ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
Our business and operations are subject to many risks. The risks described below, in addition to the risks described in “Item 1. Business” of this Annual Report, may not be the only risks we face, as our business and operations may also be subject to risks that we do not yet know of, or that we currently believe are immaterial. You should carefully consider the following risk factors together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report, including the financial statements and related notes, when deciding to invest in us. You should be aware that the occurrence of any of the events described in this Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this Annual Report could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
Oil, natural gas and NGL prices are volatile, due to factors beyond our control, and greatly affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Any decline in, or sustained low levels of, oil, natural gas and NGL prices will cause a decline in our cash flow from operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our revenues, operating results, profitability, liquidity, future growth and the value of our assets depend primarily on prevailing commodity prices. Historically, oil and natural gas prices have been volatile and fluctuate in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty, and other factors that are beyond our control, including:
● the regional, domestic and foreign supply of oil, natural gas and NGLs;
● the level of commodity prices and expectations about future commodity prices;
● the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production;
● the cost of exploring for developing, producing and transporting reserves;
● the price and quantity of foreign imports;
● speculative trading in crude oil and natural gas derivative contracts;
● the level of consumer product demand;
● weather conditions and other natural disasters;
● risks associated with operating drilling rigs;
● domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
● the impact of energy conservation efforts;
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● overall domestic and global economic conditions.
These factors and the volatility of the energy markets make it extremely difficult to predict future oil, natural gas and NGL price movements with any certainty. For example, for the five years ended December 31, 2023, the NYMEX-WTI oil future price ranged from a high of $122.11 per Bbl to a low of $(37.63) per Bbl, while the NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas future price ranged from a high of $9.68 per MMBtu to a low of $1.48 per MMBtu. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the WTI posted prices ranged from a high of $93.68 per Bbl on September 27, 2023 to a low of $66.74 per Bbl on March 17, 2023 and NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas market price ranged from a high of $4.17 per MMBtu on January 4, 2023 to a low of $1.99 per MMBtu on March 29, 2023. Likewise, NGLs, which are made up of ethane, propane, isobutane, normal butane and natural gasoline, each of which has different uses and different pricing characteristics, have sustained depressed realized prices during this period and are generally correlated with the price of oil. A further or extended decline in commodity prices could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If commodity prices decline for a prolonged period, a significant portion of our development projects may become uneconomic and result in write downs of the value of our oil and natural gas properties, which may adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to fund our operations.
Oil, natural gas and NGL prices have experienced significant volatility over the past few years. An extended decline in commodity prices could render many of our development and production projects uneconomical and result in a downward adjustment of our reserve estimates, which would reduce our borrowing base and our ability to fund our operations.
No impairment expense was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. An extended decline in commodity prices may cause us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings, the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties for impairments. We may in the future incur impairment charges that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken and our ability to borrow funds under our Revolving Credit Facility.
Our business could be adversely affected by a decline in general economic conditions or a weakening of the broader energy industry, and inflation may adversely affect our financial position and operating results.
A prolonged economic slowdown or recession, adverse events relating to the energy industry, or regional, national, or global economic conditions and factors, particularly a slowdown in the exploration and production industry, could negatively impact our operations and therefore adversely affect our results. The risks associated with our business are more acute during periods of economic slowdown or recession because such periods may be accompanied by decreased demand for oil and natural gas and decreased prices for oil and natural gas.
Inflationary factors, such as increases in the labor costs, material costs, and overhead costs, may also adversely affect our financial position and operating results. Inflation has also resulted in higher interest rates in the United States, which could increase our cost of debt borrowing in the future.
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A pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease, may materially adversely affect our business.
The global or national outbreak of an infectious disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, has previously and may in the future cause disruptions to our business and operational plans, which may include (i) shortages of employees, (ii) unavailability of contractors and subcontractors, (iii) interruption of supplies from third parties upon which we rely, (iv) recommendations of, or restrictions imposed by, government and health authorities, including quarantines, and (v) restrictions that we and our contractors and subcontractors impose, including curtailment or shutting in of production, to ensure the safety of employees and others. While it is not possible to predict their extent or duration, these disruptions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, any such pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease has previously and may in the future adversely impact the supply chain for equipment or services needed for our operations, including as a result of mandatory shutdowns and other pandemic-related measures implemented in locations where such equipment or services are manufactured or distributed. We may also be impacted by significant disruptions to the operations of our logistics and service providers.
Loss of our key executive officers or other key personnel, or an inability to attract and retain such officers and personnel, could negatively affect our business.
Our future success depends on the skills, experience and efforts of our key executive officers. The sudden loss of any of these executives’ services or our failure to appropriately plan for any expected key executive succession could materially and adversely affect our business and prospects, as we may not be able to find suitable individuals to replace them on a timely basis, if at all. Additionally, we also depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel to operate and expand our business. If we fail to attract or retain talented new employees, our business and results of operations could be negatively affected.
We may be unable to maintain compliance with the covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility, which could result in an event of default thereunder that, if not cured or waived, would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Under our Revolving Credit Facility, we are required to (i) maintain, as of the date of determination, a maximum total debt to EBITDAX ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, (ii) maintain a current ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00, and (iii) hedge at least 50% − 75% of our estimated production from total proved developed producing reserves. If we were to violate any of the covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility and were unable to obtain a waiver or amendment, it would be considered a default after the expiration of any applicable grace period. If we were in default under our Revolving Credit Facility, then the lenders may exercise certain remedies including, among others, declaring all borrowings outstanding thereunder, if any, immediately due and payable. This could adversely affect our operations and our ability to satisfy our obligations as they come due, because we might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our Revolving Credit Facility are secured by mortgages on not less than 90% of the PV-9 value of our oil and gas properties (and at least 90% of the PV-9 value of the proved, developed and producing oil and gas properties), and if we are unable to repay our indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility, the lenders could seek to foreclose on our assets.
Restrictive covenants in our Revolving Credit Facility could limit our growth and our ability to finance our operations, fund our capital needs, respond to changing conditions and engage in other business activities that may be in our best interests.
Restrictive covenants in our Revolving Credit Facility impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries. These restrictions limit our ability to, among other things:
● incur additional liens;
● incur additional indebtedness;
● merge, consolidate or sell our assets;
● pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase or redeem our stock;
● make certain investments; and
● enter into transactions with our affiliates.
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Our Revolving Credit Facility also requires us to comply with certain financial maintenance covenants as discussed above. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Revolving Credit Facility. If a default occurs and remains uncured or unwaived, the administrative agent or majority lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility may elect to declare all borrowings outstanding thereunder, if any, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable. The administrative agent or majority lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility would also have the right in these circumstances to terminate any commitments they have to provide further borrowings. If we are unable to repay our indebtedness when due or declared due, the administrative agent will also have the right to proceed against the collateral pledged to it to secure the indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility. If such indebtedness were to be accelerated, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full our secured indebtedness.
We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations imposed on us by the restrictive covenants in our Revolving Credit Facility. The terms and conditions of our Revolving Credit Facility affect us in several ways, including:
● limiting management’s discretion in operating our business.
Our lenders periodically redetermine the amount we may borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, which may materially impact our operations.
Our Revolving Credit Facility allows us to borrow in an amount up to the borrowing base, which is primarily based on the estimated value of our oil and natural gas properties and our commodity derivative contracts as determined semi-annually by our lenders in their sole discretion. The borrowing base is subject to redetermination on at least a semi-annual basis primarily based on an engineering report with respect to our estimated natural gas, oil and NGL reserves, which takes into account the prevailing natural gas, oil and NGL prices at such time, as adjusted for the impact of our commodity derivative contracts. Accordingly, declining commodity prices may have an impact on the amount we can borrow, which could affect our cash flows and ability to execute our business plans. Any reduction in the borrowing base would materially and adversely affect our business and financing activities, limit our flexibility and management’s discretion in operating our business, and increase the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. In addition, as hedges roll off, the borrowing base is subject to further reduction. Our Revolving Credit Facility requires us to repay any deficiency over a certain period or pledge additional oil and gas properties to eliminate such deficiency within 30 days of notice. If our outstanding borrowings exceed the borrowing base and we are unable to repay the deficiency or pledge additional oil and gas properties to eliminate such deficiency, our failure to repay any of the installments due related to the borrowing base deficiency would constitute an event of default under the Revolving Credit Facility and as such, the lenders could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, could freeze our accounts, or foreclose against the assets securing the obligations owed under our Revolving Credit Facility.
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 even if the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash available for servicing our indebtedness would decrease.
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Our hedging strategy may not effectively mitigate the impact of commodity price volatility from our cash flows, and our hedging activities could result in cash losses and may limit potential gains.
We intend to maintain a portfolio of commodity derivative contracts covering at least 50%- 75% of our estimated production from proved developed producing reserves over a one-to-three-year period at any given point in time. These commodity derivative contracts include natural gas, oil and NGL financial swaps, put options, costless collars, and three-way collars. The prices and quantities at which we enter into commodity derivative contracts covering our production in the future will be dependent upon oil and natural gas prices and price expectations, at the time we enter into these transactions, which may be substantially higher or lower than current or future oil and natural gas prices. Accordingly, our price hedging strategy may not protect us from significant declines in oil, natural gas and NGL prices received for our future production. Many of the derivative contracts to which we will be a party will require us to make cash payments to the extent the applicable index exceeds a predetermined price, thereby limiting our ability to realize the benefit of increases in oil, natural gas and NGL prices. If our actual production and sales for any period are less than our hedged production and sales for that period (including reductions in production due to operational delays) or if we are unable to perform our drilling activities as planned, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our hedging obligations without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale of the underlying physical commodity, which may materially impact our liquidity.
An increase in the differential between the NYMEX or other benchmark prices of oil and natural gas and the wellhead price we receive for our production could significantly reduce our cash flow and adversely affect our financial condition.
The prices that we receive for our oil and natural gas production often reflect a regional discount, based on the location of production, to the relevant benchmark prices, such as NYMEX or ICE, that are used for calculating hedge positions. The prices we receive for our production are also affected by the specific characteristics of the production relative to production sold at benchmark prices. For example, our California oil typically has a lower gravity, and a portion has higher sulfur content, than oil sold at certain benchmark prices. Therefore, because our oil requires more complex refining equipment to convert it into high value products, it may sell at a discount to those prices. These discounts, if significant, could reduce our cash flows and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our estimated reserves and future production rates are based on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in our reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our estimated reserves.
It is not possible to measure underground accumulations of oil or natural gas in an exact way. The process of estimating natural gas and oil reserves is complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to current and future economic conditions and commodity prices. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations or assumptions could materially affect our estimated quantities and present value of our reserves.
In order to prepare our estimates, we must project production rates and timing of operating and development expenditures. We must also analyze available geological, geophysical, production and engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary.
The process also requires economic assumptions about matters such as natural gas and oil prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures and availability of funds.
Actual future production, oil prices, natural gas prices, revenues, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable reserves will vary from our estimates. Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of our reserves. In addition, we may adjust our reserve estimates to reflect production history, results of development, existing commodity prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
You should not assume that the present value of future net revenues from our reserves is the current market value of our estimated reserves. We generally base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the present value estimate.
Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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The standardized measure of our estimated proved reserves is not necessarily the same as the current market value of our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves.
The present value of future net cash flows from our proved reserves shown in this report, or standardized measure, may not be the current market value of our estimated natural gas and oil reserves. In accordance with rules established by the SEC and the FASB, we base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves on the trailing 12-month average oil and gas index prices, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average for the first-day-of-the-month price for each month and costs in effect on the date of the estimate, holding the prices and costs constant throughout the life of the properties. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the net present value estimate, and future net present value estimates using then current prices and costs may be significantly less than the current estimate. In addition, the 10% discount factor we use when calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting requirements, which is required by the SEC and FASB, is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with us or the natural gas and oil industry in general.
The failure to replace our proved oil and natural gas reserves could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, production and cash flows.
Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and, production and therefore, our cash flow are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves. Our production decline rates may be significantly higher than currently estimated if our wells do not produce as expected. Further, our decline rate may change when we drill additional wells or make acquisitions. We may not be able to develop, find or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production at economically acceptable terms, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we reduce our capital spending in an effort to conserve cash, this would likely result in production being lower than anticipated, and could result in reduced revenues, cash flow from operations and income. Further, if the borrowing base under our Revolving Credit Facility decreases, or our revenues decrease, as a result of lower oil or natural gas prices or for any other reason, we may not be able to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations.
Developing and producing oil and natural gas are costly and high-risk activities with many uncertainties that may result in a total loss of investment or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our drilling activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that we will not discover commercially productive reservoirs. Drilling for oil and natural gas often involves unprofitable efforts, not only from dry holes, but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient oil or natural gas to return a profit at then-realized prices after deducting drilling, operating and other costs. The seismic data and other technologies we use do not allow us to know conclusively prior to drilling a well that oil or natural gas is present or that it can be produced economically. The costs of our development and production activities are subject to numerous uncertainties beyond our control and increases in those costs can adversely affect the economics of a project. Further, our development and production operations may be curtailed, delayed, canceled or otherwise negatively impacted as a result of other factors, including:
● unusual or unexpected geological formations;
● unexpected operational events and conditions;
● failure of down hole equipment and tubulars;
● loss of wellbore mechanical integrity;
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● title problems;
● loss of drilling fluid circulation;
● hydrocarbon or oilfield chemical spills;
● fires, blowouts, surface craterings and explosions;
● adverse weather conditions and natural disasters.
Additionally, our operations are subject to all of the hazards and operating risks associated with drilling for and production of oil and natural gas, including natural disasters, the risk of fire, explosions, blowouts, surface cratering, uncontrollable flows of natural gas, oil and formation water, pipe or pipeline failures, abnormally pressured formations, casing collapses and environmental hazards such as oil spills, natural gas leaks, ruptures or discharges of toxic gases, all of which could cause substantial financial losses. In addition, our operations are subject to risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, including any mishandling, surface spillage or potential underground migration of fracturing fluids, including chemical additives. The location of any properties and other assets near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers and industrial sites, could significantly increase the level of potential damages resulting from these risks.
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 other regulatory penalties. In the event that planned operations are delayed or canceled, or existing wells or development wells have lower than anticipated production due to one or more of the factors above or for any other reason, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. If any of these factors were to occur with respect to a particular field, we could lose all or a part of our investment in the field or we could fail to realize the expected benefits from the field, either of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Expenses not covered by our insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
We maintain insurance coverage against potential losses that we believe is customary in the industry. However, insurance against all operational risk is not available to us. These insurance policies may not cover all liabilities, claims, fines, penalties or costs and expenses that we may incur in connection with our business and operations, including those related to environmental claims. Pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance at rates we consider reasonable. We may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the perceived risks presented. A liability, claim or other loss not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. For a discussion of the risks surrounding insurance associated with the Incident, see “— We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us, and our insurers may not pay particular claims.”
The production from our Bairoil properties could be adversely affected by the cessation or interruption of the supply of CO2 to those properties.
We inject water and CO2 into formations on substantially all of the Bairoil properties to increase production of oil and natural gas. The additional production and reserves attributable to the use of enhanced recovery methods are inherently difficult to predict. If we are unable to produce oil and gas by injecting CO2 in the manner or to the extent that we anticipate, our future results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, our ability to utilize CO2 to enhance production is subject to our ability to obtain sufficient quantities of CO2. If, under our CO2 supply contracts, the supplier is unable to deliver its contractually required quantities of CO2 to us, or if our ability to access adequate supplies is impeded, then we may not have sufficient CO2 to produce oil and natural gas in the manner or to the extent that we anticipate, and our future oil and gas production volumes will be negatively impacted.
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Many of our properties are in areas that may have been partially depleted or drained by offset wells.
Many of our properties are in areas that may have already been partially depleted or drained by earlier offset drilling. The owners of leasehold interests lying contiguous or adjacent to or adjoining any of our properties could take actions, such as drilling additional wells that could adversely affect our operations. When a new well is completed and produced, the pressure differential in the vicinity of the well causes the migration of reservoir fluids towards the new wellbore (and potentially away from existing wellbores). As a result, the drilling and production of these potential locations could cause a depletion of our proved reserves and may inhibit our ability to further exploit and develop our reserves.
Our expectations for future development activities are planned to be realized over several years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of such activities.
We have identified drilling, recompletion and development locations and prospects for future drilling, recompletion and development. These drilling, recompletion and development locations represent a significant part of our future drilling and enhanced recovery opportunity plans. We cannot predict in advance of drilling, testing and analysis of data whether any particular drilling location will yield production in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil or natural gas reserves exist, we may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, possibly resulting in a reduction in production from the well or abandonment of the well. If we drill dry holes in our current and future drilling locations, our drilling success rate may decline and materially harm our business. Our ability to drill, recomplete and develop locations depends on a number of factors, including the availability of capital, seasonal conditions, regulatory approvals, negotiation of agreements with third parties, commodity prices, costs, the generation of additional seismic or geological information, the availability of drilling rigs, drilling results, construction of infrastructure and lease expirations. Because of these uncertainties, we cannot be certain of the timing of these activities or that they will ultimately result in the realization of estimated proved reserves or meet our expectations for success. As such, our actual drilling and enhanced recovery activities may materially differ from our current expectations, which could have a significant adverse effect on our estimated reserves, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Part of our strategy may involve using horizontal drilling and completion techniques, which involve risks and uncertainties in their application.
Our operations may involve utilizing some of the latest drilling and completion techniques as developed by us and our service providers. Risks that we may face while drilling horizontal wells include, but are not limited to, the following:
● landing our wellbore in the desired drilling zone;
● running our casing the entire length of the wellbore; and
Risks that we may face while completing wells include, but are not limited to, the following:
If our drilling results are less than anticipated, the return on our investment for a particular project may not be as attractive as we anticipated and we could incur material write-downs of unevaluated properties, and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline in the future.
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Our potential use of 2-D and 3-D seismic data is subject to interpretation and may not accurately identify the presence of oil and natural gas, which could adversely affect the results of our drilling operations.
Even when properly used and interpreted, 2-D and 3-D seismic data and visualization techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and hydrocarbon indicators and do not enable the interpreter to know whether hydrocarbons are, in fact, present in those structures. In addition, the use of 3-D seismic and other advanced technologies requires greater predrilling expenditures than traditional drilling strategies and we could incur losses as a result of such expenditures. As a result, future drilling activities may not be successful or economical, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
SEC rules could limit our ability to book additional PUDs in the future.
SEC rules require that, subject to limited exceptions, PUDs may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years after the date of booking. This requirement has limited and will likely continue to limit our ability to book additional PUDs, especially in a time of depressed commodity prices. Moreover, we may be required to write down our PUDs if we do not drill those wells within the required five-year timeframe.
The unavailability or high cost of rigs, equipment, supplies and crews could delay our operations, increase our costs and delay forecasted revenue.
Our industry is cyclical, and historically there have been periodic shortages of rigs, equipment, supplies and crew. Sustained declines in oil and natural gas prices may reduce the number of service providers for such rigs, equipment, supplies and crews, contributing to or resulting in shortages. Alternatively, during periods of higher oil and natural gas prices, the demand for rigs, equipment, supplies and crews is increased and can lead to shortages of, and increasing costs for, development equipment, supplies, services and personnel. Shortages of, or increasing costs for, experienced development crews and oil field equipment and services could restrict the Company’s ability to drill the wells and conduct the operations that it currently has planned relating to the fields where our properties are located. In addition, some of our operations require supply materials for production, such as CO2, which could become subject to shortages and increased costs. Any delay in the development of new wells or a significant increase in development costs could reduce our revenues and impact our development plan, which would thus affect our financial conduction, results of operations and our cash flows.
We may incur losses as a result of title defects in the properties in which we invest.
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.
Development and production of oil and natural gas in offshore waters have inherent and historically higher risk than similar activities onshore.
Our offshore operations are subject to a variety of operating risks specific to the marine environment, such as a dependence on a limited number of electrical transmission lines, as well as capsizing, collisions and damage or loss from adverse weather conditions. Offshore activities are subject to more extensive governmental regulation than our other oil and natural gas activities. We are vulnerable to the risks associated with operating offshore Southern California, including risks relating to:
● oil field service costs and availability;
● compliance with environmental and other laws and regulations;
● third-party marine vessels, including situations similar to the Incident;
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● failure of equipment or facilities.
In addition to lost production and increased costs, these hazards could cause serious injuries, fatalities, contamination or property damage for which we could be held responsible. The potential consequences of these hazards are particularly severe for us because significant portions of our offshore operations are conducted in environmentally sensitive areas, including areas with significant residential populations and public and commercial infrastructure. An accidental oil spill or release on or related to offshore properties and operations could expose us to joint and several strict liability, without regard to fault, under applicable law for all containment and oil removal costs and a variety of public and private damages including, but not limited to, the costs of remediating a release of oil, natural resource damages, and economic damages suffered by persons adversely affected by an oil spill. If an oil discharge or substantial threat of discharge were to occur, we may be subject to regulatory scrutiny and liable for costs and damages, which costs and damages could be material to our business, financial condition or results of operations and could subject us to criminal and civil penalties. Finally, maintenance activities undertaken to reduce operational risks can be costly and can require exploration, exploitation and development operations to be curtailed while those activities are being completed.
Adverse developments in our operating areas could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our properties are located in the Rockies, federal waters offshore Southern California, East Texas / North Louisiana, Oklahoma and Eagle Ford. An adverse development in the oil and natural gas business of any of these geographic areas, such as in our ability to attract and retain field personnel or in our ability to comply with local regulations, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are dependent upon a small number of significant customers for a substantial portion of our production sales. The loss of those customers, if not replaced, could reduce our revenues and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We had three customers that each accounted for 10% or more of total reported revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss of these customers or any significant customer, should we be unable to replace them, could adversely affect our revenues and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Also, if any significant customer reduces the volume it purchases from us, we could experience a temporary interruption in sales of, or may receive a lower price for, our production, and our revenues and cash flows could decline. We cannot assure you that any of our customers will continue to do business with us or that we will continue to have access to suitably liquid markets for our future production. See “Item 1. Business — Operations — Marketing and Major Customers.”
The inability of our significant customers to meet their obligations to us may adversely affect our financial results.
We are subject to credit risk due to concentration of our oil and natural gas receivables. The inability or failure of our significant customers, or any purchasers of our production, to meet their payment obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. To the extent that purchasers of our production rely on access to the credit or equity markets to fund their operations, there could be an increased risk that those purchasers could default in their contractual obligations to us. If for any reason we were to determine that it was probable that some or all of the accounts receivable from any one or more of the purchasers of our production were uncollectible, we would recognize a charge in the earnings of that period for the probable loss and could suffer a material reduction in our liquidity and cash flows.
We are exposed to trade credit risk in the event of nonperformance by our vendors and other counterparties in the ordinary course of our business activities.
We are exposed to risks of loss in the event of nonperformance by our vendors and other counterparties. Some of our vendors and other counterparties may be highly leveraged and subject to their own operating and regulatory risks. Many of our vendors and other counterparties finance their activities through cash flow from operations, the incurrence of debt or the issuance of equity. The combination of reduction of cash flow resulting from declines in commodity prices and the lack of availability of debt or equity financing may result in a significant reduction in our vendors’ and other counterparties’ liquidity and ability to make payments or perform on their obligations to us. Even if our credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, we may experience financial losses in our dealings with other parties. Any increase in the nonpayment or nonperformance by our vendors and/or counterparties could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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We may be unable to compete effectively with larger companies.
The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive with respect to acquiring prospects and productive properties, marketing oil and natural gas and securing equipment and trained personnel. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. Many of our larger competitors not only drill for and produce oil and natural gas but also carry-on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis and many of our competitors have access to capital at a lower cost than that available to us. These companies may be able to pay more for oil and natural gas properties and evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties than our financial, technical or personnel resources permit. In addition, there is substantial competition for investment capital in the oil and natural gas industry. These larger companies may have a greater ability to continue development activities during periods of low oil and natural gas prices and to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations. Furthermore, we may not be able to aggregate sufficient quantities of production to compete with larger companies that are able to sell greater volumes of production to intermediaries, thereby reducing the realized prices attributable to our production. Any inability to compete effectively with larger companies could have a material adverse impact on our business activities, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our business depends in part on pipelines, gathering systems and processing facilities owned by us or others. Any limitation in the availability of those facilities could interfere with our ability to market our oil and natural gas production.
The marketability of our oil and natural gas production depends in part on the availability, proximity and capacity of pipelines and other transportation methods, gathering systems and processing facilities owned by third parties. The amount of oil and natural gas that can be produced and sold is subject to curtailment in certain circumstances, such as pipeline interruptions due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, excessive pressure, physical damage or lack of contracted capacity on such systems. For example, our ability to produce and sell oil from the Beta properties will depend on the availability of the pipeline infrastructure between platforms as well as the San Pedro Bay Pipeline for delivery of that oil to shore, and any unavailability of that pipeline infrastructure or pipeline could cause us to shut in all or a portion of the production from the Beta properties for the length of such unavailability. Our access to transportation options can also be affected by U.S. federal and state regulation of oil and natural gas production and transportation, general economic conditions and changes in supply and demand. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months. In many cases, we are provided with only limited, if any, notice as to when these circumstances will arise and their duration. Any significant curtailment in gathering system or transportation or processing facility capacity could reduce our ability to market our oil and natural gas production and harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have limited control over the activities on properties we do not operate.
Some of the properties in which we have an interest are operated by other companies and involve third-party working interest owners. As a result, we have limited ability to influence or control the operation or future development of such properties, including compliance with environmental, safety and other regulations, or the amount of capital expenditures that we will be required to fund with respect to such properties. Moreover, we are dependent on the other working interest owners of such projects to fund their contractual share of the capital expenditures of such projects. In addition, a third-party operator could also decide to shut-in or curtail production from wells, or plug and abandon marginal wells, on properties owned by that operator during periods of lower crude oil or natural gas prices. These limitations and our dependence on the operator and third-party working interest owners for these projects could cause us to incur unexpected future costs, lower production and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting our operations.
Our oil and natural gas development and production operations are subject to complex and stringent laws and regulations administered by governmental authorities vested with broad authority relating to the exploration for and the development, production and transportation of oil and natural gas. To conduct our operations in compliance with these laws and regulations, we must obtain and maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal, state and local governmental authorities. We may incur substantial costs in order to maintain compliance with these existing laws and regulations. Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our operations, including any evolving interpretation and enforcement by governmental authorities, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Our oil and natural gas development and production operations are also subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment, worker health and safety aspects of our operations, or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations applicable to our operations, including the acquisition of a permit before conducting regulated drilling activities; the restriction of types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment; the limitation or prohibition of drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, seismically active areas and other protected areas; the application of specific health and safety criteria addressing worker protection; and the imposition of substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the EPA and analogous state agencies, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, often requiring difficult and costly compliance measures or corrective actions. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil or criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations, the suspension or revocation of necessary permits, licenses and authorizations, the requirement that additional pollution controls be installed and, in some instances, the issuance of orders limiting or prohibiting some or all of our operations. We may also experience delays in obtaining or be unable to obtain required permits, which may delay or interrupt our operations and limit our growth and revenue. In addition, the long-term trend in environmental regulation has been to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment. Thus, our costs of compliance may increase if existing laws and regulations are revised or reinterpreted, or if new laws and regulations become applicable to our operations.
Under certain environmental laws that impose strict as well as joint and several liability, we may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently or formerly owned or operated by us or facilities of third parties that received waste generated by our operations regardless of whether such contamination resulted from the conduct of others or from consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental, health and safety impacts of our operations. Moreover, public interest in the protection of the environment has increased in recent years. New laws and regulations continue to be enacted, particularly at the state level, and, under the Biden Administration, the long-term trend of more expansive and stringent environmental legislation and regulations applied to the crude oil and natural gas industry could continue, resulting in increased costs of doing business and consequently affecting profitability. To the extent laws are enacted, or other governmental action is taken that restricts drilling or imposes more stringent and costly operating, waste handling, disposal and cleanup requirements, our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Further, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (the “Mineral Act”) prohibits ownership of any direct or indirect interest in federal onshore oil and natural gas leases by a foreign citizen or a foreign entity except through equity ownership in a corporation formed under the laws of the United States or of any U.S. State or territory, and only if the laws, customs, or regulations of their country of origin or domicile do not deny similar or like privileges to citizens or entities of the United States. If these restrictions are violated, the oil and natural gas lease can be canceled in a proceeding instituted by the United States Attorney General. We qualify as an entity formed under the laws of the United States or of any U.S. state or territory. Although the regulations promulgated and administered by the BLM pursuant to the Mineral Act provide for agency designations of non-reciprocal countries, there are presently no such designations in effect. It is possible that our stockholders may be citizens of foreign countries who do not own their stock in a U.S. corporation, or that even if such stock are held through a U.S. corporation, their country of citizenship may be determined to be non-reciprocal countries under the Mineral Act. In such event, any federal onshore oil and natural gas leases held by us could be subject to cancellation based on such determination.
See “Item 1. Business — Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety Matters and Regulations” and “— Other Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry” for a description of the more significant laws and regulations that affect us.
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Our business is subject to climate-related transition risks, including fuel conservation measures, technological advances and increasing public attention to climate change and environmental matters, which could reduce demand for oil and natural gas and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and reputation.
Increasing attention from governmental and regulatory bodies, investors, consumers, industry and other stakeholders on responding to climate change, together with fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, incentives to conserve energy or use alternative energy sources, and development of, and increased demand from consumers and industry for, lower-emission products and services (including electric vehicles and renewable residential and commercial power supplies) as well as more efficient products and services, increasing consumer demand for alternatives to oil and natural gas (including wind, solar, nuclear, and geothermal sources as well as electric vehicles), societal expectations on companies to address climate change, investor and societal expectations regarding voluntary climate-related disclosures, and technological advances in fuel economy and energy transmission, storage, consumption and generation devices (including advances in wind, solar and hydrogen power, as well as battery technology), could reduce demand for oil and natural gas. Such initiatives or related activism aimed at responding to climate change and reducing air pollution, as well as negative investor sentiment toward our industry and the impact of the changing demand for oil and natural gas services and products may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and ability to access capital.
The oil and natural gas industry, and energy industry more broadly, is characterized by rapid and significant technological advancements and introductions of new products and services using new technologies. As others use or develop new technologies, including technological advances in fuel economy and energy generation devices or other technological advances that could reduce demand for oil and natural gas, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage or may be forced by competitive pressures to implement new technologies at substantial costs. We may not be able to respond to these competitive pressures or 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, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Moreover, parties concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention at sources of funding for energy companies, which has resulted in certain financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital, restricting or eliminating their investment in oil and natural gas activities. Some investors, including investment advisors and certain sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, university endowments and family foundations, have stated policies to disinvest in the oil and gas sector based on their social and environmental considerations. Certain investment banks and asset managers based both domestically and internationally have announced that they are adopting climate change guidelines for their banking and investing activities. Institutional lenders who provide financing to energy companies such as ours have also become more attentive to sustainable lending practices, and some may elect not to provide traditional energy producers or companies that support such producers with funding. Certain other stakeholders have also pressured commercial and investment banks to stop financing oil and gas production and related infrastructure projects. Such developments, including environmental activism and initiatives aimed at limiting climate change and reducing air pollution, could result in downward pressure on the stock prices of oil and gas companies, including ours. This may also potentially result in a reduction of available capital funding or higher cost of capital for potential development projects, as well as the restriction, delay or cancellation of infrastructure projects and energy production activities, ultimately impacting our future financial results.
Negative public perception regarding us and/or our industry resulting from, among other things, concerns raised by advocacy groups about climate change, may also lead to increased litigation risk and regulatory, legislative, and judicial scrutiny, which may, in turn, lead to new state and federal safety and environmental laws, regulations, guidelines and enforcement interpretations. In addition, claims have been made against certain energy companies alleging that GHG emissions from oil and natural gas operations constitute a public nuisance or have caused other redressable injuries under federal and/or state common law. While our business is not a party to any such litigation, we could be named in actions making similar allegations. An unfavorable ruling in any such case could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Governmental authorities exercise considerable discretion in the timing and scope of permit issuance and the public may engage in the permitting process, including through intervention in the courts. Negative public perception could cause the permits we need to conduct our operations to be withheld, delayed, or burdened by requirements that restrict our ability to profitably conduct our business. In addition, various officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels, have made climate-related pledges or proposed banning hydraulic fracturing altogether. More broadly, the enactment of climate change-related policies and initiatives across the market at the corporate level and/or investor community level may in the future result in increases in the Company’s compliance costs and other operating costs and have other adverse effects (e.g., greater potential for governmental investigations or litigation). For further discussion regarding the transition risks posed to us by climate change-related regulations, policies and initiatives, see the discussion below in “—Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases,” or GHGs, could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce, while the physical effects of climate change could disrupt our production and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.”
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Increasing scrutiny and changing stakeholder expectations in respect of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) and sustainability practices may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and damage our reputation.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from a variety of stakeholders, including investor advocacy groups, proxy advisory firms, certain institutional investors and lenders, investment funds and other influential investors and rating agencies, related to their sustainability practices. If we do not adapt to or comply with investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards on sustainability matters as they continue to evolve, meet sustainability-related goals that we have set, or if we are perceived to have not responded appropriately or quickly enough to growing concern for sustainability issues, regardless of whether there is a regulatory or legal requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and our business, financial condition and/or stock price could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, the Company’s continuing efforts to research, establish, accomplish, and accurately report on the implementation of our sustainability strategy, including any specific sustainability objectives, may also create additional operational risks and expenses and expose us to reputational, legal, and other risks. While we create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding sustainability matters from time to time, some of the statements in those voluntary disclosures may be based on hypothetical expectations and assumptions that may or may not be representative of current or actual risks or events or forecasts of expected risks or events, including the costs associated therewith. Such expectations and assumptions are necessarily uncertain and may be prone to error or subject to misinterpretation given the long timelines involved and the lack of an established single approach to identifying, measuring, and reporting on many sustainability matters. Further, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to sustainability matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable sustainability ratings could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward us and our industry and to the diversion of investment to other industries, which could have a negative impact on our stock price and our access to and costs of capital.
Our operations, projects and growth opportunities require us to have strong relationships with various key stakeholders, including our shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, local communities and others. We may face pressure from stakeholders, many of whom are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability while at the same time remaining a successfully operating public company. If we do not successfully manage expectations across these varied stakeholder interests, it could erode stakeholder trust and thereby affect our brand and reputation. Such erosion of confidence could negatively impact our business through decreased demand and growth opportunities, delays in projects, increased legal action and regulatory oversight, adverse press coverage and other adverse public statements, difficulty hiring and retaining top talent, difficulty obtaining necessary approvals and permits from governments and regulatory agencies on a timely basis and on acceptable terms and difficulty securing investors and access to capital.
Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases,” or GHGs, could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce, while the physical effects of climate change could disrupt our production and cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.
The EPA has adopted and implemented regulations to restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the CAA. In addition, the EPA has also adopted rules requiring the monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions from specified sources on an annual basis in the United States, including, among others, certain oil and natural gas production facilities, which includes certain of our operations. The adoption and implementation of any regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of GHGs from, our equipment and operations could require us to incur costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with our operations or could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas we produce. Such climate change regulatory and legislative initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The $1 trillion legislative infrastructure package passed by Congress in November 2021 includes a number of climate-focused spending initiatives targeted at climate resilience, enhanced response and preparation for extreme weather events, and clean energy and transportation investments. In August 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Among other things, the Inflation Reduction Act includes a methane emissions reduction program that amends the CAA to include a Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program for petroleum and natural gas systems. This program requires the EPA to impose a “waste emissions charge” on certain oil and gas sources that are already required to report under EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. In order to implement the program, the Inflation Reduction Act required revisions to GHG reporting regulations for petroleum and natural gas systems (Subpart W) by 2024. In July 2023, the EPA proposed to expand the scope of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program for petroleum and natural gas facilities, as required by the Inflation Reduction Act. Among other things, the proposed rule expands the emissions events that are subject to reporting requirements to include “other large release events” and applies reporting requirements to certain new sources and sectors. The rule is currently scheduled to be finalized in the spring of 2024 and would take effect on January 1, 2025, in advance of the deadline for GHG reporting for 2024 (March 2025). The fee imposed under the Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program for 2024 would be $900 per ton emitted over annual methane emissions thresholds, and would increase to $1,200 in 2025, and $1,500 in 2026. Additionally, many of the states have taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs, including through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHGs cap and trade programs. At the international level, the United States joined the international community at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, France, which resulted in an agreement intended to nationally determine their contributions and set GHG emission reduction goals every five years beginning in 2020. In February 2021, the current administration announced reentry of the U.S. into the Paris Agreement along with a new “nationally determined contribution” for the U.S. GHG emissions that would achieve emissions reductions of at least 50% relative to 2005 levels by 2030. In addition, in September 2021, President Biden publicly announced the Global Methane Pledge, a pact that aims to reduce global methane emissions at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030, including “all feasible reductions” in the energy sector. Since its formal launch at COP26, over 150 countries have joined the pledge. At COP27, President Biden announced the EPA’s proposed standards to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources, and agreed, in conjunction with the European Union and a number of other partner countries, to develop standards for monitoring and reporting methane emissions to help create a market for low methane-intensity natural gas. Most recently, at COP28, nearly 200 countries, including the United States, agreed to transition away from fossil fuels while accelerating action in this decade to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, various states and local governments have vowed to continue to enact regulations to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Pursuant to its obligations as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, the United States has set a target to reduce its GHG emissions by 50-52% by the year 2030 as compared with 2005 levels and has agreed to provide periodic updates on its progress. Additionally, at COP28, member countries entered into an agreement that calls for actions towards achieving, at a global scale, a tripling of renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The goals of the agreement, among other things, is to accelerate efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, and take other measures that drive the transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems.
Additionally, the SEC issued a proposed rule in March 2022 that would mandate extensive disclosure of climate-related data, risks, and opportunities, including financial impacts, physical and transition risks, related governance and strategy, and GHG emissions, for certain public companies. We cannot predict the costs of implementation or any potential adverse impacts resulting from the rulemaking. To the extent this rulemaking is finalized as proposed, we could incur increased costs relating to the assessment and disclosure of climate-related risks. We may also face increased litigation risks related to disclosures made pursuant to the rule if finalized as proposed. In addition, enhanced climate disclosure requirements could accelerate the trend of certain stakeholders and lenders restricting or seeking more stringent conditions with respect to their investments in certain carbon-intensive sectors. See “Item 1. Business— Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety Matters and Regulations” for a further discussion of the laws and regulations related to GHGs and of climate change.
Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions (including those related to carbon pricing schemes) would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations that require reporting of GHGs or otherwise limit emissions of GHGs from our equipment and operations could require us to incur costs to monitor and report on GHG emissions or reduce emissions of GHGs associated with our operations, and such requirements also could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce and restrict our ability to execute on our business strategy, reducing our access to financial markets, or create greater potential for governmental investigations or litigation.
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Finally, most scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts and floods and other climatic events. If any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, such effects could adversely affect or delay demand for the oil or natural gas produced or cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to the effects of climatic events themselves. Potential adverse effects could include disruption of our production activities, increases in our costs of operation or reductions in the efficiency of our operations, impacts on our personnel, supply chain, or distribution chain, as well as potentially increased costs for insurance coverages in the aftermath of such effects. Our ability to mitigate the adverse physical impacts of climate change depends in part upon our disaster preparedness and response and business continuity planning. Further, energy needs could increase or decrease as a result of extreme weather conditions depending on the duration and magnitude of any such climate changes. Increased energy use due to weather changes may require us to invest in additional equipment to serve increased demand. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect our financial condition through decreased revenues. The effect of fluctuations on supply and demand may become more pronounced within specific geographic oil and natural gas producing areas, which may cause these conditions to occur with greater frequency or magnify the effects of these conditions.
The listing of a species as either “threatened” or “endangered” under the federal Endangered Species Act could result in increased costs, new operating restrictions, or delays in our operations, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The ESA and analogous state laws regulate activities that could have an adverse effect on threatened and endangered species. Operations in areas where threatened or endangered species or their habitat are known to exist may require us to incur increased costs to implement mitigation or protective measures and also may restrict or preclude our activities in those areas or during certain seasons, such as breeding and nesting seasons. The listing of species in areas where we operate or, alternatively, entry into certain range-wide conservation planning agreements could result in increased costs to us from species protection measures, time delays or limitations on our activities, which costs, delays or limitations may be significant and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position. There is also increasing interest in nature-related matters beyond protected species, such as general biodiversity, which may similarly require us or our customers to incur costs or take other measures which may adversely impact our and our customers’ business or operations.
The third parties on whom we rely for gathering and transportation services are subject to complex federal, state and other laws that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting our business.
The operations of the third parties on whom we rely for gathering and transportation services are subject to complex and stringent laws and regulations that require obtaining and maintaining numerous permits, approvals and certifications from various federal, state and local government authorities. These third parties may incur substantial costs in order to comply with existing laws and regulations. If existing laws and regulations governing such third-party services are revised or reinterpreted, or if new laws and regulations become applicable to their operations, these changes may affect the costs that we pay for such services. Similarly, a failure to comply with such laws and regulations by the third parties on whom we rely for gathering and transportation services could impact the availability of those services. Any potential impact to the availability of gathering and transportation services could impact our ability to market and sell our production, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Item 1. Business — Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety Matters and Regulations” and “— Other Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry” for a description of the laws and regulations that affect the third parties on whom we rely for gathering and transportation services.
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Oil and natural gas producers’ operations, especially those using hydraulic fracturing, are substantially dependent on the availability of water and the disposal of waste, including produced water and drilling fluids. Restrictions on the ability to obtain water or dispose of waste may impact our operations.
Water is an essential component of oil and natural gas production during the drilling, and in particular, hydraulic fracturing, process. Our inability to locate sufficient amounts of water or to dispose of or recycle water used in our development and production operations could adversely impact our operations. Moreover, the imposition of new environmental initiatives and regulations could include restrictions on our ability to conduct certain operations such as hydraulic fracturing or disposal of waste, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of natural gas. The Clean Water Act imposes restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of produced waters and other natural gas and oil waste into “waters of the United States.” Permits must be obtained to discharge pollutants to such waters and to conduct construction activities in such waters, which include certain wetlands. The Clean Water Act and similar state laws provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for any unauthorized discharges of pollutants and unauthorized discharges of reportable quantities of oil and other hazardous substances. State and federal discharge regulations prohibit the discharge of produced water and sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings and certain other substances related to the natural gas and oil industry into coastal waters. Compliance with current and future environmental regulations and permit requirements governing the withdrawal, storage and use of surface water or groundwater necessary for hydraulic fracturing of wells, and the disposal and recycling of produced water, drilling fluids, and other wastes, may increase our operating costs and cause delays, interruptions or termination of our operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In addition, in some instances, the operation of underground injection wells for the disposal of waste has been alleged to cause earthquakes. In some jurisdictions, such issues have led to orders prohibiting continued injection or the suspension of drilling in certain wells identified as possible sources of seismic activity or resulted in stricter regulatory requirements relating to the location and operation of underground injection wells. For example, we conduct oil and gas drilling and production operations in the Mississippian Lime formation in Oklahoma, a high-water play, which requires us to dispose of large volumes of saltwater generated as part of our operations. In 2015, the Oklahoma Geological Survey attributed an increase in seismic activity in Oklahoma to saltwater disposal wells in the Arbuckle formation. Around the same time, the OCC, whose Oil and Gas Conservation Division regulates oil and gas operations in Oklahoma, began issuing regulations targeting saltwater disposal activities in certain areas of interest within the Arbuckle formation. The regulations include operational requirements (i.e., mechanical integrity testing of wells permitted for disposal of 20,000 or more barrels of water per day, daily monitoring and recording of well pressure and discharge volume), as well as orders to shut-in wells, reduce well depths, or decrease disposal volumes. Under these regulations, the OCC ordered us to limit the volume of saltwater disposed of in saltwater disposal wells in the Arbuckle formation and established caps for ten of our saltwater disposal wells, which caps are still in place. To ensure that we had an adequate number of wells for disposal, we secured permits for additional saltwater disposal wells outside of the Arbuckle formation. We are currently in compliance with all OCC saltwater disposal requirements, and have maintained our production base without any negative material impact. However, any additional orders or regulations addressing concerns about seismic activity from well injection in jurisdictions where we operate could affect our operations. See “Item 1. Business — Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety Matters and Regulations — Water Discharges and Other Waste Discharges & Spills” and “— Hydraulic Fracturing” for an additional description of the laws and regulations relating to the discharge of water and other wastes and hydraulic fracturing that affect us.
Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays and adversely affect our production.
Hydraulic fracturing is an essential and common practice in the oil and gas industry used to stimulate production of natural gas and/or oil from dense subsurface rock formations. Hydraulic fracturing involves using water, sand and certain chemicals to fracture the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation to allow flow of hydrocarbons into the wellbore. We routinely apply hydraulic fracturing techniques in our drilling and completion programs. While hydraulic fracturing has historically been regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions, the practice has become increasingly controversial in certain parts of the country, resulting in increased scrutiny and regulation. See “Item 1. Business — Environmental, Health and Safety Matters and Regulations — Hydraulic Fracturing” for a description of the federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing that affect us.
If new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted at the state and local level, such laws could make it more difficult or costly for us to perform fracturing to stimulate production from dense subsurface rock formations and, in the event of prohibitions, may preclude our ability to drill wells. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing becomes further regulated at the federal level as a result of federal legislation or regulatory initiatives by the EPA or other federal agencies, our fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting requirements and result in permitting delays as well as potential increases in costs. Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we are ultimately able to produce from our reserves.
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The cost of decommissioning is uncertain.
We are required to maintain reserve funds to provide for the payment of decommissioning costs associated with the Beta properties. The estimates of decommissioning costs are inherently imprecise and subject to change due to changing cost estimates, oil and natural gas prices and other factors. If actual decommissioning costs exceed such estimates, or we are required to provide a significant amount of additional collateral in cash or other security as a result of a revision to such estimates, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.
We are required to post cash collateral and may be in the future required to post additional collateral, pursuant to our agreements with sureties under our existing or future bonding arrangements, which may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to execute our capital expenditure plan, our ARO plan and comply with our existing debt instruments.
Pursuant to the terms of our existing bonding arrangements with various sureties in connection with the decommissioning obligations related to our Beta properties, or under any future bonding arrangements we may enter into, we may be required to post additional collateral at any time, on demand, at the sureties’ sole discretion. If additional collateral is required to support surety bond obligations, this collateral would probably be in the form of cash or letters of credit, certificate of deposit or other similar forms of liquid collateral. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to satisfy collateral demands for current bonds or for future bonds.
We entered into two escrow funding agreements with certain of our surety providers to fund interest-bearing escrow accounts to reimburse and indemnify the surety providers for any claims arising under the surety bonds related to the decommissioning of our Beta properties. If we fail to comply with our obligations under such escrow agreements, the surety providers may request additional collateral in the form of cash or letters of credit, certificates of deposit or other similar forms of liquid collateral. If we are required to provide additional collateral pursuant to any such request or otherwise, our liquidity position may be negatively impacted, and we may be required to seek alternative financing. To the extent we are unable to secure adequate financing, we may be forced to reduce our capital expenditures in the current year or future years, may be unable to execute our asset retirement obligation plan or may be unable to comply with our existing debt instruments. If we are unable or unwilling to provide additional collateral, we may have to pursue alternate bonding arrangements with other sureties. See Note 6, “Asset Retirement Obligations” and Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies — Supplemental Bond for Decommissioning Liabilities Trust Agreement” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in this Annual Report for additional information.
Certain U.S. federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and production may be eliminated as a result of future legislation.
In past years, legislation has been proposed that would, if enacted into law, make significant changes to U.S. tax laws, including the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax incentives currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. These changes include, but are not limited to, (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, or IDCs, (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain domestic production activities and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. Although these provisions were largely unchanged by the Tax Act, Congress could consider and could include some or all of these proposals as part of future tax reform legislation. It is unclear whether any of the foregoing or similar proposals will be considered and enacted as part of future tax reform legislation and if enacted, how soon any such changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals or any other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could eliminate or postpone certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development and any such change could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
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Our business could be negatively affected by security threats, including cybersecurity threats, destructive forms of protest and opposition by activists and other disruptions.
As an oil and natural gas producer, we face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, to misappropriate financial assets or to render data or systems unusable; threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure or third-party facilities and infrastructure, such as processing plants and pipelines; and threats from terrorist acts. The potential for such security threats has subjected our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, our implementation of various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate security threats and to increase security for our information, facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that such procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security breaches from occurring. If any of these security breaches were to occur, they could lead to losses of financial assets, sensitive information, critical infrastructure or capabilities essential to our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Cybersecurity attacks in particular are becoming more sophisticated and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and systems, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, and corruption of data. These events could lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability. In addition, destructive forms of protest and opposition by activists and other disruptions, including acts of sabotage or eco-terrorism, against oil and gas production and activities could potentially result in damage or injury to people, property or the environment or lead to extended interruptions of our operations, adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Beta Pipeline Incident
There are remaining uncertainties regarding the extent and timing of costs and liabilities relating to the Incident, and potential changes in the regulatory and operating environment in which we operate resulting from the Incident may increase the risks to which we are exposed. The duration of such uncertainties may exist for a significant period, and such risks may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition and the implementation of our strategic agenda. Furthermore, the risks associated with the Incident may heighten the consequences of other risks to which we are exposed, including with respect to access to financing and financial assurance.
Our assumptions and estimates regarding the total aggregate costs associated with the Incident may be inaccurate, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
On February 2, 2022, the Unified Command announced that response and monitoring efforts had officially concluded for the Incident, and the Unified Command would stand down as of such date. We currently estimate that the total costs we have incurred or will incur with respect to the Incident related to (i) actual and projected response and remediation expenses incurred under the direction of the Unified Command and (ii) estimates for certain legal fees to be approximately $190.0 million to $210.0 million. These estimates consider currently available facts and presently enacted laws and regulations. We have made assumptions regarding (i) the probable and estimable amounts expected to be settled with certain vendors for response and remediation expenses and (ii) the resolution of certain third-party claims, excluding claims with respect to losses, which are not probable and reasonably estimable, and (iii) future claims and lawsuits. Our estimates do not include (i) the nature, extent and cost of future legal services that will be required in connection with all lawsuits, claims and other matters requiring legal or expert advice associated with the Incident, (ii) any lost revenue associated with the suspension of operations at Beta, (iii) any liabilities or costs that are not reasonably estimable at this time or that relate to contingencies where we currently regard the likelihood of loss as being only reasonably possible or remote and (iv) the costs associated with the permanent repair of the pipeline and the restart of operations at Beta. We believe we have accrued adequate amounts for all probable and reasonably estimable costs; however, this estimate is subject to uncertainties associated with the assumptions that we have made. Accordingly, our assumptions and estimates may change in future periods based on future events and total costs may materially increase; therefore, we can provide no assurance that we will not have to accrue significant additional costs in future periods with respect to the Incident.
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We are subject to significant litigation and enforcement risk as a result of the Incident.
Under the OPA, the Company’s pipeline was designated by the United States Coast Guard as the source of the oil discharge. Therefore, the Company is financially responsible for remediation for certain costs and economic damages as provided in the OPA. The Company continues to process covered claims under the OPA as expeditiously as possible. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the total number of future claims or the full extent of compensable damages arising from the Incident.
Our potential liabilities resulting from pending and future claims, lawsuits and enforcement actions relating to the Incident, together with the potential cost of implementing remedies sought in the various proceedings, cannot be fully estimated at this time but they may have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition and the implementation of our strategic agenda. For further information, please see Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation and Environmental” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Part I — Item 3. Legal Proceedings” included in this Annual Report.
We may be subject to increased permitting obligations and regulatory scrutiny as a result of the Incident.
The Incident may result in more stringent permitting obligations and regulation of our properties and other oil and gas activities, including at Beta and elsewhere, particularly relating to environmental, health and safety protection controls, oversight of oil and gas operations and required financial assurance. Regulatory or legislative action may impact the industry as a whole and could be directed specifically towards operators similarly situated to us, which could negatively impact our business.
Additionally, new regulations and legislation, as well as evolving practices, may increase the cost of compliance, require changes to our operations and strategic plans and impact our ability to capitalize on our assets.
The Incident may impact our ability to access financing on acceptable terms and may materially impact our liquidity.
The reputational consequences of the Incident, ongoing contingencies related to the Incident and the impact of the Incident on our liquidity and financial performance could increase our financing costs and limit our access to financing on acceptable terms. Our ability to engage in trading activities may also be impacted due to counterparty concerns about our financial and business risk profile following the Incident. Such counterparties may require that we provide collateral or other forms of financial security for their obligations. Certain counterparties for our non-trading businesses may also require that we provide collateral for certain contractual obligations.
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us, and our insurers may not pay particular claims.
We cannot guarantee that our insurance policies will cover all losses that we incur in connection with the Incident or that disputes over insurance claims will not arise with our insurance carriers. Additionally, the insurers may not pay particular claims or may take an extended period of time to do so. We currently maintain insurance that covers against certain losses and expenses associated with the Incident. For example, our insurance coverage includes loss of production income (“LOPI”) insurance for our offshore properties. Proceeds from LOPI insurance claims are intended to partially offset the loss of revenue resulting from certain events that cause suspension of operations. When such event occurs, we file claims under our LOPI policy and recognize LOPI in the period that insurers accept the claim and all uncertainty with respect to the receipt or amount of claim is resolved. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized LOPI insurance payments of $17.9 million from our Beta properties due to the Incident; however, the LOPI insurance policy in effect at the time of the Incident provided eighteen months of LOPI coverage and thus no additional LOPI insurance was recognized after March 31, 2023. The Company restarted operations of the Beta Field in April 2023.
Finally, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew our insurance policies on the same or commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in the future.
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The Incident has created significant risk to our reputation and has diverted, and will continue to divert, the attention of our management team.
The Incident has damaged our reputation, which may have a long-term impact on us. Adverse public, political and industry sentiment towards us, and oil and gas activities generally, could damage or impair our existing commercial relationships with counterparties, partners and governmental agencies and could impair our access to debt or capital, new investment opportunities, operatorships or other essential commercial arrangements with potential partners and governmental agencies. In addition, responding to the Incident may place a significant burden on our cash flow, which could also impede our ability to invest in new opportunities and deliver long-term growth.
In addition, our response to the Incident and associated consequences have required significant management focus. Key management and operating personnel are, and will need to continue, devoting substantial attention to addressing the associated consequences for us, leaving them less time to devote to executing our strategic plans. In addition, we rely on recruiting and retaining high-quality employees to execute our strategic plans and to operate our business. The Incident response and associated consequences have placed significant demands on our employees, and the reputational damage suffered by us as a result of the Incident and any consequent adverse impact on our business could affect employee recruitment, productivity, retention and the results of our operations.
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ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C.CYBERSECURITY
Our cybersecurity strategy prioritizes prevention, detection, analysis and response to known, anticipated or unexpected threats, effective management of security risks and resiliency against incidents. Our cybersecurity risk management processes include technical security controls, policy enforcement mechanisms, monitoring systems, contractual arrangements, tools and related services from third-party providers, and management oversight to assess, identify and manage risks from cybersecurity threats. We implement risk-based controls to protect our information, the information of our customers and other third parties, our information systems, our business operations, and our produced products and related services. We have adopted security-control principles primarily based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST). We also leverage industry and government associations, third-party benchmarking, internal and external Company audit results, threat intelligence feeds, and other similar resources to form our cybersecurity processes and allocate resources.
We maintain an information security program that includes physical, administrative and technical safeguards, and we maintain plans and procedures whose objective is to help us prevent while timely and effectively responding to cybersecurity threats or incidents. Through our cybersecurity risk management process, which is overseen by the Amplify Information Technology Steering Committee (the “Steering Committee”), we continuously monitor cybersecurity vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors and evaluate the potential operational and financial effects of any threat and of cybersecurity risk countermeasures made to defend against such threats. This process has been integrated into the Company’s Risk Management Program, and we have integrated Cyber Incident Response planning into our Business Continuity Program. In addition, we routinely engage third-party consultants to assist us in assessing, enhancing, implementing, and monitoring our cybersecurity risk management programs and responding to any incidents. We also carry insurance that provides protection against the potential losses arising from a cybersecurity incident. We provide monthly cybersecurity awareness and weekly phishing simulations, data protection modules, tabletop exercises, as well as more contextual and personalized modules for targeted users and roles.
Our Steering Committee was established to further strengthen our cybersecurity risk management activities across the Company, including the prevention, detection, mitigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. The Steering Committee has primary management oversight responsibility for assessing and managing risks from cybersecurity threats and is responsible for developing and coordinating enterprise cybersecurity policies and strategies and for providing guidance to key management and oversight bodies. Our Vice President of Information Technology, who has nearly two decades of information technology and cybersecurity risk management experience in the oil and natural gas industry, serves as the chair of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee includes senior executives and managers, with significant risk management expertise, from multiple areas of the business. The Steering Committee meets quarterly and reports to senior management regarding the progress of specific cybersecurity objectives. Cross-enterprise action teams will be formed, as needed, to manage and implement key decisions of the Steering Committee. A strong partnership exists between our information technology, finance, operations, internal audit, and legal departments for the purpose of addressing identified issues in a timely manner and reporting incidents as required.
The Nominating & Governance Committee of our Board of Directors, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, has primary responsibility for oversight of the Company’s initiatives, policies and performance regarding risk management matters, including information security, cybersecurity, business continuity and data protection and privacy. Committee members have extensive experience working for and/or serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies and are experienced in overseeing cybersecurity and information security risks, understanding the cybersecurity threat landscape and/or assessing emerging cybersecurity risks. The Nominating & Governance Committee generally meets at least quarterly and as frequently as circumstances dictate. Members of senior management, representing a variety of teams and functions including information technology, operations, finance and legal, routinely provide updates regarding assessments of cyber risks, the threat landscape, and the Company’s cybersecurity risk mitigation and governance strategies. The Nominating & Governance Committee and members of senior management brief the entire board, as necessary, on cybersecurity matters discussed during committee meetings.
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As of the date of this Annual Report, we are not aware of any cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us. However, we face certain ongoing risks from cybersecurity threats, that, if realized, may, among other things, cause material disruptions to our operations, which may materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, and/or financial condition. For more information about these risks, see the risk factor titled, “Our business could be negatively affected by security threats, including cybersecurity threats, destructive forms of protest and opposition by activists and other disruptions” under Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.
ITEM 2.PROPERTIES
Information regarding our properties is contained in “Item 1. Business — Our Areas of Operation” and “—Our Oil and Natural Gas Data” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —Results of Operations” contained herein.
ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
As part of our normal business activities, we may be named as defendants in other litigation and legal proceedings, including those arising from regulatory and environmental matters. If we determine that a negative outcome is probable and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable, we accrue the estimated amount. We are not aware of any other litigation, pending or threatened, that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company accrued $3.1 million at December 31, 2023, in regard to our litigation and legal proceedings.
For additional information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation and Environmental” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report and “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Beta Pipeline Incident” which are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “AMPY” and has been trading since August 7, 2019.
As of February 28, 2024, we had 39,470,258 shares of our common stock outstanding. As of February 28, 2024, we had twenty-three record holders of our common stock, based on information provided by our transfer agent.
Dividends Policy
While we may decide to pay cash dividends in the future, we have not paid, nor do we currently intend to pay, any cash dividends on our common stock. Future dividends, if any, are subject to the terms of our Revolving Credit Facility and discretionary approval by the board of directors.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan
See the information incorporated by reference in “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters” for information regarding shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under our stock compensation plans, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following sets forth information with respect to the Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Total Number of Approximate Dollar
Shares Purchased as Value of Shares That
Part of Publicly May Yet Be
Total Number of Average Price Announced Plans Purchased Under the
Period Shares Purchased Paid per Share or Programs Plans or Programs (1)
(In thousands)
Common Shares Repurchased (1)
ITEM 6.Reserved
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ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained herein. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are discussed in “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A. of this report. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. See “Forward-Looking Statements” in the front of this Annual Report.
Overview
We operate in one reportable segment engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Our management evaluates performance based on the reportable business segment as the economic environments are not different within the operation of our oil and natural gas properties. Our business activities are conducted through OLLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Our assets consist primarily of producing oil and natural gas properties located in Oklahoma, the Rockies (“Bairoil”), federal waters offshore Southern California (“Beta”), East Texas/North Louisiana and Eagle Ford. Most of our oil and natural gas properties are located in large, mature oil and natural gas reservoirs.
Production and Operation Update
Total production for the Company in 2023 was composed of approximately 37% oil, 45% natural gas and 18% NGLs compared to 31% oil, 51% natural gas and 18% NGLs in 2022. The change in our oil production was primarily related to Beta restarting operations in April 2023. We had a decrease of 29% in oil and natural gas sales primarily due to lower realized commodity prices. Average realized sales price per Boe was $38.54 for 2023 compared to $54.02 for 2022.
Our total estimated proved reserves decreased to 98.1 MMBoe in 2023 compared to 124.0 MMBoe in 2022. The decrease is primarily due to lower commodity prices.
As of December 31, 2023, we are the operator of record for properties containing 92% of our total estimated proved reserves.
Industry Trends
For a discussion of how industry trends have affected and may continue to affect our business and financial condition, see the discussion under the heading “Industry Trends” in Part I, Item 1 of this report, as well as the Risk Factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of this report.
Business Environment and Operational Focus
We use a variety of financial and operational metrics to assess the performance of our oil and natural gas operations, including: (i) production volumes; (ii) realized prices on the sale of our production; (iii) cash settlements on our commodity derivatives; (iv) lease operating expense; (v) gathering, processing and transportation; (vi) general and administrative expense; and (vii) Adjusted EBITDA.
Production Volumes
Production volumes directly impact our results of operations. For more information about our volumes, see “— Results of Operations” below.
Realized Prices on the Sale of Oil and Natural Gas
We market our oil and natural gas production to a variety of purchasers based on regional pricing. The relative prices of oil and natural gas are determined by the factors impacting global and regional supply and demand dynamics, such as economic conditions, production levels, weather cycles and other events. In addition, realized prices are heavily influenced by product quality and location relative to consuming and refining markets.
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Natural Gas. The NYMEX-Henry Hub future price of natural gas is a widely used benchmark for the pricing of natural gas in the United States. The actual prices realized from the sale of natural gas can differ from the quoted NYMEX-Henry Hub price as a result of quality and location differentials. Quality differentials to NYMEX-Henry Hub prices result from: (1) the Btu content of natural gas, which measures its heating value, and (2) the percentage of sulfur, CO2 and other inert content by volume. Natural gas with a high Btu content (“wet” natural gas) sells at a premium to natural gas with low Btu content (“dry” natural gas) because it yields a greater quantity of NGLs. Natural gas with low sulfur and CO2 content sells at a premium to natural gas with high sulfur and CO2 content because of the added cost required to separate the sulfur and CO2 from the natural gas to render it marketable. Wet natural gas may be processed in third-party natural gas plants, where residue natural gas as well as NGLs are recovered and sold. At the wellhead, our natural gas production typically has an average energy content greater than 1,000 Btu. The dry natural gas residue from our properties is generally sold based on index prices in the region from which it is produced.
Location differentials to NYMEX-Henry Hub prices result from variances in transportation costs based on the produced natural gas’ proximity to the major consuming markets to which it is ultimately delivered. Historically, these index prices have generally been at a discount to NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas prices.
Oil. The NYMEX-WTI futures price is a widely used benchmark in the pricing of domestic and imported oil in the United States. The ICE Brent futures price is a widely used global price benchmark for oil. The actual prices realized from the sale of oil can differ from the quoted NYMEX-WTI price as a result of quality and location differentials. Quality differentials result from the fact that crude oils differ from one another in their molecular makeup, which plays an important part in their refining and subsequent sale as petroleum products. Among other things, there are two characteristics that commonly drive quality differentials: (1) the oil’s American Petroleum Institute (“API”) gravity and (2) the oil’s percentage of sulfur content by weight. In general, lighter oil (with higher API gravity) produces a larger number of lighter products, such as gasoline, which have higher resale value and, therefore, normally sells at a higher price than heavier oil. Oil with low sulfur content (“sweet” oil) is less expensive to refine and, as a result, normally sells at a higher price than high sulfur-content oil (“sour” oil).
Location differentials result from variances in transportation costs based on the produced oil’s proximity to the major consuming and refining markets to which it is ultimately delivered. Oil that is produced close to major consuming and refining markets, such as near Cushing, Oklahoma, is in higher demand as compared to oil that is produced farther from such markets. Consequently, oil that is produced close to major consuming and refining markets normally realizes a higher price (i.e., a lower location differential).
The oil produced from our onshore properties is a combination of sweet and sour oil, varying by location. This oil is typically sold at the NYMEX-WTI price, adjusted for quality and transportation differential, depending primarily on location and purchaser. The oil produced from our Beta properties is heavy and sour oil. Oil produced from our Beta properties is currently sold based on refiners’ posted prices for California Midway-Sunset deliveries in Southern California, adjusted primarily for quality and a negotiated market differential.
Price Volatility. In the past, oil and natural gas prices have been extremely volatile, and we expect this volatility to continue. The following table shows the low and high commodity future index prices for the periods indicated:
High Low
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023:
NYMEX-WTI oil future price range per Bbl $ 93.68 $ 66.74
NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas future price range per MMBtu $ 4.17 $ 1.99
ICE Brent oil future price range per Bbl $ 96.55 $ 71.84
Commodity Derivative Contracts. Our hedging activities are intended to support oil, natural gas and NGL prices at targeted levels and to manage our exposure to commodity price fluctuations. We are required to enter into commodity derivative contracts at times and on terms desired to maintain a portfolio of commodity derivative contracts covering at least 50%−75% of our estimated production from proved developed producing reserves over a one-to-three-year period at any given point of time. We may, however, from time-to-time hedge more or less than this approximate range. Additionally, we may take advantage of opportunities to modify our commodity derivative portfolio to change the percentage of our hedged production volumes when circumstances suggest that it is prudent to do so. The current market conditions may also impact our ability to enter into future commodity derivative contracts.
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Principal Components of Cost Structure
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Outlook
Based on our current plans, our capital expenditure program for the full year 2024 is expected to be approximately $50.0 million to $60.0 million. The charts below detail the allocation of capital across our asset base and by investment type based on the midpoint of our 2024 capital expenditure range.
2024 CAPEX by Investment 2024 CAPEX by Area
As has been our historical practice, we will periodically review our capital expenditures throughout the year and may adjust the budget based on commodity prices and other factors. We anticipate funding our 2024 capital program from internally generated cash flow.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an on-going basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our experience and assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from what we anticipate and different assumptions or estimates about the future could change our reported results.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties.We use the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, costs of acquiring properties, costs of drilling successful exploration wells and development costs are capitalized. At the completion of drilling activities, the costs of exploratory wells remain capitalized if a determination is made that proved reserves have been found. If no proved reserves have been found, the costs of each of the related exploratory wells are charged to expense.
We review the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties, including support equipment for impairments quarterly or when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of our properties may not be recoverable. Such indications could be the result of downward revisions of the reserve estimates, less than expected production or drilling results, higher operating and development costs, or lower commodity prices. If the carrying value of the property exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the carrying amount of the property is reduced to its estimated fair value using Level 3 inputs. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, estimates of proved and probable reserves, future commodity prices, the timing of future production and capital expenditures and a discount rate commensurate with the risk reflective of the lives remaining for the respective oil and gas properties.
We believe accounting for oil and natural gas properties is a critical accounting estimate because the policies discussed above impact the carrying value of our properties and involve significant judgments about the impact of future events on our estimated cash flows. Future events and circumstances currently unknown to us could require future impairments to our properties and materially change the carrying value of our properties.
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Oil and Natural Gas Reserves. Proved oil and natural gas reserves are estimated in accordance with the rules established by the SEC and FASB. The rules require that reserve estimates be prepared under existing economic and operating conditions using a trailing 12-month average price with no provision for price and cost escalation in future years except by contractual arrangements. Our reserve estimates are prepared by our reserve engineers and audited by independent engineers.
Our reserve estimates are updated at least annually using geological and reserve data, as well as production performance data. Reserve estimates are inherently imprecise. Accordingly, the estimates are expected to change as more current information becomes available. It is possible that, because of changes in market conditions or the inherent imprecision of reserve estimates, the estimates of future cash inflows, future gross revenues, the amount of oil and natural gas reserves, the remaining estimated lives of oil and natural gas properties, or any combination of the above may be increased or decreased. Increases in recoverable economic volumes generally reduce per unit depletion rates, while decreases in recoverable economic volumes generally increase per unit depletion rates. A decline in proved reserves may result from lower market prices, which may make it uneconomical to drill for and produce higher cost fields. In addition, a decline in proved reserve estimate may impact the outcome of our assessment of oil and natural gas producing properties for impairment. We cannot predict what reserve revisions may be required in future periods.
We believe the estimate of oil and natural gas reserves is a critical accounting estimate because we must periodically reevaluate proved reserves along with estimates of future production rates, production costs and the timing of development expenditures. Future results of operations for any period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions. Significant changes in these estimates could result in a change to our estimated reserves, which could lead to a material change to our production depletion expense.
Derivative Financial Instruments. Our commodity derivative financial instruments are used to reduce the impact of natural gas and oil price fluctuations. We record our derivative instrument in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Changes in the derivative’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings as we have not elected hedge accounting for any of our derivative positions. Significant changes to the market value of derivative instruments due to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices can have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Contingencies and Insurance Accounting. A provision for legal, environmental and other contingent matters is charged to expense when the loss is probable and the cost or range of cost can be reasonably estimated. Judgment is often required to determine when expenses should be recorded for legal, environmental and contingent matters. Although we are insured against various risks to the extent we believe is prudent, there is no assurance that the nature and amount of such insurance will be adequate, in every case, to indemnify us against liabilities arising from future legal proceedings.
Environmental costs for remediation are accrued when environmental remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are based on management’s best estimate of the ultimate cost to remediate a site and are adjusted as further information and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on information about the nature and extent of contamination, appropriate remediation technologies and regulatory approvals.
An insurance receivable is recognized when collection of the receivable is deemed probable. Any recognition of an insurance receivable is recorded by crediting and offsetting the original charge. Any differential arising between the insurance recoveries and insurance receivables is recorded as a capitalized cost or as an expense, consistent with its original treatment.
We believe contingencies and insurance accounting is a critical accounting estimate because we must assess the probability of the loss related to the contingency and the expected amount that is covered by insurance.
Income Tax. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of (1) temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements and (2) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
In assessing the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets, we consider the realizability of our deferred tax assets each reporting period. The realization of any deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income sufficient to demonstrate our ability to utilize the deferred tax asset in the period in which the temporary differences become deductible or in a future period prior to expiration. We considered all available evidence, including cumulative historical losses (defined as pre-tax earnings as adjusted for permanent tax adjustment), scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies.
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We believe accounting for income taxes is a critical accounting estimate because the policies discussed above in assessing the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets require estimates and judgements about the impact of future events on our projected taxable income, the results of which can have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. For example, prior to 2023, our cumulative historical pre-tax losses for the three fiscal years end December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $434.1 million, which was primarily attributable to impairment expenses of $476.9 million that were incurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. However, primarily as a result of the litigation settlement of $84.9 million recorded during Q1 2023 and the roll-off of the impairment expense of $476.9 million incurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we now have cumulative income of $169.7 million plus permanent adjustments, resulting in a total cumulative income of $172.1 million for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. We have reversed the entire valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets during 2023, recording an income tax benefit of $249.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In future periods, we may demonstrate cumulative historical losses for the previous three fiscal years, which could significantly impact our need for a valuation allowance. Any increase in the valuation allowance would increase our income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Results of Operations
The results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 have been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements. The comparability of the results of operations among the periods presented below is impacted by the Incident and suspension of operations at our Beta properties.
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The table below summarizes certain of the results of operations and period-to-period comparisons for the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended
December 31,
($ In thousands)
Gathering, processing and transportation 20,808 29,110
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 28,004 23,950
Loss (gain) on commodity derivative instruments (40,343) 106,937
Pipeline incident settlement — 12,000
Litigation settlement 84,875 —
Income tax (expense) benefit - current (4,817) (111)
Income tax (expense) benefit - deferred 253,796 —
Oil and natural gas revenues:
Production volumes:
Average net production (MBoe/d) 20.5 20.7
Average realized sales price (excluding commodity derivatives):
Natural gas (per Mcf) 2.62 6.43
Average unit costs per Boe:
Lease operating expense $ 18.66 $ 17.45
Gathering, processing and transportation 2.78 3.86
Taxes other than income 2.85 4.41
General and administrative expense 4.41 4.00
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 3.74 3.17
For the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
Net income of $392.8 million and $57.9 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues were $288.3 million and $407.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Average net production volumes were approximately 20.5 MBoe/d and 20.7 MBoe/d for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The average realized sales price was $38.54 per Boe and $54.02 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in average realized sales price was due to lower commodity prices.
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Other revenues were $19.3 million and $50.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in other revenues was primarily related to a decrease in the recognition of loss of production income insurance related to the Incident as the insurance policy terminated during 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the loss of production income was $17.9 million compared to $50.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Lease operating expense was $139.6 million and $131.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in lease operating expense was primarily driven by higher base lease operating costs, with Beta restarting operations in April 2023, offset by a credit received for transportation costs. On a per Boe basis, lease operating expense was $18.66 and $17.45 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in lease operating expense on a per Boe basis was mainly due to higher aggregate costs with Beta restarting operations and lower production.
Gathering, processing and transportation expenses were $20.8 million and $29.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On a per Boe basis, gathering, processing and transportation expenses were $2.78 and $3.86 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in gathering, processing and transportation expense was primarily driven by the expiration of the minimum volume commitment fee in East Texas/North Louisiana (November 2022) and Oklahoma (June 2023) and lower commodity prices.
Taxes other than income were $21.3 million and $33.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in taxes other than income is due to a decrease of $12.2 million in production taxes as a result of lower commodity prices offset by an increase of $0.2 million for ad valorem tax. On a per Boe basis, taxes other than income were $2.85 and $4.41 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in taxes other than income on a per Boe basis was primarily due to lower commodity prices.
DD&A expense was $28.0 million and $24.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in DD&A expense was primarily driven by the restart of production at Beta.
General and administrative expense was $33.0 million and $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in general and administrative expense is primarily related to (i) an increase of $2.1 million in salaries and other payroll benefits; (ii) an increase of $2.2 million in stock compensation expense; partially offset by (iii) a decrease in legal services of $0.9 million; and a decrease in professional services of $0.3 million.
Net gains on commodity derivative instruments of $40.3 million were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023, consisting of a $47.9 million increase in the fair value of open positions, $0.7 million of cash settlements received on terminated derivative instruments partially offset by $8.3 million in cash settlements paid on expired positions. Net losses on commodity derivative instruments of $106.9 million were recognized for the year ended December 31, 2022, consisting of a $41.3 million increase in the fair value of open positions and a decrease of $148.2 million of cash settlements paid on expired positions.
Given the volatility of commodity prices, it is not possible to predict future reported unrealized mark-to-market net gains or losses and the actual net gains or losses that will ultimately be realized upon settlement of the hedge positions in future years. If commodity prices at settlement are lower than the prices of the hedge positions, the hedges are expected to mitigate the otherwise negative effect on earnings of lower oil, natural gas and NGL prices. However, if commodity prices at settlement are higher than the prices of the hedge positions, the hedges are expected to dampen the otherwise positive effect on earnings of higher oil, natural gas and NGL prices and will, in this context, be viewed as having resulted in an opportunity cost.
Pipeline incident loss was $20.0 million and $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The $20.0 million reflects certain legal defense and regulatory costs associated with the Incident that are not expected to be recovered under an insurance policy. See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.
Pipeline incident settlement. No expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $12.0 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022, related to the resolution of the federal and state matters associated with the Incident discussed in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.
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Interest expense, net was $17.7 million and $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change resulted from an increase in interest expense due to higher interest rates on our Revolving Credit Facility and an increase in the amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs.
Average outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility were $138.9 million and $215.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Litigation settlement was $84.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, related to the settlement with the shipping companies and the containerships whose anchors struck the Company’s pipeline. See additional information discussed in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.
Current income tax (expense) benefit was ($4.8) million and ($0.1) million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See additional information discussed in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) was $253.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Starting in the first quarter of 2023, we achieved three years of cumulative income, which allowed the release of the valuation allowance. No deferred income tax benefit (expense) was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022. See additional information discussed in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.
For the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021
Information related to the comparison of our discussion of the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, is included in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (“2022 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
Adjusted EBITDA
We include in this report the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted EBITDA and provide our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net cash flow from operating activities, our most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income or cash flows as determined by GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss):
Plus:
● Income tax expense;
● DD&A;
● Accretion of asset retirement obligations (“AROs”);
● Loss on commodity derivative instruments;
● Cash settlements received on expired commodity derivative instruments;
● Losses on sale of assets and other, net;
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● Share-based compensation expenses;
● Exploration costs;
● Acquisition and divestiture related expenses;
● Amortization of gain associated with terminated commodity derivatives;
● Severance payments;
● Bad debt expense; and
● Other non-routine items that we deem appropriate.
Less:
● Interest income;
● Income tax benefit;
● Gain on expired commodity derivative instruments;
● Cash settlements paid on expired commodity derivative instruments;
● Gains on sale of assets and other, net; and
● Other non-routine items that we deem appropriate.
We are required to comply with certain Adjusted EBITDA-related metrics under our Revolving Credit Facility.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful because it allows us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDA. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a widely followed measure of operating performance and may also be used by investors to measure our ability to meet debt service requirements.
In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate actual cash flow, develop existing reserves or acquire additional oil and natural gas properties.
The following tables present a reconciliation of the Company’s net income (loss) and cash flows operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA, our most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, for each of the periods indicated.
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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
For the Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Income tax expense (benefit) - current 4,817 111
Income tax expense (benefit) - deferred (253,796) —
Losses (gains) on commodity derivative instruments (40,343) 106,937
Pipeline incident settlement — 12,000
Litigation settlement (84,875) —
Share-based compensation expense 5,280 3,086
Loss on settlement of AROs 1,003 908
Exploration costs 57 57
Acquisition and divestiture related expenses 219 41
Bad debt expense 98 1
LOPI - timing difference (4,636) 4,636
Other 1,418 —
Reconciliation of Net Cash from Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA
For the Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 141,590 $ 64,485
Changes in working capital (8,517) (14,812)
Pipeline incident settlement — 12,000
Litigation settlement (84,875) —
Income tax expense (benefit) - current 4,817 111
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing fees (1,980) (649)
Exploration costs 57 57
Cash settlements paid (received) on terminated derivatives (658) —
Plugging and abandonment cost 2,239 1,829
Acquisition and divestiture related expenses 219 41
LOPI - timing difference (4,636) 4,636
Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps — 935
Cash settlements paid (received) on interest rate swaps — (311)
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview. Our ability to finance our operations, including funding capital expenditures and acquisitions, to meet our indebtedness obligations, to refinance our indebtedness or to meet our collateral requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have historically been cash flows generated by operating activities, borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, and equity and debt capital markets. As we pursue reserve and production growth, we plan to monitor which capital resources, including equity and debt financings, are available to us to meet our future financial obligations, planned capital expenditure activities and liquidity requirements. Based on our current oil and natural gas price expectations, we believe our cash flows provided by operating activities and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility will provide us with the financial flexibility necessary to meet our cash requirements, including normal operating needs, and to pursue our currently planned 2024 development activities. However, future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, including the level of our oil and natural gas production and the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production, and significant additional capital expenditures will be required to more fully develop our properties. We cannot assure you that operations and other needed capital will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. We anticipate funding our 2024 capital program from internally generated cash flow but retain the flexibility to utilize borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, and/or to access the debt and equity capital markets. We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents, any positive cash flows from operations and available borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to support working capital, capital expenditures and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months and, based on our current expectations, for the foreseeable future thereafter.
Impact of the Beta Pipeline Incident. There are remaining uncertainties surrounding the full impact that the Incident will have on our financial condition and cash flow generation going forward. We have incurred and will continue to incur certain costs as a result of the Incident. However, in addition to the settlement amount disclosed elsewhere in this Annual Report that we received from the vessels that struck and damaged the Pipeline and their respective owners and operators, we carry customary insurance policies, which have covered a material portion of aggregate costs, including loss of production income insurance to offset loss of revenue resulting from suspended operations. The loss of production income insurance related to the Incident expired on March 31, 2023. We restarted operations of the Beta Field in April 2023. We can provide no assurance that our coverage will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences, damages and losses related to the Incident.
Capital Markets. We do not currently anticipate any near-term capital markets activity, but we will continue to evaluate the availability of public debt and equity for funding potential future growth projects and acquisition activity.
Hedging. Commodity hedging has been and remains an important part of our strategy to reduce cash flow volatility. Our hedging activities are intended to support oil, NGL and natural gas prices at targeted levels and to manage our exposure to commodity price fluctuations. We intend to enter into commodity derivative contracts at times and on terms desired to maintain a portfolio of commodity derivative contracts covering at least 50%−75% of our estimated production from total proved developed producing reserves over a one-to-three-year period at any given point of time. We may, however, from time to time, hedge more or less than this approximate amount. Additionally, we may take advantage of opportunities to modify our commodity derivative portfolio to change the percentage of our hedged production volumes when circumstances suggest that it is prudent to do so. The current market conditions may also impact our ability to enter into future commodity derivative contracts.
We evaluate counterparty risks related to our commodity derivative contracts and trade credit. Should any of these financial counterparties not perform, we may not realize the benefit of some of our hedges under lower commodity prices. We sell our oil and natural gas to a variety of purchasers. Non-performance by a customer could also result in losses.
Capital Expenditures. Our total capital expenditures were approximately $33.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which were primarily related to capital workovers and capital facilities expenditures located in Beta, Oklahoma, Bairoil and non-operated drilling activity in Eagle Ford.
Working Capital. Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. Our working capital requirements are primarily driven by changes in accounts receivable and accounts payable as well as the classification of our debt outstanding. These changes are impacted by changes in the prices of commodities that we buy and sell. In general, our working capital requirements increase in periods of rising commodity prices and decrease in periods of declining commodity prices. However, our working capital needs do not necessarily change at the same rate as commodity prices because both accounts receivable and accounts payable are impacted by the same commodity prices. In addition, the timing of payments received by our customers or paid to our suppliers can also cause fluctuations in working capital because we settle with most of our larger customers on a monthly basis and often near the end of the month. We expect that our future working capital requirements will be impacted by these same factors.
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As of December 31, 2023, we had a working capital deficit (excluding commodity derivatives) of $15.9 million primarily as the result of (i) an accrued liabilities balance of $50.9 million, (ii) an accounts payable balance of $23.6 million, and (iii) a revenue payable balance of $21.9 million, less (i) an accounts receivable balance of $39.1 million, (ii) prepaid expenses and other current assets balance of $20.7 million and (iii) cash on hand of $20.7 million.
Debt Agreements
Revolving Credit Facility. On July 31, 2023, OLLC, as borrower, entered into the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility is a replacement in full of the prior Revolving Credit Facility, by and among OLLC, Amplify Acquisitionco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent (as amended, the “Prior Revolving Credit Facility”). At December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility was $115.0 million.
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $20.0 million of available borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all the financial (current ratio and total leverage ratio) and non-financial covenants associated with our Revolving Credit Facility.
For additional information regarding our Revolving Credit Facility, see Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report for additional information.
Material Cash Requirements
Contractual commitments. We have contractual commitments under our debt agreements, including interest payments and principal payments. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report for additional information.
Lease Obligations. We have operating leases for office and warehouse spaces, office equipment, compressors and surface rentals related to our business obligations. As of December 31, 2023, our future commitments under these contracts were $2.2 million in 2024, $2.0 million in 2025, $1.3 million in 2026, $0.8 million in 2027 and $1.8 million thereafter. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report for additional information.
Sinking fund payments. We have a funding requirement to fund a trust account to comply with supplemental regulatory bonding requirements related to our decommissioning obligations for our Beta production facilities. As of December 31, 2023, our future commitments under this agreement were $15.8 million per year for years 2024 through 2033. See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report for additional information.
Fines. We have a payment plan to pay our federal fines over a period of three years. We are scheduled to pay $2.0 million in 2024 and $1.1 million in 2025.
Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated. The cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, have been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements. For information regarding the individual components of our cash flow amounts, see the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained herein.
For the Year Ended
December 31,
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 141,590 $ 64,485
Net cash used in investing activities (38,602) (41,525)
Net cash used in financing activities (82,242) (41,759)
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