.70 | | $3.66 | ||||
| Basis swap: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total volumes (MMBtu) | | | 7,052,822 | | | 5,834,257 | | | 4,382,626 | | | 2,653,497 |
| Weighted average price | | $(0.87) | | $(0.68) | | $(0.77) | | $(0.71) | ||||
The Company presents the fair value of its derivative contracts at the gross amounts in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential effects of master netting arrangements on the fair value of the Company’s derivative contracts at December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Derivative Assets · · Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| · · Years Ended December 31, · · Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities · 2023 · · 2022 · 2023 · 2022 | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross Amounts - Consolidated Balance Sheet | | $13,869 | | $21,623 | | $(33,249) | | $(62,935) | ||||
| Amounts Not Offset - Consolidated Balance Sheet | | | (13,218) | | | (20,997) | | | 13,218 | | | 20,997 |
| Net amount | | $651 | | $626 | | $(20,031) | | $(41,938) | ||||
The Company enters into an International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreement (ISDA) with each counterparty prior to a derivative contract with such counterparty. The ISDA is a standard contract that governs all derivative contracts entered into between the Company and the respective counterparty. The ISDA allows for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and the counterparty, at the election of both parties, for transactions that occur on the same date and in the same currency.
9. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company records an ARO on oil and natural gas properties when it can reasonably estimate the fair value of an obligation to perform site reclamation, dismantle facilities or plug and abandon costs. The Company records AROs to reflect the Company’s legal obligations related to future plugging and abandonment of its oil and natural gas wells, treating equipment and gathering support facilities.
The Company recorded the following activity related to its ARO liability (inclusive of the current portion) (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
| · · 2023 · 2022 | ||||||
| Asset retirement obligations at beginning of the period | | $15,469 | | $11,896 | ||
| Accretion expense | | | 793 | | | 528 |
| Liabilities incurred | | | 34 | | | 151 |
| Liabilities settled/divested | | | (112) | | | (647) |
| Revisions to estimate | | | 1,274 | | | 3,541 |
| Asset retirement obligations at end of period | | | 17,458 | | | 15,469 |
| Less: current asset retirement obligations | | | — | | | (225) |
| Long-term asset retirement obligations at the end of the period | | $17,458 | | $15,244 | ||
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has an active drilling rig commitment of approximately $1.5 million that will be incurred in 2024. Termination of the active drilling rig commitment would require an early termination penalty of $1.3 million, which would be in lieu of paying the active drilling rig commitment of $1.5 million.
In May 2022, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement to develop a strategic acid gas treatment and carbon sequestration facility andentered into a gas treating agreement. Once the facility is in service, the Company hasa minimum volume commitment of 20,000 Mcf per day under the gas treating agreement, with certain rollover rights and start-up flexibility, for an initial term offive years from the in-service date of the facility. Under the gas treating agreement, the Company will pay a treating rate that begins at $1.65/Mcf and varies based on volumes delivered to the facility. At an initial treated volume of 12,000 Mcf/d, the commitment would be approximately $7.3 million for the first 12 months of the agreement. For additional information on this joint venture, see Note 15,Additional Financial Information.
The Company has entered into various long-term gathering, transportation and sales contracts with respect to its oil and natural gas production from the Delaware Basin in West Texas. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had in place multiple long-term crude oil and natural gas contracts in this area and the sales prices under these contracts are based on posted market rates. Under the terms of these contracts, the Company has committed a substantial portion of its production from this area for periods ranging fromone totwenty years from the date of first production.
Contingencies
In addition to the matters described below, from time to time, the Company may be a plaintiff or defendant in a pending or threatened legal proceeding arising in the normal course of its business. While the outcome and impact of currently pending legal proceedings cannot be determined, the Company’s management and legal counsel believe that the resolution of these proceedings through settlement or adverse judgment will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated operating results, financial position or cash flows.
Surface owners of properties in Louisiana, where the Company formerly operated, often file lawsuits or assert claims against oil and gas companies claiming that operators and working interest owners are liable for environmental damages arising from operations conducted on the leased properties. These damages are frequently measured by the cost to restore the leased properties to their original condition. Currently and in the past, the Company has been party to such matters in Louisiana. With regard to pending matters, the overall exposure is not currently determinable. The Company intends to vigorously oppose these claims.
11. REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
On March 28, 2023, the Company sold, in a private placement, an aggregate of 25,000 shares of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) to certain funds managed by Luminus Management, LLC, Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and LSP Investment Advisors, LLC, the Company’s largest three existing stockholders (collectively, the “Investors”) that represent 50 percent of its board of directors. The Company received $24.4 million in proceeds, net of $0.6 million in original issue discount. The issuance of Series A Preferred Stock was approved by the Company’s board of directors upon recommendation by a special committee of disinterested directors that was established to evaluate the proposed terms of the Series A Preferred Stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will haveno voting rights with respect to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock will receive annual dividends, paid either in cash at a fixed rate of 14.5% annually or accrued at a fixed rate of 16.0% annually (“PIK accrual”) at the option of the Company. Currently, the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. Paid-in-kind (“PIK”) dividends will be cumulative, compound and accrue quarterly in arrears and will be added to the Liquidation Preference. The Series A Preferred Stock Dividend Payment Date commenced on June 30, 2023, and the Conversion Price equaled $9.03, which may be adjusted from time to time.
On September 6, 2023, the Company sold, in a private placement, an aggregate of 38,000 shares of Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) to the Investors. The Company received $37.1 million in proceeds, net of $0.9 million in original issue discount. The issuance of Series A-1 Preferred Stock was approved by the Company’s board of directors upon recommendation by a special committee of disinterested directors that was established to evaluate the proposed terms of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock. Holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will haveno voting rights with respect to the shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock. The Series A-1 Preferred Stock will receive annual dividends, paid either in cash at a fixed rate of 14.5% annually or accrued at a fixed PIK accrual rate of 16.0% annually at the option of the Company. Currently, the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. PIK dividends will be cumulative, compound and accrue quarterly in arrears and will be added to the Liquidation Preference. The Series A-1 Preferred Stock Dividend Payment Date commenced on September 30, 2023, and the Conversion Price equaled $7.63, which may be adjusted from time to time.
On December 15, 2023, the Company sold, in a private placement, an aggregate of 35,000 shares of Series A-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-2 Preferred Stock”) to the Investors. The Company received $34.1 million in proceeds, net of $0.9 million in original issue discount. The issuance of Series A-2 Preferred Stock was approved by the Company’s board of directors upon recommendation by a special committee of disinterested directors that was established to evaluate the proposed terms of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock. Holders of Series A-2 Preferred Stock will haveno voting rights with respect to the shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock. The Series A-2 Preferred Stock
will receive annual dividends, paid either in cash at a fixed rate of 14.5% annually or accrued at a fixed PIK accrual rate of 16.0% annually at the option of the Company. Currently, the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. PIK dividends will be cumulative, compound and accrue quarterly in arrears and will be added to the Liquidation Preference. The Series A-2 Preferred Stock Dividend Payment Date commenced on December 31, 2023, and the Conversion Price equaled $6.21, which may be adjusted from time to time.
For accounting purposes, upon issuance of the preferred stock on March 28, 2023, September 6, 2023 and December 15, 2023 (collectively, the “Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock”), the Company recorded $23.5 million ($25.0 million net of original issue discount and accrued offering costs), $36.9 million ($38.0 million net of original issue discount and accrued offering costs) and $34.0 million ($35.0 million net of original issue discount and accrued offering costs), respectively, as mezzanine equity (temporary equity) on the consolidated balance sheets because it is not mandatorily redeemable but does contain a redemption feature at the option of the preferred holders that is considered not solely within the Company’s control. Due to the redeemable nature of the preferred stock, as further discussed below, at March 31, 2023, September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2023, the Company recorded non-cash deemed dividends of approximately $1.5 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, to increase the carrying value of the preferred stock to its redemption amounts of approximately $25.0 million, $38.0 million and $35.0 million, respectively.
For year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid-in-kind its dividend on the preferred stock of $8.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the preferred stock, inclusive of PIK dividends, is approximately $106.5 million.
Voting Rights. Holders of shares of the Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock haveno voting rights with respect to the shares of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock.
Dividends. Holders of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at a fixed rate of 14.5% per annum on the Liquidation Preference ($1,000 per share, or $98.0 million, increased for any PIK accruals), compounding and accruing quarterly in arrears. Dividends may be paid in cash or, if not declared and paid in cash, the amount of any such dividend shall automatically accrue at a fixed rate of 16.0% per annum on the Liquidation Preference and be added to the Liquidation Preference (a “PIK Accrual”). Currently, the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. Additionally, while the Company has not declared or paid dividends on its common stock since its inception, holders of preferred stock will be entitled to participate in any dividends or permitted distributions to holders of common stock on an as-converted basis should they occur.
Conversion Features. In addition to the conversion rights noted in “Redemption Features (Change of Control)” below, holders of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock may convert their shares into common stock at the Conversion Ratio equal to the then applicable Liquidation Preference at the time of conversion divided by the then applicable Conversion Price (initially equal to an 18% premium to the volume weighted average price of common stock for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the closing date). Additionally, the Company has the right, at its option, to convert outstanding shares of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock at the Conversion Ratio should the Company meet certain calculated valuation metrics which when divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the Conversion Price.
*Redemption Features (Issuer).*The Company has the option to redeem the preferred stock in cash for an amount per share of Preferred Stock equal to (the “Redemption Price”):
| ● | at any time prior to 120 days following the closing date, 100% of the Liquidation Preference at such time; |
| ● | at any time on or after 120 days following the closing date but prior to the 180 days following the closing date, 102% of the Liquidation Preference at such time; |
| ● | at any time on or after 180 days following the closing date but on or prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, 105% of the Liquidation Preference at such time; |
| ● | at any time after the first anniversary of the closing date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the closing date, 108% of the Liquidation Preference at such time; and |
| ● | at any time after the second anniversary of the closing date, 120% of the Liquidation Preference at such time. |
Redemption Features (Change of Control). In the event of a change of control, holders have the right to receive:
| ● | at any time on or prior to 150 days following the issuance date, and at the election of the Company, a cash payment equal to the Liquidation Preference or equity consideration equal to the 107.5% of the Liquidation Preference, or |
| ● | at any time after the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day following the issuance date, the Company shall offer each Holder a cash payment equal to the Redemption Price. Holders shall also have the ability to elect conversion into common stock at the Conversion Ratio. Until (i) a termination of or certain amendments to the Amended Term Loan Agreement or (ii) one year past the maturity date of the Amended Term Loan Agreement, an election of the cash payment option by holders in a change of control scenario is not permitted. |
12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
On October 8, 2019, upon emergence from chapter 11 bankruptcy, Battalion filed an amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State to provide for, among other things, (i) the total number of shares of all classes of capital stock that Battalion has the authority to issue is 101,000,000 of which 100,000,000 shares are common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 1,000,000 shares are preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share and (ii) a restriction on Battalion from issuing any non-voting equity securities in violation of Section 1123(a)(6) of chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code. In addition, pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, effective at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the board ceased to be divided into two classes, and the provision for the right of removal of any directors designated as a Group II director by an increased voting threshold from a majority to 85% of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors shares expired.
Incentive Plans
The Company’s board of directors adopted the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended in 2021, in which an aggregate of approximately 1.8 million shares of the Company’s common stock were available for grant pursuant to awards under the Plan. As of December 31, 2023, a maximum of 1.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock remained reserved for issuance under the Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized a benefit of $1.1 million and expense of $2.2 million, respectively, related to stock-based compensation awards granted to employees and directors, primarily related to restricted stock unit grants. The benefit recognized in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 is due to forfeitures of stock options and restricted stock related to the departure of certain executives and employees. Stock-based compensation is recorded as a component of*“General and administrative”*on the consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted Stock Units
From time to time, the Company grants shares of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the Plan to employees of the Company. Under the Plan, employee RSUs will vest and convert to shares typically in equal amounts over athree orfour year vesting period from the date of the grant, depending on award, or when the performance or market conditions described below occur. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $0.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively of
unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested RSU awards to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.3 years and 1 year, respectively.
The following table sets forth the restricted stock unit transactions for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · Number ofShares · WeightedAverage GrantDate Fair ValuePer Share · AggregateIntrinsicValue(1)(In thousands) | ||||||||
| Unvested outstanding shares at December 31, 2021 | | 775,515 | | $9.16 | | $2,914 | ||
| Granted | | 225,700 | | | 13.75 | | | |
| Vested | | (98,121) | | | 11.40 | | | |
| Forfeited | | (13,700) | | | 12.20 | | | |
| Unvested outstanding shares at December 31, 2022 | | 889,394 | | $10.03 | | $3,993 | ||
| Granted | | 30,000 | | | 10.68 | | | |
| Vested | | (158,845) | | | 12.48 | | | |
| Forfeited | | (509,013) | | | 9.04 | | | |
| Unvested outstanding shares at December 31, 2023 | | 251,536 | | $10.56 | | $1,141 | ||
| (1) | The intrinsic value of restricted stock was calculated as the closing market price on December 31, 2023 and 2022 of the underlying stock multiplied by the number of restricted shares that would be issuable. The total fair value of shares vested was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. |
The discussion below outlines the vesting conditions and fair values for each type of the Company’s approximately 0.3 million unvested outstanding RSU under the Plan issued to employees of the Company as of December 31, 2023.
| ● | Time-Based RSUs. 0.1 million Time-Based RSUs will vest over a three or four year vesting period from the date of the grant, depending on award. The aggregate grant date fair value of these RSUs was $1.6 million. |
| ● | Performance-Based RSUs. Less than 0.1 million Performance-Based RSUs will vest in full only upon achievement of certain business combination goals, as defined in the awards agreements. The aggregate grant date fair value of these RSUs was $0.5 million. As of December 31, 2023, no expense had been recognized for these awards as a business combination, as defined in the award agreements, had not been consummated. |
| ● | Market-Based (e.g. TSR) RSUs. 0.1 million Market-Based RSUs will vest in full or in part or may terminate based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) relative to the total shareholder return of certain of its peer companies as defined in the awards agreements over the performance period ending on February 20, 2024. The aggregate grant date fair value of these RSUs was $0.6 million. |
The assumptions used in calculating the Monte Carlo valuation model fair value of the Company’s RSUs with market based (e.g. TSR) vesting conditions granted in 2020 are set forth in the following table:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Year Ended · | ||||
| · · December 31, 2020 · | ||||
| Weighted average value per performance based RSUs granted during the period | | $6.13 | | |
| Assumptions: | | | | |
| Stock price volatility(1) | | | 51.79% | |
| Risk free rate of return | | | 1.22% | |
| Expected term | | | 3.9 | years |
|---|
| (1) | Due to the Company’s limited historical data, expected volatility was estimated using volatilities of peer entities as defined in the award agreements whose share prices and assumptions were publicly available. |
Stock Options
From time to time, the Company has granted stock options under the Plan covering shares of common stock to employees of the Company. The Company has not granted stock options since 2020. Stock options, if exercised, are settled through the payment of the exercise price in exchange for new shares of stock underlying the option. Awards granted under the Plan typically vest over afour-year period at a rate ofone-fourth on the annual anniversary date of the grant and expire seven years from the date of grant.
At December 31, 2023, the Company had 132,822 options outstanding (three equal tranches of 44,274 options atexercise prices of $18.91, $28.23, and $37.83 per share) with a weighted average exercise price of $28.32/share. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, no options were either exercisable nor had intrinsic value due to service performance conditions and/or based on the exercise price of the option exceeding the closing market price. The weighted average remaining contractual life at December 31, 2023 was approximately 3.1 years. Approximately less than$0.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense remains related to non-vested stock-options to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.1 years.** **
The assumptions used in calculating the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model fair value of the Company’s stock options granted in 2020 are set forth in the following table:
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Year Ended · | ||||
| | December 31, 2020 | |||
| Weighted average value per option granted during the period | | $3.36 | | |
| Assumptions: | | | | |
| Stock price volatility(1) | | | 61.87% | |
| Risk free rate of return | | | 1.21% | |
| Expected term | | | 4.75 | years |
| (1) | Due to the Company’s limited historical data, expected volatility was estimated using volatilities of similar entities whose share or option prices and assumptions were publicly available. |
Warrants
On October 8, 2019, pursuant to the Company’s plan of reorganization, approximately 6.9 million Series A, Series B and Series C warrants were issued to pre-emergence holders of the predecessor Company’s common stock with corresponding initial exercise prices ranging from $40.17 to $60.45 per share, on a pro rata basis. Each series of Warrants issued under the Warrant Agreement had athree-year term, which expired on October 8, 2022.
13. INCOME TAXES
Income tax benefit (provision) for the indicated periods is comprised of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Current: | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $— | | $— | ||
| State | | | — | | | — |
| | | | — | | | — |
| Deferred: | | | | | | |
| Federal | | | — | | | — |
| State | | | — | | | — |
| | | | — | | | — |
| Total income tax benefit (provision) | | $— | | $— | ||
The actual income tax benefit (provision) differs from the expected income tax benefit (provision) as computed by applying the United States federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for the periods indicated below, as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
| · 2023 · 2022 | ||||||
| Expected tax benefit (provision) | | $640 | | $(3,893) | ||
| Change in valuation allowance and related items | | | (15) | | | 6,689 |
| Attribute reduction | | | — | | | (2,704) |
| Permanent adjustments | | | (2) | | | (5) |
| Employee retention credit | | | — | | | — |
| Non-deductible compensation | | | (95) | | | (56) |
| Preferred equity transaction costs | | | — | | | — |
| Merger transaction costs | | | (541) | | | — |
| Other | | | 13 | | | (31) |
| Total income tax benefit (provision) | | $— | | $— | ||
The components of net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) recognized are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Deferred noncurrent income tax assets: | | | | | | |
| Net operating loss carry-forwards | | $172,654 | | $151,905 | ||
| Built in loss adjustment Section 382 | | | 693 | | | 693 |
| Capital loss carryforward | | | 114,725 | | | 114,725 |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | | 1,693 | | | 2,334 |
| Asset retirement obligations | | | 3,666 | | | 2,558 |
| Book-tax differences in property basis | | | 106,045 | | | 129,427 |
| Unrealized hedging transactions | | | 4,070 | | | 8,676 |
| Disallowed interest Section 163(j) | | | 20,712 | | | 14,905 |
| Embedded derivative liability | | | 437 | | | 459 |
| Operating lease liability | | | 228 | | | 74 |
| GAAP amortization - discount on MOIC derivative | | | — | | | — |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | | | 323 | | | — |
| Other | | | 874 | | | 874 |
| Gross deferred noncurrent income tax assets | | | 426,120 | | | 426,630 |
| Valuation allowance | | | (425,019) | | | (425,005) |
| Deferred noncurrent income tax assets | | $1,101 | | $1,625 | ||
| | | | | | | |
| Deferred noncurrent income tax liabilities: | | | | | | |
| Basis difference in debt | | $(615) | | $(885) | ||
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary | | | (270) | | | (580) |
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | | | — | | | (86) |
| Lease right of use | | | (216) | | | (74) |
| Deferred noncurrent income tax liabilities | | $(1,101) | | $(1,625) | ||
| Net noncurrent deferred income tax assets (liabilities) | | $— | | $— | ||
The amount of U.S. consolidated Net Operating Losses (NOLs) available as of December 31, 2023 after attribute reduction is estimated to be approximately $1.3 billion, but the amount after attribute reduction and the Section 382 limitation is $822.2 million. Of this amount, $92.6 million is subject to the 20 year carryforward period and will expire in 2037. The remaining $729.5 million may be carried forward indefinitely but is in part subject to a Section 382 limitation.
The Company assesses the recoverability of its deferred tax assets each period by considering whether it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company considers all available evidence (both positive and negative) in determining whether a valuation allowance is required. The Company evaluated possible sources of taxable income that may be available to realize the benefit of deferred tax assets, including projected future taxable income, the reversal of existing temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years and available tax planning strategies in making this assessment. As a result of the Company’s analysis, it was concluded that as of December 31, 2023, a valuation allowance should continue to be applied against the Company’s net deferred tax asset. The Company recorded a valuation allowance as of December 31, 2023 of $425.0 million, a decrease of less than $0.1 million from December 31, 2022. The Company will continue to monitor facts and circumstances in the reassessment of the likelihood that operating loss carryforwards, credits and other deferred tax assets will be utilized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, an income tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company hasno unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Accordingly, there is
no amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate and there isno amount of interest or penalties currently recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in*“Interest expense and other”*or consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. In addition, the Company does not believe that there are any positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.
Tax audits may be ongoing at any point in time. Tax liabilities are recorded based on estimates of additional taxes which may be due upon the conclusion of these audits. Estimates of these tax liabilities are made based upon prior experience and are updated for changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates.
Generally, the Company’s income tax years 2019 through 2023 remain open for federal purposes and are subject to examination by Federal tax authorities. The Company's income tax returns are also subject to audit by the tax authorities in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio and certain other state taxing jurisdictions where the Company has, or previously had, operations. In certain jurisdictions the Company operates through more than one legal entity, each of which may have different open years subject to examination. The open years for state purposes can vary from the normal three year statue expiration period for federal purposes.
14. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following represents the calculation of earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
| | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Basic: | | | | | | |
| Net (loss) income | | $(3,048) | | $18,539 | ||
| Less: Preferred stock dividend | | | (12,047) | | | — |
| Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to preferred stockholders | | | — | | | — |
| Net (loss) income available to common stockholders | | $(15,095) | | $18,539 | ||
| Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding basic | | | 16,441 | | | 16,331 |
| Basic net (loss) income per share of common stock | | $(0.92) | | $1.14 | ||
| | | | | | | |
| Diluted: | | | | | | |
| Net (loss) income available to common stockholders basic | | $(15,095) | | $18,539 | ||
| Reallocation of undistributed earnings | | | — | | | — |
| Net (loss) income available to common stockholders diluted | | $(15,095) | | $18,539 | ||
| Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding | | | 16,441 | | | 16,331 |
| Common stock equivalent shares representing shares issuable upon: | | | | | | |
| Exercise of warrants and stock options | | | Anti-dilutive | | | Anti-dilutive |
| Vesting of restricted stock units | | | Anti-dilutive | | | 179 |
| Weighted average diluted number of common shares outstanding diluted | | | 16,441 | | | 16,510 |
| Diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock | | $(0.92) | | $1.12 | ||
For the year ended December 31, 2023, common stock equivalents, including stock options and certain restricted stock units, totaling 0.5 million weighted-average shares were anti-dilutive and not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock. For the year ended December 31, 2022, common stock equivalents, including warrants, stock options and restricted stock units, totaling 5.8 million shares were not included in the
computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because the effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss in the period. Additionally, the Company also has approximately 0.1 million restricted stock units that vest only upon achievement of certain business combination goals or based on the Company’s TSR as further described in Note 12, “Stockholder’s Equity”. On October 8, 2022 approximately 6.9 million warrants expired which previously gave the holder the right to purchaseone share of common stock for each warrant.
15. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
Certain balance sheet amounts are comprised of the following (in thousands) for the periods presents:
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net: | | | | | | |
| Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues | | $19,802 | | $33,980 | ||
| Joint interest accounts | | | 2,138 | | | 3,201 |
| Other | | | 1,081 | | | 793 |
| | | $23,021 | | $37,974 | ||
| Prepaids and other: | | | | | | |
| Prepaids | | $490 | | $715 | ||
| Funds in escrow | | | 345 | | | 341 |
| Other | | | 72 | | | 75 |
| | | $907 | | $1,131 | ||
| Other assets (Non-current): | | | | | | |
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliate | | $1,283 | | $1,561 | ||
| Contract asset | | | 15,062 | | | — |
| Funds in escrow | | | 552 | | | 527 |
| Other | | | 759 | | | 739 |
| | | $17,656 | | $2,827 | ||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities: | | | | | | |
| Trade payables | | $24,915 | | $42,919 | ||
| Accrued oil and natural gas capital costs | | | 15,337 | | | 19,911 |
| Revenues and royalties payable | | | 18,986 | | | 26,759 |
| Accrued interest expense | | | 347 | | | 160 |
| Accrued employee compensation | | | 520 | | | 2,300 |
| Accrued lease operating expenses | | | 6,418 | | | 8,005 |
| Other | | | 2 | | | 41 |
| | | $66,525 | | $100,095 | ||
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate. In May 2022, the Company entered into a joint venture with Caracara Services, LLC (“Caracara”) to develop an acid gas treatment facility to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from its produced natural gas. Caracara provided the initial capital for the construction of the treatment facility. The Company contributed certain full cost pool assets to the related party joint venture in a non-cash exchange for a retained 5% equity interest in Wink Amine Treater, LLC (“WAT”) (previously Brazos Amine Treater, LLC (“BAT”)), an unconsolidated subsidiary. For accounting purposes, since the Company does not control thekey activities (e.g. operating and maintaining the facility) which most significantly impact economic performance nor does the Company have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of WAT. Accordingly, the Company accounts for its investment in WAT (a related party) using the equity method of accounting based on its ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over thekey activities of the joint venture. For more information related to this joint venture, see Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies”.
Contract Asset. During 2023, the Company advanced a capital contribution of approximately$15.1 million on behalf of its joint venture partner in WAT to fund a workover operation on the AGI well. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement governing the joint venture, the Company has multiple remedies to recover such advance, including (1) declaring such payment a loan, which pursuant to the agreement would have an interest rate of the lessor of 15% or the maximum rate permitted by law, (2) recoupment from distributions from the joint venture and (3) reallocation of equity of the joint venture based on the relative level of total capital contributions by the parties after taking into account the advance. The Company advanced additional capital contributions on behalf of its joint venture partner during the first quarter of 2024 of approximately$3.0 million to fund WAT with the necessary capital required to complete the sidetrack of the AGI well.
- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On March 27, 2024, the Company sold, in a private placement, an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series A-3 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-3 Preferred Stock”) to the Investors. The Company received $19.5 million in proceeds, net of $0.5 million in original issue discount. The issuance of Series A-3 Preferred Stock was approved by the Company’s board of directors upon recommendation by a special committee of disinterested directors that was established to evaluate the proposed terms of the Series A-3 Preferred Stock. Holders of Series A-3 Preferred Stock will haveno voting rights with respect to the shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock. The Series A-3 Preferred Stock will receive annual dividends, paid either in cash at a fixed rate of 14.5% annually or accrued at a fixed PIK accrual rate of 16.0% annually at the option of the Company. Currently, the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement prohibits the payment of cash dividends. PIK dividends will be cumulative, compound and accrue quarterly in arrears and will be added to the Liquidation Preference. The Series A-3 Preferred Stock Dividend Payment Date will commence on March 31, 2024, and the Conversion Price equaled $6.83, which may be adjusted from time to time.
On March 28, 2024, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Amended Term Loan Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) with its lenders. The Third Amendment, amended the Amended Term Loan Agreement to, among other things, (a) amend the APOD for certain properties, (b) remove the PDP Production Test and APOD Economic Test (each defined in the Term Loan Agreement), (c) require the Borrower to receive cash proceeds from equity issuances and/or cash contributions in an aggregate amount of not less than$38.0 million during the period from Amendment Effective Date through March 31, 2024 (the “Specified Additional Equity Capital”), which such Specified Additional Equity Capital shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Cash Balance (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement), and (d) make amendments to certain other affirmative covenants in connection with the foregoing.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.