ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information included in this report. Each of these risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our common stock or other securities.
Crude oil, natural gas and NGL prices fluctuate and a decline in these prices can significantly affect the value of our assets and our financial results and impede our growth.
Our revenue, profitability, cash flows and liquidity depend in large part upon the price we receive for our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. In addition, changes in commodity prices have a significant effect on the value and quantity of our reserves, which can in turn affect the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility and our access to other sources of capital, and on the nature and scale of our operations. The markets for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs are often volatile, and prices may fluctuate in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, including national and international economic and political factors and federal and state legislation. For example, geopolitical events in the Middle East or elsewhere could affect global crude oil prices, and continued weakness in the overall economic environment could adversely affect all commodity prices.
In addition to factors affecting the price of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs generally, the prices we receive for our production are affected by factors specific to us and to the local markets where the production occurs. The prices that we receive for our production are generally lower than the relevant benchmark prices that are used for calculating commodity derivative positions. These differences, or differentials, are difficult to predict and may widen in the future. Differentials can be influenced by, among other things, local or regional supply and demand factors and the terms of our sales contracts. Differentials on oil produced in the Wattenberg Field have widened in recent months, in part as a result of the midstream capacity issues discussed below. Over the longer term, differentials will be significantly affected by factors such as investment decisions made by providers of midstream facilities and services, refineries and other industry participants, and the overall regulatory and economic climate. For example, increases in U.S. domestic oil production generally may result in widening differentials, particularly for production from some basins. We may be materially and adversely impacted by widening differentials on our production.
The marketability of our production is dependent upon transportation and processing facilities the capacity and operation of which we do not control. Market conditions or operational impediments, including high line pressures, particularly in the Wattenberg Field, and other impediments affecting midstream facilities and services, could hinder our access to crude oil, natural gas and NGL markets, increase our costs or delay production and thereby adversely affect our profitability.
Our ability to market our production depends in substantial part on the availability, proximity and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. If adequate midstream facilities and services are not available to us on a timely basis and at acceptable costs, our production and results of operations will be adversely affected. These risks are greater for us than for some of our competitors because our operations are focused on areas where there is currently a substantial amount of development activity, which increases the likelihood that there will be periods of time in which there is insufficient midstream capacity to accommodate the resulting increases in production. For example, due to increased drilling activities by us and third parties, and hot temperatures during the summer months, the principal third-party provider we use in the Wattenberg area for midstream facilities and services has recently experienced high gathering system line pressure. The resulting capacity constraints impacted the productivity of some of our older wells and limited the incremental production impact of our newer horizontal wells. This constrained our production and reduced our revenue from the affected wells. Capacity constraints affecting natural gas production also impact our ability to produce the associated NGLs. We are also dependent on the availability and capacity of purchasers for our production. For example, recent reductions in purchases by a local crude oil refinery have increased the amount of oil that we have to transport out of the Wattenberg area for sale. This has increased our transportation costs and reduced the price we receive for the affected production. We expect this situation to continue for the foreseeable future. In addition, the use of alternative forms of transportation such as trucks or rail involve risks as well. For example, recent and well-publicized accidents involving trains delivering crude oil could result in increased levels of regulation and transportation costs. We face similar risks in other areas, including our Utica operating area, as gathering/processing infrastructure is currently in the development phase and development activity conducted by us and others is increasing. We are also dependent on third party pipeline infrastructure to deliver our natural gas production to market in the Appalachia-Marcellus area. In addition to causing production curtailments, capacity constraints can also reduce the price we receive for the crude oil, natural gas and NGLs we produce.
Federal, state and local legislation and regulations relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs, additional drilling and operating restrictions or delays in the production of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, and could prohibit hydraulic fracturing activities.
Most of our drilling uses hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is an important and commonly used process in the completion of unconventional wells in shale, coalbed, and tight sand formations. Proposals have been introduced in the U.S. Congress to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations and related injection of fracturing fluids and propping agents used by the crude oil and natural gas industry in fracturing fluids under the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), and to require the disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process under the SDWA, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (“EPCRA”), or other laws. Sponsors of these bills, which have been subject to various proceedings in the legislative process, including in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, have asserted that chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect drinking water supplies and otherwise cause adverse environmental impacts. In March 2011, the EPA announced its intention to conduct a comprehensive research study on the potential adverse impacts that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. EPA issued an initial report about the study in December 2012. The initial report described the focus of the continuing study but did not include any data concerning EPA’s efforts
to date, nor did it draw any conclusions about the safety of hydraulic fracturing. A draft report including data and conclusions is expected in 2014.
EPA has begun a Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) rulemaking which will collect expansive information on the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluid, as well as other health-related data, from chemical manufacturers and processors. EPA has not indicated when it intends to issue a proposed rule. Concurrently, the White House Council on Environmental Quality is coordinating an administration-wide review of hydraulic fracturing practices.
EPA also finalized major new CAA standards (New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) applicable to hydraulically fractured natural gas wells and certain storage vessels in August 2012. The standards will require, among other things, use of reduced emission completions, or green completions, to reduce volatile organic compound emissions during well completions as well as new controls applicable to a wide variety of storage tanks and other equipment, including compressors, controllers, and dehydrators. While most key provisions in the new CAA standards are not effective until 2015 and EPA currently is re-considering parts of the rule, the rules associated with such standards are substantial and will increase future costs of our operations and will require us to make modifications to our operations and install new equipment.
EPA has also issued permitting guidance under the SDWA for the underground injection of liquids from hydraulically fractured (and other) wells where diesel is used. This recently-issued guidance may create duplicative requirements, further slow down the permitting process in certain areas, increase the costs of operations, and result in expanded regulation of hydraulic fracturing activities by EPA depending on how it is implemented. Certain other federal agencies are analyzing, or have been requested to review, environmental issues associated with hydraulic fracturing. Most notably, the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the BLM, is currently conducting a rulemaking that will require, among other things, disclosure of chemicals and more stringent well integrity measures associated with hydraulic fracturing operations on public land. BLM has not indicated when it will issue a final rule.
In addition, the governments of certain states, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, have adopted or are considering adopting laws and regulations that impose or could impose, among other requirements, stringent permitting or air emission control requirements, disclosure, wastewater disposal, baseline sampling, well construction and well location requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations or otherwise seek to ban underground injection of fracturing wastewater or fracturing activities altogether. For example, in January 2012, the ODNR issued a temporary moratorium on the development of hydraulic fracturing disposal wells in northeast Ohio in order to study the relationship between these wells and minor earthquakes reported in the area. As a result, ODNR promulgated new and more stringent regulations for certain underground injection wells, including requirements for a complete suite of geophysical logs, analytical interpretation of the logs, and enhanced monitoring and recording.
At the local level, some municipalities and local governments have adopted or are considering bans on hydraulic fracturing. Voters in the cities of Fort Collins, Boulder, and Lafayette, Colorado recently approved bans of varying length on hydraulic fracturing within their respective city limits.
In addition, lawsuits have been filed against unrelated third parties in Pennsylvania, New York, Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio, West Virginia, and several other states alleging contamination of drinking water by hydraulic fracturing. Increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic fracturing process could lead to greater opposition to crude oil, natural gas and NGL production activities using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation, regulation, litigation, or moratoria could also lead to operational delays or lead us to incur increased operating costs in the production of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, including from the development of shale plays, or could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing or other drilling activities. If these legislative, regulatory, litigation, and other initiatives cause a material decrease in the drilling of new wells or an increase in drilling costs, our profitability could be materially impacted.
A ballot initiative has been proposed in Colorado which, if approved, could vastly expand the right of local governments to limit or prohibit oil and natural gas production and development in their jurisdictions. Should this or any similar initiative or legislation be successful and survive legal challenge, additional limitations or prohibitions could be placed on crude oil and natural gas production and development within certain areas of Colorado or the state as a whole. This could adversely affect the cost, manner, and feasibility of development activities in Colorado, particularly those involving hydraulic fracturing, and significantly affect the value of our assets and our financial results and impede our growth.
Certain interest groups in Colorado opposed to oil and natural gas development generally, and hydraulic fracturing in particular, have advanced various options for ballot initiatives aimed at significantly limiting or preventing oil and natural gas development. To date, one initiative has been formally proposed. Colorado Community Rights Network has submitted to the Colorado Legislative Council a proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution that would add a new section to the Bill of Rights regarding the right of local governments to self-govern. This constitutional amendment, should it be successfully implemented and survive legal challenge, would grant local governments in Colorado the right, without limitation, to prohibit crude oil and natural gas development within their respective jurisdictions and would clarify that such prohibitions would not be preempted by conflicting international, federal, or state laws. Other ballot initiatives and legislation focused on allowing localities greater latitude to regulate oil and natural gas development in Colorado are under discussion. Additional ballot initiatives and legislation directly impacting oil and natural gas development, including through further regulation of hydraulic fracturing, are also possible. Should any of these initiatives be successful and survive legal challenge, they could have a materially adverse impact on our ability to drill and/or produce crude oil and natural gas in certain areas in Colorado, or the state generally, and could materially impact our results of operations, production and reserves.
Environmental and overall public scrutiny focused on the oil and gas industry is increasing. The current trend is to increase regulation of our operations and the industry. We are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
Our exploration, development, production, and marketing operations are regulated extensively at the federal, state, and local levels. Environmental and other governmental laws and regulations have increased the costs of planning, designing, drilling, installing, operating, and abandoning crude oil and natural gas wells and associated facilities. Under these laws and regulations, we could also be liable for personal injuries, property damage, and natural resource or other damages. Similar to our competitors, we incur substantial operating and capital costs to comply with such laws and regulations. These compliance costs may put us at a competitive disadvantage compared to larger companies in the industry which can more easily capture economies of scale with respect to compliance. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the suspension or termination of our operations or other operational impediments and subject us to administrative, civil, and criminal penalties. Moreover, public interest in environmental protection has increased in recent years-particularly with respect to hydraulic fracturing-and environmental organizations have opposed, with some success, certain drilling projects.
In addition, our activities are subject to regulations governing conservation practices, protection of wildlife and habitat, and protection of correlative rights by state governments. These regulations affect our operations, increase our costs of exploration and production, and limit the quantity of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs that we can produce and market. A major risk inherent in our drilling plans is the possibility that we will be unable to obtain needed drilling permits from relevant governmental authorities in a timely manner. Delays in obtaining regulatory approvals or drilling permits, the failure to obtain a drilling permit for a well, or the receipt of a permit with unreasonable conditions or costs could have a material adverse effect on our ability to explore or develop our properties.
Additionally, the crude oil and natural gas regulatory environment could change in ways that substantially increase our financial and managerial compliance costs, increase our exposure to potential damages or limit our activities. At the state level, for instance, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) issued a rule in 2013 governing mandatory minimum spacing, or setbacks, between oil and gas wells and occupied buildings and other areas. Similarly, the COGCC has discussed measures to focus on wellbore integrity. Also in 2013, the COGCC issued rules that require baseline sampling of certain ground and surface water in most areas of Colorado and impose stringent spill reporting and remediation requirements. These new sampling requirements could increase the costs of developing wells in certain locations. In addition to increasing costs of operation, these rules could prevent us from drilling wells on certain locations we plan to develop, thereby reducing our reserves as well as our future revenues.
In addition, in November 2013, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Quality Control Commission (“AQCC”) approved proposed regulations that would impose stringent new requirements relating to air emissions from oil and gas facilities in Colorado. These new rules, which are expected to be finalized in spring 2014, will require new controls, and impose additional monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for most operators in Colorado. As part of the proposed rule package, the AQCC approved the direct regulation of hydrocarbon (i.e., methane) emissions from the Colorado oil and gas sector. If finalized as proposed, such direct state-only regulation of methane (a greenhouse gas) from a single industry sector in the absence of comparable federal regulation is a significant new authority being asserted at the state level and has the potential to adversely affect operations in Colorado as well as in other parts of the country. Along the same lines, local governments are undertaking air quality studies to assess potential public health impacts from oil and gas operations. These studies, in combination with other air quality-related studies that are national in scope, may result in the imposition of additional regulatory requirements on oil and gas operations.
Other potential laws and regulations affecting us include new or increased severance taxes proposed in several states, including Pennsylvania and Ohio. This could adversely affect our existing operations in these states and the economic viability of future drilling. Additional laws, regulations, or other changes could significantly reduce our future growth, increase our costs of operations, and reduce our cash flows, in addition to undermining the demand for the crude oil, natural gas and NGLs we produce.
Our ability to produce crude oil and natural gas could be impaired if we are unable to acquire adequate supplies of water for our drilling and completion operations or are unable to dispose of the water we use at a reasonable cost and within applicable environmental rules.
Our operations could be adversely impacted if we are unable to locate sufficient amounts of water, or dispose of or recycle water used in our exploration and production operations. Currently, the quantity of water required in certain completion operations, such as hydraulic fracturing, and changing regulations governing usage may lead to water constraints and supply concerns (particularly in some parts of the country). In addition, notwithstanding recent flooding in Colorado discussed below, Colorado and other western states have recently experienced drought conditions. As a result, future availability of water from certain sources used in the past may become limited.
The imposition of new environmental initiatives relating to wastewater could restrict our ability to conduct certain operations such as hydraulic fracturing. This includes potential restrictions on waste disposal, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil and natural gas. For example, in 2010 a petition was filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council with EPA requesting that the agency reassess its prior and long-standing determination that certain oil and natural gas exploration and production wastes would not be regulated as hazardous waste under Subtitle C of the RCRA. EPA has not yet acted on the petition and it remains pending. Were EPA to begin treating some or all of these wastes as “hazardous” under Subtitle C in response to the petition, the consequences for our operations would be serious, and would include a significant increase in costs associated with waste treatment and disposal and a potential inability to conduct operations in some instances.
The CWA and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other oil and natural gas waste, into navigable waters or other regulated federal and state waters. Permits or other approvals must be obtained to discharge fill and pollutants into regulated waters and to conduct construction activities in such waters and wetlands. Uncertainty
regarding regulatory jurisdiction over wetlands and other regulated waters of the United States has complicated, and will continue to complicate and increase the cost of, obtaining such permits or other approvals. Most recently, EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review a proposed rule on defining jurisdictional waters of the United States. An expansive definition of such jurisdictional waters could affect our ability to operate in certain areas, increase costs of operations, and cause significant scrutiny and delays in permitting. While generally exempt under federal programs, many state agencies have also adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain permits for storm water discharges. These permits, in turn, impose far-ranging monitoring, flow control, and other obligations that have generated, and will continue to generate, increased costs for our operations.
In October 2011, EPA announced its intention to develop federal pretreatment standards for wastewater discharges associated with hydraulic fracturing activities. If adopted, the pretreatment rules will require shale gas operations to pretreat wastewater before transfer to treatment facilities. Proposed rules are expected in 2014. Some states, including Pennsylvania, have banned the treatment of fracturing wastewater at publicly owned treatment facilities. There has been recent nationwide concern, particularly in Ohio, over earthquakes associated with Class II underground injection control wells, a predominant storage method for crude oil and gas wastewater. As seen in Ohio, it is likely that new rules and regulations will be developed to address these concerns, possibly eliminating access to Class II wells in certain locations, and increasing the cost of disposal in others.
Finally, the EPA study noted above has focused and will continue to focus on various stages of water use in hydraulic fracturing operations. It is possible that, following the conclusion of EPA’s study, the agency will move to more strictly regulate the use of water in hydraulic fracturing operations. While we cannot predict the impact that these changes may have on our business at this time, they may be material to our business, financial condition, and operations. In addition, an inability to meet our water supply needs to conduct our completion operations may adversely impact our business. These potential water-related concerns may be heightened by recent flooding events in Colorado. For example, we experienced damage to some of our facilities as well as other operational impediments caused by the flooding event. Future legal and regulatory changes related to this event could negatively affect our financial condition and operations.
A substantial part of our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs production is located in the Wattenberg Field, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating primarily in a single geographic area. In addition, we have a large amount of proved reserves attributable to a small number of producing formations.
Our operations are focused primarily on the Wattenberg Field, which means our current producing properties and new drilling opportunities are geographically concentrated in that area. Because our operations are not as diversified geographically as many of our competitors, the success of our operations and our profitability may be disproportionately exposed to the effect of any regional events, including fluctuations in prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs produced from the wells in the area, natural disasters such as the flooding that occurred in the area in September 2013, restrictive governmental regulations, transportation capacity constraints, curtailment of production or interruption of transportation, and any resulting delays or interruptions of production from existing or planned new wells. For example, the recent increase in activity in the Wattenberg Field has contributed to bottlenecks in processing and transportation that have negatively affected our results of operations, and these adverse effects may be disproportionately severe to us compared to our more geographically diverse competitors. Similarly, the concentration of our assets within a small number of producing formations exposes us to risks, such as changes in field-wide rules, that could adversely affect development activities or production relating to those formations. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our estimated crude oil and natural gas reserves are based on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions may materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.
Calculating reserves for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs requires subjective estimates of remaining volumes of underground accumulations of hydrocarbons. Assumptions are also made concerning commodity prices, production levels, and operating and development costs over the economic life of the properties. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves and projections of future production rates and the timing of development expenditures may be inaccurate. Independent petroleum engineers prepare our estimates of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves using pricing, production, cost, tax and other information that we provide. The reserve estimates are based on certain assumptions regarding commodity prices, production levels, and operating and development costs that may prove incorrect. Any significant variance from these assumptions to actual results could greatly affect:
•
the economically recoverable quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs attributable to any particular group of properties;
•
future depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) rates and amounts;
•
impairments in the value of our assets;
•
the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery;
•
estimates of future net cash flows;
•
timing of our capital expenditures; and
•
the amount of funds available for us to utilize under our revolving credit facility.
Some of our reserve estimates must be made with limited production histories, which renders these reserve estimates less reliable than estimates based on longer production histories. Horizontal drilling in the Wattenberg Field is a relatively recent development, whereas vertical drilling has been used by producers in this field for over 40 years. As a result, the amount of production data from horizontal wells available to reserve engineers is relatively small, and future reserve estimates will be affected by additional production data as it becomes available. Horizontal drilling in the Utica Shale has an even more limited history, particularly in the southern part of the play where most of our acreage is located. Further, reserve estimates are based on the volumes of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs that are anticipated to be
economically recoverable from a given date forward based on economic conditions that exist at that date. The actual quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs recovered will be different than the reserve estimates since they will not be produced under the same economic conditions as used for the reserve calculations. In addition, quantities of probable and possible reserves by definition are inherently more risky than proved reserves and are less likely to be recovered.
At December 31, 2013, approximately 72% of our estimated proved reserves (by volume) were undeveloped. These reserve estimates reflected our plans to make significant capital expenditures to convert our PUDs into proved developed reserves, including approximately $2.5 billion during the five years ending December 31, 2018. You should be aware that the estimated development costs may not be accurate, development may not occur as scheduled and results may not be as estimated. If we choose not to develop PUDs, or if we are not otherwise able to successfully develop them, we will be required to remove the associated volumes from our reported proved reserves. In addition, under the SEC’s reserve reporting rules, because PUDs generally may be booked only if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years of the date of booking, we may be required to downgrade any PUDs that are not developed within this five-year time frame to probable or possible.
The present value of the estimated future net cash flows from our proved reserves is not necessarily the same as the current market value of those reserves. Pursuant to SEC rules, the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves, and the estimated quantity of those reserves, were based on the prior 12-month average crude oil and natural gas index prices. However, factors such as actual prices we receive for crude oil and natural gas and hedging instruments, the amount and timing of actual production, amount and timing of future development costs, supply of and demand for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs and changes in governmental regulations or taxation, also affect our actual future net cash flows from our properties. If we had used current forward strip commodity prices instead of the 12-month average prices mandated by SEC rules, the estimated quantities of our proved reserves and cash flows from those reserves as of December 31, 2013 would have been lower.
The timing of both our production and incurrence of expenses in connection with the development and production of crude oil and natural gas properties will affect the timing of actual future net cash flows from proved reserves, and thus their actual present value. In addition, the 10% discount factor (the rate required by the SEC) we use when calculating discounted future net cash flows may not be the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates currently in effect and risks associated with our properties or the industry in general.
Unless reserves are replaced as they are produced, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our future business, financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to develop our identified drilling locations as planned.
Producing crude oil, natural gas and NGL reservoirs are generally characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. The rate of decline may change over time and may exceed our estimates. Our future reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flows and income, are highly dependent on our ability to efficiently develop and exploit our current reserves and to economically find or acquire additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, discover or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production at acceptable costs. Our failure to do so would adversely affect our future operations, financial condition and results of operations.
We have identified a number of well locations as an estimation of our future multi-year drilling activities on our existing acreage. These well locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop these locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including crude oil, natural gas and NGL prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and equipment, drilling results, lease expirations, midstream constraints, access to and availability of water sourcing and distribution systems, regulatory approvals and other factors. Because of these factors, we do not know if the numerous potential well locations we have identified will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce crude oil, natural gas or NGLs from these or any other potential well locations. In addition, the number of drilling locations available to us will depend in part on the spacing of wells in our operating areas. An increase in well density in an area could result in additional locations in that area, but a reduced production performance from the area on a per-well basis. Further, certain of the horizontal wells we intend to drill in the future may require pooling of our lease interests with the interests of third parties. If these third parties are unwilling to pool their interests with ours, and we are unable to require such pooling on a timely basis or at all, this may limit the total locations we can drill. As such, our actual drilling activities may materially differ from those presently identified. Further, our inventory of drilling projects includes locations in addition to those that we currently classify as 3P. The development of and results from these additional projects are more uncertain than those relating to 3P locations, and significantly more uncertain than those relating to proved locations.
The wells we drill may not yield crude oil, natural gas or NGLs in commercially viable quantities, and productive wells may be less successful than we expect.
A prospect is a property on which our geologists have identified what they believe, based on available information, to be indications of hydrocarbon-bearing rocks. However, our geologists cannot know conclusively prior to drilling and testing whether crude oil, natural gas or NGLs will be present in sufficient quantities to repay drilling or completion costs and generate a profit given the available data and technology. If a well is determined to be dry or uneconomic, which can occur even though it contains some crude oil, natural gas or NGLs, it is classified as a dry hole and must be plugged and abandoned in accordance with applicable regulations. This generally results in the loss of the entire cost of drilling and completion to that point, the cost of plugging, and lease costs associated with the prospect. Even wells that are completed and placed into production may not produce sufficient crude oil, natural gas and NGLs to be profitable, or they may be less productive and/or profitable than we expected. If we drill a dry hole or unprofitable well on a current or future prospect, the profitability of our operations will decline and the value of our properties will likely be reduced. These risks are greater in developing areas such as the Utica
Shale, where we are currently investing substantial capital. Exploratory drilling is typically subject to substantially greater risk than development drilling. In addition, initial results from a well are not necessarily indicative of its performance over a longer period.
Drilling for and producing crude oil, natural gas and NGLs are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Drilling activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that we will not discover commercially productive reservoirs. Drilling for crude oil and natural gas can be unprofitable, not only due to dry holes, but also due to curtailments, delays or cancellations as a result of other factors, including:
•
unusual or unexpected geological formations;
•
pressures;
•
fires;
•
floods;
•
loss of well control;
•
loss of drilling fluid circulation;
•
title problems;
•
facility or equipment malfunctions;
•
unexpected operational events;
•
shortages or delays in the delivery of equipment and services;
•
unanticipated environmental liabilities;
•
compliance with environmental and other governmental requirements; and
•
adverse weather conditions.
Any of these risks can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, environmental contamination or loss of wells and regulatory penalties. For example, a loss of containment of hydrocarbons during drilling activities could potentially subject us to civil and/or criminal liability and the possibility of substantial costs, including for environmental remediation, depending upon the circumstances of the loss of containment, the nature and scope of the loss and the applicable laws and regulations. We maintain insurance against various losses and liabilities arising from operations; however, insurance against certain operational risks may not be available or may be prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risks presented. For example, we may not have coverage with respect to a pollution event if we are unaware of the event while it is occurring and are therefore unable to report the occurrence of the event to our insurance company within the time frame required under our insurance policy. Thus, losses could occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or for amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance and/or governmental or third party responses to an event could have a material adverse effect on our business activities, financial condition and results of operations. We are currently involved in various remedial and investigatory activities at some of our wells and related sites.
Our business strategy focuses on production in our liquid-rich and high impact shale plays. In this regard, we plan to allocate our capital to an active horizontal drilling program. Historically, most of the wells we drilled were vertical wells. Since 2012, however, we have devoted the majority of our capital budget to drilling horizontal wells. Drilling horizontal wells is technologically more difficult than drilling vertical wells - including as a result of risks relating to our ability to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages and to successfully run casing the length of the well bore - and the risk of failure is therefore greater than the risk involved in drilling vertical wells. Additionally, drilling a horizontal well is typically far costlier than drilling a vertical well. This means that the risks of our drilling program will be spread over a smaller number of wells, and that, in order to be economic, each horizontal well will need to produce at a higher level in order to cover the higher drilling costs. In addition, we have transitioned to the use of multi-well pads instead of single-well sites. The use of multi-well pad drilling increases some operational risks because problems affecting the pad or a single well could adversely affect production from all of the wells on the pad. Pad drilling can also make our overall production, and therefore our revenue and cash flows, more volatile, because production from multiple wells on a pad will typically commence simultaneously. While we believe that we will be better served by drilling horizontal wells using multi-well pads, the risk component involved in such drilling will be increased in some respects, with the result that we might find it more difficult to achieve economic success in our drilling program.
Under the “successful efforts” accounting method that we use, unsuccessful exploratory wells must be expensed in the period when they are determined to be non-productive, which reduces our net income in such periods and could have a negative effect on our profitability.
We conduct exploratory drilling in order to identify additional opportunities for future development. Under the “successful efforts” method of accounting that we use, the cost of unsuccessful exploratory wells must be charged to expense in the period in which the wells are determined to be unsuccessful. In addition, lease costs for acreage condemned by the unsuccessful well must also be expensed. In contrast, unsuccessful development wells are capitalized as a part of the investment in the field where they are located. Because exploratory wells generally are more likely to be unsuccessful than development wells, we anticipate that some or all of our exploratory wells may not be productive. The costs of such unsuccessful exploratory wells could result in a significant reduction in our profitability in periods when the costs are required to be expensed and could have a negative effect on our ability to comply with our debt covenants.
Increasing finding and development costs may impair our profitability.
In order to continue to grow and maintain our profitability, we must add new reserves that exceed our production over time at a finding and development cost that yields an acceptable operating margin and DD&A rate. Without cost effective exploration, development or acquisition activities, our production, reserves and profitability will decline over time. Given the relative maturity of most crude oil and natural
gas basins in North America and the high level of activity in the industry, the cost of finding new reserves through exploration and development operations has been increasing in some basins. The acquisition market for properties has become extremely competitive among producers for additional production and expanded drilling opportunities in North America. Acquisition values for crude oil properties have climbed in recent years and may continue to increase in the future. This increase in finding and development costs results in higher DD&A rates. If the upward trend in crude oil finding and development costs continues, we will be exposed to an increased likelihood of a write-down in the carrying value of our crude oil properties in response to any future decrease in commodity prices and/or reduction in the profitability of our operations.
Depressed natural gas prices could result in significant impairment charges and significant downward revisions of proved natural gas reserves.
The domestic natural gas market remains weak. Low natural gas prices could result in, among other adverse effects, significant impairment charges in the future. The cash flow model we use to assess properties for impairment includes numerous assumptions, such as management’s estimates of future oil and gas production and commodity prices, market outlook on forward commodity prices and operating and development costs. All inputs to the cash flow model must be evaluated at each date that the estimate of future cash flows for each producing basin is calculated. However, a significant decrease in long-term forward natural gas prices alone could result in a significant impairment for our properties that are sensitive to declines in natural gas prices. In December 2012, we recognized an impairment charge of $161.2 million associated with our Piceance Basin proved crude oil and natural gas properties. In 2013, we recognized additional charges of $48.8 million associated with our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin producing properties. Similar charges could occur in the future. In addition, low natural gas prices could result in significant downward revisions to our proved natural gas reserves. Future declines in crude oil prices could have similar effects.
Our development and exploration operations require substantial capital, and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a loss of properties and a decline in our production and reserves, and ultimately our profitability.
Our industry is capital intensive. We expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the exploration, development, production and acquisition of crude oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. To date, we have financed capital expenditures primarily with bank borrowings under our revolving credit facility, cash generated by operations and proceeds from capital markets transactions and the sale of properties. We intend to finance our future capital expenditures utilizing similar financing sources. Our cash flows from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including:
•
our proved reserves;
•
the amount of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs we are able to produce from existing wells;
•
the prices at which crude oil, natural gas and NGLs are sold;
•
the costs to produce crude oil, natural gas and NGLs; and
•
our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves.
If our revenues or the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility decrease as a result of lower commodity prices, operating difficulties or for any other reason, our need for capital from other sources would increase, and there can be no assurance that such other sources of capital would be available at that time on reasonable terms or at all. If we raise funds by issuing additional equity securities, this would have a dilutive effect on existing shareholders. If we raise funds through the incurrence of debt, the risks we face with respect to our indebtedness would increase and we would incur additional interest expense. Our inability to obtain sufficient financing on acceptable terms would adversely affect our financial condition and profitability.
We have a substantial amount of debt and the cost of servicing, and risks related to refinancing, that debt could adversely affect our business. Those risks could increase if we incur more debt.
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As a result, a significant portion of our cash flows will be required to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness, and we may not generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or have future borrowing capacity available, to enable us to repay our indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs.
Servicing our indebtedness and satisfying our other obligations will require a significant amount of cash. Our cash flows from operating activities and other sources may not be sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. Our ability to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness and to satisfy our other obligations will depend on our future operating performance and financial condition and the availability of refinancing indebtedness, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
A substantial decrease in our operating cash flows or an increase in our expenses could make it difficult for us to meet our debt service requirements and could require us to modify our operations, including by curtailing our exploration and drilling programs, selling assets, refinancing all or a portion of our existing debt or obtaining additional financing. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. In addition, the terms of future debt agreements may, and our existing debt agreements do, restrict us from implementing some of these alternatives. In the absence of adequate cash from operations and other available capital resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate these dispositions for fair market value, in a timely manner or at all. Furthermore, any proceeds that we could realize from any dispositions may not be adequate to meet our debt service or other obligations then due. Because the cash required to service our indebtedness is not available to finance our operations
and other business activities, our indebtedness limits our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and increases our vulnerability to economic downturns and sustained declines in commodity prices.
Covenants in our debt agreements currently impose, and future financing agreements may impose, significant operating and financial restrictions.
The indenture governing our senior notes and our revolving credit facility contain restrictions, and future financing agreements may contain additional restrictions, on our activities, including covenants that restrict our and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to:
•
incur additional debt;
•
pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase stock;
•
create liens;
•
make specified types of investments;
•
apply net proceeds from certain asset sales;
•
engage in transactions with our affiliates;
•
engage in sale and leaseback transactions;
•
merge or consolidate;
•
restrict dividends or other payments from restricted subsidiaries;
•
sell equity interests of restricted subsidiaries; and
•
sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or dispose of assets.
Our revolving credit facility is secured by all of our crude oil and natural gas properties as well as a pledge of all ownership interests in our operating subsidiaries. The restrictions contained in our debt agreements may prevent us from taking actions that we believe would be in the best interest of our business, and may make it difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy or effectively compete with companies that are not similarly restricted. We may also incur future debt obligations that might subject us to additional restrictive covenants that could affect our financial and operational flexibility. Similar issues may arise with respect to PDCM’s debt agreements, which, among other things, limit PDCM’s ability to pay dividends to us.
Our revolving credit facility has substantial restrictions and financial covenants and our ability to comply with those restrictions and covenants is uncertain. Our lenders can unilaterally reduce our borrowing availability based on anticipated commodity prices.
We depend in large part on our revolving credit facility for future capital needs. The terms of the credit agreement require us to comply with certain financial covenants and ratios. Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants in the future is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of cash flows from operations and events or circumstances beyond our control. Our failure to comply with any of the restrictions and covenants under the revolving credit facility or other debt agreements could result in a default under those agreements, which could cause all of our existing indebtedness to be immediately due and payable.
The revolving credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow to a borrowing base amount, determined by the lenders in their sole discretion based upon projected revenues from the properties securing their loan. The lenders can unilaterally adjust the borrowing base and the borrowings permitted to be outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base must be repaid immediately, or we must pledge other crude oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral. We do not currently have any substantial unpledged properties, and we may not have the financial resources in the future to make any mandatory principal prepayments required under the revolving credit facility. Our inability to borrow additional funds under our revolving credit facility could adversely affect our operations and our financial results. PDCM is subject to each of the foregoing risks with respect to its revolving credit facility and its term loan agreement.
If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness, there would be a default under the terms of these agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment of funds that we have borrowed and would impact our ability to make principal and interest payments on our indebtedness and satisfy our other obligations.
Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our revolving credit facility that is not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of any such indebtedness, could make us unable to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness and satisfy our other obligations. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our revolving credit facility could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our revolving credit facility to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our revolving credit facility and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default under our revolving credit facility, the lenders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. We cannot assure you that we will be granted waivers or amendments to our debt agreements if for any reason we are unable to comply with these agreements, or that we will be able to refinance our debt on terms acceptable to us, or at all. PDCM is subject to each of the foregoing risks with respect to its debt agreements. As of June 30 and September 30, 2013, PDCM was not in compliance with certain financial covenants in its debt agreements. It was able to obtain a waiver for these defaults from its lenders in July and October 2013, respectively. However, there can be no assurance that similar waivers will be available if needed in the future.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase although the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash available for servicing our indebtedness and for other purposes would decrease.
Notwithstanding our current indebtedness levels and restrictive covenants, we may still be able to incur substantial additional debt, which could exacerbate the risks described above.
We may be able to incur additional debt in the future. Although our debt agreements contain restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, those restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions. In particular, we may borrow under the revolving credit facility. We may also consider investments in joint ventures or acquisitions that may increase our indebtedness. Adding new debt to current debt levels could intensify the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face.
Seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations can adversely affect our operations.
Seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations designed to protect wildlife affect operations in some areas. In certain areas drilling and other activities may be restricted or prohibited by lease stipulations, or prevented by weather conditions, for significant periods of time. This limits our operations in those areas and can intensify competition during the active months for drilling rigs, oil field equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to additional or increased costs or periodic shortages. These constraints and the resulting high costs or shortages could delay our operations and materially increase operating and capital costs and therefore adversely affect our profitability. Similarly, hot weather during some recent periods adversely impacted the operation of certain midstream facilities, and therefore our production. Similar events could occur in the future and could negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.
We have limited control over activities on properties in which we own an interest but we do not operate, which could reduce our production and revenues.
We operate approximately 91% of the wells in which we own an interest. If we do not operate the properties in which we own an interest, we do not have control over normal operating procedures, expenditures or future development of the underlying properties. The success and timing of drilling and development activities on properties operated by others therefore depends upon a number of factors outside of our control, including the operator’s timing and amount of capital expenditures, expertise (including safety and environmental compliance) and financial resources, inclusion of other participants in drilling wells, and use of technology. The failure by an operator to adequately perform operations, or an operator’s breach of the applicable agreements, could reduce production and revenues and adversely affect our profitability. These risks have been increasing for us in recent years as our capital expenditures for non-operated projects have risen significantly, and are expected to rise further in 2014.
Our derivative activities could result in financial losses or reduced income from failure to perform by our counterparties or could limit our potential gains from increases in prices.
We use derivatives for a portion of the production from our own wells, our partnerships and for natural gas purchases and sales by our marketing subsidiary to achieve more predictable cash flows, to reduce exposure to adverse fluctuations in commodity prices, and to allow our natural gas marketing company to offer pricing options to natural gas sellers and purchasers. These arrangements expose us to the risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including when purchases or sales are different than expected or the counterparty to the derivative contract defaults on its contractual obligations. In addition, many of our derivative contracts are based on WTI or another oil or natural gas index price. The risk that the differential between the index price and the price we receive for the relevant production may change unexpectedly makes it more difficult to hedge effectively and increases the risk of a hedging-related loss.
Also, derivative arrangements may limit the benefit we would otherwise receive from increases in the prices for the relevant commodity, and they may require the use of our resources to meet cash margin requirements. Since we do not designate our derivatives as hedges, we do not currently qualify for use of hedge accounting; therefore, changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in our income statements, and our net income is subject to greater volatility than it would be if our derivative instruments qualified for hedge accounting. For instance, if commodity prices rise significantly, this could result in significant non-cash charges during the relevant period, which could have a material negative effect on our net income.
The inability of one or more of our customers or other counterparties to meet their obligations may adversely affect our financial results.
Substantially all of our accounts receivable result from our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales or joint interest billings to a small number of third parties in the energy industry. This concentration of customers and joint interest owners may affect our overall credit risk in that these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. In addition, our derivatives as well as the derivatives used by our marketing subsidiary expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. Nonperformance by our customers or derivative counterparties may adversely affect our financial condition and profitability. We face similar risks with respect to our other counterparties, including the lenders under our revolving credit facility and the providers of our insurance coverage.
Our business could be negatively impacted by security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and other disruptions.
As a crude oil and natural gas producer, we face various security threats, including attempts by third parties to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or to render data or systems unusable; threats to the safety of our employees; threats to the security of our infrastructure or third party facilities and infrastructure, such as processing plants and pipelines; and threats from terrorist acts. There can be no assurance that the procedures and controls we use to monitor these threats and mitigate our exposure to them will be sufficient in preventing them from materializing. If any of these events were to materialize, they could lead to losses of sensitive information, critical infrastructure, personnel or capabilities essential to our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover some liabilities or losses that we may incur.
The occurrence of a significant accident or other event not fully covered by insurance or in excess of our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. Insurance does not protect us against all operational risks. We do not carry business interruption insurance at levels that would provide enough funds for us to continue operating without access to other funds. We also do not carry contingent business interruption insurance related to the purchasers of our production. In addition, pollution and environmental risks are generally not fully insurable.
We may not be able to keep pace with technological developments in our industry.
Our industry is characterized by rapid and significant technological advancements. As our competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement those or other new technologies at substantial cost. In addition, our competitors may have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. We may not be able to respond to these competitive pressures and implement new technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost. If one or more of the technologies we use now or in the future were to become obsolete or if we were unable to use the most advanced commercially available technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Competition in our industry is intense, which may adversely affect our ability to succeed.
Our industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies that have greater resources. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, but also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than we can. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, larger companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low commodity prices. Larger competitors may also be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations more easily than we can, which could adversely affect our competitive position. These factors could adversely affect the success of our operations and our profitability.
Acquisitions of properties are subject to the uncertainties of evaluating recoverable reserves and potential liabilities, including environmental uncertainties.
Acquisitions of producing properties and undeveloped properties have been an important part of our historical and recent growth. We expect acquisitions will also contribute to our future growth. Successful acquisitions require an assessment of a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include recoverable reserves, development potential, future commodity prices, operating costs, title issues and potential environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and their accuracy is inherently uncertain. In connection with our assessments, we perform engineering, environmental, geological and geophysical reviews of the acquired properties, which we believe are generally consistent with industry practices. However, such reviews are not likely to permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and capabilities. We do not inspect every well prior to an acquisition and our ability to evaluate undeveloped acreage is inherently imprecise. Even when we inspect a well, we may not always discover structural, subsurface and environmental problems that may exist or arise. In some cases, our review prior to signing a definitive purchase agreement may be even more limited. In addition, we often acquire acreage without any warranty of title except as to claims made by, through or under the transferor.
When we acquire properties, we will generally have potential exposure to liabilities and costs for environmental and other problems existing on the acquired properties, and these liabilities may exceed our estimates. Often we are not entitled to contractual indemnification associated with acquired properties. We often acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis with no or limited remedies for breaches of representations and warranties. Therefore, we could incur significant unknown liabilities, including environmental liabilities, or losses due to title defects, in connection with acquisitions for which we have limited or no contractual remedies or insurance coverage. In addition, the acquisition of undeveloped acreage is subject to many inherent risks and we may not be able to realize efficiently, or at all, the assumed or expected economic benefits of acreage that we acquire.
Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations depending upon the character of the acquired properties, which may have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or may be in different geographic locations than our existing properties. These factors can increase the risks associated with an acquisition. Acquisitions also present risks associated with the additional indebtedness that may be required to finance the purchase price, and any related increase in interest expense or other related charges.
A failure to complete successful acquisitions would limit our growth.
Because our crude oil and natural gas properties are depleting assets, our future reserves, production volumes and cash flows depend on our success in developing and exploiting our current reserves efficiently and finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves economically. Acquiring additional crude oil and natural gas properties, or businesses that own or operate such properties, when attractive opportunities arise is a significant component of our strategy. We may not be able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities. If we do identify an appropriate acquisition candidate, we may be unable to negotiate mutually acceptable terms with the seller, finance the acquisition or obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. If we are unable to complete suitable acquisitions, it will be more difficult to replace our reserves, and an inability to replace our reserves would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Certain federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to crude oil and natural gas and exploration and development may be eliminated as a result of future legislation.
The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed to eliminate certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences currently available with respect to crude oil and natural gas exploration and production. The proposals include, but are not limited to (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for crude oil and natural gas properties; (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs; (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain U.S. production activities; and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. It is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address these proposals would impact our business, but any such future laws and regulations could result in higher federal income taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, proposals are made from time to time in states where we operate to implement or increase severance or other taxes at the state level, and any such additional taxes would have similarly adverse effects on us.
Derivatives legislation and regulation could adversely affect our ability to hedge crude oil and natural gas prices and increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability.
In July 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act regulates derivative transactions, including our commodity hedging swaps, and could have a number of adverse effects on us, including the following:
•
The Dodd-Frank Act may limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions, thus exposing us to additional risks related to commodity price volatility; commodity price decreases would then have an increased adverse effect on our profitability and revenues. Reduced hedging may also impair our ability to have certainty with respect to a portion of our cash flows, which could lead to decreases in capital spending and, therefore, decreases in future production and reserves.
•
If, as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act or its implementing regulations, we are required to post cash collateral in connection with our derivative positions, this would likely make it impracticable to implement our current hedging strategy.
•
Our derivatives counterparties will be subject to significant new capital, margin and business conduct requirements imposed as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act. We expect that these requirements will increase the cost to hedge because there will be fewer counterparties in the market and increased counterparty costs will be passed on to us.
The above factors could also affect the pricing of derivatives and make it more difficult for us to enter into hedging transactions on favorable terms.
Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the crude oil, natural gas and NGLs that we produce while physical effects of climate change could disrupt our production and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.
In December 2009, EPA published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases present an endangerment to public health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to EPA, contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings provide the basis for EPA to adopt and implement regulations that would restrict emissions of greenhouse gases under existing provisions of the CAA. In June 2010, EPA published its final rule to address the permitting of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under the CAA’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) and Title V permitting programs. This rule “tailors” these permitting programs to apply to certain stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in a multi-step process, with the largest sources first subject to permitting. It is widely expected that facilities required to obtain PSD permits for their greenhouse gas emissions will be required to also reduce those emissions according to “best available control technology” (“BACT”) standards. In its permitting guidance for greenhouse gases, issued in November 2010, EPA recommended options for BACT from the largest sources, which include improved energy efficiency, among others. EPA has recently issued a final rule retaining the current “tailored” permitting thresholds, opting not to extend greenhouse gas permitting requirements to smaller stationary sources at this time. EPA, however, intends to revisit these thresholds again by 2016. Should it do so, it is possible the onshore crude oil and natural gas sector will be included.
In June 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an opinion and order in Coalition for Responsible Regulation v. Environmental Protection Agency, upholding EPA’s greenhouse gas-related rules, including the “Tailoring Rule,” against challenges from various state and industry group petitioners. In October 2013, the United States Supreme Court in Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA, accepted a petition for certiorari to decide whether EPA correctly determined that its regulation of greenhouse gases from mobile sources triggered permitting requirements under the CAA for stationary sources that emit greenhouse gases. The Court’s decision is expected in the spring or summer of 2014 and will have significant implications for the regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources, including those in the oil and gas sector. Any regulatory or permitting obligation that limits emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur
costs to reduce and monitor emissions of greenhouse gases associated with our operations and also adversely affect demand for the crude oil and natural gas that we produce.
In the past, Congress has considered various pieces of legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Congress has not adopted any significant legislation in this respect to date, but could do so in the future. For example, if Congress undertakes comprehensive tax reform in the coming year, it is possible that such measures could include a carbon tax, which could result in additional direct costs to our operations. In the absence of such national legislation, many states and regions have taken legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily through the planned development of greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs. For example, Colorado has proposed to directly regulate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector in its recently proposed oil and gas air emissions rules.
President Obama has indicated that climate change and greenhouse gas regulation is a significant priority for his second term. The President issued a Climate Action Plan in June 2013 that, among other things, calls for a reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. In November 2013, the President released an Executive Order charging various federal agencies, including EPA, with devising and pursuing strategies to improve the country’s preparedness and resilience to climate change. In part through these executive actions, the direct regulation of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector continues to be a focus of regulation. In addition to the proposed Colorado rules discussed above, a lawsuit has been filed by several northeastern states that would require EPA to more stringently regulate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The passage of legislation, or executive and other initiatives that limit emissions of greenhouse gases from our equipment and operations, could require us to incur costs to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, and it could also adversely affect demand for the crude oil and natural gas that we produce.
Some have suggested that one consequence of climate change could be increased severity of extreme weather, such as increased hurricanes and floods. Recent flooding in Colorado is an example of an extreme weather event that negatively impacted our operations. If such events were to continue to occur, or become more frequent, our operations could be adversely affected in various ways, including through damage to our facilities from increased costs for insurance.
Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. The market for natural gas is generally improved by periods of colder weather and impaired by periods of warmer weather, so any changes in climate could affect the market for the fuels that we produce. Despite the use of the term “global warming” as a shorthand for climate change, some studies indicate that climate change could cause some areas to experience temperatures substantially colder than their historical averages. As a result, it is difficult to predict how the market for our fuels could be affected by increased temperature volatility, although if there is an overall trend of warmer temperatures, it would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business.
The cost of defending any suits brought against us with respect to our royalty payment practices, and any judgments resulting from such suits, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
In recent years, litigation has commenced against us and other companies in our industry regarding royalty practices and payments in jurisdictions where we conduct business. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these cases. The costs of defending these suits can be significant, even when we ultimately succeed in having them dismissed. These costs would be reflected in terms of dollar outlay, as well as the amount of time, attention and other resources that our management would have to appropriate to the defense. A judgment in favor of a plaintiff in a suit of this type could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and profitability.
PDCM is dependent upon our equity partner and poses exit-related risks for us.
The board of managers of PDCM consists of three representatives appointed by us and three representatives appointed by our equity partner Lime Rock Partners, LP, each with equal voting power. The joint venture agreement generally requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board to approve an action, and we and Lime Rock may not always agree on the best course of action for the joint venture. If such a disagreement were to occur, we would not be able to cause the joint venture to take action that we believed to be in its best interests. Consequently, our best interests may not be advanced and our investment in the joint venture could be adversely affected. If there is a disagreement about a development plan and budget for the joint venture, Lime Rock is entitled to unilaterally suspend substantially all of the operations of the joint venture, which could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations of the joint venture and our investment. Such a suspension could last for up to two years, at which point either party could elect to dissolve the joint venture or to sell its ownership interests to a third party. Lime Rock is entitled in some cases to a preference with respect to liquidating distributions and proceeds from significant sales of ownership interests up to the amount of its contributed capital, which would diminish our returns if the value of the joint venture had declined at the time of the liquidation or sale.
Lime Rock is entitled to seek to sell its interest in the joint venture to a third party, subject to rights of first offer and refusal in favor of us. If we do not exercise those rights in a sale involving all of Lime Rock’s ownership interests, Lime Rock can exercise “drag-along” rights and compel us to sell all of our interests in the proposed transaction. Accordingly, if we possessed insufficient funds and were unable to obtain financing necessary to purchase Lime Rock’s interest under the rights of first offer and refusal, Lime Rock might sell its interests in the joint venture to a third party with whom we might have a difficult time dealing and in managing the joint venture or we may be required to sell our interest in the joint venture at a time when we may not wish to do so. Under these circumstances, our investment in the joint venture could be adversely affected.
Our articles of incorporation, bylaws, stockholders rights plan and Nevada law contain provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. If our board of directors elects to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire us. We have adopted a stockholders rights plan that will dilute the stock ownership of certain acquirers of our common stock upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, some provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and Nevada law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, including:
•
the organization of our board of directors as a classified board, which allows no more than one-third of our directors to be elected each year;
•
limitations on the ability of our shareholders to call special meetings; and
•
certain Nevada anti-takeover statutes.
Because we have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock, investors must look solely to stock appreciation for a return on their investment in us.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all future earnings and other cash resources, if any, for the operation and development of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account many factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion. In addition, our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our senior notes limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future dividends may also be restricted by any debt agreements which we may enter into from time to time.
Our undeveloped acreage must be drilled before lease expiration to hold the acreage by production. In highly competitive markets for acreage, failure to drill sufficient wells to hold acreage could result in a substantial lease renewal cost or, if renewal is not feasible, loss of our lease and prospective drilling opportunities.
Unless production is established within the spacing units covering the undeveloped acres on which some of our drilling locations are identified, our leases for such acreage will expire. The cost to renew such leases may increase significantly, and we may not be able to renew such leases on commercially reasonable terms or at all. As such, our actual drilling activities may differ materially from our current expectations, which could adversely affect our business.
We may incur losses as a result of title defects in the properties in which we invest.
It is our practice in acquiring oil and gas leases or interests not to incur the expense of retaining lawyers to examine the title to the mineral interest at the time of acquisition. Rather, we rely upon the judgment of oil and gas lease brokers or landmen who perform the fieldwork in examining records in the appropriate governmental office before attempting to acquire a lease in a specific mineral interest. Leases in the Appalachia-Marcellus and Utica areas are particularly vulnerable to title deficiencies due the long history of land ownership in the area, resulting in extensive and complex chains of title. The existence of a material title deficiency can render a lease worthless and can adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. While we typically obtain title opinions prior to commencing drilling operations on a lease or in a unit, the failure of title may not be discovered until after a well is drilled, in which case we may lose the lease and the right to produce all or a portion of the minerals under the property.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information regarding our legal proceedings can be found in Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies - Litigation, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol PDCE. The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices for our common stock for each of the periods presented:
As of February 7, 2014, we had approximately 707 shareholders of record. Since inception, no cash dividends have been declared on our common stock. Cash dividends are restricted under the terms of our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our 7.75% senior notes due 2022 and we presently intend to continue a policy of using retained earnings for expansion of our business. See Note 8, Long-term Debt, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
The following table presents information about our purchases of our common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2013:
__________
(1)
Purchases primarily represent shares purchased from employees for the payment of their tax liabilities related to the vesting of securities issued pursuant to our stock-based compensation plans.
SHAREHOLDER PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The performance graph below compares the cumulative total return of our common stock over the five-year period ended December 31, 2013, with the cumulative total returns for the same period for the Standard and Poor's ("S&P") 500 Index and the Standard Industrial Code ("SIC") Index. The SIC Index is a weighted composite of 267 crude petroleum and natural gas companies. The cumulative total shareholder return assumes that $100 was invested, including reinvestment of dividends, if any, in our common stock on December 31, 2008 and in the S&P 500 Index and the SIC Index on the same date. The results shown in the graph below are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
______________
(1)
Lifting costs represent lease operating expenses, excluding production taxes, on a per unit basis.
(2)
Includes total proved reserves related to our Piceance Basin and NECO assets of 14.1 MMBoe, 59.5 MMBoe, 76.4 MMBoe and 68.3 MMBoe as of December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional details related to the divestiture of our Piceance Basin and NECO assets.
(3)
Includes total proved reserves related to our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin assets of 2 MMBoe, 3 MMBoe, 4 MMBoe and 8 MMBoe as of December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional details related to the divestiture of our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin assets.
(4)
Includes total proved reserves related to our Permian Basin assets of 10.8 MMBoe and 5.4 MMBoe as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our Permian assets were held for sale as of December 31, 2011 and divested in February 2012. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional details related to the divestiture of our Permian assets.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis, as well as other sections in this report, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Further, we encourage you to revisit the Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in Part I of this report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2013 Financial Overview
Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales from continuing operations increased in 2013 by $121.0 million, or 50.8%, compared to 2012. The growth in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales was the result of increased production and higher prices. For the month ended December 31, 2013, we maintained an average production rate of 27 MBoe per day. Production of 7.4 MMboe from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 represents an increase of 35% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily attributable to our successful horizontal Niobrara and Codell drilling program in the Wattenberg Field. Crude oil production from continuing operations increased 46% in 2013, while NGLs production from continuing operations increased 25%. Our liquids percentage of total production from continuing operations was 53% in 2013 compared to 51% during 2012. Natural gas production from continuing operations increased 30% in 2013 compared to 2012.
Available liquidity as of December 31, 2013 was $647.0 million, including $16.1 million related to PDCM, compared to $398.6 million, including $14.1 million related to PDCM, as of December 31, 2012. Available liquidity is comprised of $193.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and $453.8 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facilities. In August 2013, we completed a public offering of 5,175,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a price to us of $53.37 per share, for net proceeds of approximately $276 million, after deducting offering expenses and underwriting discounts. We expect to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of our 2014 capital program and for general corporate purposes. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to allow us to execute our expanded drilling program through 2014. On October 31, 2013, we completed the semi-annual redetermination of our revolving credit facility's borrowing base. Our available borrowing base was reaffirmed at $450 million.
Operational Overview
Drilling Activities. During 2013, we continued to execute our strategic plan of increasing production while increasing our production mix of crude oil and NGLs by focusing our drilling operations primarily in the liquid-rich Wattenberg Field in Colorado and the emerging Utica Shale play in southeastern Ohio.
In the Wattenberg Field, we are currently running four drilling rigs and recently completed and are producing from our first 16 horizontal wells per section downspacing project. In 2013, we spudded 70 horizontal wells in the Wattenberg Field, 54 of which were completed, and participated in 49 gross, 10.4 net, horizontal non-operated drilling projects. In the Utica Shale, we spudded 11 horizontal wells in 2013, nine of which were completed and connected to a gathering line and two of which were in various stages of completion as of December 31, 2013. In the Appalachia-Marcellus Shale, PDCM spudded 14 horizontal wells in 2013, 10 of which were completed and turned-in-line as of December 31, 2013.
Divestiture of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Properties. In February 2013, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with certain affiliates of Caerus pursuant to which we agreed to sell to Caerus our Piceance Basin, NECO and certain other non-core Colorado oil and gas properties, leasehold mineral interests and related assets. This divestiture was completed in June 2013 with total consideration of approximately $177.6 million, with an additional $17.0 million paid to our non-affiliated investor partners in our affiliated partnerships. The sale resulted in a pre-tax loss of $2.3 million. The proceeds from the asset divestiture were used to pay down our revolving credit facility and to fund a portion of our 2013 capital budget. Following the sale to Caerus, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, the Piceance Basin and NECO oil and gas properties. Accordingly, the results of operations related to these assets have been separately reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
In October 2013, we executed a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin crude oil and natural gas properties owned directly by us, as well as through our proportionate share of PDCM. The properties consisted of approximately 3,500 gross shallow producing wells, related facilities and associated leasehold acreage, limited to the Upper Devonian and shallower formations. Substantially all of the divestiture closed in December 2013 for aggregate consideration of approximately $20.6 million, of which our share of the proceeds was approximately $5.1 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, our $6.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit and an agreement for firm transportation services was released and novated to the buyer. We retained all zones, formations and intervals below the Upper Devonian formation, including the Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and Huron Shale, as well as the Marcellus-related midstream assets.
Colorado Flooding. In September 2013, we experienced widespread flooding in our Wattenberg Field operations in Weld County, Colorado, which resulted in a shut-in of approximately 200 vertical wells, approximately 40 of which remained shut-in as of December 31, 2013. Through December 31, 2013, we have expensed approximately $0.9 million and have capitalized approximately $1.1 million as a result of performing remediation operations. Assessment of the full economic impact of the flooding is ongoing and we expect to incur approximately $1 million to $2 million in additional costs during the first quarter of 2014 to replace damaged well equipment and to bring vertical wells back on-line.
2014 Operational Outlook
We expect our production for 2014 to range between 9.5 MMBoe to 10 MMBoe. Our 2014 $647 million capital budget, of which $16 million represents our share of PDCM's capital budget, is expected to be used primarily for development drilling and selective acquisition of additional acreage. This budget includes $576 million of development capital and $71 million for leasehold acquisitions, exploration and other expenditures. We may revise our capital budget during the year as a result of, among other things, acquisitions or dispositions of assets, drilling results, commodity prices, changes in our borrowing capacity and/or significant changes in cash flows.
Wattenberg Field. We expect to invest approximately $467 million in the Wattenberg Field in 2014, continuing with a four-rig drilling program with plans to add a fifth operated horizontal drilling rig in the second quarter of 2014. We plan to spud 115 gross operated horizontal wells, comprised of 59 horizontal Codell wells and 56 horizontal Niobrara wells. Approximately $100 million of the total Wattenberg Field capital budget is expected to be allocated to non-operated projects, including participation in a 26-well pad in the Niobrara formation in the northeastern portion of the core Wattenberg Field. We also plan to reinitiate a modest vertical well refracturing program.
Utica Shale. We expect to invest approximately $162 million in the Utica Shale to spud 18 horizontal wells, including eight wells in our northern acreage and 10 wells in our southern acreage. A second drilling rig is expected to be deployed in the second half of 2014. The Utica capital budget includes approximately $30 million to acquire additional contiguous leasehold.
Marcellus Shale. PDCM's 2014 capital budget is $32 million, of which $16 million represents our share, and is expected to be utilized to finalize drilling and completion operations on horizontal wells that were in-process at December 31, 2013 and for midstream infrastructure. PDCM's capital budget is expected to be funded by PDCM's operating activities, borrowing under its credit facility or other financing transactions. PDCM has elected to temporarily suspend drilling activities in the Marcellus Shale.
Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
We use "adjusted cash flows from operations," "adjusted net income (loss)," "adjusted EBITDA" and "PV-10," non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, for internal management reporting, when evaluating period-to-period changes and, in some cases, providing public guidance on possible future results. These measures are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss) or cash flows from operations, investing or financing activities, or standardized measure, as applicable, and should not be viewed as liquidity measures or indicators of cash flows reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures that we use may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Also, in the future, we may disclose different non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in order to help our investors more meaningfully evaluate and compare our future results of operations to our previously reported results of operations. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures for a detailed description of these measures, as well as a reconciliation of each to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
Results of Operations
Summary Operating Results
The following table presents selected information regarding our operating results from continuing operations:
*
Percentage change is not meaningful or equal to or greater than 300%.
Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
______________
(1)
Production is net and determined by multiplying the gross production volume of properties in which we have an interest by our ownership percentage. For total production volume, including discontinued operations, see Part I, Item 6, Selected Financial Data.
(2)
One Bbl of crude oil or NGL equals six Mcf of natural gas.
(3)
Represents net settlements on derivatives related to crude oil and natural gas sales, which do not include net settlements on derivatives related to natural gas marketing.
(4)
Represents lease operating expenses, exclusive of production taxes, on a per unit basis.
(5)
Represents sales from natural gas marketing, net of costs of natural gas marketing, including net settlements and net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives related to natural gas marketing activities.
Crude Oil, Natural Gas and NGLs Sales
The following tables present crude oil, natural gas and NGLs production and weighted-average sales price for continuing operations:
Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
The year-over-year change in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales revenue were primarily due to the following:
Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales in 2013 increased 51% compared to 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to significantly higher volumes sold, in particular liquids, which resulted in a liquids percentage of total production of approximately 53% in 2013. Our average daily sales volumes increased to 20 MBoe per day in 2013 compared to 15 MBoe per day in 2012, primarily due to the success of the horizontal Niobrara and Codell drilling program in the Wattenberg Field. For December 2013, our average production from continuing operations was 27 MBoe per day, compared to 14 MBoe per day in December 2012. Contributing to the increase in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales was the 25% and 3% increase in the average price of natural gas and crude oil, respectively, during 2013.
Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales in 2012 increased 7% compared to 2011. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in volumes sold, in particular liquids, which resulted in a liquids percentage of total production of approximately 51% in 2012. The increase was offset in part by the 30% and 27% declines in the average price of natural gas and NGLs, respectively, during 2012. Our average daily sales volumes increased to 15 MBoe per day in 2012 compared to 13 MBoe per day in 2011.
Crude Oil, Natural Gas and NGLs Pricing. Our results of operations depend upon many factors, particularly the price of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs and our ability to market our production effectively. Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs prices are among the most volatile of all commodity prices. These price variations can have a material impact on our financial results and capital expenditures.
Crude oil pricing is predominately driven by the physical market, supply and demand, financial markets and national and international politics. In the Wattenberg Field, crude oil is sold under various purchase contracts with monthly pricing provisions based on NYMEX pricing, adjusted for differentials. In the Utica Shale, crude oil and condensate is sold to local purchasers at each individual well site based on NYMEX pricing, adjusted for differentials. Natural gas prices vary by region and locality, depending upon the distance to markets, availability of pipeline capacity and supply and demand relationships in that region or locality. The price we receive for our natural gas produced in the Wattenberg Field is based on CIG prices, adjusted for differentials, while natural gas produced in the Utica Shale and Appalachia-Marcellus Shale is based on NYMEX pricing, adjusted for differentials. Our price for NGLs produced in the Wattenberg Field is mainly based on prices from the Conway hub in Kansas where this production is marketed. The NGLs produced in the Utica Shale are sold based on month-to-month pricing in various markets.
We currently use the "net-back" method of accounting for these arrangements related to our commodity sales pursuant to which the purchaser also provides the transportation and gathering services. We sell our commodities at the wellhead and collect a price and recognize revenues based on the wellhead sales price as transportation costs downstream of the wellhead are incurred by the purchaser and reflected in the wellhead price. The net-back method results in the recognition of a sales price that is below the indices for which the production is based. The majority of our Wattenberg production, as well as all our crude oil production, is subject to the net-back method of accounting.
Production Costs
Production costs include lease operating expenses, production taxes and certain production and engineering staff-related overhead costs, as well as other costs to operate wells and pipelines as follows:
Lease operating expenses. Lifting costs per Boe were $5.01, $5.00 and $4.98 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The $9.9 million increase in lease operating expenses in 2013 as compared to 2012 was due to an increase of $3.5 million for workover, compliance and maintenance related projects, an increase of $2.1 million for the rental of additional compressors used to accommodate high line pressures in the Wattenberg Field, an increase of $1.2 million in additional wages and employee benefits, $1.2 million for transportation expense primarily related to Marcellus Shale production and $0.9 million of expenses for wells impacted by the September 2013 Colorado flood. The increase in lease operating expenses in 2012 compared to 2011 was primarily related to the increase in production-related expenses of approximately $7.4 million mostly related to the Merit Acquisition and the Seneca-Upshur acquisition, offset by a decrease in environmental compliance costs of $2.6 million due to the completion of many environmental projects during 2011.
Production taxes. Production taxes are directly related to crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales. The $9.3 million, or 61%, increase in production taxes for 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily related to the 51% increase in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales.
Overhead and other production expenses. The increase of $5.2 million in 2012 over 2011 was mainly the result of two significant one-time charges. We recognized $3.2 million of expense related to the sale of crude oil inventory that had been acquired at fair market value in the Merit Acquisition and an additional $2.0 million in prepaid well costs charged to expense. These 2012 amounts were offset by the 2013 increase of $2.1 million in inventory value and inventory processing expenses, $1.9 million for the unutilized portion of a transportation agreement in the Appalachian Basin and $0.8 million in labor and benefits increases.
Commodity Price Risk Management, Net
Commodity price risk management, net, includes cash settlements upon maturity of our derivative instruments and the change in fair value of unsettled derivatives related to our crude oil and natural gas production. Commodity price risk management, net, does not include derivative transactions related to our natural gas marketing, which are included in sales from and cost of natural gas marketing. See Note 3, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, and Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional details of our derivative financial instruments.
The following table presents net settlements and net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives included in commodity price risk management, net:
Net settlements in 2013 are primarily the result of lower natural gas index prices at maturity of our derivative instruments compared to the respective strike prices. Positive settlements on natural gas, exclusive of basis swaps, were $25.8 million. This reflects a weighted-average strike price of $4.89 compared to a weighted-average settlement price of $3.66. Positive settlements were offset in part by negative settlements of $9.8 million on our basis swap positions, as the negative basis differential between NYMEX and CIG was a weighted-average of $0.20 compared to a weighted-average strike price of $0.75, and by negative settlements of $3.1 million on our crude oil positions, reflective of a weighted-average strike price of $96.88 compared to a weighted-average settlement price of $98.62. The net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives in 2013 includes a $30.9 million net asset reduction in the beginning-of-period fair value of derivative instruments that settled during the period. The corresponding impact of settlement of these instruments is included in net settlements for the period as discussed above. The net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives in 2013 also includes a $5.9 million decrease in the fair value of unsettled derivatives during the period, primarily related to the upward shift in the crude oil and natural gas forward curves.
Net settlements in 2012 were mainly the result of lower natural gas index prices at maturity of our derivative instruments compared to the respective strike prices, resulting in $66.5 million of positive settlements, offset in part by negative settlements of $16.6 million on our basis swap positions and $0.5 million on our crude oil positions. The net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives in 2012 includes a $28.8 million net asset reduction in the beginning-of-period fair value of derivative instruments that settled during the period. This reduction was offset in part by an $11.7 million increase in the fair value of unsettled derivatives during the period, primarily related to the downward shift in the crude oil and natural gas forward curves.
Net settlements in 2011 were mainly the result of lower natural gas index prices at maturity of our derivative instruments compared to the respective strike prices, resulting in $44 million of positive settlements, offset in part by negative settlements of $14.9 million on our basis swap positions and $11.9 million on our crude oil positions. The net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives in 2011 includes a $10.3 million net asset reduction in the beginning-of-period fair value of derivative instruments that settled during the period. This reduction was offset in part by a $39.2 million increase in the fair value of unsettled derivatives during the period, primarily related to the downward shift in the natural gas forward curve.
We use various derivative instruments to manage fluctuations in natural gas and crude oil prices. We have in place a variety of collars, fixed-price swaps and basis swaps on a portion of our estimated natural gas and crude oil production. Because we sell all of our physical natural gas and crude oil at prices similar to the indexes inherent in our derivative instruments, adjusted for certain fees and surcharges stipulated in the applicable sales agreements, we ultimately realize a price, before contract fees, related to our collars of no less than the floor and no more than the ceiling and, for our commodity swaps, we ultimately realize the fixed price related to our swaps. See Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, for a discussion of how each derivative type impacts our cash flows and a detailed presentation of our derivative positions as of December 31, 2013.
Natural Gas Marketing
Fluctuations in our natural gas marketing's income contribution are primarily due to fluctuations in commodity prices, cash settlements upon maturity of derivative instruments and the change in fair value of unsettled derivatives, and, to a lesser extent, volumes sold and purchased.
The following table presents the components of sales from and costs of natural gas marketing:
The increase in natural gas sales revenue and costs of natural gas purchases in 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily attributable to a 30% increase in the average natural gas price and a 14% increase in volumes. The decrease in natural gas sales revenue and costs of natural gas purchases in 2012 compared to 2011 is primarily attributable to a 34% decrease in the average natural gas price, offset in part by an 11% increase in volumes.
Derivative instruments related to natural gas marketing include both physical and cash-settled derivatives. We offer fixed-price derivative contracts for the purchase or sale of physical natural gas and enter into cash-settled derivative positions with counterparties in order to offset those same physical positions. See Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, for a discussion of how each derivative type impacts our cash flows and detailed presentation of our derivative positions as of December 31, 2013.
Exploration Expense
The following table presents the major components of exploration expense:
Exploratory dry hole costs. There were no exploratory dry holes identified in 2013. In 2012, two vertical stratigraphic test wells in southeastern Ohio were expensed at a cost of $12.2 million. The remaining 2012 expense relates to the unsuccessful testing of an exploratory
zone in two existing wells in the Wattenberg Field and three Rose Run test wells in Ohio that were determined to have found noncommercial quantities of hydrocarbons.
Geological and geophysical costs. The $1.1 million decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily related to costs associated with PDCM's geological and seismic testing of the Marcellus Shale in the Appalachian Basin and PDC's reservoir studies in the Utica Shale in 2012.
Operating, personnel and other. The $1.7 million increase in 2013 compared to 2012 is mainly attributable to payroll and employee benefits in the exploration division as a result of increased employee headcount for the Utica Shale operations. The $0.7 million increase in 2012 compared to 2011 is mainly attributable to a $2 million increase in payroll and employee benefits in the exploration division as a result of increased employee headcount in the Utica Shale, offset in part by a $0.7 million decrease in PDCM's lease prospecting costs.
Impairment of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Properties
The following table sets forth the major components of our impairments of crude oil and natural gas properties expense:
Impairment of proved properties. In the first quarter of 2013, we recognized an impairment charge of approximately $45 million related to all of our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin producing properties located in West Virginia and Pennsylvania owned directly by us, as well as through our proportionate share of PDCM. The impairment charge represented the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the estimated fair value, less cost to sell. The fair value of the assets was determined based upon estimated future cash flows from unrelated third-party bids, a Level 3 input. Pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement entered into in October 2013, we determined that the carrying value of the above-mentioned properties exceeded the transaction sales price, a Level 3 input, less costs to sell. As a result, we recognized an additional impairment charge of approximately $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2013 to reduce the carrying value of the net assets to reflect the current net sales price. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional details related to the sale of these properties.
Impairment of individually significant unproved properties. The $0.5 million decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily related to two significant leases that were written off in 2012 in the Wattenberg Field for $1.0 million compared to a single lease in non-Utica Ohio acreage written off in 2013 for $0.5 million.
Amortization of individually insignificant unproved properties. The $0.7 million decrease in 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily related to a decrease in leases not held by production, primarily in the Utica Shale. The increase in amortization of individually insignificant unproved properties in 2012 compared to 2011 was mostly attributable to $2.4 million in lease amortization expense related to increased insignificant leases acquired in the Merit Acquisition and $1.6 million in insignificant leases written off in Ohio related to non-Utica leases in 2012.
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative expense increased $5.2 million, or 8.8%, in 2013 compared to 2012. The increase was primarily due to increased stock-based compensation of $3.5 million due to expanding employee participation in our equity incentive program, a $1.2 million increase in payroll and employee benefits and a $2.3 million increase in other general and administrative expenses. These increases were offset in part by a decrease in professional and consulting fees of $1.8 million.
General and administrative expense for 2012 decreased by $2.6 million, or 4.3%, compared to 2011. The decrease is mainly attributable to a $6.7 million charge recognized in 2011 related to the separation agreement with our former chief executive officer, a $1.6 million charge to legal fees recorded in 2011 related to the settlement agreement reached with regard to our West Virginia royalty lawsuit and a $1.6 million decrease in professional and consulting fees during 2012. These decreases were offset in part by an increase in payroll and employee benefits of $7.5 million in 2012.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Crude oil and natural gas properties. DD&A expense related to crude oil and natural gas properties is directly related to proved reserves and production volumes. DD&A expense related to crude oil and natural gas properties was $122.2 million in 2013 compared to $94.1 million in 2012. The increase in 2013 compared to 2012 was comprised of $31.6 million due to higher production, offset in part by $3.5 million due to a lower weighted-average DD&A expense rate.
The following table presents our DD&A expense rates for crude oil and natural gas properties:
Non-crude oil and natural gas properties. Depreciation expense for non-crude oil and natural gas properties was $5.1 million for 2013 compared to $4.7 million for 2012 and $4.0 million for 2011.
Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations
Accretion of asset retirement obligations ("ARO") for 2013 increased by $0.9 million, or 24.4%, compared to 2012. The increase in 2013 is primarily attributable to the properties acquired in the Merit Acquisition in 2012. Accretion of ARO for 2012 increased by $2.3 million, or 163.7%, compared to 2011. The increase in 2012 is primarily attributable to the properties acquired in the Merit Acquisition in 2012 and the Seneca-Upshur acquisition in 2011.
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Properties and Equipment
The loss on sale of properties and equipment of $1.4 million in 2013 primarily relates to the sale of our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin producing properties. The gain on sale of properties and equipment of $4.4 million in 2012 mainly related to our proportionate share of the gain realized from PDCM's sale of certain leases in the Appalachia-Marcellus Shale. The gain on sale of properties and equipment in 2011 was not material.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by approximately $3.6 million in 2013 compared to 2012. The increase is primarily related to $39.6 million of interest expense resulting from the issuance of $500 million of 7.75% senior notes due 2022 in October 2012. Partially offsetting this increase were decreases of $31.1 million related to the November 2012 redemption of previously-outstanding 12% senior notes due 2018 and $4.4 million as a result of lower average borrowings on our revolving credit facility during 2013 as compared to 2012.
Interest expense increased by approximately $11.3 million in 2012 compared to 2011. Approximately $6 million of the increase is related to the issuance of the 7.75% senior notes due 2022 in October 2012 and the result of incurring interest on both the 7.75% senior notes due 2022 and the previously-outstanding 12% senior notes due 2018 during the month of October 2012. Additionally, approximately $3.6 million of the increase was the result of higher average borrowings on our revolving credit facility during 2012 as compared to 2011 and $1.1 million due to higher debt issuance amortization expense.
Interest costs capitalized in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $1.9 million, $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
The $23.3 million loss on extinguishment of debt in 2012 related to the redemption of the previously-outstanding 12% senior notes due 2018 in October 2012. The pre-tax loss consisted of an $18.9 million make-whole premium and the write-off of both unamortized debt discount of $1.5 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million.
Provision for Income Taxes
The effective tax rate (the "rate") benefit on loss from continuing operations in 2013 was 35.9%, which reflects a reduction for nondeductible executive compensation, partially offset by a benefit for the percentage depletion deduction. The 2012 benefit on loss from continuing operations of 36.9% reflects a reduced state tax benefit due to our divestitures and their discontinued operations treatment. The 2012 rate also reflects a benefit for the percentage depletion deduction, partially offset by nondeductible executive compensation. The 2011 provision on income from continuing operations rate of 34.3% was also favorably impacted by our deduction for percentage depletion, as well as a $0.6 million tax benefit related to a reduction of the accrual for uncertain tax positions, partially offset by the adjustment to the estimated state deferred rate. Discrete items did not have a significant impact on the effective tax rate in 2013, 2012 or 2011. See Note 7, Income Taxes, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for our rate reconciliation for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013.
Beginning with our 2010 tax year, we were accepted into and have agreed to participate in the IRS Compliance Assurance Process ("CAP") program. See Note 7, Income Taxes, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for disclosure regarding the reduction of our uncertain tax liability due to our participation in this program. Our 2010 and 2011 CAP reviewed returns
were fully accepted by the IRS shortly after filing. Our 2012 CAP reviewed return was filed in September 2013 with “partial acceptance” issued by the IRS at the filing date. We anticipate “full acceptance” of the 2012 return by the IRS in early 2014, after completion of their post-filing review. We are currently participating in the IRS CAP program review of our 2013 tax year and have accepted an offer for continued participation in the program for our 2014 tax year.
Discontinued Operations
Piceance Basin and NECO. In February 2013, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with certain affiliates of Caerus pursuant to which we agreed to sell to Caerus our Piceance Basin, NECO and certain other non-core Colorado oil and gas properties, leasehold mineral interests and related assets. Additionally, certain firm transportation obligations and natural gas hedging positions were assumed by Caerus. In June 2013, this divestiture was completed with total consideration of $177.6 million, with an additional $17 million paid to our non-affiliated investor partners in our affiliated partnerships. The sale resulted in a pre-tax loss of $2.3 million. The proceeds from the asset divestiture were used to pay down our revolving credit facility and to fund a portion of our 2013 capital budget. Following the sale to Caerus, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, the Piceance Basin and NECO oil and gas properties. Accordingly, the results of operations related to these assets have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations included in this report. The sale of our other non-core Colorado oil and gas properties did not meet the requirements to be accounted for as discontinued operations. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for further discussion of the Piceance Basin and NECO divestiture.
Permian Basin. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we completed the sale of certain non-core Permian Basin assets for a total of $13.2 million. Following the sale of our core Permian assets in February 2012, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of or cash flows from these assets. Accordingly, the results of operations related to the core and non-core Permian Basin assets have been reported as discontinued operations in the 2012 and 2011 consolidated statements of operations included elsewhere in this report. Proceeds from the sale of our core Permian Basin assets were $189.2 million after certain post-closing adjustments and were received in the first quarter of 2012. The sale of our Permian Basin assets resulted in a pre-tax gain of $19.9 million. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for further discussion of the Permian divestiture.
North Dakota. In February 2011, we executed a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of our North Dakota assets and subsequently closed. Proceeds from the sale were $9.5 million, net of non-affiliated investor partners' share of $3.8 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $3.9 million. Following the sale to the unrelated party, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, these assets. Accordingly, the results of operations related to the North Dakota assets have been reported as discontinued operations in the 2011 consolidated statements of operations included elsewhere in this report.
For operating results related to our discontinued operations, see Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Net Income (Loss)/Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
The year-over-year changes in net income (loss) are discussed above. These same reasons similarly impacted adjusted net income (loss), a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, with the exception of the net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives, adjusted for taxes. Adjusted net income (loss) excludes the impact of a tax adjusted net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives of $22.8 million, $10.6 million and $17.7 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Adjusted net income, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, was $0.5 million in 2013 compared to an adjusted net loss of $120.1 million and $4.3 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures, below, for a more detailed discussion of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operating activities, our revolving credit facility, proceeds raised in debt and equity market transactions and asset sales. In 2013, our primary sources of liquidity were the proceeds received from the public offering of our common stock of $275.8 million, proceeds received from the sale of properties and equipment, including acquisition adjustments, of approximately $187.5 million and net cash flows from operating activities of $159.2 million.
Our primary source of cash flows from operating activities is the sale of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. Fluctuations in our operating cash flows are substantially driven by commodity prices and changes in our production volumes. Commodity prices have historically been volatile and we manage this volatility through our use of derivatives. We enter into commodity derivative instruments with maturities of no greater than five years from the date of the instrument. For instruments that mature in three years or less, our debt covenants restricts us from entering into hedges that would exceed 85% of our expected future production from total proved reserves (proved developed producing, proved developed non-producing and proved undeveloped). For instruments that mature later than three years, but no more than our designated maximum maturity, our debt covenants limit our holdings to 85% of our expected future production from proved developed producing properties. Therefore, we may still have significant fluctuations in our cash flows from operating activities due to the remaining non-hedged portion of our future production.
Our working capital fluctuates for various reasons, including, but not limited to, changes in the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments and changes in our cash and cash equivalents due to our practice of utilizing excess cash to reduce the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2013, we had a working capital surplus of $112.4 million compared to a deficit of $31.4 million at December 31, 2012. The working capital surplus as of December 31, 2013 is primarily due to the common stock offering.
We ended 2013 with cash and cash equivalents of $193.2 million and availability under our revolving credit facility and our proportionate share of PDCM's credit facility of $453.8 million, for a total liquidity position of $647 million, compared to $398.6 million at December 31, 2012. The increase in liquidity of $248.4 million, or 62.3%, was primarily attributable to $275.8 million received from the public offering of our common stock, $187.5 million received from the sale of properties and equipment, including acquisition adjustments, and cash flows provided by operating activities of $159.2 million, offset in part by capital expenditures of $394.9 million during 2013. With our current liquidity position and expected cash flows from operations, we believe that we have sufficient capital to fund our planned drilling operations in 2014.
In recent periods, we have been able to access borrowings under our revolving credit facility and to obtain proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities. We cannot, however, be assured this will continue to be the case in the future. We continue to monitor market conditions and circumstances and their potential impact on each of our revolving credit facility lenders. Our $450 million revolving credit facility borrowing base is subject to a redetermination each May and November, based upon a quantification of our proved reserves at each June 30 and December 31, respectively. Our November semi-annual redetermination was completed in October 2013 and resulted in the reaffirmation of our available borrowing base at $450 million.
In January 2012, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. Effective upon filing, the shelf provides for the potential sale of an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, either separately or represented by depository shares, warrants or purchase contracts, as well as units that may include any of these securities or securities of other entities. The shelf registration statement is intended to allow us to be proactive in our ability to raise capital and to have the flexibility to raise such funds in one or more offerings should we perceive market conditions to be favorable. Pursuant to this shelf registration, we sold 6.5 million shares of our common stock in May 2012 in an underwritten public offering at a price to the public of $26.50 per share and approximately 5.2 million shares of our common stock in August 2013 in an underwritten public offering at a price to us of $53.37 per share.
Our revolving credit facility contains financial maintenance covenants. The covenants require that we maintain: (i) total debt of less than 4.25 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, change in fair value of unsettled derivatives, exploration expense, gains (losses) on sales of assets and other non-cash, extraordinary or non-recurring gains (losses) ("EBITDAX") and (ii) an adjusted current ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. Our adjusted current ratio is adjusted by eliminating the impact on our current assets and liabilities of recording the fair value of crude oil and natural gas derivative instruments. Additionally, available borrowings under our revolving credit facility are added to the current asset calculation and the current portion of our revolving credit facility debt is eliminated from the current liabilities calculation. At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all debt covenants with a 2.2 times debt to EBITDAX ratio and a 4.1 to 1.0 current ratio. We expect to remain in compliance throughout the next year.
The indenture governing our 7.75% senior notes due 2022 contains customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (a) incur additional debt, (b) make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or purchase, redeem or retire capital stock, (c) sell assets, including capital stock of our restricted subsidiaries, (d) restrict the payment of dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries to us, (e) create liens that secure debt, (f) enter into transactions with affiliates and (g) merge or consolidate with another company. At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants and expect to remain in compliance throughout the next year.
The conversion rights on our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 could be triggered prior to the maturity date. We have initially elected a net-settlement method to satisfy our conversion obligation, which allows us to settle the principal amount of the Convertible Notes in cash and to settle the excess conversion value in shares, as well as cash in lieu of fractional shares. In the event that a holder elects to convert its note, we expect to fund the cash settlement of any such conversion from working capital and/or borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The conversion right is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position.
See Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, for our discussion of credit risk.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities. Our net cash flows from operating activities are primarily impacted by commodity prices, production volumes, net settlements from our derivative positions, operating costs and general and administrative expenses. Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased in 2013 compared to 2012. The $15.6 million decrease was mainly attributable to changes in assets and liabilities of $59.4 million related to the timing of cash payments and receipts, the decrease in net settlements on derivatives of $36.5 million and increases in production costs, net of inventory adjustments and prepaid well cost write-offs, of $26.2 million, general and administrative expense of $5.2 million and interest expense of $3.6 million. The decrease was offset in part by the increase in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales of $121.0 million. Cash flows provided by operating activities increased in 2012 compared to 2011. The $7.9 million increase was mainly attributable to an increase in net settlements on derivatives of $31.9 million and an increase in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales of $15.1 million, offset by a $37.7 million loss of operating margins related to the divested Permian Basin, Piceance and NECO assets. The key components for the changes in our cash flows provided by operating activities are described in more detail in Results of Operations above.
Adjusted cash flows from operations, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, increased in 2013 and decreased slightly in 2012 when compared to the respective prior years. These changes were primarily due to the same factors mentioned above for changes in cash flows provided by operating activities, without regard to timing of cash payments and receipts of our assets and liabilities.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, increased by $44.1 million in 2013 from 2012, primarily due to a $121.0 million increase in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales, offset in part by a $36.5 million decrease in net settlements on derivatives, a $18.7 million increase in production costs and a $19.9 million pre-tax gain on sale of properties and equipment recognized in 2012 related to the sale of our Permian Basin assets. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $6.7 million in 2012 from 2011, primarily due to a $31.9 million increase in net settlements on derivatives, a $19.9 million pre-tax gain on sale of properties and equipment related to the sale of our Permian Basin assets and a $15.1 million increase in crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales, offset in part by a $41.8 million decrease in contribution margins related to divested crude oil and natural gas assets and a $15.2 million increase in exploration expense.
See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures, below, for a more detailed discussion of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures.
Investing Activities. Because crude oil and natural gas production from a well declines rapidly in the first few years of production, we need to continue to commit significant amounts of capital in order to maintain and grow our production and replace our reserves. If capital is not available or is constrained in the future, we will be limited to our cash flows from operations and liquidity under our revolving credit facility as the sources for funding our capital expenditures. We would not be able to maintain our current level of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs production and cash flows from operating activities if capital markets were unavailable, commodity prices were to become depressed and/or the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility was significantly reduced. The occurrence of such an event may result in our election to defer a substantial portion of our planned capital expenditures and could have a material negative impact on our operations in the future.
Cash flows from investing activities primarily consist of the acquisition, exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas properties, net of dispositions of crude oil and natural gas properties. In 2013, our drilling program consisted of three drilling rigs operating in the oil- and liquid-rich horizontal Niobrara and Codell plays in our Wattenberg Field for a majority of the year and one drilling rig in the Utica Shale and Appalachia-Marcellus Shale, respectively. See Part I, Properties - Drilling Activities, for additional details on our drilling activities. Net cash used in investing activities of $217.1 million during 2013 was primarily related to cash utilized for our drilling operations of $394.9 million, offset in part by the $187.5 million received from the sale of properties and equipment, including acquisition adjustments. We also invested approximately $9.7 million to purchase substantially all of the Colorado crude oil and natural gas wells owned by certain affiliated partnerships; the assets were purchased through a court-approved auction after such partnerships filed for bankruptcy in September 2013. In 2012, net cash used in investing activities was primarily related to the $304.6 million expended in June 2012 for the Merit Acquisition and drilling activity of $347.7 million, offset in part by $189.2 million received from the divestiture of our Permian assets in February 2012 and $28.9 million received related to title defects discovered from PDCM's Seneca-Upshur acquisition in October 2011, of which $14.5 million represented our share. In 2011, net cash used in investing activities primarily related to cash utilized for our drilling operations of $334.5 million and our acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties for $145.9 million, offset in part by the $23.1 million received from the sale of our North Dakota assets and our non-core Permian Basin assets.
Financing Activities. Net cash from financing activities in 2013 was primarily related to the $275.8 million received from the issuance of our common stock in August 2013, partially offset by net payments of approximately $23.3 million to pay down amounts borrowed under revolving credit facilities. Net cash from financing activities in 2012 includes gross proceeds of $500 million from our October 2012 issuance of the 7.75% senior notes due 2022 and $164.5 million from our May 2012 sale of common stock. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 7.75% senior notes due 2022 were used to fund the redemption of our previously-outstanding 12% senior notes due 2018 for a total redemption price of approximately $222 million and to repay a portion of amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility. The proceeds from the sale of common stock in May 2012 were used to finance a portion of the Merit Acquisition. Cash flows provided by financing activities in 2011 were primarily comprised of net borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $233.5 million to execute our capital budget. Additionally, 2011 financing cash flows includes $12.5 million, representing our proportionate share of capital contributed to PDCM by our investing partner.
Contractual Obligations and Contingent Commitments
The table below presents our contractual obligations and contingent commitments as of December 31, 2013.
__________
(1)
Table does not include deferred income tax liability to taxing authorities of $118.8 million, due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate settlement of amounts and timing of these obligations.
(2)
Amount presented does not agree with the consolidated balance sheet in that it excludes $10.0 million in unamortized debt discount. See Note 8, Long-Term Debt, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
(3)
Represents our gross liability related to the fair value of derivative positions.
(4)
Includes funds held from revenue distribution to third-party investors, including our affiliated partnerships, for plugging liabilities related to wells we operate and deferred compensation to former executive officers.
(5)
Table does not include an undrawn $11.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit pending issuance to a transportation service provider. See Note 8, Long-Term Debt, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Additionally, the table does not include the annual repurchase obligations to investing partners or termination benefits related to employment agreements with our executive officers, due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate settlement of amounts and timing of these obligations. See Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies - Partnership Repurchase Provision; Employment Agreements with Executive Officers, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
(6)
Amounts presented include $340.7 million to the holders of our 7.75% senior notes due 2022, $8.9 million payable to the holders of our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 and $4.9 million to holders of PDCM's second lien term loan. Amounts also include $11.4 million payable to the participating banks of our revolving credit facilities, of which interest of $7.3 million is related to unutilized commitments at a rate of .38% per annum, $4.0 million related to the outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facilities of $37.0 million and $0.1 million related to our undrawn letters of credit.
(7)
Represents our gross commitment, including our proportionate share of PDCM. We will recognize in our financial statements our proportionate share based on our interest; however, with the exception of contracts entered into by PDCM, the costs of all volume shortfalls will be borne by PDC only. See Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies - Firm Transportation, Processing and Sales Agreements, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
As the managing general partner of affiliated partnerships, we have liability for potential casualty losses in excess of the partnership assets and insurance. We believe that the casualty insurance coverage we and our subcontractors carry is adequate to meet this potential liability.
For information regarding our legal proceedings, see Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies - Litigation, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. From time to time, we are a party to various other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any litigation that we believe would have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have identified the following policies as critical to business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. This is not a comprehensive list of all of the accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP, with no need for our judgment in the application. There are also areas in which our judgment in selecting available alternatives would not produce a materially different result. However, certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations and we may use significant judgment in the application. As a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying those policies, we use our judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. Those estimates are based on historical experience, observation of trends in the industry and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. For a more detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are as follows:
Crude Oil and Natural Gas Properties. We account for our crude oil and natural gas properties under the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of proved developed producing properties, successful exploratory wells and developmental dry hole costs are capitalized and depreciated or depleted by the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved developed producing reserves. Property acquisition costs are depreciated or depleted on the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved reserves.
Annually, we engage independent petroleum engineers to prepare reserve and economic evaluations of all our properties on a well-by-well basis as of December 31. We adjust our crude oil and natural gas reserves for major acquisitions, new drilling and divestitures during the year as needed. The process of estimating and evaluating crude oil and natural gas reserves is complex, requiring significant decisions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data. The data for a given property may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors, including additional development activity, evolving production history and a continual reassessment of the viability of production under changing economic conditions. As a result, revisions in existing reserve estimates occur. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure that reserve estimates reported represent our most accurate assessments possible, the subjective decisions and variances in available data for various properties increase the likelihood of significant changes in these estimates over time. Because estimates of reserves significantly affect our DD&A expense, a change in our estimated reserves could have an effect on our net income.
Exploration costs, including geological and geophysical expenses, and delay rentals, are charged to expense as incurred. Exploratory well drilling costs, including the cost of stratigraphic test wells, are initially capitalized, but are charged to expense if the well is determined to be nonproductive. The status of each in-progress well is reviewed quarterly to determine the proper accounting treatment under the successful efforts method of accounting. Exploratory well costs continue to be capitalized as long as the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify completion as a producing well and we are making sufficient progress assessing our reserves and economic and operating viability. If an in-progress exploratory well is found to be unsuccessful prior to the issuance of the financial statements, the costs incurred prior to the end of the reporting period are charged to exploration expense. If we are unable to make a final determination about the productive status of a well prior to issuance of the financial statements, the well is classified as "suspended well costs" until we have had sufficient time to conduct additional completion or testing operations to evaluate the pertinent geological and engineering data obtained. At the time when we are able to make a final determination of a well’s productive status, the well is removed from the suspended well status and the proper accounting treatment is applied.
The acquisition costs of unproved properties are capitalized when incurred, until such properties are transferred to proved properties or charged to expense when expired, impaired or amortized. Unproved crude oil and natural gas properties with individually significant acquisition costs are periodically assessed, and any impairment in value is charged to impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties. The amount of impairment recognized on unproved properties which are not individually significant is determined by amortizing the costs of such properties within appropriate fields based on our historical experience, acquisition dates and average lease terms, with the amortization recognized in impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties. The valuation of unproved properties is subjective and requires us to make estimates and assumptions which, with the passage of time, may prove to be materially different from actual realizable values.
We assess our crude oil and natural gas properties for possible impairment upon a triggering event by comparing net capitalized costs to estimated undiscounted future net cash flows on a field-by-field basis using estimated production based upon prices at which we reasonably estimate the commodity to be sold. Any impairment in value is charged to impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties. The estimates of future prices may differ from current market prices of crude oil and natural gas. Any downward revisions in estimates to our reserve quantities, expectations of falling commodity prices or rising operating costs could result in a triggering event, and therefore, a reduction in undiscounted future net cash flows and an impairment of our crude oil and natural gas properties. Although our cash flow estimates are based on the relevant information available at the time the estimates are made, estimates of future cash flows are, by nature, highly uncertain and may vary significantly from actual results.
Crude Oil, Natural Gas and NGLs Sales Revenue Recognition. Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a determinable price, delivery has occurred, rights and responsibility of ownership have transferred and collection of revenue is reasonably assured. We record sales revenue based on an estimate of the volumes delivered at estimated prices as determined by the applicable sales agreement. We estimate our sales volumes based on company-measured volume readings. We then adjust our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales in subsequent periods based on the data received from our purchasers that reflects actual volumes and prices received. We receive payment for sales from one to two months after actual delivery has occurred. The differences in sales estimates and actual sales are recorded two to three months later. Historically, differences have been immaterial.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Our fair value measurements are estimated pursuant to a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are defined as:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity.
Derivative Financial Instruments. We measure the fair value of our derivative instruments based on a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs, including but not limited to the contractual price of the underlying position, current market prices, natural gas and crude oil forward curves, discount rates such as the LIBOR curve for a similar duration of each outstanding position, volatility factors and nonperformance risk. Nonperformance risk considers the effect of our credit standing on the fair value of derivative liabilities and the effect of our counterparties' credit standings on the fair value of derivative assets. Both inputs to the model are based on published credit default swap rates and the duration of each outstanding derivative position.
We validate our fair value measurement through the review of counterparty statements and other supporting documentation, the determination that the source of the inputs is valid, the corroboration of the original source of inputs through access to multiple quotes, if available, or other information and monitoring changes in valuation methods and assumptions. While we use common industry practices to develop our valuation techniques, changes in our pricing methodologies or the underlying assumptions could result in significantly different fair values. While we believe our valuation method is appropriate and consistent with those used by other market participants, the use of a different methodology or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value.
Net settlements on our derivative instruments are initially recorded to accounts receivable or payable, as applicable, and may not be received from or paid to counterparties to our derivative contracts within the same accounting period. Such settlements typically occur the month following the maturity of the derivative instrument. We have evaluated the credit risk of the counterparties holding our derivative assets, which are primarily financial institutions who are also major lenders in our revolving credit facility, giving consideration to amounts outstanding for each counterparty and the duration of each outstanding derivative position. Based on our evaluation, we have determined that the potential impact of nonperformance of our counterparties on the fair value of our derivative instruments is not significant.
Deferred Income Tax Asset Valuation Allowance. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, net operating loss carry-forwards and credit carry-forwards if it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized. To the extent a deferred tax asset is not expected to be realized under the preceding criteria, we establish a valuation allowance. The factors which we consider in assessing whether we will realize the value of deferred income tax assets involve judgments and estimates of both amount and timing, which could differ from actual results, achieved in future periods.
The judgments used in applying the above policies are based on our evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Accounting for Acquisitions Using Purchase Accounting. We utilize the purchase method to account for acquisitions. Pursuant to purchase method accounting, we allocate the cost of the acquisition to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair values as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocations are based on appraisals, discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates by management. When appropriate, we review comparable purchases and sales of crude oil and natural gas properties within the same regions and use that data as a basis for fair market value; for example, the amount at which a willing buyer and seller would enter into an exchange for such properties.
In estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we make various assumptions. The most significant assumptions relate to the estimated fair values assigned to proved developed producing, proved developed non-producing, proved undeveloped, unproved crude oil and natural gas properties and other non-crude oil and natural gas properties. To estimate the fair values of these properties, we prepare estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves. We estimate future prices by using the applicable forward pricing strip to apply to our estimate of reserve quantities acquired, and estimates of future operating and development costs, to arrive at an estimate of future net revenues. For estimated proved reserves, the future net revenues are discounted using a market-based weighted-average cost of capital rate determined appropriate at the time of the acquisition. The market-based weighted-average cost of capital rate is subject to additional project-specific risking factors. To compensate for the inherent risk of estimating and valuing unproved properties, we reduce the discounted future net revenues of probable and possible reserves by additional risk-weighting factors.
We record deferred taxes for any differences between the assigned values and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Estimated deferred taxes are based on available information concerning the tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and loss carryforwards at the acquisition date, although such estimates may change in the future as additional information becomes known.
Recent Accounting Standards
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recent Accounting Standards, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted cash flows from operations. We define adjusted cash flows from operations as the cash flows earned or incurred from operating activities, without regard to changes in operating assets and liabilities. We believe it is important to consider adjusted cash flows from operations, as well as cash flows from operations, as we believe it often provides more transparency into what drives the changes in our operating trends, such as production, prices, operating costs and related operational factors, without regard to whether the related asset or liability was received or paid during the same period. We also use this measure because the timing of cash received from our assets, cash paid to obtain an asset or payment of our obligations has been only a timing issue from one period to the next as we have not had accounts receivable collection problems, nor been unable to purchase assets or pay our obligations. See the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in this report.
Adjusted net income (loss). We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss), plus loss on commodity derivatives, less gain on commodity derivatives and net settlements on commodity derivatives, each adjusted for tax effect. We believe it is important to consider adjusted net income (loss), as well as net income (loss). We believe this measure often provides more transparency into our operating trends, such as production, prices, operating costs, net settlements from derivatives and related factors, without regard to changes in our net income (loss) from our mark-to-market adjustments resulting from net changes in the fair value of unsettled derivatives.
Adjusted EBITDA. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus loss on commodity derivatives, interest expense, net of interest income, income taxes, impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties, depreciation, depletion and amortization, accretion of asset retirement obligations and loss on debt extinguishment, less gain on commodity derivatives and net settlements on commodity derivatives. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance or liquidity under U.S. GAAP and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss), nor as an indicator of cash flows reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA includes certain non-cash costs incurred by the Company and does not take into account changes in operating assets and liabilities. Other companies in our industry may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. We believe adjusted EBITDA is relevant because it is a measure of our operational and financial performance, as well as a measure of our liquidity, and is used by our management, investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to analyze such things as:
•
operating performance and return on capital as compared to our peers;
•
financial performance of our assets and our valuation without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
•
ability to generate sufficient cash to service our debt obligations; and
•
viability of acquisition opportunities and capital expenditure projects, including the related rate of return.
PV-10. We define PV-10 as the estimated present value of the future net cash flows from our proved reserves before income taxes, discounted using a 10% discount rate. We believe that PV-10 provides useful information to investors as it is widely used by professional analysts and sophisticated investors when evaluating oil and gas companies. We believe that PV-10 is relevant and useful for evaluating the relative monetary significance of our reserves. Professional analysts and sophisticated investors may utilize the measure as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies' reserves. Because there are many unique factors that can impact an individual company when estimating the amount of future income taxes to be paid, we believe the use of a pre-tax measure is valuable in evaluating us and our reserves. PV-10 is not intended to represent the current market value of our estimated reserves.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to its most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:
Amounts above include results from continuing and discontinued operations.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market-Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management
We are exposed to market risks associated with interest rate risks, commodity price risk and credit risk. We have established risk management processes to monitor and manage these market risks.
Interest Rate Risk
Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest we earn on our interest bearing cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash accounts and the interest we pay on borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our 7.75% senior notes due 2022 and 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 have fixed rates and, therefore, near-term changes in interest rates do not expose us to risk of earnings or cash flow loss; however, near-term changes in interest rates may affect the fair value of our fixed-rate debt.
As of December 31, 2013, our interest-bearing deposit accounts included money market accounts, certificates of deposit and checking and savings accounts with various banks. The amount of our interest-bearing cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2013 was $210.7 million with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.3%. Based on a sensitivity analysis of our interest bearing deposits as of December 31, 2013, we estimate that if market interest rates would have increased 1% in 2013, our interest income would have increased by approximately $2.1 million.
As of December 31, 2013, excluding the $11.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit, we had no outstanding draws on our revolving credit facility and, representing our proportionate share, $37.0 million on PDCM's bank credit facility. We estimate that if market interest rates would have increased or decreased by 1%, our 2013 interest expense would have changed by approximately $0.4 million.
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to the potential risk of loss from adverse changes in the market price of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. Pursuant to established policies and procedures, we manage a portion of the risks associated with these market fluctuations using derivative instruments. These instruments help us predict with greater certainty the effective crude oil and natural gas prices we will receive for our hedged production. We believe that our established derivative policies and procedures are effective in achieving our risk management objectives.
The following table presents our derivative positions related to crude oil and natural gas sales in effect as of December 31, 2013:
_____________
(1)
A standard unit of measurement for natural gas (one BBtu equals one MMcf).
(2)
Approximately 31.3% of the fair value of our derivative assets and 5.5% of our derivative liabilities were measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
The following table presents annual average NYMEX and CIG closing prices for crude oil and natural gas for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, as well as average sales prices we realized for our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs production:
Based on a sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2013, it was estimated that a 10% increase in crude oil and natural gas prices, inclusive of basis, over the entire period for which we have derivatives in place, would have resulted in a decrease in fair value of the derivatives of $95.5 million; whereas a 10% decrease in prices would have resulted in an increase in fair value of $93.7 million.
See Note 3, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, and Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for a summary of our open derivative positions, as well as a discussion of how we determine the fair value of and account for our derivative contracts.
Credit Risk
Credit risk represents the loss that we would incur if a counterparty fails to perform under its contractual obligations. We attempt to reduce credit risk by diversifying our counterparty exposure and entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. When exposed to significant credit risk, we analyze the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establish credit limits and monitor the appropriateness of those limits on an ongoing basis. While we believe that our credit risk analysis and monitoring procedures are reasonable, no amount of analysis can assure performance by our counterparties.
Our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production segment's crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales are concentrated with a few predominately large customers. This concentrates the significance of our credit risk exposure to a small number of large customers. Amounts due to our Gas Marketing segment are from a diverse group of entities, including major upstream and midstream energy companies, financial institutions and end-users in various industries. We monitor their creditworthiness through our credit committee, which utilizes a number of qualitative and quantitative tools to assess credit risk and takes mitigative actions if deemed necessary. To date, we have had no material counterparty default losses in either our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production or our Gas Marketing segment. See Note 5, Concentration of Risk, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Our derivative financial instruments may expose us to the credit risk of nonperformance by the instrument's contract counterparty. We primarily use financial institutions which are lenders in our revolving credit facility as counterparties for our derivative financial instruments. Disruption in the credit markets may have a significant adverse impact on a number of financial institutions. We monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparties through our credit committee, which utilizes a number of qualitative and quantitative tools to assess credit risk and takes mitigative actions if deemed necessary. While we believe that our monitoring procedures are reasonable, no amount of analysis can assure performance by a financial institution. To date, we have had no material counterparty default losses from our derivative financial instruments. See Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for more detail on our derivative financial instruments.
Disclosure of Limitations
Because the information above included only those exposures that existed at December 31, 2013, it does not consider those exposures or positions which could arise after that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss with respect to interest rate and commodity price fluctuations will depend on the exposures that arise during the period, our commodity price risk management strategies at the time, and interest rates and commodity prices at the time.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based upon the criteria established in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992)" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
/s/ James M. Trimble
James M. Trimble
Chief Executive Officer and President
/s/ Gysle R. Shellum
Gysle R. Shellum
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ R. Scott Meyers
R. Scott Meyers
Chief Accounting Officer
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of PDC Energy, Inc.:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of PDC Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 20, 2014
PDC ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PDC ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PDC ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PDC ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
PDC Energy, Inc. is a domestic independent exploration and production company that produces, develops, acquires, and explores for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs with primary operations in the Wattenberg Field in Colorado, the Utica Shale in southeastern Ohio and the Appalachia-Marcellus Shale in northern West Virginia. Our operations in the Wattenberg Field are focused on the liquid-rich horizontal Niobrara and Codell plays. We are currently focusing our Ohio development in the liquid-rich portion of the Utica Shale play and are pursuing horizontal development of the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia. As of December 31, 2013, we owned an interest in approximately 3,100 gross wells. We are engaged in two business segments: (1) Oil and Gas Exploration and Production and (2) Gas Marketing.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PDC, our wholly owned subsidiaries and our proportionate share of PDC Mountaineer, LLC and our affiliated partnerships. Pursuant to the proportionate consolidation method, our accompanying consolidated financial statements include our pro rata share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the entities which we proportionately consolidate. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates which are particularly significant to our consolidated financial statements include estimates of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales revenue, crude oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves, future cash flows from crude oil and natural gas properties, valuation of derivative instruments and valuation of deferred income tax assets.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported cash flows, net income, earnings per share or shareholders' equity.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash. We are required by certain government agencies or agreements to maintain bonds or cash accounts for various operating activities. As of December 31, 2013, we had collateral in the form of certificates of deposit and cash totaling $3.3 million which consisted of $2.2 million and $1.1 million included in restricted cash and other assets, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, we had collateral in the form of certificates of deposit and cash totaling $5.3 million which consisted of $3.9 million and $1.4 million included in restricted cash and other assets, respectively.
Inventory. Inventory consists of crude oil, stated at the lower of cost to produce or market, and other production supplies intended to be used in our crude oil and natural gas operations. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, inventory of $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Derivative Financial Instruments. We are exposed to the effect of market fluctuations in the prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. We employ established policies and procedures to manage a portion of the risks associated with these market fluctuations using commodity derivative instruments. Our policy prohibits the use of natural gas and crude oil derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
All derivative assets and liabilities are recorded on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value. We have elected not to designate any of our derivative instruments as hedges. Classification of net settlements resulting from maturities and changes in fair value of unsettled derivatives depends on the purpose for issuing or holding the derivative. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments related to our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production segment are recorded in commodity price risk management, net. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments related to our Gas Marketing segment are recorded in sales from and cost of natural gas marketing. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments designated to our affiliated partnerships are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets in accounts receivable affiliates and accounts payable affiliates. As positions designated to our affiliated partnerships mature, the cash settlements are netted for distribution. Net settlements are paid to the partnerships or deducted from the partnerships’ cash distributions from production. The affiliated partnerships bear their designated share of counterparty risk. As of December 31, 2013, our affiliated partnerships had no outstanding derivative instruments.
The validation of the derivative instrument's fair value is performed internally and, while we use common industry practices to develop our valuation techniques, changes in our pricing methodologies or the underlying assumptions could result in significantly different fair values. See Note 3, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, and Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, for a discussion of our derivative fair value measurements and a summary fair value table of our open positions as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Properties and Equipment. Significant accounting polices related to our properties and equipment are discussed below.
Crude Oil and Natural Gas Properties. We account for our crude oil and natural gas properties under the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of proved developed producing properties, successful exploratory wells and developmental dry hole costs are capitalized and depreciated or depleted by the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved developed producing reserves. Property acquisition costs are depreciated or depleted on the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved reserves. We calculate quarterly DD&A expense by using our estimated prior period-end reserves as the denominator, with the exception of our fourth quarter where we use the year-end reserve estimate adjusted to add back fourth quarter production. Upon the sale or retirement of significant portions of or complete fields of depreciable or depletable property, the net book value thereof, less proceeds or salvage value, is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as a gain or loss. Upon the sale of individual wells or a portion of a field, the proceeds are credited to accumulated DD&A.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Exploration costs, including geological and geophysical expenses and delay rentals, are charged to expense as incurred. Exploratory well drilling costs, including the cost of stratigraphic test wells, are initially capitalized, but charged to expense if the well is determined to be economically nonproductive. The status of each in-progress well is reviewed quarterly to determine the proper accounting treatment under the successful efforts method of accounting. Exploratory well costs continue to be capitalized as long as we have found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify completion as a producing well, we are making sufficient progress assessing our reserves and economic and operating viability or we have not made sufficient progress to allow for final determination of productivity. If an in-progress exploratory well is found to be economically unsuccessful prior to the issuance of the financial statements, the costs incurred prior to the end of the reporting period are charged to exploration expense. If we are unable to make a final determination about the productive status of a well prior to issuance of the financial statements, the costs associated with the well are classified as "suspended well costs" until we have had sufficient time to conduct additional completion or testing operations to evaluate the pertinent geological and engineering data obtained. At the time we are able to make a final determination of a well’s productive status, the well is removed from suspended well status and the proper accounting treatment is recorded. See Note 6, Properties and Equipment, for disclosure related to changes in our capitalized exploratory well costs.
Proved Property Impairment. Upon a triggering event, we assess our producing crude oil and natural gas properties for possible impairment by comparing net capitalized costs, or carrying value, to estimated undiscounted future net cash flows on a field-by-field basis using estimated production based upon prices at which we reasonably estimate the commodity to be sold. The estimates of future prices may differ from current market prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. Certain events, including but not limited to downward revisions in estimates to our reserve quantities, expectations of falling commodity prices or rising operating costs, could result in a triggering event and, therefore, a possible impairment of our proved crude oil and natural gas properties. If net capitalized costs exceed undiscounted future net cash flows, the measurement of impairment is based on estimated fair value utilizing a future discounted cash flows analysis and is measured by the amount by which the net capitalized costs exceed their fair value. Impairments are included in the consolidated statement of operations line item impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties, with a corresponding impact on accumulated DD&A on the consolidated balance sheet.
Unproved Property Impairment. The acquisition costs of unproved properties are capitalized when incurred, until such properties are transferred to proved properties or charged to expense when expired, impaired or amortized. Unproved crude oil and natural gas properties with individually significant acquisition costs are periodically assessed for impairment. Unproved crude oil and natural gas properties which are not individually significant are amortized, by field, based on our historical experience, acquisition dates and average lease terms. Impairment and amortization charges related to unproved crude oil and natural gas properties are charged to the consolidated statement of operations line item impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties.
Other Property and Equipment. Other property and equipment is carried at cost. Depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the assets' estimated useful lives. We review these long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds our estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. No impairment to other property and equipment was recognized in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
The following table presents the estimated useful lives of our other property and equipment:
Maintenance and repair costs on other property and equipment are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. Upon the sale or other disposition of assets, the cost and related accumulated DD&A are removed from the accounts, the proceeds are applied thereto and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income. Total depreciation expense related to other property and equipment was $5.1 million, $4.7 million and $4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Capitalized Interest. Interest costs are capitalized as part of the historical cost of acquiring assets. Investments in unproved crude oil and natural gas properties and major development projects, on which DD&A is not currently recorded and on which exploration or development activities are in progress, qualify for capitalization of interest. Major construction projects also qualify for interest capitalization until the asset is ready to be placed into service. Capitalized interest is calculated by multiplying our weighted-average interest rate on our debt outstanding by the qualifying costs. Interest capitalized may not exceed gross interest expense for the period. As the qualifying asset is placed into service, we begin amortizing the related capitalized interest over the useful life of the asset. Capitalized interest totaled $1.9 million, $1.2 million and $1.7 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Assets Held for Sale. Assets held for sale are valued at the lower of their carrying amount or estimated fair value, less costs to sell. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Fair values are estimated using accepted valuation techniques such as a discounted cash flow model, valuations performed by third parties, earnings multiples or indicative bids, when available. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates are made; however, the fair value that is ultimately realized upon the sale of the assets to be divested may differ from the estimated fair values reflected in the consolidated financial statements. DD&A expense is not recorded on assets to be divested once they are classified as held for sale. Assets classified as held for sale are
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
expected to be disposed of within one year. Assets to be divested are classified in the consolidated financial statements as held for sale and the activities of assets to be divested are classified either as discontinued operations or continuing operations. For assets classified as discontinued operations, the results of operations are reclassified from their historical presentation to discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The gains or losses associated with these divested assets are recorded in discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of operations. Management does not expect any continuing involvement with businesses classified as discontinued operations following their divestiture. For businesses classified as held for sale that do not qualify for discontinued operations treatment, the results of operations continue to be reported in continuing operations.
Production Tax Liability. Production tax liability represents estimated taxes, primarily severance, ad valorem and property, to be paid to the states and counties in which we produce crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, including the production of our affiliated partnerships. Our share of these taxes is expensed to production costs. The partnerships' share, not owned by us, is recognized as a receivable in accounts receivable affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets. The long-term portion of the production tax liability is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and was $22.1 million and $18.7 million in December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to operating loss and credit carryforwards and differences between the 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 those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. If we determine that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, we record a valuation allowance, thereby reducing the deferred tax assets to what we consider realizable. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had no valuation allowance.
Debt Issuance Costs. Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized over the life of the respective borrowings using the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, included in other assets was $16.6 million and $17.4 million, respectively, related to debt issuance costs. The December 31, 2013 amount included $1.3 million in costs related to the issuance of our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016, $9.8 million related to our 7.75% senior notes due 2022 and $5.5 million related to our revolving credit facility and the PDCM credit facility. The December 31, 2012 amount included $1.9 million in costs related to the issuance of our 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016, $10.9 million related to our 7.75% senior notes due 2022 and $4.6 million related to our revolving credit facility and the PDCM credit facility.
Asset Retirement Obligations. We account for asset retirement obligations by recording the fair value of our plugging and abandonment obligations when incurred, which is at the time the well is completed. Upon initial recognition of an asset retirement obligation, we increase the carrying amount of the associated long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability. Over time, the liability is accreted for the change in the present value. The initial capitalized cost, net of salvage value, is depleted over the useful life of the related asset through a charge to DD&A expense. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from changes in retirement costs or the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations. See Note 9, Asset Retirement Obligations, for a reconciliation of the changes in our asset retirement obligation.
Treasury Shares. We record treasury share purchases at cost, which includes incremental direct transaction costs. Amounts are recorded as reductions in shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. When we retire treasury shares, we charge any excess of cost over the par value entirely to additional paid-in-capital ("APIC"), to the extent we have amounts in APIC, with any remaining excess cost being charged to retained earnings.
Revenue Recognition. Significant accounting polices related to our revenue recognition are discussed below.
Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales. Crude oil, natural gas and NGLs revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, delivery has occurred, rights and responsibility of ownership have transferred and collection of revenue is reasonably assured. We currently use the "net-back" method of accounting for transportation and processing arrangements of our sales pursuant to which the transportation and/or processing is provided by or through the purchaser. Under these arrangements, we sell gas at the wellhead and collect a price and recognize revenues based on the wellhead sales price since transportation and processing costs downstream of the wellhead are incurred by the purchasers and reflected in the wellhead price. The majority of our natural gas and NGLs in the Wattenberg Field are sold on a long-term basis, primarily over the life of the lease. Sales of natural gas and NGLs in other regions, along with crude oil, are sold under short-term contracts of less than one year. Virtually all of our contract pricing provisions are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line and the quality of the natural gas.
Well operations and pipeline income. We are paid a monthly operating fee for each well we operate and the natural gas transported for outside owners, including the affiliated partnerships we sponsor. Well operations and pipeline income is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, services have been rendered and collection of revenues is reasonably assured.
Natural gas marketing. Natural gas marketing is reported on the gross method of accounting, based on the nature of the agreements between our natural gas marketing subsidiary, RNG, suppliers and customers. RNG purchases gas from many small producers and bundles the gas together for a price advantage to sell in larger amounts to purchasers of natural gas. RNG has latitude in establishing price and discretion in supplier and purchaser selection. Natural gas marketing revenues and expenses reflect the full cost and revenue of those transactions because RNG takes title to the gas it purchases from the various producers and bears the risks and rewards of that ownership. Both the net settlements
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
and net change in fair value of unsettled derivatives of the RNG commodity-based derivative transactions for natural gas marketing are included in sales from or cost of natural gas marketing, as applicable.
Accounting for Acquisitions. We utilize the purchase method to account for acquisitions. Pursuant to purchase method accounting, we allocate the cost of the acquisition to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocations are based upon appraisals, discounted cash flows, quoted market prices and estimates by management. When appropriate, we review comparable purchases and sales of crude oil and natural gas properties within the same regions and use that data as a basis for fair market value; for example, the amount at which a willing buyer and seller would enter into an exchange for such properties.
In estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, we make various assumptions. The most significant assumptions relate to the estimated fair values assigned to proved developed producing, proved developed non-producing, proved undeveloped, unproved crude oil and natural gas properties and other non-crude oil and natural gas properties. To estimate the fair value of these properties, we prepare estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves. We estimate future prices by using the applicable forward pricing strip to apply to our estimate of reserve quantities acquired, and estimates of future operating and development costs, to arrive at an estimate of future net revenues. For estimated proved reserves, the future net revenues are discounted using a market-based weighted-average cost of capital rate determined appropriate at the time of the acquisition. The market-based weighted-average cost of capital rate is subject to additional project-specific risk factors. To compensate for the inherent risk of estimating and valuing unproved properties, we reduce the discounted future net revenues of probable and possible reserves by additional risk-weighting factors.
We record deferred taxes for any differences between the assigned values and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Estimated deferred taxes are based on available information concerning the tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and loss carryforwards at the acquisition date, although such estimates may change in the future as additional information becomes known.
Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation is recognized in our financial statements based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instrument awarded. Stock based compensation expense is recognized in the financial statements on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. To the extent compensation cost relates to employees directly involved in crude oil and natural gas exploration and development activities, such amounts may be capitalized to properties and equipment. Amounts not capitalized to properties and equipment are recognized in the related cost and expense line item in the consolidated statement of operations. No amounts for stock-based compensation were capitalized in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Recent Accounting Standards.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standard. On January 1, 2013, we adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding the disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities. These changes require an entity to disclose both gross and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The enhanced disclosures enable users of an entity’s financial statements to understand and evaluate the effect or potential effect of master netting arrangements on the entity’s financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. Adoption of these changes had no impact on the consolidated financial statements, except for additional disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard. On July 18, 2013, the FASB issued an update to accounting for income taxes. The update provides clarification on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The update is effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this update on our financial statements, but do not believe it will have a material impact.
NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Derivative Financial Instruments
Determination of fair value. Our fair value measurements are estimated pursuant to a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are defined as:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity.
Derivative Financial Instruments. We measure the fair value of our derivative instruments based on a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs, including, but not limited to, the contractual price of the underlying position, current market prices, crude oil and natural gas forward curves, discount rates such as the LIBOR curve for a similar duration of each outstanding position, volatility factors and nonperformance risk. Nonperformance risk considers the effect of our credit standing on the fair value of derivative liabilities and the effect of our counterparties' credit standings on the fair value of derivative assets. Both inputs to the model are based on published credit default swap rates and the duration of each outstanding derivative position.
We validate our fair value measurement through the review of counterparty statements and other supporting documentation, the determination that the source of the inputs is valid, the corroboration of the original source of inputs through access to multiple quotes, if available, or other information and monitoring changes in valuation methods and assumptions. While we use common industry practices to develop our valuation techniques and believe our valuation method is appropriate and consistent with those used by other market participants, changes in our pricing methodologies or the underlying assumptions could result in significantly different fair values.
Our fixed-price swaps, basis swaps and physical purchases are included in Level 2 and our crude oil and natural gas collars, natural gas calls and physical sales are included in Level 3. The following table presents, for each applicable level within the fair value hierarchy, our derivative assets and liabilities, including both current and non-current portions, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Level 3 assets measured at fair value:
__________
(1)
Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of our derivative contracts is the implied volatility curve, which is provided by a third-party vendor. A significant increase or decrease in the implied volatility, in isolation, would have a directionally similar effect resulting in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement of our Level 3 derivative contracts.
Non-Derivative Financial Assets and Liabilities
The carrying value of the financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
The liability associated with our non-qualified deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors may be settled in cash or shares of our common stock. The carrying value of this obligation is based on the quoted market price of our common stock, which is a Level 1 input.
The portion of our long-term debt related to our revolving credit facility, as well as our proportionate share of PDCM's credit facility, approximates fair value due to the variable nature of related interest rates. We have not elected to account for the portion of our long-term debt related to our senior notes under the fair value option; however, as of December 31, 2013, we estimate the fair value of the portion of our long-term debt related to the 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 to be $165.4 million, or 143.9% of par value, and the portion related to our 7.75% senior notes due 2022 to be $543.1 million, or 108.6% of par value. We determined these valuations based upon measurements of trading activity and broker and/or dealer quotes, respectively, which are published market prices, and therefore are Level 2 inputs.
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Properties and Equipment, Crude Oil and Natural Gas Properties and Asset Retirement Obligations, for a discussion of how we determined fair value for these assets and liabilities.
NOTE 4 - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Our results of operations and operating cash flows are affected by changes in market prices for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. To manage a portion of our exposure to price volatility from producing crude oil and natural gas, we utilize the following economic hedging strategies for each of our business segments.
•
For crude oil and natural gas sales, we enter into derivative contracts to protect against price declines in future periods. While we structure these derivatives to reduce our exposure to changes in price associated with the derivative commodity, they also limit the benefit we might otherwise have received from price increases in the physical market; and
•
For natural gas marketing, we enter into fixed-price physical purchase and sale agreements that qualify as derivative contracts. In order to offset the fixed-price physical derivatives in our natural gas marketing, we enter into financial derivative instruments
that have the effect of locking in the prices we will receive or pay for the same volumes and period, offsetting the physical derivative.
We believe our derivative instruments continue to be effective in achieving the risk management objectives for which they were intended. As of December 31, 2013, we had derivative instruments in place for a portion of our anticipated production through 2017 for a total of 59,971 BBtu of natural gas and 8,613 MBbls of crude oil.
As of December 31, 2013, our derivative instruments were comprised of commodity swaps, collars, basis protection swaps and physical sales and purchases.
•
Collars contain a fixed floor price and ceiling price (call). If the index price falls below the fixed put strike price, we receive the market price from the purchaser and receive the difference between the put strike price and index price from the counterparty. If the index price exceeds the fixed call strike price, we receive the market price from the purchaser and pay the difference between the call strike price and index price to the counterparty. If the index price is between the put and call strike price, no payments are due to or from the counterparty;
•
Swaps are arrangements that guarantee a fixed price. If the index price is below the fixed contract price, we receive the market price from the purchaser and receive the difference between the index price and the fixed contract price from the counterparty. If the index price is above the fixed contract price, we receive the market price from the purchaser and pay the difference between the index price and the fixed contract price to the counterparty. If the index price and contract price are the same, no payment is due to or from the counterparty;
•
Basis protection swaps are arrangements that guarantee a price differential for natural gas from a specified delivery point. For CIG-basis protection swaps and TCO-basis protection swaps, which currently have negative differentials to NYMEX, we receive a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pay the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract. If the market price and contract price are the same, no payment is due to or from the counterparty; and
•
Physical sales and purchases are derivatives for fixed-priced physical transactions where we sell or purchase third-party supply at fixed rates. These physical derivatives are offset by financial swaps: for a physical sale the offset is a swap purchase and for a physical purchase the offset is a swap sale.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table presents the location and fair value amounts of our derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
__________
(1)
Represents derivative positions designated to our affiliated partnerships. Accordingly, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets include a corresponding payable to our affiliated partnerships representing their proportionate share of the derivative assets.
(2)
Represents derivative positions designated to our affiliated partnerships. Accordingly, our accompanying consolidated balance sheets include a corresponding receivable from our affiliated partnerships representing their proportionate share of the derivative liabilities.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table presents the impact of our derivative instruments on our consolidated statements of operations:
All of our financial derivative agreements contain master netting provisions that provide for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in the event of early termination. Our fixed-price physical purchase and sale agreements that qualify as derivative contracts are not subject to master netting provisions and are not significant. We have elected not to offset the fair value positions recorded on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table reflects the impact of netting agreements on gross derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
NOTE 5 - CONCENTRATION OF RISK
Accounts Receivable. The following table presents the components of accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts:
Our accounts receivable primarily relates to sales of our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs production, derivative counterparties and other third parties that own working interests in the properties we operate. Inherent to our industry is the concentration of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales to a limited number of customers. This concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic and financial conditions, commodity prices or other conditions. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts representing our best estimate of probable losses from our existing accounts receivable. In making our estimate, we consider, among other things, our historical write-offs and overall creditworthiness of our customers. Further, consideration is given to well production data for receivables related to well operations. Our estimate of uncollectible amounts changes periodically. For the each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, amounts written off to allowance for doubtful accounts were not material. As of December 31, 2013, we had two customers representing 10% or greater of our accounts receivable balance: Suncor Energy Marketing and DCP Midstream, representing 26.3% and 10.8%, respectively, of our accounts receivable balance. The $7.6 million of accounts receivable at December 31, 2012 related to reimbursements for title defects discovered subsequent to closing of the Merit Acquisition. The reimbursement was received in January 2013.
Major Customers. The following table presents the individual customers constituting 10% or more of total revenues:
Derivative Counterparties. A significant portion of our liquidity is concentrated in derivative instruments that enable us to manage a portion of our exposure to price volatility from producing crude oil and natural gas. These arrangements expose us to credit risk of nonperformance by our counterparties. We primarily use financial institutions who are also major lenders under our revolving credit facility as counterparties to our derivative contracts. To date, we have had no derivative counterparty default losses. We have evaluated the credit risk of our derivative assets from our counterparties using relevant credit market default rates, giving consideration to amounts outstanding for each counterparty and the duration of each outstanding derivative position. Based on our evaluation, we have determined that the potential impact of nonperformance of our current counterparties on the fair value of our derivative instruments is not significant.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table presents the counterparties that expose us to credit risk as of December 31, 2013, with regard to our derivative assets:
____________
(1)Major lender in our revolving credit facility. See Note 8, Long-Term Debt.
(2)Represents a total of 19 counterparties.
NOTE 6 - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT
The following table presents the components of properties and equipment, net of accumulated DD&A:
The following table presents impairment charges recorded for crude oil and natural gas properties:
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
In the first quarter of 2013, we recognized an impairment charge of approximately $45.0 million related to all of our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin producing properties located in West Virginia and Pennsylvania owned directly by us, as well as through our proportionate share of PDCM. The impairment charge represented the excess of the carrying value of the assets over the estimated fair value, less cost to sell. The fair value of the assets was determined based upon estimated future cash flows from unrelated third-party bids, a Level 3 input. Pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement entered into in October 2013, we determined that the carrying value of the above-mentioned properties exceeded the transaction sales price, a Level 3 input, less costs to sell. As a result, we recognized an additional impairment charge of approximately $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2013 to reduce the carrying value of the net assets to reflect the current net sales price. The impairment charge was included in the consolidated statement of operations line item impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, for additional information regarding these properties.
In 2012, we recognized an impairment charge of $161.2 million to write-down our Piceance Basin proved oil and natural gas properties to fair value. The fair value was based on estimated future cash flows from an unrelated third-party bid, a Level 3 input. The impairment charge was included in the consolidated statement of operations line item impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties.
In 2011, we recognized an impairment charge of $22.5 million to write-down our NECO assets to fair value. The fair value was based on unrelated third-party bids, a Level 3 input. The impairment charge was included in the consolidated statement of operations line item impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties.
Suspended Well Costs
The following table presents the capitalized exploratory well costs pending determination of proved reserves, and included in properties and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets:
As of December 31, 2013, none of our wells pending determination were classified as exploratory wells.
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending determination of proved reserves increased in 2012 as compared to 2011 as we increased our exploratory drilling activities in the Utica Shale play. In 2012, capitalized well costs related to two vertical stratigraphic test wells in southeastern Ohio were expensed at a cost of $12.2 million. Additionally, three Rose Run test wells in Ohio and a well in southeast Colorado were determined to have noncommercial quantities of hydrocarbons and were expensed at a cost of $1.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
The following table presents an aging of capitalized exploratory well costs based on the date that drilling commenced and the number of projects for which exploratory well costs have been capitalized for a period greater than one year since the commencement of drilling:
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
NOTE 7 - INCOME TAXES
The table below presents the components of our provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the years presented:
In 2012 and 2011, we continued to utilize tax deferral strategies such as bonus depreciation, accelerated depreciation and intangible drilling cost expense elections to minimize our current taxes. As a result of these elections and deferral strategies, we generated federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”) in 2012 and 2011. In 2013 we limited our deferral strategies to only the continued utilization of accelerated depreciation in an effort to utilize our federal NOLs. The majority of our federal NOLs and some of our state NOLs, except for Colorado due to statutory limits, are being utilized in 2013 to offset the 2013 taxable gain on the sale of our non-core Colorado assets. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, for additional information regarding the sale of our non-core Colorado assets. The remaining federal NOLs and state NOLs will be carried forward to offset taxable income in 2014 or prospective years.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the statutory rate to the effective tax rate related to our provision for income taxes from continuing operations:
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below:
Deferred tax assets decreased primarily due to the utilization of a significant portion of our federal NOL carryforward in 2013. This decrease was partially offset by the addition of the deferred tax asset associated with the unrealized tax loss for the fair value of unsettled derivatives.
Deferred tax liabilities for properties and equipment remained relatively unchanged in 2013 primarily as a result of our tax gain on the sale of our non-core Colorado properties and equipment being offset by our continued use of statutory provisions for accelerated amortization of intangible drilling costs and accelerated tax depreciation. The deferred tax liability associated with our investment in PDCM decreased due to PDCM’s sale of its shallow Devonian assets. In addition, the fair value of derivatives at December 31, 2013 resulted in an unrealized tax loss versus an unrealized tax gain at December 31, 2012.
As of December 31, 2013, we have state NOL carryforwards of $136.1 million that begin to expire in 2030, state credit carryforwards of $1.1 million that begin to expire in 2023 and federal NOL carryforwards of $13.6 million that will expire in 2032. Approximately $0.2 million of excess tax benefits relating to stock-based compensation that are a component of our NOL carryforwards, when realized, will be credited to APIC.
Unrecognized tax benefits were immaterial for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were immaterial for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, we expect a decrease in the unrecognized tax benefit in the next twelve months due to the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations. During 2013, we reduced our liability for any uncertain tax benefits, of which the remaining balance is related to our state tax filings, due to the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for most of our state tax jurisdictions is open from 2009 forward.
In accordance with the CAP program, the IRS completed its “post filing review” of our 2011 tax return in January 2013 and they are currently completing their “post filing review” of our 2012 tax return. We have been issued a “no change” letter for both of the reviewed tax years. The CAP audit employs a real-time review of our books and tax records by the IRS that is intended to permit issue resolution prior to, or shortly after, the filing of the tax returns. We are currently participating in the CAP program for the review of our 2013 tax year and we have been invited and have accepted continued participation in the program for our 2014 tax year. Participation in the CAP program has enabled us
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
to currently have no uncertain tax benefits associated with our federal tax return filings. During 2011, we reduced our liability for uncertain tax benefits by $0.8 million due to the accelerated examination and settlement of our 2007-2009 tax years upon entering the CAP program.
As of December 31, 2013, we were current with our income tax filings in all applicable state jurisdictions. In 2013, the State of Colorado examined our 2008 through 2011 Colorado Corporate Income Tax Returns and proposed no adjustments.
NOTE 8 - LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
Senior Notes
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2016. In November 2010, we issued $115 million aggregate principal amount 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 (the "Convertible Notes") in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. The maturity for the payment of principal is May 15, 2016. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15. The Convertible Notes are senior, unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to our existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not expressly subordinated (including our 2022 Senior Notes); effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness (including our obligations under our senior secured credit facility) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries. The indenture governing the convertible notes does not contain any restrictive financial covenants. The Convertible Notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws, nor are we required to register such convertible notes or common shares. The Convertible Notes are governed by an indenture between the Company and the Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
We may not redeem the Convertible Notes prior to their maturity. However, prior to November 15, 2015, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert upon specified events as defined in the governing indenture. The notes are convertible at any time thereafter at an initial conversion rate of 23.5849 shares per $1,000 principal amount, which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $42.40 per share. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon certain events. Upon conversion, the Convertible Notes may be settled, at our election, in shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. We have initially elected a net-settlement method to satisfy our conversion obligation, which allows us to settle the principal amount of the Convertible Notes in cash and to settle the excess conversion value in shares, as well as cash in lieu of fractional shares.
We allocated the gross proceeds of the Convertible Notes between the liability and equity components of the debt. The initial $94.3 million liability component was determined based on the fair value of similar debt instruments with similar terms, excluding the conversion feature, and priced on the same day we issued our Convertible Notes. The initial $20.7 million equity component represents the debt discount and was calculated as the difference between the liability component of the debt and the gross proceeds of the convertible notes. As of December 31, 2013, the unamortized debt discount will be amortized over the remaining contractual term to maturity of the convertible notes of 2.4 years using an effective interest rate of 7.4%. For 2013, interest expense related to the indebtedness and the amortization of the discount was $3.7 million each compared to $3.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in 2012 and $3.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively, in 2011. As of December 31, 2013, notwithstanding the inability to convert, the “if-converted” value of the Convertible Notes exceeded the principal amount by approximately $29.3 million.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
7.75% Senior Notes Due 2022. In October 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount 7.75% senior notes due October 15, 2022 (the "2022 Senior Notes") in a private placement to qualified institutional investors. The 2022 Senior Notes accrue interest from the date of issuance and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15. Approximately $11 million in costs associated with the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes have been capitalized as debt issuance costs and are being amortized as interest expense over the life of the notes using the effective interest method. The 2022 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes. The 2022 Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future senior indebtedness (including our Convertible Notes) and rank effectively junior in right of payment to all of our secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness), including borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
In connection with the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers in which we agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC related to an offer to exchange the notes for substantially identical registered notes and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange offer to be completed on or prior to September 28, 2013. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC in July 2013 and the exchange offer was completed in August 2013.
At any time prior to October 15, 2017, we may redeem all or part of the 2022 Senior Notes at a make-whole price set forth in the indenture, and on or after October 15, 2017, we may redeem the notes at fixed redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
At any time prior to October 15, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 2022 Senior Notes with proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 107.75% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, as long as:
•
at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued on October 3, 2012 remains outstanding after each such redemption; and
•
the redemption occurs within 180 days after the closing of the equity offering.
Upon the occurrence of a "change of control" as defined in the indenture for the 2022 Senior Notes, holders will have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. In connection with certain asset sales, we will be required to use the net cash proceeds of the asset sale to make an offer to purchase the notes at 100% of the principal amount, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.
The indenture governing the 2022 Senior Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or make distributions on our stock; purchase or redeem stock or subordinated indebtedness; make certain investments; create certain liens; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; enter into transactions with affiliates; sell assets; and merge or consolidate with another company.
As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants related to the Convertible Notes and the 2022 Senior Notes, and expect to remain in compliance throughout the next twelve-month period.
Credit Facilities
Revolving Credit Facility. In May 2013, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and other lenders party thereto. This agreement amends and restates the credit agreement dated November 2010 and expires in May 2018. The revolving credit facility is available for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes and to support letters of credit. The revolving credit facility provides for a maximum of $1 billion in allowable borrowing capacity, subject to the borrowing base. As of December 31, 2013, the borrowing base was $450 million. The borrowing base is based on, among other things, the loan value assigned to the proved reserves attributable to our and our subsidiaries' crude oil and natural gas interests, excluding proved reserves attributable to PDCM and our affiliated partnerships. The borrowing base is subject to a semi-annual size redetermination based upon quantification of our reserves at June 30 and December 31, and is also subject to a redetermination upon the occurrence of certain events. On October 31, 2013, we completed the semi-annual redetermination of our borrowing base and the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $450 million. The revolving credit facility is secured by a pledge of the stock of certain of our subsidiaries, mortgages of certain producing crude oil and natural gas properties and substantially all of our and such subsidiaries' other assets. Neither PDCM nor our affiliated partnerships are guarantors of our obligations under the revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, we had no outstanding draws on our revolving credit facility compared to $49.0 million at a weighted-average interest rate of 2.3% as of December 31, 2012.
The outstanding principal amount under the revolving credit facility accrues interest at a varying interest rate that fluctuates with an alternate base rate (equal to the greater of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.'s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus a premium and 1-month LIBOR plus a premium), or at our election, a rate equal to the rate for dollar deposits in the London interbank market for certain time periods. Additionally, commitment fees, interest margin and other bank fees, charged as a component of interest, vary with our utilization of the facility. No principal payments are required until the credit agreement expires in May 2018, or in the event that the borrowing base falls below the outstanding balance.
The revolving credit facility contains covenants customary for agreements of this type, with the most restrictive being certain financial tests on a quarterly basis. The financial tests, as defined per the revolving credit facility, include requirements to: (a) maintain a minimum current
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 and (b) not exceed a maximum leverage ratio of 4.25 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all the revolving credit facility covenants and expect to remain in compliance throughout the next twelve-month period.
The revolving credit facility contains restrictions as to when we can directly or indirectly, retire, redeem, repurchase or prepay in cash any part of the principal of the 2022 Senior Notes or the Convertible Notes. Among other things, the restriction on redemption of the Convertible Notes requires that immediately after giving effect to any such retirement, redemption, defeasance, repurchase, settlement or prepayment, the aggregate commitment under the revolving credit facility exceed the aggregate credit exposure under such facility by at least the greater of $115 million or an amount equal to or greater than 30% of such aggregate commitment. The restriction on redemption of the 2022 Senior Notes permits redemption only with the proceeds of issuances of "Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness," which may not exceed $750 million.
As of December 31, 2013, RNG, a wholly owned subsidiary of PDC, had an approximately $11.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit in favor of a third-party transportation service provider to secure firm transportation of the natural gas produced by third-party producers for whom we market production in the Appalachian Basin. The letter of credit reduces the amount of available funds under our revolving credit facility by an equal amount. The letter of credit expires in September 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the available funds under our revolving credit facility, including a reduction for the $11.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit in effect, was $438.3 million.
PDCM Credit Facility. PDCM has a credit facility dated April 2010, as amended in May 2013, with a borrowing base of $105 million, of which our proportionate share is approximately $53 million. The maximum allowable facility amount is $400 million. No principal payments are required until the credit agreement expires in April 2017, or in the event that the borrowing base falls below the outstanding balance. The credit facility is subject to and secured by PDCM's properties, including our proportionate share of such properties. The borrowing base is subject to size redetermination semi-annually based upon a valuation of PDCM's reserves at June 30 and December 31. Either PDCM or the lenders may request a redetermination upon the occurrence of certain events. The credit facility is utilized by PDCM for the exploration and development of its Appalachia-Marcellus Shale assets.
The credit facility contains covenants customary for agreements of this type, with the most restrictive being certain financial tests that must be met on a quarterly basis. The financial tests, as defined by the credit facility, include requirements to maintain a minimum current ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, not to exceed a debt to EBITDAX ratio of 4.25 to 1.0 (declining to 4.0 to 1.0 on July 1, 2014) and to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.5 to 1.0. As of December 31, 2013, our proportionate share of PDCM's outstanding credit facility balance was $37.0 million compared to $26.3 million as of December 31, 2012. The weighted-average borrowing rate on PDCM's credit facility was 3.7% per annum as of December 31, 2013, compared to 3.5% as of December 31, 2012.
As of December 31, 2013, PDCM was in compliance with all credit facility covenants and expects to remain in compliance throughout the next twelve-month period.
PDCM Second Lien Term Loan
In July 2013, PDCM entered into a Second Lien Credit Agreement ("Term Loan Agreement") with Wells Fargo Energy Capital as administrative agent and a syndicate of other lenders party thereto. The aggregate commitment under the Term Loan Agreement is $30 million, of which our proportionate share is $15 million. The aggregate commitment may increase periodically up to a maximum of $75 million, as PDCM's reserve value increases and the covenants under the Term Loan Agreement allow. The Term Loan Agreement matures in October 2017. Amounts borrowed accrue interest, at PDCM's discretion, at either an alternative base rate plus a margin of 6% per annum or an adjusted LIBOR for the interest period in effect plus a margin of 7% per annum. As of December 31, 2013, amounts borrowed and outstanding on the Term Loan Agreement were $30 million, of which our proportionate share is $15 million. The weighted-average borrowing rate on the Term Loan was 8.5% per annum as of December 31, 2013.
The Term Loan Agreement contains financial covenants that must be met on a quarterly basis, including requirements to maintain a minimum current ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, not to exceed a debt to EBITDAX ratio of 4.5 to 1.0, to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.25 to 1.0 and a present value of future net revenues to total debt ratio of 1.50 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2013, PDCM was in compliance with all Term Loan Agreement covenants and expects to remain in compliance throughout the next twelve-month period.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
NOTE 9 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The following table presents the changes in carrying amounts of the asset retirement obligations associated with our working interest in crude oil and natural gas properties:
______________
(1)
Represents asset retirement obligations related to assets sold and assets held for sale. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, for additional information.
NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
We sponsor a qualified retirement plan covering substantially all of our employees. The plan consists of both a traditional and a Roth 401(k) component, as well as a profit sharing component. The 401(k) components enable eligible employees to contribute a portion of their compensation through payroll deductions in accordance with specific guidelines. We provide a discretionary matching contribution based on a percentage of the employees' contributions up to certain limits. Our contribution to the profit sharing component is discretionary. Our total combined expense for the plan was $3.7 million, $3.4 million and $2.6 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
We provide a supplemental retirement benefit of deferred compensation under terms of the various employment agreements with certain former executive officers. Expenses related to this plan are charged to general and administrative expenses and the related costs were immaterial in 2013, 2012 and 2011. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the liability related to this benefit was $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively, which was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, with the exception of $0.3 million included in other accrued expenses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
We provide a supplemental health care benefit covering certain former executive officers and their spouses in accordance with each officer's employment agreement. Expenses incurred during 2013, 2012 and 2011 related to this plan were immaterial. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the related liability of $0.7 million is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
We maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our non-employee directors. The amount of compensation deferred by each participant is based on participant elections. The amounts deferred pursuant to the plan are invested in our common stock, maintained in a rabbi trust and are classified in the consolidated balance sheets as treasury shares as a component of shareholders' equity. The plan may be settled in either cash or shares as requested by the participant. The liability related to this plan, which was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, was immaterial as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Firm Transportation, Processing and Sales Agreements. We enter into contracts that provide firm transportation, sales and processing charges on pipeline systems through which we transport or sell natural gas. Satisfaction of the volume requirements includes volumes produced by us, volumes purchased from third parties and volumes produced by PDCM, our affiliated partnerships and other third-party working interest owners. We record in our financial statements only our share of costs based upon our working interest in the wells. These contracts require us to pay these transportation and processing charges whether the required volumes are delivered or not. With the exception of contracts entered into by PDCM, the costs of any volume shortfalls are borne by PDC.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table presents gross volume information, including our proportionate share of PDCM, related to our long-term firm transportation, sales and processing agreements for pipeline capacity:
In March 2013, we entered into long-term agreements with a subsidiary of MarkWest Energy Partners, LP to provide midstream services, including gas gathering, processing, fractionation and marketing, to support our northern Utica Shale operations. The primary term of the agreements commenced in July 2013 when our natural gas began to flow into the gathering system. The gas processing agreement includes minimum volume commitments as shown in the table above, with certain fees assessed for any shortfall.
Litigation. The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that it considers normal to its business. The Company reviews the status of these proceedings on an ongoing basis and, from time to time, may settle or otherwise resolve these matters on terms and conditions that management believes are in the best interests of the Company. There is no assurance that settlements can be reached on acceptable terms or that adverse judgments, if any, in the remaining litigation will not exceed the amounts reserved. Although the results cannot be known with certainty, we currently believe that the ultimate results of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Alleged Class Action Regarding 2010 and 2011 Partnership Purchases
In December 2011, the Company and its wholly-owned merger subsidiary were served with an alleged class action on behalf of certain former partnership unit holders, related to its partnership repurchases completed by mergers in 2010 and 2011. The action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is titled Schulein v. Petroleum Development Corp. The complaint primarily alleges that the disclosures in the proxy statements issued in connection with the mergers were inadequate, and a state law breach of fiduciary duty. In June 2012, the Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss. In January 2014, the plaintiffs were conditionally certified as a class by the court. Jury trial is scheduled for May 2014. We have not recorded a liability for claims pending because we believe we have good legal defenses to the asserted claims and it is not possible for management to reasonably estimate monetary damages resulting from this claim.
Environmental. Due to the nature of the natural gas and oil industry, we are exposed to environmental risks. We have various policies and procedures to avoid environmental contamination and mitigate the risks from environmental contamination. We conduct periodic reviews to identify changes in our environmental risk profile. Liabilities are recorded when environmental damages resulting from past events are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had accrued environmental liabilities in the amount of $5.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively, included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. We are not aware of any environmental claims existing as of December 31, 2013 which have not been provided for or would otherwise have a material impact on our financial statements. However, there can be no assurance that current regulatory requirements will not change or unknown past non-compliance with environmental laws will not be discovered on our properties.
Lease Agreements. We entered into operating leases, principally for the leasing of natural gas compressors, office space and general office equipment.
The following table presents the minimum future lease payments under the non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2013:
Operating lease expense for the years ended 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $7 million, $6.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Employment Agreements with Executive Officers. Each of our senior executive officers may be entitled to a severance payment and certain other benefits upon the termination of the officer's employment pursuant to the officer's employment agreement and/or the Company's executive severance compensation plan. The nature and amount of such benefits would vary based upon, among other things, whether the termination followed a change of control of the Company.
See Note 16, Transactions With Affiliates, for a discussion related to the separation agreement entered into with our former chief executive officer in 2011.
NOTE 12 - COMMON STOCK
Sale of Equity Securities
In August 2013, we completed a public offering of 5,175,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a price to us of $53.37 per share. Net proceeds of the offering were approximately $275.8 million, after deducting offering expenses and underwriting discounts, of which $51,750 is included in common shares-par value and approximately $275.8 million is included in APIC on the consolidated balance sheet. The shares were issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC in January 2012.
In May 2012, we completed a public offering of 6,500,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $26.50 per share. Net proceeds of the offering were approximately $164.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of which $65,000 is included in common shares-par value and $164.4 million is included in APIC on the consolidated balance sheet. The shares were issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC in January 2012.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
2010 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan. In June 2010, our shareholders approved a long-term equity compensation plan for our employees and non-employee directors (the "2010 Plan"). The plan was amended in June 2013. In accordance with the 2010 Plan, up to 3,000,000 new shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance. Shares issued may be either authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or any combination of these shares. Additionally, the 2010 Plan permits the reuse or reissuance of shares of common stock which were canceled, expired, forfeited or, in the case of stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), paid out in the form of cash. Awards may be issued to our employees in the form of incentive or non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance shares and performance units, and to our non-employee directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock and RSUs. Awards may vest over periods set at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") with certain minimum vesting periods. With regard to incentive or non-qualified stock options and SARs, awards have a maximum exercisable period of ten years. In no event may an award be granted under the 2010 Plan on or after April 1, 2020. As of December 31, 2013, 1,708,107 shares remain available for issuance pursuant to the 2010 Plan.
2004 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan. As approved by the shareholders in June 2004, we maintain a long-term equity compensation plan for our officers and certain key employees (the "2004 Plan"). Awards pursuant to the plan vest over periods set at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and, with regard to options, have a maximum exercisable period of ten years. We no longer issue awards pursuant to the 2004 Plan. As of December 31, 2013, all awards granted pursuant to the 2004 Plan had vested and are exercisable through April 19, 2020.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table provides a summary of the impact of our outstanding stock-based compensation plans on the results of operations for the periods presented:
__________
(1) Includes a $2.5 million pre-tax charge related to a separation agreement with our former chief executive officer. See Note 16, Transactions with Affiliates, for additional information regarding the related separation agreement.
Stock Option Awards
We have granted stock options pursuant to various stock compensation plans. Outstanding options expire ten years from the date of grant and become exercisable ratably over a four year period. We have not issued any new stock option awards since 2006. As of December 31, 2013, all compensation cost related to stock options has been fully recognized in our consolidated statements of operations.
The following table presents the changes in our stock option awards. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding for each period presented was immaterial:
SARs
The SARs vest ratably over a three-year period and may be exercised at any point after vesting through 10 years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to the terms of the awards, upon exercise, the executive officers will receive, in shares of common stock, the excess of the market price of the award on the date of exercise over the market price of the award on the date of issuance.
In January 2013, the Compensation Committee awarded 87,078 SARs to our executive officers. The fair value of each SAR award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes pricing model using the following assumptions:
The expected life of the award was estimated using historical stock option exercise behavior data. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yields approximating the expected life of the award in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatilities were based on our historical volatility. We do not expect to pay or declare dividends in the foreseeable future.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following table presents the changes in our SARs:
Total compensation cost related to SARs granted, net of estimated forfeitures, and not yet recognized in our consolidated statement of operations as of December 31, 2013, was $1.7 million. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
Restricted Stock Awards
Time-Based Awards. The fair value of the time-based restricted shares is amortized ratably over the requisite service period, primarily three or four years. The time-based shares vest ratably on each annual anniversary following the grant date that a participant is continuously employed.
In January 2013, the Compensation Committee awarded a total of 103,050 time-based restricted shares to our executive officers that vest ratably over the three year period ending on January 16, 2016.
The following table presents the changes in non-vested time-based awards during 2013:
Total compensation cost related to non-vested time-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, and not yet recognized in our consolidated statements of operations as of December 31, 2013 was $15.7 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
Market-Based Awards. The fair value of the market-based restricted shares is amortized ratably over the requisite service period, primarily three years. The market-based shares vest if the participant is continuously employed throughout the performance period and the market-based performance measure is achieved, with a maximum vesting period of five years. All compensation cost related to the market-based awards will be recognized if the requisite service period is fulfilled, even if the market condition is not achieved.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
In January 2013, the Compensation Committee awarded a total of 41,570 market-based restricted shares to our executive officers. In addition to continuous employment, the vesting of these shares is contingent on the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR"), which is essentially the Company’s stock price change including any dividends, as compared to the TSR of a set group of 15 peer companies. The shares are measured over a three-year period ending on December 31, 2014 and can result in a payout between 0% and 200% of the total shares awarded. The weighted-average grant date fair value per market-based share for these awards granted was computed using the Monte Carlo pricing model using the following assumptions:
The expected term of the awards was based on the requisite service period. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant and extrapolated to approximate the life of the award. The expected volatility was based on our historical volatility.
The following table presents the change in non-vested market-based awards during 2013:
Total compensation cost related to non-vested market-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, and not yet recognized in our consolidated statement of operations as of December 31, 2013 was $1.7 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
Treasury Share Purchases
In accordance with our stock-based compensation plans, employees and directors may surrender shares of the Company's common stock to pay tax withholding obligations upon the vesting and exercise of share-based awards. Shares acquired that had been issued pursuant to the 2004 Plan are retired, while those issued pursuant to the 2010 Plan are reissued to service awards. For shares that are retired, we first charge any excess of cost over the par value to APIC to the extent we have amounts in APIC, with any remaining excess cost charged to retained earnings. For shares reissued to service awards under the 2010 Plan, shares are recorded at cost and upon reissuance we reduce the carrying value of shares acquired and held pursuant to the 2010 Plan by the weighted-average cost per share with an offsetting charge to APIC. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired 84,642 shares pursuant to our stock-based compensation plans for payment of tax liabilities, of which 17,257 shares were retired, 67,334 shares were reissued and 51 shares are available for reissuance pursuant to our 2010 Plan.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Shareholders’ Rights Agreement
In 2007, we entered into a rights agreement. The rights agreement is designed to improve the ability of our Board to protect the interest of our shareholders in the event of an unsolicited takeover attempt. Our Board declared a dividend of one right for each outstanding share of our common stock. The right dividend was paid to shareholders of record in September 2007. A "distribution date," as defined in the rights agreement, can occur after any individual shareholder exceeds 15% ownership of our outstanding common stock. In certain circumstances, the right entitles each holder, other than an "acquiring person" (as defined in the agreement), to purchase shares of our common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities) having a then-current value equal to two times the exercise price of the right (i.e., for the $240 exercise price, the rights holder receives $480 worth of common stock). The exercise price is subject to adjustment for various corporate actions which affect all shareholders, such as a stock split. The rights agreement and all rights will expire in September 2017.
Preferred stock
We are authorized, pursuant to shareholder approval in 2008, to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01, which may be issued in one or more series, with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as shall be fixed by our Board from time to time. As of December 31, 2013, no preferred shares had been issued.
NOTE 13 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is similarly computed except that the denominator includes the effect, using the treasury stock method, of unvested restricted stock, outstanding SARs, stock options, convertible notes and shares held pursuant to our non-employee director deferred compensation plan, if including such potential shares of common stock is dilutive.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding:
For 2013 and 2012, we reported a net loss. As a result, our basic and diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding were the same as the effect of the common share equivalents was anti-dilutive.
The following table presents the weighted-average common share equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
In November 2010, we issued our Convertible Notes, which give the holders the right to convert the aggregate principal amount into 2.7 million shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $42.40 per share. The Convertible Notes could be included in the dilutive earnings per share calculation using the treasury stock method if the average market share price exceeds the $42.40 conversion price during the
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
period presented. Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the year ended December 31, 2013 as the effect would be anti-dilutive to our earnings per share. Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 as the conversion price was greater than the average market price of our common stock during the period.
NOTE 14 - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The tables below set forth selected financial information related to net assets divested and operating results related to discontinued operations. Net assets held for sale represents the assets that were or are expected to be sold, net of liabilities, that were or are expected to be assumed by the purchaser. While the reclassification of revenues and expenses related to discontinued operations for prior periods had no impact upon previously reported net earnings, the consolidated statement of operations table presents the revenues and expenses that were reclassified from the specified consolidated statement of operations line items to discontinued operations.
The following table presents consolidated balance sheet data related to net assets held for sale:
The following table presents consolidated statement of operations data related to our discontinued operations:
Appalachian Basin. In October 2013, we executed a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) Appalachian Basin crude oil and natural gas properties owned directly by us, as well as through our proportionate share of PDCM. The properties consisted of approximately 3,500 gross shallow producing wells, related facilities and associated leasehold acreage, limited to the Upper Devonian and shallower formations. Substantially all of the divestiture closed in December 2013 for aggregate consideration of approximately $20.6 million, of which our share of the proceeds was approximately $5.1 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. We received our proportionate share of cash proceeds of $0.9 million and recorded our proportionate share of a note receivable and account receivable from the buyer of $3.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The remaining assets and related liabilities were classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, our $6.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit and an agreement for firm transportation services was released and novated to the buyer. We retained all zones, formations
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
and intervals below the Upper Devonian formation including the Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and Huron Shale. The divestiture of these assets did not meet the requirements to be accounted for as discontinued operations.
Piceance Basin and NECO. In February 2013, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement pursuant to which we agreed to sell to Caerus our Piceance Basin, NECO and certain other non-core Colorado oil and gas properties, leasehold mineral interests and related assets. Additionally, certain firm transportation obligations and natural gas hedging positions were assumed by the buyer. In June 2013, this divestiture was completed with total consideration of approximately $177.6 million, with an additional $17.0 million paid to our non-affiliated investor partners in our affiliated partnerships. The sale resulted in a pre-tax loss of $2.3 million. The proceeds from the asset divestiture were used to pay down our revolving credit facility and to fund a portion of our 2013 capital budget. Following the sale to Caerus, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, the Piceance Basin and NECO oil and gas properties. Accordingly, the results of operations related to these assets have been separately reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented. The sale of our other non-core Colorado oil and gas properties did not meet the requirements to be accounted for as discontinued operations.
Permian Basin. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we completed the sale of our non-core Permian assets to unrelated third parties for a total of $13.2 million. Additionally, on December 20, 2011, we executed a purchase and sale agreement with COG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Concho Resources Inc., for the sale of our core Permian Basin assets for a sale price of $173.9 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The effective date of the transaction was November 1, 2011. Following the sale to COG, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, these assets; accordingly, the Permian assets were reclassified as held for sale as of December 31, 2011, and the results of operations related to those assets have been separately reported as discontinued operations in the 2012 and 2011 consolidated statements of operations. On February 28, 2012, the divestiture closed. After final post-closing adjustments, total proceeds received were $189.2 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $19.9 million.
NOTE 15 - ACQUISITIONS
The following table presents the adjusted purchase price and the allocations thereof, based on our estimates of fair value, for the acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties during 2012 and 2011:
The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent Level 3 inputs. The fair values of oil and natural gas properties and asset retirement obligations were measured using valuation techniques that convert future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation of oil and natural gas properties include estimates of reserves, future operating and development costs, future commodity prices, estimated future cash flows and a market-based weighted-average cost of capital rate. These inputs require significant judgments and estimates by management at the time of the valuation and are sensitive and subject to change.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
2012 Acquisitions
Merit Acquisition. In June 2012, we completed the acquisition of certain Wattenberg Field oil and natural gas properties, leasehold mineral interests and related assets located in Weld, Adams and Boulder Counties, Colorado from affiliates of Merit Energy. The aggregate purchase price of these properties was approximately $304.6 million. We financed the purchase with cash from the May 2012 offering of our common stock and a draw on our revolving credit facility.
This acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, we conducted assessments of net assets acquired and recognized amounts for identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated acquisition date fair values, while transaction and integration costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred.
Pro Forma Information. The results of operations for the Merit Acquisition have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the June 2012 closing date. The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents a summary of the consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, assuming the Merit Acquisition had been completed as of January 1, 2011, including adjustments to reflect the values assigned to the net assets acquired. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the Merit Acquisition had been effective as of these dates, or of future results.
2011 Acquisitions
Seneca-Upshur. In October 2011, PDCM acquired 100% of the membership interests of Seneca-Upshur for $139.2 million ($69.6 million net to PDC), after post-closing adjustments, which was funded by capital contributions by PDCM's investing partners and a draw on PDCM's revolving credit facility. Substantially all of the acreage acquired is held by production, prospective for the Marcellus Shale and is in close proximity to PDCM's existing properties. PDCM received title defect payments during 2012 totaling $28.9 million, of which $14.5 million represents our share, the effect of which is reflected in the purchase price noted above.
2003/2002-D Partnerships. In October 2011, we acquired from non-affiliated investor partners the interests we did not already own in five of our affiliated partnerships: PDC 2002-D Limited Partnership, PDC 2003-A Limited Partnership, PDC 2003-B Limited Partnership and PDC 2003-C Limited Partnership (the "2002/2003 Partnerships"). We purchased the 2002/2003 Partnerships for an aggregate amount of $30 million, which was funded from our revolving credit facility. These purchases included the partnerships' working interests in wells located in the Wattenberg Field and Piceance Basin.
2005 Partnerships. In June 2011, we acquired from non-affiliated investor partners the interests we did not already own in three of our affiliated partnerships: PDC 2005-A Limited Partnership, PDC 2005-B Limited Partnership and Rockies Region Private Limited Partnership (the "2005 Partnerships"). We purchased the 2005 Partnerships for an aggregate amount of $43 million, which was funded from our revolving credit facility. These purchases included the partnerships' working interests wells located in the Wattenberg Field and the Piceance Basin.
Pro Forma Information. The results of operations for the Seneca-Upshur, 2002/2003 Partnerships and 2005 Partnerships acquisitions have been included in our consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. Pro forma information is not presented as the pro forma results would not be materially different from the information presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE 16 - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
PDCM and Affiliated Partnerships. Our Gas Marketing segment markets the natural gas produced by PDCM and our affiliated partnerships in the Appalachia-Marcellus Shale. Our cost of natural gas marketing includes $18.1 million, $10.9 million and $9.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to the marketing of natural gas on behalf of PDCM and $1.3 million, $0.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to the marketing of natural gas on behalf of our affiliated partnerships.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Amounts due from/to the affiliated partnerships have historically been primarily related to derivative positions and, to a lesser extent, unbilled well lease operating expenses, and costs resulting from audit and tax preparation services. Previously, we have entered into derivative instruments on behalf of our affiliated partnerships for their estimated production. In June 2013, all remaining derivative positions designated to our affiliated partnerships were liquidated prior to settlement. As a result, there were no amounts due from/to our affiliated partnerships related to derivative positions as of December 31, 2013.
We provide certain well operating and administrative services for PDCM. Amounts billed to PDCM for these services were $14.5 million, $12.1 million and $10.4 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our consolidated statements of operations include only our proportionate share of these billings. The following table presents the consolidated statement of operations line item in which our proportionate share is recorded and the amount for each of the periods presented.
Former Executive Officer. In June 2011, Richard W. McCullough resigned from his positions as our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. In connection with his resignation, in July 2011, Mr. McCullough and the Company executed a separation agreement, whereby Mr. McCullough received those benefits to which he was entitled pursuant to his employment agreement, including without limitation, separation compensation in the amount of $4.1 million, less required withholdings, his annual non-qualified deferred supplemental retirement benefit equal to $30,000 for each of the years 2012 through 2021 (not accelerated), less required withholdings, continued coverage under the Company’s group health plans at the Company’s cost for a period equal to the lesser of 18 months or such period ending as of the date Mr. McCullough is eligible to participate in another employer’s group health plan, immediate vesting of any unvested Company stock options, SARs and restricted stock and issuance of shares representing the vested portion of his 2009 performance share awards. Related to this separation agreement, the consolidated statement of operations for 2011 reflects a charge to general and administrative expense of $6.7 million.
NOTE 17 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We separate our operating activities into two segments: Oil and Gas Exploration and Production and Gas Marketing. All material inter-company accounts and transactions between segments have been eliminated.
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production. Our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production segment includes all of our crude oil and natural gas properties. The segment represents revenues and expenses from the production and sale of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. Segment revenue includes crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales, commodity price risk management, net, and well operation and pipeline income. Segment income (loss) consists of segment revenue less production cost, exploration expense, impairment of crude oil and natural gas properties, direct general and administrative expense and DD&A expense. Segment DD&A expense was $122.2 million, $94.1 million and $83.6 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Gas Marketing. Our Gas Marketing segment purchases, aggregates and resells natural gas produced by us and others. Segment income (loss) primarily represents sales from natural gas marketing and direct interest income less costs of natural gas marketing and direct general and administrative expense.
Unallocated amounts. Unallocated income includes unallocated other revenue, less corporate general administrative expense, corporate DD&A expense, interest income and interest expense. Unallocated assets include assets utilized for corporate, general and administrative purposes, as well as assets not specifically included in our two business segments.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The following tables present our segment information:
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
Net Proved Reserves
All of our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves are located in the U.S. We utilize the services of independent petroleum engineers to estimate our crude oil, natural gas, condensate and NGL reserves. As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, all of our reserve estimates were based on reserve reports prepared by Ryder Scott. These reserve estimates have been prepared in compliance with professional standards and the reserves definitions prescribed by the SEC.
Proved reserves estimates may change, either positively or negatively, as additional information becomes available and as contractual, economic and political conditions change. Our net proved reserve estimates have been adjusted as necessary to reflect all contractual agreements, royalty obligations and interests owned by others at the time of the estimate. Proved developed reserves are the quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. In some cases, proved undeveloped reserves may require substantial new investments in additional wells and related facilities.
The price used to estimate our reserves, by commodity, are presented below.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
The following tables present the changes in our estimated quantities of proved reserves:
__________
(1)
Includes estimated reserve data related to our Permian Basin assets, which were divested in February 2012. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, for additional details related to the divestiture of our Permian Basin assets. Total proved reserves included 7,825 MBbls of crude oil, 6,242 MMcf of natural gas and 1,970 MBbls of NGLs, for an aggregate of 10,835 Mboe of crude oil equivalent, related to our Permian asset group. Total proved developed reserves related to those assets included 1,815 MBbls, 1,750 MMcf, 550 MBbls and 2,657 MBoe, respectively, and proved undeveloped reserves included 6,010 MBbls, 4,492 MMcf, 1,420 MBbls and 8,179 MBoe, respectively.
(2)
Includes estimated reserve data related to our Piceance and NECO assets, which were divested in June 2013. See Note 14, Assets Held for Sale, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, for additional details related to the divestiture of our Piceance and NECO assets. Total proved reserves include 148 MBbls of crude oil and 83,656 MMcf of natural gas, for an aggregate of 14,091 MBoe of crude oil equivalent related to our Piceance and NECO assets. There were no proved undeveloped reserves attributable to the Piceance and NECO assets as of December 31, 2012.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
2013 Activity. Overall, our proved reserves increased by 73 MMBoe as of December 31, 2013 as compared to December 31, 2012. In 2013, we recorded a downward revision of our previous estimate of proved reserves of approximately 46 MMBoe. The revision was primarily due to a decrease of approximately 55 MMBoe of which approximately 32 MMBoe is due to adjustments in previous PUD well spacing plans in the Wattenberg Field and the Marcellus Shale, which were offset by replacements in the extension category, approximately 9 MMBoe is due to expired leases, approximately 11 MMBoe is due to our shift from vertical to horizontal drilling in the Wattenberg Field and approximately 3 MMBoe is to remove Wattenberg Field PUDs that are no longer in our core drilling area. This was partially offset by an increase of 1 MMBoe due to higher gas pricing and lower operating costs in the vertical Wattenberg Field wells and horizontal Marcellus Shale wells, an increase of approximately 3 MMBoe due to non-acquisition interest adjustments, approximately 2 MMBoe due to asset performance and approximately 2 MMBoe due to production from wells that were either uneconomic, added or divested in the current year. Discoveries and extensions of approximately 142 MMBoe in 2013 are due to the addition of approximately 17 MMBoe of proved developed reserves from non-PUD drilling and the addition of approximately 125 MMBoe of new proved undeveloped reserves including 32 MMBoe due to adjustments in well spacing in the Wattenberg Field and the Marcellus Shale. Approximately 18 MMBoe was added in the Marcellus Shale, approximately 14 MMBoe was added in the Utica Shale and approximately 110 MMBoe was added in the Wattenberg Field, mostly related to the Niobrara and Codell formations. We acquired approximately 1 MMBoe of proved reserves due to an acquisition in the Appalachian-Marcellus Shale area and the acquisition of non-affiliated investor partner interests in shallow Upper Devonian wells. We divested a total of 16 MMBoe in 2013, primarily our Piceance Basin, NECO and shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) assets. Based on the economic conditions on December 31, 2013, our approved development plan provides for the development of our remaining PUD reserves within five years of the date such reserves were initially recorded. Our 2013 drilling program focused on locations that were not included in proved undeveloped reserves in the December 31, 2012 reserve report due to increased well density testing in the Wattenberg Field. The success of this increased well density testing allowed us to add considerable PUD reserves in the 2013 reserve report. Because we will continue to drill both proven and non-proven downspaced Wattenberg Field locations in 2014, our PUD conversion rate is expected to be approximately 7.4%. The balance of the locations are scheduled to be drilled over the remaining four years with total PUD conversion rates of 22% in 2015, 27% in 2016, 24% in 2017 and 19% in 2018. This level of capital spending is consistent with the most recent years and our guidance for future activity.
2012 Activity. In 2012, we recorded a downward revision of our previous estimate of proved reserves of approximately 59 MMBoe. The revision was primarily due to a decrease of approximately 40 MMBoe due to lower gas pricing, mostly related to the Piceance Basin, approximately 1 MMBoe due to increased operating costs, approximately 8 MMBoe due to adjustments for geological reasons and approximately 13 MMBoe due to the removal of certain proved undeveloped reserves to comply with the SEC's five-year rule. This was partially offset by an increase of approximately 0.5 MMBoe due to non-acquisition interest adjustments and approximately 2 MMBoe due to asset performance. Discoveries and extensions of approximately 68 MMBoe in 2012 are due to the drilling of 44 gross horizontal wells and the addition of new proved undeveloped reserves. Approximately 10 MMBoe were added in the Marcellus Shale and approximately 59 MMBoe were added in the Wattenberg Field, mostly related to the Niobrara formation. We acquired approximately 33 MMBoe of proved reserves due to an acquisition in the Wattenberg Field. We divested a total of 11 MMBoe in 2012, primarily our core Permian Basin assets. Based on the economic conditions on December 31, 2012, our approved development plan provided for the development of our remaining PUD reserves within five years of the date such reserves were initially recorded. Based on our decision to drill predominantly horizontal wells in 2012, our drilling program focused on locations that were not included in proved undeveloped reserves in the December 2011 reserve report. By focusing on non-PUD drilling locations in 2012, we were able to add considerable PUD reserves in the 2012 reserve report.
2011 Activity. In 2011, we recorded a downward revision of our previous estimate of proved reserves of approximately 26 MMBoe. The revision was primarily due to a decrease of approximately 0.7 MMBoe due to lower gas pricing and approximately 29 MMBoe due to the removal of certain proved undeveloped reserves to comply with the SEC's five-year rule. This was partially offset by an increase of approximately
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
1 MMBoe due to increased efficiencies in operating costs, approximately 0.8 MMBoe due to non-acquisition interest adjustments and approximately 2 MMBoe due to asset performance. In addition, the “Revisions of previous estimates” line item includes a deduction in the “Undeveloped” column and an increase in the “Developed” column of approximately 21 MMBoe. These reserves were transferred from proved undeveloped to proved developed as a result of the Company's determination that costs related to a refracture became less significant as compared to the costs associated with drilling a new well. Discoveries and extensions of approximately 52 MMboe in 2012 are due to the drilling of 195 gross wells and the addition of new proved undeveloped reserves. Approximately 9 MMBoe were added in the Marcellus Shale, approximately 24 MMBoe in the Wattenberg Field, 13 MMBoe in the Piceance Basin and 7 MMBoe in the Permian Basin. We acquired approximately 8 MMboe of proved reserves, approximately 1 MMBoe through acquisitions in the Marcellus Shale, approximately 5 MMBoe in the Wattenberg Field and 2 MMBoe in the Piceance Basin due to the repurchase of the 2003/2002-D and 2005 Partnerships as well as the purchase of interests in some of our other existing properties. We divested a total of approximately 0.8 MMBoe in 2012. This included the sale of 100% of our North Dakota assets, or 0.3 MMBoe, to an unrelated third-party and our non-core Permian Basin assets, or 0.5 MMBoe, to unrelated third parties.
Results of Operations for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities
The results of operations for crude oil and natural gas producing activities are presented below. The results include activities related to both continuing and discontinued operations and exclude activities related to natural gas marketing and well operations and pipeline services.
Production costs include those costs incurred to operate and maintain productive wells and related equipment, including costs such as labor, repairs, maintenance, materials, supplies, fuel consumed, insurance, production and severance taxes and associated administrative expenses. DD&A expense includes those costs associated with capitalized acquisition, exploration and development costs, but does not include the depreciation applicable to support equipment. The provision for income taxes is computed using effective tax rates.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
Costs Incurred in Crude Oil and Natural Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Activities
Costs incurred in crude oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development are presented below.
__________
(1)
Property acquisition costs represent costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire a property.
(2)
Development costs represent costs incurred to gain access to and prepare development well locations for drilling, drill and equip development wells, recomplete wells and provide facilities to extract, treat, gather and store crude oil, natural gas and NGLs. Of these costs incurred for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, $40.1 million, $62.0 million and $80.6 million, respectively, were incurred to convert proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves from the prior year end.
(3)
Exploration costs - represents costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing crude oil, natural gas and NGLs.
Capitalized Costs Related to Crude Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities
Aggregate capitalized costs related to crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activities with applicable accumulated DD&A are presented below:
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows and Changes Therein Relating to Proved Reserves
The standardized measure below has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Future estimated cash flows were based on a 12-month average price calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the prices on the first day of each month, January through December, applied to our year-end estimated proved reserves. Prices for each of the three years were adjusted by field for Btu content, transportation and regional price differences; however, they were not adjusted to reflect the value of our commodity derivatives. Production and development costs were based on prices as of December 31 for each of the respective years presented. The amounts shown do not give effect to non-property related expenses, such as corporate general and administrative expenses, debt service or to depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. Production and development costs include those cash flows associated with the expected ultimate settlement of our asset retirement obligation. Future estimated income tax expense is computed by applying the statutory rate in effect at the end of each year to the projected future pre-tax net cash flows, less the tax basis of the properties and gives effect to permanent differences, tax credits and allowances related to the properties.
The following table presents information with respect to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved reserves. Changes in the demand for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, inflation and other factors make such estimates inherently imprecise and subject to substantial revision. This table should not be construed to be an estimate of the current market value of our proved reserves.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
The following table presents the principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future estimated net cash flows:
__________
(1)
Our weighted-average price, net of production costs per Boe, in our 2013 reserve report increased to $24.24 as compared to $20.70 in our 2012 reserve report. This is due to the divestiture of our Piceance, NECO and our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) reserves during 2013 which further increased our liquids as a percentage of proved reserves. Despite the decrease in price for each of our commodities for 2012 compared to 2011, our weighted-average price, net of production costs per Boe, in our 2012 reserve report increased to $20.70 from $19.14 resulting from our increase in liquids as a percentage of total proved reserves.
(2)
The 142% increase in 2013 as compared to 2012 is primarily due to the additions of PUDs in the Utica Shale and our continued focus on our Wattenberg drilling program. Our increased PUD count in Wattenberg is a result of successful downspacing tests in 2013 leading to a scheduled maximum rig count of seven rigs by 2016 as compared to a scheduled maximum rig count of five in the 2012 year-end reserve report. The 35% increase in 2012 as compared to 2011 reflects a continuation of our shifting focus from gas-rich projects to liquid-rich projects. At December 31, 2012, extensions, discoveries and other additions had increased to 68 MMBoe, a 30% increase, 52.2% of which was gas and 47.8% was liquids. Approximately 86% of the 35% increase was related to the additional volume of PUD reserves in the Wattenberg Field that were proved up by our 2012 drilling program.
(3)
The increase in sales of reserves in 2013 as compared to 2012 was due to the divestiture of our Piceance and NECO assets in June 2013 and our shallow Upper Devonian (non-Marcellus Shale) assets in December of 2013. The increase in sales of reserves in 2012 as compared to 2011 was due to the divestiture of our core Permian assets on February 28, 2012.
(4)
The decrease in purchases of reserves in 2013 as compared to 2012 was due to no material acquisitions having occurred in 2013. The increase in purchases of reserves in 2012 as compared to 2011 was due to the Merit Acquisition in the liquids-rich Wattenberg Field.
(5)
The change in revisions of our previous quantity estimates in 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to adjustment in our drilling schedule. The change in revisions of our previous quantity estimates in 2012 as compared to 2011 was primarily due to lower natural gas pricing, a decrease in proved undeveloped reserves pursuant to the SEC five-year rule and adjustments due to our drilling schedule.
(6)
The change in estimated income taxes for each year as compared to the prior year is the direct result of the significant increase in discounted future net cash flows, as the projected deferred tax rate remained relatively unchanged at approximately 38.0%, 38.2% and 38.1% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, the Company continued to capitalize and amortize the majority of its yearly capital expenditures and there were no changes in the assumptions as to the tax deductibility of beginning unamortized capital, additional current year capital or future development capital.
The data presented should not be viewed as representing the expected cash flows from, or current value of, existing proved reserves since the computations are based on a large number of estimates and arbitrary assumptions. Reserve quantities cannot be measured with precision and their estimation requires many judgmental determinations and frequent revisions. The required projection of production and related expenditures over time requires further estimates with respect to pipeline availability, rates of demand and governmental control. Actual future prices and costs are likely to be substantially different from the recent average prices and current costs utilized in the computation of reported
PDC ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
amounts. Any analysis or evaluation of the reported amounts should give specific recognition to the computational methods utilized and the limitations inherent therein.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
Quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is presented below. The sum of the quarters may not equal the total of the year's net income or loss per share due to changes in the weighted-average shares outstanding throughout the year.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
PDC ENERGY, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
Schedule II -VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
_______________
(1)
For allowance for doubtful accounts, deductions represent the write-off of accounts receivable deemed uncollectible. For valuation allowance for unproved crude oil and natural gas properties, deductions represent accumulated amortization of expired or abandoned unproved crude oil and natural gas properties, with a corresponding decrease to the historical cost of the associated asset.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2013, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based on the results of this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2013.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter of 2013, we made no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information relating to this Item will be included in an amendment to this report or the proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for our 2014 Annual Stockholders' meeting and is incorporated by reference in this report.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information relating to this Item will be included in an amendment to this report or the proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for our 2014 Annual Stockholders' meeting and is incorporated by reference in this report.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information relating to this Item will be included in an amendment to this report or the proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for our 2014 Annual Stockholders' meeting and is incorporated by reference in this report.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information relating to this Item will be included in an amendment to this report or the proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for our 2014 Annual Stockholders' meeting and is incorporated by reference in this report.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information relating to this Item will be included in an amendment to this report or the proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for our 2014 Annual Stockholders' meeting and is incorporated by reference in this report.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
(a)
(1)
Exhibits:
See Exhibits Index on the following page.
Exhibits Index
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
GLOSSARY OF UNITS OF MEASUREMENT AND INDUSTRY TERMS
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
The following presents a list of units of measurement used throughout the document.
Bbl - One barrel of crude oil or NGL or 42 gallons of liquid volume.
Bcf - One billion cubic feet of natural gas volume.
Boe - One barrel of crude oil equivalent.
Btu - British thermal unit.
BBtu - One billion British thermal units.
MBoe - One thousand barrels of crude oil equivalent.
MBbls - One thousand barrels of crude oil.
Mcf - One thousand cubic feet of natural gas volume.
MMBoe - One million barrels of crude oil equivalent.
MMBtu - One million British thermal units.
MMcf - One million cubic feet of natural gas volume.
GLOSSARY OF INDUSTRY TERMS
The following are abbreviations and definitions of terms commonly used in the oil and gas industry and this report:
Behind-pipe reserves - Crude oil and natural gas reserves expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells, which will require additional completion work or future recompletion prior to the start of production. Generally, these are reserves in reservoirs above currently producing zones.
CIG - Colorado Interstate Gas.
Completion - Refers to the work performed and the installation of permanent equipment for the production of crude oil and natural gas from a recently drilled well.
Crude oil well - A well whose reserves are expected to produce less than 15 Mcf of gas per barrel of crude oil.
Delineation - A drilling technique carried out to gain a better understanding of the structure and extent of a deposit in order to decide whether or not to conduct further drilling activities.
Developed acreage - Acreage assignable to productive wells.
Development well - A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
Dry gas or dry natural gas - Natural gas is considered dry when its composition is over 90% pure methane.
Dry well or dry hole - A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil or gas well.
Exploratory well - A well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir.
Extensions and discoveries - As to any period, the increases to proved reserves from all sources other than the acquisition of proved properties or revisions of previous estimates.
Farm-out - Transfer of all or part of the operating rights from a working interest owner to an assignee, who assumes all or some of the burden of development in return for an interest in the property. The assignor usually retains an overriding royalty interest but may retain any type of interest.
Fracture or Fracturing - Procedure to stimulate production by forcing a mixture of fluid and proppant into the formation under high pressure. Fracturing creates artificial fractures in the reservoir rock to increase permeability and porosity, thereby allowing the release of trapped hydrocarbons.
Gross acres or wells - Refers to the total acres or wells in which we have a working interest.
Horizontal drilling - A drilling technique that permits the operator to drill a horizontal well shaft from the bottom of a vertical well and thereby to contact and intersect a larger portion of the producing horizon than conventional vertical drilling techniques and may, depending on the horizon, result in increased production rates and greater ultimate recoveries of hydrocarbons.
Joint interest billing - Process of billing/invoicing the costs related to well drilling, completions and production operations among working interest partners.
Natural gas liquid(s) or NGL(s) - Hydrocarbons which can be extracted from wet natural gas and become liquid under various combinations of increasing pressure and lower temperature. NGLs include ethane, propane, butane, and other natural gasolines.
Net acres or wells - Refers to gross acres or wells we own multiplied, in each case, by our percentage working interest. References to net acres or wells include our proportionate share of PDCM's and our affiliated partnerships' net acres or wells.
Net production - Crude oil and natural gas production that we own, less royalties and production due to others. References to net production include our proportionate share of PDCM's and our affiliated partnerships' net production.
Non-operated - A project in which we are not the operator.
NYMEX - New York Mercantile Exchange.
Operator - The individual or company responsible for the exploration, development and/or production of an oil or gas well or lease.
Overriding royalty - An interest which is created out of the operating or working interest. Its term is coextensive with that of the operating interest.
Possible reserves - This term is defined in the SEC Regulation S-X Section 4-10(a) and refers to those reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. When deterministic methods are used, the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability to exceed the sum of proved, probable and possible reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there must be at least a 10 percent probability that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the sum of proved, probable and possible estimates.
Present value of future net revenues or (PV-10) - The present value of estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves, before income taxes, of proved reserves calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board guidelines, net of estimated production and future development costs, using pricing and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, without giving effect to hedging activities, non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and amortization, and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%. PV-10 is pre-tax and therefore a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.
Probable reserves - This term is defined in the SEC Regulation S-X Section 4-10(a) and refers to those reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered. When deterministic methods are used, it is as likely as not that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves. Similarly, when probabilistic methods are used, there must be at least a 50 percent probability that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable reserves estimates.
Productive well - A well that is not a dry well or dry hole, as defined above, and includes wells that are mechanically capable of production.
Proved developed non-producing reserves - Reserves that consist of (i) proved reserves from wells which have been completed and tested but are not producing due to lack of market or minor completion problems which are expected to be corrected and/or (ii) proved reserves currently behind the pipe in existing wells and which are expected to be productive due to both the well log characteristics and analogous production in the immediate vicinity of the wells.
Proved developed producing reserves or PDPs - Proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered from currently producing zones under the continuation of present operating methods.
Proved developed reserves - The combination of proved developed producing and proved developed non-producing reserves.
Proved reserves - This term means "proved oil and gas reserves" as defined in SEC Regulation S-X Section 4-10(a) and refers to those quantities of crude oil and condensate, natural gas and NGLs, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible - from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing conditions, operating methods, and government regulations - prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.
Proved undeveloped reserves or PUDs - Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
Recomplete or Recompletion - The modification of an existing well for the purpose of producing crude oil and natural gas from a different producing formation.
Refracture - A refracture occurs when we stimulate a well by fracturing a producing zone to increase its production as well as its PDP reserves.
Reserves - Estimated remaining quantities of crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering crude oil, natural gas and NGLs or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.
Royalty - An interest in a crude oil and natural gas lease or mineral interest that gives the owner of the royalty the right to receive a portion of the production from the leased acreage or mineral interest (or of the proceeds of the sale thereof), but generally does not require the owner to pay any portion of the costs of drilling or operating the wells on the leased acreage. Royalties may be either landowner’s royalties, which are reserved by the owner of the leased acreage at the time the lease is granted, or overriding royalties, which are usually reserved by an owner of the leasehold in connection with a transfer to a subsequent owner.
Section - A square tract of land one mile by one mile, containing 640 acres.
Spud - To begin drilling; the act of beginning a hole. Past tense: spudded.
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows or standardized measure - Future net cash flows discounted at a rate of 10%. Future net cash flows represent the estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves determined in accordance with SEC guidelines, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, giving effect to (i) estimated future abandonment costs, net of the estimated salvage value of related equipment and (ii) future income tax expense.
Stratigraphic test well - A drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition. Such wells customarily are drilled without the intent of being completed for hydrocarbon production.
TCO - Columbia Gas Transmission.
Unconventional resource(s) - Crude oil and natural gas that cannot be produced at economic flow rates in economic volumes unless the well is stimulated by a large hydraulic fracture treatment, a horizontal wellbore, or by using multilateral wellbores or some other technique to expose more of the resources to the wellbore.
Undeveloped acreage - Leased acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of crude oil and natural gas, regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.
Wet gas or wet natural gas - Natural gas that contains a larger quantity of hydrocarbon liquids than dry natural gas, such as NGLs, condensate and crude oil.
Working interest - An interest in a crude oil and natural gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to drill and produce crude oil and natural gas on the leased acreage. It requires the owner to pay its share of the costs of drilling and production operations.
Workover - Major remedial operations on a producing well to restore, maintain or improve the well's production.